living in 16th century england

Chapter 64 Happiness lies in increment
There was no Christmas in the 16th century.It will take another 300 years for this kind of thing to become a popular holiday.

The Orthodox Church also has Christmas, but on January 1th.Matthew believes that this date may be more plausible given the history of the Orthodox Church.

Because no one knows the birthday of the boy Jesus. Anyway, it is not in the Bible. Did they forget it when they made it up?
Matthew didn't think so, because he didn't realize that the English people at this time had the concept of birthdays.

Later he figured it out, this thing may require an unexpected premise - a reliable calendar.

The so-called Gregorian calendar appeared in 1582.And lost ten days.

It is also good to have no credit history, at least you can brag casually.

The reason for talking about so many birthdays is that today may be Matthew's birthday in this life.The reason why it is possible is because he doesn't know what date he was born at all. His mother only knows that it is Friday.As for Andrew?He forgot even the day of the week.

As for Matthew, at that time he did not understand Old English very well and was illiterate.

You often hear about Black Friday, or any other day of the week... that's because the concept of the Western week is deeply rooted in the bone marrow.

Although it has adapted to this era.But seeing two eleven or twelve-year-old girls knelt and wiped his boots, Matthew still found it hard to accept.So let them eat first.

This was not arranged by Matthew.It is the arrangement of this era, which is the standard configuration of the privileged class.

Even the earl's daughter needs to serve the queen with a toilet bucket.Even if she is the illegitimate daughter of the king, she has to serve as a maid for the legitimate daughter.

What would happen if it was proposed that these two orphans should not be served as maids?
Matthew felt that their fate was likely to be miserable.Whether you can live to adulthood is a question mark.

In this era, women are men's accessories, a bit like property.It's very dangerous without a man's protection.

Even in the Bible, the status of women is the same.Security should never be taken for granted.

In his view, women should not be religious.If you really believe in it, you should treat it like a cow and a horse, otherwise it will definitely be hypocrisy.Why bother?

Matthew once had the illusion that people seemed to have become more civilized compared to previous years.It's a pity that IQ told him that it was only because they were docile in front of him.

How funny.Why did I think that Europe at this time should be noble and brave knights, beautiful and kind princesses, honorable nobles, and exquisite castle kings.There are gorgeous and romantic people everywhere, and exotic countryside.

Go to the pastoral era!And who the hell brainwashed me?
This is obviously the world of barbarians.

After eating freshly baked bread and drinking vegetable and corn broth... I really want to have a bowl of rice.

Someone seemed to be howling: "Master, please forgive me...Ahh...Master...Please forgive me..."

The two little girls ate faster, looking back while eating.Then he quickly took out the long tobacco pipe pouch from the bag.

Matthew didn't say anything, and didn't deliberately slow down the soup.He just waited patiently for them to pack the tobacco.

He took his smoking pot and waved to the tavern owner standing at the door.

The tavern owner immediately leaned over.

Matthew: "...you can secretly give him a thick dress when there is no one at night."

The tavern owner quickly waved his hand: "Don't dare... This guy deserves his death... You can't take advantage of him."

Matthew: "..."

He put on his fur coat, took the felt hat from the little girl and put it on his head.

He said casually: "I think you'd better learn to read and write."

The two little girls nodded repeatedly.No matter what Matthew said, they all nodded.

"By this time tomorrow, you will be in charge of releasing him...and preparing him a big bowl of porridge."

The tavern owner couldn't believe his ears: "... Watt?"

After reacting, he showed a sincere smile again: "... definitely. Young master... do you want to have a glass of strong wine?"

Matthew actually doesn't like drinking, even beer. He would rather drink boiled water if conditions permit.And knowledge told him that drinking alcohol was not effective against the cold, and it wasn't that cold after all.

Matthew: "The top of the cage can keep out the rain, and the bottom is designed to hold some grease. It's still very good for lighting."

The tavern owner didn't understand, and even thought it was used to burn people at first.

No way, there is no concept of street lights in this era.Matthew would of course add some utility to this sort of thing.Otherwise, he always feels a bit at a loss.

Matthew: "...the lighthouse! Think of it as a tavern lighthouse, Alesdan?"

The tavern owner understood, it was just a torch.

Before going out, Matthew suddenly remembered something: "If he yells at me, don't let him go."

Tavern owner: "..."

During meal time, the tavern was crowded and noisy.As soon as Matthew came out, there was a sudden silence.

A group of domestic servants were already waiting at the door with their horses.

There was a pillar not far away, and a small hanging cage was hung high on it, and a guy inside was squatting in it with a face of despair.

This is a new thing, of course there are people watching.

Not bad, no swearing, only constant admission of mistakes.Begging for Matthew's forgiveness.

Matthew glanced at the tavern owner again, and the tavern owner nodded quickly.

On the way to leave, Matthew asked, "Is it appropriate for me to deal with dereliction of duty?"

Immediately someone said: "Lord Baron, I think that being too kind will be despised by the pariahs, but if you don't have fear in your heart, you will make progress."

Untouchables?Matthew was noncommittal.

Another person said: "Lord Baron, once your kindness is abused, no one will care about it, let alone work hard. The consequences will be serious... Even if you give them money, they will only think it is too little."

Another person said: "When they have nothing, give them a little, and they will be grateful to Dade. But it won't be too long. Then give a little more, and repeat. But in the end... my lord baron, even if you take out your pockets, They can’t be satisfied either.”

"In that case, why be kind?"

Matthew gave him a surprised look.Everyone knows that Sheng Mi's kindness fights against Mi's hatred.But Xinfu lies in the increment, not in the stock.This sentence is the most essential.

Because it means that, no matter what you do, eventually they will be dissatisfied.Because it is impossible to increment them all the time, it is not practical.

But this guy digresses.

This group of people didn't have to worry about food and clothing for a long time, but they all thought that kindness would only make Matthew passive, and it would be of no benefit.

It reminded Matthew of those crowded buses.

Those who didn't get on shouted that they could get on another one, but those on the bus would shout: "You guys, wait for the next one."

Finally, someone squeezed in.Then he immediately changed his position and shouted at the people below: You wait for the next shift.

Matthew doesn't really care about the humanity these people display.I don't care about the life and death of those who are negligent in the grain depot.

He cares about people who are able to work for him.There are too many illiterates these days.However, his business model has many links, and the illiterate can't do it at all.

But if it is handed over to the Plymouth Magistrate, it will end up either disabled, or hanged, and it is best to be whipped, and one of the wounds will be infected and die.

There have been many examples of this.Stealing, stealing, robbery, embezzlement, murder.In addition, when the vagrants first arrived, a dozen or so were hanged to death.

It can be described as bloody.

But remiss, found this one so far.

Does that captain count?Matthew doesn't think so, the risk of sailing is too great.Only sinking one in half a year is already higher than his expectation.

Don't look at Matthew giving high salaries to a lot of people. In fact, there are only a few people. The vast majority of people who work on the shore earn ordinary income.Is he here for charity?
Matthew: "People will always make mistakes, just like when you write documents, as long as the number of words is enough, there will definitely be mistakes."

Everyone: "..."

"Dereliction of duty and corruption are different in nature, and the punishment should be different. What do you think?"

Everyone started flattering: "My lord baron...you are really kind."

Once the battleship is converted into a merchant ship, the construction speed will be much faster.Because the gun bay was cancelled~ that kind of improved gun bay cannot be built on this ship unless it is dismantled and rebuilt.

So, January 1511, 1.Matthew's first barque was launched.

As usual, the builders are all on board, and the captain is Anthony.

Thanks to a more stable center of gravity, taller and more masts, and sails with a larger total area, the light ship speed reached 14 knots.

What Matthew wants to know most is the full load speed, or in other words, how much stuff is suitable for an average speed of ten knots.

No one can answer this question.This needs to be loaded with actual testing.No matter how good Matthew could be, he couldn't calculate this.

Edmund: "My baron, if the average speed of ten knots must be guaranteed, the load capacity will not be high. I estimate it is only three to four hundred tons..."

Matthew: "Speed ​​is of course the first indicator...Anthony, what's your suggestion for going to Italy..."

Anthony just returned to Plymouth yesterday.

This is not to catch a strong man, it is specially selected.Because Anthony is familiar with the Mediterranean.And have been to Italy and even the Ottoman Empire.Of course, he was a sailor then.

But Anthony said: "My baron, I have some news for you. While unloading at Greenwich, I heard that the queen gave birth to a healthy boy."

"They were celebrating when we left."

Matthew: "... Watt?"

Healthy baby boy?Matthew was skeptical.

The records he had read had no specific details at all.Also, who would spend pen and ink on a dead baby?

Anthony: "Yes, I'm sure... the time is January 1. You can hear the bells ringing all over London, and it is said that the king paid everyone to drink."

Now Matthew is a little tangled, has he changed history?Is Henry VIII who has a son still the same Henry VIII?
Well, anyway, he doesn't know much about this period of history, and it is estimated that Henry VIII will not change his wife.

This kid has been married for more than 20 years, and he will divorce his wife when he really can't bear a son. In this era, he is not actually a scumbag.

European women have no autonomy in marriage.A man can kick his wife out with a "divorce letter".Women have no say in the whole process.

Even in a large oriental country, "no offspring" is a legal reason for divorce.Too bad he's a European king.

Matthew said with a smile: "England now has a little prince, of course it is worth celebrating. I plan to send some gifts to Greenwich. What do you think?"

What do you think?Could it be possible to object?Everyone agrees, and even rushes out to come up with ideas.

Matthew: "Anthony, do you know what's the condition of wool in Italy? What's the price?"

Anthony: "I haven't been there for many years. At that time, the price was average, not as good as Northern Europe."

Matthew was a little disappointed. Now the production of [-] looms is not small, and a batch has been hoarded.

Antony: "My Baron, but I'm sure lead and tin will sell well, and cloth will fetch a good price in the Ottoman Empire, and you'll be able to buy a lot of rare goods on the return journey."

Matthew Daqi: "Watt...? How could the Ottomans like wool?"

(End of this chapter)