Steam engine?
Zhu Yunwen shook his head slightly. Although he understood physics and knew that steam energy could be converted into mechanical kinetic energy, he could not confuse steam to open the kettle lid with making a steam engine.
These are two different things.
Don't think that you know the principle of making a steam engine. Just point and fiddle with it, and the steam engine will come out.
Did you know that after Thomas Newcomen created the first practical industrial steam engine, for sixty years, generations of people continued to optimize and improve it, and it could only be used for mine drainage.
In the hands of Watt, it took another twenty years of improvement before we had the "universal prime mover" and mankind was able to enter the steam age.
Judging from the current technological foundation of Ming Dynasty, even if you come up with the blueprints, you won't be able to make it at all.
Not to mention that cylinders, gears, and transmission rods require high-strength steel, but how do you get the high-temperature and high-pressure strong steel for boilers?
How to manufacture special parts?
How to resolve security issues?
You can't just wear a helmet and hold a hammer every day and be a craftsman, right?
You can research and produce things from scratch by yourself. I want to see steam engines and trains in this life, so don’t be ridiculous.
Hey, only if you learn mathematics, physics and chemistry can you travel around the world without fear.
But now, looking around the civil and military officials of the dynasty, in addition to wielding swords and sticks, the old man who stares at other people's necks is the one who talks nonsense. It is difficult to find a few old men who can settle accounts and do mathematics, physics and chemistry. Research?
Take a shower and go to sleep.
"Your Majesty, is it too early?"
Ma Enhui looked at the sky. It was not yet evening, and she wanted to sleep?
Could it be that the emperor has been too tired these past two days?
"Well……"
Zhu Yunwen came back to his senses and looked at Ma Enhui. Did he just say it?
"It's warm."
Zhu Yunwen changed the topic.
Ma Enhui stood up, danced lightly, her delicate figure twirled, and her long sleeves were fluttering. She looked at Zhu Yunwen with bright eyebrows and said: "Your Majesty, this stove is indeed extraordinary. Not only does it not smell of soot, it is as warm as late spring. It’s a wonderful baby.”
"Haha, with this baby, there is no need to worry about poisoning in winter. I plan to select a group of people from the harem to specialize in manufacturing and selling briquettes and new stoves. Do you have any candidates for the queen?"
Zhu Yunwen walked towards Ma Enhui, his eyes full of love.
Ma Enhui looked at the stove and heating pipes on the side and said: "I'm afraid what the palace lady said is inappropriate. I think it seems to me that the young eunuch Zhao Gui is always loyal and capable. There should be no problem in leaving this matter to him."
"Zhao Gui? Okay, let him come. Shuangxi, let Zhao Gui come."
Zhu Yunwen agreed.
Ma Enhui looked at Zhu Yunwen and said softly: "I was quite prejudiced against business some time ago. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Zhu Yunwen took Ma Enhui and sat on the couch. He held Ma Enhui's hand and sighed: "The queen can still think clearly, but those courtiers have not. It's just a trial of new business strategies in Peiping and Suzhou. The court caused an uproar, which shows that they don’t want the new business strategy to take off."
Ma Enhui smiled and said: "Your Majesty, they only saw thirty taxes per one, and adjusted it to fifteen taxes per one. They ignored all other business strategies, and they would naturally object. I have heard about it, although Many officials are not engaged in business, but there are many merchants affiliated with these officials."
"I see."
Zhu Yunwen said softly.
This is a typical integration of government and business.
Although the "Laws of the Ming Dynasty" stipulates that officials above the fourth rank are prohibited from doing business, and those who embezzle sixty taels of silver will be exposed to the public.
But for officials in the Ming Dynasty, doing business was not uncommon.
The business tax is so low, and you have power in your hands. With a little effort, you can get money in vain. Who wouldn't want to do it?
Of course, these officials are shameless and will not go to the front of the curtain like the two kings. Instead, they will take care of business through their relatives and servants.
For example, Yan Song, a famous treacherous minister in the Ming Dynasty, not only took bribes but also engaged in food business, and he was very prosperous.
Yan Song's hometown is in Yuanzhou, Jiangxi Province. There are four counties in one prefecture. 70% of the land belongs to Yan Song's family. There is no need for taxes. What should I do if there is too much food? I can exchange it for money.
There is also Xu Jie, who killed Yan Song. Although he is a famous minister and good prime minister, he can also do business. His hometown Huating occupies 200,000 acres of land, and he has opened a large corporate textile factory. He produces a large amount of fabrics every year. In addition to domestic sales, he may also If you can, do some export trade and earn some foreign exchange.
After all, Huating is not far from the sea, and there are still small sailboats.
During Zhu Yunwen's period, Ming Dynasty officials were not so outrageous, and the ministers of the imperial court were relatively clean, but it was difficult to say for those below the fourth rank, including local officials.
However, Zhu Yunwen was not in a hurry. Although he opened a gap by allowing the two kings to engage in business, these officials seemed to have overlooked one point. All the land of the two kings was confiscated. In addition to the basic income of the prince, the only income from business was the income from business.
This will be a template in the future. If officials want to engage in business, the Ming Dynasty will allow it, but only if they pay a price. For the prince, this price is the confiscation of property, and for officials, it is taking off their official uniform.
If you want to be an official and also want to do business, that is pure fantasy.
Zhu Yunwen is deeply aware of the horror of power-for-money transactions. When he thinks that a small clerk can accept hundreds of millions in bribes, how can we talk about fairness and justice in the market?
Business needs to be regulated.
It’s just that the Ming Dynasty’s business is just like a hobbled foal, it’s not yet time to be equipped with reins.
Zhao Gui, the imperial eunuch's young eunuch, has arrived.
After Zhu Yunwen explained the specific matters clearly, he asked: "Are you willing to go out of the palace to run errands?"
"Our family is willing!"
Zhao Gui quickly agreed.
Such a good thing happened to me, how could I not agree?
Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly and said seriously: "You must listen to me clearly. When you are out of the palace on errands, you need to forget your identity as the inner palace. Whether you are buying coal, selling briquettes, or buying and selling stoves, it cannot be done in the name of the inner palace!" You can buy it at whatever price it is, and you can’t pressure others, let alone take it by force!”
"If people come to do business, you must treat them well. Even if the guests curse and smash your shop, you can't say that you are a prisoner! Don't think that I and the Queen will support you! After you leave the palace, you will Businessmen, do everything the businessman's way! Do you understand?"
Zhao Gui was a little surprised and didn't understand why the emperor did this.
If, as an internal prisoner, he went directly to get the coal without daring to object, after making it himself, wouldn't he just sit back and enjoy the results?
Why should we spend money to buy, make and sell like a businessman?
You are not allowed to fight back when others are beating or scolding you. Is this appropriate?
"Our family understands."
Although Zhao Gui was puzzled, he still kept it in mind.
Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly and said: "Select three or five available people from the Imperial Supervisor to accompany you out of the palace. First, learn how to do business with the two kings. After a month, I will personally test you. If you do not do well, I will return." The palace will continue to serve as an errand, and if you do a good job, I will leave it to you as a business official outside the palace."
Zhao Gui's eyes lit up and he knelt down and said, "Our family will definitely work hard and live up to the trust of the Emperor and Queen."
Zhu Yunwen waved his hand and asked Zhao Gui to step back. He walked to the table and unfolded the map of the Ming Dynasty, with worry in his eyes.
Ma Enhui approached and saw Zhu Yunwen staring at the north of the map, so he asked with concern: "Your Majesty, is there nothing going on in the north?"
Zhu Yunwen shook his head slightly and sighed: "Beiping's new army strategy has a big problem. I wonder if Zhang Bing and Ping An can find a way to solve it."
