The most reckless man in the Ming Dynasty

"Master Hou."

Zuo Yidao asked tentatively.

"You don't want to purge these gentlemen?"

Tang Hao glanced at him and said with a faint smile, "Why do you say that?"

"Because if the Marquis really wants to kill these gentry, after Wang Xianwen reveals the list, the Marquis will directly order us to kill people instead of just arresting these family heads!"

"In addition, there is that graphite. Since the Marquis knows where this thing is and its characteristics, he can just let me send a few men to look for it. But it clearly gave Wang Xianwen and others a chance to make meritorious deeds. Why is that? ?”

To be honest, Zuo Yidao couldn't understand it.

Is it possible that after getting married, my Lord Marquis began to restrain his temper and could no longer afford the knife?

Not likely.

Tang Hao smiled and shook his head.

"The reason is simple. They did nothing illegal."

"The iron factory is different from the salt factory. The imperial court has never relaxed its control over the salt factory, so of course those corrupt officials who colluded with merchants to resell salt for profit should die!"

"But what about the iron factory? The imperial court has relaxed restrictions and allowed merchants to make profits from it. So even if we know that Wang Xianwen and others have embezzled a lot of national interests from it, it is indeed as he said, and they should The money given to the court is a lot!"

"How much money they can earn in this position all depends on their ability. At least the court cannot accuse them of corruption and bribery. This is the difference between Wang Xianwen and Zong Yue. Do you understand? "

Zuo Yidao suddenly understood after hearing this.

It turned out that it was not that the Marquis could no longer carry the sword, but that he had indeed not violated the law.

So, here comes the problem.

"If it's not the Marquis, why do you want me to arrest these family heads?"

Zuo Yidao was anxious. He didn't commit any crime, so you want me to arrest him?

"Did I let you arrest me?"

Tang Hao spread his hands with an innocent face and said with a smile: "I asked you to invite me!"

Zuo Yidao: "..."

After a moment of silence, Tang Hao looked up at this guy.

"What are you still doing?"

"Why don't you "invite" these family heads in?"

Zuo Yidao snorted angrily and went to "invite someone" with a proud face.

A moment later, a total of thirty-six family heads walked in with fear.

As soon as they saw the Marquis of Zhongshan sitting on the throne, all the family heads fell to their knees on the ground, even Wang Wenbo, the head of the Langya Wang family, did the same.

There was no way, the Marquis of Zhongshan in front of him was really too fierce and ruthless.

The entire Shandong officialdom was completely overturned because of him!

All the top officials of the three local departments were skinned by him!

This is a lawless and reckless man, a complete lunatic!

Facing such people, what else can these gentry family owners say? What else can they say?

Just kneel down and give in!

For gentry family heads like Wang Wenbo, preserving the family is the most important thing.

The number of wealthy gentry families that died at the hands of this man last time was hundreds or even thousands!

No one dares to challenge the majesty of Zhongshan Marquis at this moment!

Especially these Shandong nobles!

Seeing this, Tang Hao forced out a smile and said: "You don't have to be so polite, just get up and take your seats!"

When all the family heads heard this, they all looked at each other and did not dare to make any move.

"I want you to sit down!" Tang Hao slammed the desk, making everyone tremble.

All the family heads looked at Wang Wenbo. After all, he, the Wang family of Langya, was undoubtedly the most powerful among these gentry, otherwise Wang Xianwen would not have taken the position of head of the Ministry of Industry in charge of the Laiwu Iron Works.

Wang Wenbo suppressed the fear and anxiety in his heart, tentatively stood up, moved slowly, and then sat down.

After confirming that there was no problem, all the family heads dared to stand up and sit down. They all sat up straight and looked at Zhongshan Hou.

"Actually, I just wanted to invite you to come over to discuss matters. I didn't expect that the people under my command were so ignorant that they actually arrested you!"

Hearing this, the corner of Wang Wenbo's mouth twitched. Only a fool would believe the nonsense of a lunatic like you!

If it weren't for your instructions, would these guards dare to break down the door and arrest people?

"The Marquis of Zhongshan made serious remarks. We are the ones who are ignorant and should have come to pay our respects earlier."

Wang Wenbo said bravely, keeping his posture extremely low.

Tang Hao twitched the corner of his mouth when he heard this, and then looked at Wang Wenbo.

"This should be the head of the Langya Wang family, right?"

"The Marquis is wise, and I am Wang Wenbo, the current head of the Langya Wang family."

"Well..." Tang Hao nodded, "As expected of a medieval nobleman, his magnanimity is truly extraordinary."

"Then I will tell you frankly. The reason why I came to Laiwu Iron Factory is mainly because the quality of firearms in the army is too poor, even to the extreme. The soldiers are generally resistant to this and are unwilling to use these standard firearms! "

As soon as these words came out, the whole audience was at a loss.

Doesn’t it matter to us that the poor quality of your damn firearms is none of your business?

Aren’t we humble military craftsmen responsible for producing firearms?

Why do you still want to be jointly and severally liable?

"I wonder what the Marquis means by this?" Wang Wenbo asked proactively.

Tang Hao did not answer in a hurry, but said to himself: "How bad is the quality of these firearms? When they were used on the battlefield, the enemy hadn't even hit them. As a result, the firearms suddenly exploded, blowing themselves up first. He was injured and died. How could anything be so outrageous in this world?"

"Yes, yes!" Wang Wenbo suppressed his inner uneasiness and immediately echoed.

"Later, I investigated carefully and found that the problem still lies with the iron factory and the iron smelting process. Because the iron produced by the iron factory is too heavy and brittle, it is extremely easy to explode. This is a firearm. The main reason for poor quality!”

Tang Hao Tu had no idea and made his request.

"Therefore, I am determined to reform the Laiwu Iron Factory, and you are the actual people in charge of the Laiwu Iron Factory, so I hope you will cooperate with me."

"Send people out where there is a need, and give money where there is a need. What do you family heads think?"

Everyone: "???"

ah?

ah? ? ?

Reform the iron factory?

Someone else pays?

Are you afraid that you have eaten enough to hold yourself up?

Besides, what does this have to do with us?

"Master Hou!" Wang Wenbo said bravely: "Laiwu Iron Works is owned by the government and is privately owned, and all power is in the hands of the imperial court. Therefore, if Master Hou really wants to reform the iron factory, he should apply to the imperial court. We really believe that yes……"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Tang Hao waved his hand impatiently, "You have made a lot of money relying on the Laiwu Iron Works over the years, and your mouth is full of oil. It seems that the Iron Works is still Under the control of the imperial court, it has long been reduced to a profit-making tool for the thirty-six gentry forces like you!"

"Of course, I also know that even if you embezzle national interests, you have not violated the laws of the Ming Dynasty. You have a lot of money that should be handed over to the court. But because of this, I have not taken action against you, but treated you with courtesy. Wait, I hope you can answer the call and complete the reform of the iron factory together!”

"If not, then you will keep the heads, and I will send troops to kill your whole family. What do you think?"

Either agree, provide money and people, and complete the reform of the iron factory.

Or refuse, I will kill you first and then your whole family!

This is the ferocious Marquis Zhongshan, a complete lunatic!

All the family heads suddenly turned pale and looked at Wang Wenbo.

To be honest, they had no choice.

Even if this madman is just asking for money and people now, they should be grateful for that.

Otherwise, for example, those gentry who had their homes confiscated and exterminated last time would not even have a chance to beg for mercy until they die!

Wang Wenbo took a deep breath and finally calmed down.

Facing the behemoth of Zhongshan Hou, they had no right to refuse.

Even if there are many sons of these nobles serving as officials in the court, and even if they use some relations between the DPRK and China to put pressure on the Marquis of Zhongshan, this is meaningless at all!

Because he is Tang Hao, the Marquis of Zhongshan!

Behind him stands His Majesty the Ming Emperor!

"good!"

"I, Wang Clan of Langya, are willing to respond to the call of the Marquis!"

Wang Wenbo expressed his stance decisively without any hesitation.

With the first person taking the lead, the rest is much easier.

All the family heads expressed their opinions one after another, and finally it was unanimously approved.

After confirming the basis for cooperation, the atmosphere at the scene immediately became much more harmonious.

At least family heads like Wang Wenbo no longer have to worry about this lunatic who is going to kill the whole family if he disagrees with his words.

"May I ask the Marquis of Zhongshan, how many people do we need and how much do we need to pay?"

Wang Wenbo spoke again, his eyes slightly confused.

Since the iron smelting process is not good, no matter how much you reform it, it will be useless!

How come you, a crazy warrior, still know how to smelt iron?

Facing Wang Wenbo's questioning look, Tang Hao gave the answer directly.

"Simple, each family contributes 50,000 taels of silver, and then recruits young and strong laborers to build the iron factory. As for the manpower, there are also some children in your family, such as the late king Xianwen and others, who are mobilized to be responsible for building the iron factory and organizing the labor. Isn't that excessive?"

This request... seems... indeed not too much!

Fifty thousand taels of silver is definitely an astronomical sum for an ordinary family.

But for these thirty-six families who have made a lot of money from the Laiwu Iron Works, it is really not too much.

Although it is a bit of a stretch, it is estimated to be three years of revenue, but this is fucking paying for life, and it is buying the life of the whole family!

Who dares to object? !

"Not too much, not too much!"

Wang Wenbo spoke immediately.

From the moment they were caught, they were even prepared to have their families destroyed.

But now they can escape this disaster with only fifty thousand taels of silver, which even makes them feel a little overjoyed!

"In this case, all the family heads will write a personal letter, and I will send soldiers back to your homes, so that the clansmen can prepare manpower and money!"

"By the way, please pay more attention to graphite. When all these things are in place, you can go home safely."

Hearing this, Wang Wenbo and other family heads looked at each other, and finally had no choice but to admit defeat.

How come there is a sense of "bandit kidnapping" in which Marquis Zhongshan kidnapped them and asked their families to pay for redemption?

The Marquis of Zhongshan turned into a ferocious kidnapper, and the family heads like them were like meat stocks, extorting money from their families together...

Alas, the world is declining, morals are declining, and people's hearts are not as old as they used to be!

Wang Wenbo sighed and began to write a letter in ink.

Tang Hao stood up and came outside the hall, waving to Zuoyida.

"After they finish writing, they will be taken away and put in a safe place. They will be fed and drank as they should. These are the sponsors!"

"Then send some brothers to send the letters back one by one, stay in their homes, and return with the team. There should be twenty people in each team to prevent any accidents."

Zuo Yidao nodded with deep understanding, and then quickly went to make arrangements.

Tang Hao ordered people to summon some of the oldest and most experienced old blacksmiths from Laiwu Iron Factory, headed by a white-haired old man named Liu Dahu.

Where there is demand, there will be channels. As the third iron factory of the Ming Dynasty, Laiwu Iron Factory can be said to be responsible for the iron production of the entire Shandong Province. Naturally, there are a large number of blacksmith workshops.

And they were all recruited by Tang Hao, waiting for the order from the Marquis of Zhongshan.

"You have only one mission!"

"All the original iron-making furnaces will be demolished and rebuilt, and the blast furnace will be built using my drawings. No deviation will be allowed. Do you understand?"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

The twenty iron-making furnaces in the Laiwu Iron Works are their lifeblood. Without these iron-making furnaces, how can they make iron? If they cannot make iron, how can they support their families?

For a time, a group of blacksmiths made a lot of noise and started talking.

The blacksmiths didn't know what the three words "Zhongshan Hou" meant. They just felt that the request of the dog official in front of them was too outrageous, and it was obvious that it would cost everyone's lives.

Liu Dahu felt this surge of resentment, and he couldn't help but bite the bullet and speak.

"Master Marquis, this iron-making furnace is our lifeblood. If it is suddenly knocked down like this, how will we support our families?"

"As for the imperial court, we have to pay money every quarter, and the iron factory has to bear the corresponding share of ordnance. If we can't complete it, the imperial court will blame it..."

"Don't worry!" Tang Hao waved his hand, "I will be responsible for the imperial court. I have already informed His Majesty the Emperor. There is no need to worry about this matter."

"As for your livelihood issues, during the rectification period of the iron factory, all craftsmen will adopt a registration and punch-in system. Each blacksmith will receive corresponding wages if he comes in and out on time every day. No one will be treated badly!"

Even so, the blacksmiths still couldn't accept it.

After all, who would really believe what these officials say?

If you say the court won't blame you, then it won't?

You said you should pay us wages?

"no!"

"The furnace must not be shut down!"

"That's right, you can't shut down the furnace!"

All the craftsmen shouted one after another, looking very ready to take action.

These blacksmiths have been forging iron all their lives. They are extremely strong and have bad tempers. Therefore, they seem to be ready to take action at this moment, which is quite powerful.

Before Tang Hao could open his mouth, the four guardsmen suddenly swarmed over, pointing their shining swords at the craftsmen, reminding them not to act rashly.

Under the threat of the four guards, the craftsmen calmed down.

Upon seeing this, Tang Hao looked at Liu Dahu and said in a deep voice: "Okay, let me ask you a simple question. Why does the output of the iron plant decrease significantly in winter?"

"What else could be the reason? It's because it's too cold in the winter so the furnace temperature can't rise, so of course we can't make iron!"

Liu Dahu rolled his eyes. This goddamn bitch official didn't know any shit, but he still had the nerve to point fingers here and reform the iron factory. Wouldn't that destroy everyone's jobs?

Tang Hao looked at the iron-making furnace that was almost five or six meters high and couldn't help but shake his head.

This broken stove is so crude, so naturally it can't get the temperature up.

And let alone the fact that the furnace temperature cannot go up in winter, how much higher can the temperature get even if it is left in the dog days of summer?

The temperature required for making iron is probably more than 1,000 degrees, so making steel must be at least 1,500 degrees and upwards. It is difficult to make iron in this broken furnace, let alone steelmaking.

In fact, the iron smelting industry of all dynasties has long been troubled by excessive phosphorus content. This is probably due to poor quality of iron ore, or due to iron casting technology, or both.

The most terrifying killer in iron smelting is sulfur.

The winter in the north is very cold, so ironware with high phosphorus content is very cold and brittle, which seriously restricts the development of ironware.

Therefore, using coal to make iron is a complete mistake, which has led the entire iron smelting industry astray!

In fact, the solution to the ultra-high sulfur content is very simple, which is to refine coke and use it to smelt iron.

Then use the redox reaction to obtain iron with sulfur removed. This is the most correct approach.

The most common way to achieve this is to make iron in a blast furnace!

The construction of the blast furnace is not complicated, but the problem is that Tang Hao only remembers how the blast furnace operates, but he really doesn't know how high it is. At least it must be as high as six or seven feet, right?

"The reason why the furnace temperature cannot rise is because your furnace is too short!"

Tang Hao ordered unceremoniously: "Whether you believe it or not, I have already given you the blueprints. Within one month, I will see all twenty furnaces turned into blast furnaces, otherwise none of you will leave." Want to live!"

Faced with the threat from this dog officer, the blacksmiths finally changed their expressions.

After all, with real swords and guns in front of them, it is indeed difficult for them not to be afraid.

In the end, Liu Dahu could only accept the drawings handed over by Tang Hao and led the blacksmiths to discuss it.

Upon seeing this, Tang Hao summoned Leng Hantie, a member of the Forbidden Army, and said: "Look at these craftsmen, they are the best at doing things honestly. Anyone who dares to cause trouble will be killed directly. Kill the chicken to scare the monkeys!"

Leng Hantie nodded subconsciously.

Tang Hao then turned and left.

To be honest, these blacksmiths are more helpless than those gentry.

Precisely because the gentry were gentry, they knew that the Marquis of Zhongshan could not afford to offend him, and they did not dare to offend him. They knelt down from the beginning.

But these blacksmiths, they don’t know!

They just thought that this was a damn dog official, and they couldn't listen to anything Tang Hao said.

In the end, Tang Hao was forced to have no choice but to issue harsh orders with a dark face and force the blacksmiths to accept them.

This was just a small thing in itself, but Tang Hao saw the class gap.

Scholars, farmers, industry and commerce remain unchanged.

The reason why these gentry and gentry can control the government and control the local discourse is because they have more knowledge than farmers, industry and merchants, and have more channels to understand the "outside world"!

In addition to the gentry and scholars, plus a businessman who has no profit and cannot afford to be early, there is an extremely serious information barrier between the two classes of people, farmers and workers, and the court!

And these information barriers were built by the gentry themselves!