All officials pondered briefly, and finally signed the contract with satisfaction as proof.
Liang Xiao watched this silently, a gratified smile finally appearing on his face.
This new law meant "significant losses" for capitalists, and for ambitious ones, merely earning less was a loss.
The officials' prompt and decisive trust in him had also greatly reduced unnecessary burdens for the nation.
After its promulgation, the labor law was immediately publicized by the imperial court and the Da Gan Daily. It would be implemented as soon as the steam engine was invented.
The common people, though unaware of the details, were shocked by the limited working hours stipulated in the new law. Yet, out of trust in Liang Xiao, they chose to support it.
The steam engine was also rolled out after the new law's announcement. Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing, true to their promise, allowed the industries of the officials to benefit first.
Water pumping, smelting, spinning, transportation…
The "moldboard plow" design drawing that Liang Xiao had given to Xiao Qing that year also began initial production, utilizing the increased steel output for agriculture.
One of the significances of the steam engine was the liberation of human hands, allowing more people to dedicate themselves to other industries and more intricate design work.
At Liang Xiao's Anguo Workshop, workers took out sealed tinned iron cans and gently opened them.
The workshop's first person in charge—Liang Xiao's cousin, Liang Yun—personally tasted the meat and preserved fruits from several cans.
"How is it, sir?" the workers asked nervously.
This was Liang Xiao's cousin. If he found any fault, even if Liang Xiao didn't blame them, they would be too ashamed to live.
Liang Yun put down the cans and laughed heartily.
"Delicious, truly delicious! These canned goods, preserved for a year, have actually retained some of their flavor!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the workers raised their cans and cheers echoed throughout the workshop. Everyone tasted them.
All were safe and sound!
"Marquis Anguo, he actually managed to create edible canned food??"
The common people were both surprised and delighted, rushing to Anguo Workshop to buy cans and taste them, praising them without reservation.
In the imperial court, civil and military officials each held a can, tasting it cautiously before exclaiming in amazement.
Gu Hong trembled, "How, how was this thing preserved for a year?"
Zhang Yang explained, "The Emperor taught us to use iron cans plated with 'white tin' to hermetically seal food that has been heated and cooked. This greatly increases the food's 'shelf life.' In the future, the soldiers on the front lines can easily enjoy meat and fruits, especially in the resource-scarce Western regions!"
Everyone marveled. Xiao Qing, on the imperial throne, could not resist tasting a small bite and looked at Liang Xiao, her eyes sparkling.
"This was inspired by a divine being in the divine realm. They told me that food spoils because there are invisible, minute 'life forms' in the air we breathe. These life forms are called 'bacteria' by the divine beings. When Da Gan can produce high-quality optical glass lenses in the future, I will try to develop a 'microscope' based on the divine beings' guidance, so everyone can see these bacteria..."
Liang Xiao explained the concept of bacteria to the officials in the simplest terms, leaving them somewhat bewildered.
"Your minister understands! The outbreak of some diseases, like plagues and smallpox, is caused by these tiny organisms called bacteria?"
"Plagues are often caused by pathogenic bacteria! As for smallpox, I also consulted the divine beings. It turns out the culprit causing smallpox is an organism even smaller than bacteria, but with Da Gan's current technological level, we cannot observe them. Our current goal is to be able to observe bacteria in the future."
The civil and military officials were both surprised and delighted. Soon, however, Li Xiuyun could not contain his curiosity and asked, "Your Majesty, why is the tin-plated iron used to make these cans called 'tinplate'?"
"It is to commemorate the inspiration given to me by the divine realm," Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
The "white tin" mentioned by the Da Gan army and people was actually tin. Now it had found its use.
Tin has a low melting point. With Da Gan's current technology, plating with tin was not difficult. Skilled workers could make dozens of tin cans a day.
The officials suddenly understood. Looking at the cans in their hands, as it was still during the court session, they refrained from tasting them further.
However, judging by their slightly raised eyebrows and smiles, they were clearly very satisfied with the quality of these cans.
"As a reward for your diligent service, my lords, you will be given priority in investing in various industries, including canned goods!"
Xiao Qing's words made the civil and military officials feel immensely honored, and they all expressed their gratitude.
The matter of signing the new law naturally became insignificant.
The advent of canned food brought a small joy to the people of Da Gan. They finally understood the principle of food preservation, and learned about bacteria and sterilization.
Workshops in various regions began to expand their workforce for making cans, selling them while also transporting large quantities to the border.
Liang Xiao's workshop began to experiment with "luncheon meat."
The medical sage Mu Xueqin was praised by the people for advocating sterilization and disinfection back then, earning even more respect. This became known as "foresight."
Liang Xiao's children had grown up. Jian Nanfeng and Mu Xueqin had returned to Tianshan with Liang Xiao's second son, Jian Canglang, and fifth son, Qiu Hanhai. The brothers were passionate about swordsmanship, and their grandfather, Jian Nanfeng, was their best mentor.
After participating in the Great Unification Ceremony, Jian Fuzi, the sword master of the Liang Kingdom who had guided the northern crossing of ten thousand swords, also returned to his homeland with the Liang swordsmen to continue spreading the martial arts.
Gongsun Ye, Gongsun Jing, and Gongsun Yu, three generations of the Gongsun family, also settled in Tianshan. Their family businesses were managed by Qin Jiu and others, with the assistance of Liang Xiao's people, ensuring their security.
For the retired Old Marquis Dingguo, his only hope now was that the Gongsun family would not die out.
In the bamboo forest dwelling on Tianshan, Gongsun Ye sat by the river, fishing leisurely.
Gongsun Yu was already engaged to a grand-nephew of Zhuo Zifang. She was also very satisfied with the south. The couple agreed that their first child would take the surname Gongsun, as the groom was not an only son.
The rest would be up to fate.
"I cannot put any more pressure on Xiao Yu. Although Xueqin said she should be fine, what if she cannot conceive? Then we'll choose one of Liang Xiao's children to inherit the Marquis Dingguo's mansion. Little Xue'er would be good..."
No one knew the Old Marquis Dingguo's thoughts.
The Gongsun family had suffered greatly at the hands of the Sun-Moon Army, resulting in a sparse population.
In Gongsun Ye's heart, Jian Qinwan was akin to his granddaughter, and the spirited Liang Hongxue was also deeply loved by the elders.
Meanwhile, the soldiers in the Western regions were enjoying the specially made beef jerky, unaware of the convenience the technological revolution was about to bring them.
"Marshal! The Guishuang Dynasty seems to be preparing for a war of attrition. Our scouts have discovered they have cultivated large areas of farmland and pastures along the way. We don't know how many slaves they used!"
The scout's report caused Lü Yi to frown.
"Our nation's military strength is unprecedented. However, the stronger we are, the more we must not be careless. Arrogance leads to defeat! Dispatch more scouts to ascertain the enemy's further intentions!"
The Western regions had consistently adopted a strategy of strengthening defenses and clearing the fields, holding firm. No matter how weak the enemy appeared, they did not launch proactive attacks, seeking not merit but only to avoid mistakes.
Lü Yi was not timid but firmly supported Liang Xiao's proposal to await the increasingly powerful military reinforcements from the central government and Yanzhou, thereby minimizing the casualties of his soldiers.
Otherwise, he felt he could barely restrain himself every day just by looking at the Divine Might Cannons in the military camp!
"Marshal! We have discovered a unit of black-armored cavalry with different attire from the Tianri cavalry. They should be the legendary Xiongnu iron cavalry!"