Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 886 Preliminary Establishment of the Industrial Zone
Changsun Wuji was a conservative, which did indeed add considerable obstacles to the Crown Prince's governance, but he was still just a conservative, and conservatives also need to eat.

The social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants was an unchangeable class division in his mind, but farmers and artisans were equally important. He invited Xia Lin to his home, saying that dinner was just an excuse, but he really wanted to talk about the affairs of agriculture, sericulture, and industry.

In particular, the industrial park that Xia Lin had mentioned before was previously overseen by Li Shimin, the Prince of Shu, who was also the brother-in-law of Changsun Wuji. However, apart from sending a letter every three months, Li Shimin was away playing his damned Pirate King role, so the industrial park project was naturally put on hold for about two and a half years.

At present, the desire for industry within the Li Tang is becoming more and more urgent, because they have also realized that the Great Wei has imposed industrial price cuts on them. What only costs three copper coins to leave the factory costs three hundred copper coins here. Although they know that most of the cost is in transportation and logistics, such prices are simply unbearable.

The banquet at the Changsun residence was held in a small pavilion within the mansion, with bamboo curtains hanging on all four sides. This not only blocked the view from the outside but also allowed the evening breeze to gently carry the fragrance of lotus blossoms from the pond. The dishes on the table were not extravagant, but each one was exquisite, clearly showing that careful thought had been put into them.

Xia Lin sat cross-legged in the guest seat, his relaxed and lazy posture somewhat out of place with his surroundings. He picked up a perfectly grilled lamb rib and took a bite, his hands covered in grease, which he then casually wiped on the fine Suzhou embroidery cushion.

Changsun Wuji raised his hand as if to sigh and stop Xia Lin from ruining his treasure, but in the end he raised his glass and said, "General Xia, please."

The two shared a drink. Changsun Wuji put down his wine cup, pondered for a moment, and finally got to the point: "I recently heard that Commander Xia mentioned the industrial park. I wonder... what the specific regulations are? I am too ignorant to ask, and I hope Commander Xia can enlighten me."

While eating meat, Xia Lin said, "It's nothing special. It's just about bringing together similar workshops and factories in a planned area to manage raw material procurement, warehousing, logistics, and even technology research and development in a unified manner. This saves us from working haphazardly and wasting manpower and resources, and it also makes it easier to ensure the livelihood of the craftsmen."

“Centralized management…” Changsun Wuji stroked his beard, carefully considering these four words: “Wouldn’t it be easier to control this way? Raw materials and outputs would be within sight.”

“That’s right.” Xia Lin looked up at him and thought that he was indeed a prime minister. “Moreover, as the scale increases, the cost will come down. Take the glass for this greenhouse for example. If we set up a factory near Chang’an to make it, the price could be reduced by at least 70% or even more. The transportation costs saved would be enough for farmers to build a few more acres of land.”

Changsun Wuji's eyes flashed. What he cared about was not just agriculture, but also the control over resources, artisans, and trade routes behind this "centralized management."

When the King of Shu was in charge, he had this idea in mind, but it was left unresolved before he could delve into it. Now, Xia Lin has brought up this old matter again, and the scope seems to be much broader.

“However…” Changsun Wuji looked troubled: “Such a large-scale construction project, gathering so many craftsmen and materials, will cost a fortune. Although the national treasury has improved in recent years, the military campaign in the northwest and the repair of water conservancy projects in various places all require money. Furthermore, land acquisition and the management of artisan households involve a wide range of issues and may not be an easy task.”

“The money problem is easy to solve.” Xia Lin picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and began to offer advice to Xiao Wuji: “We don’t need to spend too much from the national treasury. We can have the government supervise and the merchants run the business, or introduce foreign merchants to invest. As for the land, there are plenty of wasteland and government farmland around Chang’an, so choosing a site is not difficult. The difficulty lies in people and rules.”

He put down his wine glass and leaned forward slightly: "I know what you're worried about. You're just afraid that this park will become an independent kingdom, too powerful to control, or that it will be taken over by others and become a disaster."

Changsun Wuji remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

The stakes involved are too high, and if not handled properly, it could indeed foster new behemoths and even shake up the existing order.

"Therefore, rules must be established first." Xia Lin said solemnly, "The park will have a chief steward, appointed by the imperial court, who will be responsible to His Majesty and the Council of State Affairs. Under him, there will be departments for materials, production, warehousing, transportation, technology, security, and civil affairs. The heads of these departments will be nominated by the chief steward and appointed by the Ministry of Personnel. The accounts will be kept independent and subject to audit by both the Ministry of Revenue and the Censorate. The recruitment of craftsmen, wage standards, and production quotas will all be clearly stated and publicly posted. Most importantly, security will be handled by a special team dispatched by the Northern Garrison, which will not be subject to local control or the personal command of the chief steward."

He spoke fluently and logically, clearly having given it considerable thought. This design granted the park sufficient autonomy in its operations while imposing numerous constraints on personnel, finance, and military matters. In particular, the military system was entirely under the control of the imperial court, directly eliminating any possibility of anyone using this to amass power and influence.

Changsun Wuji listened carefully, his mind racing. This arrangement would indeed allow the court to firmly grasp core power. Xia Lin didn't seem to have any intention of seizing power through this arrangement; on the contrary, he seemed genuinely interested in making this happen.

He then looked at Xia Lin and said, “Commander Xia, your thinking is thorough and I admire you. However, I fear there will be criticism in the court regarding this ‘official supervision and merchant operation’ and ‘introducing foreign merchants’.”

"Criticism?" Xia Lin scoffed. "Let them criticize. Either they come up with a better solution, or they shut up. Sigh, they want the horse to run but don't want to feed it. Where in the world is there such a good deal? The Wei merchants bring technology, management, and sales channels with their investment. We provide land, manpower, and policies. Profits are divided according to shares, and the court can collect taxes. This is called mutual benefit. It's better than watching the money being earned by middlemen right now."

He paused, his tone tinged with sarcasm: "Or are some people willing to enrich those shady dealers rather than let the court and the people benefit?"

Changsun Wuji's expression changed slightly, but he didn't respond. He knew what Xia Lin meant; many families within the Guanlong Group did indeed control the distribution links in numerous industries, reaping substantial profits. Once the industrial park was completed, many existing interest chains would inevitably be broken and restructured.

The pavilion fell silent for a moment, with only the intermittent chirping of insects by the pond.

After a long silence, Changsun Wuji slowly said, "What Marshal Xia said is indeed reasonable. However, this matter concerns the national economy and people's livelihood, and has a wide-ranging impact. It needs to be considered carefully and proceeded prudently."

“We can discuss it, but we can’t delay.” Xia Lin’s tone was firm and left no room for doubt: “Let’s start by choosing a pilot site near Chang’an. The scale doesn’t need to be too large. Let’s get the most important things like glass, cement, farm tools, and textiles up first. If it works well, then we can expand it. If problems arise, we can make adjustments in time.”

He looked at Changsun Wuji with sharp eyes: "Prime Minister Changsun, you are the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty. You should know that the four directions are not yet at peace, and powerful neighbors surround us. Without a solid foundation of workshops, without high-quality and inexpensive military and civilian supplies, how long can we rely on the meager harvest from the land and past savings? The Tibetans in the Western Regions are watching us closely. If we don't become strong ourselves, are we just waiting for others to put a knife to our throats?"

These words were extremely harsh, almost directly pointing to Changsun Wuji's responsibility as Grand Secretary. Changsun Wuji's expression turned solemn. He was naturally aware of the potential crisis facing the Li Tang dynasty and understood the urgency of building a strong industrial nation. However, in the past, the resistance had been too great, and there was a lack of effective strategies. Now, Xia Lin had not only proposed a concrete plan but also seemed willing to follow the Li Tang's system and rules to some extent, which might be an opportunity. He took a deep breath, as if making a firm decision: "General Xia is right. In that case, Wuji is willing to promote this matter in the Council of State Affairs. However, the selection of the pilot site, the choice of the chief administrator, and the specific rules and regulations still need to be carefully considered."

“That’s natural. Although we are enemies, not friends, and our ideologies differ, we share one goal: the future heir to the Li Tang dynasty is my son, and I don’t want him to inherit a mess fraught with crisis. As for you, Grand Chancellor Changsun, even if you hate me, you should still strive to make your country prosperous and strong.” Xia Lin’s expression softened after speaking. He leaned back in his chair, picked up the wine jug, and poured himself a full glass. “As for the location, I think that piece of wasteland northeast of Kunming Pool is quite good. It’s near the Wei River, making canal transport convenient, and it’s also close to Chang’an. As for the selection of the chief steward… your Council of State should discuss it first and report to His Majesty for a final decision. I have only one requirement: he must be knowledgeable, hardworking, and have an upright character. As for the details…”

"I can have someone from Fuliang send you a copy of the regulations from several established industrial parks in Wei for your reference. You don't need to copy them entirely; just modify them to suit the actual situation of Li Tang."

Changsun Wuji was surprised by Xia Lin's generosity, even offering core management regulations. Although he knew this was partly intended to pave the way for Wei's capital and technology, it was indeed the best way to expedite the park's construction. He raised his glass and said, "Thank you, Commander Xia. I will do my utmost to make this happen."

The two glasses clinked together again, and this time, the atmosphere was noticeably more relaxed.

The subsequent conversation expanded beyond the industrial park, occasionally touching upon other affairs of the court and even discussing the sights and sounds of Chang'an. Xia Lin maintained his nonchalant tone, occasionally making witty remarks, while Changsun Wuji responded cautiously. However, the tense atmosphere between the two had ultimately subsided somewhat.

When the banquet ended, the moon was already high in the sky.

Xia Lin declined Changsun Wuji's offer to send him off in a carriage, and strolled alone towards the palace under the moonlight. The cool night breeze dispelled the smell of alcohol clinging to him.

Launching the industrial park is not merely an economic move, but also a political test and a way to break the deadlock. By bringing Changsun Wuji and even a portion of the Guanzhong region behind him onto the industrial path, it can reduce resistance to reform and gradually divide and transform them under the guise of shared interests.

Of course, this process will inevitably involve negotiation and compromise, but it is better than simply fighting and exhausting each other.

The key is to make them realize that following the new path will better protect and expand their interests than sticking to the old order. This takes time, skill, and wisdom.

The following day, news of Xia Lin's nighttime visit to the Changsun residence quietly spread among the upper echelons of Chang'an. Combined with the recent rumors about the construction of greenhouses and the industrial park, the reactions from all sides were mixed.

Upon hearing the news, Minister Pei sat in his study for half a day in silence. Finally, he sighed deeply and instructed his servants to close the door to visitors for the next few days, claiming illness and not to go out.

Cui Situ paced anxiously in the courtyard, not even bothering to play with his beloved thrush. He keenly sensed that some change beyond his control was taking place, and that the Cui family seemed to be being excluded.

Inside the Eastern Palace, Li Zhi learned of this matter from Xiao Wu and Zhang Jian. He pondered for a moment and said softly, "Father's move is to use profit as a means to divide and weaken. If the industrial park is completed, the old interests that the various families in Guanzhong rely on will be damaged, but if they can seize new interests, they can transform."

Xiao Wu was organizing the observation records from the greenhouse in recent days when he heard this and looked up: "Your Highness's concerns are very valid. With the redistribution of interests, there will inevitably be struggles. The position of the park's general manager is the first key issue. Whose people sit in this position is crucial, but then it will turn from them fighting against us into them fighting among themselves."

Zhang Jianzhi then said, "Your Highness, now that Master has paved the way, the Crown Prince should also take action. Could we submit a memorial to His Majesty, explaining the great benefits the industrial park will bring to the country and its people, and recommending capable individuals?"

Li Zhi nodded: "What Brother Jianzhi said is exactly what I was thinking. I will discuss this matter with Mother later."

Just one day later, in the Hall of State Affairs, a proposal regarding the pilot construction of the Kunming Lake Industrial Park was formally put on the agenda for the first time. To the surprise of many, the first to propose it was none other than the usually prudent Changsun Wuji.

In the imperial court, the debate was naturally heated. Opponents worried about "competing with merchants for profits," "easily leading to monopolies," and "being hampered by the State of Wei," while supporters emphasized "the foundation of a strong nation," "increasing revenue and reducing expenditure," and "the opportunity must not be missed."

On the dragon throne, Third Lady listened quietly to the debate among the officials. Her gaze occasionally swept over Xia Lin, who was sitting at the door and handing corn cobs to the guards on duty, and then looked at Changsun Wuji, who was explaining the pros and cons and advocating for the promotion. She already understood.

After the debate subsided, she spoke slowly, her voice clear and melodious, setting the tone: "The benefits of the workshops are crucial to the national economy and people's livelihood, and cannot be ignored. The pilot project in the industrial park is more beneficial than harmful, and should be implemented. I hereby order the relevant personnel from the State Council, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, the Directorate of Works, and the Wei Kingdom's Commerce and Trade Bureau to jointly discuss detailed regulations, select a site on the wasteland northeast of Kunming Pool, and break ground within one month. The person in charge of the project will be recommended by the State Council and personally appointed by me."

With the emperor's decree issued, the debate came to an end. After the court session, Xia Lin strolled to the Ministry of Works, found several officials skilled in construction, spread out a map of the area around Kunming Pool, and began to sketch out plans.

Meanwhile, a secret memorial recommending candidates for the position of general manager of the park was quietly delivered from the Eastern Palace to the Ganlu Hall. Li Zhi did not directly propose anyone in the memorial, but instead listed the resumes, abilities, and reputations of each candidate. Among them were pragmatic and hardworking young men from the Guanzhong Plain, as well as respected officials from Shandong. Of course, the majority were the eagerly awaiting students from the academy: civil engineering seniors, metallurgy fellows, and boiler engineers…

As dusk fell on Chang'an once more, Xia Lin climbed a high slope by Kunming Pool, gazing at the desolate land in the distance that was about to undergo tremendous changes. The spring breeze swept across the water, bringing a moist scent, and also the shouts of the Ministry of Works officials who were working late into the night, measuring and marking lines.

Breaking ground within a month is no small amount of work.

(End of this chapter)