"Another one fell, another one fell! Which master is this?"
"Is it from the British public?"
"What's the use of this car? It's killed more than a dozen young men during this period..."
The Huitong Hall is not far from Wufu and Liubu. Several employees of the Tongyi Bureau ran to the door to watch. Some people from the Duoyan Mission also went to the door to take a look outside, and then returned to the lobby where they were drinking tea and passing time. Ha said: "It's that kind of two-wheeled car. I heard that it belonged to the British prince of the Ming Dynasty. He fell down and the car was broken."
"Then why can the car move forward like a horse and turn corners?" Daha paid great attention to this.
I came to this lobby because of the Ming Pao newspaper.
Now, he was still listening to the person in the entourage who knew Chinese characters, struggling to identify the simplified Chinese characters on it, and then relayed it to him.
His father is old and Daha is the future lord of the Duoyan tribe. This time when he came to the capital of Ming Dynasty, he found that Ming Dynasty did not control them as much as before. And in this hall, the "Ming Pao", which published so many imperial decrees and even various secrets of the Ming Dynasty, was placed here in such a grand manner.
The person who went out to look at the fallen bicycle was also an expert.
At this moment, he solemnly whispered: "It's very unusual! The wooden shell was broken into pieces, and inside were iron plates with teeth scattered all over the floor. It could be seen that those iron plates with teeth were also painted Grease. Although it looks like a wooden wheel and frame on the outside, it’s actually an iron frame on the inside!"
Daha clenched his fist lightly and said nothing: Ming Dynasty had so much iron?
Just now he heard someone read the meaning of an article in the newspaper. The article introduced a practical event that benefited the people.
The general content is that since the Ming Emperor mentioned in his Spring Festival greetings on the first day of the first month of the fifth year of Jiajing that every farmer in the Ming Dynasty should have iron hoes, iron plows, and iron rakes, after three years of hard work, now in time for the autumn harvest , another batch of iron farm tools was shipped from iron factories in Beijing, Foshan, Zunhua and other places.
By the end of this year, the Ming Dynasty will reach the level of the yellow list that was rebuilt in the sixth year of Jiajing. Each household will have at least an iron hoe, and the iron plow and iron rake will reach 40% and 25% respectively.
As more iron kilns are built and put into operation, it is expected that in three years, iron plows and rakes that consume more iron will be available to every household, benefiting the entire Ming Dynasty.
Now, Daha not only knew that the Ming people planned to lay iron on the road, but also saw that they used iron to make iron horses and iron carts that were similar to horses!
Not only iron is used, but precious oils and fats are also used. Grease can protect iron arrowheads and various iron tools from rusting, as Daha naturally knows. Although he didn't understand wear and lubrication, what he saw was the wealth and luxury of the Ming Dynasty!
Besides, you can’t believe what Mingren said to him! They said that you can only walk on the paved flat roads in the city. Who knows if this is true? It would be incredible if the Ming Dynasty's frontier troops all rode such iron horses!
While Daha was feeling a little shocked by the first-generation manual gear-driven limited edition bicycle, Lu Bing was arranging for people to verify many things reported by Wei Bin.
Wei Bin saw some problems with his experience and structure, and made the most important report to the emperor before resigning. Lu Bing did not understand many of them, but he was only responsible for finding out whether what Wei Bin said existed. ,right.
This investigation revealed that Yan Song was not at home, and Yan Shifan was actually copying books.
"Where's the car I gave you?"
Yan Shifan was puzzled when he heard him ask this: "What's going on in the backyard room?"
"Take me to see it."
He went over to lift the bicycle into the courtyard, and Lu Bing watched intently.
The entire body, wheels, triangular frame, pedals and the place connected to the rear wheel are all wrapped in fine cork. The seats and wheels are wrapped in fine leather, and soft and elastic cashmere is used in the interlayer.
But this was only part of what Lu Bing wanted to observe. He looked carefully and saw how the wooden boards covering the two sides were held together with very fine mortise and tenon joints. After some paint, it was barely noticeable.
"Let's do it together and take it apart!"
"ah?"
"Tear it down if you ask me to! I'm doing business."
It took a lot of effort for the two of them to remove the wooden board between the pedals and the wheels.
At this time, you can see that the pedals are made of iron curved rods, and the gift Lu Bing gave to Yan Shifan is different from the one that was broken outside the hall.
On this bike, between the pedals and the rear wheel is a chain made of fine steel, forged piece by piece by skilled craftsmen, and covered with layers of hollowed rings.
Yan Shifan was taught by his father, Yan Song, and his eyesight was also extraordinary. He immediately praised: "I heard that it was His Majesty who came up with the idea and asked them to do this. It is really a work of art. Your Majesty has thoroughly studied the three principles of nature, objects and humans!"
Lu Bing remained silent, stretched out his hand to touch the chain, and then pulled it hard with both hands.
No wonder Xu Yande, the Duke of Zhunding, who was still in mourning, said: This is the latest batch of good cars, and only three were trial-produced in total.
"I'm done reading and leaving."
Yan Shifan was stunned when he heard this: "What should I do with this car? It's broken!"
"I'll send someone to pick it up later."
"Brother Lu, didn't you give it to me?"
"I'll copy your book carefully. Now I'll check it back first."
"Ah?" Yan Shifan felt excited when he heard the word "search", "What big case is involved?"
"It's not a case. What are you asking about? Let's go!"
Lu Bing left Yan Song's house, and then went to many places, just to get acquainted with the children of Xunchen's families who were working in various companies.
At the same time, there were naturally the guards in Beizhen Fusi who followed his orders to go to various places to inquire about news.
After officially walking to the stage, and having the identity of Prince Consort, it was unusual for Lu Bing to interact with them.
Light industry park, heavy industry park, Mingbao shop in the city, etc...
It was not until the afternoon of the next day that he entered the palace to see him.
Zhu Houcong was looking at the information compiled by the Internal Archives Department and summoned him into the imperial study without raising his head: "Have you verified something?"
"Your Majesty, that's right." Lu Bing said and looked at Gu Dingchen and others.
"Say it directly."
"Yes." Lu Bing thought for a while and finally said, "What Eunuch Wei said is roughly correct."
Zhu Houcong finally raised his head and glanced at him, and then just sighed slowly: "It's normal. After all, there is still a shortage of new talents, and someone has to do the work. Just after taking a few classes and listening to a few trainings, you can start doing things. But it’s still the same old way.”
Gu Dingchen and others were confused.
"I ordered people to go to the countryside on the outskirts of Beijing. I heard that one iron farm tool sold by Shuntian Prefecture can be exchanged for two from Hebei. It is better to use more iron. Over there in the Heavy Industry Park, they have always said that there are not enough craftsmen and they are suffering. But it will be a lot of hardship. In fact, in Liangxiang, I sent people to inspect three iron kilns and iron factories, and they don't stop there all day long."
Zhu Houcong listened quietly.
"I went to Yan's house and took apart the bicycle that I received when I married the princess. The fine steel gears and steel chains were hammered and hammered. I don't know how much iron and how much labor was needed to make them. The wood is the best golden nan among softwoods. , the seats and wheels are covered with pine flower tiger skin, and the interior is padded with cashmere. I heard that it is now very expensive, and a new car like this can be sold for a thousand taels of silver."
Zhu Houcong sneered: "Such a gift indeed shows the identity of the Duke of Dingguo and is also worthy of the princess's wedding gift."
"This is just under the Baojin Bureau. Huang Mingji and other companies have taken this opportunity to lay eggs, forget His Majesty's instructions and make a lot of profits. Especially the Zhejiang Shipping Company's license to go to sea, Eunuch Wei I can't verify the amount I mentioned. But I revealed my identity, and a shopkeeper in the capital told the truth. In fact, all the share capital of the Weaving Bureau in their family has been withdrawn. I went to various stores, and the managers of each store told the truth. Even if the person in charge has an official rank of fifth, fourth or even third, he is extremely respectful to the descendants of the honorary ministers and does good deeds."
"Not just them? Even Wei Bin can only turn a blind eye for now, as long as there are no problems in the general direction. If he hadn't resigned due to illness, he wouldn't have exposed these things to me again. Be loyal and complain." Zhu Houcong lowered his head and continued to read the information, "After all, the honorary ministers are also extremely important, and it should not be forced too much. Now, I have hopes of a great victory, and there are more and more new honorary ministers, and he also feels that When the time comes, the memorial will be presented."
Lu Bing finished what he needed to say and then remained silent.
It's an easy job. What kind of person is Wei Bin? He has been in Huangmingji for so many years, and he knows everything about what is happening underneath. Now that he had said it, Lu Bing just followed the diagram to verify it, easily and quickly.
What matters is what the emperor is prepared to do.
Most of the old ministers no longer expect to achieve military merit. They say that if you work hard in the company, you can be promoted or not be demoted, but they don't believe it in their hearts. In comparison, it is better to make more money. In this way, in the future, the descendants' titles will be reduced again and again, and they will eventually become ordinary people, or at least they will still be rich.
Since the first batch of state-owned enterprises officially came to the stage in the fifth year of Jiajing, Zhu Houcong's main focus in the past two years has been on Beilu. For these state-owned enterprises, they are more interested in directly ending the situation and helping them point the way technically.
As long as a skilled craftsman has a direction, even with the current technology and craftsmanship, wouldn't this primitive bicycle be made? It's just that Zhu Houcong hoped that they would continue to melt better steel through experiments and explore mass production techniques. Some people immediately turned this thing into a luxury product.
Just think about it, the capital will soon be filled with princes and princes, and it will become increasingly prosperous. There is always someone who can afford a car for a thousand taels of silver.
Zhu Houcong said: "Xuan Zhang Lun and Yu Chengye are here."
Gu Dingchen and others now understood: it was the company and the ministers who had the idea of "getting rich" with the emperor who had committed the crime.
They exchanged looks: This matter is not a small matter. After all, most of the families of honorable ministers now only want to make a fortune with His Majesty in the enterprise.
The emperor's words just now also revealed his thoughts: Now that His Majesty has the reputation of killing the Lord of Beiyuan, and has a group of new ministers, the time has come to attack the old ministers.
But wouldn’t this eventually chill the hearts of the large group of ministers? Don't you want to get rich?
In addition, by keeping them in attendance, does His Majesty imply to them that this matter can be reported to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, so that the censors can find something to impeach?
The British Duke Zhang Lun and the Prince Consort Yu Chengye were then announced to the palace and waited outside the imperial study.
Zhang Lun was a little worried, because when he entered the imperial study room later, he felt that the atmosphere was different. The three imperial study bachelors all looked at him with strange eyes.
Zhu Houcong said at this time: "Jiuhe, why don't you go and see how the arrangements for tomorrow's meeting with the Duoyan Mission are being prepared."
The three of them immediately resigned: Could it be that His Majesty is going to curse the British Duke angrily? Always save some face for the British public.
Then why did Yu Chengye come?
There were only five people in the imperial study room next. Huang Jin raised his head and looked at the emperor.
Zhu Houcong did not get angry. Instead, he smiled and asked Yu Chengye: "You have stayed at Huangming University for more than two years. How are you doing with your studies?"
"Your Majesty, I have been studying hard, but now I can only say that I have a glimpse of the door."
"That's good." Zhu Houcong ordered, "Huang Jin, please make arrangements. I will have a family dinner with the two consorts tonight, and the British public will accompany me."
"……yes."
Zhang Lun felt uncomfortable all over: What kind of rules do I have to accompany you?
Lu Bing came in the afternoon. Zhang Lun and Yu Chengye heard the announcement and entered the palace. At this moment, they could really start preparing for dinner.
Then Zhang Lun was there listening to the emperor chatting with his brother-in-law and brother-in-law about their daily life. They talked about major civil affairs affairs that were handled by the State Council. As for him, as the emperor, in addition to employing people in government and military affairs, the two most important things were military power and financial power. , that is to ask them to help share the worries.
Yu Chengye was naturally modest: "I have mediocre talents and cannot be reused."
"You can't say that." Zhu Houcong said seriously, "After your wedding, I didn't have many people to rely on, so I had to send you to Jiangxi to patrol the water, and you did an excellent job. After working in Jiangxi for several years, Bo'an reported I have praised you a lot. But it has caused you and the imperial sister to be separated in two places, and my mother has reprimanded me countless times."
"...Your Majesty has a destiny, and I should share my worries. After returning to the capital, the princess also showed consideration to me. I have more time to study at Huangming University."
"It's not because I want to compensate the imperial sister that I didn't arrange an errand for you. I only asked you to study further. After you returned to the capital, I chatted with you and asked you to consult with Yongxiu. You should understand that I still want to use you. . Now that the emperor’s sister is pregnant, the mother is worried about bringing her into the palace to raise her fetus, so you should come to the palace to visit her more often.”
"I understand, I accept the decree."
Lu Bing probably understood that His Majesty wanted to use him to go to the Huangming Asset Management Bureau located under the inner transportation warehouse, right?
So next, it seemed that just because his relationship with Princess Yongfu was becoming more and more stable, he was given a new idle position, and he was arranged to work under Zhang Lun first to familiarize himself with the situation.
As a person who has been studying at Huangming University for more than two years, and has visited various colleges such as the School of Calculation, and who was a Jinshi in the second year of Jiajing, he also asked Yang Shen, who had a roundabout relationship with him by marriage. Having met many people, Zhang Lun also understood that he was here to take over his class.
Who is Yang Shen? Regardless of his status as a gifted scholar and top scholar, he is now one of the few people in the Ministry of Household who know the most about new laws and accounting methods.
Some people are very talented, you have to admit it. As long as his mind turns around, he can learn faster than anyone else.
At the family banquet, Zhang Lun thought that this was the reason for today, so he was here to accompany him, so he naturally showed goodwill to Yu Chengye frequently.
When it was almost time to finish eating, Zhu Houcong put down his chopsticks and said calmly: "This year is a major national policy meeting. On the Assets Bureau's side and on the enterprises' side, the year-end summary reports cannot be like the previous two years. Especially last year, I have just returned from class, and I have no time to read your summary in detail. This year, this summary must be done well, especially the summary of financial accounts. Chengye, please help the British father sort out the financial accounts."
"I accept the decree."
Zhang Lun was shocked, but he had no way to shirk or explain anything in advance.
Why did the emperor's attention turn here so quickly? Aren't there so many other things to do like opening up the market with Duoyan, trying out the reform of military settlements in Bian Town, and changing the leadership of the central court?
When he left the Imperial Study Room, Zhang Lun remembered that there was another person present today, Lu Bing, who had always had no sense of presence.
He is in Fusi, Jinyiwei North Town.
Zhang Lun broke out in a cold sweat and immediately put on a smile: "You two consorts, we were in front of you just now, and it's really not convenient for you to have a drink. Why don't we find another place..."
Lu Bing just grinned: "I am a newlywed. If I come home late, the princess will not forgive me."
"...Then go to the princess's house?" Zhang Lun didn't dare to be so confused, and held Lu Bing's hand eagerly, "I'm not stupid! I must find out what is going on. My assets in this The game is also difficult, it’s difficult to go up, down, left, and right!”
Lu Bing shook his head repeatedly: "What are you talking about, Mr. Guo? I am on duty in Jinyiwei, how can I talk nonsense? Mr. Guo, what are you afraid of?"
"I……"
However, Yu Chengye smiled at Lu Bing: "Let's go to your house and discuss it further. Since your Majesty has invited the Duke to accompany you at the family banquet, he wants you and me to handle this matter well."
Zhang Lun immediately looked at Yu Chengye gratefully: What a good partner!
Lu Bing thought for a moment, then nodded: "Okay. But first of all, Zhang Guogong, after you hear this, you should think about it carefully after you go back. It is best for your majesty to go to the palace immediately after meeting the Duoyan delegation tomorrow, so that your majesty can The decree has been issued, and we also know what to do about this matter."
"sure!"
"Don't be afraid. Since Your Majesty has entrusted you with the important responsibility of being the Duke of the country, your Majesty will also understand your difficulties."
Zhang Lun could only frown: something really happened, and it seems that Jin Yiwei found out first.
He just didn't understand what happened.
(End of chapter)
