Chapter 366 Large Steel Plant Landed

As Zhuge Liang brought good news in the northwest, steelmaking work had to be put on the agenda.

There was already mature steelmaking technology in the Eastern Han Dynasty, but the gap with modern times is reflected in output and variety.

Due to the lack of exploration and measuring tools, the quality of iron obtained by the steel pouring method varies. The better iron can be used as steel, and most of it is used to forge weapons and armor; the inferior iron is either sent back to the furnace for reforging or used as farm tools.

Coupled with the immature technology of coal desulfurization, the steelmaking industry has been stagnant.

Even though Jinmao has vigorously promoted the development of the steel industry, it has only recovered its iron production of 20,000 tons to its peak in the Eastern Han Dynasty in the past few years.

It would be fine if it were an ordinary day, but Zhuge Liang has done a great job in the northwest, so the steel tracks will be laid sooner or later. In addition, things are going well for Pang Tong, so the tracks in the east must also be repaired.

As a result, increasing steel production is imminent.

Jin Mao had no particularly good solution to this problem and could only issue an imperial decree to the whole country, declaring that whoever could solve this problem would be appointed as Shaofu.

This is a position of Nine Ministers!
Of course, the original function of the Shaofu, who was in charge of the emperor’s purse, must be removed, and he would be considered half of the Nine Ministers.

For a time, even Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong and others became jealous and wanted to put down their work and give it a try. Fortunately, they did not put it into action.

Not to mention others.

Soon, folk masters emerged one after another, contributing one wonderful idea after another.

Some people made coking coal by traditional methods, some contributed to the quenching method, some increased production by blowing air in water, and some built blast furnaces...

There are capable people who recommend themselves at every step of the steelmaking process, but there is no one who knows all of them.

For this reason, Jin Mao did not give these people the position of Shaofu, but recruited them all into the Shaofu and made them subordinate officials.

It just so happened that the coal produced in Nanyang County, Henan Yin, Xingyang and other places had very low sulfur content, so Jinmao issued an edict to build a large steel plant in Luyang County.

If successful this time, Jinmao will build four more steel plants of this scale across the country, located in the northeast, southwest, northwest and southeast.

We won’t have to worry about steel for a long time to come.

Thus, the Steel Bureau came into being.

Unlike the Construction Bureau, the Steel Bureau does not have as much power and organizational structure as the Construction Bureau, but the technical requirements are higher, and the requirements for recruited workers are also higher. Even if they are uneducated, they must be smart enough.

After all, steelmaking is both a physical and technical job.

So who will be in charge of the Steel Bureau?
Jin Mao had no idea, so he went to ask Jia Xu.

The latter gave several candidates: "Liu Ye and Xu Shu both have the talent to assist the world and can be deputies."

Jia Xu was very smart. He left the position of the person in charge vacant. This position must be held by Jin Mao's confidant.

Jin Mao nodded inwardly upon hearing this, and was quite impressed by Jia Xu's thoughtful consideration. He knew that the Iron and Steel Bureau was an important new department, and the selection of its leader was not only related to the advancement of technology and production efficiency, but also directly affected the future of the country's industrial development. So, he pondered for a moment and began to carefully calculate in his mind.

"Liu Ye is a man of many ideas and has extensive knowledge of mechanical structures. If he can lead the technical innovation of the Iron and Steel Bureau, he will surely achieve great things." Jin Mao thought to himself, "And Xu Shu is known for his extensive knowledge and keen insight. He is suitable for strategic planning and talent training. As a deputy, he will surely help the Iron and Steel Bureau move forward steadily."

But on second thought, Jin Mao realized that as a new department, the Iron and Steel Bureau needed a leader with both prestige and executive power. He needed a person who could convince the public and execute decisions with swiftness and determination to take up this important position. So, his eyes involuntarily fell on one of his confidants, Liu Fang.

"Liu Fang is a loyal and reliable man who acts decisively and has some knowledge of smelting techniques." Jin Mao decided secretly, "Let him be the head of the Iron and Steel Bureau. With the help of Liu Ye and Xu Shu's wisdom, he will surely lead the Iron and Steel Bureau to glory."

Thinking of this, Jin Mao summoned Liu Fang and told him all his ideas. After hearing this, Liu Fang's eyes flashed with excitement. He knew that this was a high recognition of his ability and an unprecedented challenge. He wanted to take on this task, but his ability was limited and he couldn't do it.

Liu Fang, as the current director of the Industrial Bureau, has long been unworthy of his title. Most of his functions have been divided out. Now he is only good at inventing and creating, but he is lacking in coordination and arrangement.

"Your Highness, I am not talented enough to take on this important task." Liu Fang lowered his head modestly, but his tone could not hide his eager expectations for the future of the Iron and Steel Bureau. "But I am willing to share your worries. Although I cannot directly lead the Iron and Steel Bureau, I am willing to use my technical expertise and past experience as a shield behind the scenes to fully assist the new person in charge. I propose that we set up a technical advisory group, led by me, to bring together skilled craftsmen and wise men from all walks of life to provide technical support and strategic planning for the innovation and development of the Iron and Steel Bureau. At the same time, I will spare no effort to train new people, ensure the inheritance and innovation of technology, and make the Iron and Steel Bureau invincible in the torrent of the times."

Jin Mao's eyes flashed with admiration when he heard this. He knew that Liu Fang's modesty was not an excuse to shirk responsibility, but a reflection of his careful consideration of responsibility. He patted Liu Fang on the shoulder and said with a smile, "What Liu Qing said is very much in line with my opinion. You are not only highly skilled, but also considerate of the overall situation. The technical advisory group has great ideas, and I feel relieved to have you here. As for the person in charge of the Iron and Steel Bureau, I will carefully consider it. He must have leadership skills and be able to work closely with you and other think tanks to jointly create a new chapter for the Iron and Steel Bureau."

However, the director of the Steel Bureau also needs to be elected.

A name comes to mind.

Golden cloud!

Jin Mao's cousin will soon become a member of the royal family, but he is currently still wasting his time as a county governor.

It’s not a problem of Jin Yun’s ability.

In fact, Jin Mao recruited Jin Yun to serve as the governor of the state many times, but Jin Yun politely refused every time.

Jin Mao knew that his cousin was too proud to bring shame to the Jin family.

Especially after Jin Gao's death, Jin Yun, as the next generation head of the Jin family, must set a good example.

But this time, Jinmao decided to make an exception.

If even one's own family can't hold a high position, then who can hold this position?
Therefore, Jin Mao issued an edict to appoint Jin Yun as Shaofu and concurrently the director of the Iron and Steel Bureau.

Jin Yun had no choice but to return to Wancheng, Jingzhou, to report to Jin Mao. The last time the two brothers met was at Jin Gao's funeral. At that time, Jin Yun's temples were gray and he was gradually getting older. Now Jin Yun's temples are completely white, and you can't tell that he is less than 40 years old.

You can see how hard Jin Yun has worked over the years!

"My dear brother, you are here. Please take a seat." Jin Mao stood up to greet him.

Jin Yun walked into the hall, his steps were heavy and relieved. He knew that although this appointment was not his own will, it was also a family responsibility, and he felt mixed emotions. Under Jin Mao's warm welcome, he slowly bowed, and then sat down on the special chair, his eyes unconsciously swept across this familiar yet unfamiliar palace, his heart full of emotions.

"Your Highness, I feel a great sense of responsibility for this appointment. The affairs of the Shaofu and the Iron and Steel Bureau are related to the national economy and people's livelihood. I will do my best and live up to your expectations." Jin Yun's voice was steady and firm, revealing a maturity and responsibility that came from having experienced many hardships.

Jin Mao's eyes flashed with relief and trust when he heard this. "Brother, I know you are talented and you care about your country. You have been working hard outside these years, and everyone in the family has seen it. This appointment is not only a recognition of your ability, but also the family's trust in you. I believe that under your leadership, the Iron and Steel Bureau will usher in a new prosperity and contribute to the prosperity of the country."

The two looked at each other, and without further ado, the deep brotherhood and common sense of family mission flowed between them. Jin Mao then changed the subject and talked about the current national situation and future plans, while Jin Yun listened carefully, nodded from time to time, and occasionally put forward his own opinions. The two were very engaged in the discussion.

As the conversation deepened, the atmosphere in the hall became more and more warm and solemn. Jin Yun realized that this was not just a simple appointment, but a new mission given to him by the family, an opportunity for him to display his talents and realize his ambitions on a broader stage. He secretly made up his mind to prove his worth with practical actions and live up to the trust of his family and the country.

As the night deepened, the two were still eager to learn more. Finally, Jin Mao patted Jin Yun on the shoulder and said earnestly: "Brother, although the road ahead is long, with you and I fighting side by side, why worry about not being able to create a career? I hope you will shine in your new position, bring honor to the family, and add color to the country."

Jin Yun nodded solemnly, his heart filled with strength and hope. He knew that he was about to embark on a new journey, and this journey would be the most glorious and unforgettable chapter in his life.

The director of the Iron and Steel Bureau was selected, and Jin Mao resigned from the position of director of the Liu Fang Industrial Bureau and was transferred to the position of deputy director of the Iron and Steel Bureau.

Liu Fang breathed a sigh of relief. After so many years, he was no longer the young man he used to be. He knew very well what the consequences would be if one's virtues did not match one's position.

If someone else was in power, Liu Fang would definitely not think so, but Jinmao would not tolerate any sand in its eyes, especially among its own family members, and its requirements would be more stringent.

In such an environment, neither the Wushang Jin family nor the Liu family dared to ask for promotion easily, as they were all very clear about their own abilities.

Now that we have a leader, the next step is to build the framework of the steel plant. All the technical talents that were discovered previously will be stuffed into the factory as middle-level managers. If they do not have management talent, they will be replaced when the time comes.

Senior officials such as Liu Ye and Xu Shu had to be summoned and interviewed.

Liu Ye is eighteen years old this year, still young, and has room for improvement in all aspects. After a simple test by Jinmao, he was transferred to the steel plant to be Jin Yun's assistant.

When Xu Shu was thirty years old, Jin Mao paid more attention to him and arranged a test for him.

Interestingly, Xu Shu was born in a poor family and only decided to study at the age of fifteen. He happened to be studying in Jingzhou. At that time, Jin Mao had a conflict with Liu Biao, and Xu Shu even had the idea of ​​joining the army.

"I didn't expect Yuanzhi to want to be my enemy."

Hearing Jin Mao's teasing, Xu Shu pretended to be terrified even though he knew it was a teasing: "Your Highness, you heard it wrong. At that time, I wanted to join your ranks."

Jin Mao couldn't help but smile when he heard this, and his eyes flashed with approval. He knew Xu Shu's talent and wisdom, and he admired his tenacity to maintain his ambition and integrity in the face of adversity.

"Yuanzhi, do you know why I pay special attention to you? Not only because of your profound knowledge, but also because of your insight into the current situation and your courage to care about the world. Although you did not directly join the army in the past, I have long heard of your sincere heart for the country and the people. Now is the time for you and I to join hands and work together for a great cause."

Xu Shu felt a warm current in his heart when he heard this. He bowed and said earnestly: "Thanks to your kindness, I will do my best to live up to your expectations. The thoughts of the past are all gone. Now I only wish to assist your highness to achieve great things, to repay the country and to bring peace to the people."

Jin Mao nodded, his eyes full of trust and expectation. He knew that Xu Shu was not only a wise general, but also an indispensable right-hand man in his heart. So, he patted Xu Shu's shoulder and said earnestly: "Okay, Yuanzhi, since you have this ambition, I am relieved. The next test will be a consideration of your comprehensive ability, not only testing your wisdom, but also your adaptability and decisiveness. I hope you can take this opportunity to fully demonstrate your talents and bring a little change to me and the world."

Xu Shu was excited when he heard this. He knew that this was not just a test, but also an important turning point in his life. He secretly made up his mind to go all out, live up to Jin Mao's expectations, and live up to his years of hard study and efforts.

There is no doubt about the test results. Although Xu Shu is not as talented as Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, he is more calm.

Steelmaking requires calmness!
Therefore, Jinmao appointed Xu Shu as deputy director of the Steel Bureau to coordinate the overall situation and reduce mistakes.

Spring, the 208th year of Jian'an ().

The first large-scale steel plant was built in Luoyang. As the first batch of steel came out, a new era quietly approached.

Interestingly, on the day the steel plant celebrated its completion, Emperor Liu Xie personally attended the celebration.

Jin Mao was caught red-handed, and Liu Xie pressed him hard to find out when he would abdicate.

Jinmao was speechless. His successor was not in a hurry, but the incumbent was. Is there anything more ridiculous than this in the world?

What’s even more outrageous is that this incident was recorded by historians.

"The Emperor begged the King of Wu to ascend the throne, but the King declined, saying he was not ready yet. The Emperor did not believe him..."

In short, Jinmao adheres to the principle of delaying as long as possible and keeps delaying.

Now he really regretted it. He hadn't been out for many years. If he became emperor in the future, how would he have the chance to go out and have fun? See Liu Xie, he didn't feel sad about abdication at all. All he was thinking about was when to abdicate so he could go out and have fun.

Now Jinmao is not afraid of what consequences Liu Xie's going out will bring. After so many years of blockade of Luoyang, the whole world has reached the point where people only know the King of Wu but not the Emperor.

Therefore, ascending the throne was just a formality. Jinmao's power now is no less than that of the emperor, and he has more freedom than the emperor.

No matter who comes, I won’t change!

(End of this chapter)