Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 903: Chapter 37: Divine Machine Camp (Part 2)

"Not to mention the firearms, just the bullets needed for them are extremely difficult to manufacture." Zhao Yao took a bullet from a small cloth bag he carried with him, "Just this one small bullet is very expensive. The bullets you just wasted during target practice could feed an ordinary family for half a month or even a month."

Chu Huan and his companions didn’t have much concept of money, but when they heard Zhao Yao’s last sentence, they gasped in shock.

They really hadn’t thought that a few small bullets could be so expensive!

In fact, the materials to make bullets aren’t very costly, but it is time-consuming and requires attention.

"You four really don’t know how much firewood, rice, oil, and salt cost, asking for tens of thousands of firearms so casually." Zhao Yao said sinisterly, "Have you thought about how many bullets thousands or tens of thousands of firearms would require?"

Shen Sen and the others shook their heads in unison and said simultaneously, "No idea."

"Not to mention the iron and copper mines in Swamp Prefecture, even all the iron and copper mines in Lingnan aren’t sufficient to make the bullets needed for tens of thousands of firearms." Of course, Zhao Yao was exaggerating a bit here.

"Hiss..." Once again, Chu Huan and his companions were startled.

"It’s impossible; you guys use wooden bullets for practice. There’s not enough real bullets for you to waste." Currently, the craftsmen have only made a few hundred bullets; they must be used sparingly and not squandered. "At your current level, letting you use real bullets is a real waste of them."

Chu Huan and his companions: "..." Boss, are you mocking us?

"The soldiers in the Divine Machine Camp prioritize quality over quantity." Zhao Yao brought the conversation back, "Currently, the Divine Machine Camp can only support 200 soldiers." Zhao Yao wasn’t telling the whole truth; they could actually support thousands of soldiers, but he thought there was no need to start with so many people. His plan was to first meticulously train 200 people and turn them into top-tier marksmen. Then, they’d train new recruits. Also, within these 200, he’d train one or two snipers.

After hearing Zhao Yao’s long explanation, Chu Huan and his companions realized that 200 people in the Divine Machine Camp were not few at all.

"You four better not lose to these 200 soldiers in a month."

"How is that possible?"

"As Great Generals of the Divine Machine Camp, how could we lose to mere soldiers?"

"Boss, you really underestimate us."

"Boss, your reverse psychology is rather crude, but I’m willing to fall for it."

Seeing the determination in their eyes, Zhao Yao was very satisfied.

"I hope you don’t disappoint me in a month."

"Boss, we definitely won’t let you down."

Zhao Yao encouraged Chu Huan and his companions a bit more before going to find Zheng Cheng. Recently, the production success rate of firearms, hand grenades, and grenades had become more stable. So Zhao Yao and Zheng Cheng had started researching how to make cannons. However, cannons were much more challenging to produce than firearms and grenades.

The two of them researched for several days without much progress, but Zhao Yao was not worried.

After spending some time in the North Mountain Cave laboratory, Zhao Yao turned and went to a place not far from the laboratory. It was where they had "buried" the gold and silver brought back from Japan.

Placing the "Gold Vault" near the laboratory was also for its safety. If something happened to the "Gold Vault," the laboratory would be the first to know and handle it promptly.

The "Gold Vault" had been dug ten layers deep temporarily, each level was massive, and there were multiple mechanisms set up. If anyone attempted to steal the gold or silver from the vault, they would likely never return.

After inspecting North Mountain, Zhao Yao turned and went to Nanshan to check the terraces.

Recently, it had rained in Swamp Prefecture. With the terraces moistened by the rain, the soil had become much softer. Zhao Yao had people use improved plows to cultivate the land, and they did a splendid job. Afterwards, he had the terraces fertilized.

After a period of fertilization, Zhao Yao had seeds of various flowers and grasses casually scattered in the terraces. Upon hearing that the seeds had sprouted, he specifically came over to take a look.

Old Chen, who was responsible for managing the terraces, was excited to report to Zhao Yao about the changes in the terraces over these days.

Zhao Yao squatted by the terrace, watching the tiny green shoots in the terraces with eyes full of joy.

"It looks like it was a success."

Old Chen nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Highness, it’s a great success indeed."

"The new fertilizer I made was also a big success." Without the effective new fertilizer, the terraces couldn’t have become so fertile. "Keep fertilizing this terrace; for now, don’t plant anything. Wait until spring plowing to sow rice."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Continue digging more terraces." Zhao Yao wasn’t planning to have the common people dig terraces just yet. After this year’s autumn harvest, he would promote the terraces. To persuade the common people to willingly develop the terraces, they first needed to see the results. If they didn’t see that the terraces could successfully grow crops and yield a good harvest, they wouldn’t take the risk to dig terraces.

"Yes, Your Highness." Seeing that the terraces could indeed grow crops, Old Chen and his team were highly motivated, eager to develop hundreds or even thousands of acres of terraces right away.

Zhao Yao pointed to the terraces in front of him and instructed Old Chen, "Arrange for someone to dig a small reservoir nearby in the next couple of days to irrigate the terraces later on." The Ministry of Industry has yet to produce the water wheel, and it’s uncertain if it will be done before spring plowing. Fortunately, Swamp Prefecture has plenty of spring rain, so there’s no immediate concern about drought. "By the way, how are the silkworms?"

"Your Highness, everything is normal for now; they’ll hatch by next month."

"Take extra care." The silkworms at Nanshan Farm were painstakingly brought from Jiangnan. These silkworms had survived nine deaths before thriving in Swamp Prefecture, so they mustn’t die now.

"Rest assured, Your Highness, I will take good care of them."

"By the way, how’s the sugar production going?" Lingnan has a type of sugar cane called ’Di Zhe,’ which is specifically used for making white sugar.

"It’s been made." Old Chen replied respectfully, "I was just about to report this to you."

Upon hearing that white sugar had been produced, Zhao Yao’s face lit up as he said, "Take me to see it."