Chương 634: The Industrial Revolution of the Han Dynasty has officially begun.

All state-run iron smelting furnaces were replaced with steam-powered furnaces, and the coke-based ironmaking method was fully implemented. The goal was to double pig iron production and produce clean wrought iron and refined steel.

This step is the foundation for everything that follows, and it absolutely cannot be delayed. Those who fail to meet their year-end targets will be dismissed immediately.

Minister of Works Song Yingxing stepped forward again and replied in a deep voice, "Your subject obeys the decree! If coal and iron production does not double by the end of the year, I will request to be demoted without hesitation!"

"Thirdly, the Ministry of Revenue took the lead in developing light industry, using industry to support industry, and developing in a snowballing manner."

The initial phase cannot rely solely on government spending; industries must be allowed to generate their own revenue and become self-sustaining. Start with the sectors with the highest demand: convert state-run textile bureaus into steam-powered spinning and weaving factories, and install steam-powered flour and rice mills in the granaries of various prefectures...

These industries, powered by steam, could produce the equivalent of hundreds or thousands of workers. The costs of cloth, grain, and paper plummeted, allowing them to recoup their investment and make a profit within one or two years. The profits were all reinvested back into the real economy, snowballing and growing ever larger and stronger.

Wealthy private merchants who are willing to invest in joint ventures may be permitted to do so. The government will manage the technology and set the rules, while private individuals will contribute manpower and capital, sharing both risks and profits.

But the core technology must be kept in government hands and cannot be leaked; that's the bottom line. Shen Wansan, this is your forte; I'll entrust it to you as the overall commander.

Shen Wansan smiled so broadly his eyes narrowed into slits, stepped forward, and bowed:

"Your Majesty, I obey! Rest assured, I guarantee that all these factories will be profitable within two years, and that private capital will flow into them within three years! I swear on my life!"

Fourth, continue to dredge the canal and gradually build railways to open up the blood vessels of the world.

Start with the easy tasks and proceed steadily. Within three years, build steamships and put them into service on the Grand Canal and the Yangtze River for grain transport. Once this lifeline of grain transport is firmly in control, verify the technology, accumulate experience, and only promote it further when you are confident in its success.

Railway construction was initiated. The first step was to build short-distance dedicated lines—from coal mines to docks and ironworks—using steam locomotives to transport goods, replacing mule and horse carts, and to verify the reliability of the railway and locomotives.

Three to five years later, intercity trunk lines connecting provincial capitals and key military locations will be gradually constructed. Improved railway infrastructure will facilitate logistics, allowing coal and iron goods to circulate freely throughout the country, which in turn will stimulate demand for coal and iron, creating a virtuous cycle and mutually reinforcing each other.

This matter was jointly handled by the Ministry of Works and the Grand Canal Transport Office, with the Ministry of Revenue providing funding in coordination.

Minister of Works Song Yingxing and the Director of the Grain Transport Department of the State Administration Commission responded in unison, "Your Majesty, we obey!"

Fifth, the Ministry of War, in conjunction with the Ministry of Industry, reorganized military equipment and completed the heavy industry system.

The Ordnance Bureau was immediately upgraded to the Ordnance Department, equipped with steam-powered machine tools, to mass-produce flintlock muskets, smoothbore cannons, and ammunition. All equipment was standardized to uniform specifications, with calibers and parts becoming completely standardized, eliminating the old problems of handcrafted production by artisans and inconsistent sizes, and allowing for the interchangeability of parts.

Within five years, we must mass-produce new firearms and equip 30, 000 soldiers with new firearms. In addition to weapons, we must also manufacture all kinds of lathes, planers, and drilling machines so that we can produce both civilian machinery and heavy military equipment ourselves.

Steam forging and steel rolling methods should also be promoted simultaneously. Forging and rolling of large iron parts will no longer require manual hammering, saving time and labor.

Minister of War Li Jing stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I obey your decree! Within five years, I will ensure that the entire new army of our Han Dynasty is equipped with standardized firearms! Please rest assured!"

"Sixth, stabilize agriculture and secure the people, consolidate the foundation, and jointly manage the Ministry of Revenue with local prefectures and counties."

The rise of industry must not disrupt the foundation of agriculture. Steam-powered irrigation and drainage pumps should be gradually installed in grain-producing areas to irrigate fields during droughts and drain water during floods, ensuring stable and increased grain production. Only when people have food to eat can surplus population migrate to cities for work, and factories have workers—this is the most fundamental principle.

In Luoyang and other major industrial cities, steam-powered water supply systems and fire hydrants should be gradually built to improve urban sanitation and reduce fire risks, so that the people can live in peace.

Another rule is that if artisans lose their jobs due to machinery, they should be given priority to work in government-run factories or be sent to repair railways or mines. Their livelihoods must be properly secured, and they must not be allowed to become homeless, lest it incite popular uprisings.

These are all my people; not a single one can be lost.

Minister of Revenue Shen Wansan and Minister of Agriculture Jia Sixie stepped forward simultaneously:

"Your Majesty, we obey! We will ensure the stability of agriculture and the well-being of the people!"

"Seventh, establish rules and regulations, cultivate talents, and plan for the long term."

First, the system of rewarding those who have skills will continue. Anyone who innovates machinery or improves techniques will be rewarded with money or official positions after verification. Their techniques can be exclusively operated for several years, which will encourage workers all over the world to study diligently and use their brains.

Secondly, we will continue to expand the Institute of Science and Engineering, opening one each in Luoyang, Chang'an, Jinling, Kaifeng, Hejian, Zhuozhou, and Chengdu. We will recruit bright students and teach mathematics, physics, mechanics, mining and metallurgy, and other science and engineering fields to cultivate talent. We need a continuous supply of talent; we cannot rely on just a few people forever.

Thirdly, the Ministry of Revenue arranged for the Royal Bank to provide loans at interest to compliant industrial workshops, relieving their cash flow problems. Furthermore, the "Factory Regulations" were established, specifying working hours, wages, and safety guarantees, allowing workers to work with peace of mind and preventing employers from arbitrarily mistreating them, thus protecting workers' rights.

Fang Xuanling stepped forward and bowed: "Your subject obeys the decree! I will certainly straighten out the talent pool and regulations to pave the way for long-term development."

"Eighthly, it will be gradually promoted, benefiting the whole world and laying the foundation for all ages."

All of the above should first be piloted in the capital region and coal and iron producing areas in the north and south. Once the system is mature and funds and supplies are sufficient, it can be gradually promoted to all provinces, prefectures and counties. We should not be impatient for quick results or blindly expand the scale, but take one step at a time.

We must continue our research and development, building high-pressure steam engines and composite steam engines, making our power ever stronger; we must build larger ships and extend our railways. When all the provinces and capitals of the empire have steam power, and land and water transportation is unimpeded, with a continuous supply of military equipment and provisions, our dynasty will truly have laid the foundation for lasting peace.

After reading the eight articles, Liu Ce's gaze swept over the assembled civil and military officials, his tone as solemn as if he were making an oath:

"My lords, this is a momentous change unprecedented in the centuries-long history of our Han Dynasty. Success will bring prosperity to the nation for generations to come; failure will mean missing the opportune moment and regretting it too late. I entrust this responsibility to you."

"From this day forth, all departments shall act in accordance with this decree, and report their progress directly to me monthly. Those who perform meritorious service will be rewarded, and those who fail will be punished. Do you all understand?"

All the civil and military officials bowed in unison, their voices booming and echoing throughout the palace, even shaking off some of the snow outside.

"Your Majesty, we obey! We are willing to serve you with utmost loyalty! Long live the Han Dynasty! Long live Your Majesty!"

The sound pierced through the palace and drifted into the sky above Luoyang, mingling with the sounds of gongs, drums, and laughter from the streets, carrying far and wide.

After the court session ended, the ministers hurried along, their eyes shining. No one cared about watching the lanterns during the festival anymore; they were all thinking about getting back to their offices to arrange their duties, wishing they could get to work right away.

Cheng Yaojin, pulling Yuchi Gong along, headed straight for the Ministry of Works, their steps swift.

"Let's go! Old Black, let's go see what that steam engine is really like! Is it really as amazing as His Majesty said? I have to see it with my own eyes to believe it!"

Song Yingxing was surrounded by a group of people asking him all sorts of questions. He was so busy that he was sweating profusely, but he couldn't stop smiling, and his voice became hoarse from shouting.

Liu Ce stood at the palace gate, looking at the spirited officials below, watching the full moon gradually rise in the sky, and listening to the distant sounds of Lantern Festival fireworks, his heart filled with boundless pride.

The steam engine's flywheel had already started turning, and the industrial revolution of the Han Dynasty had officially begun.

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