Datang: My apprentice is Li Chengqian

Chapter 302 The Clock
Li Shimin's luck is still very good.

Except for the two years when I first took the throne, I felt that everything was not going well.

In the next few years, the weather was smooth, and the entire Tang Dynasty was in a state of prosperity.

Today, the price of rice in the West Market has dropped by nearly half compared to the first year of Zhenguan.

The income of the people has almost doubled.

With such a drop and increase, the living standards of the people in Datang immediately improved a lot.

"Basic clothing, food, housing, and transportation actually rank higher than food. Although there are woolen clothes now, the problem of winter protection for the people of Tang Dynasty has been solved to a certain extent.

But for Datang, this is still far from enough.

This piece of cotton, Your Majesty, you can experience it yourself, and see how it differs from linen, from silk, and from wool. "

In the Tang Palace, Qin Xiedao took the initiative to enter the palace to see Li Shimin.

Tens of thousands of acres of cotton were planted in Liangzhou, and after the autumn harvest, they were immediately sent to Chang'an City.

For this reason, the Qin family also specially built a cotton textile workshop, from cotton seed removal to spinning and weaving.

All the related equipment was re-developed, and it took several months to build the workshop.

Now the first batch of cotton cloth has also been successfully produced.

Although the output of cotton is not much now, spring will begin soon.

If the imperial court encourages everyone to grow cotton on a large scale, it must take the upper-level route.

There may not be enough time for immigrants, but there is no problem in dispatching captives or government soldiers to garrison fields.

"Is this cotton cloth something you made in Liangzhou? It feels very good to the touch. If it is made into clothes, it should be much warmer and more comfortable than linen cloth.

But the ventilation performance should not be as good as silk. "

Li Shimin is also a person who knows the goods, and he just confirmed the benefits of cotton cloth.

"Yes, it is not as comfortable as silk, but what is the price of silk, and what is the price of cotton cloth?
Silk is destined to be used only by noble and wealthy merchants, and ordinary people have no fate with them.

But cotton cloth is different. If cotton is grown on a large scale, the price of cotton cloth can be lower than that of linen cloth. "

"What? Can the price of cotton be lower than that of linen?"

This time.Li Shimin was moved.

He is well aware of the significance of low-priced cotton cloth to ordinary people.

The so-called prosperous age means that the common people have food to eat and clothes to wear?
For such a simple request, countless kings throughout the dynasties have spent all kinds of efforts, but they have never been truly realized.

If you can realize it in your own hands, then the meaning is really too important.

"That's right! It can be made cheaper than linen. And cotton is very useful. In addition to making cotton cloth, it can also be used to make cotton jackets and quilts, and it can also be used to make other disinfectant swabs and the like. It is definitely a crop worthy of vigorous promotion."

Qin Xiedao knew very well the great significance of cotton planting to Datang.

In today's Tang Dynasty, there is no shortage of land, but manpower.

Large tracts of fertile land on the prairie can be utilized.

As for whether turning the grassland into a cotton field will lead to desertification, this is actually not a problem at all.

The current grassland, Datang has such a small population, how much grassland can be used?
The little land that was reclaimed didn't matter at all.

"Okay! Since this cotton is so useful, then I agree with your proposal! But you have to discuss the specific matters with the Ministry of Households!"

……

The drop in steel prices had a profound impact on Datang.

In today's Chang'an City, some new types of mechanical equipment have begun to appear in many workshops.

The parts of these devices are generally made of steel.

In particular, the gear processing equipment and various metal processing equipment launched by the Qin family have enabled various workshops to use other processing methods for steel besides forging and casting.

Of course, this is inseparable from the knives produced by the Qin family's special steel workshop.

Although these knives are inconspicuous, these knives that can be used to process steel are actually the key to the rapid emergence of various equipment.

Especially the equipment that can be used to process threads and stamped parts after being combined with steam engines has brought a huge impact to many workshops.

In order to raise the reputation of the School of Mechanical Engineering of Red Star Academy, Qin Xiedao specially arranged a homework for the students.

After several months of honing, this work is now officially published.

"Master, can this clock really record the time accurately?"

Li Chengqian looked curiously at the one-meter-high clock in front of him.

Although Datang's technology has made great progress, it is still a little insufficient for some fine parts processing.

Otherwise, Qin Xiedao would not just produce clocks.

Isn't the pocket watch fragrant?

Is the watch bad?
These are all things that can make money and can effectively promote the development of Datang's industrial technology.

"One revolution of the hour hand is a day, as long as the clock is wound every day, the accuracy of the clock is guaranteed.

Basically, there will be an error of about a quarter of an hour every other month. "

Although there is no way to compare this accuracy with later generations, compared to Datang who still relied on sundials to keep time, this clock is already an artifact.

really.Li Chengqian was very excited when he heard this.

"Teacher, if this is the case, I think this clock will definitely become the favorite of all noble families and wealthy merchants in the Tang Dynasty.

No matter how expensive the price is, there are still people rushing to buy it. "

It has to be said that Li Chengqian still knows the habits of noble families very well.

As long as things are good, price is not an issue at all.

"The clock workshop has now officially started mass production, and this clock will be ready to go on the market in a few days.

Before that, I plan to place a large clock above the gate of the Datang Palace, so that the officials participating in the court meeting can know the time more conveniently. "

Qin Xiedao naturally knew the best place to advertise.

Obviously, the gate of the Datang Palace, which does not require advertising fees, is definitely the best advertising position.

All officials can see this ad and be impressed.

This alone can make the sales of table clocks break through from zero to four digits.

"No problem, I will personally supervise the installation of this clock. However, I guess Master, it is definitely not enough for you to prepare only one clock.

It has been installed at the entrance of the palace, and there must be a shelf in the Hanyuan Hall, and there must be a shelf in the Imperial Study Room. "

"Naturally, besides the clock at the gate of the palace, I will send another twenty to His Majesty."

Although the clock was expensive, Qin Xiedao didn't feel bad at all.

Think of it as an advertising fee.

(End of this chapter)