Since it was related to the Braid Offensive and the military situation was urgent, it would take at least two days to send a message by fast horse. Therefore, even if there was no return at all, a certain prince had to pay for the communication line to be built as soon as possible even if there was no return at all.
These 300,000 taels of silver were regarded as a meeting gift for Wang Zaijin. Wired telegraphy could not compare with wireless telegraphy, but it was an epoch-making product after all. It could achieve the super effect of transmitting information in real time. Both the sending and receiving ends could know each other's situation at any time.
If we start from next month to form a research and development team, to manufacture qualified transceivers and cables, and then to lay the entire cable, it will be done quickly and slowly. If it is fast, it will not be until the end of next year, or even the end of the year after that.
The total research and development period and construction period will not be less than eighteen months, especially laying submarine lines, which will be very troublesome. A certain prince did not dare to lay a land route. Once he was informed by the pigtails, he would dig three feet into the ground and cut it off.
Therefore, the water line is the obvious choice. The canal line from Beijing to Tianjin is a canal line, and the section from Tianjin to Shanhaiguan is an undersea line. If it can be fished out and cut off by pigtails, then a certain prince will directly recognize it. Planted.
The late Ming Dynasty basically had the ability to manufacture cables because it was not too difficult to collect raw materials. The materials of cables from the inside to the outside were copper wire, rubber, asphalt, and hemp.
Copper needs to be drawn, and without the help of machines, it all depends on the skills of the craftsmen. As long as there are enough people, the coders can make up for the output of the machines. There is no other reason for Mingming, but there are too many people.
There is no requirement to be very uniform in the early stage, just something like that will do. It is mainly used to transmit current, and it is not for the sake of good looks. It is enough to organize manpower to develop a machine for drawing wire.
Rubber needs to be imported from the Malay Peninsula or India, which is more troublesome. If Zheng Laofi trades spirits, sugar, etc., he might be able to buy some from the Dutch or Spanish.
If it doesn't work, just buy it with real money. In short, no matter what method you use, you must buy enough. If you can't buy it, just grab it. No matter how much Mr. Zheng grabs, the court will eat it.
For asphalt, we have to rely on the Yanchang Oilfield in Zuomaodi. The capital already has the ready goods from there, but they are all discarded in the warehouse, because except for using this bubbling smelly oil to water the enemy when defending the city, there is no need to use it at all. I don't know what else it is useful for.
If the mining intensity is increased, the output of asphalt will not only be enough to make cable casings, but the extra part can also be used to pave roads. Flat asphalt roads are more suitable for various vehicles than stone roads or dirt roads.
Linen is the easiest thing to obtain among the raw materials. The Yunnan Mu Palace will pay tribute to the emperor every year with a batch of high-quality products. They are also sold in the market. Firstly, they are used for medicinal purposes. Secondly, they are used to make linen cloth. The third function is It’s about extracting oil.
This plant is divided into fiber and edible versions. Not all hemp can extract hallucinations, and it cannot be generalized.
Otherwise, if both things can be lit, why don't smokers try smoking a fuse? ? ?
Making cables is like making dumplings. As long as you know the process and structure, have all the materials available, and meet the craftsmanship level, you can make it.
Foreign chefs can also make dough, and they also have meat and vegetables on hand. The reason they can’t make dumplings is because they don’t know how to make dumplings. Let me tell you, as long as the cook is not a fool, he can definitely learn it.
"I obey your orders, and you must not be careless and let the merchants succeed!"
While a certain prince was wandering around, Li Jizhou was thinking about how to keep his job.
Judging from his accumulated experience, as long as the prince did not question him and his tone did not change, he was probably quite satisfied with what he had done.
The only thing a eunuch has to study is how to please his master. Before that, he must know the master's interests, hobbies, speech, behavior, and living habits well.
If you know nothing about this and rely entirely on subjective assumptions when serving, you are an unqualified eunuch, and you will soon offend your master with your words and actions.
"Well, I heard that you are very close to a palace maid named 'Xiao Yu'?"
A certain prince didn't have much interest in "those things about his companions". He would only inquire about Xi'er and others if necessary to get a general understanding.
"...Your Highness, it is indeed...this matter!"
The prince suddenly changed the topic and mentioned this matter, which made Li Jizhou feel at a loss and could only agree.
"How close are you two? What have you done?"
Yaoji's face is as sinking as water, and there is no mental activity visible on the surface.
"Your Highness, this slave deserves to die! This slave and this woman... have already... done... things between a man and a woman!"
Li Jizhou didn't dare to hide it, because Gao Qiqian, who fought to the end and was "snapped" in the end, was a precedent.
"Oh? Haha! Real or fake?"
Yaoji became more interested now, raised his eyebrows, and was very surprised, didn't all the eunuchs get "clicked"?
This guy can still have sex with the palace maid, could he be a fake eunuch? This needs to be investigated carefully.
"This slave... is no longer... a perfect person, she is just... a false love... a false intention! If Your Highness refuses, I will immediately sever contact with this woman and have no further contact with her!"
Li Jizhou was scared. He really couldn't offend the prince because of a palace maid, and his future would be ruined.
"Oh? It is said that a couple's favor lasts for a hundred days. The speed of your change of attitude really impresses me!"
Yaoji hates unkind and unkind people. They either take responsibility to the end or are just playing around.
As a high-ranking chamberlain in the imperial court, how could he hang out with the palace maids every night?
"This servant is sworn to follow His Highness to the death. No one dares to disobey His Highness's orders!"
Li Jizhou couldn't figure out the prince's pulse, so he could only hold on to the "chicken thigh" and not relax.
He didn't think he had done anything particularly serious wrong, but if it were what happened today, it would count as one.
But in the palace, as long as there is some ability, there will be one or even several women for more or less everything.
Although the eunuch has lost his treasure, he still has emotions and desires. He is not a monk. There is a woman who takes the initiative to throw herself into his arms, so there is no reason to extrapolate.
"Now that we're healed, let's stay together from now on. Don't break up because of trivial matters. Even if we are a chamberlain and a maid, this must be the case. I don't want to see the people around me still flirting with each other, which is inappropriate."
There are thousands of people in the palace, and if they all play like this, it will be completely chaotic and no one can control them.
"Yes! This slave will definitely obey His Highness's decree!"
It turned out that the prince was worried about rumors. Li Jizhou was relieved and felt that the whole inner garment was soaked.
"When all the things during this period are over, I will tell my mother about this matter, and then choose a good and auspicious day to let the servants who have women in the palace get married together, so as not to be sneaky and like a thief. After marriage, you must also treat your wife well. , you are not allowed to beat or scold at will, let alone kill anyone, otherwise this palace will find out and you will be severely punished!"
Even if this is a reward for the chamberlains, they only have two major pursuits left. One is to make money, and the other is to play with girls. Whether they can play with girls depends on their personal ability...
"I am deeply grateful to His Highness for your kindness. I will serve you to the death for as long as I live... for the rest of my life..."
Li Jizhou almost burst into tears when he heard that the prince was going to marry him. To the servants, this was the highest honor, second only to being buried next to his master's mausoleum.
But what happens after death is that when you are alive, getting married is a great joy. If you have no merit, you will never get such a reward. Even the python robe is not as good as a fraction of the marriage.
"Xi'er, call Xiao Yu's maid here, I want to see who she is!"
As the prospective wife of a certain prince, the girl is also related to the queen, and has real power in the palace. Although her authority is not great, she is an irresistible existence to the palace maids, and she quickly found the person involved. .
"Are you Han Xiaoyu?"
"Your Highness, this is the slave!"
"But Li Jizhou is a good match?"
"……yes!"
When answering the second question, Han Xiaoyu obviously hesitated for a while. He first glanced at the strategic partner on the bed next to him before answering in a low voice.
"Where is your hometown? How old are you?"
"Your Highness, this servant's hometown is Beizhili, Zhending Mansion, Hengshui! This is the year of twenty-three!"
"Oh? What a great place!"
A certain prince knew a local specialty—Lao Baigan!
This wine started in the Han Dynasty, rose in the Tang Dynasty, and was named after the Daguo Dynasty. It can definitely be regarded as a fine wine with a history of thousands of years, and it is definitely much better than the dregs of Guojiao and the like.
It is said that this wine was produced during the Jiajing period. The "old" in the name means a long history, the "white" means clear and flawless, and the "dry" means high alcohol content.
Many local celebrities have praised Lao Baigan, and later won the gold medal at the World Exposition, making him famous both at home and abroad. Anyone who doesn't approve of Lao Baigan can go drink the sweet and delicious Ganges water!
"Your Highness is so complimentary!"
Han Xiaoyu had not been in contact with many noble people in the palace, but she also knew that she should be modest and cautious and never be self-righteous in front of the prince.
"Where! Where! I have never been to Hengshui, but I know that Hengshui has the wine 'Lao Baigan'! It can be regarded as the outstanding wine of Ming Dynasty!"
Places with local specialties always make people feel good, even if the specialties of your hometown are sweet potatoes or lotus roots, this effect can be achieved.
"'Laobaigan' is indeed the wine from my hometown. Your Highness thinks of it. It is indeed a holy grace!"
Han Xiaoyu entered the palace early, so she only knew about it and had not actually drank it, but it did not prevent her from knowing the specialties of her hometown.
"Okay, let's get down to business. I know about your relationship with Li Jizhou. I called you here because I want to ask you, are you willing to marry Li Jizhou as your wife? If you are willing, that's fine. If you are not willing, I will also I won’t force it!”
Yao Ji felt that he was very funny, and he was troubled by everything. Even the eunuch's marriage had to be personally investigated.
"...Slave is willing!"
Han Xiaoyu just thought about it for a moment before agreeing. After all, this kind of thing happens only once in a lifetime.
There are countless maids in the palace, but there are not many rich and capable chambermaids. They are a typical example of many girls and few wolves.
Being able to marry a powerful and wealthy chamberlain is the ultimate fantasy of almost all palace ladies, because they can have no worries about food and clothing.
"That's good! You can't go back on your word, otherwise it will be the crime of deceiving the emperor!"
Since the two of you are in love, let's get married directly. After the marriage, you can legitimately have some free time to sleep!
"I will never dare to do this!"
It was too late for Han Xiaoyu to be happy. With the permission of His Highness the Crown Prince, no one dared to break them up.
"I'll give her a less tiring job later. Don't do things she shouldn't do, and don't charge money she shouldn't. It will save Jizhou her worries!"
Their family only needs Li Jizhou to make money, and his wife only goes to work to kill time.
"Yes! I will obey His Royal Highness's decree!"
Han Xiaoyu knew that Li Jizhou would definitely look down on the little money he earned, and he could still give her twenty or thirty taels of pocket money every month.
As long as she does her duty, abides by the rules in the palace, and doesn't cause trouble to her husband, she will have someone to rely on for the rest of her life.
"Raise your head and let me see!"
Yaoji wants to see what a woman who can make a senior chambermaid look like, so that he can have a reference standard in the future.
"Hmm~! It's quite pretty!"
Han Xiaoyu has good facial features and average appearance. She can be considered a beauty in Hengshui. However, compared with so many beauties in the palace, she is not so outstanding. There is no problem in marrying a chamberlain.
A certain prince didn't like this. First, he should look at the bust, then the figure, and finally the face, because there are many beautiful girls.
As long as you don't care about football cups and have a lot of money in your pocket, you can choose Yangzhou Skinny Horse at will. It's very easy to find a beauty with both talent and beauty like Aunt Tian.
Asians, especially East Asian girls, compared to Western Caucasian women, the biggest disadvantage is their ball cups. Other parts are equally good, including those with high nose bridges and long legs.
The original intention of a certain prince was to bring a couple together, so that the palace maid would not be left alone when she got old. The eunuch was not perfect, but he could still be a companion to each other.
You must know that "people eat people" outside, and "eat" here is not an adjective, but a verb!
After leaving the palace, I would be lucky if I could find a corner to live out the rest of my life.
Many people will be looted or even massacred.
A girl like Han Xiaoyu, who is already twenty-three years old, is considered an old leftover girl in the Great War. It is difficult to get married. Even if she gets married, the conditions of the other party will not be very good.
Although Li Jizhou is an eunuch, he has money in his pocket and can provide the woman with a high-quality material life. This combination is actually not much different from marrying an old rich man who has lost the ability to have sex.
In order to enjoy a luxurious life, aren't there many young and beautiful girls marrying old men with wrinkles on their faces?
Many of them have lost their abilities, but they can marry wives who are much younger than them by virtue of having money.
Apart from being a bit effeminate and not very pleasant to listen to, Li Jizhou is no worse than the old tycoon in every aspect, he has everything he should have.
He is also much younger than the old rich man. It is good that the two of them can support each other until they grow old. Lao Lizi's pension is very generous.
"After you two get married, you will do your duty and abide by the rules. I will make you worry-free and you will be able to leave the palace and settle down when you are old enough!"
For loyal losers, whether they are civil servants, military generals or maids, a certain prince will not hesitate to reward them.
"This slave, on behalf of my humble concubine, thanks the Holy Grace!"
Before Han Xiaoyu could react, Li Jizhou hurriedly pulled his fiancee to kneel on the ground and kowtowed in thanks.
Although the prince is vigorous and resolute in his methods, he always gives what he says he should give.
If you make a promise today, it will be a gift that others will envy.
"Okay, don't mention today's matter to others. If my mother and queen ask, you can answer truthfully. If others mention it, you two will say you don't know. I will give you beef ramen for lunch. I wish you all the best. Your marriage will be smooth and harmonious!"
Okay, so we got two more potential customers for the ramen shop!
