Although it is autumn, the climate is not significantly cooler.

Xu Qilin, with a dark circle under his eyes, led his entourage and others, and under the send-off of his brother and friends, he left Chang'an and set off.

Because it was an official business trip, and he had to survey and supervise the work over the mountains and mountains, Xu Qilin could only reluctantly leave the two maids behind and continue to learn to run the shop, and Wu Xiang, Luda and other family members accompanied him to take care of him.

The carriage and horses sparkled, all the way to the east. Without the galloping of cars and trains, and without the galloping of horses, Xu Qilin did not like this errand.

If possible, it's better to be at home! If you want to lie down, you can sit if you want to, the maid will serve diligently, and the food will come when you open your mouth, how comfortable.

Although he took the post road from Chang'an to Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian, and several mansions had been built relying on the post station, Xu Qilin grinned at the taste of the food on the first night's rest, and could only barely eat half full.

It's not easy to go out, especially in ancient times, and it's even more sinful.

Xu Qilin returned to the house to drink tea and rest, preparing to go to bed early, this horseback riding is not an easy and comfortable thing.

"Brother—" The door was pushed open, and Pan Daoxin's head poked in, and he exclaimed with a grin.

Xu Qilin smiled and beckoned, "Dao Xin, come in and talk." ”

Pan Daoxin simply jumped and walked in, came to Xu Qilin, handed over the "flowing beads" he had picked, and said with a smile: "Since my brother likes it, I will give it to my brother." ”

I said I liked it a long time ago, why didn't you give it to me earlier? This stinky boy is really a chess idiot, he only saw one of the "Thirteen Chapters of the Book of Chess", so he couldn't hold it back, and took the initiative to send the "flowing beads" away.

Xu Qilin was not in a hurry to reach out and take it, and asked: "This is what Pan Daochang gave you to protect yourself, give it to me, and you won't be blamed?" Be careful of getting beaten! ”

Pan Daoxin scratched his head and said, "If you say that you accidentally lost it, what else can your father do?" If you really fight, you will go to my mother, and you will be able to protect me. ”

Oh, your dad is still a wife-scared man.

Xu Qilin smiled secretly in his heart, but still pretended to hesitate, until Pan Daoxin begged him to earn again, and then reluctantly took it and put it on the bowl.

Pan Daoxin smiled, rubbed his hands, and was a little embarrassed to ask Xu Qilin for it.

Xu Qilin gently patted the little Taoist priest's shoulder, stretched out his finger, and said with a smile: "There are thirteen articles in the box." ”

The Thirteen Chapters of the Book of Chess is a work written by the Song Dynasty that occupies a special position in the history of the development of Go, and its value lies first in its systematization.

China's classical Go theory, starting from Yin Wenzi and Taishu Wenzi, Zhongjing Bangu's "Yi Zhi", Ma Rong's "Go Fu", etc., to the Dunhuang manuscript "Book of Chess" and Wang Jixin's "Ten Tips", gradually began to systematize.

Compared with the previous theories of Go, the Thirteen Chapters of the Book of Chess has a more profound and comprehensive discussion on some important issues. In particular, the chapters dealing with Go strategy and tactics are all brilliant and insightful, which is another great value of this book.

In addition, the "Thirteen Chapters of the Book of Chess" also expounded for the first time on the quality and style of chess players. The book puts forward the criteria for evaluating the quality and style of chess players, such as "victory is not spoken, defeat is not spoken", "peace is not Tai, survival is not arrogant", and these views are still praised by chess players.

In general, the Thirteen Chapters of the Book of Chess summarizes the valuable experience of playing chess in previous dynasties, and comprehensively inherits and develops China's classical Go theory.

As soon as this book came out, it was valued by Song Dynasty chess players, including Liu Zhongfu, and "everyone can recite these thirteen articles".

Fortunately, the ancient texts are refined, and the short of the thirteen articles is only five or six crosses, and the longest is only about 300 words, and the total is only about 2,000 words.

For Xu Qilin, it is worth spending some energy and time in exchange for "flowing beads". If he were to speak at length, he would almost have retreated.

Pan Daoxin had already read the first article and was deeply impressed, and when he heard it at this time, his eyes lit up, and he jumped over and held the box in his arms. After touching it a few times, I opened the lid of the box and saw the manuscript inside, not only grinning happily.

"I'll give you this chess book." Xu Qilin said seriously: "You are a broom to cherish yourself, and you must keep it well." After a hundred years, it will be passed on to future generations, or published in the world, and it can be regarded as worthy of a family teacher. ”

Oh! Pan Daoxin nodded again and again, hugged the box tightly, thought for a while, and said: "Lu Yu Immortal's hard work, how dare you be alone." After copying, he returned to his brother and asked his brother to publish it in the world and make a name for the immortal. ”

Xu Qilin was stunned for a moment and asked, "Aren't you afraid that others will learn and win your chess skills?" ”

Pan Daoxin smiled and said: "It is necessary to find a master to compete, or a chess player of equal strength, in order to increase his chess skills, and winning or losing is also happy." ”

Xu Qilin was slightly surprised, he didn't expect this Pan Dao to have such a mind when he was small-hearted. Very good, this is what it looks like to be able to leave a name in history and dominate the chess world.

Seeing Pan Dao leave satisfied, Xu Qilin couldn't help but sigh. Is it really worth it for the sake of your own interests and hobbies? Perhaps, to be more precise, that is Pan Daoxin's pursuit and career.

The "flowing beads" were worn on the wrist, which did not bring Xu Qilin an immediate effect and feeling, but he didn't care too much. Since it is a Taoist magic object, he is not a demon or a monster, so it is definitely true that there is no harm.

After drinking the tea, Xu Qilin got up and walked out of the house, ready to take a casual walk around and take a good look at how the store was built. Ruda followed behind very knowingly, which made Wu Siong a lot easier.

Although the shop is rented out, Dayingku enjoys certain privileges and can be used as a guest house. At the same time, facilities such as libraries must also be set up and preserved, which is determined in the agreement.

"Xu Cheng, please take a seat." Boss Qian, who rented the shop to run it, was smiling and very respectful.

This Qian boss must have relatives and friends working in Dayingku, otherwise, he would not be so well-informed and rent this store before most people.

Take proper care of it, and there's nothing too big a problem. It's just that it's less profitable than the open auction.

Xu Qilin nodded politely and asked, "Boss Qian, I see that there are a lot of customers living in this store, and it seems that most of them are rushing into Beijing." ”

"The autumn season is about to start, so why don't you catch up with this batch of exams?" Boss Qian diligently served tea and poured water, and said with a smile: "I hope they didn't disturb Xu Cheng." ”

"Not really." Xu Qilin said: "However, we occupied a lot of rooms, and according to the usual room rate, the boss made less money." ”

"Hey, what did Xu Cheng say?" Boss Qian waved his hand and said, "Even if the room is tight, a certain person will not raise the price." It's not easy to go all the way these things! ”

"Honesty and trustworthiness are the way to do business." Xu Qilin praised it, didn't sit down to drink tea, only said to walk around, and then turned to leave.

The guest rooms, warehouses, and mat sheds, Xu Qilin looked at them while walking, some of them were designed by him, and some were added by Boss Qian himself. Only the operator knows what kind of facilities are needed to make it more convenient and satisfying for guests.

After the completion of the Caoyun reform, the trade between the north and the south will be more prosperous, and the business of this shop will be better. Fortunately, the agreement was only signed for two years, and the re-lease would have to be open to bidding, and there would be an extra amount of money.

Xu Qilin turned around, returned to the store, and told Luda to go to rest.

The next day, Xu Qilin and the others turned to Weishui, boarded the ship and headed east. This stop on the land route is just a survey by the way, in fact, you can take a boat when you leave Chang'an.

After arriving in Weinan County, Xu Qilin only took a few people off the ship to inspect the coal mine. The others went to Luoyang first, and from there they split up to take charge of the various sections of the route.

In the Han Dynasty, there was already a history of using coal as fuel. At that time, coal mining technology was generally to dig along outcrops, but vertical shafts were often dug as wells.

Under the guidance of the officials sent to mine the coal, Xu Qilin rushed to the coal mine, listened to the reports of the officials, and inspected the situation of coal mining.

Without mechanized tools, relying entirely on human and animal power, the output of coal can be imagined. But the price of coal is cheaper than firewood, and it is a development trend. By the time of the Song Dynasty, the use of coal was already very common.

And manpower coal mining lasted until the Qing Dynasty, thousands of years, and Xu Qilin didn't think so. Isn't it just labor, and there is no solution yet?

In addition to coal mining for heating, there is also soil coking, which is very useful for smelting steel.

Most importantly, the widespread use of coal can protect trees and slow down or even reverse the deterioration of the natural environment in the Guanzhong region.

In Guanzhong in the Tang Dynasty, the natural environment has been seriously damaged. Excessive land reclamation, over-cultivation, indiscriminate deforestation, and wars have led to a large reduction of forest vegetation and serious soil erosion.

The consequence of this is the frequent occurrence of disasters, and the natural disasters recorded in the history books in Guanzhong, such as floods, droughts, wind disasters, and locust plagues, are very numerous. It has to be said that this is nature's punishment.

If the output of coal can reach a certain level, Xu Qilin will play a role to His Majesty Li Er, and take measures such as returning farmland to forests, planting trees, and closing mountains for afforestation, so as not to turn the rich Guanzhong into a wind-swept loess slope.

"There are a lot of coal mines in Weinan, and we must continue to explore and continue to mine." Xu Qilin made further arrangements and guidance for the work, "Then the furnace was built, and the coke smelted was sold to the ordnance supervisor by the official." ”

"As for the issue of labor, this official has also made it clear to His Majesty that he will transfer the convicts to come and call it labor reform." Xu Qilin had a wicked smile on his face, "If they do a good job, they will have a chance to reduce their sentence and go home as soon as possible." ”

"Xu Cheng is really benevolent and compassionate!" A petty official flattered and said: "This proposal can be described as killing two birds with one stone, how can those criminals not be grateful to Dade?" ”

Hehe, Xu Qilin laughed dryly, feeling a fever on his face, and was quite embarrassed. Free labor, the exploitation of Chiguoguo, is like doing a great good deed.

"In addition to criminals, there will be prisoners of war in the future." Xu Qilin said: "Give them the opportunity to make meritorious service and atone for their sins, and contribute to the construction of my Datang." ”

"Xu Cheng is merciful! In ancient times, most prisoners of war were killed, and how many lives were saved in this discussion, and the merit was immeasurable. ”

Well, that's right. You look at the ancient wars, how many levels of beheading were done at every turn, and thousands of them were not uncommon. It's just a waste, it's a waste.

"Xu Cheng." The official who finished filming the sycophants reported to Xu Qilin: "At present, there is also a shortage of carriages and horses for transportation, so it is time-consuming and labor-intensive to be transported, and it needs to be solved." ”

Xu Qilin nodded and said, "This official read your report and specially transferred people from the Ministry of Industry to solve this problem." ”

In the days before the advent of trains, a form similar to rail transportation was created: wooden plank rails.

This kind of wooden flat "rail" first appeared in European mining areas, and the first wooden rails were directly made of logs, and the wheel grooves and rims of the rail cars were just riding on logs.

Of course, there is no comparison between wooden rails and rails, and because they are not resistant to wear and tear, the tracks have to be replaced frequently. If it is replaced with iron, it can solve the problem, and according to the smelting level of Datang at that time, it is also a task that can be completed technically.

Moreover, because the railcars are not the kind of tall and heavy locomotives and carriages, the rails do not have to be built so wide and thick, so wasteful of materials.

The railcar only needs to modify the wheels of the current vehicle so that it can guide the vehicle along the track, which is not a difficult job.

"How well have you studied the drawings?" Xu Qilin turned to several craftsmen and asked, "You can use hardwood as a rail for the time being, and then wrap it with iron in the future, or replace it all with rails." ”

"Back to Xu Cheng, the villains have figured out that it is not difficult if it is all wooden." One of the master craftsmen replied, "Iron rails, axles, and even iron wheels will take some time." ”

Xu Qilin nodded, stretched out his finger and pointed to the coal pile not far away, and said with a smile: "I set up a blacksmith shop here, and smelt and forge it with coke, which is much stronger than burning wood." The experiment was successful here, and rail transportation should be promoted in various places. When the time comes, you will all be experts, and others will have to be hired with a lot of money. ”

A few craftsmen only chattered, but they didn't take Xu Qilin's words too seriously.

They are craftsmen in the Ministry of Industry, how can they have freedom, it is not how they are assigned by the above, and the wages are also issued by the Ministry of Industry, and it has nothing to do with them if others pay a lot of money.

Xu Qilin knew that this kind of official craftsman did not have much enthusiasm for work, and in order to improve efficiency, there must be an incentive mechanism.

Therefore, in addition to the Ministry of Industry paying these craftsmen, he also took out money as a bonus to the craftsmen who did it quickly and well.

After listening to Xu Qilin's reward mechanism, the faces of the craftsmen showed anger. This trip is worth it, and you can earn double wages. Of course, you have to sell a little more effort.

And Xu Qilin not only wants to transport coal out quickly and in large quantities, but also to promote rail transportation, and the most recent application is to bypass the land route of Sanmenxia.

If we take a long-term view and connect Chang'an, Shaanzhou, and Luoyang with rails, the speed and quantity of transportation will more than double.

You know, the ancient roads were all dirt roads, although they have also been tamped, but they lack maintenance and are not waterproof.

Potholes are still a small thing, once it rains for days, the roads are muddy, and vehicles walk on them, it is quite difficult.