Chapter 255: "Three Enhancing Artifacts."

Chapter 255: "Three Enhancing Artifacts."
After the military conference, Li Daliang ordered Wang Jie to lead eight hundred elite cavalry with double horses, carrying the decree of the Grand Commander of Liangzhou, and left Liangzhou first, preparing to confront the Tuyuhun army.
And Li Daliang led Luo Yunsheng to meet the accompanying craftsmen.
These craftsmen in the Ministry of Works may be considered worthless low-class individuals by civil officials, but in the military, each one of them has become highly sought after. These people, generally speaking, treat martial artists well and think highly of themselves. They almost think their heads can reach the sky.
But these warriors can't resist this trick. These craftsmen gentlemen are not like the court officials who speak in jargon, and they can also produce various life-saving weapons, so they are highly respected, one by one.
These gentlemen eat the best meals in the camp and usually ignore Li Daliang.
But when they heard that Guanfengshi wanted to see them, these accompanying craftsmen actually cheered and dressed up to welcome him.
This made Li Daliang feel a little depressed. How could a hairy little kid want to see you guys? You all get so excited one by one, but I, old Li, go up every day with a smile to greet you, and you just love to ignore.
The leader of the team is a doctor, named Wei Yu, who is a true descendant of the Wei family from the Ministry of Works.
The impressive Wei family personally came out of the gate to welcome Luo Yunsheng and others, which made Li Daliang a bit confused.
During this period, Cui Xiong and others, who had a rich military career, were also puzzled and did not understand why these craftsmen, who were usually proud and arrogant towards warriors, were so polite to the observer.
It is actually very simple because in Chang'an, Luo's display of a streamlined production capacity has shocked the Ministry of Works in the Tang Dynasty. If these technologies can be applied to the production in the Tang Dynasty, it will definitely enhance the overall comprehensive strength of the Tang Dynasty.
Don't think that the Ministry of Works is only responsible for making weapons for the military. In fact, the Ministry of Works is also in charge of building city walls, constructing water conservancy projects, and manufacturing civilian equipment, among many other things.
The entire Ministry of Works can be described as a department with tremendous pressure.
Because every year when reporting expenses, the Minister of Household Affairs always has a serious and reluctant expression, unwilling to share the profits and allocate gold and silver to them.
It is because the Ministry of Works is employing too many officials, their productivity is even lower than that of the private sector, and the costs are much higher.
Therefore, every ambitious officer in the government department hopes to change this situation, because no one wants to be inferior in the court and be a money-swallowing monster without efficiency.
For the same thing, it cost 100,000 denarii last year, but only 70,000 denarii this year, and the result is even more beautifully achieved. Isn't this a solid achievement?
The position of the butt determines the brain. Who wouldn't want to flatter someone who can help them promote and make money?
The difficulty lies in the fact that although mathematics is a very important subject in the Tang Dynasty, most officials are not knowledgeable in this area. Apart from those who are exceptionally talented, others are just average. Therefore, there are very few officials who are able to improve scientific and technological advancements.
To be honest, if the conditions allowed, Wei Yu even hoped that Luo Yunsheng would become the minister of their Ministry of Works.
"Chief Feng, this time you still have to personally make a trip. Whatever matters there are, just let us know and we, the colleagues from the Ministry of Works, will personally visit."
Without waiting for Luo Yunsheng to speak, Weiyu, an official of the Ministry of Works, bowed and saluted in an unusually respectful manner.
Li Daliang couldn't help but sneer at it, his eyes filled with contempt. "Isn't it time for you, a dog, to stop cursing and keep your distance from us?"
How can I see the Observer of Feng so humbly?
What about your dignity as a member of the Wei Family?
Is it because you are afraid of being looked down upon in Chang'an that you are afraid of being treated unfairly?
Seeing Wei Yu so respectful, Luo Yunsheng also spoke quite politely, "Doctor Wei, there's no need to be like this. Being court officials together means cooperating with each other. Now that I have something to ask of you, how can I dare to have you visit me?"
Seeing the puzzled and worried expression on Wei Yu's face, Luo Yunsheng guessed what was going on and smiled, saying, "Dr. Wei, rest assured that I won't let you work in vain, and the difficulty of the task will definitely be within your capabilities."
Li Daliang, who was standing aside, saw Luo Yunsheng speaking too politely and said with his arms folded, "Why be polite to these rude people? Just tell them that we are here to deliver merits. How dare they not work hard!"
Upon hearing this, Wei Yu looked at Li Daliang disdainfully and sneered, "If it was something requested by Guanfeng, even if it means enduring hardships, we would do it; but if it is merit bestowed by you, even if it is a grand parade, we wouldn't deign to respond."
It's better for you to keep silent so as not to hurt the mood of Master Li.
Ignoring Li Daliang's embarrassed expression, he immediately turned his head and looked at Luo Yunsheng, complimenting, "Thanks for your appreciation, we will do our best. Please tell us, what kind of work is it, and do you need us clumsy people to do it?"
Ruo Yunsheng looked at Wei Yu's distinct approach, thinking to himself that she is at least a technical person, and her cute temper is indeed charming. However, it didn't delay much, but instead smiled and took out the blueprint from his pocket.
"Weilang, I need you to help me create 20,000 pairs of this item."
"This thing looks a bit like a lying-down plow."
Weiyu puzzledly held the drawings and studied them for a long time, "Making a plow this season seems useless."
Luo Yunsheng smiled and said, "Wei, you've already said it, the curved plow is meant to be used while lying down. Just imagine, if you put it on the snow."
Wei Yu bowed his head and carefully looked at it for a long time, suddenly realizing, "This, this, this, with this thing, can't we walk quickly on the snow?"
Luo Yunsheng smiled and said, "Indeed."
"No, no,"
Suddenly, Wei Yu realized something and said, "If we lie on this curved plow, attach a rope to it, and put it on cattle, horses, or even hunting dogs, wouldn't it become a transportation vehicle for troops?"
In such harsh weather conditions, it is indeed possible for our army to march dozens of miles in a day. What is this device called, used for observing the wind?"
"This device is called a wind observer."
"Indeed, the object lives up to its name."
"With the Observing Wind Device, it would be as easy as turning over one's hand to defeat the Tuyuhun. You have made remarkable contributions to the establishment of the Tang Dynasty."
"You flatter me. I merely drew the blueprint. It is the officials of your Ministry of Works who actually built it. How could I dare to claim all the credit? I will definitely submit a memorial on behalf of all of you to ask for recognition."
"So we dare not to thank the Wind Observer."
The crowd bowed to the ground.
The second blueprint is a flowchart, which also involves the use of a fresh thing in Tang Dynasty, coal. I can probably guess its purpose, so I frowned and asked, 'I wonder why the Wind Observer is producing lime on such a large scale?'
It is not easy to collect this special rock on a large scale in winter.
"That's right, your Ministry of Works should also have similar records. Lime generates heat when it comes into contact with water. Our soldiers have difficulty eating hot meals and heating water at river mouths while on expedition. Moreover, in the wilderness, heat is lost very quickly. I want to use this lime to cook and boil water for the soldiers, and even for heating. I wonder if it is possible."
"It's possible, but the key is that this rock is difficult to collect."
Wei Yu frowned and said.
"This is not difficult. Wei Langzhong, have you forgotten that our Luo family can collect coal from the mountains and forests?"
"It turns out that the method of collecting coal stones is impressive to Wei Yu."
"In fact, it has long been rumored that the Luo family has mastered a very terrifying power. Wei Yu had also heard about it, but he never expected that Luo Yunsheng would bring out this method today."
This kind of grandeur, how can Wei Yu not admire, as Wei Yu said and then bowed and left work, saying, "With this, our Great Tang soldiers are truly like a tiger with wings added."
However, Luo Yunsheng had no intention of feeling sorry at all. Gunpowder, such a thing, cannot always be held in one's own hands. The earlier it is handed over, the better it is for oneself.
Speaking of which, Luo Yunsheng continued, "Thirdly, I want you to produce a large amount of this kind of framework structure according to my requirements."
Weiyu is truly a professional. After looking at the drawings for a few moments, he said, "Could it be that Guan Fengshi is planning to build a city?"
“对，韦郎中真的比本使见过的很多官员都要专业。”
罗云生笑着说道：“想要给吐谷浑人一个出其不意，就要玩点新鲜的，本使想要寻一处交通要地，利用这严寒天气筑起坚城，将吐谷浑人生生的困死。
Do you see this framework? If it is buried deeply and soldiers keep watering it frequently, will it become a strong fortress overnight?
Then how can we obtain so many iron ingots?
"Have you forgotten about the Tuyuhun people?"
"After they were captured, so many weapons, you just casually melt them, anyway the Tuyuhun's technology is backward, we won't use their weapons."
"If observing the wind is to build a city, I'm afraid the amount of work would be immense."
Weiyu pondered for a while and said.
"This official also knows that the amount of work is not small. Otherwise, how could we come to you at the Ministry of Works? Just tell me how much manpower you need."
After careful consideration, Wei Yu squatted down on the ground and calculated repeatedly on the snow surface. Then he said, "Now it is a time of war, and the demand for manpower by the Wind Observer is definitely high. After my calculation, I need twenty thousand people, and I can't have any less. If it's any less, I'm afraid I won't meet the requirements of the Wind Observer and it will delay the war of the Great Tang."
At this moment, Li Daliang became more and more annoyed and couldn't help but speak up: "Wei Yu, have you gone mad? It took so much effort to capture these few captives with the use of the Guanfeng Corps. You are demanding twenty thousand just like that. Don't tell me you are unaware that we in Liangzhou have already decided to go to war with the Tuyuhun tribe and are in urgent need of laborers?"
"You fool, with the invention of the wind-watching plow, why do you still need so many laborers?"
"You've been in the army for so many years, don't you understand the principle that precision matters more than quantity?"
Without the laborers' basic needs of food, drink, and sanitation, this battle must be comfortable for you. "
Weiyu stood up straight and directly vented his anger at Li Daliang.
In fact, the practice of civil officials in the Tang Dynasty criticizing military officers has long existed. For example, father and son Chu Suiliang, in every memorial, would curse Cheng Yaojin through Li Jing. Any fierce military officer would be targeted in their attacks.
"Dog thief, how dare you speak to Ayie like this! I'll tear your dog mouth apart!"
"Li Daliang reached out and was ready to strike."
"But Wei Yu, who respected Luo Yunsheng very much, stood tall with his neck raised, and looked at him with the corner of his eye. 'Come on, uncouth warrior, kill me! Let's see who will provide production tools for observing the wind!' Can you bear the guilt of delaying the war in the Tang Dynasty?"
"You, you, you."
Li Daliang raised his hand in anger and couldn't speak for a long time.
"Spit!"
Wei Yu spat on the ground and cursed at Li Daliang, "You damn traitor, don't think I don't know that you secretly took the weapons produced by our Ministry of Works and gave them to the Party Xiang. Once the war is over, I will definitely expose you."
Ruo Yunsheng listened to the angry words of Wei Yu and quickly tried to stop him. His eyes kept darting, pondering the credibility of the situation, while his mouth continued persuading, "Gentlemen, gentlemen, we are all working for the sake of the great Tang Dynasty. Why argue like this? If Wei Physician has the ability, then complete the task I assigned to you; and if General Da Du has the ability, go kill a few more bandits on the battlefield. What's the point of arguing here?"