I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

Li Shen was very pleased that Wang Xuance was able to understand.

Wang Xuance thought for a moment and replied:

'Your Highness, I think the court should increase its efforts in investigations. Corruption has existed since ancient times and has been repeatedly banned.

Only by strengthening supervision and cleaning up the bureaucracy can we reduce the occurrence of such incidents.

And after the investigation, they must be severely punished and sentenced, so that those who want to take advantage of the situation will be deterred and think about whether they can bear the consequences before taking advantage of the situation, so as to serve as a warning to others.'

"Well, that's pretty standard. Have you ever thought about setting up a department or temple specifically responsible for supervising all officials?" Li Shen nodded.

Increasing inspection efforts is the best solution throughout the ages.

"Your Highness, are you talking about the Censor of the Censorate?" Wang Xuance asked.

“Almost the same, but there are still some differences. The Censors supervise all officials, but they are overwhelmed in the local areas, only the officials in the court can handle it.

Although they can report the news as soon as they hear it, where does this news come from?

The department I'm talking about is mainly responsible for inspecting various places, not in Chang'an.

Alternatively, a department could be established in each place to perform the functions of a censor.

This department is not under the jurisdiction of anyone and reports directly to the emperor. The three provinces have no right to interfere. What do you think? "

"Your Highness is a man of great talent. I share the same idea." Upon hearing Prince Ji's words, Wang Xuance immediately agreed. He did not expect that Prince Ji's idea coincided with his own.

He also thought of this solution, but he didn't say that setting up a department is not that easy.

In particular, this department, which is specifically responsible for supervising all officials, will encounter great resistance.

"Well, since you think so, that's great. I'll go back and write a detailed memorial and send it to His Majesty at Cuiwei Palace.

Whether it succeeds or not has nothing to do with us.”

Anyway, I have come up with a solution, so you can't blame me if you can't do it.

"Yes, I obey your command." Wang Xuance saluted.

Li Shen thought for a moment and then said:

"Also, report the Liu family's case in the newspaper. Make it the front page. Make it a typical case so that other local officials can learn from it."

"Your Majesty, the case is not over yet."

“That doesn’t matter, in the end we’ll just say the case is not over yet and we’ll do further follow-up reporting.

Also, from now on, all cases of corruption and cases involving officials must be reported.

We must let the people know that the imperial court will not tolerate these corrupt officials and will never be lenient towards them.

Reporting a few cases every once in a while can also appease the people.”

One of the functions of newspapers is to calm the people and appease the common people. It lets the people know the attitude of the court and is always investigating officials.

"Your Majesty, if we do this, we might offend a lot of people, just like the Liu family this time. If we report it to the public, the reputation of the Liu family will be greatly affected."

Wang Xuance reminded.

"Offend if you want. Haven't I offended enough people? Wouldn't the reputation of these noble families be better? This is exactly the effect I want.

This king wants them to disappear among the masses."

Li Shen raised the corner of his mouth. If there are too many lice, they won't bite. If there are too many debts, there is no need to worry. What does he have to be afraid of now?

"I accept your order."

"Well, go ahead and get busy. Try to finish your work before departure. I will be leaving in the next three to five days."

"Yes, I will take my leave first."

Following Li Shen's words, Wang Xuance bowed and walked out.

Li Shen lay in the rocking chair, closed his eyes and muttered, "Is there anything else I need to prepare?"

Suddenly Li Shen opened his eyes, "Weapons and equipment."

~~~~~~~~~

On the second day,

Li Shen got up before noon, had his meal, got on a carriage and left Chang'an City and headed straight for the research institute.

"I see His Highness Prince Ji."

The manager of the research institute was waiting at the door to greet him. When he saw Li Shen, he quickly stepped forward and saluted.

"Well, I'm here today because I have something to do with Gunpowder Group 2."

Li Shen stated his purpose.

"Your Highness, please come this way." Shopkeeper Yu hurriedly led the way.

"Has the base of Gunpowder Group 2 been built?" Li Shen asked as they walked.

“Your Highness, not yet. We’ve built a simple house for them to study first, and then they can move in after it’s finished.

Because the last explosion caused a lot of loss of research institutes, this time we are mainly imparting experience to the newly recruited personnel."

Shopkeeper Yu replied.

"Well, call Chen Gui to my office."

Li Shen would never go to the laboratory. If something unexpected happened, he would be in danger. It was too dangerous. Li Shen would not take the risk.

"Yes, I'll send someone to notify them right away." Shopkeeper Yu said as he accompanied Li Shen to the office.

A moment later, Chen Gui, the head of the gunpowder group, walked in.

"I have met His Highness Prince Ji."

Li Shen nodded: "Well, how is the injury?" Looking at Chen Gui's broken arm, Li Shen asked with concern.

"Thanks to the prince, I am almost fully recovered. I have managed to escape death this time."

Chen Gui said with some sigh that a broken arm was very fatal to the ancients.

Without modern medical conditions, the chance of death from bleeding is very high. He is lucky to have survived this time.

"It's good to be alive. Shopkeeper Yu, please go out first. I have something to say to Chen Gui." Li Shen waved to Shopkeeper Yu.

Manager Yu is just a manager, and is mainly responsible for logistics support and management. He doesn't understand technical aspects, and Li Shen doesn't need him to understand them.

"Yes." Shopkeeper Yu bowed and walked out.

"Please sit down. I have something to ask you." Li Shen spoke after Manager Yu left.

"Your Majesty ordered."

"How is the research of your second gunpowder group going?" Li Shen asked directly.

"Your Highness, we are not doing any research right now because we are short of staff. I am explaining gunpowder to the newly recruited craftsmen and passing on my experience to them."

Chen Gui replied.

"What about before? Didn't you produce any results? For example, the cannons and gunpowder guns that I asked you to research?"

Li Shen asked.

This was a project that Li Shen had given them a long time ago, and Li Shen even told them the principles.

Cannons are very useful in fighting against enemies and sieges, and are also Li Shen's secret weapon.

"Your Majesty, the product has been made, but it has not yet met your requirements.

The cannon that the prince mentioned has a simple shape, but we have tested it many times and it will explode after just a few uses.

The same is true for the gunpowder gun." Chen Gui told Li Shen the details, including their experimental data.

Li Shen was listening very seriously. After Chen Gui finished speaking, Li Shen frowned and thought for a while before speaking:

"From what you said, it seems that this is because the material of the barrel does not meet the standards. Didn't you ask the Steel Group to develop new materials for you?"

Li Shen was a little puzzled.