Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

"Those artisans were all clamoring to start work when it snowed, and the disciples had to send people to dissuade them," Zhuge Liang said, a hint of a smile appearing on his otherwise serious face.

"However, according to the clerks' reports, even while sheltering from the snow indoors, many artisans were spontaneously working on various items. At this rate, the academy will be completed before the spring of next year."

Pang Tong, who was in charge of grilling skewers, asked with some puzzlement, "Why? Could it be that there are benefits promised upon completion?"

"It's because the teacher has implemented the same wage standards for artisans in Yu Province as in Yang Province," Zhuge Liang replied.

"Just because of that?"

Pang Tong, who came from a prominent Jing Province family, was greatly puzzled. "Even if the wages are higher, the artisans wouldn't spontaneously rush to work, would they?"

Zhuge Liang speculated, "It's said that due to the influence of the Yu Province aristocratic families, most of the artisans in Yu Province are treated like slaves. Moreover, Yuan Shu didn't care about the artisans, so they often couldn't even guarantee basic food and clothing when working in Yu Province."

"Now that the teacher has set high wages and treats them generously, they are filled with gratitude and are therefore so proactive."

Li Ji lightly tapped the table and then said, "Generous treatment is one thing, and it will naturally make the Yu Province artisans grateful, but more importantly, it makes them feel valued and gives them hope."

"In this way, the Yu Province artisans will naturally work hard, both to repay the importance placed on them and to strive for that seemingly unlikely treatment and reward."

After some thought, Zhuge Liang immediately understood.

If the artisans of Yu Province had previously been like a stagnant pool, always needed but with low status, and never valued by the government and aristocratic families,

with officials and powerful families in many places frequently deducting or simply not paying wages, the artisans of Yu Province might not have been unable to survive, but they saw no hope.

However, after years of practice in Wu Commandery, Li Ji had long since perfected various systems to support and incentivize artisans.

Artisans are a major factor in driving changes in productivity.

Due to the previous shortage of artisans in Yang Province, their efforts were mainly focused on improving seagoing ships, papermaking and printing, and various agricultural implements.

The results were undoubtedly a pleasant surprise to Li Ji.

With Li Ji's full support and occasional guidance, the artisans of Yang Province unleashed an astonishing creativity, and have now initially completed the trial of a provincial-level seagoing ship.

It is believed that in the near future, the provincial-level seagoing ship will be able to truly set sail.

It should be known that this seagoing ship, which Li Ji designated as "provincial-level," already has paper data equivalent to Zheng He's treasure ship of the Ming Dynasty.

This giant ship, nearly one hundred and fifty meters long and sixty meters wide, is sufficient to meet the needs of long-distance ocean voyages, and no longer needs to rely on the coastline as much as before to ensure safe navigation.

Even though seagoing ships have not been given much importance from the late Han Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, catching up with the development of seagoing ships over a thousand years in less than ten years is undoubtedly a miracle created by the concerted efforts of the artisans in Li Ji's view.

Moreover, Li Ji is even clearer that if he wants to realize the blueprint he has drawn for the Han Dynasty, the artisan group is even more important, and he naturally intends to win the hearts of the world's artisans and work together to promote the innovation and development of various machines.

And this time, the construction of academies in Yu and Xu Provinces is not only related to many of Li Ji's strategies, but also a process for Li Ji to establish trust with the artisans of Yu and Xu Provinces, widely winning the hearts of artisans, and stimulating their creativity and passion.

Li Ji knows that in this era, it is an unrealistic luxury to expect artisans to conjure up large mushrooms from scratch using abacuses, but it is necessary to ensure that the value of the artisan group is fully valued and promoted by the Han Dynasty during his reign.

On this point, Li Ji undoubtedly sees much further than Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang is also quite interested in various ingenious skills, but he obviously cannot understand the importance of artisans as clearly as Li Ji.

Immediately, Li Ji reached out and grilled by the stove, and said, "Liang'er, when the snow stops, you should personally go and reward and care for those artisans, and bring more wine, food, and charcoal to ensure their food and clothing, so that they know the current government's emphasis on them."

Sima Yi listened, and was also a little puzzled, feeling that Li Ji's emphasis on artisans was a bit too much.

Even though Zhuge Liang is now holding Li Ji's staff status, which is considered to have power without a name, Zhuge Liang undoubtedly represents Li Ji. Zhuge Liang's personal trip is undoubtedly a very important expression.

Therefore, Sima Yi couldn't help but say, "Teacher, isn't this a bit too much? Receiving heavy rewards without merit may cause the artisans to develop some slack thoughts."

Li Ji waved his hand, indicating that the matter was settled and there was no further discussion.

In fact, if Li Ji could not go in person, Li Ji would have intended to go in person.

It's just that Li Ji's current status is too high, and countless people with ulterior motives are staring at every word and deed.

Not to mention the on-the-spot investigation of the topography of each county like when he first arrived in Wu Commandery, even a word that Li Ji said unintentionally when he went out would be repeatedly interpreted by people.

If Li Ji went in person, he might instead cause panic among the aristocratic families of Yu Province, thinking that Li Ji intentionally used the emphasis on artisans as an excuse to further suppress and deal with the aristocratic families of Yu Province.

After all, with the arrogance of the aristocratic families, it is normal to boss around artisans, scold them, and even beat or kill a few artisans for various dissatisfactions.

At this time, Pang Tong also grilled three skewers of mutton in his hand, and presented the tenderest and largest skewer to Li Ji like a treasure, and then shared a skewer each with Zhuge Liang.

This made Sima Yi couldn't help but roll his eyes at Pang Tong, completely not understanding why this ugly bird was acting like this in front of the teacher, was he afraid of displeasing the teacher?

Immediately, Sima Yi also stopped his original unhurried sipping of tea, and simply took four skewers of mutton from the rack with raw meat and started grilling.

Li Ji saw the small contradictions between the three people, but did not say anything.

If the three people had too good personal relationships, Li Ji would be a little worried instead. A little contradiction is just the fun of getting along between fellow disciples.

However, after Li Ji finished eating the meat skewers grilled by Pang Tong, he also took four skewers and grilled them together with Sima Yi, and then asked, "Yi'er, how is the situation in Yan Province?"

"Lu Bu has already captured the important towns in Yan Province, and has controlled the governance and large cities of various commanderies and states," Sima Yi replied.

"Faster than expected."

Li Ji sighed. (End of chapter)