Chapter 428: Copper deficiency, Business and Reform Group

"Master, with these hydraulic machinery, our Jiaozhou Camp's weapons and armor manufacturing will not be as nervous as it is now."

Since the establishment of the Weapon Manufacturing Bureau, this is the first time that Li Meng has come to Laiwu. The Weapon Manufacturing Bureau is busy preparing. The population and other scale of the Weapon Manufacturing Bureau in Jiaozhou Camp are much larger than Laiwu County itself. Several sponsors of the Weapon Manufacturing Bureau and their status is much higher than that of the Laiwu County Magistrate.

I thought that after Li Meng was granted the title of Duke of Qi, he would at least have corresponding ceremonial etiquette. The weapons manufacturing bureau would welcome him according to the specifications of the Duke of Qi.

Who would have thought that after Li Meng came over, he was still a soldier. He did not take a car and sat in a sedan chair, and there were no servants or maids around him. He just followed the personal guards from Jinan City to Laiwu City, and marched along the way.

When the group arrived in Laiwu City, the magistrate of Laiwu County saluted respectfully and greeted each other. He called Duke Qi, and Li Meng responded calmly. When the organizers of the Weapon Manufacturing Bureau were also preparing to call Duke, Li Meng said coldly:

"It's not time to pay attention to these virtual rituals, according to the name in the camp!"

When Li Meng said this, he was respectful and obeyed the orders. Ding Xu, the mining supervisor who had been encircled in Laiwu for a long time, had already proved his loyalty and ability to the Jiaozhou camp. Moreover, in the current situation, he was no longer worried about the resistance these Shandong guards would cause to Jiaozhou.

However, although the firearms supervisor in Tianjin quickly entered the working state, he was still in the observation stage. After Li Meng arrived, he was ordered to stay in his house.

After obtaining the idea of ​​hydraulic machinery, the Laiwu Weapon Manufacturing Bureau assigned a number of craftsmen to manufacture these hydraulic tool machines.

There is no shortage of hydraulic power in Laiwu City. There is a large demand for water in smelting here, and the Dawen Water and Xiaowen Water are sufficient. Small reservoirs or simple river dams can drive the improved hydraulic machinery. After these hydraulic machinery are almost completed, this will send a message to Li Meng, Duke of Qi in Jinan.

According to the procedures of the Weapon Manufacturing Bureau, any major technological innovations must be notified to the general shogunate in Jinan City for filing. However, Sun Hedou, Guo Dong and Ding Xu did not expect that this news would actually allow Li Meng to come in person, and the concept proposed by De Walter did cause a leap in production technology, but they did not realize the importance of this.

After Li Meng came to Laiwu, his first order was to promote Dewalt to the master craftsman. In addition to the sponsor, he was a craftsman. The master craftsman was a kind of honorary title, and in the weapon manufacturing bureau, there were only ten craftsmen in the weapon manufacturing bureau.

The treatment of a master craftsman is equivalent to that of Qian Zong, and it is supported by Shandong for life. It can be said to be a rare honor, equivalent to a certain title in the Jiaozhou Camp system.

Everyone came to the hydraulic workshop beside Xiaowen Water. The hydraulic anvil hammer process was processed. An apprentice carefully stuffed it into the anvil hammer that was constantly up and down. Hearing a loud noise in the local area, the iron plate was gradually beaten into the shape of a plate armor on his chest. Guo Dong on the side explained with a smile:

"Master. In the past, this breastplate was only formed by the experienced masters in the bureau, and it was only possible to make it. It was produced slowly and consumed a lot of physical strength. It could not produce a few pieces a day. After the division of labor and cooperation procedures were completed, the procedure for forging armor was also a shortcoming. But with this hydraulic anvil hammer, when the next few anvil hammer workshops were completed, the orders for our camp would be completed at least half a year in advance."

Li Meng looked at the monotonous pounding in front of him, and Wang Hai following behind him said with a low smile:

"I have also seen this thing in Nanzhili. Isn't it just a water mill for pounding rice?"

Those who could hear Wang Hai's joke laughed, and Li Meng laughed, and then said to himself:

"There are all this hydraulic thing. It is used for mechanical manufacturing in the west, but we are still used to grind noodles and pound rice."

No one heard his low voice. After Li Meng finished speaking, he shook his head, calmed down his emotions, turned around and said to the people behind him:

"Don't underestimate these machines, their value is worth hundreds of thousands of soldiers!"

When everyone heard Li Meng's comment, they were surprised. In their eyes, these hydraulic machinery, which were just a skilled craftsman, actually gave such an evaluation.

Li Meng then ordered Wang Hai seriously:

"From today, these hydraulic craftsmen will be strictly sealed and defended. Those who enter and exit these machinery must be monitored, and a brigade of armed salt diary and a camp soldiers will be sent to come."

Laiwu is the heart of Shandong. There are soldiers stationed in Jiaozhou Camp around him. Even the manufacturing bureau hosted by the side, they felt that the command from the Grand Marshal was a bit of a big deal. However, Li Meng's words were just an order. Wang Hai immediately stood at attention, and Yuan Wenhong next to him took out the wooden boards and paper and wrote it.

"Which river is the water you are using?"

Unexpectedly, an innovation actually made the general pay so much attention to it, and the weapons manufacturing bureau felt a little flattered. When Li Meng suddenly asked, Sun Hedou and Guo Dong couldn't react for a moment. It was Ding Xu. The eunuch in the inner palace had much better ability than his colleagues to observe the words and expressions. Ding Xu hurriedly stepped out to answer:

"Master, I use the tributary of the Big and Small Wen River here."

"Send people to the upstream to investigate and make sure that the water is sufficient. If there are farms or other people who compete with you for water sources, let them move elsewhere. At the same time, you can get me a charter and find a new place with abundant water to ensure the operation of the hydraulic craftsmanship."

The Weapon Manufacturing Bureau, which has always suffered the loss in requisition of resources with other departments, has received Li Meng's permission this time. I was really frightened and happy. Sun Hedou, Guo Dong, and Ding Xu bowed together to thank him:

"The great commander is polite, and the manufacturing bureau must devote himself to his work."

Li Meng nodded without comment. Someone had already told him about DeWalter's contribution. Li Meng walked a few steps towards the hydraulic mill and said in a deep voice:

"We have used water mills and water mills for thousands of years. Look at the things of foreigners, which have surpassed us. This manufacturing bureau is the ancestor of all craftsmen in Shandong. We must use our brains and improve them more. Don't feel embarrassed about other people's good things. Take them generously and use them. If you use them well, we will do our own things."

Experts asked specialized things to do. Li Meng felt that he had no idea about the things he created and did not have much contact in modern times, so he rarely interfered.

But this time I heard the causes and consequences of the hydraulic machinery and process distribution transformation, and I couldn't help but sigh. I didn't say some things, but the people below would not understand them themselves.

Sun Hedou responded with resonance on the side:

"Since the Weapon Manufacturing Bureau became polite, I thought this was the best place in the world, and I was inevitably complacent. This time, I rectified the order and built the marshal, and found out that the various shortcomings in the craftsmen in the craftsmen were careful about the values ​​and recorded them. The craftsmen in the craftsmen in the craftsmen were not allowed to approve the measuring tools a few days ago, let alone talk about any standards. In the future, everything in the craftsmen in the craftsmen in the craftsmen must have clear records and be accurate in every detail."

Guo Dong interrupted and said:

"Master, these foreign craftsmen may not be much better than our craftsmen, but there are some new things we didn't expect. The villain thought that only a dozen craftsmen came to have such effects. If there were more, wouldn't they be more effective? The craftsmen below were saying that they didn't expect that there were so many craftsmen, and their previous horizons were too small, so they had to learn more."

What these two people said made Li Meng quite satisfied. No matter what, it is a good thing to have the desire to improve and the determination to learn. Li Meng nodded and said:

"We go to discuss this with Master Ning. There are many foreigners on the ground in the Ming Dynasty, including Japan and Nanyang. But those who know how to make craftsmen are probably at most apprentices, so don't give you too much hope."

Several organizers bowed and agreed together. It was rare for everyone to see Li Meng so excited. With the help of the Manufacturing Bureau, he walked around all the craftsmen using hydraulic power and carefully checked these primitive hydraulic machine tools. It was indeed very convenient. The most difficult processes for armor can be completed through the machine tools.

Moreover, the hydraulic blower can enable the iron smelting furnace to reach a higher temperature and obtain better steel. Although Ding Xu spoke calmly when introducing this matter, Li Meng was excited again.

What can high-quality steel bring? No one in this era can realize the importance of it more than Li Meng. For a moment, Li Meng also sighed in his heart that he came to this era, worked hard for ten years, trained a strong army, seized the huge territory and extraordinary wealth.

His own military technology should be not that far from the West. It should have been a delayed or regressed Shandong economy, because Li Meng opened up in Shandong and began to develop rapidly.

The stable situation and the great development of commerce have exceeded the army of this era. With the birth of these factors, manufacturing technology has also begun to leap forward.

Although it was just an imitation and despite changing the experience of several European apprentices, this was an improvement after all. You should know that in the late Qing Dynasty, even water mills and water mills in many places had become very advanced things, and the whole thing was a big regression. It could only be allowed to destroy China's economy by the extremely powerful large machine industry in the West.

After the tour, Li Meng was in great enthusiasm. There was no red tape in the officialdom in Jiaozhou Camp. Even if the Grand Marshal arrived, he just cooked a few more dishes at the place where the organizers had dinner.

Ding Xu, the mining supervisor, was quite emotional about this. The civil and military generals from all over the country were as luxurious and wealthy as possible for every meal. They were regarded as shabby as being the most shameful and ridiculed by their colleagues and subordinates. However, Shandong was just enough for food and clothing. Most people focused on official duties. Compared with the style of the Ming Dynasty, the style of the Shandong Province was immediately judged.

When he went to the living room for dinner, Ding Xu remembered something, walked a few steps and reported to Li Meng:

"Master, there is a hidden concern at this time of the Weapon Manufacturing Bureau, but I don't know whether to talk about it?"

Ding Xu, who is not from the traditional Jiaozhouying system, has some problems in the officialdom. He beat around the bush. Li Meng glanced at him and asked in a deep voice:

"What are the hidden worries? Why don't the other sponsors know!"

Ding Xu bowed a little longer and said:

"The other organizers focus on weapons manufacturing, but they have little to do with the supply of raw materials and coal and iron mining, and the hidden worries mentioned by Bei Zhi have not delayed the serious business."

Seeing Li Meng nodding, Ding Xu continued to speak:

"Master, casting cannons consumes a lot of copper material. At present, the copper from Lingshan Trading Company can still be supplied. Kebeizhi talked with the shopkeeper who delivered goods. It is said that most of these copper materials are collected by collecting copper coins. These copper coins are circulating things. If they are all used to cast cannons, sooner or later, there will be fewer coins on the market."

It makes sense to worry like this. If Ding Xu had not been in the palace and had contact and understanding of the financial affairs, he would probably not be able to express his opinion.

Shandong has no copper mines, and cast artillery and some special weapon parts. Most of the materials used are copper, and the raw materials can only be purchased from the market and exchanged for copper coins. Jiaozhou Camp has a great demand for artillery. Fortresses and troops in field battles, artillery must be used for artillery, especially now that the military is expanded and the cost of copper is increased.

But there are several extremely developed industrial and commercial cities in Shandong. In addition to large amounts of gold and silver, retail transactions are mainly paid for copper coins.

Because the common people in Shandong, even the garrisons in the fields of the farmlands have a much better life than in other provinces. Merchants from all walks of life gather in Shandong and the business is booming, and the demand for these copper coins is also huge. If the number of copper coins on the market drops sharply and gold and silver are rarely used for daily circulation, it will inevitably cause great chaos.

At present, Ning Qiangui of Lingshan Trading Company and his staff have to spend the amount of land to make weapons for the weapons manufacturing bureau and put them on the market. It is really a big trouble.

In order to collect more copper coins and copperware, Lingshan Trading Company opened a slightly higher price than the market to exchange copper coins and purchase copperware. As a result, the common people in Shandong even exchanged copper coins and copperware to Lingshan Trading Company. Lingshan Trading Company divided the copper coins into two parts, part of which was put on the market, and the other part was handed over to the Weapon Manufacturing Bureau. The copper coins placed on the market were returned to Lingshan Trading Company over and over again.

If we include the inferior quality of copper coins and the old money that has been used for many years, Lingshan Trading Company will pay the last time every time copper is collected.

However, according to the needs of the Weapon Manufacturing Bureau, copper materials for various purposes still need a large quantity. In the countryside and villages in Shandong, a phenomenon has occurred, that is, everyone gathers together and regularly buys the daily necessities they need. This way, because the amount is large, silver can be used, because copper coins are sold as profitable materials to Lingshan Trading Company.

Small vendors went bankrupt one after another, and the lives of the people are becoming increasingly inconvenient, and the value of copper coins is getting higher and higher. Currently, most businesses in other provinces and Shandong are paid with gold and silver.

Every time there is a transfer, a large number of copper coins will become various weapons in the weapon manufacturing process. There is less and less copper on the market, and the value of the copper will naturally increase.

The bankruptcy of small vendors, Lingshan Trading Bank and Wenru Trading Bank, can make up for it, but these bankrupt small vendors are also unstable factors, but the abnormal fluctuations in the value of copper coins have a great impact on social stability.

This is a vicious cycle, and sooner or later there will be big trouble. After talking to the shopkeeper of Lingshan Trading Company, he also figured out this truth.

Generally speaking, the eunuchs in this inner court, except for a few noble and noble powers, were more or less greedy for money and paranoid.

After being encircled by Li Meng in Laiwu, Ding Xu was originally sighing and was disheartened, thinking that he would die on the ground in Shandong in this life and be a cow and horse.

Who would have thought that Shandong General Li Meng had made such a big situation and didn't take much time to do this. This was Duke of Qi. Moreover, after Ding Xu was accepted into the system, he could get in touch with a lot of news that he didn't know before. The deeper he knew about Jiaozhou Camp, the more he felt that his future was promising in this group.

Ding Xu now has no hatred for Li Meng, but is extremely grateful. At this time, even if others sharpen their heads, it will be difficult for them to get into the Jiaozhou Camp in Shandong, but he was easily caught in. What a good luck.

Over the past two years, Ding Xu brought all his relatives from his hometown to Shandong, and planned to live here for a long time and become a part of it.

Since he planned to take root, Ding Xu was thinking about how to be noticed and appreciated by the commander. In the Jiaozhou Camp system, bribery and pleading are useless. He must have real talent and knowledge. But now all the yamen in Jiaozhou Camp perform their own duties and are running at high speed. The appreciation you want to go must be unique.

This time, Ding Xu finally found an opportunity to raise this issue that everyone had not paid attention to. After he finished speaking, after seeing Li Meng's solemn expression, Ding Xu knew that he had done the right thing.

Li Meng, who was originally very excited, was not in high spirits while eating. Sun Hedou and Guo Dong didn't know what happened, and they were thinking about what Eunuch Ding said to the Grand Marshal.

What Ding Xu said just now is indeed a big problem. Li Meng thought about the various places under his rule. There should be no copper mine, which is really a difficult problem. However, it also shows that on the other hand, most of the senior officials under his command are loyalty, but they are not capable enough.

The copper coins and copper materials for casting cannons made Ning Qiangui so embarrassed, which really disappointed Li Meng. When he was having dinner, Li Meng was already preparing to go to Henan and Nanzhili to collect copper coins through Wenru Trading Company to supplement the insufficient parts of Shandong. Ning Qiangui's vision was too narrow.

However, Li Meng also knew that his approach was a short-term behavior. In the current situation in Shandong, all places would definitely impose various material embargoes on Shandong in the future. Moreover, before he gained a higher position, the copper casting cannons and copper casting coins will always exist.

In a short period of time, this is really a headache.

The defenders stationed in Hejian Prefecture in Shandong were originally led by Wang Tao. There were 9,000 people in total, but now the defense range of Shandong in northern Zhili is two prefectures, and Yongping Prefecture and Shanhaiguan are bordered by Shanhaiguan, which is almost the front line. Li Meng drew 20,000 troops from southern Zhili.

There are almost 30,000 soldiers in Northern Zhili, which is considered the first battalion under Li Meng, except for the base camp. Although Wang Tao made great contributions, he still lacks in commanding and managing so many troops.

What's more, in the northern Zhili area, Yongping Prefecture faced the Tartars, and in other directions, it was facing more than 200,000 Ming official troops in the northern Zhili. Although there was no problem for so many years, the Mongols on the grassland may also come in, and the situation in northern Zhili is too complicated.

Before Wang Tao was the chief general of the first army, he was just a general. It was a bit inappropriate to put it in such a position. Moreover, it was originally nine thousand people, guarding the Hejian Prefecture. Now it is the territory of two prefectures and is adjacent to the front line. This candidate needs to be reconsidered. The Yanzhou Army guerrilla Zhang Jiang was appointed as the chief general of the Northern Zhili garrison, commanding 30,000 troops. Wang Tao was the deputy general. Li Meng, a garrison in Northern Zhili, rarely used his modern geographical concept. This army was called the Hebei Army.

Shandong was directly managed by Li Meng, Jinan, Dongchang, and Yanzhou, and Zhao Neng guarded Qingzhou, Laizhou and Dengzhou. At present, Jiaozhou Camp has become a busy group.

The Jiaozhou Camp was originally organized based on the battalion and began to be reorganized. The original two battalions merged into a regiment, and this merger was related to the suggestion of Oman Garris.

The two battalions had a total of 2,000 people, 1,600 spearmen, and the forty-by-forty local formations were more stable. Moreover, the 400 musketeers would have more concentrated firepower when the regiment fought alone.

At present, the Jiaozhou Camp is garrisoning more and more. According to the current situation, there will be many situations for each regiment to fight separately. Li Meng is already preparing to assign artillery to the regiment. The preliminary plan is to have three three-pound cannons for each regiment. Of course, when large corps are fighting, artillery must be commanded and used in a concentrated manner.

Since the establishment of the General Secretary of the Battle of Qiang, many officers at the General Secretary of the Battle of Qiang have made meritorious service but only increased their salary and benefits. Their official positions cannot be promoted. The lucky ones are only those three or two. This restructuring will also give those General Secretary of the Battle of Qiang who have made meritorious service a promotion position.

However, the name of a regiment commander is still under discussion. It is natural that the general manager, the general manager of the regiment should be called the regiment general. The name of the regiment general is really too ugly for Li Meng, and he always thinks of some messy villains.
Chapter completed!