The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"Minister Chen, do you have any other ideas?"

Li Shimin didn't care what others thought; he only cared about what gave Chen Huai'an the confidence to build granaries and reclaim wasteland without using the Ministry of Finance's money or imposing corvée labor.

This was what he was most curious about.

As Li Shimin posed the question, everyone turned to Chen Huai'an, wondering what he could do.

Chen Huai'an didn't keep him in suspense: "Does Your Majesty still remember the Mo Dao?"

"Of course." Li Shimin was taken aback, not understanding why Chen Huai'an brought up the Mo Dao. "Everyone has already witnessed the power of the Mo Dao."

"What? You suddenly brought up the Mo Dao (陌刀)? Could it be that your method is related to the Mo Dao?"

Many people frowned upon hearing this.

It's related to the Mo Dao... What else could it be related to?

It couldn't possibly be selling Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword), could it?

The thought sent a chill down everyone's spine.

How can you sell a Mo Dao (陌刀)?

Who can we sell it to?

Xiao Yu had also considered this point, and said in a deep voice, "Minister Chen, although you brought out the Mo Dao, it is of great importance. If you want to sell the Mo Dao, I hope you will think twice."

"You son of a bitch!"

Chen Huai'an immediately retorted, "Sometimes in this court, I really can't stand you. Have you gone stupid from studying so much?"

"If you understand this, do you think I don't?"

"Selling Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword)? How dare you even say that!"

"Who will they sell it to? The Turks? Or Goguryeo?"

"Or should I sell it to you?"

As soon as the last sentence was spoken, Xiao Yu's eyelids twitched; he had no way to respond.

Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, he was worried that Chen Huai'an wanted to sell the Mo Dao, but now that he heard that it wasn't true, he was immediately relieved.

"Minister Chen, what exactly do you intend to do? I am truly curious, so stop hiding it from me."

"Yes, yes," Du Ruhui and the others nodded repeatedly.

Now, not only Li Shimin, but also the curiosity of the entire court has been piqued.

Chen Huai'an chuckled: "Why is the Mo Dao so powerful? Firstly, it's because it's hard and sharp, far surpassing ordinary weapons."

"Secondly, it is heavy enough. Thirdly, it is because when the Mo Dao is given to soldiers with amazing arm strength, a single blow can shatter both man and horse."

"The reason why the Mo Dao is so hard and sharp is entirely because I have a better method of forging iron!"

"Do you think the iron I forge can only be used to make long-handled swords?"

In an instant, all the civil and military officials in the hall suddenly realized what was going on.

Yes.

The immense power of the Mo Dao (陌刀) is entirely due to Chen Huai'an's superior iron-forging methods, resulting in weapons that are harder and sharper.

But no one stipulated that Chen Huai'an could only use this method of forging iron to create the Mo Dao.

Whatever is forged using Chen Huai'an's iron-forging methods, even ordinary farm tools, will certainly be sharper, more durable, and more popular with the people.

Salt and iron have always been extremely profitable commodities.

Although the Tang Dynasty had very strict control over iron, the problem was that Chen Huai'an wasn't using it to make money for himself.

He is the Minister of Works, and he represents the imperial court.

"..."

Li Shimin was momentarily stunned. After realizing what he had said, he hurriedly asked, "Then, according to what you said, wasn't the Mo Dao the most important thing among the things you took out earlier?"

"Most importantly, what is the forging method for the Mo Dao?"

"Of course," Chen Huai'an said matter-of-factly. "Better ironware will not only greatly enhance the Tang army's combat effectiveness, but it is also of paramount importance to the people's livelihood."

"Your Majesty should understand that every advancement in technology represents a major reform."

"Although the improved iron forging method only made the forged iron more durable than before, it was far less impactful than when iron first appeared. However, it could still greatly improve farming efficiency and land reclamation capabilities."

"This will result in a bumper harvest!"

At this point, Chen Huai'an paused, then counted on his fingers, saying, "If we go into details, mining, construction, shipbuilding... basically everyone involved in iron will benefit."

Li Shimin remained silent.

He had thought Chen Huai'an would give him a surprise today, but he didn't expect the surprise to be this big.

At the same time, he understood why Chen Huai'an said that yesterday; he should understand.

Yes, he should understand.

Chen Huai'an had already presented the treasure to him, but he only focused on a small bonus and was so excited that he couldn't sleep.

Li Shimin was annoyed, wondering why he hadn't noticed this iron-forging method before.

After his initial frustration, Li Shimin became excited again, his eyes shining.

He knew all too well what such iron-forging skills represented.

Monopoly!

With such superior iron available, who would still use the old stuff?

In addition, due to the wars at the end of the Sui Dynasty, there were a large number of abandoned mines in the north and a loss of craftsmen. Today, iron ore mining is less than 30% of its peak, and iron prices remain high. Ordinary farmers cannot even afford a complete iron sickle and have to pool their money to buy one and then use it.

If the Ministry of Works were to mine iron ore and forge it using Chen Huai'an's iron-forging methods, it would mean a continuous stream of income.

Moreover, this could be done without levying corvée labor, which would be a waste of manpower and resources. The people could simply be hired to work for them willingly, as long as they are paid.

Isn't this a good thing that benefits the country and its people?

Pei Ju's eyes burned with fervor as he looked at Chen Huai'an as if he were gazing upon a peerless beauty: "Master Chen, as you know, the household and the laborers have always been one family."

"I wholeheartedly support your plan to build a charity granary."

Chen Huai'an glanced at him but didn't reply.

Why did Pei Ju's attitude change so drastically?

Because the Ministry of Works was always the Ministry of Works, while the Ministry of Revenue was in charge of finances.

The revenue generated by the Ministry of Industry must go into the national treasury. Who is in charge of the national treasury?

Isn't it still the Ministry of Revenue?

In Pei Ju's eyes, Chen Huai'an is no longer an enemy who wants money, but a benefactor who gives money!

Chen Huai'an naturally understood what Pei Ju was planning, but he couldn't give in to Pei Ju's wishes entirely, at least not all of them: "Your Majesty, I request that the revenue generated by the Ministry of Works through iron forging be kept in the Ministry of Works' accounts."

"Because I cannot collect corvée labor, I can only use an employment system, which means that my daily expenses are astronomical. For the sake of easier management, it is better to keep them in the Ministry of Works' accounts."

"Chen Huai'an!!!" Pei Ju instantly exploded, "Damn it, who's the Minister of Revenue, you or me?"

"The imperial law has long stipulated that the imperial revenue belongs to the national treasury and should be returned to the Ministry of Revenue. You want to keep the money in your Ministry of Works... I'll curse you! Do you even know how to spend so much money?"

"I might as well let you take the position of Minister of Revenue!"

"......"