Luo Zenan was a little hesitant, what he just said, although he agreed to develop steel, but not everyone pressed it. Rather, it is necessary to fully assess how much value can be created by the workers who go to steelmaking before deciding whether to start large-scale steelmaking. But thinking about it, steelmaking should always be much better than farming, and it was Li Hongzhang's first major decision since he became vice premier of the cabinet, so I didn't say anything more after thinking about it.

Li Hongzhang, who was recognized by everyone, soon urged the Ministry of Public Works of the Cabinet to lay out the requirements for large-scale steelmaking, if it were not for the fact that Zeng Yuheng, the Minister of Public Works, was not in Shengjing, he was afraid that the plans for steelmaking had already been listed and directly issued.

But even if Zeng Yuheng was not there, there were many directors of the Iron and Steel Department of the Ministry of Public Works, especially when Li Hongzhang separately announced the establishment of the Metallurgical Bureau, and soon, the directors of the Iron and Steel Department of the Ministry of Public Works wrote out the overall plan for large-scale iron and steelmaking.

Early the next morning, Luo Zenan saw the general plan that was about to be sent to his desk, and he was immediately surprised, in this plan, it seemed that it had exceeded his expectations.

Originally, he still thought that even if he didn't assess how many people were needed in the steel industry and how much wealth the steelworkers could create, at least it would not be worse than farming, and there would be no harm in developing the steel industry. But unexpectedly, when he saw this plan, he was taken aback: everything was still carried out in the craziest way!

The plan clearly requires that all provinces and governments must carry out a large-scale steel movement, and each province must implement the resolute implementation of an action by each province of each province, that is, it must require one-tenth of the country's population, and it must also be a strong labor force to go into battle together, seize the favorable opportunity after the "spring plowing and sowing", make an all-out assault, quickly set off a grand upsurge in steel production, resolutely complete the steel production tasks assigned by His Majesty and the imperial court to various places this year, and strive for a total of more than 10 million tons of steel in the country!

This is exactly what scares Luo Zenan! This steel plan is too terrifying, it is simply difficult to realize, and it is too radical, so radical that Luo Zenan feels incredible, and feels that there is almost no hope of completion!

One-tenth of the country's population is invested in the steelmaking industry! Today, the territory of the Chinese Empire is vast, plus more than half of Japan and Korea, two relatively huge places with a relatively large population, as well as Vietnam and Nanyang, the total population of the Chinese Empire is no less than 500 million, and if you add the Hexi region and Mexico in North America, as well as the newly annexed Indian ports such as Ceylon, Australia, and Kolkata, I am afraid that there will be a population of 510 million.

According to the plan of this steel-smelting task, one-tenth of the country's population will be mobilized, and even if the land that has been expanded later is not included, at least more than 47 million people will be mobilized to participate in steelmaking. And if you are a middle-aged laborer, seize the favorable opportunity after spring ploughing, and go all out to assault? Isn't this all a small half of the population in the countryside being pumped out!

In fact, Luo Zenan is very clear about the structure of the Chinese Imperial family today, the average household is about 5-6 people, and among them, there are generally 2 strong laborers, some families even have only one strong laborer, the other is sick, and the rest are old and young, sick and weak, at most can only be regarded as half labor, in this way, the unrealistically drawn out of the population of strong labor, in fact, the vast number of rural laborers are actually extracted from one-third or even half! In this case, the rural yeoman farming system of the entire empire would be devastated, and if there were a few more disaster years, I am afraid that it would lead to the catastrophic consequences of starving to death a large number of sick and weak women and children!

Luo Zenan said indignantly: "No, I must stop this Raushzi's plan to make steel!" After speaking, Luo Zenan found Li Hongzhang, expressed his worries, and asked to revise the plan, not to make such a big deal, but to reasonably arrange labor to enter the ironmaking work according to the actual situation in various places.

"Premier Li, I know that you are anxious to develop the imperial steel industry, but everything cannot be done overnight, let alone such a sports assault, dispatching a quarter or even a third of the country's labor to go to war and smelt steel, what about the crops in the field, many of them are wasted? On the other hand, all over the country, iron ore and coal mines are unevenly distributed, there are many iron ore mines in some places, and there are no iron ore mines in one or two counties in some places. You can't all use the kind of scrap iron smelting in Hangzhou, in this case, you can only smelt it once or twice, what should you do later? Luo Zenan persuaded with some excitement: "I implore Premier Li to convene the officials of the Department of Public Works to reformulate the plan, at least revise it and be practical!" Otherwise, it will cause a catastrophe! ”

Li Hongzhang was full of joy, and was ready to inform Luo Zenan and the other four cabinet members today, and then he sent his carefully organized plan for large-scale steel smelting to all localities, to promote Hangzhou's experience to the whole country, and to improve the empire's iron and steel industry as soon as possible.

After thinking about it, Li Hongzhang thought that Luo Zenan wanted to suppress the momentum of his gradual control of the cabinet, and looking for this matter was just an excuse to play, so he said coldly: "Lord Luo, you are a little worried!" When this plan for large-scale steel smelting was discussed in the cabinet yesterday morning, I remember that you also expressed your approval, so why did you change your words and oppose this plan as soon as it came out today? You're going too far!

What's wrong with increasing labor input into the steel industry and carrying out a large-scale steelmaking plan? How did it lead to a catastrophe? Didn't you say yesterday that the workers who worked in the steel industry created much more wealth for the empire than the peasants who farmed the land. Why did you change your tune today? Could it be that you have an opinion about Li, against Li's plan, and oppose it for the sake of opposition? ”

Luo Zenan didn't expect Li Hongzhang to say this, let alone Li Hongzhang to be so magnanimous, he hurriedly explained: "Lord Li, it's not like this. I just feel like everything should be decided on a case-by-case basis......"

"Call me Vice Premier Li!" Li Hongzhang unceremoniously interrupted Luo Zenan's words, "Lord Luo, don't say it!" The cabinet has decided, and the plan for large-scale steel smelting has been passed!

Also, this plan is related to the rapid development of the empire, and no matter who wants to stop it, I will not tolerate it. ”

Liu Changyou and Zhou Shengkun happened to be not in the cabinet room, only Wu Chongyao was there, seeing this, he hurriedly rushed over to stop the conflict between the two, and pulled Luo Zenan to appease.

For Wu Chongyao, Li Hongzhang is obviously much more polite, in fact, he also has roots in his heart, and he seems to respect Liu Changyou, Zhou Shengkun and Liu Changyou and Zhou Shengkun, all of whom are the emperor's henchmen. As for Luo Zenan, he may not usually be inconspicuous, but for some reason, it broke out all of a sudden.

Luo Zenan was also a little angry, but after all, he was a master of science, so he controlled his emotions at once, and said calmly to Li Hongzhang: "Vice Premier Li, if you insist on going your own way to carry out this large-scale steel-making move to toss the people, I will not agree to anything, and directly ask Your Majesty to come to the Holy Judgment!" After speaking, he turned his head and walked towards his duty room.