Datang: My apprentice is Li Chengqian

Chapter 300 New Workshop
Qufu Bookstore.

Kong Zhiqiang leisurely sips the fragrant tea and enjoys the warm sunshine at noon in winter.

In the past year, with years of accumulation, Qufu Bookstore has finally made a big breakthrough in its paper-making workshop.

Not to mention surpassing the Sanlian Bookstore under the Qin family, at least they can be on an equal footing.

After successfully reducing the cost of paper to a new level, the entire Qufu Bookstore is alive.

The cost of paper has come down, and the cost of printing has also improved, so the selling price of books can naturally come down.

In recent years, along with the increase in the number of literate people in Chang'an City, the sales of books have increased significantly.

Even if the Qufu Bookstore is only the second largest bookstore in Chang'an City, its daily book sales are even higher than when it was firmly ranked first.

This is the benefit of making the cake bigger.

However, his good mood was quickly destroyed.

"Shopkeeper, something is wrong! I got the latest news that Sanlian Publishing will start reducing prices tomorrow!"

Kong Wenming came to Kong Zhiqiang with a face full of panic.

"Price cuts and activities are held every now and then, so what's the fuss about?"

Kong Zhiqiang, who is full of confidence, is not in a hurry.

However, his calm expression lasted for less than a minute.

"This time is different. I heard that all the books in the Sanlian Bookstore will be sold at a [-]% discount starting tomorrow, and all the papers will be sold with a [-]% discount. This will not give us a way to survive."

"What? [-]% off for books, [-]% off for paper? Is the joint bookstore not going to continue? Is there any promotion like this?"

Kong Zhiqiang stood up from the reclining chair with a face full of shock.

Now Qufu Bookstore's book sales profit is only [-]% to [-]%, if they sell directly with a [-]% discount, it will be a loss for them.

If it's okay once in a while, if it's like this all the time, there's no way for him to follow up.

As for selling paper at a [-]% discount, let alone, it is directly at a loss price.

"I spent a hundred coins and got the news from a buddy of the other party. It is said that the Qin family's paper-making workshop is now using some kind of steam engine equipment, and the production efficiency has been greatly improved, so the cost has dropped very obviously.

Their [-]% discount paper sale is just the beginning, and it is very likely that there will be price cuts later. "

Kong Wenming said in a crying voice.

Obviously, he is also aware of the crisis.

"This...how can this be done! How can this be done!"

Kong Zhiqiang anxiously turned around, unable to find a solution at all.

……

"Your Majesty, this is the honeycomb coal workshop after using the steam engine crushing equipment, and the speed of producing honeycomb coal has been doubled.

In the past, hundreds of people were required to work busy, but now a single steam engine equipment can complete it.

According to this speed, it only takes one year to earn back the money for purchasing steam engine equipment, and it will be more money in the future. "

Although Qin Xiedao was devoted to Red Star Academy, he was also very concerned about the steam engine research institute.

Now I personally take Li Shimin to visit the briquette workshop.

This is the earliest workshop established by the Qin family in conjunction with the imperial court and nobles, and it is now the exclusive briquette supplier of Chang'an City.

Although relying on the monopoly business, even if the price is not reduced, they can live a very nourishing life.

But Qin Xiedao's pursuit is obviously more than that.

"This steam engine is really amazing. Just assembling some parts together can make an iron lump move and then help us work."

Although Li Shimin had heard Li Junxian report on the steam engine many times, it was the first time he saw the steam engine today.

But from the outside, there is nothing outstanding, but it is so meaningful when working.

"Your Majesty, steam engine equipment can do a lot of things. Not only can it be used to crush coal ore, but it can also be used in woolen thread workshops. After the cotton is picked in the future, it can also be used to weave cotton cloth.

In addition, all iron workshops and ironmaking workshops require a lot of steam engine equipment. With it, our production efficiency can be at least doubled. "

Qin Xiedao knows the significance of the steam engine better than anyone else, so he continues to instill such views in Li Shimin today.

After seeing the power of the steam engine, Li Shimin also expressed his approval.

"I heard that your Steam Engine Research Institute is using high-quality steel to pave roads. Yushitai has already sent several memorials to impeach your Qin family for extravagance and waste. Is there any reason behind this?"

Suddenly, Li Shimin thought of a problem.

Originally, in order to show his trust in Qin Xiedao, he kept many impeachment memorials without publishing them.

But since this topic happened to be mentioned today, he asked directly.

"Your Majesty, there is indeed such a thing. This rail is used for steam locomotives.

Your Majesty, you have seen the power of this steam engine. If you transform the steam engine into a steam locomotive, and let the steam locomotive move on the rails with each section of the carriage, is this a very efficient mode of transportation?
For a long time, when the imperial court transported materials to various places, the loss was very high.

But with the railway, Chang'an City can reach Luoyang in one day, and it takes two or three days to reach Liangzhou.

Whether it is all food or weapons, there will be no loss. "

With Qin Xiedao's example, Li Shimin immediately realized the benefits of the railway.

"Is it really that exaggerated? So fast? How much can it transport?"

"The experiment of the Steam Engine Research Institute will be carried out soon, and once it is successful, the laying of the railway can begin immediately.

Now we have completed the construction of iron-making workshops in several places in Datang, and the production of steel has greatly increased.

At that time, it happened to be used to build the railway. "

"Zhenbeihou, even if this railway is as good as you said, it needs to use fine steel to lay the track, and a large amount of cement needs to be used, and the cost will definitely not be low.

Not to mention the construction of railways to various state capitals, the railway from Chang'an City to Luoyang alone, without 2000 million yuan, must not be repaired, right?
With so much money, it is impossible for the imperial court to pay for it. What practical significance does your railway have? "

Changsun Wuji asked a sharp question from the side.

Without money, nothing can be done.

No matter how good the railway is praised by you, but the construction cost is too high, it is useless.

"Don't say it's 2000 million guan, it's 200 million guan, and the Ministry of Household Affairs can't get it."

Although Dai Zhou on the side liked Qin Xiedao very much, but when he thought of the money of the household department, he immediately chose to side with Changsun Wuji.

(End of this chapter)