The Choices of the Disaster Victims

The clans were deliberating on how to deal with Li Zhi, while Li Zhi himself awaited the displaced people's final decision to formulate the operational plan for the workshop district.

Since the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, some of the displaced had grown restless.

They were struggling to decide whether to stay or leave.

In previous years, the refugees never had such considerations.

They simply waited in the settlement until spring, then borrowed essential grain and seeds from the court to return home and cultivate their land.

But this year, Li Zhi offered them a choice.

In spring, they could remain and continue working.

Not only could they stay in the settlement for free, but they would also receive wages from Li Zhi.

However, the court would no longer provide free grain and supplies.

They would have to rely solely on their earned wages to survive.

This choice was difficult for them.

If they chose to return, they faced at least two years of hardship ahead.

Although they would be exempt from certain taxes and labor, a large portion of their grain harvest would have to repay the court’s loans.

If they chose to stay, their family lands would lie fallow.

Commoners were forbidden from buying or selling any farmland.

While they could sustain themselves with workshop income, they would lose their land.

The most agonizing fact was that Li Zhi’s wages were not small; if they worked diligently, their lives could improve greatly.

Moreover, their children could attend school here for free.

Schooling! Something these common folk had never dared to dream of before.

Now, staying meant giving their children such an opportunity.

It was like a gamble: returning home meant abandoning the chance, while staying left only two fates—life or death.

Life meant supporting their families through work and giving their children a chance to rise in status.

Death meant losing their jobs, losing their land, and soon, their lives.

As the New Year approached, the refugees’ opinions grew more unified.

In the end, the vast majority of families with children overcame their fear of life and death.

They resolved to gamble everything for their children’s future, unwilling to regret even if they failed.

These families numbered over a thousand, enough to meet Li Zhi’s labor needs.

With this outcome, Li Zhi swiftly moved on to his next plan.

He was naturally aware of the rising silk prices.

Though he did not stockpile silk by pre-ordering, he prepared on two fronts.

One, he instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to promote cotton planting in certain regions, aiming to introduce cotton cloth to the market next year.

Two, he encouraged all partners within his fief to urge the people to increase silkworm cultivation.

Together, their combined efforts would surely boost the silk supply in the market.

Beyond securing raw materials, he planned to reduce high-end silk production next year and shift capacity toward mid- and low-grade silk.

He shared a common goal with the clans: to expand trade with foreign countries outside the region.

Aside from silk, Li Zhi tasked Li Yin and the students with studying oil refining technology.

Many petrochemical byproducts were vital industrial materials.

His knowledge in this area was insufficient, so he had to start research early and cultivate talent.

This was also why he established a school in the settlement.

The children’s curriculum would focus primarily on mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

Meanwhile, Li Zhi himself immersed in the Directorate of Works.

He was currently studying the steam engine with Yan Lide and others.

Having already built a boiler, the steam engine project quickly became a priority.

He had drawn the blueprints and assigned Yan Lide and Yang Siqi to manufacture some parts.

Now, they were assembling those components.

Yan Lide carefully inserted a metal piston into an iron cylinder, closely observing the seal between the two.

Seeing this, Li Zhi said, “This machine is only for experimentation; there’s no need to be so meticulous.”

Yan Lide replied, “The student wishes to observe the mold’s precision to facilitate future production.”

Li Zhi said, “The real steam engine will be much larger, so it will need to be remade.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Lide quickened his pace and asked, “Teacher, can this device truly operate solely on steam?”

Li Zhi nodded, “If crafted finely, it should work without issue.”

Yang Siqi, assembling the connecting rod and crankshaft nearby, asked, “Your Highness, how did you conceive such an idea?”

This question had troubled him for a long time.

Although the steam engine’s parts were few, their design was ingenious.

He still couldn’t fully grasp its working principle.

Li Zhi answered, “I have written all the ideas into books. When you have time, you may come to the manor and read them.”

Though he could have explained it then, he chose not to.

Yan Lide, Yang Siqi, and many craftsmen in the Directorate of Works were the era’s finest artisans.

Li Zhi aimed to spark their interest in mechanics so they would actively learn on their own.

This was a perfect opportunity to promote his books, and he would not waste it.

Yan Liben, installing piping nearby, asked, “Your Highness, may we also have the honor of viewing your books?”

Li Zhi smiled, “Of course. My teachings are not yet complete; I need more people to discuss them so we can improve the theories swiftly.”

Yan Lide asked in puzzlement, “Master, how many teachings do you intend to complete? Why does the student feel you seem capable of anything?”

Li Zhi laughed and shook his head, “I am not that skilled. Many things I only understand partially. I can merely point out directions.”

Yang Siqi looked admiring and said, “Your Highness is too humble. To me, you are already capable of anything.”

Others then chimed in with compliments, all of which Li Zhi modestly denied.

If he truly knew everything, wouldn’t he have already led the Tang dynasty to world domination?

Why, then, had he not even produced a single rifle yet?