Kays Translations

Chapter 203: Opening Ceremony

In the following days, Anyang underwent a series of adjustments, with this round mainly focusing on political changes; and these adjustments were essentially reforms carried out according to the “state” management model.

First, Xu Ren was appointed as the Grand Chancellor.

Second, Yan Ze’an was appointed as the Prime Minister, Bei Chen Yuqing was appointed as the Grand Commandant, Ling Zhifeng was appointed as the National Teacher, Gong Sun Wushang was appointed as the Minister of Justice, Tang Rong was appointed as the Minister of Science and Technology, and Fang Shijing was appointed as the Minister of Commerce. Lastly, a Minister of Propaganda was added, and Song Xing was appointed to this position.

These positions were all equivalent to first-class officials. However, Li Xian’s restrictions on the power of each official were different from those of other countries. Li Xian detailed the distribution of powers. Apart from these first-class officials, they had many “assistants” under them, and these assistants could disperse their powers.

Among them, Ling Zhifeng, who was appointed as the National Teacher, was responsible for divination, sacrificial rites, and matters of good and bad fortune.

However, the addition of a Minister of Propaganda, ranked as first-class, left many people puzzled. Was propaganda really that important? Fortunately, considering Song Xing’s somewhat limited abilities, Li Xian made a slight adjustment.

For instance, Xu Ren’s annual salary was 50 spirit stones, while Yan Ze’an and others received 45 spirit stones. Song Xing only received 30 spirit stones.

In the actual payment process, 70% was made in spirit stones and 30% in gold. Furthermore, those at the third rank and below were paid only in gold, with no spirit stones. This meant that only first-class and second-class officials were entitled to receive spirit stones.

After the arrangements for Xu Ren and the others were made, it was time to appoint officials at all levels, and those who had followed Li Xian’s development were all rewarded. For example, Li Ming, the old jade craftsman, was appointed as the Minister of Quality Control and the Department of Science, Technology, and Industrial Safety Investigation, which was a second-class position.

The former textile worker, He Lin, was appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of People’s Livelihood. Well, this was a nominal position with little power, but it sounded good and came with a second-class rank, which meant spirit stones were included. Moreover, Xu Ren and the others noticed that after the appointments, Li Xian gave He Lin a black notebook, a very thick one.

There were also some exceptionally capable people, such as Wu Peng, who was appointed as the Minister of National Security, holding a second-class position. He was in charge of the military, responsible for counterintelligence, and so on.

For example, Zhou Likun was appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Energy. Although this position was second-class, it wielded power comparable to a first-class position! Oh, and there was also Li Yuanming, a born, charming, and lovable villain. His role was to oversee officials’ inspections, and he held a first-class position as an Inspector.

All these matters were arranged in just ten days, but the official appointments were not publicly announced. This was because it was still too early to openly rebel, as the Great Xia Empire still existed. Announcing that Anyang had appointed officials according to the national court system would bring unnecessary trouble.

After the adjustments, Anyang’s political situation changed significantly. Administrative efficiency and other aspects improved several times over and continued to improve.

Additionally, in the four main areas of Anyang city, a “wall of laws” began to appear. The idea of making laws public was commendable. Gong Sun Wushang carried out this task thoroughly, making all laws public and establishing four squares around Anyang city. These squares would not only be places for the public to access laws but also for the future trials of criminals.

Gong Sun Wushang truly proved to be a legal genius. Although the laws formulated by Li Xian were numerous and varied, and although Anyang needed legal ideas that were consistent with the Legalist tradition, Gong Sun Wushang quickly enriched the legal system.

The laws were not yet fully finalized but were temporarily made public to allow the entire population to participate in discussions. Anyang’s approach won widespread approval from the people, as it was the first time that lawmaking was open and involved the entire population.

While Anyang was immersed in the wave of legal discussions, Li Xian had already arrived in Dingshan City. With just five days left until the start of the second Industrial Expo, Li Xian needed to make a final inspection.

Yan Ze’an personally took charge of this year’s Industrial Expo, but the direct person in charge was Fang Shijing. The Industrial Expo was not just about selling goods; Anyang also used this platform to acquire technologies and more. This task fell under Fang Shijing’s responsibility. Additionally, many engineers from the Brilliant Stars Group came to observe, research, and learn, expanding their thinking.

In just one year, this year’s Industrial Expo was no longer a one-man show of the Brilliant Stars Group. A total of 42 machine manufacturers and over 200 industrial product manufacturers gathered from all corners of the Great Xia Empire.

Li Xian’s main focus was on the 42 machine manufacturers. These manufacturers were still quite primitive. They mainly produced textile machines and large carts, and even for these machines, many required basic components from the Brilliant Stars Group, such as screws, nuts, bearings, and sea soul silk.

But there were also two machine manufacturers that brought a surprise to Li Xian. These two manufacturers exhibited, surprisingly, low-level machine tools!

“As expected, we cannot underestimate others’ wisdom!” Li Xian circled the names of “Golden Peng Trading” and “Human Treasures Trading.”

Xiao Yuquan, the Yuan Ying expert, did not care much. “Two small trading firms, producing machine tools that can only forge iron and can’t even make screws, what’s there to pay attention to?”

The preliminary computer technology had been completed, and Lord Xiao Yuquan was now quite proud.

Li Xian looked around at everyone, and it seemed that many people shared this expression. He immediately shook his head slightly. “Everyone, this kind of thinking is not right. In fact, technology is difficult at first, but once you get started, the progress is rapid.”

“Moreover, the machine tools exhibited by these two trading firms are definitely not their best technology.”

“Have we investigated these two trading firms’ situations clearly?”

Fang Shijing spoke up, “Young Master, the investigation has been completed. Golden Peng Trading is from Guangling County, controlled by the Wang family. And Human Treasures Trading is from Baofeng County, controlled by the Xiao family.”

“The Xiao family? Isn’t that the first prince’s family?” Li Xian immediately noticed something different from this.

Fang Shijing nodded, “Indeed, it is the Xiao family’s.”

Li Xian thought for a moment, then turned to Xu Ren. “What are your thoughts, sir?”

Xu Ren gave a wry smile. “Young Master, your question is too broad. Well, let me break it down a bit.”

“Firstly, the fact that these two trading firms have managed to research machine tools and even openly exhibit them is a provocation to us.”

“Secondly, since both of them have developed it, I believe there are more people who have developed machine tools, but are keeping them hidden. The lowest-level machine tools and industrial technology have few barriers; it’s just a matter of changing the way of thinking.”

“Thirdly, this shows that people have already seen the power of industry. The future war situation and social circumstances will undergo earth-shaking changes.”

“Fourthly, the First Prince is in Baofeng County, and the political situation there doesn’t seem very good. Although Baofeng County is said to belong to the First Prince, in reality, it’s the territory of the Northwestern Governor Xiao Liming. Xiao Liming has been entrenched in the Northwest for decades. Even if he didn’t have ambitions before, he has developed them now.”

“In this chaotic era, who wouldn’t want to dominate a region, gain fortune, and soar to greatness?”

Li Xian nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then gave his instructions: “Since others are provoking us, we naturally can’t act deaf and dumb, but we can’t give them an advantage either.”

“Their goal in provoking us is nothing more than to get us to show our technology so they can steal it. But this time, they will be disappointed. What we are exhibiting remains unchanged.”

“Core equipment like machine tools will not be exhibited.”

“But this time, we will exhibit internal combustion engines.”

“Hmph, with our array engine technology, we have Haihun silk; with our internal combustion engine technology, we have petroleum. Let’s see what they do! Without Haihun silk, without petroleum, even if they can replicate it, they will only get limited results.”

“Fang Shijing, have all the exhibits been prepared?”

“They are ready. This time, almost everything we are exhibiting is powered by internal combustion engines. This includes locomotives, textile machinery, the latest agricultural machinery, and construction machinery. We are also selling separate internal combustion engines and fuel.”

“In addition, we have iron sheets, steel plates, various precision tools, and… firearms.”

“All the prices have been set.”

Li Xian took the form and looked at it. “Good, but add one change. When I came here, the bicycle factory finally completed the ‘bicycle’ design and mass production. The first bicycle production line is now finished. It’s expected to produce 2,000 bicycles a day, and production will gradually increase.”

“We will organize a bicycle race to raise the profile of the bicycle.”

“The bicycle production line is finished? That’s great!”

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