The fire blunderbuss in the Tongxing Army is made entirely of copper and consists of three parts: the front chamber, the medicine chamber, and the tail. It is simple in shape and rough in casting.
There are inscriptions on it, such as Baoyuan Bureau System and so on.
The front chambers vary in length, including short, medium, long, etc., with different calibers, both large and small, and the front chambers also become longer and shorter.
The older ones use carts, and the smaller ones use racks, stakes, and supports.
A big one is good for defense, a small one is good for fighting.
The front chamber is connected with the medicine chamber and gradually becomes tapering from the medicine chamber to the mouth of the gun.
The medicine chamber is an elliptical cavity, and there is a small hole in the chamber wall connected to the chamber, called the ignition hole.
A rectangular gunpowder slot is cast on the ignition hole, and a removable buckle cover is installed on the slot, called the fire door cover. After the gunpowder is filled, the fire door cover is closed.
Ensure that the gunpowder in the medicine chamber is not corroded by wind, rain, dust, and sand and remains dry and clean.
The tailpiece is hollow and is not connected to the medicine chamber. The mouth of the tailpiece is slightly larger and has a trumpet shape. It can be equipped with a wooden handle for hand-holding and use by a single soldier.
A reinforced hoop is cast on the front and rear of the medicine chamber, with hoops added along the edge and inscriptions engraved on the outer wall.
First, load the gunpowder into the medicine chamber through the mouth of the gun, then stuff it into the wooden horse. Then load the shotgun into the front chamber, use a match rope to ignite through the ignition hole, and ignite the gunpowder.
On the battlefield, a three-row firing method is used: the army places three rows of fire blunderbuss and magical arrows. When the elephant advances, the blunderbuss and arrows will be fired in the forward line. If they do not retreat, the next line will follow them; and they will not retreat. , three lines follow.
Agu looked at the imperial guard's demonstration with greed in his eyes.
During the Great Yuan Dynasty, the Mongols also used fire guns, but they were driven back to the grasslands and degraded crazily.
The main reason is that Mobei is short of iron and copper. Even if a fire gun is made, there is no saltpeter and gunpowder cannot be made.
In addition, the Mongols did not have a fixed city and no craftsmen to continuously supply production, so mass production was impossible.
The firearms in the hands of the Mongolian people on the battlefield were all smuggled from the Ming Dynasty. The Mongolian people also wanted to use fire blunderbuss to shoot at the Ming Dynasty, but their financial resources did not allow it. The smuggled firearms were too expensive.
But now, Ming is willing to sell firearms.
On the battlefield in the future, the Mongols will also hold fire cannons and shoot at the Ming people. When the time comes, how will the Ming people's city block the Mongolian cavalry?
Agu only had one thought left in his mind, buy it!
Buy whatever you want!
After returning from the shooting range, Agu wanted to visit the interior of the Ordnance Bureau.
was rejected by Zhu Qiyu.
"You don't know how to make guns, so what are you doing in there?"
Zhu Qiyu pointed to the nearby pavilion: "Go and sit."
"The foreign minister obeys the order!" Agu kowtowed.
He did learn the Ming Dynasty etiquette clearly.
Zhu Qiyu sat in the elegant seat of the pavilion, Ye Sheng stood beside him solemnly, and Agu knelt on the ground: "The foreign minister is willing to buy a fire gun."
"I brought you here just to sell it to you."
Zhu Qiyu smiled and said: "As long as the Tatars can afford the money and goods, Ming Dynasty will open up the supply."
"But they won't sell it until the Tatars retreat."
This one makes sense.
The emperor is not a pig. If he sells firearms to others, the city of Daning will be destroyed and the capital will be in danger of overthrowing.
Agu kowtowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, uncle, the Tatars are willing to devote everything to purchasing firecrackers. Can the price be lowered a little?"
Zhu Qiyu glanced at Ye Sheng.
The old boy was so cruel that he scraped 10% of the oil and water from Agu's hand.
Half of the money went to the household department, and the other half went to Ye Sheng himself.
Ye Sheng is righteous and awe-inspiring, and the old god is here.
The old minister was thinking, how should I spend this money?
"Don't talk about the price. We say it's for sale, but in fact I gave it to Tatar."
Zhu Qiyu smiled and said: "If the Ming Dynasty and the Tatars were not in the same boat, I would not have given the herdsmen firearms."
"Can I use animals to settle the settlement?" Agu looked full of hope.
Zhu Qiyu glanced at him: "If you continue to bargain, I will throw you into the shooting range as a target and kill you with one shot."
Agu's whole body tensed up.
The power of that fire gun can make a hole with one shot.
It can hurt to death.
I heard that Ming Dynasty had developed a new fire gun, so I sold the old fire gun that had been eliminated to them.
If we buy a few new fire blunderbuss and give them to Tatar craftsmen to develop, they might be able to imitate them.
Don't underestimate Mengren's craftsmanship.
When the Yuan Dynasty withdrew from the Central Plains, they kidnapped a large number of craftsmen. Although there were many casualties over the years, the technology was still preserved.
"Your Majesty, please give a new fire gun to the foreign minister." Agu kowtowed respectfully.
"Gift?" Zhu Qiyu emphasized his voice.
"Buy, the foreign minister is willing to buy!" Agu took the bait.
Zhu Qiyu said nothing.
"Your Majesty has said that everything in the Ming Dynasty has a price. As long as the foreign ministers can afford it, you will sell it to us."
"Are you irritating me?"
Zhu Qiyu sneered: "The price of the new fire gun is ridiculously high... Let's take him to the shooting range and let him see the power of the new fire gun."
"My slave obeys the order!" Wan Gong understood.
The emperor wanted the scraps to be sold to the Tatars.
He asked people from the Ordnance Bureau to demonstrate. The firecrackers were made by hand, and the people who made them knew more about firecrackers, so there shouldn't be any problems.
Wait for Agu to leave.
"Feng Xiao, copy down everything Agu said and send it to Daning to show Yu Qian. Quick!" Zhu Qiyu felt that Mandulu was cheating his death.
But he still left the decision-making power to Yu Qian.
"See Your Majesty!"
A talented craftsman was kneeling on the ground.
His name is Pei Mumutou. He was a carpenter in his early years. He is the best in making firewood holders.
Later he switched to gunpowder preparation.
It was he who led the people to produce the glazed lead.
What he made with his own hands was up to standard, but what his apprentices made was all unqualified.
The emperor punished me by eating pig food for a month. As of today, I have been eating pig food for eleven days.
"Pei Muotou, how does the pig food taste?" Zhu Qiyu squinted at him.
Rebuilding the Ordnance Bureau, the food is great.
Pei Mumu gained ten pounds, but in the past ten days, he has lost weight again.
He quickly kowtowed: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have eaten enough and I don't want to eat anymore."
"You won't eat if you don't want to? I can't punish you with my golden words?" Zhu Qiyu asked.
Pei Mutou quickly shook his head: "Your Majesty, Wei Chen didn't mean that. Wei Chen found a new ratio of gunpowder, which is twice as powerful as before!"
"Firegun?"
To adjust the gunpowder ratio, you have to increase the caliber and turn the firecracker into a rocket launcher.
"It's not a blunderbuss, it's for artillery."
Pei Mumu scratched his hair. He couldn't explain it, so he could only ask the emperor to see it with his own eyes.
"Waiting for the Tatars to leave, let me see what you said. If you really succeed in improving gunpowder, you will be able to make up for it and avoid pig food."
Pei Mumu swallowed his saliva: "Your Majesty, can you let me have some meat?"
"What a beautiful thought!"
Zhu Qiyu was not happy: "How much money did the glazed lead cost me? Can you make it back by eating a few pig meals?"
"I still want to eat meat. Wait until you improve the cannon or the musket, then you can think about eating meat again!"
Pei Mumu shrank his head in fear.
He lowered his head and dared not say a word.
"Is it really impossible to produce the glazed lead?" Zhu Qiyu felt unwilling.
"Back to Your Majesty, the glass is too brittle and can easily explode if not handled properly."
Pei Muotou whispered: "I also want to compensate the Emperor's grandfather for his loss, but my father-in-law Wan will not let me do it."
"What are you mumbling? Say it louder!" Zhu Qiyu didn't hear clearly.
Pei Mutou glanced at Wan Gong cautiously, gritted his teeth and said, "Grandpa Emperor, Wei Chen has an idea!"
His title caused great confusion.
Sometimes I, sometimes a minor minister, sometimes call the emperor your majesty, sometimes the emperor grandpa.
His father was a blacksmith who made armor in the War Bureau. When he was a child, he learned the carpentry trade from his master, and the family's blacksmith skills were passed on to his younger brother Pei Tietou.
Because of his superb carpentry skills, he was often assigned to work by the Ministry of Works, and Chen Xiang even considered taking on an apprenticeship.
As a result, he joined the Ordnance Bureau because he ate so well and heard from the craftsmen that the emperor valued the Ordnance Bureau.
He immediately gave up his carpentry job and switched to gunsmithing because he wanted to earn more money and have a house of concubines.
After working for a while, he discovered that the most popular person in the Ordnance Bureau was the master who prepared gunpowder.
The gunpowder master didn't know how to teach his craft to others, so he secretly learned it while working, and he actually learned it.
Such a genius, but he doesn’t know a word of Chinese characters.
I don’t even understand the worldly ways.
"Speak quickly if you have anything to say, you are like a girl!" Zhu Qiyu glared at him.
The emperor was full of foul language, but he was very fond of the craftsmen.
These craftsmen don't know a few words and have little knowledge. They only know how to make money and have concubines and have sons.
Tell them about poetry, books and etiquette, but they won't listen to a word.
Talk to them about women, and they will talk for twelve hours without saying anything different.
They are all bastards. If you talk to them and discuss things easily, you won't be able to suppress them.
Just scold them a few times and whip them a few times, and they will be happy with it.
"That's what I thought."
When Pei Muotou shared his idea, he became very excited: "Move the gun shaft to the front, clamp the match rope to the back, reduce the length by half, and cut off the part below the fixing nail."
"Add something to the chain, connect it to the wood after the chain, and attach something hookable to the back end of the wood!"
He made a finger-tickling gesture.
"Trigger?" Zhu Qiyu's eyes lit up. Isn't this a musket that pulled the trigger?
Pei Mutou kept nodding: "Yes, yes, that's right, just pull the trigger of the crossbow."
"When firing, just press the trigger, and the rear end of the wood will move up and the front end will go down, driving the link to pull the musket rod back and contact the medicine chamber."
"When the trigger is released, put something under the wood to push the front end of the rifling back to its original position, and the barrel will automatically return to its original position."
Pei Mumutou demonstrated while talking.
Isn’t this the principle of a musket?
"Is this what you want, or has it already been done?" Zhu Qiyu suppressed his excitement.
Before, he had been giving random orders and eagerly promoting the development of technology. As a result, it had become completely different. Instead, it was better to stand by and let the craftsmen use their talents.
Pei Mumu scratched his hair: "I did secretly make one, but after firing, it cannot be pushed back automatically. It needs to be pushed up manually."
Wan Gong's eyes turned cold. Did he steal materials and make his own cannon?
That is a great sin!
From the day the Ordnance Bureau was built, craftsmen were not allowed to make private muskets. Is this Pei Mumu tired of living?
"Show it to me!" Zhu Qiyu didn't pay attention to this detail.
Pei Mutou ran back to the dormitory to get it.
In order to facilitate management, the craftsmen's families all live in the courtyard. Craftsmen are not allowed to enter or leave the Arms Bureau. They need special approval from the eunuch Wan Gong.
Zhu Qiyu looked at Wan Gong.
Wan Gong knelt on the ground with a thud: "Your Majesty, this servant is not stopping him, but he did something wrong before and lost a lot of money. I just want him to calm down, do things well, and want to do a better job for Your Majesty." Effectiveness.”
He didn't say it was Pei Mutou's fault that he made the gun privately.
Because he could see that the emperor was very moved, so he would punish him after the emperor left. This trend must not be encouraged.
There is no rule without rules. What if the craftsmen secretly make their own guns and assassinate the king?
Who can afford this responsibility?
"When I established the Ordnance Bureau, I said, let the craftsmen innovate and develop."
"So what if I lose?"
"Success is summed up from countless failures."
Zhu Qiyu's eyes flickered: "I'll let you go this time, but there won't be a next time. Do you understand?"
"I know my crime! I know my crime!"
Wan Gong kept kowtowing, his face dripping with cold sweat.
At this time, Agu came back from the shooting range. When he saw this scene, he did not dare to ask any more questions. He knelt on the ground respectfully: "Your Majesty, the new gun is so powerful and has a far range that foreign ministers have never seen before."
Originally, Agu was thinking that instead of selling iron, Duoduo would buy firecrackers.
As a result, I finished watching New Guns.
He knew how ridiculous he was.
No wonder the emperor wants to sell them old fire guns.
As long as the Ming army was equipped with new fire muskets, when the Tatars rushed forward stupidly, they were just about to raise the muskets, but before they entered the attack range, the Ming army would use the new muskets to shoot at them, and very few would survive.
This firecracker bought a loneliness.
Moreover, the new blunderbuss can be used in rainy days. Once the Ming army chooses to attack the camp on rainy days, the fire blunderbuss in their hands are like fire sticks, which are not as effective as bows and crossbows.
Agu was convinced.
No wonder the emperor is willing to sell firearms. Their new firearms are very powerful.
If the Tatars bought an old fire blunderbuss, they would be leeks.
Give away money and give away people's heads.
"The new gun is indeed stronger, but the old fire gun is also very strong. There are still some stocks in the capital's warehouse. You can just take the money and take them away."
Zhu Qiyu said nothing about the new gun.
Agu gritted his teeth and said: "Your Majesty, the foreign minister is willing to buy new guns!"
"You can't afford it, so stop being brave."
Zhu Qiyu shook his head resolutely: "Moreover, this new gun requires a very high level of operation. You Tatars can't even use the old gun, so how can you use the new gun?"
"Listen to me and buy a gun."
When the old gun is compared with the new gun, the old gun must be thrown away.
That thing was taken to the battlefield and was swept away by the Ming army. Why spend money on IQ tax?
"The foreign minister still wants to buy a new gun, please ask your Majesty to give a price." Agu was very stubborn.
"You are the only one left in the mission. I'm afraid you can't make the decision. Go back to Daning and discuss it with your master. Anyway, the old and new guns are here and they can't escape."
According to the emperor's wishes, he is unwilling to sell new guns.
That's right, the new gun is a weapon on the battlefield. After it is equipped with the Ming army, its power will be greatly enhanced. The old gun he bought back will become a fire stick.
Agu made up his mind to buy a new gun.
Even if you smash the pot and sell the iron, you can buy it.
The Tatars are rich. Those nobles have been robbing them for hundreds of years. Their families have mountains of gold and silver. Even if they don't, they still have cattle and sheep all over the mountains and fields, which is wealth.
"That's it for today, please step back." Zhu Qiyu was too lazy to talk nonsense.
Agu glanced at Ye Sheng.
Old God Ye Sheng is here.
Agu was in great pain. The old man wanted to kill him again.
"My foreign minister bids farewell to Your Majesty." Agu bowed respectfully and then reluctantly retreated.
"Took the bait!" Ye Sheng smiled.
"After the Mongols returned to Mobei, their military, political, economic, and ideological conditions all deteriorated."
Zhu Qiyu smiled and said: "To put it bluntly, even smart people have limitations and it is easy to deceive."
"Ye Sheng, you are good at business."
"This is not derogatory, I will make great use of you."
Ye Sheng's eyes shone brightly. When he became an official, he wanted to be a great minister.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compliment!" Ye Sheng kowtowed to the ground.
At this time, Pei Mumutou came over with a firecracker.
Feng Xiao rushed over and blocked Pei Mutou from the attack range of the fire gun.
Pei Mumutou realized later and knelt on the ground. After being inspected by Feng Xiao, he personally handed the gun to the emperor.
This is a musket.
The gun can be held with both hands, and the distance the hand moves when firing is shorter, which helps with aiming.
"Your Majesty, there is something missing here. I have not thought about what I should use to boost the launch and bounce back."
"Spring piece!" Zhu Qiyu immediately thought of this thing.
"What is a spring?" Pei Mumu looked at the blacksmith Zhang Xiaoliu in confusion.
His family was a blacksmith, and he had never heard of a spring.
"Try it with a copper piece." Zhu Qiyu didn't explain.
"oh."
Pei Muotou thought, he would punch a copper piece and stuff it in to try.
Just put the match rope on the blunderbuss rod, and then move the blunderbuss rod to the ready position. Press the trigger lightly to release the copper piece, and the elastic force will press the blunderbuss rod into the medicine chamber.
"Exquisitely done!"
A smile appeared on Zhu Qiyu's face. He held up the gun and said, "The Arms Bureau is talking about innovation."
“Build on the shoulders of our predecessors and bring forth the new!”
"Instead of being complacent!"
"How can innovation be achieved overnight? You have to go through countless failures before you can succeed!"
"I told you before, I can afford to wait, and I am willing to give you the opportunity to display your talents!"
“So, don’t be afraid of failure, and tirelessly pursue innovation and change!”
"Pei Muotou, I'll reward you with a meal of meat!"
Zhu Qiyu was in a happy mood.
"I thank Grandpa Huang for his kindness!" Pei Mumu was so excited that he couldn't control himself.
Zhu Qiyu glanced at him: "After you go back, you will think about this spring leaf. If you successfully develop it, you will report to the palace."
Pei Mumu kept nodding.
The firearms of the Ming Dynasty have stalled since Yongle.
Because the court no longer wanted to fight, it stopped innovating.
Now, he governs and he wants to fight wars.
Ming people will never stop developing and innovating.
"Let's go to the shooting range to see the new gunpowder you developed." Zhu Qiyu felt that Pei Mutou was an innovative talent.
Outside the shooting range, build a high platform.
The high platform can overlook the entire Ordnance Bureau. At this height and distance, cannons cannot hit it.
Zhu Qiyu ascended the high platform.
Pei Mutou demonstrated in person, the cannon exploded and the soil flew up.
Zhu Qiyu looked at Ye Sheng.
Ye Sheng smiled bitterly: "Wei Chen doesn't understand firearms."
I don’t understand either.
"Wan Gong, has the power increased?" Zhu Qiyu asked.
"Back to your lord, the power has more than doubled."
Wan Gong replied: "But there are also disadvantages. The gunpowder projectiles become larger and difficult to fill."
"And after firing a few shots, the barrel temperature was too high and needed to be cooled down for use."
"It still needs to be dismantled and piped out."
There are disadvantages, but the power is increased.
"Yes, I'll reward Pei Mumu with a bronze talisman. His fire gun is well made, and the gunpowder ratio is also well adjusted."
Zhu Qiyu smiled and said: "Wan Gong, talents like this need to be promoted more. He does things a little out of the ordinary and tolerates it as long as he can. Such a genius is rare to see in a thousand years."
"but."
“It’s not just geniuses who support the development of Daming firearms.”
"Even those ordinary craftsmen."
"Wan Gong, if you manage them well, it will be a great achievement."
"I will ask Guanglu Temple to bring back the original food."
"My slave, thank you for your grace!" Wan Gong kept kowtowing.
Said a few more words.
Zhu Qiyu returned to the palace.
Entering the Qianqing Palace, he began to deal with the memorials.
"Go back to your Majesty, the Ministry of Works just came to report that all the wood and stone in the warehouse have been used up, and the Qinzheng Palace is being built." Feng Xiao came in carefully to report.
Zhu Qiyu frowned: "Used it? How much money has been used?"
"Reporting to the emperor, the palace planner recorded that 1.7 million taels of silver were used. This does not include the wood donated by Yunnan and Liaodong."
"So many?" Zhu Qiyu raised his head.
Feng Xiao was too frightened to look at the emperor's expression.
The emperor is very picky, and he knows best.
This time, 1.7 million taels of silver were spent, just to repair the burned down hall, not counting the newly built Qinzheng Hall.
"Announce Shi Pu, Kuai Xiang, and Chen Xiang together." Zhu Qiyu felt distressed.
How good it would be to use this much money in the military!
Zhu Qizhen burned 1.7 million taels of silver in just one beating!
Burn him dry and sell the oil, and you won't even get a small change!
When he saw Feng Xiao still not leaving, he immediately frowned: "What else is there to worry about? Let's talk about it all!"
"Your Majesty, we don't have enough money to build the Hundred Princes' Palace."
"How much cash is there in the palace?" Zhu Qiyu asked.
"Going back to your Majesty, I've run out of cash. I do have some jewelry and antiques, but the prices on the market are too low now, so I can't pawn them off."
Huo!
Zhu Qiyu stood up suddenly: "The more than 10 million taels of silver in the house are all gone?"
"At the end of the month, the patrol camp escorted the five hundred thousand taels into the treasury, as well as the silver sent in from the Capital Guild Hall."
"All gone?"
Zhu Qiyu was in disbelief.
Feng Xiao was too frightened to look up.
It's your fault for being so lavish. This income item is returned to the household department, and that income item is eliminated. People who throw money here and there can't do it so quickly.
"Go back to your Majesty, I only have 6.8 million taels of silver in cash."
"That's too much money! It's only been a few months, and it cost more than six million taels?" Zhu Qiyu was furious.
Feng Xiao decided for him one by one.
The money was really spent wisely, and there was no frivolous spending.
"Send Dong Cixuan here and see if the Royal Commercial Bank can make some progress." Zhu Qiyu's face was full of dejection.
I really blame him for removing banknotes in many places.
First cut off the Huangdian and Huangzhuang, and then abolish the banknotes. There will be no internal funds.
The dirty fine money from various places is kept in the local area and used for local construction.
Isn’t the internal money empty?
Zhu Qiyu's mouth was filled with bitterness.
The money that makes you rich overnight can come easy and go bad quickly. The ancients did not deceive me.
At this time, Shi Pu came in.
Shi Pu had beads of sweat on his face and gray stains on his body, obviously from the construction site.
Kuai Xiang and Chen Xiang were both in poor health and kept coughing.
"Are you two sick?" Zhu Qiyu looked at them.
"Your Majesty, I am old and my bones are useless. I stayed at the construction site all night, caught a cold and just coughed a little. It's nothing serious." Kuai Xiang kowtowed and reported back.
"Let the imperial doctor take a look at it for you. Minor illnesses can be cured, and you can live a good life for me."
Kuai Xiang and Chen Xiang were moved.
"Old Minister, have you run out of money?" Zhu Qiyu asked.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Cining Palace, Renshou Palace, Wenhua Palace, and Imperial Pharmacy have all been repaired."
Shi Pu knelt on the ground and said solemnly: "We also built Ciqing Palace in front of Renshou Palace, repaired Donghua Gate, Huiyin Gate, and Fengtian Gate, and built a row of military aircraft offices under Fengtian Gate."
"Nowadays, Chongxian Hall and Qinzheng Hall are being built on both sides of Qianqing Palace."
"And after the Holy Mother respectfully invited you back to Renshou Palace, you wanted to build the Zhongzheng Hall next to Xian'an Palace to worship Buddha and Taoism."
Zhu Qiyu felt dizzy when he heard this.
Yes, these are all added by him later.
The main hall was built to naturalize Duogan and Wushen.
"To worship Buddha and Taoism, let's use the big Buddhist hall in Cining Palace. The Zhongzheng Hall will not be built for the time being."
Zhu Qiyu said: "But Qinzheng Hall and Chongxian Hall need to be built. How much do you think it will cost?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I need 170,000 taels of silver."
"So many?" Zhu Qiyu was surprised.
Qinzheng Hall and Chongxian Hall are small halls, not splendid halls. How could so much money be spent?
Shi Pu's face was full of bitterness: "Your Majesty, it really didn't cost so much money originally, but now it does require so much money to build it."
"Don't beat around the bush, just tell the truth." Zhu Qiyu was impatient.
"Your Majesty, most of this money is used to pay the laborers."
Zhu Qiyu stopped talking.
Originally, the husbands were not paid, but were part of the corvee service, and the people in Gyeonggi Province were obliged to bear it.
But the emperor was soft-hearted and wanted to make some money for the people, so he gave each person three copper coins a day. In order to make progress, he recruited more than 200,000 strong men at many times, which required a huge amount of money every day.
Strong men need to eat, and the money for the food is borne by Guanglu Temple. In fact, it is still money spent from internal funds.
The reason why the repairs were carried out so quickly was because we spent money to recruit people and recruited enough strong men, and the strong men were highly motivated.
In fact, when they heard that there was money to be made from repairing the palace, people from nearby areas flocked to the capital.
Originally, according to Kuai Xiang's plan, it would take three years to complete the renovation.
But the emperor was rich, so he spent a lot of money, and most of the work was completed within six months. The remaining odd jobs were basically completed within two months.
"Only two million taels of silver were spent on repairing the Forbidden City?"
Zhu Qiyu’s flesh hurts!
For the sake of royal style, it is necessary to maintain such a large Forbidden City. No amount of wealth is enough to be so defeated!
"With this much money, how many armies can you support?"
Zhu Qiyu felt very distressed: "How many Tatars and Mobei can we fight?"
Kuai Xiang and Chen Xiang did not dare to speak.
Shi Pu said: "Your Majesty, there is also a good side. The people of Gyeonggi Province are living a prosperous life."
"How do you say it?" Zhu Qiyu said.
"Your Majesty, everyone who comes to work will receive three copper coins. This is more income than in previous years. The progress in people's lives is visible to the naked eye."
This is true.
In fact, it is to build infrastructure and turn the country's money into people's money.
Rely on infrastructure and slowly recover the capital.
But the Forbidden City completely lost money and was left to the emperor to live alone.
You have to find a way to make a profit.
Keeping losing money is not an option.
It’s also not in line with Zhu Qiyu’s character, he has to make money.
"Continue to pay wages, and I will find a way to raise money." Zhu Qiyu's eyes were deep, and it would be impossible if he had no money.
The emperor without money is the last emperor.
Moreover, as long as this wage is opened, it must be maintained throughout, otherwise what will the people think?
More than 200,000 people gathered, and they could smash the Forbidden City with a hoe!
Besides, Zhu Qiyu also wanted the people to live a good life, so he didn't feel bad about spending the money.
"Your Majesty, the palace building also said that the main reason is that the burden of the Hundred Princes' Palace is too heavy."
"You want to build your house to be extremely luxurious, and you will be burning money every day."
Shi Pu's face was full of bitterness and he complained endlessly: "Your Majesty, I have urged Yunnan several times, but in the end, Yunnan cannot find suitable nanmu..."
"Wait, what are you talking about?" Zhu Qiyu interrupted him.
"Nanmu, nanmu is used in the palace construction. The large trees are up to six or seven feet long and one foot, six or seven feet in circumference. Some are even rounder and thicker..." Shi Pu said matter-of-factly.
"Shi Pu, are you really stupid or pretending to be stupid?"
Zhu Qiyu was angry: "What kind of nanmu did you use for those princes?"
"Phoebe is resistant to decay and will last for hundreds of years..." Shi Pu didn't understand.
"Old Shangshu, old Shangshu, get up first!"
Zhu Qiyu was amused by him. He had never seen such an honest person.
He helped him up and said, "Let me explain to you, why are we holding the kings in the capital?"
"Rejuvenate the place, free it from exploitation by kings, and make the people rich."
"I said that the palaces of the kings should be built in an extremely luxurious manner, but I did not say that they must be built according to the regulations of the ten princes' palaces."
"There isn't much nanmu in stock. Wouldn't it be nice to donate it and keep it to build the main hall in the palace?"
"Those royal palaces use poplar, willow, fir and other random woods to fool around with."
"As long as it looks extremely luxurious on the surface, they don't understand the materials used. If you say it's nanmu, it's nanmu."
"They can't take apart the golden pillar, examine it, and then come to me to complain, right?"
"Even if you file a lawsuit, I will be the referee. Whatever I say is wood, it will be that wood."
"Old Minister, you are too honest."
Shi Pu's mouth opened wide, aren't you lying?
The emperor led him to the path of unscrupulous developers.
People these days are too simple and take everything seriously, so they have to learn to be flexible.
"With five hundred thousand taels, can we build the Hundred Prince's Mansion?" Zhu Qiyu asked.
"Your Majesty, this is too little!" Shi Pu quoted more than 1.2 million taels.
"Old Minister, you can think of a way, as long as it looks luxurious."
Zhu Qiyu said: "Then why build a foundation of thirty feet? Seven or eight feet is enough."
"What if it collapses..."
"As long as they live in it, they can only blame themselves for the collapse. What does it have to do with the Ministry of Industry?" Zhu Qiyu looked innocent.
Understood!
Shi Pu understood that the emperor wished that all the palaces of the hundred princes would collapse and kill all the kings. No matter what, they would all be disabled.
"Fifty thousand taels, including the generals' offices at all levels, will all come from this money."
Reduced again?
You might as well forget about building a foundation and just build a house on it, and it will collapse in a strong wind.
It just happened to be on your mind.
"Old Minister, do you have any questions?" Zhu Qiyu asked with a smile.
"no no."
Shi Pu didn't dare to do it either: "Then Qinzheng Palace..."
"I live here, how dare you cut corners?" Zhu Qiyu's eyes turned cold.
Plop!
Shi Pu knelt on the ground: "That's not what I mean. What I mean is, can I use the wood cut from the Baiwang Mansion?"
"Your Majesty, those are the finest nanmu."
Shi Pu quickly added, worried that the emperor would think too much.
"That's okay."
Zhu Qiyu said calmly: "Every brick in the Forbidden City must be engraved with the name of the brickmaker and builder, and every piece of wood must have a name."
"If something goes wrong, all clan members will be killed."
"Understand?"
Shi Pu immediately kowtowed: "Your Majesty is the most noble in the world, I will never make any mistakes."
Zhu Qiyu glanced at him and said quietly: "Get up."
"Old Minister, sometimes you have to know how to turn around."
"There is not an unlimited supply of internal funds. You must also learn to save some money for me."
Shi Pu just got up and knelt on the ground again: "I know."
The emperor complained that he spent too much.
He felt aggrieved because you asked me to open my flower before, but now you blame me.
"Before winter comes, the palace must be completed."
"I obey the order."
Send Shi Pu and others away.
Dong Ci entered the palace cautiously: "My slave, please pay your respects to your Majesty!"
Zhu Qiyu asked him how the Royal Commercial Bank was doing?
"Reporting to your majesty, the woolen fabric has taken shape."
Dong Ci looked excited: "Wool can indeed be spun into thread, but it is still rough and pricks your hands. The slaves are sending people to use materials to soften it."
"But the poor have cheap skins, so just keep warm. There's not much fuss."
"As for how to weave ready-made clothes, I don't know."
"But the weavers are very skillful, so I gave the yarn balls to the weavers and promised them a lot of profit, so they could go home and study it."
"I believe it won't take long before we can successfully weave it."
When Zhu Qiyu heard this, a smile appeared on his face: "What is the cost?"
"It's very low. The wool is ignored. The loom was modified by the company itself, and the weavers are also our own. There is no cost." Dong Ci reported back.
Zhu Qiyu stood up and said: "As long as ready-made clothes are woven, people will be able to afford sweaters to keep out the cold."
"Deserves a reward!"
"The craftsman who modified the loom and weaved the thread will be given a bronze talisman! Allow one of his sons to take part in the imperial examination!"
"From now on, no matter what thing is invented first, we will be rewarded according to these regulations."
"Dong Ci, you have done a good job. You must keep up your efforts and continue to develop looms to improve efficiency and reduce costs."
"Making money is the second priority for the Royal Commercial Bank. Leading the trend of merchants is the first priority!"
Zhu Qiyu actually regarded the Royal Commercial Bank as a scientific research institute.
"My slave obeys the order!" Dong Ci kowtowed.
"I asked you to come here because I want to ask how much money is on the bank's books?"
"ah?"
Dong Ci was stunned: "Back to the emperor, all the money on the books has been used by the slaves to expand the business. There is almost no cash on the books."
Zhu Qiyu's face darkened.
Then where should I lend a sum of money?
"Then do you know who is willing to take over the antiques?" Zhu Qiyu reluctantly gave up.
"Did the Emperor encounter difficulties?" Dong Ci asked in a low voice.
"It's nothing. There are some jewelry and antiques stored in the fund. I want to sell some of them, but I can't find a suitable buyer."
Zhu Qiyu will not say that he has no money.
"Spring is approaching, calligraphy, painting and antiques are popular in Beijing. Many students have extremely rich families and spend a lot of money. If the calligraphy and painting are valued, they are willing to pay any amount of money."
Yes!
There are fat sheep in Beijing!
The corners of Zhu Qiyu's lips raised: "This is a good idea. I plan to hold a poetry party and invite some students to appreciate calligraphy and painting."
"Your Majesty, this servant can come forward on your behalf." Dong Ci would not let go of the Emperor's opportunity.
"No need. Those rich students must be drunk and dreaming in the guild hall. It will be done in the guild hall. I will go and see for myself when the time comes."
Dong Ci was shocked. The emperor's leaving the palace was accompanied by danger.
"It doesn't matter, I won't show up. Besides, it's the factory guard's territory. Nothing can go wrong." Zhu Qiyu said with a smile.
Dong Ci kowtowed.
After talking about some issues with paper and paint, Dong Ci was released from the palace.
"Feng Xiao, go get Jin Zhongxuan."
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Jin left the capital in surprise." Feng Xiao reminded.
Zhu Qiyu slapped his forehead: "I forgot, who is in charge of the guild hall now?"
"Reporting to your Majesty, I am the Guan Yao of Qianhu, Jin Yiwei."
Zhu Qiyu said: "Declarate him to enter the palace."
"I want to hold a poetry party in the guild hall. I will go to the treasury to get some calligraphy and paintings and give them to him to make it more lively."
"Don't sell it yet, hold more shows and attract the attention of literati."
"Sell slowly."
Feng Xiao understood that building momentum first was a very common method among businessmen.
Find a few more agents to drive up prices.
The emperor also worked hard to make money.
"But Your Majesty, how much money can you make like that?" Feng Xiao smiled bitterly.
The Ministry of Industry has a shortfall of 700,000 taels of silver. How much can you make by selling some calligraphy and paintings?
"Don't worry, the calligraphy and painting will appear slowly."
"The guild hall can rely on poetry gatherings to accumulate reputation and make a lot of money."
"There is also a patrol camp that sends money into the internal fund every month."
"There is indeed a shortage of money."
"But I can still hold on for a while."
Zhu Qiyu said slowly.
Feng Xiao wondered, this was not in line with the emperor's temperament.
The emperor is impatient and wants to do everything at his fingertips. Why is he not in a hurry this time?
etc!
Calligraphy, painting, literati!
The emperor used calligraphy and painting to catch those silly fish from the south of the Yangtze River.
This time the fun is coming.
Zhu Qiyu glanced at Feng Xiaole: "I may pay a private visit incognito, but you'd better be safe then."
"Your Majesty, is it too dangerous for you to leave the palace?" Feng Xiao was not at ease.
"I have to go out of the palace to take a look."
Zhu Qiyu sighed: "They say there is prosperity outside the palace. I want to see it with my own eyes."
"How are the seedlings in the people's fields doing?"
"How are people living?"
"I should know."
"So I only trust you. You choose guards for me and add more guards. I won't speak or show my face. It should be fine."
Zhu Qiyu couldn't help but want to leave the palace.
Of course, before leaving the palace, he had to have the factory guards clean him in Beijing.
Shu Liang happened to be in Beijing, so he asked him to finish and leave.
"Tell Shu Liang that I may leave the palace incognito and let him clear the way." Zhu Qiyu's eyes flickered.
"My slave obeys the order!"
Zhu Qiyu continued to deal with the memorial.
In the evening, he did not order his concubines to sleep with him.
Hu Hui suggested that he take it once every seven to ten days, and he followed the doctor's advice and slept.
…
And at this time.
Inside Daning City.
Yu Qian frowned as he looked at the news coming from the palace.
"Hu Wei, what do you think?" Yu Qian showed it to Hu Wei.
Yu Qian admired Hu Xi very much.
Hu Xiujian's eccentric thinking and out-of-the-box thinking complement him perfectly.
Although Hu Wei disdained him in his heart, he at least pretended to do so on the surface. Yu Qian saw it all, and he admired this young man's arrogance.
"Back to the Taibao, my subordinates thought Mantulu had faked his death!" Hu Xiu was very sure.
After Hu Xi finished reading it, he handed it to Yu Kang to read.
The last thing we looked at was Qi Zhuo, the admiral eunuch.
Logically speaking, Qi Zhuo should be the first to see it, but Qi Zhuo followed Yu Qian out of the capital and was completely invisible along the way. He was completely transparent.
He never interfered with any of Yu Qian's decisions, nor frequently reported to the emperor, as if the palace trusted Qian extremely.
"Yukang, what do you think?"
"Come back to the commander, I thought he was cheating his death!" Yu Kang spoke concisely and to the point.
After months of experience, he has become much more mature.
Qi Zhuo also nodded in agreement.
The corners of Yu Qian's lips raised: "Meng people can also play tricks, but it's a pity that I met a more clever majesty."
"Mandu Lu faked his death. He wanted His Majesty to be eager for quick success, so he forced me to go out of the city to fight in the field."
"But he didn't expect that instead of issuing an edict, His Majesty also told me in the repercussions that all combat opportunities are under my control!"
"Your Majesty has such trust, I can only repay your kindness with a great victory!"
Yu Qian was really moved.
The emperor wrote in his own handwriting on the recital: Regardless of victory or defeat, I will protect the capital, and the Taibao will do whatever they want.
This shows the autonomy given to him by the emperor.
When leading troops in a war, what they fear most is the boss's dictation.
The emperor not only delegated power but also gave him support. Even if he was defeated, he would personally guard the capital and would never blame Yu Qian.
Yu Qian was extremely moved by this ambition.
"What does Taibao mean?" Hu Xiu was surprised.
"Use the trick to your advantage."
Yu Qian stroked and laughed: "Man Du Lu is just a reckless husband. The first assistant taught him to use the plan."
Hu Yan and Yu Kang looked at each other, and were puzzled.
Manu Lu was deceived, and his strength was not damaged.
What if the Kaicheng field battle, isn't it full of capital?
Two sheep! I said that I am so tired these days. My brain is drowsy, my body is weak, and I have a little enthusiast. I didn't care. I thought it was sleepy. I slept every day and my brain was messy. This afternoon was stunned, thinking that it was a fever, but the result was accurate, sheep. I took the medicine today, I am in my spirit, and I will persist in updating. The readers are at ease and make up for the words owed yesterday! I hope everyone is healthy and healthy, no sheep, uncomfortable!
(End of chapter)
