Back to Daming to be a genius

Chapter 96 The Goddess and the Royal Academy of Sciences
(PS: I don’t know what’s wrong today. My cervical spine is so painful that my whole body is sweating, which seriously affects the quality and speed of codewords. Please take half a day of sick leave. I will change it today.)
In two lifetimes, it was the first time that Young Master Zhang came to the harem of the Forbidden City. Although it was reimbursed by his father’s company’s public funds when he visited the Forbidden City in his previous life, Young Master Zhang’s father’s official position in his previous life was not big enough to bring his wife and children to the Forbidden City. The deepest place is for casual visits, so after entering the interior of the Forbidden City, the bumpkin young master Zhang had to make a fuss. He felt fresh and strange when he saw it, and couldn't help screaming in a low voice several times.Hearing that Wei Zhongxian who was walking next to Young Master Zhang was angry and funny, he couldn't help saying in a low voice: "Monkey boy, don't be so ashamed, what's so good about the palace, isn't it similar to other palaces?"

"Of course I know this, I just won't lead you to talk." Young Master Zhang muttered in his heart, but he said in a low voice: "Godfather, don't blame me, my son's knowledge is comparable to yours? By the way, godfather, today's My boy is really sorry about the sketch, I wanted to invite you to present it to the emperor, but the situation was critical just now, so my boy had no choice but to presume, godfather please forgive me."

To be honest, Young Master Zhang skipped Wei Zhongxian and directly presented the carpentry sketches to Ming Xizong. Wei Zhongxian, who was suspicious and jealous by nature, felt a little uncomfortable like other people in power, but Young Master Zhang quickly took the initiative to plead guilty and there was a reason for it. The pimples will naturally disappear.Looking at Ming Xizong who was being served by Wang Tiqian and walked ahead excitedly, Wei Zhongxian laughed in a low voice: "Monkey boy, you can offer it as soon as you offer it, the godfather is afraid that you will enter the supervisor of ceremonies and rob the pen of the supervisor of ceremonies!" The position of the eunuch? Just pay attention next time, if you have such a good thing, you must dedicate it to the emperor, so as not to make the emperor Long Yan furious again."

"You, Sun, I would rather die than enter the Supervisor of Ceremonies!" Young Master Zhang cursed inwardly, taking the opportunity to carry out his long-awaited plan.After seeing that no one was around, Young Master Zhang lowered his voice and said to Wei Zhongxian: "Godfather, since the emperor likes wood and machinery so much, why don't you ask the emperor to set up a Royal Academy of Sciences of the Ming Dynasty to gather skilled craftsmen from all over the world to specialize in the research and manufacture of new wooden utensils?" , machinery and firearms? In this way, since the emperor is pleased, maybe we can recreate some weapons like the red cannon, the Franco machine gun and the fire crow, and use them on the battlefield to kill Jiannu."

"A Royal Academy of Sciences that specializes in making woodware for the emperor?" Wei Zhongxian's eyes lit up, and he thought it was a good idea, and the emperor would definitely like it.However, Wei Zhongxian was a little bit embarrassed, and said in a low voice: "The idea is good, but the emperor only likes to make new things when making woodware. Generally, the emperor will not like the things made by skilled craftsmen."

"Godfather, please don't worry, my boy has already thought about it." Young Master Zhang said in a low voice: "Godfather still remember Xu Guangqi? Last time in Songjiang, after my boy persuaded him to come out of the mountain again, with Godfather's permission, he is already going there On the way to Jingting, he is a great expert in this field. Why doesn't his godfather let him be the president of the Royal Academy of Sciences, under the direct supervision and guidance of the emperor, to manufacture new machines for Daming? Besides, Haier also has a skilled craftsman named Bo Jue, He is very good at making Western carpentry equipment, and he can also be called to serve in the Royal Academy of Sciences. With him and Xu Guangqi, the emperor will never get tired of keeping it for the rest of his life."

Wei Zhongxian did not have a biological son. After entering the palace as an eunuch, Ming Xi Zong Zhu Youxiao was brought up by him alone. He fell in love with him for a long time, and he loved Ming Xi Zong as his own son in his heart. Zhu Youxiao was not greedy for wine and lustful Of course, Wei Zhongxian knew better than anyone else what it was, so after Young Master Zhang made this suggestion, Wei Zhongxian was inevitably moved and began to think about the feasibility of this matter.While talking, Young Master Zhang and Wei Zhongxian and his party had already arrived at Jingren Palace, which was specially used for carpentry by Ming Xizong. Without saying a word, Ming Xizong immediately ordered the little eunuch who waited on the carpenter to prepare materials and tools, while he took off his dragon robe and underwear. Wearing a pair of underpants, with most of his body naked, he plunged into the pile of wood and started carpentry.Young Master Zhang was dumbfounded when he saw it, and asked stammeringly: "Godfather, why is the emperor like this? Isn't he afraid of catching a cold?"

"Hush, keep your voice down, this is the emperor's habit." Wei Zhongxian made a silent gesture.At this time, Ming Xizong over there suddenly raised his head, waved to Young Master Zhang and said, "Zhang Aiqing, come here, there are a few places on the sketch that are not clear, please explain to me."

Young Master Zhang was very cautious, he peeked at Wei Zhongxian's face first, until Wei Zhongxian nodded to himself, then Young Master Zhang respectfully walked to Ming Xi Zong, and explained to Ming Xi Zong the doubts in the sketch of the new spinning machine, Ming Xi Zong listened With relish, he kept asking Young Master Zhang about everything, and was very devoted.Seeing this scene, Wei Zhongxian couldn't help but nodded secretly again, thinking: "Little monkey boy, yes, you don't take credit for your ability, and you know how to consider our family's feelings in everything, so you are more reliable than others."

Young Master Zhang explained it for a long time, and Ming Xizong did not concentrate on his work until he had figured out all the key parts.Wei Zhongxian took the opportunity to play the prelude: "Your Majesty, I don't know what you think about recommending Gaodi as the Liaodong economic envoy." Mingxi Zong asked without raising his head: "Is Gaodi reliable? The Liaodong war is related to the safety of the capital. , there is no room for any surprises."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured that Gaodi has served as the Minister of the Ministry of War for many years. He is familiar with military affairs. He will definitely be able to guard Liaodong for the Emperor and ensure that the capital is as stable as Mount Tai." Wei Zhongxian said respectfully: "Besides, among the ministers in the court, except Gaodi , and there is no second person who is qualified and capable to serve as the Liaodong economic strategy."

What Wei Zhongxian said is true. The famous Ming generals left by Wanli to Zhu Youxiao are old and dead. Except for Sun Chengzong who has just resigned and Xiong Tingbi who has just been announced that he will never be used, there are indeed few who can take it. Handsome.So Ming Xizong only thought about it for a while, and immediately nodded and said: "Okay, give Gaodi Shangfang a sword and a python robe and jade belt, and let him lead the Ministry of Military Affairs as the title supervisor of Liaodong. Tell him by the way, let him work hard in Liaodong. If something goes wrong, let him raise his head to see me."

Wei Zhongxian, who had been having a headache for a long time about the candidates for the Liaodong Economic Strategy, breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly agreed respectfully. The young master Zhang next to him was worried, for fear that Wei Zhongxian would immediately ask him to be Gaodi's deputy. If Ming Xizong also agreed, young master Zhang would jump Well can not.Unexpectedly, Master Zhang was overjoyed by Wei Zhongxian's next statement. Wei Zhongxian said: "Your Majesty, Zhang Haogu raised more than 200 million taels of silver in Jiangnan this time, of which 50 taels have been used to buy grain. Transporting the relief, the remaining 160 million taels of silver are on their way to the capital. The maidservant wondered whether 30 taels of that sum of money should be used to control the Yellow River? Since ancient times, there must be severe floods after severe droughts, so make preparations in advance , even if there is a flood next year, there is no need to be afraid.” (Note)
"Treating the Yellow River? The old eunuch Wei took the wrong medicine today, and he offered to do good things to the common people?" Young Master Zhang was a little surprised.Emperor Xizong of the Ming Dynasty also stopped carpentry in surprise, raised his head and said to Wei Zhongxian: "Zhongxian, from my grandfather to now, the Yellow River has not been governed for decades because of the continuous military affairs, and the treasury has no money to govern it. Now Liaodong We are still at war with Guizhou, and you suddenly spend money to control the Yellow River, will the treasury be able to bear it?"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured that this old slave has already made arrangements." Wei Zhongxian said with confidence: "This year's Liaodong military salary and military salary, this old slave has already allocated them before the end of June, and the pressure on the national treasury in the second half of the year has already been greatly increased Alleviate, as long as there are no accidents, it is not a problem to maintain the daily expenses of the imperial court, and it can also reduce or exempt the debts of the people affected by the disaster in some places. The more than 100 million taels obtained by Zhang Haogu is unexpected income for the treasury. Relief for Henan and Shaanxi, which have been suffering from famines for years, can still spare 30 taels to harness the Yellow River and make preparations for the coming year. Moreover, thanks to the emperor's blessing, the Miao chaos in Guizhou has almost been quelled. Next year, the pressure on the treasury will only increase. If it is alleviated, money and food can be freed up to continue to manage the Yellow River. If things go on like this, the Yellow River problem that has plagued Ming Dynasty for many years will definitely be solved.”

"Since the treasury can get the silver, then you can do it." Ming Xizong finally nodded - his interest is carpentry, not building palaces like the Old Summer Palace and Chengde Mountain Resort, and silver is really not an answer to him.Wei Zhongxian further said: "Your Majesty, when Zhang Haogu was in the south of the Yangtze River, he found an official named Liu Wuwei who was good at water conservancy and was very honest as an official, so he recommended this person to the imperial court. The servant thinks that he is qualified for this position, so the servant is bold. It is suggested that Liu Wuwei be promoted across the ranks and appointed as the governor of the Yellow River River to manage this matter full-time, please grant the emperor's permission."

"Success, since Zhang Aiqing is optimistic about the person, then he can't be wrong." Ming Xizong agreed without hesitation.Young Master Zhang hurriedly knelt down to thank Wei Zhongxian, and thanked Wei Zhongxian again—if Young Master Zhang kowtowed in the past just to deal with errands or to flatter, then this time Young Master Zhang kowtowed somewhat from the heart.At the same time, Young Master Zhang was also a little confused, "History books have praised Chongzhen to the sky, and trampled Chongzhen's elder brothers Zhu Youxiao and Wei Zhongxian to the ground, but in my opinion, if Zhu Youxiao and Wei Zhongxian continue to do it, The gentry class represented by the Donglin party members may have some bad luck, but the life of the common people may be better than when Chongzhen was in power."

In the following time, Young Master Zhang finally understood why the early courts of the Ming Dynasty were always hastily done—while Zhu Youxiao was busy with carpentry, Wei Zhongxian kept asking Zhu Youxiao for various major government affairs, Zhu Youxiao, on the other hand, just nodded and agreed impatiently. Wei Zhongxian said what he agreed to, and was completely led by Wei Zhongxian. You don't need to ask me for instructions, don't delay me doing woodwork." Seeing this, Young Master Zhang couldn't help but strengthen his determination—before Zhu Youxiao dies, he must hold Wei Zhongxian's thigh tightly, And absolutely not to turn against Wei Zhongxian, otherwise, it would be self-destruction.

With Ming Xizong's words, Wei Zhongxian immediately shut up, and never said a word related to political affairs. Young Master Zhang next to him saw that Wei Zhongxian did not raise the issue of establishing the Royal Academy of Sciences, and he was inevitably a little anxious, but he didn't dare to speak up It aroused Wei Zhongxian's jealousy.Just at this time, a delicate voice suddenly came from far away, "Oh, your majesty, why did you take off your clothes again, what should you do if you catch a cold?"

"Is there a beautiful woman?" Hearing this charming voice that made people itch, the first reaction of Young Master Zhang was to turn his head quickly.But what appeared in front of Young Master Zhang was a plump and beautiful young woman. Although her appearance was not bad, she was obviously not young, so she could only be regarded as charming. She led a large group of court ladies to Zhu Youxiao. In front of him, the eunuch took the clothes from the young eunuch and was about to put them on for Zhu Youxiao.Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Nurse, it's okay, I'm not cold when I'm working."

"Could it be a guest nurse! Yes, it must be the legendary guest nurse who has an affair with the emperor and Wei Zhongxian!" Young Master Zhang came to his senses.The guest nurse over there also found Young Master Zhang, looked at Young Master Zhang, and said with a coquettish smile: "Oh, Zhongxian, where did you bring a handsome young man? What's his name?"

"Kum, his name is Zhang Haogu." Wei Zhongxian first introduced Young Master Zhang to the nurse, and then shouted to Young Master Zhang: "Monkey boy, why don't you greet Mrs. Fengsheng soon?"

Young Master Zhang opened his mouth and remained motionless, looking at the guest nurse as if in a trance, the guest nurse was a little shy under the look of Young Master Zhang, blushing and said coquettishly: "You are the famous Xinke Tanhua Zhang Haogu in the capital? What's the matter, can't my family accept your gift?" Wei Zhongxian next to him was also very strange, and shouted: "Monkey boy, what are you doing, why don't you greet Mrs. Fengsheng?"

"Godfather, she...is she Mrs. Fengsheng?" Young Master Zhang stammered as he woke up from a dream, pointing at the guest nurse.Wei Zhongxian nodded in doubt, and Young Master Zhang immediately exclaimed: "Impossible! How could she be Mrs. Fengsheng? She is clearly the Queen Mother of the West!"

"The Queen Mother of the West in the sky?" Zhu Youxiao, Wei Zhongxian and Nanny Ke were all taken aback, and then came to their senses together and laughed, Nanny Ke laughed and scolded: "Monkey boy, your mouth is so sweet, no wonder Zhongxian likes you so much, You said that the slave family is the Queen Mother of the West in heaven, have you seen it?"

"I've seen it, I've seen it, I've seen it in my dream." Young Master Zhang nodded repeatedly, and said earnestly without blushing, "That night, I dreamed of Empress Xi Wangmu, she looks exactly like you, Empress Fengsheng, Later, I kowtowed to the Queen Mother of the West, and she accepted me as a godson and asked me to call her a godmother."

"Hahahahaha...!" Zhu Youxiao, Wei Zhongxian and Ke Nanny were amused by Young Master Zhang's words and laughed happily again.Zhu Youxiao also said with a smile: "Zhang Haogu, since you have worshiped the Queen Mother of the West as a godmother, and the Queen Mother of the West looks exactly like the nanny, why don't you also worship the nanny as a godmother? Nanny, what do you think?"

"Okay, okay, let's see if Tan Hualang is willing to ask me to be his godmother." The wet nurse smiled happily, very satisfied that she could accept such a handsome godson as Young Master Zhang.Young Master Zhang didn't even blush, he just knelt down on his knees to the guest nurse, kowtowed and said, "Godmother, please accept my three respects!" Charming and charming, she agreed, and even took off a jade phoenix hairpin from her head, and gave it to Young Master Zhang as a meeting gift.Young Master Zhang thanked him loudly and took it, and murmured in his heart: "Yang, anyway, recognizing Wei Zhongxian as a godfather is also recognizing Wei Zhongxian as a godfather, and recognizing a guest nurse as a godmother is also recognizing him as a godmother. If you pull a few powerful relatives, you will not suffer in a short time." .By the way, in this way, the emperor should also be considered my baby brother."

"Zhang Haogu, since you have recognized your nanny as a godmother, then you are my nanny brother." Sure enough, Zhu Youxiao, who is very good to relatives, took the initiative to recognize his relatives, and said with a smile: "You are one year older than me." , when no one else is around, I will call you Brother Nai." Naturally, Young Master Zhang didn't even dare to say anything, while Wei Zhongxian and Nanny Ke exchanged glances and murmured together in a low voice.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing now?" After muttering to Wei Zhongxian, the guest nurse went to the sketch that Young Master Zhang gave to Zhu Youxiao, pretending to be surprised and said: "What is this? Why has the slave family never Have you seen it?" Zhu Youxiao smiled and told the origin of the sketch and what was drawn on it, and the nurse said in surprise: "I didn't expect that the new son of the slave family would have this ability? Zhang Haogu, you Little monkey, tell the godmother the truth, where did you get these things from?"

"Reporting to Godmother, the child figured it out by himself." Young Master Zhang replied honestly.The guest nurse didn't believe it, and snorted: "Monkey boy, you can figure out such a good thing by yourself, you can lie to others! Tell me, who else has figured it out for you?" Then, the guest nurse actually asked Master Zhang With a wink, Young Master Zhang was a little puzzled, but Wei Zhongxian next to him hurriedly shouted: "Little monkey boy, do you still want to lie to your godmother? Don't think our family doesn't know. When you drew this sketch, you got an official named Xu Guangqi." Master Xu and a man named Bo Jue are helping, right?"

"Yes, yes." Young Master Zhang finally came to his senses, and hurriedly said: "Godmother, when I painted these things, I did ask Master Xu Guangqi for advice, and my friend Bo Jue also helped a lot. Busy. Master Xu and Bo Jue are both great experts in mechanical woodworking, and they are best at making these ingenious things."

"Huh, there are people like this? Zhang Haogu, then you have to bring them here to meet me when you have time." Zhu Youxiao really became interested and offered to meet Xu Guangqi and Bo Jue.The guest nurse took the opportunity to say: "Your Majesty, since you like these things, why don't you just set up a Royal Academy of Sciences, let Xu Guangqi be the dean, and call more skilled craftsmen like Bo Jue into the Royal Academy of Sciences to specialize in mechanical carpentry. So Now, won’t the emperor have endless fresh wooden utensils? And no longer need to worry about the lack of novel blueprints?”

"Good idea!" Zhu Youxiao's eyes lit up, and he immediately ordered to Wei Zhongxian: "Zhongxian, you immediately make arrangements according to the nurse's idea, set up a Royal Academy of Sciences, let Xu Guangqi hold the title of minister of the Ministry of Industry, and manage this Royal Academy of Sciences .As for the expenses of this new yamen, it will all be paid by my internal treasury!"

"After a long time, it turns out that the old eunuch Wei wants to give the credit to his old friend." Young master Zhang couldn't laugh or cry, and said in his heart: "The first Royal Academy of Sciences in Ming Dynasty turned out to be a guest who was rumored to be ambiguous with the emperor. The nanny was the first to discuss the establishment?! If this matter is known to future generations, what will they think?"

(End of this chapter)