Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 207 They are all despicable people
Zhao Xin started tinkering with new things again.

As the crown prince of the Song Dynasty, every move he makes will affect many people's hearts.

But can you understand what Zhao Xin wants to do next.

This naturally also means whether you will have the possibility of rising to the top in officialdom in the future.

It’s clear that Zhao Xin likes these craftsman jobs so much.

Through various connections, in the third year of Huangyou, some local officials also tried to report to the court some skilled craftsmen in the areas under their jurisdiction.

It can’t be said that it was a bribe to Zhao Xin.

only……

It just so happened that there was indeed a very famous craftsman in the area under his jurisdiction, so there should be no problem in reporting him to the court.

Pang Ji, Wen Yanbo, Fu Bi, Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi and others knew who the report was directed at as soon as they saw it.

really!

As soon as Zhao Xin saw the report, his eyes lit up.

And he also said: "Why didn't you say this earlier?"

Fan Zhongyan asked, "Is this craftsman really that important?"

Although craftsmen are indeed very important whether in building cities or in wars.

but……

Zhao Xin's attitude towards craftsmen is indeed unheard of.

Zhao Xin said, "You don't understand craftsmanship at all. And you must have read books in vain."

Fan Zhongyan said, "Your Highness Prince Yu, please give me some advice."

Zhao Xin asked, "Who was the first person to invent silk and use it to make clothes?"

Fan Zhongyan said, "Leizu."

Zhao Xin asked again: "Who was the first person to invent the boat and carriage?"

Fan Zhongyan added: "According to legend, it was Emperor Xuanyuan."

Zhao Xin asked again: "Then who invented pottery?"

Fan Zhongyan added: "It is said that it was Emperor Yan."

Zhao Xin then asked: "Have you discovered the pattern of these people?"

Fan Zhongyan: “…”

Inside the meeting hall.

Others, including Ouyang Xiu and others, were also thinking about it.

I couldn't help but wonder, what pattern could there be? Could it be that they are all famous emperors and empresses in ancient times?
However, in ancient times, there were no titles such as emperor and empress.

He can be said to be the leader.

Wen Yanbo was brave enough to express himself and said, "They were all very famous figures in ancient times."

Zhao Xin also asked: "Then why are they famous?"

Everyone thought about it again, and everyone knew that these people must be very wise.

But if you answer like this...

Fan Zhongyan asked, "Is it because they invented these things?"

Zhao Xin said, "Why do we always say how good the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are? What are their specific good points? For example, many people say they are wise, but where exactly do they show their wisdom? You say, besides the fact that their moral character is indeed good, is it possible that they taught the people to use slash-and-burn farming, and the invention of boats and carriages made it easier to transport goods and migrate. In the past, people could only wear grass skirts and animal skins, but now they can wear beautiful clothes. Not to mention the invention of porcelain, which can be used to store food and water, and can also be used as cooking utensils."

"These legends that have been passed down since ancient times all illustrate one truth, which is the importance of mastering a craftsman's skills."

"If you master it well, you can even become one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors."

"Of course, these stories from ancient times are not necessarily true. Some things might not have been invented by them, but were accidentally invented by their subordinates, and then were attributed to them."

"But no matter what, only by developing craftsmanship can we change these hard times." "Otherwise... now you can only wear grass skirts, animal skins, and eat raw meat and drink blood like your ancestors."

"You still think the craftsman is a useless character?"

"From wearing grass skirts and animal skins, eating raw meat and drinking blood, to wearing gorgeous silk clothes and living in big houses, and even having all kinds of exquisite handicrafts for people to play with, and living a prosperous and comfortable life, in my opinion, these are not the limits of craftsmen."

“The limit of a craftsman should be that he can farm without bending over, and that he can fly without wings.”

"And in the future everyone will be able to have enough food to eat, without having to worry about hunger or famine."

"But people like you who are so humble would never understand."

"After all, there are only a few of these Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors every few thousand years."

If Zhao Xin had not invented the steam engine, Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi and Wen Yanbo might not have thought so.

But since I saw the steam engine and heard what Zhao Xin said.

It seemed as if the three of them had opened up their Ren and Du meridians in an instant.

I wondered if the Zhao Xin in front of me could really be the reincarnation of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?
otherwise……

How do we explain the invention of something as incredible as the steam engine?

of course!

In fact, to be honest, steam engines and water wheels have many similarities.

It can be said to be an upgraded version of the waterwheel.

But this kind of upgrade, although seemingly simple, is actually not easy at all.

It would be impossible to come up with something like the steam engine without some knowledge in your head.

Fan Zhongyan also asked: "How can you farm without bending down?"

Zhao Xin said, "Think about adding a plow behind the steam engine."

Fan Zhongyan was stunned by these words.

Zhao Xin added: "And it's not just one plow, but twenty-eight or thirty plows. Just imagine, thirty plows pulling forward together, how many acres of land can be plowed in a day."

Fan Zhongyan only thought about it for a moment, then asked excitedly, "Can this really be done?"

Zhao Xin said, "I can't do that. What's the point of recruiting and training craftsmen?"

Pang Ji and others had never seen a steam engine.

So it is still a little unclear what the steam engine is like.

only……

Having said that, they had little knowledge of steam engines, but this did not affect their understanding of the concept of thirty plows.

These thirty plows pulling forward together?

What concept is this?
At least thirty cows need to walk side by side, right?
Judging from the conversation between Zhao Xin and Fan Zhongyan, they wanted to use a steam engine to pull thirty plows.

What an exaggeration.

So even though they didn't know what a steam engine was, they still expressed awe at it.

After all, that's thirty plows.

Fu Bi was also confused after hearing this.

Have no idea what they are talking about.

Han Qi and Wen Yanbo took a deep breath.

Because if that were really possible, it would be too outrageous.

The two had never dared to even think of such a fantasy before.

In the new year, in the meeting hall, Zhao Xin began to reveal a little about his future plans.

(End of this chapter)