Zhu Yuanzhang was not an absolutely stubborn person. He knew how to learn and reflect, and how to correct and improve.
Especially now, many problems have arisen among the craftsmen of Fengyang Zhongdu. The court's response is very traditional, that is, giving them clothes and food to stop them from causing trouble.
But the trolley sent by Gu Zhengchen made Zhu Yuanzhang realize that craftsmen can support themselves. They have craftsmanship, and these craftsmanship can enable them to afford food.
To solve the conflict between craftsmen, we not only provide them with clothes and food, but also allow them to make a living independently in their free time.
Zhu Yuanzhang was an emperor. In his eyes, everything was related to etiquette, institutions, the stability of imperial power, and the stability of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, in his eyes, the humble cart has become an issue of the system and people's livelihood.
It is precisely this kind of imperial mentality that is so powerful that Zhu Yuanzhang in history would escalate some seemingly ordinary problems and adopt more extreme and brutal methods to deal with them.
Seeing that his father had made a decision, Zhu Biao agreed, turned to look at the other big stroller, and said doubtfully: "Father, the small stroller is for babies, but I really can't understand this big stroller. "
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the simple cart in front of him, with a base plate, four wheels underneath, and a handle. It was so simple. What could this thing be used for?
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's inquiry, Zhou Mao hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, this type of cart is different from ordinary wheelbarrows. The county magistrate has tested it and found that three to four stones of grain or other supplies can be placed on this large cart. Only one person can pull and push the goods. Many ferries are unloading goods, and the people are exhausted, and one person can only resist one stone at a time."
"If you use this cart, you can not only save manpower, but also speed up the transfer of goods, and you don't have to worry about imbalance and tipping. It is extremely convenient whether it is going out of the warehouse or entering the warehouse. Compared with the wheelbarrow, It has a little more cargo capacity.”
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned: "How can this cart bear the weight of three or four stones? Zhang Huan, ordered people to move four stones of grain from Guanglu Temple."
Soon, four stones of grain arrived at Huagai Hall, and eight bags of rice were piled on the cart board.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao.
Zhu Biao had no choice but to push the cart himself. Although he had to use a lot of force at the beginning, once the cart started moving, he could push it easily without using much effort.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly, and even Zhu Biao could push it, let alone others.
"Hasn't he thought that once this kind of cart is used on the ferry, those people who rely on their own efforts to make a living will lose their jobs?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked.
Zhou Mao lowered his head, thinking about Gu Zhengchen's instructions when he came, and replied: "Your Majesty, when this kind of cart is used, it can reduce the labor costs of merchants, speed up the transfer of goods, relieve congested rivers, and save people's manpower. The wheelbarrow There are also push carts, but no one has lost his job because of this. If he really lost his job, it was due to his usual laziness, not the push cart. If you want to have enough to eat, you should at least be diligent."
"The movement of goods outside Jinling City is very slow, and river congestion has become the norm. If carts are introduced, it can speed up the transfer of goods and attract more businessmen to bring goods. Not only will this not cause anyone to lose their job, it may also attract more people. Idle labor takes part in it and picks up the slack.”
Zhu Yuanzhang turned his attention to Zhu Biao: "What do you think?"
Zhu Biao replied solemnly: "Father, what Mr. Gu said makes sense. It is really crowded outside Sanshan Gate, Jubao Gate, and Jiangdong Gate. Merchant ships often line up to carry goods. The introduction of these carts can save manpower." , and it can also alleviate river congestion, which is indeed feasible. Moreover, I think this kind of cargo cart can be used not only at ferry terminals, but also in military camps."
"Yeah?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked rhetorically.
Zhu Biao pushed the cart again and said seriously: "Father, during wartime, when soldiers extract food supplies, they need to be transported from the granary. Nowadays, wheelbarrows are the main means of transportation. For safety reasons, there are many facilities in the granary. With a few small gates, it is difficult to transport a large amount of food in a short time. Every time the army is deployed, it takes up to half a month or more just to allocate food supplies."
"If you use this kind of cart, it is also convenient to transfer the grain out of the granary first, and then transfer it to wheelbarrows, carriages, boats, etc. However, although this kind of cart is good, it is difficult to travel long distances. Once it encounters potholes, It may not be as useful as a wheelbarrow in normal times, but if it is used for short distances and is paved with stone bricks, it will definitely shorten the time for allocating food and grass."
Zhu Yuanzhang believed deeply.
The soldiers and horses have not moved, but the food and grass go first.
The time required to recruit troops and horses is relatively short, but the time for logistical preparation of food and fodder is often measured in days or even months. It can speed up the transportation and allocation of food and grass, which is extremely beneficial to expeditions.
In war, if you can save a day, you can better grasp the fleeting opportunity!
Although Zhu Biao was born in an imperial family, he spent a lot of time hiding in Tibet when he was a child, and stayed in the army from time to time. Although he had no experience in leading troops in war, he still understood the operation of the army very well, and his understanding was correct.
"Then push this cart of goods to the guard station, the front line, and the major granaries. As for other places, it's up to Gu to arrange it."
After Zhu Yuanzhang made arrangements, he looked at Luo Shao and others: "Go back and tell Gu Zhengchen that I can allow him to mess around in Jurong, but if he doesn't see results and there is no good change in the lives of the people of Jurong, then he will Those who take the blame! Since he has promoted you to be in charge of the Jurong County Government, you must assist him attentively and let him decide all matters."
Luo Shao, Zhou Mao and others quickly said yes.
Luo Shao felt deeply sad for the Guo family at this time. They also thought about easing the relationship, impeached the Yushitai, and tried to drive Gu Zhengchen away from Jurong.
But listening to the emperor's words, he acquiesced to Gu Zhengchen's "mischief" in Jurong.
Providing sufficient grain and wages to the people who were serving as corvees, providing clean silver to the county officials, and withholding the property of the Guo family. These things that broke the rules of the officialdom were enough to make any ordinary county magistrate lose his head. Gu Zhengchen could Unmoving like a mountain, sitting firmly in Jurong, the root cause is the emperor's support.
The Guo family's trouble with Gu Zhengchen is the same as trouble with the emperor. It would be strange if they don't die...
Zhu Yuanzhang arranged for Zhang Huan to take the cart away and find a craftsman to build it. He asked the chamberlain to take the cart to Kunning Palace and give it to Queen Ma. Zhu Chun and Zhu Bai could try it out.
"What is your father worried about?"
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang sighing, Zhu Biao approached and asked.
Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his eyebrows and frowned, revealing some confusion: "The tactical backpack is actually a different kind of backpack; this trolley is a kind of movable cradle; the cargo trolley is just a wheelbarrow. It’s just a few wheels added to the shape. These seemingly simple changes can bring obvious effects. I’m wondering why no one has thought about changing them for thousands of years?”
Zhu Biao was also a little strange.
Some of the changes are very simple. The backpack is made of rattan, so it can also be sewn with cloth. Besides, there have been dungarees for a long time, so why has no one designed them as backpacks?
For countless years, countless people have never thought about it, why can Gu Zhengchen think of it and make it?
"At Gu's place, you can move around more."
Zhu Yuanzhang said meaningfully.
Zhu Biao looked stern.
The hidden meaning of his father's words was that he could find out about Gu Zhengchen's past from Gu and Gu Qingqing. After all, the origins of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and body-building techniques had not yet been investigated clearly...
