Prince of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 573 The Steam Engine and the Cui Family

Gao Ming is very clear that no matter what kind of aristocratic family they are, all they want is to make their family prosperous and prosperous for a long time. In order to achieve this goal, both land and talent monopoly are necessary means.

But these two methods are not beneficial to the country, so Gao Ming came up with the land year limit and the Datang Royal Academy.

The land year limit can break the land mergers of aristocratic families, and Datang Academy can break their monopoly on talents.

Gao Ming's purpose is known to the aristocratic family, but they are not in a hurry because they still have an advantage.

Although the implementation of land year restrictions can cause them a lot of trouble in a short period of time, and even make them lose a lot of land that has been merged, it is not enough to hurt them.

Although the Royal Academy can cultivate many talents from poor families, it does not happen overnight.

And even if the Royal Academy really cultivated a lot of talents, it is impossible for the emperor to only use the poor family and abandon the children of the aristocratic family. At most, the two are equal to each other.

Throughout the dynasties, the most important thing for emperors is balance. These aristocratic families have long understood this, so no matter what, there will always be a place for them in the court.

What they need now is to find an important thing that can replace the land, so as to provide enough money, food and material support for the family.

For example, Fan Yang Lu's, what they use now instead of land is the salt field they established in cooperation with Gao Ming.

With this salt field with an annual output of several million stones, even if the Lu family lost their land, it would not have much impact on their family. It can be said that the Fanyang Salt Field is the new pillar of the Lu family!
With the precedent of the Lu family, other aristocratic families began to look for something similar to "Fanyang Saltworks", and the steam engine was what the Cui family of Qinghe planned to obtain.

The members of the Cui family saw the prospect of the steam engine, and they knew very well that the steam engine would bring about an important change in Datang. As long as they had the steam engine, the Qinghe Cui family would not be affected by the loss of land, but also because of the gain. Take the steam engine one step further!
In order to achieve this goal, Cui Zhang brought property worth millions to Cheng Yaojin's mansion, and all he asked was for Cheng Yaojin to help matchmaking.

However, what Cui Zhang didn't expect was that at the critical moment, Cheng Yaojin not only didn't speak for him, but even gave him a dozen big mouths, which made him very sad.

"What about the most basic trust between people?"

However, Cheng Yaojin's performance also told Cui Zhang an important message, that is, how important the crown prince Gao Ming is!

"Since it's too late for Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Lu, we can't hesitate any longer, otherwise we won't even be able to drink soup in the future, let alone eating meat!"

After realizing this, Cui Zhang strengthened his determination even more.

"No matter what kind of request the prince puts forward, he must agree, and he must get the method of making the steam engine!"

Originally, Cui Zhang had already made up his mind, but after hearing Gao Ming's request, he still couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed.

Because he didn't expect that Gao Ming's request was to let the Cui family of Qinghe build the Datang Royal Academy, and to build four schools in Yingzhou, Jizhou, Qizhou and Cangzhou.

In fact, it doesn’t take much money to build academies. According to the scale of Jinju Royal Academy, one academy can be built with more than 50 guan, and even if four schools are built, it will only cost [-] guan.

This amount of money is less than half of what Cui Zhang gave Cheng Yaojin this time!
What really embarrassed him was that Gao Ming asked Qinghe Cui to take full charge of the four royal academies, not only for money, but also for people.

Cui Zhang has already inquired about it. The Royal Academy in Jinzhou now accommodates nearly 300 students, and there are nearly [-] teachers in charge of teaching alone.

In other words, if he builds the Royal Academy in the four states of Yingzhou, Jizhou, Qizhou, and Cangzhou, if he wants to reach the scale of the Jinzhou Royal Academy, he must recruit more than 1000 teachers.

Moreover, since the Royal Academy can be named the word "Royal", then those who can enter to teach, not to mention well-read poetry and books, must at least have a certain degree of fame, or at least have to be a scholar, even if it is not too much.

More than 1000 scholars and candidates, this number is not a small number for the Cui family of Qinghe.

Just like the saying in later generations that "what is lacking in the 21st century is talent", Datang also lacks talents. It is basically impossible to gather so many famous people from the outside. This requires the Qinghe Cui family to recruit people from their own family.

And most importantly, even if he overcomes these difficulties and successfully establishes the four royal academies, he will also completely offend the other aristocratic families at the same time.

Because such an approach is tantamount to helping Gao Ming break the talent monopoly of aristocratic families and shake the foundations of all aristocratic families. This is the most troublesome point.

"Could it be that His Royal Highness wanted our Qinghe Cui family to make a 'vote of honor' and cut off our escape route by the way? Sure enough, it was a good plan!"

Thinking of this, Cui Zhang couldn't help but take a deep look at Gao Ming.

Seeing Cui Zhang's glance, Gao Ming also understood that he understood what he meant, and immediately grinned.

"Haha, Master Cui finds it particularly difficult? It's okay, if you can't make up your mind, don't worry, you can go back and think about it slowly, it doesn't matter if you don't agree!"

Speaking of this, Gao Ming immediately looked at Cui Zhang with deep meaning.

"Because something as important as a steam engine, rather than handing it over to someone who doesn't even know where he stands, it's better to hold it in your own hands. What do you think, Mr. Cui?"

"This……"

Of course Cui Zhang understood the hidden meaning of Gao Ming's words, so he was taken aback for a moment, but after realizing it, he quickly forced a forced smile towards Gao Ming.

"His Royal Highness is just joking. I, the Qinghe Cui family, have always been loyal to the Holy One and His Royal Highness, so please rest assured, Your Highness. After I return, I will immediately start to establish the royal academies in Yingzhou, Jizhou, Qizhou and Cangzhou!"

Seeing Cui Zhang's serious face, Gao Ming nodded in satisfaction.

"Well, that's good, then you can go to the Military Industry Department of Datang tomorrow afternoon, then I will ask Liu Tao to give you the blueprint for making the steam engine, and send some craftsmen to go back with you!"

"Ah?" Hearing Gao Ming's words, Cui Zhang suddenly showed shock: "Give it to me tomorrow?"

Seeing his shocked expression, Gao Ming laughed again.

"Of course I will give it to you tomorrow, so why don't I give it to you after the completion of the four new Tang Royal Academy? Isn't that because the daylilies are cold? Haha!"

Gao Ming patted Cui Zhang's shoulder while smiling.

"I've always been suspicious of people, and I don't doubt people's employment. Since I have decided to trust you, I won't hold back on you, and if I live up to my trust, what will happen, I believe you understand! "

"Uh……"

Hearing Gao Ming's threatening words, Cui Zhang's expression changed immediately, he quickly lowered his head, and then bowed to Gao Ming.

"Never dare to disappoint His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Seeing Cui Zhang's serious expression with a trace of panic, Gao Ming nodded again in satisfaction.

"I hope so!"

(End of this chapter)