Back to the end of the Ming Dynasty to engage in infrastructure construction

Chapter 226 Mr. Xu Ge wants to return to Beijing
Xu Guangqi likes to study farming, astronomy, mathematics, firearms and so on.

In Daming, he had a very lonely feeling.

Before, when the teacher Matteo Ricci was alive, he could ask Matteo Ricci for advice when he had a problem. Around Matteo Ricci, there were also some people who loved western theories such as astronomy and calendar, mathematical measurement, water conservancy and hydrology.

But since Matteo Ricci's death, Xu Guangqi often feels lonely, and no one can resonate with him in his field of hobbies.

Because he was the second assistant of the cabinet, many people fell in love with him and pretended to like astronomy, water conservancy and mathematical measurement.

But Xu Guangqi could tell that those people were just trying to get close to him.

It was only after he came to the strong place that Xu Guangqi felt that he had found a bosom friend.

This Marshal Zhao really likes Western theories, and he even knows much more than his teacher Matteo Ricci.

Before Zhao Cheng went to the expedition, Xu Guangqi had found an opportunity to talk to Zhao Cheng. In the communication on some issues, Zhao Cheng could make him admire him with a few words.

There are still many schools in Strongland.

Xu Guangqi was fascinated by the lessons taught in these schools.

This alone is enough to make Xu Guangqi inseparable from the strong ground.

What's more, his body was plagued by persistent illnesses. Originally, the emperor was very kind and sent an imperial physician to see him, saying that his time was numbered.

Xu Guangqi can also feel that his body is getting worse and worse, his eyes are dim, and his mind is dizzy.

But after coming to Qiangdi, after being treated by the doctor here, his body recovered quickly.

Xu Guangqi is also very interested in Qiangdi's medicine now.

The doctor stuck a needle into his arm, and behind the needle was a long tube that connected to a transparent bottle with water in it.

The doctor said, this is called an infusion, and the infusion is a liquid medicine.

During the infusion, Xu Guangqi fell asleep. After waking up, he felt comfortable all over, as if he was ten years younger.

Xu Guangqi was shocked.

He feels that this is simply the art of rejuvenation!

After that, he continued to infuse fluids for several days, combined with some pills, and took them on time.

Xu Guangqi seemed to be born again.

Now he walks lightly and has a clear mind. This feeling is something he never had ten years ago.

He is alive again!

Xu Guangqi really can't do without strong ground.

But the imperial court was very kind to him, and the emperor attached great importance to him.

This made him very conflicted.

Now seeing these firecrackers made by Qiangdi, the thought of sharing worries for the people and the court has emerged again.

He was just asking, thinking that Zhao Cheng would definitely not agree.

Because he also saw that Zhao Cheng really had objections, how could he sell such a sharp firecracker to the imperial court?
But Zhao Cheng agreed without hesitation, so happily.

This shocked Xu Guangqi.

Could it be that he was thinking wrong and wrongly blaming Zhao Cheng, but in fact Zhao Cheng had no rebellion at all?
"Does Master Ge think that I shouldn't agree to sell firecrackers to the court?" Zhao Cheng looked at Xu Guangqi with a smile.

"No, no, no!" Xu Guangqi quickly shook his head, "How can I have such an idea? Zhao Shuai is loyal to the court..."

Xu Guangqi wanted to praise Zhao Cheng, but no matter how he said it, it sounded a bit hypocritical.

"Hehehe!" Zhao Cheng couldn't help laughing, and waved his hands, "Mr. Xu Ge, let's not do this kind of thing. Smart people don't say dark words, my firecrackers can be sold to the court, but, The price must be reasonable. As you can see, our process of making firecrackers is extremely cumbersome. Therefore, the price may be a bit more expensive than that of bird blunderbusses."

Xu Guangqi blinked his eyes.

Is the production process of firecrackers complicated?
How much manpower is saved just by using water power to drill holes for the gun barrel?How much faster?

Moreover, I heard that the military government built several iron smelting plants near the Dongcheng Coal Mine, which are called indigenous iron smelting plants, and iron bars are pulled out by carts every day...

Those pig irons have extremely high yields and low cost.

The iron used to make firecrackers is all produced there, and after being processed, it is shipped over.

Xu Guangqi knew a lot, and he was very sure that the cost of these firecrackers would definitely not be higher than the cost of the court's birdcracks, or even much lower.

Of course, Zhao Cheng firmly insisted that the cost was high, so he couldn't justify himself, lest he offend the other party and make things unsightly.

"Cough cough!"

Xu Guangqi coughed lightly.

"Shuai Zhao, you also know the situation of the imperial court. In recent years, there have been constant natural disasters and man-made disasters in various places. There are slaves outside who are constantly knocking on the gates and plundering the people; there are thieves inside, causing troubles everywhere. ..."

"Hehe." Zhao Cheng laughed again, "But, Mr. Ge, as far as I know, all the ministers in the court and China should be rich, right? If you pull them out, you must have tens of thousands of taels of silver at home, right? Not to mention the rich households in the south of the Yangtze River, the accumulation of generations! This, I am not wrong, right? All the officials in the court are so rich, so the court is not as rich as the ministers?"

Xu Guangqi stared, unable to speak for a while.

What Zhao Cheng said was true.

As the second assistant of the cabinet, Xu Guangqi certainly knew the actual situation of the imperial court.

But this kind of thing, everyone knows, but no one dares to say it!

"Zhao Shuai, you must be careful with these words! If it gets out, Zhao Shuai will be the sworn enemy of all courtiers and the gentry of the world..."

Xu Guangqi looked serious.

But in the middle of his words, he suddenly remembered that it seemed that Zhao Cheng didn't care about this at all.

How much of what Zhao Cheng did was in the direction of the mortal enemy of the gentry?
"You know, I don't care about that at all."

Zhao Cheng smiled.

He just took the opportunity to remind Xu Guangqi.

He values ​​Xu Guangqi very much, and wants Xu Guangqi to work for him for a few more years!

Therefore, Xu Guangqi must be clearly aware of the ugly face and harmfulness of the gentry group.

This time it’s just a taste, if you talk too much, it’s too much.

As long as a seed is planted in Xu Guangqi's heart, it will be fine.

Sooner or later, this seed will germinate slowly and thrive.

"The price of the bird's gun is about one tael of silver per shot. Our fire gun is much more powerful than the bird's gun. I need a tael of silver for a musket. Is there any problem?"

Zhao Cheng quoted the price.

Xu Guangqi let out a slight breath.

At this price, he can accept it.

As the second assistant of the cabinet, he has some understanding of the price of firecrackers purchased by the imperial court.

The price of the most expensive Lumi gun has exceeded one tael of silver.

This quick-fire musket is much sharper than the Lumi blunderbuss, and it only costs one tael of silver, which is really not expensive.

"What about the rifled gun?" Xu Guangqi asked.

"Rifle guns are not for sale for the time being, because our output is too low to be used for our own equipment." Zhao Cheng said.

Zhao Cheng also had his own considerations for quoting this price.

Because the musket is not very difficult to manufacture, mainly because of the trigger device.

Daming has many skilled craftsmen, as long as they get a smoothbore gun, they can easily imitate it.

If Zhao Cheng refuses to sell it, the imperial court can only make it by itself.

Suifa muskets are very powerful. After the imperial court has tasted the sweetness, it will definitely expand the scale, and the production capacity will gradually increase.

Instead of this, it would be better for Zhao Cheng to sell it directly to the imperial court, asking for a price of one tael, which is almost pressing down on their manufacturing cost.

If the imperial court wants to imitate, the cost will be higher in the early stage due to unskilled technology and other reasons.

They will find that it is better to buy than to make...

In this way, the military productivity of the imperial court was restricted.

After Zhao Cheng received the order, he could build more factories, recruit refugees, start manufacturing, and expand the production scale without delaying the equipment of his own army.

Once a weapon is equipped in the army, it is inevitable that it will be leaked and copied by the enemy.

As for the Ming army equipped with rifled guns, will it pose a threat to the conquering army...

Zhao Cheng didn't think about this question at all.

The Ming army is already rotten.

The equipment of the ace army of the conquest army is the Napoleon cannon, the Maxim heavy machine gun is equipped to the detachment, as well as the Lee-Enfield rifle and the wooden handle grenade...

Such powerful equipment, coupled with super-age military training methods, and military guidance theories, if they can't deal with the Ming army equipped with rifled guns, then it's time to disband and go home to sell sweet potatoes.

"Shuai Zhao, this matter is extremely important to the imperial court. I want to go back to the capital in person, report to the imperial court, and tell His Majesty how powerful I am." Xu Guangqi said.

Zhao Cheng hesitated for a moment.

Xu Guangqi was worried, worried that Zhao Cheng would not let him go.

After all, he already knew too many secrets of Qiangdi, and he even mastered the method of making the firecracker.

"Old Xu Ge, how is your health recently?" Zhao Cheng asked suddenly.

"Very good!" Xu Guangqi said, "Zhao Shuai's subordinates are truly rejuvenated. To be honest with Zhao Shuai, the old man was actually sentenced to death by the imperial doctor when he was in the capital. He said that his life will not be long.

However, after Zhao Shuai's doctor gave the old man an infusion, the old man was rejuvenated.This old man's life was given by Zhao Shuai!If Zhao Shuai hadn't sent someone to the capital to find the old man, the old man might have been buried in the ground by now! "

Xu Guangqi's tone was emotional and grateful.

"Mr. Xu Ge is too polite. I also admire Mr. Xu Ge's skills in astronomy, water conservancy and mathematics."

What Zhao Cheng said made Xu Guangqi even more embarrassed.

He might be able to show off his ability in front of others.

However, in front of Zhao Cheng, it was really nothing.

"Zhao Shuai made me feel ashamed. Zhao Shuai has many talented people, and any school teacher will make me feel ashamed!" Xu Guangqi blushed.

He has studied numerology, astronomy and water conservancy all his life, and he thinks that he is already at the forefront of the world in this area.

Unexpectedly, there are so many capable people hidden in this small and strong place.

"Xu Ge is too old to be ridiculous. In fact, what I am most looking forward to is that Xu Ge will come to lead our strong land's technology, so that our strong land's technology can form a complete system." Zhao Cheng said.

Xu Guangqi's heartbeat accelerated suddenly.

He was...really very interested in this matter.

"Of course, the most important thing is Xu Ge's body."

Zhao Cheng still stopped at enough and changed the subject.

"Mr. Xu Ge's illness is only temporarily under control. To be completely cured, a minor operation is required.

Mr. Xu Ge wants to go back to the capital, but he hopes that Mr. Xu Ge will come back as soon as possible for surgery. "

"Thank you, Zhao Shuai, for taking care of me. Don't worry, Zhao Shuai! This old man will definitely return soon!"

Xu Guangqi bid farewell to Zhao Cheng immediately, and immediately arranged for someone to rush back to the capital.

He has too many things now and wants to report to the emperor.

"Marshal, will this old Xu Ge run away and never come back?" Niu Dali reminded.

"will not!"

Zhao Cheng is very confident.

"What Mr. Xu Ge is interested in, only we have."

Zhao Cheng is too aware of the attraction of these cutting-edge science and technology to a scientific madman.

"Besides, I agree with Mr. Xu Ge's return to Beijing. There is another purpose. When Mr. Xu Ge came, he was half dead. Now, he returned alive. You said, those gentry and ministers in the capital will react when they see it? "

"The commander-in-chief means..." Niu Dali seemed to have thought of something, but he didn't seem to think of it.

"That's what it means." Zhao Cheng said, "There are so many nobles in the capital. Those elders who occupy high positions should not be too young. They have survived for most of their lives before they can get up. At this age, wealth, fame and fortune are of great importance to them. It's not the most important anymore.

The most important thing is health and being able to live longer.Take a look at Qin Shihuang, when he was old, he could not escape the vulgarity. He was most afraid of death, so he asked for some elixir of immortality.

The gentry in the capital, as long as they have the conditions, they heard that Xu Ge's illness was cured in Qiangdi, and they heard that we have such a genius doctor in Qiangdi, what do you think they will do? "

"Come to let us treat the disease forcefully?" Niu Dali asked back.

"Yes!" Zhao Cheng nodded, "During the 200-year history of the Ming Dynasty, there were many rich and powerful officials in the capital. Even if they themselves are healthy, there must be family members who are seriously ill, right?
They know that Mr. Xu Ge cured a serious illness in our Qiangdi, and they know that we have a genius doctor here, even if there is only a glimmer of hope, they will definitely come to check.

As long as they come to us to treat the disease forcefully, then how long it will take to cure is up to us.Anyone who comes here is equivalent to taking refuge in our stronghold, at least, there are hostages in our hands!
Will they dare to oppose us in the future?Do you still dare to speak ill of our strong land everywhere?I believe that those who can occupy high positions are all smart people, and they will never do such a stupid thing.

Not to mention, their treatment costs money.Those people are so rich, of course we want more points!Consumption drives economic growth! "

"Wonderful! You really deserve to be a handsome man!"

Niu Dali worshiped Zhao Cheng.

However, he quickly thought of something, slapped his forehead, and said:
"Oh! Marshal, what if Mr. Xu Ge refuses to let us forcefully cure his illness? Mr. Xu Ge may be afraid of causing trouble for us, or for other reasons..."

"Don't worry, even if he doesn't say it, I will let others know. Our Dongfang Company has already opened a semicolon in the capital. I will write a note and ask them to go to the capital to spread the news, just say Xu Ge It’s always because we have come back to life forcefully!”

(End of this chapter)