Datang: The prince of salted fish was overheard by Li Er

The three of Qu Tutong were also overjoyed. They didn't know that they didn't use slaves. Once they knew, there was no reason not to use them.

Qu Tutong said excitedly: "Of course, these grassland slaves are aliens, and they can be used as coolies."

"If used properly, one slave can be used as three to four civilian husbands!"

"I think 1 such slaves would be enough!"

Unexpectedly, after finishing speaking, Zhao Wenke said with a smile: "Jiang Guogong, why do we need so many people? Didn't His Majesty say there are still cows?"

"As long as there are 5000 more cows, [-] people are enough!"

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Yu Wenxin, who had been silent all this time, said, "Lord Zhao, don't count on this bull."

"It's a steer on the grassland. It's okay to eat meat, but it's a bit difficult to use it for labor."

Yu Wenxin is also a descendant of the grassland, but he is more aware of the situation of these cattle.

The steers on the grasslands are completely different from the cattle in the Tang Dynasty.

These healthy cattle have been raised on the grassland since they were young.

Just like the name, bullocks are strong in body. Even if such a herd encounters a small-scale wolf pack, it will not be afraid at all.

But at the same time, these steers are also very difficult to tame.

Even warriors on the grasslands have difficulty taming these steers, let alone ordinary peasants and slaves in chains.

It is precisely because of this that these steers have another name called beef cattle in the Central Plains.

In the Tang Dynasty, cattle are registered and cannot be slaughtered without authorization.

But beef cattle can, because in the eyes of ordinary people, its value is just to eat meat.

Because of this, the price of these steers is as cheap as that of steppe slaves.

Trying to use these bullocks to dredge the river is basically a joke.

Just now Yu Wenxin said that it was difficult, but in fact it was just to save face for His Majesty.

Hearing this, everyone present also understood.

"Hey, it would be great if these steers could be used by us!"

Zhao Wenke let out a sigh of emotion.

He really wanted to have such a new force appear.

Fang Xuanling on the side also said: "That's true! Now my Tang Dynasty is full of waste, and cattle are treasures everywhere!"

But Changsun Wuji still asked tentatively: "I heard that there are a lot of steers coming from Turkic this time, why don't we try again? Even if we can't drive them completely, they may not be able to be used in some special places!"

Changsun Wuji's words were quickly rejected.

It was Yu Wenxin who said: "There is really no way to do this, the steerer is too crazy."

"Back then, my brother Yu Wenkai wanted to try to use it, but in the end he found that the destructive power of these steers is too great. There is no way for us to use them."

The domestication of the cattle in the Tang Dynasty began after the calf was born.

The calf learns from the old cow for a few years, and the calf can only start plowing the land when it becomes an adult.

Moreover, these calves grew up in a farmer's family since they were young, and their habits are also extremely docile, and they will definitely not be as violent as these prairie steers.

These steers have become used to being wild on the grassland, and even if they are kept in pens, they will become irritable and cannot be domesticated at all.

Hearing everyone's discussion, Li Shimin was lost in thought.

'Using bullocks is Yu'er's heartfelt wish, and what Yu'er thinks in his heart has always been very reliable. He must have a way to tame these bullocks. '

'Looks like I have to go to Chu Palace once when I have time to learn how to tame bullocks. '

Thinking of this, Li Shimin also opened his mouth to end the topic about bullocks.

"My dear friends, I will think of a way to tame the steer. Let's talk about other difficulties in water control in Guanzhong this time."

What Li Shimin said just now can be regarded as solving the problem of manpower, but water control is not just about people.

A large amount of stone is also needed to consolidate the embankment.

Thinking of this, the excitement on Qu Tutong's face subsided again.

"Your Majesty, this stone problem is still difficult to solve. Even if there are sufficient manpower, I am afraid that there will not be enough time to start quarrying now!"

"But we can use these manpower properly!"

After disobeying Li Shimin's will again, Qu Tutong felt a little sorry, and praised Li Shimin again.

But it is obvious that Li Shimin does not buy this account.

Facing Li Shimin's gloomy face, Qu Tutong said again: "Your Majesty's question is really difficult."

"The Gyeonggi area is extremely short of stone materials recently. A few days ago outside Chang'an City, the stone walls of several fortresses collapsed, and they haven't been repaired yet."

As Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Qu Tutong is also very anxious about the current shortage of stone materials.

"What? The stone materials in Gyeonggi are already lacking to such an extent! The military fortress is an important facility to defend Chang'an, how can we delay it!"

"If I hadn't asked about this matter today, would you have planned to keep it a secret?"

Li Shimin was also angry, he never thought that the matter would be so serious.

"Your Majesty, this is indeed the responsibility of our Ministry of Industry, and I cannot absolve myself of the responsibility!"

Qu Tutong knelt down and said with difficulty.

Before, his attention was focused on dealing with the severe drought in Hebei, but he really ignored the preparation of stone materials in Gyeonggi.

"Just now I kept talking about the Turkic crisis, but the Turkic army has really come. Without these fortresses, what is there to resist!"

"At that time, will your Ministry of Industry still be in charge!"

"Qu Tutong, tell me, at that time, will you be able to bear this responsibility!"

Facing Li Shimin's questioning, Qu Tutong knew that it was indeed his own fault, so he didn't dare to refute at all.

"Repair, fix it for me immediately! Three days is the limit, if you can't repair these forts after three days, Jiang Guogong, you can go home and take your grandson."

Li Shimin said coldly.

Li Shimin originally wanted to show off his good recipes for water control today, but he didn't expect to find such a major problem.

But when these words came out, Qu Tutong was very embarrassed.

It will take several months to repair these military fortresses, even if there are sufficient stones.

Now His Majesty asked him to repair it in three days, which is simply an impossible task.

But thinking that this was indeed his own responsibility, although Qu Tutong was not reconciled, he couldn't refute it.

Qu Tutong really wanted to leave, but he was getting old anyway, so it was fine even if he went home.

But his strong sense of responsibility prevented him from making such a decision.

At this moment, Qu Tutong was caught in a dilemma.

In desperation, he had no choice but to look at Fang Xuanling and others for help.

As a junior, Fang Xuanling has always respected veteran officials like Qu Tutong.

Seeing the old minister asking for help, he naturally wouldn't stand idly by.

So Fang Xuanling said: "Your Majesty, the collapse of the military fortress is indeed the cause of the Ministry of Industry. It is also appropriate to punish the Ministry of Industry."

"However, it is really difficult to repair them within three days!"

After Fang Xuanling, the eldest grandson Wuji also said: "Your Majesty, the military fortress is of great importance. As the saying goes, slow work produces meticulous work, and the Ministry of Industry really needs time."

"If they rush to work, it will be completely useless to face the Turkic cavalry in the future."

After the two finished speaking, they turned to look at Du Ruhui who was at the side.

Du Ruhui at the side pondered for a while and then said, "Your Majesty, that's true!"