Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 141 Li Chengqian: Li Er wants to kill me?! [Seeking monthly votes]

Hilde's appearance was a surprise to Li Chengqian.

Regardless of Hilde's true purpose, the sea chart in his hand is a priceless treasure to the Tang Dynasty.

Because compared to the constant troubles and checkpoints of land routes, sea routes seem to be safer, with larger shipping volumes and lower freight rates.

If the Tang Dynasty could control a Maritime Silk Road to Europe, it would eliminate the need for middlemen to make a profit from the price difference, allowing Eastern goods to continuously earn wealth from the West, thereby expanding its armaments and conquering the Western world.

So, this Hilde is both an accident and an opportunity.

Li Chengqian naturally had to seize this opportunity.

Of course, given Datang’s current situation, it does not yet have the conditions to expand its overseas business.

But sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of wood, and opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared.

Since he had Hilde as a pathfinder, Li Chengqian naturally had to prepare for the great voyage.

He hesitated for a moment, then shouted loudly outside, "Come on! Prepare the horses!"

About half an hour later, he arrived at the private weapons workshop of the Xingtang Chamber of Commerce.

Although this workshop is nominally a workshop for forging "private weapons", in fact, it is a comprehensive workshop.

There are not only workshops for forging "private weapons", but also various research workshops and experimental workshops.

It is not an exaggeration to describe it as an ancient version of the "Academy of Science".

"Your Highness, why are you here?"

As soon as Li Chengqian got off the carriage, Zhang Tie rushed over to him.

"Zhang Tie?"

Li Chengqian was stunned when he saw Zhang Tie, and then asked in confusion, "Aren't you at Linjiang Tower? Why are you here?"

"Uh,"

Zhang Tie scratched his head a bit embarrassedly and said, "To be honest, Your Highness, I'm not really suited to that place, so I left early."

Li Chengqian smiled: "I didn't expect our Zhang Fangzhu to be such a good man!"

"Your Highness, I am too kind. Actually, the reason I came back is not only because I am not suitable for that place, but also because I have to come back for another reason!"

"what's up?"

"Your Highness, please look!"

As he spoke, Zhang Tie took a piece of paper from the subordinate behind him and handed it to Li Chengqian, saying, "This is the banknote paper we made according to His Royal Highness's method!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian picked up the paper and examined it carefully. After a moment, he frowned and said, "This doesn't seem to be much different from the green ivy paper!"

"Yes, Your Highness. We don't know what went wrong, but we did make paper according to the method you described!"

After saying this, Zhang Tie pointed at the papermaking workshop.

Li Chengqian looked in the direction his finger pointed.

I saw the craftsmen using knives to carefully scrape off the outer layer of dry bark, and they used the same operation even on things like hemp stalks and vines.

It is then soaked, boiled, pounded, squeezed, and diluted with water and lime.

It's exactly the same as my own papermaking method.

But Li Chengqian always felt that something was missing, and couldn't help but ask: "Are the things here all raw materials for papermaking?"

"Yes, all of them here!"

"wrong!"

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "I remember that papermaking requires bamboo, and you don't have any bamboo here!"

"what?"

Zhang Tie was stunned.

In fact, bamboo as a raw material for paper production officially appeared in the middle of the Tang Dynasty.

Making paper from bamboo was also a major breakthrough in ancient papermaking technology.

Today, the Qingteng paper used in the Tang Dynasty is made from raw materials such as hemp, brown bark, mulberry bark, rattan bark, daphne bark, and hibiscus bark.

Because Qingteng paper is of good quality and thin, it is not only loved by the people, but also used by the imperial court as official document paper.

Li Zhao once wrote in Hanlin Chronicles: "Any grant, summons, proclamation, or punishment is called an edict, and it is written on white rattan paper; consolation letters to the troops are written on jute paper; and letters of recommendation to the Taiqing Palace and Taoist temples are written on green rattan paper."

Due to the constant hype in the market, the already expensive Qingteng paper has become even more expensive.

In order to make more green vine paper, papermakers cut down a large number of ancient vines, resulting in a decrease in the number of vines and less and less raw materials.

After the middle Tang Dynasty, the supply of Qingteng paper was in short supply, leading to a paper shortage in the Tang Dynasty.

This is how the papermaking technique of using bamboo instead of rattan came about.

However, Li Chengqian's purpose was not to innovate the papermaking technology of the Tang Dynasty, but to make paper from bamboo, which was more resilient and more in line with his needs.

So he said to Zhang Tie, "I have another idea. I'll use bamboo as the main material and other papermaking materials as auxiliary materials. You guys try this method and see if you can make the paper I need!"

"This"

Zhang Tie hesitated for a moment, then asked curiously, "Your Highness, is this method the same as before?"

Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said, "Some parts are the same, some are slightly different. I'll write down the specific procedures and have someone give them to you!"

"Okay! Then I'll follow His Royal Highness's instructions and have them make paper again!"

Zhang Tie nodded in response and continued, "I wonder what brings you here, Crown Prince?"

"Oh!"

Li Chengqian slapped his forehead and said suddenly, "If you hadn't told me, I would have almost forgotten that I came here to find someone to help me build something!"

"What is it?" Zhang Tie's eyes lit up and he couldn't help but ask Li Chengqian.

He knew that everything Li Chengqian created was rare in the world, or even something he had never heard of.

Moreover, every time I help Li Chengqian create something, I gain a lot.

So when he heard Li Chengqian say he wanted to build something, he became very interested.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "This is the blueprint I drew on the carriage. Take a look and see if you can build it!"

As he spoke, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Ping, saying, "This thing is called a cannon, or you can call it truth!"

"truth?"

"Yes! As long as it exists, the truth is in the hands of our Tang Dynasty!"

Zhang Tie's face was filled with wonder, but he couldn't help but curiously take the blueprint from Li Chengqian's hand and study it carefully. Then he said thoughtfully, "Looking at its firing principle, it should be similar to a musket, but it looks very bulky. It must have used a lot of iron, right?"

"Well, it's quite labor-intensive, but it's worth it!"

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "You can think of it as a large musket, and the shells fired from it are large musket shells!"

"This"

Zhang Tie was surprised for a moment and couldn't help but mutter, "This power must be terrifying."

"hehe."

Li Chengqian smiled noncommittally, then instructed, "The artillery test must be conducted with greater caution. Casting should proceed as before, using the sand modeling method. If there isn't enough molten iron, use more graphite crucibles, or make the graphite crucibles larger and pour more at once!"

"I know this!"

Zhang Tie nodded in response, then carefully put away the artillery blueprints. He then curiously asked, "Why does Your Highness want to build a more powerful artillery? Are you planning to let my brother take it to pacify Liang Shidu?"

"That's not the case. We don't need cannons to pacify the Liang army yet. I just want you to practice the technology of casting cannons now, so that we can improve the cannons and put them on the ships later!"

"Ship?"

Zhang Tie was shocked again: "Your Highness the Crown Prince is going to sea?"

"Yes! The future of the Tang Dynasty lies in the sea and the stars! But the sea is different from the land. On land, we have the most powerful cavalry corps, but at sea, the cavalry corps is useless. Therefore, the importance of artillery is self-evident!"

"Oh, I see!" Zhang Ping suddenly realized, then said with some doubt: "Even if it's a seagoing ship, these cannons can't be loaded with many, right? They're not as good as our crossbows, which are lighter and have a longer range!"

"No, buddy, you need to open up the situation. Can the power of a crossbow be compared with that of a cannon?"

"Too."

Zhang Tie nodded subconsciously, then continued, "To be honest, Your Highness, I've already been recruiting skilled craftsmen from all over the country at high prices through the Chamber of Commerce. I believe it won't be long before skilled craftsmen from all over the country come to Jiangling."

"By then, we will definitely be able to build the artillery His Royal Highness the Crown Prince needs!"

"That's a good feeling!"

Li Chengqian smiled faintly, then reminded him, "Making it is one thing, failing to make it is another, but the technology must be kept secret. Do you understand?"

"Don't worry, Your Highness. With the confidentiality measures you have established, I believe no one can leak state secrets! Even if someone does, he will be dead!"

"Hahaha!"

Li Chengqian laughed heartily, and then said with praise, "As long as you have confidence! I trust you to do the work!"

As he spoke, he looked up at the sky and said, "That's it, I should go back!"

"I send you to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"it is good!"

Just as Li Chengqian and the other two walked to the side of the carriage, ready to welcome and see off the guests, a report suddenly came from a distance.

"Your Highness, the Emperor has issued an order. Please go to the Jiangling government office to receive it!"

"Ok?"

Li Chengqian frowned.

How fresh!

I have been in Jiangling for more than half a year, and that cheap old man just remembered me!
It's really a small knife pulling the butt, it's eye-opening.

Although Li Chengqian actually didn't want Emperor Li II to disturb him, just because he didn't want to, it didn't mean that others could ignore him.

Sometimes, people are just so contradictory.

Li Chengqian now has an indescribable contradiction in his heart.

After a while, he asked the person who reported it with a complicated expression: "Do you know what it is?"

"Your Highness, I don't know. I don't know the eunuch who delivered the decree either!"

"Okay, I understand. Let's go back first!"

"Yes!"

Not long after, Li Chengqian arrived at the Jiangling government office in a carriage.

At this time, except for those officials in Linjiang Tower, all other officials were called to the lobby of Jiangling Prefecture to await imperial decree.

"This servant greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

The eunuch who was in charge of announcing the imperial edict came up to Li Chengqian with a fawning look on his face and saluted with a smile as soon as he saw him.

Li Chengqian obviously didn't know him either, but seeing him like this, he felt a little strange.

Because when Li Chengqian was in the palace, he rarely came into contact with eunuchs, even the eunuchs around Emperor Li II, so he was more familiar with Wushe.

As for other eunuchs, given his status, he really has no interest in contacting them.

He calmed down and waved his hand calmly, "Stand up!"

"Thank you, Your Highness! Your name is Gao Yao, and I'm sending my regards to you on behalf of the Governor!"

As he spoke, the eunuch bowed respectfully to Li Chengqian again.

Governor?

Li Chengqian reacted for a moment and quickly realized that this eunuch was a tongueless person.

No wonder he is so respectful to me.

It seems that Wushe still knows how to be grateful.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian smiled knowingly, and then waved his hand again: "We are all family, there is no need to be so polite!"

"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Gao Yao smiled and stood up straight, then gestured to Li Chengqian, "Your Highness, please move to the main hall. I will announce the decree now!"

"it is good!"

Li Chengqian simply responded and did as he was told.

There was no discordant atmosphere throughout the whole process.

Even the officials of Jiangling Prefecture who witnessed this scene thought that this was an ordinary imperial decree announcement ceremony that could not be more ordinary.

However, what happened next frightened them so much that their faces turned pale and they almost lost their souls.

As soon as Li Chengqian arrived at the main hall, all the officials of Jiangling Prefecture immediately stood up straight with serious expressions and listened carefully to the imperial edict of the Tang Emperor.

"Declaration!"

Gao Yao shouted in a deep voice, and the whole audience fell silent.

Li Chengqian also listened carefully.

Soon, a young palace servant came to Gao Yao with a tray.

Gao Yao looked around at everyone, then picked up the imperial edict, slowly unfolded it, and read aloud:
"The Emperor of the Great Tang declares: I have heard that sages fear the Mandate of Heaven, and that the Emperor obeys the will of Heaven. Only Heaven created mankind, and the Empress governs it. The Emperor establishes the state, and the Crown Prince assists. Today, the world is plagued by disasters, especially drought. I cannot bear the suffering of the people, and I am reporting this to Heaven for a clear message."

"Crown Prince Chengqian is gentle, respectful, and virtuous, with a deep understanding of reason, loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness. I am deeply moved. Now, the officials have advised that prayers for rain in various places have been ineffective. We should pray for rain on behalf of the people in the name of the court to alleviate the drought."

"I obey the will of Heaven and the people, so I order Crown Prince Cheng Qian to return to Chang'an and preside over the grand rain-praying ceremony."

When the imperial edict reached this point, the officials of Jiangling Prefecture in the hall were in an uproar, except for Li Chengqian who stood there in a daze, his face full of confusion.

He didn't know what Emperor Li II meant, he only knew that Emperor Li II asked him to return to Chang'an to preside over a rain-praying ceremony.

But how could I pray for rain?
Isn't this the job of wizards, mages, Taoist priests and the like?
Why is it my turn now?

Or is there any buff added by the prince praying for rain?

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but look at the Jiangling Prefecture official behind him with some confusion.

I saw that they all looked at me with complicated expressions, wanting to say something but stopping themselves.

"Your Highness, will you accept the order?"

Just as Li Chengqian was at a loss, Gao Yao came over with a smile, handed him the imperial edict, and said, "It's been over half a year since we last met. The whole of Chang'an misses His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Uh,"

Li Chengqian hesitated for a moment, but did not accept the imperial edict. Instead, he asked in confusion, "I wonder what exactly needs to be done to pray for rain?"

"I don't know about that. The Minister of Rites is in charge of praying for rain. You'll have to ask him when you return to Chang'an!"

"Oh fine."

Li Chengqian nodded suddenly and was about to accept the order.

At this moment, a young official from Jiangling Prefecture rushed out and said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince cannot accept this decree! It could kill someone."

"Boom!"

The whole place was shocked.

Li Chengqian's face changed drastically.

What's going on?
Will praying for rain kill people?
Li Er is trying to kill me?!

I pray for rain from the guy who sells hemp ash!!

　【Seeking monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, follow-up subscriptions, full subscriptions】

　　
　
(End of this chapter)