Datang: I am the prince of salted fish, I impeach Li Er at the beginning

Chapter 174 Any moth will die under the wheel of the times

"Is the cost increased by [-]%?"

Li Zhi thought for a second, then raised his head and asked, "Then what is the total cost of manufacturing a molding machine now?"

Shi Lei frowned and calculated, and after calculating for a while, he gave the answer: "Excluding the labor cost, it's about one or two silver dollars."

"One tael of silver? That's no problem." Hearing this answer, Li Zhi breathed a sigh of relief.

He thought how high the cost could be, but it turned out that the total cost was only one or two taels of silver?

Compared with the profits brought by the paper machine, this money is nothing at all.

Not to mention the cost is [-]% higher, even if it is doubled or tripled, so what?
Just a little money.

Li Zhi stopped paying attention to this issue and turned to look at Zuo Wenhao.

"What about you, how is the situation on your side? Has it improved much?"

Compared with the shaping machine that Shi Lei was responsible for manufacturing, the masher that Zuo Wenhao was responsible for was simpler and more crude.

But this is not to say that the improvement of the masher is going to be easy.

Shaping machines can have strength issues, let alone mashers that have to pound the raw materials hard.

The severity of the latter will only be higher than the former.

Sure enough, just as Li Zhi expected, Zuo Wenhao mentioned the strength of the machine as soon as he opened his mouth.

"After actual testing, the initial mashing machine can't meet the strength of the paper mill at all."

"The first thing that couldn't hold up was the stone mortar."

"Even if the hammer was wrapped in animal skin, it only showed signs of breakage after only three days of use."

"Then there was also a problem with the fulcrum of the pendulum. It also couldn't support the weight of the hammer, and it deformed and cracked."

"These problems are all solved by using iron materials, and the latest mashers are in good condition."

“But just like the shaping machine, it has to pass the test of time to know the final effect.”

From invention to final perfection, a machine must undergo countless tests.

Finding problems, analyzing them, improving them, and getting better solutions is a healthy development process.

When Li Zhi heard that all the problems had been resolved, he knew that the Zuo School Office was on the right track.

Then the rest is not important, power is irrelevant details.

After listening to the statements of the two, Li Zhi said, "To be more specific, I won't bother you too much. You, the left school office, just keep looking at the improvements."

"What the king needs you to do now is to record the problems encountered in the process of improving the paper machine, as well as the ideas and thinking in solving the problems, in a booklet in written form."

"Put this process in a book."

"Besides, this king wants you to manufacture a prototype machine and the latest model machine respectively."

"After it's finished, it will be carved into stone sculptures along with the booklets that have been sorted out, and placed in the busiest square in Dongshi."

"Let the common people and the public see what you have made and what efforts you have put into making these things."

"Now there is a lot of talk about your left school office outside, thinking that you are rewarded by flattery."

"In that case, let them see."

"See if your hard work is worth the price!"

Now there are jealous remarks everywhere.

This is a great obstacle to his ability to set off a wave of innovation in Datang.

The reason why Li Zhi made the research and development process public is, on the one hand, to justify the names of the two and let the public see their research and development results.

On the other hand, it is naturally to add fuel to this trend.

Sometimes, thinking is very important.

In other words, in this era of waste waiting to be done, even the inspiration to improve the machine is very precious.

The public appearance of the paper machine can not only stop the mouths of the folk craftsmen, but also let them understand that the rewards issued by the court are justified.

It can also allow those craftsmen to get inspiration from the paper machine and gain experience from the improvement process.

As a result, the folks also started to set off a wave of innovation, pushing this wave from the prison to the entire Chang'an City.

Let the whole people join the wave of innovation, thus opening a new era.

In essence, this is no different than taking the initiative to start a Renaissance.

Only when the people at the bottom and private craftsmen also become interested in innovation can scientific and technological research and development be truly promoted.

Shi Lei was bewildered by Li Zhi's provocative remarks, thinking that he was giving the two of them a head start, and was so moved that he couldn't help himself.

On the contrary, Zuo Wenhao seemed to have realized Li Zhi's purpose in doing so.

He glanced at Li Zhi with complex eyes, sighed and lowered his head: "Yes! King Jin! We will complete all your orders as soon as possible."

If possible, Zuo Wenhao would actually prefer to suppress this incident within the scope of the Zuo School Office, and internally digest this wave of innovation.

I would rather be misunderstood than let the impact of the incident spread outward.

Because that means competition, which means that more people will be attracted to join the ranks of craftsmen.

Maybe in a few years, even their status will be affected by external shocks.

Don't think it's impossible.

On the contrary, it is almost certain to happen.

As far as Zuo Wenhao is concerned, there are only disadvantages in this matter, and there is no benefit at all.

But it was Li Zhi who started this trend.

His Highness obviously intends to spread this trend to the outside world, so that more people can participate in the era of innovation.

As a small left-wing school official, can he really stop His Highness's arrangements?
No matter how you think about it, this is the behavior of a mantis acting like a cart.

So there were only two choices before him.

Or stand in front of His Highness who is in full swing, and be smashed to pieces by the mighty force from above.

Either follow the trend and take advantage of this express train to make as much profit as possible for yourself.

Obviously, Zuo Wenhao finally chose the latter.

In the face of power, he chose to bow his head.

Li Zhi had an expression that was half-smiling, and his eyes stayed on Zuo Wenhao's face for a long time. Zuo Wenhao almost felt guilty when he saw it, and then he slowly spoke.

"Any moth who dares to stand in front of the tide of history will be crushed to death by the wheels of history. Don't try to resist meaninglessly, it will not do you any good."

Zuo Wenhao was horrified, knowing that his thoughts had been seen through, he did not dare to show the slightest dissatisfaction.

He lowered his head and replied respectfully: "Thank you for your teaching, Your Highness. I will keep it in mind."

"Well, just remember."

Li Zhi smiled and nodded, as if the warning just now was just Zuo Wenhao's illusion.

He has always been like this, never scolding others in a stern voice.

Most of the time, he is more inclined to show the pros and cons, and use the general trend to suppress people from moving.

(End of this chapter)