Zhu Yuanzhang was very happy when he saw that Huang Nilu was more comprehensive than he thought. Now seeing how bright his words were, he asked, "Huang Qing, are you in trouble?"
When Huang Nilu asked, he hesitated and said: "Your Majesty, I, Sun Heding and others have estimated that if these projects are carried out at the same time, at least 500,000 taels of silver will be needed in the early stage, and there is no guarantee of success..."
Zhu Yuanzhang originally thought that Huang Nilu had some technical difficulties that he could not overcome. Now that he saw that Huang Nilu was only worried about money, he felt much relieved.
He thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Just develop weapons for us to deal with the Jurchens. As for the money matter, don't worry, we will take care of it for you."
When Huang Nilu heard this, he immediately showed joy and said happily: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"I will inform Sun Heding and the others when I turn around, and ask them to step up research and development, and strive to develop a weapon for Your Majesty to deal with the Jurchens as soon as possible!"
Zhu Yuanzhang had only heard that Tang Ruowang was involved in this matter before. Now when he saw Huang Nilu mentioning the names of Xu Ji and Sun Heding one after another, he knew that they were Huang Nilu's recent recruits.
Then he thought about how little concern he had for Huang Nilu since he ordered him to develop firearms, so he smiled and said, "Who are these Xu Ji and Sun Heding?"
When Huang Nilu asked, he was somewhat surprised and told the identities of Xu Ji and Sun Heding.
Jiang Dejing on the side saw that Huang Nilu was too concise and did not want his hard work to be buried, so he added: "Your Majesty, you don't know that Mr. Huang went to great lengths to allow the two of them to come to the Ministry of Works. A lot of effort..."
It turned out that although Xu Ji was very interested in firearms, he also followed Xu Guangqi to carry out equipment reforms. However, he gave up this idea when he saw that Xu Guangqi was repeatedly frustrated and the court was full of evil women.
Fortunately, Huang Nilu came from Wang Zheng and had some friendship with Xu Ji in his early years.
Therefore, he not only sent several letters to persuade, but also asked three of his relatives to visit before inviting Xu Ji.
The invitation to Sun Heding was even more dramatic. Because Sun Yuanhua was unjustly killed, the three brothers Sun Heding, Sun Hedou, and Sun Hejing were quite dissatisfied with the court. Although Huang Nilu invited him several times, they all ignored it.
Just when Huang Nilu was frowning, Xu Ji gave him a way to motivate him, asking him to brag deliberately, and set up a ring to invite Sun Heding to fight.
Sun Heding was enraged and immediately responded.
And Huang Nilu finally convinced Sun Heding after three competitions...
After listening to Jiang Dejing's story, Zhu Yuanzhang realized that Huang Nilu had done so many things behind his back, and he valued him even more.
He thought for a while and then said: "Huang Qing, we want to make you the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, full-time..."
"Your Majesty, I only like to develop firearms and am not good at serving as an official. Please take back my order!"
Huang Nilu hurriedly declined before Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking.
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "Huang Qing, you don't have to rush to reject us!"
"We let you be the Minister of Works. We don't need you to deal with daily chores. It's just to make things easier for you."
"You have to know that you have a lot of people under you now. If you don't get promoted, wouldn't it mean that others won't be able to get promoted as well?"
"Furthermore, the development of firearms is just the beginning. It will eventually be implemented in the army. If you don't have a certain official position, your promotion will be hindered..."
After hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's explanation, Huang Nilu nodded, and then said with some worry: "Is it true that I don't need you to handle the affairs of the Ministry of Industry?"
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he smiled and said: "As the emperor, we naturally speak eloquently, so don't worry!"
After Huang Nilu received Zhu Yuanzhang's reconfirmation, he accepted the order to express his gratitude.
Zhu Yuanzhang originally wanted to ask Huang Nilu about firearms, but seeing that he looked absent-minded again, he knew that he was concerned about the improvement of Lianzhu Fire Gun.
Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang gave Huang Nilu a few more words and asked him to leave first.
When Huang Nilu heard this, not only was he not unhappy, but he was even happier than when he had received Zhu Yuanzhang's promise of money. After bowing in agreement, he hurried out.
Jiang Dejing looked at Huang Nilu's brisk back and said with envy: "Huang
It is truly his great fortune to meet His Majesty! "
Zhu Yuanzhang himself understood the meaning of Jiang Dejing's words and said with a smile: "Jiang Qing, we know you have been suffering these days!"
"But you don't have to envy Huang Qing. We have conquered Fan Sanba, and you don't have to worry about money for the time being."
"When Li Jing and Gu Yanwu come back, they will implement a new monetary policy. Then you can just implement your new policy..."
After Zhu Yuanzhang said this, he thought Jiang Dejing would be very happy, but unexpectedly the other party frowned.
When he saw this, he said a little strangely: "Jiang Qing, do you still have something difficult to resolve?"
When Jiang Dejing asked, he suddenly knelt down and apologized: "Your Majesty, I have failed in your great trust. Now not only the fields are barren, but the people have fled south one after another, with only three to four tenths of the population left..."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly helped him up and comforted him: "Qing Jiang, this matter is not your fault. You don't need to blame yourself too much."
"If the Jurchens and rebels hadn't arrived suddenly, we would have been self-sufficient this winter, which shows that your plan is completely feasible, so you don't have to be discouraged."
"As for the population, you don't have to worry too much. As long as the war calms down, those people will come back."
"In addition, during the battle of Shanhaiguan, the Marquis of Jingliao (Wang Euzhi) captured Dodo. Then we will let him exchange Dodo for the people enslaved by the Jurchens, which can also temporarily solve the population problem."
Jiang Dejing shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this is inappropriate!"
"I heard that the plague is spreading over the Jurchen side, and I'm afraid that the people who have been replaced are all infected with the plague. In addition, the plague is also raging here, so I'm afraid that it will be even more troublesome."
"It doesn't matter, we already have the means to deal with the plague..."
As Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, he suddenly stopped, looked at Jiang Derjing and said, "What are you talking about, the plague is raging here?"
"We remember that the plague was effectively controlled before leaving Beijing. Why did it break out again?"
Jiang Dejing said with some helplessness: "Before you left Beijing, the plague in Beijing and Shanxi was indeed effectively controlled."
"It's just that as the number of patients decreased, the prices of medicinal materials dropped significantly. Some businessmen did not want to lose their profits, so they colluded with the government and deliberately spread the plague."
"I could control it at the beginning, but then war broke out and people fled in all directions, and it got out of hand."
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he was filled with murderous intent and shouted loudly: "Even if a war breaks out, there are still soldiers and horses in the capital, why not kill them?"
"We had a decree before that anyone who deliberately spreads the plague will be killed without mercy. Have you all forgotten?"
Jiang Dejing shook his head and said: "When this incident first started, the Queen had already ordered an investigation and killed a group of lawbreakers. However, the source of the spread of the plague is mainly in Shanxi, and we can't stop it at all!"
"Zuo Liangyu!?"
Zhu Yuanzhang almost gritted his teeth and said, "But Zuo Liangyu is protecting them?"
Jiang Dejing nodded and said: "It is said that Zuo Liangyu consumed too much money due to frequent wars..."
"Okay, very good!"
As Zhu Yuanzhang shouted, Jiang Dejing suddenly felt that the temperature in Dongnuan Pavilion dropped sharply, making him shiver with coldness.
