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“Within three years, establish three large official steel workshops, including the Qingzhou Steel Workshop, Laiwu Steel Workshop, and Kaiping Steel Workshop, to achieve an annual steel output of three hundred thousand tons.”
Pang Yukun read out the content. The unit of weight “ton” was something he had learned at Bowen Academy, but he still had no real concept of three hundred thousand tons. So he muttered, “What is the current annual output of the Qingzhou Steel Workshop?”
“Less than twenty thousand tons,” Xiao Ming answered Pang Yukun’s question directly.
“So little?” Fei Ji frowned. “Your Majesty, if the Qingzhou Steel Workshop’s annual output is less than twenty thousand, how can it reach three hundred thousand tons in three years?”
Xiao Ming smiled. This three hundred thousand tons was certainly not something Xiao Ming fabricated. In fact, contemporary Britain’s annual steel output was around three hundred thousand tons.
With the Bessemer converter steelmaking method, he believed reaching this figure in three years was not a problem.
“Elder Fei need not worry. You just need to build the remaining two steel workshops, and the output will naturally reach that figure.”
Fei Ji did not know much about industry, so he said no more.
After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Ming felt it was still necessary to explain this three-year plan, otherwise these officials would remain confused.
So he said, “This three-year plan primarily targets education, industry, commerce, government affairs, and the military. Among them, the most important reform in education is to popularize martial spirit and military training in schools. All enrolled students must receive military training in addition to their studies from a young age, such as bayonet combat training.”
Chao Zhengwen nodded, taking down Xiao Ming’s words. He said, “The reason barbarian soldiers are so brave and skilled in battle is because they have been practicing archery and horsemanship from a young age. This is something the Great Yu Empire cannot compare to.”
Xiao Ming showed an appreciative look towards Chao Zhengwen. This chief education official was chosen correctly; at least ideologically, Chao Zhengwen was on the same page as him.
The reason he formulated this plan was to foster a martial spirit throughout the Great Yu Empire.
In the Age of Sail, the world was essentially a stage for brigands. Without ruthlessness, how could one contend with Western armies?
After all, Westerners were tall and strong. In terms of physical strength, this was a disadvantage for the Great Yu Empire’s people. If they didn’t sharpen their bayonet fighting skills, a real bayonet charge could be very brutal.
After a pause, he then spoke of commerce, which was the formal establishment of the Ministry of Commerce. His order to Li Kaiyuan was to popularize commercial law in the six provinces within three years, and at the same time establish a governmental structure to supervise merchants and collect taxes.
In terms of industry, besides steel, textiles, etc., there was also the expansion of the military workshop. Currently, the military workshop’s output could only cope with domestic rebellions, but it was still far from being able to step onto the international stage. So, within these three years, the military workshop would undergo another expansion, and Lu Tong’s gunpowder workshop would also be merged into the military workshop.
As for government affairs, he further refined them. In addition to establishing the Ministry of Commerce, he also strengthened the Imperial Household Department, entrusting all industrial affairs of the six provinces to its management.
Furthermore, Xiao Ming abolished the traditional prefectural yamen runners. From then on, the six provinces would only have security bureaus, and the security forces would be responsible for public order in all prefectures, counties, and villages.
However, the deepest reform this time was the military. After discussing industry, commerce, and government affairs, Xiao Ming looked at Niu Ben and the other generals.
First, he had Qian Dafu read out the list of commendations for the generals. Then he said, “The army is a vital instrument of the state, and I must attach importance to it. From today, I have decided to establish the Grand Council. From now on, all military deployments will be decided by the Grand Council.”
Xiao Ming had discussed this with Niu Ben long ago, so Niu Ben was not surprised. The Grand Council, simply put, was the highest military office responsible for formulating war plans and issuing military orders.
Officials of the Grand Council were directly responsible to Xiao Ming, and generals under the Grand Council were directly responsible to the Grand Council. This layered management system had a very simple purpose: to prevent generals from privatizing their armies.
Because the Grand Council was responsible for all military affairs, military provisions and salaries also had to pass through the Grand Council’s review, thereby explicitly telling soldiers that they were eating imperial provisions and taking imperial silver, weakening the generals’ private control over the army.
After an hour of explaining until his throat was dry, Xiao Ming had essentially clarified the matters. To help these officials understand and remember, he also utilized the technology crystal.
“Your Majesty, I understand.”
Pang Yukun now had a clear direction. This three-year plan appealed to him, and he couldn’t help but say happily.
“We, your humble servants, also understand,” the ministers echoed.
Xiao Ming nodded in satisfaction, “Excellent. After this court session, all you beloved ministers will act according to the pamphlets I have given you. I do not wish to be disappointed after three years.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the ministers’ voices were loud and clear.
Having launched the three-year plan, Xiao Ming felt a sense of relief. Today, he had laid out the agenda for the next three years. Now, he could immerse himself in the task of advancing technology, as the subordinate matters could proceed systematically enough.
Having said all he needed to say, Xiao Ming then signaled Qian Dafu to announce the adjournment of court.
The ministers cheered, “Long live!” and retreated. Xiao Ming and Qian Dafu left the council hall.
However, the two did not immediately return to the temporary palace but instead took a tour of the imperial palace under construction. In such cold weather, the artisans were still working, over twenty thousand people busily engaged.
Under the diligent labor of so many people, the imperial palace had already largely taken shape. At this rate, it was estimated that they could move in next year. After all, his imperial palace did not pursue the luxury of ancient emperors; it merely aimed for simplicity, generosity, and sufficiency.
After inspecting the imperial palace, the two returned to the temporary palace. After today’s court session, he was completely relaxed. He planned to spend more time on education and technology during this period, and incidentally, enjoy the pleasures of this ancient life.
It had been over five years since he came to this world, and he had always lived in fear, treading on thin ice, never having a single comfortable day.
Now that the dust had settled and his wings had gradually matured, he was finally qualified to balance work and leisure.
However, while he was idle, Fei Ji and Pang Yukun and the other officials began a three-year nightmare. After the court adjourned, they each returned to their offices, summoned officials for meetings with the three-year plan pamphlets, and assigned tasks.
First, they selected a group of excellent artisans from the currently mature workshops. Then Pang Yukun and Fei Ji jointly signed orders to recruit displaced people.
These recruited displaced people would travel with the artisans to the mines, where they would establish coal mines, iron mines, and steel workshops near the mines, ultimately forming a city with the mine as its core.
Besides the mines, a portion of the displaced people would be placed under the Railway Department. They would construct a railway network centered on Qingzhou Province under the Railway Department’s command.
While the imperial court was extremely busy, the common people also became enthusiastic at this time. After the cruel war, a great development spanning the six prefecture was about to begin.