Chapter 107: I Have Come, I Am Here, I Will Be With You (Part 2)

“Old fox, truly unwilling to involve himself in any karmic consequences!” Zhang Qian quickly guessed Yang Lin’s expectations of him might be limited to a perfunctory effort, or perhaps far less lofty than he had previously imagined. He couldn’t help but mutter quietly to himself.

Just as his disappointment grew, a voice came from behind the imperial desk—Li Xian’s command: “Minister Zhang, Vice Minister Lu questions the cost of the windmills and mechanical wells, claiming it is beyond what the people of our Great Tang can bear. Both I and Vice Minister Xiao are not well-versed in this matter. The Directorate of Construction might need more time to estimate accurately. Minister Zhang, would you be willing to clarify the exact costs before all here?”

“Your Majesty, I am willing!” Since the opportunity had been handed to him, Zhang Qian naturally would not refuse. Smiling, he stepped forward a few paces and declared loudly, “These two marvelous devices were indeed initially extremely costly. To verify their efficacy, I once built a complete set on my own estate. The total expense was roughly four hundred strings of Kaiyuan Tongbao coins!”

A collective intake of breath filled the Purple Palace. Except for Right Vice Minister Xiao Zhizhong, almost everyone sympathized with Sha Chongyi’s predicament.

Four hundred strings equated to a decade’s savings for a hundred households, and might still be insufficient. At such a cost, unless the Emperor devoted the entire treasury, fewer than ten thousand households in the entire Tang Empire could afford a combination of windmill and mechanical well.

This was precisely the effect Zhang Qian sought. Without waiting for the troublesome fourth-rank official to seize on this point, he quickly added with a smile, “I found these devices prohibitively expensive for our people, so I vowed to improve their craftsmanship and lower their cost. With the combined efforts of the Armory and the Directorate of Construction, and the strong support of both supervising officials, the combined cost has now dropped below fifty strings. Furthermore, if the court intends to mass-produce them, I have methods to reduce the price by half again!”

“Ah, then only twenty-five strings would suffice!”

“Twenty-five strings, how affordable! I’ll have a pair built at home soon!”

“Build? Dream on! No wonder Your Majesty summoned officials from the Directorate of Water Conservancy; these things must be first used by them!”

“There are also people from the Astronomical Bureau here; this time they won’t have to caw like crows all day!”

“Looks like the supervisors of the Armory and Directorate of Construction benefit; Secretary Zhang really knows how to curry favor!”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

“Your Majesty is blessed!”

The Purple Palace erupted like cold water splashing into hot oil—voices of debate and cheers resounded everywhere.

Looking back at Li Xian behind the imperial desk, his face was flushed with joy, as if he wished to rush down and spin Zhang Qian around thrice in his arms.

How bitter his life as emperor was! Since his second ascension, floods had never ceased. The fertile lands around Chang’an City had gradually become barren due to these floods. Many had questioned his worthiness as emperor; though aware, he could only swallow his pride! (Historical note: During Li Xian’s second reign, calamities like floods, sandstorms, and a total solar eclipse struck in succession, bringing great misfortune.)

But from now on, should anyone dare to murmur that he was unworthy, he could justifiably order their arrest and bind them beneath a windmill to shame them to death.

Suddenly, in the midst of joyous chatter and cheers, the voice of Vice Minister Lu Zhengming rang out, sharper than a blade scraping glass: “Young man, there are no jokes before the sovereign!”

“Minister Zhang can demonstrate this method on the spot—if you understand it!” Struggling without a PowerPoint to hold the audience’s attention, Zhang Qian seized the opportunity Lu Zhengming offered and proclaimed loudly.

The efficiency of large-scale assembly-line work could not be compared to the piecemeal labor of small workshops. This conclusion, verified countless times in later eras, was equally applicable in the Tang.

When Zhang Qian sought help from the Armory and Directorate of Construction, he had often wanted to promote this working method but was held back by his low status and newcomer’s position.

Unexpectedly, someone had thoughtfully handed him a pillow just as he was dozing off!

“Your Majesty, I am but ignorant and unlearned. May I humbly request that Your Majesty summon the supervisors and master craftsmen of the Directorate of Construction to verify Minister Zhang’s claims?” Vice Minister Lu, unaware of the assembly-line concept, suspected Zhang Qian of boasting to gain favor and, after hesitation, reluctantly proposed this to Li Xian.

“No need to trouble the Directorate of Construction. I believe Vice Minister Xiao can understand,” interrupted Right Vice Minister Xiao Zhizhong, rising from his brocade stool before the emperor could decide. “Your Majesty, every word Minister Zhang spoke is true. Even before Bi Gou approached me, I had sent men to inspect Zhang’s windmills and water wheels and estimated their costs. After receiving the blueprints and models Bi Gou provided, I had craftsmen roughly calculate the new price, which indeed could be reduced below fifty strings.”

“I, Jiang Ziyong, chief clerk of the Astronomical Bureau, am willing to assist Vice Minister Xiao!” An eighth-rank technical official attending the court session volunteered eagerly, eyes darting rapidly.

“I, Wu Qiu, chief clerk of the Directorate of Water Conservancy, with some knowledge of arithmetic, also wish to assist Vice Minister Xiao and witness Minister Zhang’s claims!” Another technical official who had waited with Zhang Qian stepped forward with a smile.

“I, Hu Nan, official of the Ministry of Works, somewhat versed in manufacturing…”

“I, Wang Jun, doctor of mathematics, am willing…”

Seeing leaders step forward, a host of eighth- and ninth-rank technical bureaucrats summoned to the court session began standing one after another, eager not to miss their chance to make an impression on the divine-emperor Li Xian.

It was not to slight Vice Minister Lu, but his actions tonight had gone too far.

Besides the biannual grand court sessions, officials rarely met the emperor. During those sessions, low-ranking officials had to stand at least eighty feet away from the emperor outside the Hanyuan Hall, on the steps. So today, called to this special session, they had all been eager to shine.

Yet now, after more than an hour, Lu Zhengming, determined to block Minister Zhang’s promotion, was still embroiled in endless disputes and even urged the emperor to summon new staff from the Directorate of Construction. By the time they were gathered, it would be midnight, and Lu would have had his fun, but everyone else would have lost their chance to be remembered by the emperor.

Moreover, who was Bi Gou? A man who never once lied in his life! If he vouched for Minister Zhang, then the windmills and mechanical wells must indeed be reliable. Vice Minister Xiao clearly intended to use the merit of presenting these devices to restore Bi Gou’s reputation and pull him back from exile. Lu Zhengming had no grudge against Bi Gou—why sabotage others' futures?

“You—you…” Seeing so many rise to back Right Vice Minister Xiao’s verification of Zhang Qian’s words, Vice Minister Lu finally realized he could neither block Zhang’s advancement nor avoid becoming a stepping stone for others climbing up. His face flushed deeply, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

“Since all of you wish to aid Right Vice Minister Xiao, I am most pleased to see it!” Just as Lu wished he could swallow back his earlier words, Emperor Li Xian excitedly struck the table, “Bring paper and brush! I want to witness Minister Zhang’s extraordinary skill with my own eyes!”

Note from the translator: Li Xian’s health and mental state were extremely poor. Historical records even note that he would sometimes suddenly forget how to speak during conversations with ministers. His only notable achievement during reign was rehabilitating founding officials. Please do not compare him with the great emperors of history.