The brocade box has two layers. Daiyu carefully opened the square of red brocade covering the middle. Her eyes suddenly widened and she covered her mouth with her hands in surprise.
"Did you carve it yourself?"
Jia Cong reached out and took out the little jade figure in the brocade box. It was Dai Xiaohua Fairy paired with Cong Xiao Fairy Boy.
Jade flowing light, pretty beauty, peerless and independent.
He put the little flower fairy and the little fairy boy together, moved a step closer to Daiyu, and pressed his whole body against Daiyu's body, rubbing against them.
"I studied with the jade master in the palace for several days and broke more than a dozen pieces of jade. I finally fulfilled my mission and finished the carving before your birthday. Sister Lin, do you like it?"
Daiyu looked at the two little beauties cuddling together on the table, the naive Cong Xiaoxian Tong and the peerlessly independent Dai Xiaohuaxian, which reminded her of every bit of her acquaintance with Jia Cong.
She touched the two beauties, held them up with crooked eyebrows, and leaned against Jia Cong's chest.
"I didn't expect you to still remember my appearance when I first came here..."
The appearance of Dai Xiaohua Fairy was carved by Jia Cong based on the scene when Daiyu was planting flowers in the courtyard about a year after arriving in the capital.
At that time, Jia Cong suffered a lot of abuse in order to block the old lady's random tricks.
However, it is precisely because of this that the relationship between Jia Cong and Daiyu heated up rapidly, far exceeding the "two-jade match" spread by the whole family.
The more the old lady and Baoyu behave like monsters, the more Daiyu likes to play with Jia Cong. The two plant flowers together, read together, and play tricks together, which makes the second master Bao who wants to get close to Daiyu very angry...
Fortunately, everything is over. Brother Cong is protected by the pardoner. Even if the old lady suppresses others with filial piety, she can't really do anything to Jia Cong, the concubine. On the contrary, she wears away the relationship between Baoyu and Daiyu. Most of it.
Jia Cong held Daiyu in his arms, buried his head in Daiyu's smooth and smooth neck, enjoying the tenderness of the fragrant soft jade in his arms, and couldn't help but thank the old lady for her magical operation.
If the old lady hadn't caused trouble in the first place, which indirectly promoted his relationship with Sister Lin, maybe the "two jade girls" thing would have come true.
After all, cousins are made for each other...
No, cousins can also be a perfect match!
…
The relationship between Jia Cong and Dai Yu was neither earth-shattering nor earth-shattering, nor was there a poignant story of life and death. Instead, they were just childhood sweethearts who had a long history of growing up. In their interactions bit by bit, they gradually accumulated an inseparable firmness and sincerity.
As soon as the Flower Festival was over, the two of them went to their own "battlefields" and marched towards the common goal again.
Daiyu obtained enough money from her two fathers and began to comprehensively promote compulsory education, fully displaying her talents amidst heavy official duties.
Back then, the emperor was the first to allow women to enter the court and appointed Lin's daughter as a fifth-rank court official, which often caused criticism from both the government and the public.
But Daiyu used practical actions to silence those who questioned.
At the Great Court Meeting on February 15th, He Yaomin, the Minister of Rites, took the lead in requesting credit for the Department of Compulsory Education after reporting on the enrollment rates of the prefectures and counties in Northern Zhili and the operation of schools in various places.
The emperor heard that the gross enrollment rate in Zhili was as high as 70%, and the operation was going smoothly. The Sacred Heart was very happy. Lin Daiyu, a doctor in the Department of Compulsory Education of the Ministry of Rites, was appointed as the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, presiding over the comprehensive promotion of compulsory education.
Jia Cong, on the other hand, was working on both sides, negotiating with envoys from Western countries and planning for the development of science and technology in Daxia.
Climbing the technology tree cannot be achieved overnight, but Jia Cong has recruited and trained a large number of talents in the Ministry of Industry since he entered the DPRK.
For example, Niu Geng, who developed a simple steam engine, had already been reminded by Jia Cong to transform the Bagua furnace originally used for alchemy into the first-generation steam engine that could drive textile machinery.
If the iron and steelmaking technology in Daxia had not been developed enough, Jia Cong would have laid railways.
The improvement and development of firearms has also made full progress. Those technologically weird craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry, relying only on Jia Cong's "unintentional" drawings, created the Yuanyou Type 1 mortar, which is light, fast, and powerful.
Unfortunately, due to steel restrictions, it is still in the stage of small-scale manufacturing experiments, and the pressure is directly on the smelting department.
Jia Cong, who was in the duty room of the Ministry of Industry, looked at Chen Hua, the head of the smelting department and a member of the Ministry of Industry, who came to ask for money again, rubbing his eyebrows with a headache.
"Another five hundred thousand taels? The Ministry of Industry doesn't have that much money, so just two hundred thousand. Last time I told you about coke ironmaking, how did your experiment go?"
Chen Hua, who had his funding cut in half, was not disappointed at all. In fact, his budget of one hundred thousand taels was enough.
Chen Hua received the approval document respectfully and solemnly replied: "My uncle's previous instructions, several master craftsmen did not dare to be sloppy in the slightest, and conducted many experiments carefully. The effect of coke smelting is much higher than that of ordinary charcoal fire. But the problem now is not the fuel, but the forging... Both artificial forging and hydraulic forging have been tested, but the steel obtained still cannot strengthen the toughness of the gun barrel and gun barrel."
Mortars are definitely a good thing, but the probability of them exploding is too high.
To put it bluntly, the quality of the gun barrel steel cannot keep up. Even if it is hydraulically forged, it cannot meet the requirements.
"Let the burdock modify a steam engine and use steam to push the forging."
At the end of technology, isn’t it still boiling water?
Since steam engines cannot be used on railways for the time being, then go and forge steel for building railways.
As a Shangguan, Jia Cong would not do everything himself.
The person in power always only needs to give orders, leaving the people below to do the work.
As soon as he finished handling the official affairs of the Ministry of Construction, Nie Chaoyi sent someone to invite Jia Cong over.
The Western envoys finally couldn't bear it anymore. The Yi people, who had been left in the cold by Jia Cong for many days, finally agreed to the various conditions proposed by Jia Cong.
The Western countries that spanned the oceans and colonized the world still could not resist the temptation of the huge markets of the Eastern powers.
Daxia will send the second batch of fleets to the Western Ocean in March, and will also send envoys to various countries.
After Jia Cong read the treaty establishing diplomatic relations signed by both parties in the lobby of the Ministry of Rites, he suddenly thought of something.
He put down the signed treaty in his hand, looked at the envoys from various countries present in the hall, and asked with a smile: "I remember that the envoys once said that there are many pirates and pirates on the sea. Now that we have officially established diplomatic relations, trade between us There will definitely be a spurt of development. In order to protect the merchants and people of both sides, we might as well form a... No, form multiple escort fleets to attack the pirates and protect the lives and property of the people."
Wow~
As soon as the translator translated Jia Cong's words, the foreign envoys of all colors in the lobby of the Ministry of Rites looked around in shock and started chattering.
On the sea today, the colonial fleets of Western countries clearly have a huge advantage.
They are willing to establish a transportation business with Daxia, not because they are really afraid of Daxia, but because the east is too far away from the mother country and is temporarily beyond their reach.
Moreover, compared to Daxia, they almost control the hydrological data of all sea routes. The original plan was to establish a transportation company with Daxia, use the advantage to open the door to the mysterious East, sell products, and earn gold and silver.
When they are strong enough to annex Daxia, the Western countries that started out as pirates will definitely tear up the treaties they signed and pounce on the huge empire to share this rich and beautiful land.
"Your Excellency, your country's navy is not strong enough to fight on the oceans. It is up to us, the brave men of the Kingdom of England, to fight against pirates."
"Yes, our Spanish navy is the most experienced in dealing with pirates..."
"Our Portuguese warriors are natural pirate nemesis..."
The Yi envoys in the lobby had almost the same argument. Although the Daxia Navy had undergone tremendous changes, it was still an offshore navy and had no experience in ocean warfare.
But Jia Cong insisted on this because this was an excellent opportunity.
Daxia's navy cannot guard the offshore waters forever. Only by going out can it get a share of the pie in the current era of prevailing sea power.
He tapped his fingers on the treaty he had just signed, and while maintaining a smile on his face, he said categorically: "You are here, right? As a country of brothers, you are also willing to help our soldiers familiarize themselves with the sea conditions in various places, and fight with I, the Great Xia, will fight against the pirates together and restore a stable and peaceful trade channel to the people."
Jia Cong's skill in wearing a high hat is still so skillful. Using justice to suppress this group of people is only the first step. He does not think that these jackals have any benevolence and righteousness.
"This treaty is now only stamped with the seal of the Ministry of Rites. There is one thing you may not know. In Daxia, all important military and political affairs of the empire need to be approved and sealed by His Majesty the Emperor and the cabinet, and the decree must be announced clearly. Only in the world can it be effective.”
He picked up the freshly baked treaty that was still warm, raised it, and then cupped his hands to the north and continued: "Your Majesty, the benevolent Emperor, will not let our people go to sea at the huge risk of being attacked by pirates. Therefore, in order to For sea trade to proceed smoothly, it is necessary to send out a convoy fleet.”
Nie Chaoyi wanted to hide her face and leave, but Uncle Yongfeng really didn't blush when he told lies.
A treaty signed and sealed by the Minister of Rites does not need to be stamped with the emperor's seal and the cabinet seal.
However, these words were still very useful to the Yi envoys. In the eyes of these Yi people in the centralized Great Xia Empire, all power indeed belonged to the supreme emperor in the Forbidden City.
The Yi envoys who had been deceived by Jia Cong began to whisper again, and soon they put forward another condition, that is, Daxia's navy was responsible for the sea areas east of Manchuria (today's Malacca Strait), and they were responsible for the sea areas to the west. .
"Manraka is a vassal of the empire, and the sea area east of Manraka is our internal sea."
Jia Cong once again stated his attitude and said solemnly: "It is the responsibility of the Daxia Navy to form a convoy fleet and protect the safety of the people on the ocean. I hope to jointly escort with other countries because of the establishment of transportation and trade between you and me. It is not a request, but a declaration of our country.”
If it weren't for the purpose of getting the nautical charts and hydrological data in your hands, why would I bother to talk to you?
Under Jia Cong's tough attitude and the temptation of Daxia's huge market, the envoys from the Western countries finally pinched their noses and accepted.
After all, Daxia's navy is not bad at all. Who can stop it if it really wants to go far across the ocean?
Whether they jointly form a convoy fleet or not, they won't be afraid of Daxia's navy sneaking into their colonies right under their noses.
…
After the group of barbarians left the lobby of the Ministry of Rites, Nie Chaoyi asked the question that was pressing in his heart.
"Uncle, are you proposing to jointly form a convoy fleet so that we, the great Xians, can become familiar with the conditions of the ocean?"
Jia Cong shook his head, picked up the tea cup and sipped the tea slowly.
"Yes, and no. On the sea, these barbarians have already gained the upper hand. Now that I, Daxia, have entered the game, if I want to get a share of the pie, I have to erode their interests. And interests are the fuse of war. In the future, we will There will be a battle with the barbarians. Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you be victorious in every battle. If you want to defeat them, you must first understand them."
Nie Chaoyi seemed to understand, and asked again: "Then why do you want to find an excuse to attack the pirates? If these barbarians wipe out the pirates first, wouldn't we have no reason to stay in the West?"
"Huh? My Lord Nie, how can we completely suppress the pirates? As long as we want the fleet to be permanently stationed in the West, there will always be pirates wreaking havoc on the sea."
Jia Cong's words confused Nie Chaoyi until Jia Cong mentioned a person's name.
Jia Cong stood up and said: "His Royal Highness King Jing is about to completely pacify Goryeo and is about to enter the Japanese war. After the Japanese country is conquered, let His Highness King Jing show his kindness and give the Japanese slaves a chance to atone for their crimes... I think, Western is quite suitable.”
…
"You guys are really taking it one step at a time. I agree to jointly form a convoy fleet, but this matter needs reliable people to take care of it."
After listening to Jia Cong's report, the emperor smiled and praised him.
Daxia's navy is indeed invincible in the offshore, but in the ocean, it is not even as good as those smuggling Jiangnan maritime merchants.
Jia Cong's move was indeed a rare opportunity. The emperor immediately wrote an edict summoning Zhenhai Bo and Songjiang Navy Admiral Qi Bei to Beijing.
"I also suddenly thought that to be honest, we started too late. Now if we want to quickly improve our strength and get a share of the sea, we must become familiar with the sea charts and routes as soon as possible, and be familiar with ocean warfare and understand the fighting methods of the barbarians."
"You are right. Before, we fought against the colonial merchant ships of the barbarians. We were able to gain a small victory because we took advantage of the barbarians' underestimation of the enemy and their adventurous advance."
Daxia's navy had defeated the Yi fleet several times, but these were all attacks by Daxia's regular navy and Yi colonial merchant ships.
Their regular naval strength is still higher than that of Daxia.
Even the emperor is not complacent about this, but attaches great importance to the development of his own naval power.
"You can't underestimate the enemy. The Yi people are still stronger than us in many aspects."
A cold light flashed in the emperor's eyes, and he ordered: "You told me before that in the century-old navy, if we want to surpass the barbarians at sea, we must first train elite sea athletes. The second is ships..."
Jia Cong nodded in agreement: "I have asked people from the Ministry of Industry to speed up the test of ship-based steam engines. If a steam engine ship can be developed, at least in terms of ship speed, it will be enough to crush other countries."
"Is that thing really effective? Does the Lao Niu family still have such talent?"
It's not that the emperor doesn't believe it, it's just that the Lao Niu family is full of rough guys. Now that there is a talented person like Niu Geng who can do embroidery, he really feels that it is a bit fantasy.
Jia Cong couldn't help but laugh when he thought of the group of bearded men in Lao Niu's family except the burdock.
He took a step forward, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the progress of the steam engine test is still very gratifying. Now there is a small steam engine that drives the spinning machine. If your Majesty is interested, can I take your Majesty to visit now?"
Monthly ticket recommendation ticket
I’ll stop here tonight and continue tomorrow. Good night!
(End of chapter)
