12dz Chapter 562 Cement Appears
Chapter 562 Cement Appears
Cement is an extremely important item in modern industry. It becomes a slurry after being mixed with water. It can harden in the air and can firmly bond sand, stone and other materials together.
Cement is an indispensable thing for the development of cities and modern buildings in the past. Without cement, it would be impossible to build tall and sturdy houses and roads that will last for a long time.
Although the roads were often repaired in the previous life, Meng Jun knew that because of the large trucks running on them every day, in the current Qian Dynasty, as long as cement appeared, they would definitely be able to be used for a long time, and would be smoother and more durable than the roads in the Qin Dynasty.
For Meng Jun, he did not need to use cement to build large-span bridges, high-rise buildings or the like. He only needed to use cement to build a well-connected road network within the Qian Dynasty, especially to the Liaodong border, Hetao, and areas leading to Mongolia and Myanmar.
The ruling power of an empire, in the final analysis, lies in the connection between the local and central governments. The shorter the time, the stronger the ruling power. Throughout the dynasties, after expanding the borders to the limit, they all stopped at the same time. The most fundamental reason for this is that the greater the distance, the greater the cost for the court to govern the border.
Seven years have passed since Meng Jun set up experimental bases in Ma'anshan and Wuhu, with Xia Wanchun as the general manager.
Xia Wanchun has devoted himself to the experimental base since he took charge of it. Although he seldom meets Meng Jun, the two of them exchange letters every month. Therefore, although Xia Wanchun does not hold a prominent position in the court, the money allocated to the experimental base every year has never been missing. This is because everyone knows that the emperor values this experimental base.
Although Xia Wanchun spent a lot of money and grain during these days, this experimental base still made a great contribution to the scientific and technological innovation of the Qian Dynasty.
Especially in firearms, Xia Wanchun improved the structure of shrapnel bullets to double its power. Secondly, in order to solve the common fault of flintlock rifles, that is, the high misfire rate, Xia Wanchun and many craftsmen conducted in-depth research and studied and designed the holes and flints of flintlocks, which greatly improved the reliability of flintlock rifles.
Moreover, over the years, the experimental base has conducted research on the toughness of iron products, using special smelting technology to optimize the performance of materials, successfully reducing the risk of artillery barrel explosion and significantly improving safety and durability.
Although the biggest beneficiary was the development of the Qian Dynasty's military, for the common people, Xia Wanchun also gained some benefits from promoting scientific and technological innovation.
While Meng Jun was still paying attention to the system of allocating land tax in Jiangnan, Xia Wanchun and his team finally overcame the difficulties and developed the cement that Meng Jun had been dreaming of.
The specific process is to mine limestone, then crush the limestone raw materials with a small amount of clay, mix them in a certain proportion, grind them and blend them into raw materials of uniform quality.
The raw material is then calcined at high temperature to become clinker, and finally the clinker is added with an appropriate amount of gypsum and mixed and ground into powdered cement. In simple terms, it is limestone and clay that are mixed and fired.
Xia Wanchun wrote to Meng Jun, saying that experiments had already been conducted and a new type of road had been built on the official road between Ma'anshan and Wuhu, made of cement mixed with gravel and sand. Xia Wanchun said that this road could last for hundreds of years without being destroyed, and would not be damaged in the slightest by heavy rain or scorching sun.
Meng Jun was overjoyed and immediately summoned his important officials. He wanted to reward Xia Wanchun for his contribution and grant him the title of earl. However, there were constant voices of objection among the officials.
Among them, Liu Xunchun said bluntly: "Although Xia has some skills, they are just trivial skills and cannot be regarded as elegant. The court should respect virtue and honor the virtuous when governing the country. If such a small achievement is suddenly given special favor, it may disrupt social order and lose the hearts of the people."
After hearing this, Meng Jun said angrily: "Xia Wanchun's innovation in firearms has made great contributions to our dynasty. We should defeat the enemy with powerful weapons. Why should we risk the lives of our soldiers to fight the enemy?"
Although Meng Jun personally came out to support Xia Wanchun, Liu Xunchun still stiffened his neck and said loudly: "Firearms are commonly used by military strategists, not for governing a country. Cement is useful, but after all, it is not comparable to Confucianism and culture. How can the title of nobility be awarded arbitrarily just because of strange and lewd skills!"
Liu Xunchun believed that he was right and would not back down no matter what. Even when Meng Jun's face turned black, he still did not think he was wrong.
His colleagues kept winking at him, and Liu Xunchun finally seemed to react. He glanced at Meng Jun secretly and saw that he was indeed a little angry. Then he said, "Your Majesty, I am not against conferring a title on General Manager Xia, but the matter of conferring a title is of great importance. You can give him gold, honorary rank, or a mansion. If Your Majesty grants a title easily, it will surely attract flatterers to imitate him in the future, which may set off bad atmosphere and endanger the foundation of the country."
Some people may think that being an emperor means they can make arbitrary decisions and do whatever they want. This is actually a misunderstanding. The emperor has great power, but for the emperor to accomplish something, he also needs the people below to do it step by step.
Meng Jun was a little anxious just now. He refuted Liu Xunchun as soon as he spoke, which was indeed inappropriate. Meng Jun coughed and saw that the nobles who were watching the show on the side were looking at him.
Meng Jun and Qian Biao exchanged glances. Qian Biao was so happy that he immediately stood up and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I think Xia Wanchun's contribution is worthy of the title of Duke. It's a bit stingy to make him an earl!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Xunchun said earnestly, "Duke Qian, I am speaking for you, the noble, why are you trying to undermine me?"
After finishing speaking, Liu Xunchun said to Meng Jun: "Your Majesty, this matter should be carefully considered. Don't let a momentary happiness lead to a century of trouble. Your Majesty, please think twice!"
Qian Biao replied loudly: "Your Majesty, this cement road can allow the court's officers and soldiers to quickly rush to the border. This is a good thing, it must be rewarded generously. Only with this, people will be able to develop better things in the future. Liu... Liu Liu..."
Gao Yi at the back whispered: "Liu Xunchun, Mr. Liu"
"Liu Xunchun, ah, what Mr. Liu said is wrong. If the court doesn't reward you for researching something good, who will research new things in the future? Maybe you can come up with something even more powerful!"
Liu Xunchun said with great sorrow: "Your Majesty, the new is not as good as the old. Think of the ancient sages who ruled the country with benevolence and righteousness and benefited the people with virtue, not relying on skills alone. Huangdi established rituals and music, Yu Shun worked in the fields and gave his throne to Yu, and Zhou Gong spit out food to feed his guests, and the world was at peace. These were all saints, and they achieved their achievements for thousands of years without relying on strange and lewd skills!"
Qian Biao said disdainfully: "What great cause can last for thousands of years? It would have been gone long ago."
Liu Xunchun was too lazy to pay attention to Qian Biao, and bowed to Meng Jun who was at the top, saying: "Your Majesty, the old is worse than the new, because the old is stronger with time and has not changed after experiencing vicissitudes. If we ignore the basics and focus on skills over morality, it may cause the foundation of the country to be shaken. Although I am dull, I sincerely ask Your Majesty to look at it clearly and accept my advice!"