I, Am a Living Yama, Empress Advises Me to Stay Calm-Chapter 167

Chapter 167

MING DYNASTY

Zhu Biao placed the steel dagger on the table and said, “Father, Fourth Brother, this is a Great Zhou steel dagger. With our current Ming Dynasty techniques, we cannot forge such steel. Even refined steel can hardly leave any damage on it.”

Zhu Di’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Big Brother, are you serious?”

Zhu Biao sighed. “Of course it’s true. When this dagger came into my possession, I had someone test it with a knife. As a result, the fine iron longsword of my Eastern Palace guard could only leave a faint mark on it, and the guard’s sword nearly got a notch instead”

Zhu Di sucked in a cold breath, his scalp tingling. “The craftsmanship of the Great Zhou is so advanced!”

Zhu Yuanzhang, seated beside them, was equally stunned. He ran his fingers over the steel dagger, feeling the icy chill radiating from it.

“Great Zhou has indeed produced such a high level of steel craftsmanship. It’s truly incredible. Our Ming Dynasty lags behind the Zhou in this regard.” He paused before adding, “How exactly do they forge it?”

Zhu Biao smiled bitterly.

“This is their unique forging method. I doubt they would let outsiders know about it. I heard that they built all their steel factories in the northern territories that used to belong to the Qing. It’s quite a large-scale operation.”

Zhu Di was momentarily speechless, his expression one of disbelief.

“Yang Yi was the one who introduced this steel craft?”

Previously, he had dismissed the constant praise his father and elder brother lavished on Yang Yi. Now, it seemed the man was even more remarkable than he had imagined.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression was complex, his tiger eyes filled with envy.

“When will our Ming Dynasty have such a talent? If we could obtain this forging method, it would be a great boon to us.”

Zhu Di, unable to hold back, exclaimed, “Father, don’t worry. Their factories are in the northern territories that once belonged to the Qing, right? That’s only ten days to half a month’s journey from here. I’ll go undercover at the steel factory for a year or so and uncover their forging method, then bring it back for you!”

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled, knowing his son was just saying this to please him. But the sentiment was genuine.

Zhu Biao, however, looked at Zhu Di as if he were a fool.

“Fourth Brother, you are too naive. Before you can even step into the steel mill, they will thoroughly check your identity. Only those with a clean background can get in.

“Even if you did manage to get in, do you think you could last a whole year?” He sneered. “No, I bet you wouldn’t even make it half a month.”

Zhu Di frowned. “Big Brother, are you looking down on me? I’m not some spoiled prince. In the military camp, I adapted just fine. Why should I be afraid of a mere steel factory?”

Zhu Yuanzhang simply watched his sons bicker, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Zhu Biao smirked. “The Great Zhou’s steel factory requires workers to labor six hours a day.”

Zhu Di’s face changed instantly, his jaw dropping. “How many? Six hours?”

“That’s not all. They also have a bonus system for overtime. The earliest group of night shift workers has a chance to earn bonuses. To get it, these workers start early in the morning at the hour of Si and work at least eight hours a day…”

Zhu Di gasped. “Eight to ten hours a day?! Is that even humanly possible? Who came up with such a harsh idea?”

Zhu Biao sighed. “Who else? Of course, it’s that ruthless minister of the Great Zhou.”

Zhu Di swallowed hard, a chill running down his spine. “This is too brutal. Even oxen know to rest when they’re tired. Under such rules, wouldn’t these workers collapse from exhaustion?”

Zhu Yuanzhang was just as shaken.

“It feels like Yang Yi wants to squeeze every last drop out of the Qing people. This system is downright ruthless. But it does fit Yang Yi’s style…”

Stroking his chin, he turned to Zhu Biao.

“Send someone to negotiate with the Great Zhou. What price would we have to pay if our Ming Dynasty wants to buy their steel?”

…

Meanwhile, in the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin sighed as he examined a report.

“This is a real sweatshop. But the efficiency is undeniable. I heard that in the past few months, their steel production has almost matched what the former Zhou State produced in half a year.”

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Gao Shilian exchanged stunned glances. Such high efficiency?

Changsun Wuji stroked his beard, his expression complicated.

“I’ve heard the quality of this steel is excellent. Your Majesty, why don’t we purchase some from the Zhou State?”

Li Shimin nodded thoughtfully. “Other nations must have heard the news as well. How can our Tang Dynasty fall behind? It’s a pity that the forging method is something the Great Zhou would never sell.”

Over in the Qin Dynasty, Ying Zheng exhaled slowly, a rare look of admiration crossing his face.

“I still underestimated Yang Yi…”

His gaze darkened as envy flickered in his eyes. If the Qin Dynasty had a talent like Yang Yi, they could have dominated the world.

He turned cold. “The steel from the Zhou State is either completely out of reach, or if any other nation manages to obtain it, we must secure it for ourselves. Do you understand?”

Meng Yi and Li Si immediately nodded.

…

Back in Great Zhou, in Luoyang’s Qianyuan Hall, Yang Yi curiously asked, “Your Majesty, I heard you received an envoy from Dashi yesterday?”

The Dashi Kingdom—the Arab Empire—was no weak nation.

Wu Zhao blinked at his curiosity and nodded slightly. “Indeed. They brought some gifts, some of which are rather rare. Wan’er, bring them over for Lord Yang to see.”

A short while later, Shangguan Wan’er returned with an assortment of gifts.

“In addition to these, the Dashi people also sent some exotic animals,” Wu Zhao said casually. “But I have no interest in them, so I had them sent to the royal zoo. These are the remaining gifts, along with some plants I don’t recognize.”

Yang Yi’s gaze swept over the assortment before suddenly halting on a few peculiar-looking plants. His eyebrows shot up in surprise.

If he wasn’t mistaken, weren’t these poppies?

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