Charles II therefore said: "What you said is very good! We should do this!"
He really wants to believe that his Great Britain can catch up with Ming and become the new overlord of the earth!
James, Duke of York, was doubtful and smiled slightly.
"Now all the countries in the mainland are learning from the Ming Dynasty in the East and sending students abroad. Your Majesty the King, I think we should also try to completely open the door to trade with the Ming Dynasty and send students to the Ming Dynasty so that we can have a better understanding. Ming Dynasty."
James suggested at this time.
"inappropriate!"
Xu Qianxue hurriedly objected, saying: "If we trade with the Ming Dynasty, our market will be completely occupied by the Ming Dynasty, and our goods will be unsalable, and there will be a popular uprising! What's more, the Ming Dynasty has always been good at instigating people to rebel. Once If this is the case, the peasants in our British Empire who have lost their fields due to land enclosure will inevitably become rioters, and if this is the case, our British Empire will eventually be destroyed!"
After hearing this, Charles II felt that it was reasonable and said: "Now is not the time. When Great Britain can compete with the Ming Dynasty in terms of technology and industry, it will not be too late to do business with the Ming Dynasty."
James couldn't say anything else.
"Now let's go to the gun factory! Although Qian Xue is right, if Great Britain wants to be as strong as the Ming Dynasty, it must implement benevolent government, introduce Eastern Confucianism, and teach Zhou etiquette, but the benefits of these weapons must not be ignored."
At this time, Charles II walked towards the firearms factory directly operated by the royal family, not far from the spinning mill.
"Yes! However, the most authentic Confucianism should be Neo-Confucianism, especially Zhu Xi's theory is the most superior, which can be called the three flavors..."
Xu Qianxue took advantage of this and continued to instill Zhu Cheng's Neo-Confucianism into Charles II with his already proficient English along the way.
Charles II was not bored. For a secular king, he was very willing to accept this kind of knowledge that emphasized loyalty, filial piety and hierarchy. He even felt that it was the thought that he lacked most in Britain. What's more, because of the strong national power of the Ming Dynasty, he subjectively Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism looked at it differently because it came from the East.
"We tried to imitate the rifled guns from the Japanese country. We could even make the rifling better than theirs, but it was very laborious, and this kind of gun had very high requirements on the barrel, so the cost of the whole gun was very high. , and the manufacturing time is much longer than that of a flintlock gun. We don’t know how the Ming Dynasty managed to get everyone in Japan to install this gun.”
Hejieming, who was in charge of gun manufacturing, reported to Charles II.
Charles II looked at Xu Qianxue: "Do you know?"
"It must be due to the different smelting technology. It is estimated that the Ming Dynasty can produce better steel and it is more efficient."
Xu Qianxue said.
He had to admit that with the terrible productivity shown after the emergence of the steam engine, people all over the world could no longer despise natural science.
As a result, he, a Confucian scholar, had to change his attitude, and seriously learned some natural science knowledge in his stomach during the Ming Dynasty.
"The count is right. We are also trying to improve our smelting process. Although we have made some progress, we still cannot significantly reduce the cost of rifled guns."
Hejieming replied at this time.
"This matter should not be rushed. It is just like learning, it must be done gradually."
Xu Qianxue said something again at this time.
Everyone nodded.
Charles II, on the other hand, was a little eager for success, so he asked Xu Qianxue: "How long will it take for this to happen? Will it be able to surpass the Ming Dynasty within ten years and at least defeat Japan and Korea, or will it take a generation?"
"If His Majesty the King implements benevolent government, it may be possible to get twice the result with half the effort. My son-in-law has long said that benevolent government is the way, and improving skills is just a technique, a final skill, a miraculous skill, an icing on the cake, not the foundation of governing the country! As long as you are willing Implementing benevolent government and treating virtuous officers with courtesy will naturally come naturally, such as smelting steel. If a master craftsman from the Ming Dynasty is familiar with the smelting skills, knowing that you treat virtuous officers with courtesy, be kind and caring for the people, he will definitely be willing to join your service! Be your minister!"
Xu Qianxue continued to take this opportunity to promote his Confucian thoughts.
After hearing this, Charles II had an idea and asked: "You mean if this king is benevolent and sends people to bribe the great craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty, he can easily succeed."
"Exactly this!"
Xu Qianxue replied.
Charles II nodded: "Okay! I will be what you call a benevolent master! You will be responsible for finding a way to bribe several Ming Dynasty masters to come to our country. One is to use your connections in the Ming Dynasty, and the other is to use your connections in the Ming Dynasty. Then you also tell them about my king’s ambition to implement benevolent government.”
"As you command!"
Xu Qianxue replied.
…
"In the past, the kings who governed the country only wanted to ensure the peace of the people and the country. Since the people did not mourn or die hungry, the country would be able to enjoy long-term peace and stability. I don't think so. People's desires are constantly increasing, and those who govern the country must follow suit. As the people's needs increase, the court can provide them with more resources. Secondly, the longer the world is peaceful, the more the population will increase. We cannot just let the predecessors be fed, regardless of whether the descendants are hungry or not, so , the rulers of the country must also enable the court to provide them with more resources as the number of people increases."
"There are only two ways for the imperial court to increase resources. One is to take resources from other countries and use others' water to irrigate its own fields; the other is to develop science and technology so that the output of one acre today is better than yesterday! The former is technology, and the latter is That’s right, resources will always be exhausted or cannot be seized, but this technology is endless, so it is the foundation of country governance.”
The capital of the Ming Dynasty in the same time and space.
Zhu Youzheng expressed his emphasis on scientific and technological research and development to his ministers in the political hall.
"What your Majesty said is true. However, there is a problem here, that is, how to deal with academics who have made significant scientific and technological contributions when they commit crimes, even heinous crimes. Even if they are inappropriate, they should be punished with death. , and thus have an impact on the development of science and technology?”
Wen Tiren suddenly asked at this time.
Then, Wen Tiren looked at the other ministers: "We must pay attention to this! In the current events of pacifying Japan, Korea, and Annan, we have found several cases where foreigners bribed our Ming Dynasty scientific research and stole some materials without the permission of the court. Although the skills and knowledge disclosed to the outside world are not very important top-secret skills and knowledge! But this phenomenon also reminds us that we must guard against this, especially as our Ming Dynasty scientific research is increasing."
"It seems that if this person is executed, it will be a loss to the entire country and mankind. After all, its value in science and technology is immeasurable, and His Majesty has already given instructions in advance. Those in power should put the interests of China first, and then worry about the world. Now, whether from China or the world, it seems that scientists should not be put to death, even if they have committed heinous crimes!"
Zhang Tongchang said at this time.
"Is it just because of its own importance to the value of China and the world that it is given preferential treatment? In this case, where does the imperial outline and national law belong?! If there is no Zhang Butcher, it is just a pig with hair, I think it is inappropriate!"
Lu Xiangsheng objected.
