People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

Chapter 540: The love is broken, steam engine

Is this what the emperor meant by letting himself replace Hu Weiyong?

Zhang Yi was stunned and immediately looked up at the emperor. Lao Zhu was also looking at Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi sighed secretly in his heart. He thought he would be different, but Zhu Yuanzhang's noose gradually caught him.

"My lord, I'm afraid I'm not up to the task!"

Zhang Yi refused the emperor's proposal without even thinking about it.

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to be smiling but not smiling:
"People say you are the Prime Minister in Tsing Yi, why can't you be qualified?

I have watched you grow up since childhood. Your abilities are more than enough to be a prime minister!

You have the credit, and although your qualifications are a bit low, it’s not a big deal!

What's more, I don't intend to let you directly go to Zhongshu Province for training, I just want to give you some important tasks..."

Zhang Yi was stunned. He didn't expect Zhu Yuanzhang to really discuss this topic with him seriously?
Prime Minister in Tsing Yi, Prime Minister in Tsing Yi...

He knew that these four words would get him into trouble sooner or later.

The Tsing Yi Prime Minister Yao Guangxiao was worthy of his reputation because of the friendship between him and Zhu Di for many years and their mutual friendship in times of adversity.

Zhang Yi believes that although he and Lao Zhu have feelings for each other, they have never reached that point.

He also understood Zhu Yuanzhang's knot.

After all, Lao Zhu is an insecure person. After he recognized him, he lost a layer of identity constraints, and he instinctively wanted to keep him by his side.

He is not the kind of outsider who is idle in the clouds and wild cranes. If he really works for Zhu Yuanzhang, he will never allow himself to remain in his current state.

Zhang Yi sighed, it is difficult to change a person's background.

He did not doubt the relationship between Lao Zhu and his uncle and nephew that he had cultivated over the years of getting along with him, but as an emperor, he still chose to control himself in a way that he felt comfortable with.

How to choose?

Zhang Yi thought for a moment and still refused:
"Your Majesty, I think I can't do it!"

Lao Zhu's smile gradually faded and turned into a half-smile.

But he wasn't angry either, he just said calmly:
"forget about it……

When will your father return to the mountain? "

Zhang Yi heard this and said:
"My dad will be leaving in a few days!"

"Okay, I won't delay the reunion between your father and son, and spend time with your father!
As the saying goes, a child wants to support his family but is no longer around, I understand this very well! "

Zhu Yuanzhang was well aware of Lao Zhang's illness and felt it to some extent.

Zhang Yi stood up and said goodbye.

After he left, Zhu Biao walked out of the room with a hint of worry.

"Father, you also know the Zhang family's younger brother's temperament, why are you still trying to recruit him..."

Lao Zhu said with a straight face:
"The prime minister is hard to find. He told me not to abolish the prime minister, but he doesn't know that the prime minister is hard to find!
I have given him so many resources in the hope that he can use his knowledge to change the world.

But due to his identity, he was destined to be unable to participate too much.

I want to change the world but don't want to be involved in it. How can such a good thing be possible?
I also hope that he can speed up the advancement..."

"Father!"

Zhu Biao bowed and interrupted Zhu Yuanzhang's soliloquy.

He said to Zhu Yuanzhang very seriously:
"Brother Zhang is no one else. If you force him like this, aren't you afraid that he will shut up from now on?"

Lao Zhu's face turned dark instantly, but he did not respond to Zhu Biao's words.

Zhu Biao added:

"If my father still wants to use the position of Heavenly Master to embarrass the Zhang family's younger brother, then my father is at fault!"

"Are you questioning me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang became angry and asked Zhu Biao backhand.

Zhu Biao looked calm and said calmly:

"My father told me that if I think something is right, I should stick to it!

Now I think that Father, your thoughts are wrong, and you should not have such thoughts..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious, but there was nothing he could do against Zhu Biao.

As my own son matures, he also has his own ideas.

Although the relationship between father and son still remains, Zhu Biao is different from Zhu Yuanzhang in handling many things.

Lao Zhu also understood that his mind was too sensitive, just like Zhang Yi criticized him back then. Sometimes, he was not generous enough.

You know how easy it is to change a person's character.

Just as he fell in love with Zhang Yi more and more, he wanted to use him.

In the beginning, it was enough for Zhang Yi to give him advice.By now, he felt that Zhang Yi had started a family and started a business, and the pressure he faced was too great. He hoped that Zhang Yi could help him more.

But why didn't he understand that Zhang Yi himself was not a person who was greedy for fame and wealth, and he was actually very resistant to Lao Zhu's invitation.

Using the Celestial Master's position to clamp down is a commonly used method in imperial art.

But Zhu Biao's words reminded him whether he should remember the relationship between uncle and nephew.

Lao Zhu also knew that he was in the wrong, and with a cold snort, he took the initiative to end the topic.

……

"It's easy to change a country, but it's hard to change one's nature!"

Here, Zhang Yi left the palace and couldn't help but complain.

Lao Zhu's actions today really made him feel alert.

The emperor wanted to put more important responsibilities on him. If it were replaced by someone else, he would probably be unable to do so, and he would laugh out loud.

But Zhang Yi is different. Zhang Yi understands Zhu Yuanzhang's character very well.

Zhang Yi also had his own ideas on how to get along with the emperor.

He understood that Lao Zhu wanted to make the best use of a person.

This is not to say that he has any thoughts about himself, but that his temperament is like this.

A few years ago, when the Ming Dynasty opened Enke, some people were unwilling to serve the court, so they ran to the mountains to hide.

It doesn't matter if you are a Taoist priest or a monk.

When scholars adopt this attitude, other emperors would probably not be embarrassed, but Zhu Yuanzhang was not.

Why don't you serve me and hide in the mountains?

It will look good to you as well.

He returned home and told Lao Zhang what happened in the palace today.

"The emperor places great importance on you, but you are afraid of him like a tiger..."

Before Lao Zhang expressed his opinion, Zhang Yuchu on the side started complaining:

"Brother, how about you inherit the mantle of Longhu Mountain and I become the Prime Minister in Tsing Yi?"

Before he could finish speaking, Lao Zhang gave him a blow on the back of the head. Zhang Yuchu covered his head and cried out that it hurt, and did not dare to joke anymore.

"Pindao is not afraid of being the Prime Minister in Tsing Yi, but as long as Pindao agrees to His Majesty today, Your Majesty will make more requests tomorrow...

Moreover, poor Taoists are also afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid that Your Majesty will be afraid of me!"

After Zhang Yi finished speaking, he smiled to himself.

Zhang Yuchu and Lao Zhang looked at each other.

"Human nature cannot stand the test. Although His Majesty treats me very well, he is still a king after all!
Dad, it’s not that my son is bragging.

At least what Pindao has done in these years has exceeded that of prime ministers since ancient times!

His Majesty's use of me is recognition of me, and he hopes that I can use my abilities in the right position and legitimately. I understand this.

However, the butt determines the head. Once my son takes that position, I can’t guarantee whether I will conflict with His Majesty for my political ideals!
Did Li Shanchang want to fall out with the emperor in the first place because he was not in his position and did not seek political advice?

He isn't and doesn't want to be.

Just by sitting in that position, there are thousands of people behind him who need him to do it.

My son understands the emperor's thoughts, if I really become the so-called Prime Minister in Tsing Yi.

The emperor would probably reuse students from Spring and Autumn College, or he hoped to push me to the front to block the storm of reform for him.

Let’s not talk about whether this matter is difficult to handle, but what if Pindao manages to get it done?
At that time, I would have been another Li Shanchang.

When the time comes, Your Majesty, it will be time to restrict and fear me..."

Zhang Changsheng and Zhang Yuchu were silent as father and son, especially Lao Zhang, who understood this matter the most.

Is Zhu Yuanzhang treating him well?
Lao Zhang has actually been thinking about this issue these years. To be fair, Lao Zhu is not bad to him.

Zhu Yuanzhang recognized his contribution to serving the dragon before Lao Zhu ascended the throne.

But this does not hinder his warning against Taoism and Buddhism, as well as the subsequent series of suppressions.

The emperor is never alone.

When he sat in that position, he didn't think about many things from the perspective of an ordinary person.

"Except for the technology in my head that His Majesty cannot take away, His Majesty will probably make a copy of the rest.

Your Majesty is a great king, this is true!

But as the reform moves into deeper waters, conflicts between Pindao and His Majesty may gradually emerge.

Pindao could see this and knew it in his heart.

That’s why Pindao told you that day..."

What Zhang Yi told Lao Zhang was actually his idea of ​​leaving...

Reform, reform...

The ideal society in his mind does not have the power of kings and the status of family and world.

It's just that as the times move forward, he will always walk with Zhu Yuanzhang for a certain period of time.

Zhang Yi was very careful to hide his true inner thoughts.

The changes in production relations brought about by productivity will not only benefit the court.

When those disharmonious things happen, will Lao Zhu blame him?

In recent years, Zhang Yi has rarely touched on political reform other than working as a farmer. He has made a wise choice by focusing more on developing technology and changing the social structure. .

Zhu Yuanzhang was an iron-blooded emperor, and he had to chew down many hard bones.

But in the face of subsequent social changes, Lao Zhu's temperament was actually counterproductive.

Zhang Yi never expected to accomplish much in the Zhu Yuanzhang era.

Do what you need to do, and leave the rest to time...

However, once Zhang Yi stops and Lao Zhu sees his ability, will he have any ideas?

Zhang Yi found it difficult to say this.

The king's reliance and fear on you is just a thought, there is no need for you to take this risk.

"But……

If you reject His Majesty today, will he be in the position of Heavenly Master...

Giving you a hard time? "

The question raised by Zhang Chenggong made Zhang Yi open his mouth, but did not answer directly.

With Lao Zhu's character, it is not impossible to do this.

He just smiled bitterly and said:

"Your Majesty, you never know what I want?
But if he really gets in our way on this matter, then the ten-year friendship should be ended..."

Zhang Changsheng smiled:

"That's okay. If I could reject the title of Heavenly Master back then, I don't expect him to return to Longhu Mountain!

Don’t take this matter as a burden, okay? "

Zhang Yi nodded silently. Even though Lao Zhang said this, how could he pretend that nothing had happened?

I just hope that he and the emperor will not reach that day, right?

……

After having a dispute with the emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang did not summon him again.

However, Zhang Yi is still dedicated to his work, and the "Ming Pao" provides articles.

This is what Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhang Yi to do at the beginning, to explain the need for reform...

The scholar-bureaucrat group is never one person, but a group of people.

Among them were Yan Song and Hai Rui...

Zhang Yi did not try to persuade these people theoretically. Instead, he discussed the matter and threw various economic data in front of them in a way that the civil servants could not understand, but must understand.

The advent of Ming Pao.

More people tend to move within the government, and everyone in the prefectures, counties, and cities has a share.

The ancients had little information, and even local officials might not be able to understand what was happening in other parts of the country in a timely manner.

Most of them also obtain information through letters between friends or limited information exchanges with the government.

Zhang Yi's "Sun and Moon Times" instantly became a popular book in China because it filled this gap.

Human beings' acquisition of information is almost instinctive.

No one is exempt.

After all, the Sun and Moon Times is still a newspaper that focuses on entertainment and fun.

Officials may be able to relieve fatigue and satisfy their curiosity through it, but there is no way to obtain useful information for their workplace.

But Ming Pao can.

Through this newspaper, they can know which prefect’s policies thousands of miles away have been successful.

I also know that the county boss died because of corruption.

But most importantly, they can see the changes in Ming Dynasty over the years from the newspapers.

Zhang Yi didn't talk to them about any empty truths, but went straight to the data... When data were put in front of him, not everyone would be stubborn.

After this period of time, Zhang Yi found that even in the capital, the voices of impeaching him were much quieter.

This can be regarded as a small convenience he gained from hosting "Ming Pao".

In the second month after Ming Pao was established, Zhang Yi successfully handed over the newspaper office to Zhu Ju.

This newspaper office has also become a serious court institution.

However, there is a problem. Even the emperor has been vague and dare not draw conclusions easily.

Those are the female editors in newspapers. Are they considered female officials?

But no matter what Lao Zhu thought, women became members of the imperial court in a very strange way.

Zhang Yi felt funny when he thought about this.

When Zhu Yuanzhang thought about this, he would probably almost certainly scold himself, which gave him a big problem.

This is no longer his concern.

After Lao Zhang returned to Longhu Mountain, he felt an inexplicable sense of crisis in his heart.

In many matters, he began to focus on projects. With his participation, the steam engine project progressed almost at a rapid pace.

At this time, Daming was also working hard to advance another matter.

After Japan was defeated and the emperor successfully brainwashed him and sent him back to Japan, the situation in Japan gradually stabilized, and the stable Japan began to become a dumping ground for Ming Dynasty products.

And what comes back is a lot of silver.

Rumors of the imperial court lifting the maritime ban have become widespread.

With a sufficiently stable economy and rear, the emperor finally began his third Northern Expedition.

……

"Dad hasn't heard from me for a long time since I wrote home last time..."

Duke's Mansion, night!
Zhang Yi hugged the Xu family girl and listened to her voice her worries.

"Tell me, can dad take down the Mongolian Royal Court this time?"

"can!"

Although Zhang Yi could not predict the outcome of this war, after all, the direction of history had been changed beyond recognition by him.

However, he still has great confidence in Daming.

Xu Da has been preparing for this since the battle of Peking.

He probably has studied the huge three-dimensional map of Yingtian Mansion to death.

Xu Da, who was wary of arrogance and impatience, spent so many years studying one thing. When he proposed the third Northern Expedition to the emperor, he was at least [-]% sure.

Moreover, these few years have also been the best years for the development of Ming Dynasty's weapons and equipment.

The current Mongolian Royal Court is weaker than the Mobei Royal Court in the original historical time and space.

And the current Ming Dynasty is stronger than the Ming army in Hongwu 21.

Zhang Yi could not imagine that under such circumstances, they would not be able to defeat Mobei.

Then what will happen to the national destiny of the Ming Dynasty?

"Our father-in-law, Lan Yu, Fu Youde... and His Majesty the King of Yan, who finally relented and was willing to let him go to the battlefield this time. Anyway, I can't think of a reason why Ming Dynasty will lose..."

"I hope that after this incident, there will be no more wars in the northern border of the Ming Dynasty..."

The Xu family girl buried her head in Zhang Yi's arms and murmured to herself.

Zhang Yi didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he didn't say anything impossible.

After Lan Yu captured the Royal Court of Mobei in the 21st year of Hongwu, the Ming Dynasty did not eliminate the border troubles in the north.

However, at least the Ming Dynasty captured the Mobei Royal Court ten years in advance. The court will probably have time to clean up the Northeast and Far East.

He told Lao Zhu that the future of this place would be the biggest hidden danger of the destruction of the Ming Dynasty.

"After a while, I will go to the north..."

Zhang Yi said goodbye to the Xu family girl in a low voice.

"What are you going to do?"

Newlywed, Zhang Yi wants to leave home again?

"The Ming Dynasty is about to move its capital. I went over to see the situation in Shuntian Mansion. There is another point. The matter of the steam engine has basically been settled...

The industrial zones in the north should also be arranged..."

The steam engine is the biggest piece of pie Zhang Yi has drawn to capture Zhu Yuanzhang in recent years.

It is also the most important link in the completion of industrialization in Ming Dynasty.

Although the steam engine is not the ultimate answer to industrialization, in the era of the internal combustion engine, Ming's current talent pool is simply not enough.

Even though he has the drawings and technology, he doesn’t have the talent to help him realize this.

What's more, the front-end industrial chain and technology tree all need people to complete.

"Don't worry, I'm at home..."

If it weren't for the fact that the newspaper office couldn't leave, I would have gone with you, or this time, you could have brought Sister Wang there..."

The Xu family girl did not have the entanglement of ordinary people, but fully supported Zhang Yi's actions.

Zhang Yi nodded when he heard this, then turned over,
Push her down.

……

"Zhang Yi said that the steam engine was built..."

In the palace, Zhu Yuanzhang stood up immediately after hearing Zhou Tong's report.

"Back to the Emperor, the Imperial Master said this. He informed me and asked me to report to the Emperor that he himself is still debugging the machine at Spring and Autumn College..."

"Go, go and see!"

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly became interested. Zhang Yi had been interested in steam engines for five years.

For much of what he said, the precondition fell on the steam engine.

He couldn't wait and arranged for someone to take them out of the palace.

Not only the emperor, but also the princes Zhu Biao, Zhu Zhu and other adult princes who were still in the capital all followed the emperor to watch the fun.

When they arrived at Spring and Autumn College, before Lao Zhu entered, he heard a huge roar.

The students of Spring and Autumn College stopped going to class and everyone was watching the excitement.

"The Emperor is here!"

Zhu Yuanzhang came to the scene in person, and those students were frightened and quickly knelt down.

"His Majesty!"

Zhang Yi came out, saw Zhu Yuanzhang, and bowed respectfully.

Lao Zhu looked at Zhang Yi with a complicated expression. Since the last time he tested Zhang Yi and the two of them broke up on bad terms, Zhang Yi never took the initiative to look for him again. Of course, he never saw Zhang Yi again.

I am like this, and my son is almost the same.

Zhang Yi's persistence also made Zhu Yuanzhang somewhat unable to step down.

However, today's steam engine incident happened to be an excuse for the monarch and his ministers to break the embarrassment.

"No need to talk nonsense, take me to see it!"

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't wait to see the steam engine.Zhang Yi didn't show any concern and took her directly.

Lao Zhu, surrounded by everyone, came to an iron lump.

This iron lump is not big, but it is composed of many structures.

It smoked and roared.

Zhu Yuanzhang saw that people kept throwing firewood into the iron lump. After a while, it spewed out a large cloud of smoke.

"Protect Your Majesty..."

The loud sound alerted the Jinyi guards who were protecting Zhu Yuanzhang. Everyone suddenly gathered around Zhu Yuanzhang with wary expressions.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his big hand:
"Get out of the way, I'm fine!"

He looked at the spitting machine curiously. Even Lao Zhu, who didn't understand mechanics, was fascinated by the unique beauty of the machine.

"That's what you're talking about, the steam created by burning water...

What can he do? "

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the machine with curiosity.

Zhang Yi pointed to the back of the steam engine and said:
"Your Majesty, please look, I am now pumping water from afar through the power of a steam engine..."

Lao Zhu walked over and took a look, and sure enough, this machine was pumping water for fun from a few meters away.

The power of the machine still greatly shocked Lao Zhu.

There are no cows, horses, or manpower, just a machine, and it is possible to make these movements.

"If we apply this steam engine to mining, we can probably save a lot of manpower..."

"Just pump water?"

Zhu Yuanzhang turned around and asked Zhang Yi. Zhang Yi nodded and said:

"For now, it can only be, but if you want to do other things, it's not difficult..."

He explained to Lao Zhu that the greatest significance of the emergence of steam engines is power!

For a cart to move, it needs animals or people to pull it.

Most of the equipment in this world is driven by humans and animals.

And Zhang Yi provides the world with more possibilities.

Perhaps, through the machine in front of you, you can make many things move.

You can also let them move endlessly without resting.

"If we can solve it, we can develop steam-powered ships or steam-powered trains...

Also, these things can be used in mechanical production and textiles!

Once industrialization begins, the cost of items can be reduced to unimaginable levels!
And the Ming Dynasty relied on cheap goods and did not need force to seize the power of the world naturally..."

He painted a bright future for the emperor. Lao Zhu wanted to question it, but looking at the steam engine in front of him, he couldn't speak.

“How many of these machines can you build?
Next year today, I will see ten, no, a hundred sets of the same equipment! "

Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely excited. Next year would be the day when the Ming Dynasty would move its capital.

If this level of artifact is born, it will definitely make Yang Daming nationally prestige.

"Can't do it!"

Zhang Yi directly rejected Zhu Yuanzhang's proposal without even thinking about it.

"why?"

"If nothing else, rubber..."

Zhang Yi led the emperor to the vicinity of the steam engine, and then pointed at certain key parts.

"These places all need rubber...

And all the rubber in Ming Dynasty now comes from the ship brought back by Hongwu in the sixth year!
I have used some and more things to make the spare parts of this steam engine. Such accessories are not indestructible. On the contrary, their losses are very large...

Wei Chen feels that if he wants to save some money before the first batch of rubber is harvested in the Ming Dynasty, he can build at most seven or eight steam engines..."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared blankly at some components on the steam engine. Only then did he understand that Zhang Yi had been emphasizing the importance of rubber to industrialization.

So, even if those rubbers are grown in Hainan, will they really be enough?

Lao Zhu's eyes turned red, not enough!
The conquest of Indochina was essentially a rubber war.

More land suitable for growing rubber is urgently needed by Ming Dynasty.

"it is good!"

Lao Zhu just said a simple word, but he had already decided in his heart that he would put some pressure on Wang Baobao!

One year, two years...

In two years at most, Ming Dynasty must capture the new Indo-China Peninsula where rubber can be grown.

If they rely solely on land warfare, it is estimated that they may not be able to complete this strategy in ten years.

But today's Ming Dynasty uses naval battles to open up the situation, and the effect will be much better.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to be impatient. In at most two years, our rubber in Qiongzhou will be almost ready to be harvested...

And if everything goes well, my Ming fleet will probably be able to resume sailing to the Americas..."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he nodded silently.

On the Japanese side, the Ming Dynasty's troops, in the name of justice, almost wiped out the powerful forces from all over Japan.

When Japan stabilizes, Ming's fleet can go to sea.

America has a vaster world than the whole of China, unlimited fertile fields, and a variety of materials.

Zhu Yuanzhang tasted the benefits from Japan, and he was even more eager for the South American silver mines Zhang Yi mentioned.

"very good!"

Lao Zhu patted Zhang Yi on the shoulder and gradually relaxed.

"Your Majesty, I am going to the north in a few days!

First of all, I want to find a pilot place to implement the industrial layout I mentioned!

Secondly, I also hope to try the quality of this machine to see if there is any improvement! "

Lao Zhu glanced at Zhang Yi and fell into silence again.

In fact, what Zhang Yi is doing now is not a prime minister, but better than a prime minister.

But is this kid just unwilling to serve him wholeheartedly?

Why did he stay?
Is it because he still can't completely trust himself, or...

"His Majesty?"

Zhang Yi saw that Lao Zhu was distracted and couldn't help but remind him.

"fine!"

Lao Zhu suppressed his complicated emotions.

(End of this chapter)