People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

"When you go this time, I will give you more guards and muskets! I will keep you safe all the way..."

Zhang Yi nodded silently when he heard the words.

He also understood that today was different from the past, and his Zhang Yi's head was probably very valuable.

No one can guarantee whether there will be angry people who will be disadvantageous to them along the way.

Zhang Yi was not a pushy person, and he decisively accepted Zhu Yuanzhang's kindness.

"Next year, I hope your father's health can still hold up, and I'm going to let him preside over the ceremony after the capital is moved...

By then, he should be in for a surprise! "

Zhang Yi was shocked and looked at Lao Zhu suddenly.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang said nothing, Zhang Yi knew what Lao Zhu meant.

After all, the emperor did not bother him with that matter, and he also planned to let Lao Zhang take over the title of Tianshi.

For Zhang Yi, this is the most perfect result.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Yi took a deep breath. After all, Lao Zhu did not hold himself back with the title of Heavenly Master.

“Go, go, remember to come back next spring!
Also, don’t leave in a hurry. You’re just newly married and you’re ready to leave your wives behind?
It would be best if you could keep a child..."

Zhang Yi's face turned red when he was suddenly forced to give birth to a child.

Zhu Yuanzhang patted him and asked him to go over and talk.

On the way, Zhang Yi described to Zhu Yuanzhang the possibilities after the emergence of steam engines, including power generation.

"Lights?"

Lao Zhu was stunned when he heard Zhang Yi talking about this magical thing.

Something a hundred times brighter than pulling, light ignited by thunder and lightning!
If such a thing appeared, the benefits to him as the emperor would be immeasurable.

"Whatever you need, I can support you!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but I still need time..."

The electric light seems simple, but it is not what he can make now. Glass is only the simplest part of it. Zhang Yi still needs to prepare other things.

"okay!"

Lao Zhu got into his chariot and prepared to return to the palace.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Yi was at the gate of Chunqiu Temple, watching the emperor leave.

The prince and the emperor were riding together, and he rarely spoke during the course of the day.

After getting in the car, Zhu Biao looked at the emperor with interest.

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly.

He knew what Zhu Biao was laughing at. Although he accepted his opinion, he just didn't like him.

“Take the power of thunder and lightning and shine light on the world!

There are such magical things in this world!

I don’t know what else Zhang Yi can give me.
Will we be able to see iron birds flying in the sky of Ming Dynasty in the future? "

Zhu Biao smiled and said:

"According to the Zhang family brother, it should be impossible...

Even if he glimpses the secret of heaven, he cannot lead the human world through hundreds of years!
However, it is only the changes in these ten years. Father, you have to admit that his appearance has saved me a hundred years of hard work in the Ming Dynasty!

The name of a Heavenly Master is not too much!

Since ancient times, kings of all dynasties have acted in accordance with heaven, but who has ever received help from heaven and man?
The appearance of Zhang's younger brother in front of us is a blessing for Ming Dynasty.

Erchen feels that this little bit of fate is worth cherishing! "

Lao Zhu nodded and said:
"Yes, there are some things that I may not be able to see, but he is as close to you as a brother. Even after you succeed to the throne, you can still control him!"

Zhu Biao smiled:

"Father, I don't need to control him. The Zhang family brother and I are as close as brothers. I treat him with sincerity, and I also believe that the Zhang family brother will never let me down..."

Zhu Yuanzhang gave Zhu Biao a meaningful look and seemed to disagree with his words.

It's just that his son is in high spirits, but he can't just throw cold water on him.

A few days later, Zhang Yi still embarked on his journey to the north.

This time, he wasn't alone.

In addition to Lao Mo, there was a group of people following him. These people were wearing dazzling and scary flying fish uniforms, and they were obviously Jin Yiwei.

The leader was also Zhou Tong, the deputy commander of the Jin Yiwei.

"Ma'am, we can work together again..."

Zhou Tong looked serious on the surface, but in fact he was winking at Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi chuckled:
"Master Zhou, thank you for your work!"

Putting a deputy commander of Jin Yiwei next to him, Zhang Yi could feel that Lao Zhu valued him.

At the same time, it also represents the emperor's judgment of his danger level.

"The Imperial Master's words are serious. By the way, I don't know the Imperial Master. Where should we go?"

"I don't know yet. Pindao's initial plan is to go to Shandong..."

Zhang Yi's plan to build a northern industrial zone has long been ready to be implemented in the north.

His initial plan is to focus on the textile industry and other mining industries.

As for the textile industry, Jiangnan has already formed a preliminary scale. In addition to the factory in Zhejiang, similar factories have also appeared in the coastal areas.

The emergence of factories and assembly lines has driven the price of fabrics very low over the years.

However, due to restrictions on raw materials, Zhang Yi's ideal industrial product prices did not actually appear.

Although the emperor has been promoting upland cotton throughout the country, he has seen results in recent years.

But in a farming society, the first need for land is to meet the people's food rations, followed by the production of other crops.

And relatively speaking, the yield of cotton and linen in the north is actually higher than that in the south.

However, due to logistics, raw materials cannot travel too far, which also limits the production of fabrics.

In ancient times when logistics was poor, those cotton-producing areas could actually absorb a large industrial population.

But this matter, the emperor can do it himself through policy adjustments.

What Zhang Yi wants to investigate now is mainly the mining industry that relies on steam engines.

"If you want to find coal mines, you can go to Shanxi...or Hebi in Henan..."

Zhou Tong heard about Zhang Yi's appeal and took the initiative to introduce Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi chuckled. He didn't need Zhou Tong to introduce the distribution of minerals. There were many coal mines in Shanxi, but he didn't have the ability to use them for the time being.

In the Song Dynasty, there was a mature mining industry, but the efficiency of the ancients was limited by manpower, and the output was not high.

What Zhang Yi wants to test is whether efficiency can be improved with the intervention of machines...

After all, the steam engine was first invented to pump underground water from mines.

But mining is only the beginning.

One of Zhang Yi's plans is to turn coal mines into products such as briquettes with higher utilization rates.

The plan that extends from this point is to make energy affordable for the people, at least in some areas.

The energy problem must be solved first before the so-called industrialization problem can be solved.

This is the case if there is no choice in Shanxi and inland areas. If logistics is not available, no matter how good Shanxi's coal is, it cannot be delivered.

Find resources along the Grand Canal and along the coast and make use of them.

When the production capacity of these coal mines can keep up, they can at least be sent to the capital through canals and sea transportation.

"The coal mine, the imperial court is digging for it... But if you, Imperial Master, want to get involved in the industry, the imperial court..."

Zhang Yi understood Zhou Tong's reminder.

The mining industry has been mostly monopolized by the imperial court since ancient times. He has no intention of investing in this, but rather helps the imperial court to build up production and then do other things.

Whether it is a steam engine or an internal combustion engine, they all need a source of power.

Burning firewood alone cannot support the consumption of the steam engine.

To build a coal mine, oil is also needed.

Zhang Yi vaguely remembered that Shandong also had some good oil resources.

He knew that Zhou Tong came here not only to cooperate with him, but also to monitor him.

Zhang Yi did not hide his secrets and told Zhou Tong his plan.

Regarding the production of briquettes, steam engines are also used to improve production efficiency.

Producing more efficient fuels that can replace firewood, at least partially, will have a huge impact on people's food, clothing, housing and transportation.

"I remember that when I was bragging to His Majesty and talking about boiling water, I also felt that the people were in trouble.

Although boiling water seems simple, even though the Ming Dynasty has gradually entered its prosperous age, [-]% of the people in the world still cannot afford a simple portion of boiling water.

The cost of firewood is not something that ordinary families can afford.

The imperial court also did not allow unlimited firewood cutting!

Pindao had a conversation with His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness the Crown Prince also made an oath to make the people of the world affordable to drink boiled water...

Pindao will remember this matter, Your Majesty will remember it!
But whether it can be realized depends on this matter! "

Zhou Tong was puzzled: "Master, this coal is much more expensive than firewood!"

“So if we want to industrialize it on a large scale, the price of coal should be able to be reduced to a level that the people can use!

Coal can be mass-produced, but trees cannot!
And the combustion utilization rate of coal is much higher than that of wood!

Of course, for a long time, people may not be able to use cheap coal!
But Pindao is ready to join forces with Zheng to buy an industry! "

"What are the real people going to do?"

"Waterhouse!"

"Waterhouse?"

Zhou Tong was stunned for a moment, what is this?
Zhang Yi smiled and said nothing, of course they wouldn't understand.

The boiling water house itself was a product of the past in the era when Zhang Yi was born. He himself only learned about it from his father's mouth.

The habit of drinking boiled water originated from the drugs administered to the Chinese people by external enemies. It was a habit that evolved out of necessity.

But in that era, even life was better than that of the people of Ming Dynasty.

People still can't afford boiled water, yes.

In Zhang Yi's previous life, he knew from his grandparents that during those difficult days, firewood was still an important material for ordinary people.

Boiling some water to drink is equivalent to wasting the few firewood.

So the state came forward and built boiling water rooms.

When everyone needs boiling water, just bring a hot water bottle to get water.

Boiling water uniformly is also a way to save resources.

In the past, the concept of boiling water would not have mattered to the ancients at all, but after ten years of belief spread by the King of Medicine, Taishang.

Plus the gradual spread of microbiology.

Nowadays, drinking boiled water has become a well-known consensus.

Just like the Ming Dynasty's Southern Expedition Army, as long as conditions permit, all soldiers will drink boiling water. It is almost written into the military discipline.

But consensus is consensus, ordinary people still cannot afford to drink boiled water, just like his father's generation in previous lives.

So when Zhang Yi came up with the steam engine, his first idea was to complete his original idea through several years of layout.

Regarding the matter of drinking boiled water, Zhang Yi chose to connect him with the Medicine King Taishang in the Ming Dynasty where education was backward.

Therefore, this behavior itself is a key move for Zhengyi to win over the people.

His idea was to take the lead with Zhengyi Yiyi and set up boiling water rooms in every state capital in the world.

Then extend the boiling water house towards the county seat...

By reducing the cost of fuel, drinking boiled water becomes less difficult.

Of course, this premise is that he must bring down the price of coal... Zhou Tong listened to Zhang Yi's statement and smiled:
"I know the master's business skills!
It’s a pity, if I can invest some money, I can also make some money with the Imperial Master..."

"Don't invest. If this business is used to make money, it will go against Pindao's original intention..."

Zhou Tong was thoughtful, but Zhang Yi seemed to have no intention of making money from the water house.

"National Preceptor, then I don't understand. Since the Imperial Preceptor doesn't intend to make money, why doesn't he open it..."

Zhang Yi understood what Zhou Tong meant and smiled:

"You think, since I'm not planning to make money and I'm not short of money, why not just give it to me for free?"

Zhou Tong nodded and Zhang Yi said:
“Charity can be done, but it cannot be sustained!

If there is no return on investment, even if I take the initiative to provide money to do it, it will not last long!

The water house maintains a meager profit while preserving capital, the people benefit from it, and the operator does not feel that his efforts are meaningless. This is the appropriate approach!

But it’s still early for this matter. At least, let’s bring down the price of coal mines! "

In the Ming Dynasty during the Little Ice Age, fuel was definitely in urgent demand.

Things like coal mine output.Nor can a simple steam engine solve it.

Zhang Yi and Zhou Tong visited many places and quickly selected the coal mine they needed.

This time he was not polite and directly used the resources of the court to buy land nearby, set up a factory, and then began to assemble a second steam engine.

This steam engine was made at about the same time as the one from Spring and Autumn College. Although all the parts are not standardized, they are basically the best made by hand.

There is the banner of Jinyiwei and the support of the imperial court.

How dare local officials and gentry dare to embarrass Zhang Yi?

From the moment Zhang Yi appeared in the coal mine, he had actually taken over the ownership of the coal mine.

Next, it’s time to assemble the machine and debug...

During this time, Zhang Yi also visited the mine and put forward some suggestions of his own on the working methods of the miners.

……

"Did he really go mining?"

Zhang Yi's movements are always confusing.

However, there were many people staring at her. When the news came back to the capital, Hu Weiyong and others still didn't believe it.

Anyway, he didn’t enjoy the splendor and wealth of the capital, so he hid in the ravines and ate and lived with the miners.

Zhang Yi's current situation has become a joke among officials in Zhongshu Province.

Although there is no Jin Yiwei spy, Zhang Yi has many officials cooperating with him in the mine.

Some of what he said was also recorded.

"Let the people of the world afford boiled water. This guy is actually a thoughtful person!"

Although they didn't deal with Zhang Yi, everyone also recognized Zhang Yi's ideas.

Humans are complex animals. When every scholar starts, he will have the ideal of praying for the people.

It's just that as experience grows, people will always see the truth of this world clearly.

Wang Guangyang's words also made others nod.

These people are the ones who hate Zhang Yi the most, but they also agree with Zhang Yi's approach.

"It's just stupidity!"

Wang Guangyang snorted coldly. In his opinion, Zhang Yi failed to live up to his abilities by indulging in these strange skills.

A person who can stand in a high position should grasp the overall situation and let subordinates handle specific matters.

Zhang Yi's approach virtually lowered his status.

The other officials heard this and smiled in agreement.

A strange color flashed in Hu Weiyong's eyes.

Everyone's conversation quickly left Zhang Yi and focused on the two most important things in the court today.

Capital city, old and new alternate.

Even though it is still more than a year before the capital is moved, the work of the imperial court has actually started long ago!

Moving the capital is not moving. Everyone packs up their belongings and moves to Beijing.

This involves the migration of officials, and there must be some officials to run Shuntian Mansion.

At the same time, the work in Nanjing cannot be left behind.

Especially now that the Ming Dynasty is undergoing its third Northern Expedition.

A large number of withers were distributed through Zhongshu Province.

Countless amounts of grain and grass are also being transported to the north.

One of the issues currently being discussed by Zhongshu Province is whether to let a prime minister go to the north to take charge of the overall situation?

This matter should have been handled by Wang Guangyang, because Zhongshu Province is actually in the hands of Hu Weiyong.

Although Wang Guangyang has high abilities, he likes to protect himself wisely.

Over the years, Hu Weiyong has gradually achieved one-man power.

But when the matter was mentioned again, Hu Weiyong raised it:
"How about letting Prime Minister Wang take charge of the overall situation here, while the Prime Minister goes to Shuntian Mansion in advance?"

"Hu Xiang..."

Hu Weiyong's suggestion shocked everyone.

He took the initiative to go to Shuntian. Was this to give power to Wang Guangyang?

You know, the most important thing in the entire Ming Dynasty now is not the matter of moving the capital, but the Northern Expedition in Mobei.

Xu Da, Lan Yu, Zhu Di and the others are marching all the way into Mobei.

As the backbone of the imperial court, Zhongshu Sheng ensured the mobilization of logistics, which was also an extremely important task.

If this matter is handled well, the two of them can share in this huge military achievement.

After all, Li Shanchang has learned from his mistakes, and everyone has also seen the precedent of civil servants being knighted for military merit.

Wang Guangyang is already a loyal and Qinbo, doesn't Hu Weiyong not want to make good use of this relationship and get a title?
"Prime Minister Hu, at the juncture of the Northern Expedition, you need to decide on the specific affairs of the Zhongshu Province!"

Wang Guangyang felt something was wrong and tested Hu Weiyong with words.

Hu Weiyong said:

“I don’t understand the true nature of things on the battlefield. Compared to Wang Xiang, I am really unfamiliar with this aspect!

The truth is that I should deal with the things I am good at. Moving the capital is an internal matter. It would be better for me to handle this matter well!

As for the logistics of the Northern Expedition, I hope Prime Minister Wang will pay more attention to it! "

Upon hearing this, Wang Guangyang could only hand over his hand and initially agreed to Hu Weiyong's request.

"In that case, let's go and report to His Majesty!"

Hu Weiyong stood up, regardless of the questioning looks from other officials on his side.

Wang Guangyang and Hu Weiyong left Zhongshu Province and went to the palace.

On the way, Wang Guangyang was still puzzled.

"Hu Xiang, I can't figure it out. Should you go to Shuntian?"

He once again raised his question as to what kind of character Hu Weiyong was. As a colleague, Wang Guangyang knew best.

This guy got Li Shanchang's true inheritance, and even learned his unforgiving temperament.

The Zhongshu Province has long been his arbiter, and if he had not given in, they would have started fighting.

However, Hu Weiyong's initiative to go to Shuntian is tantamount to giving power to him...

"Xiang Wang, I actually have my own selfish motives for doing this..."

Hu Weiyong turned his head and answered seriously:

"What the Prime Minister said just now is sincere, but if Mr. Wang still has doubts, the Prime Minister can say more!
Doesn’t Mr. Wang think that His Majesty has some opinions on me recently? "

Wang Guangyang was stunned when he heard this, and then fell silent.

Since Lao Zhu was reminded by Zhang Yi, although he did not fully accept Zhang Yi's words, he was more concerned about Hu Weiyong.

This kind of casual gaze cannot be hidden from others.

Lao Zhu didn't say why, and everyone was guessing.

But in fact, everyone knew that Zhu Yuanzhang had some suspicion that Jiang Lang's case was related to Hu Weiyong.

It's one thing to have no evidence, but if Jiang Lang's case involves the Ministry of Household Affairs, someone must be wondering whether this matter can still be traced.

And where can the melon vine be touched?
Above the Ministry of Household Affairs is the Zhongshu Province. Whoever controls the Zhongshu Province must be Hu Weiyong.

Wang Guangyang once felt lucky that his non-dispute saved him a lot of trouble.

Now that I heard Hu Weiyong mention it, Thaksin believed it.

"How do you let the truth prove itself in this kind of thing?
After much thought, I think His Majesty is probably dissatisfied with me!

Maybe Your Majesty wants to see how you perform, Wang Xiang..."

Wang Guangyang:......

There seems to be nothing wrong with Hu Weiyong’s logic.

The last time Wang Guangyang was prime minister, he was mentioned by Lao Zhu as a political official in Zhejiang District because of his inaction.

This time Lao Zhu hopes that he will do something, which seems reasonable.

Since Hu Weiyong wants to avoid the limelight, he has to take the credit even if he doesn't accept it.

Therefore, he could only bow to thank Hu Weiyong.

……

"Hu Weiyong is not as unworthy as Zhang Yi said..."

After Wang Guangyang and Hu Weiyong left, Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zhu Biao:
"He has been going to Shuntian Mansion for more than a year to make plans!

In more than a year, it was equivalent to releasing all the authority in the capital.

If Wang Guangyang is determined, he can do a lot of things this year...

Regardless of whether he had to leave because I was checking him out.

But even this matter can prove that he is a person who knows how to make choices! "

Seeing that Lao Zhu praised Hu Weiyong so much, Zhu Biao replied:
"Father, Hu Weiyong has always been in charge of the affairs of Zhongshu Province. If he goes away, will it..."

"No, I'm watching, nothing will happen, and Wang Guangyang is not weak in ability. He is just incompetent, not mediocre!

The reason why I agreed was because I wanted to see Wang Guangyang’s performance!
As for Hu Weiyong, just let him go!
He is gone and the pack is leaderless, so I can sort out his relationship..."

……

"Hu Xiang, are you really going to the north?"

Late at night at the Prime Minister's Mansion, Ling Shuo risked his life and came to Hu Weiyong.

He was very anxious when he came up and asked Hu Weiyong about going to the north.

"I can't go?"

"But if you go, who will be in charge of the overall situation in the capital?"

Ling said he was immediately confused.

"Don't worry, I've made arrangements a long time ago. His Majesty wants to check me out, but I'm not that easy to check!

This time I went to the capital, it seemed like I was going out to avoid the limelight, but you should understand? "

Ling said that his face turned pale when Hu Weiyong said:

"Hu Xiang, it's not that I won't help you, but you are too hasty!

In the north, Xu Da is there...

This time he returns victoriously from the Northern Expedition and will probably stay in Beijing! "

"Sheng Li, don't worry, Ming will not win this time!"

"what?"

Ling Shuo suddenly raised his head and looked at Hu Weiyong.

However, he discovered that Hu Weiyong had a mysterious smile on his face. (End of chapter)