Shaofu was the imperial agency, in charge of imperial clothing, treasures, delicacies, casting, craftsmen, gardens, medicine and divination, etc. The so-called great craftsman was actually the most outstanding among the Shaofu's various craftsmen. If you add the word "tiangong" before the great craftsman, it would be "tiangong great craftsman". This title was the highest honor and status that the Han Empire could give to a craftsman. He was the head of craftsmen in the world and was canonized by the royal family. Don't think that this honorary title was very common, because in the past two hundred years, no craftsman in the entire Han Empire had been able to get this honor. Great craftsmen were common, but "tiangong great craftsman" was born out of necessity, as if given by heaven. He must have supernatural powers, so he was called "tiangong". Some people once thought that Zhang Yourong, the first master of machinery in the Han Empire, had the greatest hope of winning this honor, but what no one expected was that the person who finally won this honorary title was Yan Liqiang.
Tiangong Dajiang is not an official position but an honor. With this title, one can enter the palace freely without being an official. He can also supervise the craftsmen of the Shaofu and inspect the construction sites of the officials all over the world. He is indeed very powerful.
Throughout the history of the Han Empire, great craftsmen were granted titles, and the titles were hereditary, bringing blessings to their descendants for generations.
The position of the Young Master of Archery for the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace was also very prestigious. Compared to the previous position of the Archery instructor that the Emperor wanted Yan Liqiang to take, this position was more than one level higher. This Young Master of Archery was already the Six Arts Master of the Crown Prince, and he and the Crown Prince already had the status of master and apprentice. This was definitely very important. Because in all dynasties, anyone who could serve as the Crown Prince's teacher could be considered as the Crown Prince's team. Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, these people were all loyal ministers and would be promoted and reused, almost without exception.
Upon hearing the imperial edict's additional titles for Yan Liqiang, the people crowded around him all looked at Yan Liqiang with heated eyes.
As for the Northwest Bandit Suppression Envoy of the Han Empire, this position is somewhat interesting because it is not a permanent official position and has no fixed rank. It is a casual position that only appears in special circumstances and can be revoked at any time. The so-called Bandit Suppression Envoy, as the name suggests, is responsible for clearing out bandits and mountain robbers. The northwest of the Han Empire is mountainous and far away, and there are indeed many mountain bandits, horse bandits and the like, but the fact that His Majesty the Emperor gave him the job of Bandit Suppression Envoy at this time was still somewhat beyond Yan Liqiang's expectations.
Yan Liqiang's mind raced as he pondered the purpose of the Emperor sending him this gift package. Everything else was fine, but this bandit-suppressing envoy would allow Yan Liqiang to openly raise an army in Ganzhou. The Emperor asked him to raise an army at this time. Did he think that he had enough money to support the army for him, or did he want to make some noise in the northwest
Just as Yan Liqiang was thinking about all sorts of things, the imperial edict had already been read. Eunuch Ou took the edict away with a smile and handed it to Yan Liqiang, "Your Excellency, the emperor's edict has been read. You can express your gratitude now!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" Yan Liqiang bowed to the imperial edict, then took it with both hands. This thing, if kept in the family, would become a family heirloom.
"In addition to the imperial edict, His Majesty also asked me to deliver something to the Inspector. When I came, His Majesty held my hand and told me that I must hand this thing over to the Inspector in person!" Eunuch Ou said, turning around and looking at the guards who were accompanying him. Two guards were already carrying a plaque-like thing that was about one meter long and wrapped in yellow silk, which looked like a door panel, in front of Yan Liqiang. The thing seemed very heavy. The two guards were strong and powerful, but Yan Liqiang saw that their steps were still a bit heavy when they were carrying that thing.
"This is a gift from His Majesty to the Inspector General. It is just right for today's occasion. Please open it yourself, Inspector General!" The old eunuch looked at Yan Liqiang with a smile.
Yan Liqiang stepped forward, nodded, reached out and grabbed the yellow silk on the plaque and lifted it up.
The morning sun had just shone on the thing, and the moment Yan Liqiang opened it, the onlookers with wide eyes only felt a golden light flashing before their eyes, and a few large and flamboyantly written characters appeared in front of everyone's eyes - the world's number one factory!
It was a plaque with a black iron base and golden characters, carefully polished by craftsmen. It was extremely exquisite and noble. The pure gold seal on the inscription belonged to His Majesty the Emperor of the Han Empire.
There were sounds of people gasping all around - in this great Han Empire, the only one who was qualified to say that this factory was the best in the world was probably the Emperor.
Looking at those words, Yan Liqiang's heart skipped a beat. Damn, if these words were counted as goodwill and intangible assets, I wonder how many billions they would cost. Each word is worth a mountain of gold...
"The wool blankets and woolen cloth that the Governor sent to Your Majesty were very popular with Your Majesty and several ladies in the palace. They were soft and warm, far superior to other fabrics and silks. When the ladies took naps at noon, they covered themselves with the woolen blankets and said that they were light and warm, better than the fire silk quilts. Although the fire silk quilts were warm, they were still a bit bulky. The clothes made of woolen cloth were also comfortable and beautiful to wear. Your Majesty knew that the Governor was going to set up a large workshop called the Factory, so he specially wrote words and asked the craftsmen of the Shaofu to make this plaque and asked us to bring it to the Governor, saying that the Governor used wool to make cloth, turning decay into magic and benefiting the world, and it would surely be passed down through the ages. The Governor's workshop is worthy of these words..."
"When you go back this time, please tell His Majesty that I am grateful for His Majesty's kindness. I am able to achieve this because of His Majesty. Li Qiang will definitely continue to work hard in the future and live up to His Majesty's expectations!"
"Okay, I will definitely pass on what the governor said to your majesty!" The old eunuch said, pointing to the door of the woolen mill, "I see that the plaque of your factory has not been hung up yet. Today is a good day, so just hang it up!"
There was originally a plaque hanging above the door of the woolen mill, and the plaque was covered with a piece of red silk, with two threads underneath the silk. If Eunuch Ou had not come, Yan Liqiang and Wang Jianbei would have already pulled open the plaque on the door of the woolen mill, one on the left and one on the right, to officially open the woolen mill. Originally, the six words "Yan'anbao Woolen Mill" were written on the plaque of the woolen mill, but at this time, the golden plaque of "No. 1 Factory in the World" sent by His Majesty the Emperor had arrived. With such a golden signboard, there was naturally no need to reveal the "Yan'anbao Woolen Mill" anymore.
Under the gaze of everyone, Yan Liqiang took the heavy golden plaque sent by the Emperor with both hands, looked up at the gate of the woolen mill, and then flew several feet into the air. His body shape changed in the air like a dragon in the clouds. While taking down the plaque that was originally covered with red silk, he had already hung up the golden plaque sent by the emperor. Then Yan Liqiang held the plaque that had not been unveiled yet and landed steadily on the ground. Lu Wenbin next to him hurriedly came up and took the plaque that had not been unveiled from Yan Liqiang's hand.
In the sunlight, the five big characters “No. 1 Factory in the World” are majestic and auspicious, and the momentum of the entire factory is immediately revealed.
"Good..." Countless people shouted in excitement, and even more people seemed to see countless gold and silver flying towards them in the flashing golden light of the world's number one factory...
The opening ceremony is now complete and everyone is happy...
The lively and festive sound of gongs and drums rang out!
The female workers filed in from the gate to the sound of gongs and drums and entered the factory area. Yan Liqiang then invited Eunuch Ou, Wang Jianbei and other guests to visit the factory area...
(End of this chapter)