Great Song

Three pairs of eyes fell on Zhen Qiong's body.The veins on Sima Guang's forehead twitched, and he couldn't help scolding: "It's nonsense! The sea is not a pond, how can we get salt by the sun? Could it be that we want to scrape salt by standing stones by the sea?!"

In the Hedong Salt Pond, the brine is sparsely ridged, and the salt is obtained by watering it in the sun. The salt produced is called "brine salt".However, the sea is different from the east of the river, how to dry the salt?Is it possible to learn from fishermen and scrape salt from rocks?Sima Guang was so angry that his chest and abdomen hurt, this Xiaodao dared to talk nonsense in front of the emperor, he was simply a sycophant!

Unexpectedly, the scolding attracted surprised eyes, and Zhen Qiong asked with a strange expression: "Who said that we are going to erect stones by the sea? Isn't it just a matter of digging a large pool with seven or eight floors, leading the sea water to the highest point, and condensing the brine layer by layer?" , is it enough to expose to the sun?"

What?Hearing this, Sima Guang was stunned for a moment.Big pond?Layers of condensation?What is the solution?

However, Sima Guang didn't realize it. Zhao Xu's eyes lit up, and he asked anxiously, "Is this method of drying salt really feasible? How should the pond be built? Maybe more salt will be produced?"

If someone else mentioned it, Zhao Xu might be skeptical.However, Zhen Qiong's trail is different. He is the person who discovered a large mine and developed explosives. Two kinds of highly poisonous things can be synthesized to protect the heart. What else can't be done? !

Although Zhen Qiong had never made salt before, the principles were the same. He said: "This method is actually to use sunlight and wind to dry salt. The purpose of building ponds in stages is to control the concentration of brine. Just find a way to gather seawater and pour it into the top Afterwards, it is poured every day, and the brine is lowered layer by layer, and when it reaches the bottom layer of thick brine, the salt will be produced naturally. No matter how fast the salt is produced, it will be easier than boiling, right?"

What he said was so straightforward, so rare that it was clear and concise, even Wang Anshi couldn't help but asked, "Is there a way to dry brine in the pond? How big does it need to be built? Where is it suitable?"

"How do I know that? Just let the craftsman try it out." Zhen Qiong answered simply.He didn't want to take care of rough work like drying salt.

Hearing this, Sima Guang was finally shaken: "The craftsman's trial production, if it doesn't work, wouldn't it be a waste..."

Zhen Qiong glanced at the old man wonderingly: "What's the point of building a small pool? Naturally, it will be built after trial and error."

Is not this nonsensical?If he has the conditions for alchemy, he should try it in a glass vessel before putting it in the alchemy furnace.Who is so stupid to build in Dali as soon as it comes up.

Sima Guang almost choked to death, and indeed he was speechless.Although he doesn't understand these mundane affairs, he also knows the difference between boiling and sun exposure.Not to mention the amount of salt, but the charcoal and manpower saved is a huge fortune.If this can be done, wouldn't it benefit the country and the people?He also accused Sunyan of being absurd, isn't it ridiculous and generous?

Sima Guang fell silent, but Zhao Xu nodded excitedly: "That's the reason! The sun is so strong by the sea, how can there be no reason why the salt can't be exposed? Maybe it's faster than boiling!"

Grain, tea and salt are the biggest business in the country, and now that the salt production has been solved at once, the annual income will be more than one million guan?Just thinking about it made Zhao Xu feel trembling all over.With the Qianshan Mine and the Yantian, the shortfall of the imperial court can be made up immediately. After three to five years of saving, there will be no shortage of war money!

Zhao Xu was excited, but Wang Anshi glanced at Sima Guang, and said calmly: "Mr. Tongxuan's words will benefit the salt production. If the water conservancy is repaired, the grain production will naturally be prepared. Now Sima Zhongcheng understands What makes sense?"

The face of the official named Sima Guang was about to twitch, but suppressing the grievance, he still insisted: "Water conservancy is no better than a salt field. If it is not repaired well, it will only damage the water and soil. The officials below have How many people know about water conservancy? Such a large amount of construction work will lead to disaster sooner or later..."

What he said was not completely unreasonable.It's just that the emperor is willing to listen, but Wang Anshi can't understand this kind of behavior of giving up food because of choking.Just as he was about to say something, Xiaodao standing beside him nodded as if he had just understood it, and nodded: "So you are talking about water conservancy. I am afraid that it will not be easy to repair. Just like Yantian, build a model first , the research is safe and then it’s fine to repair it?”

Wang Anshi and Sima Guang turned their heads at the same time and stared at the path.Zhen Qiong didn't care at all. Such a large geographical model of mountains and rivers can be built. It's not too difficult to get a model for testing water conservancy facilities.

"Huang..." After only one word, Sima Guang bit his tongue, almost blushing.However, at this moment, just scolding is not enough, he collected himself, and then continued: "Mr. Tongxuan probably took it for granted, how can water conservancy make a model? Rivers are not like mountains and rivers, how can there be any form?"

"Why not?" Zhen Qiong wondered, "The water is deep and the water is shallow, the velocity of the flow and the amount of sand, there must be a number. Record it, and copy and build a similar model of the flow of water? Then get a bigger glass cabinet, even the inside You can clearly see the flow of water and the direction of the sediment. Try it on the model first, and then make it out if it works, just like making a wooden model before building a house. It’s easy to figure out the principle.”

They also do the same when making large stoves. They have to make a trial model before starting work after confirming that it is correct.Otherwise, the fryer is light, and it can kill people if it is burned casually.Wouldn't it be easier to make a water conservancy model?

"This... this..." Sima Guang felt dizzy and unspeakably awkward.These words sounded absurd, but he couldn't find anything to refute.Doesn't this method of trying first and then building reduce errors and omissions?But this is the complete opposite of what he wants to say!

But Wang Anshi's eyes lit up: "This method is feasible! Just like the Yellow River, the water is turbid and wide, and it is difficult to dredge it. If you build a model first and try various methods, maybe you can really try out a feasible method. For water conservancy, it’s nothing more than repairs, and for new construction, we should make a model first, let people who are proficient in water conservancy test it, and then start construction, it will definitely get twice the result with half the effort!”

These were the words Sima Guang didn't like to hear the most.He gritted his teeth: "Small model, how can you take it seriously? Great water conservancy will eventually be a labor of labor for the people. How will the people live in peace if the farming time is delayed and the farm labor is wasted?"

Hearing this, Zhen Qiong was at a loss, and couldn't help but said: "You have to sharpen your knife first to chop firewood. Isn't repairing water conservancy still for farming, how can this be regarded as a delay in business?"

Now Sima Guang was most afraid of hearing Zhen Qiong speak, and immediately said: "There is always a fixed amount of goods in the world, if the government imposes them by force, the people will definitely lose money!"

Zhen Qiong blinked, and was completely confused: "There is a fixed amount of goods in the world? Not to mention the world, isn't the goods earned by people? Changing the process of burning coal and wrought iron can increase the production by several percent. Ordinary sand and gravel It can also burn expensive glass. As long as it can increase income and reduce labor, what is the value of spending time and energy? Besides, the world is vast, and there are countless things that have not yet been discovered. Who dares to say that there is a definite number?"

If he quoted the classics, Sima Guang could find countless rebuttals.However, this small talk is all in the vernacular, let alone refute, it is difficult to even deflect the topic.He opened his mouth, but didn't say anything.

Wang Anshi sneered at the side: "Mr. Tongxuan's words are justified. I don't know how to adapt, so is it possible to use slash-and-burn farming? Dayu can control the water, but can't today?"

This statement is not simple. If you refute it by citing the three generations above, does it mean that today's people are stupid and not as good as the holy king?Seeing the chaos, Sima Guang took a deep breath: "Even so, it is not appropriate for the imperial court to open Changping warehouses to borrow money."

"The common people want to build water conservancy, so what's wrong with borrowing some money from the court? The interest is low, and the loan can be borrowed for two or three years. After the water conservancy is built and the yield of the fields increases, the money will definitely be repaid." Wang Anshi has already taken up the righteousness at this moment, How can you be afraid of Sima Guang's sophistry?And the Son of Heaven should know the benefits of this new law...

Unexpectedly, before Sima Guang answered, Zhen Qiong let out a cry of surprise, and suddenly became energetic: "Wait, can the court borrow money for water conservancy repairs? How much is the interest? How much can you borrow?"

Wang Anshi: "..."

Sima Guang: "..."

What does borrowing money have to do with you?You, Mr. Tongxuan who was proclaimed by the Son of Heaven, do you still need to borrow money from the court? !

Zhao Xu had also listened with gusto at first, but he felt that his heart was gone, and he understood the benefits of water conservancy like never before. He was about to implement this new law that would benefit the country and the people, when he suddenly heard this sentence, he was speechless.What's more terrible is that he knows why this trail is so exciting!This man bought [-] yuan of national debt, and he will have [-] hectares of land in the future!He also paid for all the farm tools. Could it be that the court needs to lend you money for water conservancy repairs? !

Fortunately, Wang Anshi reacted quickly and coughed: "This loan is only for the poor. Mr. Tongxuan wants to be rich, so why borrow money?"

Hearing this, Zhen Qiong immediately became displeased: "Is it possible for a poor family to do water conservancy repairs? There is no field of hundreds of acres, and repairing it is useless. Besides, such a large expense, if the interest rate is low , It must be a good deal to borrow."

His [-] hectares of land have all been repaired with irrigation facilities, so why not spend a few thousand?If you can borrow money, of course you have to borrow money. When the fields are harvested, you can just pay them back.After listening to such inexplicable nonsense for a long time, I finally heard something useful, how could I let it go easily!

Wang Anshi: "..."

Zhao Xu: "..."

Sima Guang was agitated, and immediately saluted the emperor: "Officials, Mr. Tongxuan's words are justified. How can poor people repair water conservancy? Once this law comes out, the benefits will definitely not be the common people, but the rich families. !"

Wait, Zhen Qiong is dumbfounded, that's not what I meant, what on earth are you thinking? !

Unexpectedly, before he could distinguish, Zhao Xu also nodded without saying a word: "There is indeed something wrong with this matter, and we should think carefully about it."

It's not that he didn't read the newspapers. The incidents of waterway occupation mentioned in the "Ri Xin Bao" are indeed quite common among the people.Now encouraging private borrowers to repair water conservancy, wouldn't it be cheaper for these big households?Water conservancy should be repaired, but it should not be a matter of one household, but a matter of one state and one county.There is indeed room for change in the new law.

After finishing speaking, he turned his head and said to Zhen Qiong with a smile: "Thanks to Mr.'s guidance, I understand the advantages and disadvantages of the new law. The merits of the salt field should also be rewarded!"

Zhen Qiong: "???"

What did he point out?What is the new law?What on earth did you ask him to come to the palace today?Is the matter of pesticides put aside like this?Why can't he spend his expenses?

Dizzy after accepting the reward from the emperor, Zhen Qiong walked out of the hall and stared blankly at the sky for a while.Forget it, if you don’t understand, go home and ask brother Miao.

The author has something to say: Salt drying in salt ponds existed in the Tang Dynasty, but sea salt drying had to wait until after the Ming Dynasty. It is estimated that cooking sea salt has become a habit, but the window paper cannot be pierced.