She Became A Downfall Noble Lady-Chapter 1035 - 1033: Chosen Lao Liu

The Emperor originally thought that if the Qi Family Mechanical Workshop temporarily had no major research direction, then the workshop’s excellent craftsmen could move into the Imperial Workshops Bureau to assist the court and expedite the development of steam engine-powered ships.

But... Ye Family’s girl said the Mechanical Workshop’s affairs are also very complex...

Ye Xinyan looked at the hesitant Emperor and suggested, "Your Majesty, perhaps you could consider recruiting top civilian craftsmen under the court’s banner to strengthen the research and invention team?" If you have more people here, you won’t have to worry about ours here. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

The Emperor glanced at the senior officials present, and several, including Han Yanhui and Liu Chengzhi, nodded in agreement.

"You mentioned the improvement of the weaving machine? Is it necessary to be in such a hurry?" The Emperor recalled the research direction of the Mechanical Workshop and asked.

In the Emperor’s view, food is the most important thing for the people, concerning their survival and the nation’s reserves. Civil affairs should prioritize further improvements in agriculture and irrigation.

As for spinning, it’s not that the common people don’t have clothes to wear, such matters can completely be postponed. Perhaps he could suggest to Ye Family’s girl to work on something more pressing?

Honestly, Ye Xinyan didn’t understand economics; even in modern times, she was always someone who works task by task, not something so profound as economics that she could grasp.

However, the weaving machine holds a symbolic position in industrial progress. Given that, it should certainly play a very important role.

Luckily, in this era, they were ancient people, who understood even less about what economics was.

Ye Xinyan tried to bluff, "Under the rule of the Celestial Empire, the majority of people wear textiles. Manual weaving is extremely time-consuming, occupying many people’s hands. Numerous women spin and weave day and night, yet not much is produced in a day.

If the steam engine is appropriately applied in this aspect, it would save much manpower, allowing these people to engage in other productions, all capable of generating income. Your Majesty need not worry about an excess of textiles, if the Celestial Empire has an abundance of textiles, it can be traded to other countries through border trade in exchange for the Celestial Empire’s scarce resources."

On that day, among the economic invasions of the European powers, advanced textile industry was included. It was a surefire way to exchange productivity for silver, far easier than making money with the knowledge she brought from time travel.

Although ancient people didn’t understand what economics was, the people present were all heavyweight managers. The Emperor and Han Yanhui and others immediately understood Ye Xinyan’s point.

As these people showed a look of understanding, Liu Chengzhi abruptly spoke, "While using steam engines has many benefits, if widely promoted, how much timber would need to be felled to meet the demand? A small tree takes over ten years to grow into usable wood, yet supplying fuel for steam engines would consume a vast amount in an instant."

Everyone’s expressions paused, Ye Xinyan also looked at Liu Chengzhi, not expecting this guy to have ulterior motives and yet saying something quite environmental.

An official from the Ministry of Works said, "Otherwise, let the court restrict civilian use of the steam engine." Minister Liu makes a valid point; though there are many trees in the world, they cannot withstand endless burning year after year. After burning for ten or twenty years, the court might run out of wood.

Protecting trees, Ye Xinyan thought of the abundant coal mines, hesitated to speak.

The Emperor glimpsed her hesitant expression: "Madam Jiang Ye, have you thought of something?"

Ye Xinyan glanced at Jiang Yifan, at this point, she could only bring out her husband as a shield.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this lady subject seems to have heard from her husband that when he was traveling northwest with his teacher, he saw the locals burning a type of black stone."

Jiang Yifan laughed to himself, Ah Yan found a good scapegoat. But he couldn’t let his wife’s blame fall on him, nor could he push it away.

Jiang Yifan was about to speak when Cheng Dahui interjected, "I do know about this, the locals call that stone coal. It’s more fire-resistant than wood and burns at a higher temperature.

I’ve thought about using it for smelting, but it’s full of impurities, emitting a lot of black smoke when burning, and different types of coal have varied burning effects, making it hard to control."

Cheng Dahui talked about smelting? ... Isn’t that coke?! Ye Xinyan’s eyes brightened, looking at Cheng Dahui.

Cheng Dahui seemed rather confused, awkwardly asking: "Madam Jiang, did I say something incorrect?"

"Ahem, what Lord Cheng said is correct." Ye Xinyan quickly disguised, "I just thought when wood burns, it also emits a lot of smoke and dust. But when made into charcoal, those impurities can be removed. Maybe Lord Cheng’s coal can be treated the same way."

As Cheng Dahui showed joyful expression, Shi Yin, who had been silent, suddenly realized and couldn’t help but say, "That’s indeed a solution."

The Emperor had heard Jinrong and Cheng Dahui mention Shi Yin many times before, but this was the first meeting.

Jinrong had explained to him that Shi Yin was a stubborn craftsman devoted to ingenious devices, unwilling to deal with matters outside the artisans trade.

The Emperor also acknowledged Jinrong’s view, saying anyone who dedicates too much energy to one area is likely to be oblivious to others.

"Mr. Shi has researched charcoal."

Shi Yin, though stubborn, knew his boundaries and hurried to reply, "Reporting, sir, this old man indeed made a few kilns of charcoal before. Based on my experience, coal like Lord Cheng mentioned, if treated in a closed environment, should certainly remove the impurities. For steam engines, it doesn’t matter what burns, as long as it burns it’s fine. But for smelting, treated coal would definitely be superior to charcoal."

The Emperor’s spirit lifted, he asked, "Output volume? Mr. Shi considers whether this type of stone is obtained by chance or stored in mines?"

Shi Yin and Cheng Dahui both did not answer immediately; once they determined this material was not useful, why would they care about its form of existence?

Meanwhile, Jiang Yifan spoke up, "Reporting, sir, my master has vast knowledge, he said it should be a mineral, deeply buried underground, with abundant storage." Ye Xinyan certainly mentioned this important fuel to him.

No choice, to enrich the country and strengthen the military, and ensure the wife isn’t suspected, could only bring out their master.

Luckily, he wasn’t entirely wrong, his master was indeed widely knowledgeable, unparalleled in the world. Even if he credited his master with perspective eyes, seeing the underground mines clearly or something, it probably wasn’t much of an issue.

"Deeply buried underground?" The Emperor pondered.

Cheng Dahui had considered using coal before but failed. Seeing hope, he quickly said as the Emperor appeared to hesitate, "Your Majesty, we can first extract surface coal mines. As for those deeply buried underground, as long as we have enough, leave them be."

The Emperor nodded, he truly didn’t expect that simply discussing the application and range of steam engines would lead them to find a substitute for burning wood.

The Emperor hosted this discussion, and Liu Chengzhi personally informed Prince Fu.

Prince Fu sneered after hearing Liu Chengzhi’s report, "Father now judges by individuals too; he brought Lao Liu here, yet Lao Liu remains ornamental? In the whole matter, he said few words."

Liu Chengzhi sighed, "That Mechanical Workshop has Prince Yu’s stake, Shi Yin is also Prince Yu’s old acquaintance, and the current handcraft and craftsman layout virtually supports Prince Yu. Alas, if it continues, there’s concern that in the future nobody else will meddle in the industry’s affairs."

Prince Fu angrily said, "Father relied on Lao Liu, yet won’t give this prince a chance to act. Isn’t it normal that no one else can interfere?!"