The Blade and Sword Department requires iron for weapon crafting, the Armor Department for armor, and the Machine Department for machines and materials. The annual iron requirement for these three departments is estimated to be over 1,500 tons.
The Forge Department's annual production is 1,268 tons. Shuangyue Prefecture produces 680 tons of iron, leaving a deficit of over a hundred tons. This substantial deficit cannot be resolved by the Forge Department alone.
The reason Shuangyue Prefecture accounts for half of the iron production is that all weapons in Yunyue Kingdom can only be forged in Shuangyue Prefecture, specifically in Shuangyue City. Any private forging of weapons or armor in local areas is considered seditious.
According to past national policies, local prefectures and counties are only permitted to forge civilian agricultural tools and machinery. This machinery, however, is not the modern kind that Chu Chen encountered before his transmigration, but rather wooden and iron structures.
Examples include iron furnaces, alchemy furnaces, anti-theft mechanisms for royal tombs, and the human- and animal-powered concrete mixers that Chu Chen incidentally invented, all falling under the category of machinery.
"Machine" is a shortened term in ancient times, its full name being "mechanical apparatus." Therefore, anything relatively large and complex, regardless of whether iron is involved, can be called a machine.
Seeing Chu Chen fall silent for a while, Wang Erhu cautiously asked, "Prime Minister, do you have a solution? If not, many projects will have to be halted, as the Forge Department cannot supply enough iron."
"I will draw up some blueprints later. You can set aside some iron and prepare the materials according to the blueprints."
"Prime Minister, are you going to build some machines?" Wang Tong asked, as if a realization had dawned on him, his face full of anticipation.
"Indeed," Chu Chen nodded and continued, "The artisan apprentices who could graduate have already done so. It will take several months to expand the artisan force. Transporting blacksmiths from other prefectures is also a long journey. Therefore, we can only rely on labor-saving machines to increase iron output."
"Labor-saving machines? That's great!"
Wang Tong and Wang Erhu were overjoyed, as they had been pestered by the three departments recently.
"Then you all carry on with your work."
After speaking, Chu Chen led his entourage away.
Returning to the administrative office, Chu Chen retrieved paper and brush and began drawing blueprints.
With his divine artisan talent, drawing blueprints for machines was effortless. However, even so, the drawing of two types of machines still took Chu Chen a considerable amount of time.
By the time he finished, two hours had passed, and the sun was nearing its descent.
"Another pile of miscellaneous memorials has accumulated today, I have to work overtime again!"
Chu Chen put the blueprints into his怀 and looked at the mountain of memorials on his desk with a headache. A glint appeared in his eyes, and he thought of a very good idea.
Not long after, Chu Chen smiled with satisfaction as he looked at the cleared memorials on his desk.
All these memorials were handed over to the Empress by Chu Chen's order. After all, this was the Empress's duty, and he had urgent projects to resolve, so it was perfectly reasonable that he didn't have time to help review miscellaneous memorials.
Chu Chen, who handed over the blueprints to the Forge Department and happily went home to rest, caused the Empress to frown and work late into the night in the imperial study, ordering the Forge Department to work overtime to produce the materials for the machines.
The next day, Chu Chen called Li Xinyue, and they went to the Forge Department together.
"Greetings, Prime Minister, greetings, Fifth Princess."
"You may rise," Li Xinyue replied, waving her hand.
Wang Tong and the others then stood up straight and said expectantly, "Prime Minister, the materials you requested have been prepared."
"Good. Prepare a carriage and take the materials to the riverbank. Remember to bring a few artisans and their apprentices."
"Your subordinate understands."
Soon, a group of people boarded carriages with the materials and arrived at a riverbank twenty li outside Shuangyue City.
This was a moderately sized river, a waterway thirty-five meters wide, originating from Songshan Mountain in Xiá Prefecture, Yunyue Kingdom, and flowing all the way to the sea in Qi Kingdom.
Normally, Shuangyue City and its surrounding counties drew water from here.
To avoid affecting the water supply for the people of Shuangyue City, Chu Chen specifically brought them to a location twenty li away, though ten li would have been sufficient.
"This is the place. Unload the tools."
Chu Chen dismounted from the carriage, supporting Li Xinyue, and said to the Imperial Guards standing by his side.
"Yes!"
As Chu Chen held Li Xinyue's hand and walked to the riverbank, watching the river, the accompanying soldiers were busy unloading the materials.
After a short while, the materials were unloaded. Chu Chen turned to Wang Tong, who was standing behind him, and said, "Have the artisans direct the soldiers to commence construction here."
"Yes!"
As the order was given, several artisans, along with their apprentices, began assembling some parts on land. Simultaneously, soldiers who were skilled in water began constructing the foundation, and then the assembled parts were handed over to the soldiers for assembly.
Chu Chen accompanied Li Xinyue, standing on the bank throughout the entire process.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a portion of the machine had taken shape, and it was possible to discern what it was.
Princess Xinyue asked curiously, "This looks like a waterwheel. You said this thing can help the Forge Department save labor in forging pig iron?"
"This is no ordinary waterwheel. Want to make a bet?" Chu Chen said with a mischievous smile.
"Hmph, who in Yunyue Kingdom dares to bet with you now? Everyone knows that if you bet with him, you'll always lose. I'm not stupid," Princess Xinyue pouted and replied unhappily.
Chu Chen chuckled. His rise in Yunyue Kingdom was a series of bets, so naturally, no one dared to do so now.
"This waterwheel is specially made. Why don't you guess how it operates to save labor for the Forge Department?"
"Hmm~ I can't guess," Princess Xinyue frowned, thought for a moment, and then shook her head.
"In that case, let's sit and watch together. I'll have someone set up tables and chairs."
After speaking, Chu Chen instructed the Imperial Guards beside him.
Soon, tables and chairs were set up ten meters from the riverbank, with some pastries and drinks on them.
Chu Chen led Princess Xinyue to sit in the chairs and waited quietly.
Half an hour later, a slightly different waterwheel was assembled. The men who had been in the water were shivering, tightly gripping hand warmers, and warming themselves by the fire, occasionally taking a sip of wine to ward off the cold.
Seeing their state, Chu Chen felt a pang of sympathy and said, "It's tough for them to be in the water in the middle of winter. Everyone who goes into the water will be rewarded with one tael of silver!"
"Yes!"
Soon, the Imperial Guards went and distributed the silver they carried, eliciting a burst of exclamations and thanks.
Chu Chen smiled faintly and said to Wang Tong, "Minister Wang, in the subsequent construction, ordinary people must not be allowed into the water. At least find martial disciples who can transport vital energy."
"Uh, but this way, the cost might increase slightly," Wang Tong instinctively hesitated.
"A person's health is far more important than a little silver. Just do as I say. Not only here, but in the future, everyone in the Ministry of Works throughout the country should be treated this way."
"Yes!"