"start."
At the edge of the waterfall in the nameless valley, as Li Shi shouted, dozens of craftsmen rode on the pedals that drove the water wheel.
With the dual blessing of manpower and hydraulic power, the lever connecting the abutment was raised high and then dropped heavily.
"Dong..."
The huge hammer hit the formwork above the abutment heavily.
A craftsman quickly removed the stamped mold and placed a new mold on top of the abutment.
"Master Hou, it's successful..."
The slightly excited voices of the craftsmen sounded.
Chen Kan heard a hint of excitement on his face.
He reached out and took out a cut banknote from the hand of the craftsman, and looked at it carefully.
Facts have proved that Chen Kan's theory is feasible.
First print the face value and pattern on a piece of paper, then wrap it with white paper and press the three pieces of paper into one.
The face value and pattern of the treasure banknotes produced in this way are still clearly visible, but there is an extra layer of protection on the surface.
This kind of treasure banknote is extremely difficult to forge. Chen Kan doesn't believe that anyone can do it without using hydraulic stamping.
Not to mention imitation, even Chen Kan led the craftsmen of Baoqiao Department for nearly two months in order to study the production method of this kind of banknotes.
The main difficulty is that even if the pressure is strong enough, it is not that easy to press three pieces of paper into one.
For two months, Chen Kan and the craftsmen of Baochao Division used rice milk, isinglass, peach gum, pine oil and other glue-like substances without success.
In the end, an experienced craftsman provided Chen Kan with the idea to make the paper fiber used for printing thicker and then cover it with a delicate noodle. This was how he solved the problem.
The stamped treasure banknotes only need to undergo the final process of soaking in oil before they can be cut.
Chen Kan couldn't wait to walk to the banknote printing workshop with the heavy banknotes in his hands, and then personally soaked the banknotes in tung oil.
Then hang it under the bright sun to dry.
A group of people stared with wide eyes at the oil stains on the banknotes being dried bit by bit.
finally--
Two hours later, Chen Kan had a stack of exquisite treasure notes in his hand.
The denominations of the treasure banknotes are still one Guan, five hundred Wen, three hundred Wen, two hundred Wen, and one hundred Wen.
In order to distinguish the denominations, Chen Kan directly adopted the colors of later generations of banknotes. The usual treasure banknotes were made into red, the five hundred banknotes were made into green, the three hundred banknotes were made into brown, the two hundred banknotes were made into cyan, and the one hundred banknotes were made into cyan. The text is made into a purple color.
And because it is soaked in tung oil, the banknotes are also waterproof.
Looking at the treasure banknote in his hand, Chen Kan showed an unexplainable smile on his face.
Compared with the rough and shoddy treasure notes made by the Ming Dynasty, the treasure banknotes made by oneself are different in more than one way in the sky and on the ground.
The Ming Dynasty's treasure banknotes were too hard to wipe one's buttocks with, but if Chen Kan made it, if it were not a treasure banknote but a work of art, he believed that many people would be willing to pay a high price to collect it.
"Exquisite, so exquisite, this is simply a work of art."
Li Shi's eyes widened. It was really hard for him to imagine that Baoqian could be like this.
He also held a stack of treasure notes in his hand. At this time, he was holding the treasure notes and caressing her gently, as if this was not a treasure note but a stunning beauty.
At the same time, Chen Kan also designed several anti-counterfeiting marks on the banknotes.
One is the face value. It feels rusty to the touch. If you feel it carefully, you will see that there are many small pits on it. The uneven feeling makes it look like it is not printed, but carved. Moreover, even the face value is not clear. Can be touched by hand.
In addition, there are two more watermarks in the upper left corner and lower right corner. The watermarks are written in turmeric water. You can't tell it without looking carefully. Only by facing the sun can you clearly see the denomination embedded under the paper.
Such anti-counterfeiting methods are of course incomparable to the banknotes of later generations, but in the Ming Dynasty, this was a dimensionality reduction attack.
Chen Kan put the treasure note into water to test its waterproof performance, and there was still no problem.
Finally, Chen Kan handed over the treasure to a craftsman. This craftsman was a master of unveiling paintings and was so skilled that he could peel off one layer of rice paper into three layers.
The treasure banknote is originally stamped from three layers of paper. We do not rule out the possibility that it may be exposed into three layers and used by someone who is interested.
But soon, Chen Kan realized that his worries were unfounded.
Through the hands of the craftsman, the treasure banknote has changed from one to three, but the thickness has also become one-third of the treasure banknote.
As long as the anti-counterfeiting knowledge is well publicized, it will be easy to distinguish what kind of banknotes are genuine and what kind of banknotes are counterfeit.
Not to mention that the thickness is so much thinner that even a blind person can feel it by hand.
"It's done."
After many rounds of testing, Chen Kan announced that this version of the banknote was successfully produced.
When the craftsmen who had been busy for more than two months heard this, their eyes could not contain their excitement.
No one knows how much energy they have spent in the past two months to create exquisite and exquisite treasures.
"The production of the treasure banknotes was successful, thank you for your hard work."
"I announced that we will take a day off today and officially start work tomorrow."
As soon as Chen Kan finished speaking, the excitement on the faces of the craftsmen present could not be concealed.
Ever since the young marquis came to Baochao Division, their life had been like celebrating the New Year.
No!
Even better than the Chinese New Year.
Not only were they provided with plenty of fish and meat every day, but the two silver ingots given to them also made them look bad in front of their families, who were often ridiculed by their families as useless people who could only eat free rice.
And all of this was brought about by this young prince.
It is no exaggeration to say that even if the Marquis wanted them to die, they would not blink an eye.
Chen Kan, on the other hand, left an exciting message and walked out of the unknown valley with a box of treasure money.
It took two and a half months. During this period, Zhu Di was able to respond to Chen Kan's requests, asking for money and things.
Now that the treasure banknotes are made, it is appropriate to give Zhu Di a reassurance.
at this time--
In the Fengtian Hall, there were officials kneeling on the ground in front of Zhu Di, including some elderly men.
A group of civil servants headed by Fang Xiaoru knelt in front of Zhu Di with determination on their faces, while Zhu Di looked at the officials below with a livid face.
The noble generals headed by Li Jinglong looked at the civil servants who were kneeling on the ground with mocking faces.
"Huhu."
Suppressing the anger in his heart, Zhu Di said coldly: "Are you, dear friends, threatening me?"
An official with white hair and beard raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, please take back your order, otherwise, I will have no choice but to crash to death in the main hall."
threaten!
A naked threat.
Zhu Di was so angry that he blew his beard and stared.
The newly appointed Minister of Household Affairs, Jian Yi, knelt in front of Zhu Di with a bitter look on his face: "Your Majesty, now that the national treasury is poor, there is really no way to supply the army for the expedition."
Zhu Di said coldly: "I know, but I didn't say that I would send a large army out. I just took a partial army to go north. Why do you ministers press each other to death?"
"Your Majesty, it is not the ministers who are persecuting Your Majesty, but Your Majesty who is persecuting the humble ministers."
"Your Majesty also knows that the Ministry of Revenue really cannot come up with the money now."
Jian Yi's face was full of bitterness, but he refused to let go.
He felt that he was very unlucky. Why did he succeed Wang Duan as the Minister of the Ministry of Finance at this juncture?
"Report~"
"Your Majesty, Marquis Jinghai would like to see you."
Suddenly, the little eunuch's sharp report came from outside the door.
The emperor and his ministers who were confronting each other were stunned for a moment, and at the same time they breathed a sigh of relief.
The current situation between the monarch and his ministers can be described as being at odds with each other, and no one is willing to take one more step back.
The arrival of Chen Kan just broke this balance.
"Xuan!"
Zhu Di did not hesitate too much. Now he was almost forced into a corner by all the ministers. Chen Kan came at the right time.
"Xuan Jing Haihou Chen Kan comes to see you~"
Chen Kan hugged the box and stepped into the hall happily.
Just as he stepped across the threshold, he found that the atmosphere in the hall was extremely strange.
In other words, extremely weird.
Why are the ministers and the emperor all looking like they're dead?
Chen Kan instinctively felt something was wrong, and he didn't dare to step into the threshold with his other foot.
what to do?
Did you pretend you didn't see anything and just ran away?
Or go in and become an isolation zone where the two parties can bombard you?
Without even thinking about it, Chen Kan immediately took back the foot that stepped into the hall, and raised his hands to the monarchs and ministers in the hall: "It seems that I came at the wrong time, everyone, continue, goodbye!"
The words were still floating in the hall, but Chen Kan's figure had disappeared from everyone's eyes.
Zhu Di felt a surge of anger rising in his heart, and he wished he could vomit blood on the spot.
Damn it, you little bastard.
I was waiting for you to come to the rescue, but you just fucking ran away?
Simply...
How audacious!
Do you still take me as the emperor seriously?
The ministers' ideas were very different from Zhu Di's. They had been in a stalemate with His Majesty in the hall for almost two hours.
Many veterans have knelt until their eyesight dimmed.
It took a lot of effort for someone to come to the rescue, but then he ran away without saying a word?
It's a bit imprecise to say this. I just said something, but it's of no use.
"Come here, catch this bastard!"
Zhu Di spoke out, and a group of Han generals immediately walked out of the hall and headed straight for Chen Kan's back.
Chen Kan, who withdrew from the main hall, was hiding in secret.
He almost became a victim of the conflict between their monarch and his ministers.
"The land of the imperial palace is indeed very dangerous."
Chen Kan murmured as he walked, and couldn't help but subconsciously speed up his pace.
Seeing the Hongwu Sect right in front of me, I couldn't help but feel lucky to have escaped.
On one side is the emperor, on the other side are the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty. They cannot be offended, they cannot be offended at all!
You can make treasure banknotes at any time, but for now, you should avoid the limelight for the time being.
But...just when he was about to step out of Hongwu Gate, Chen Kan suddenly found that his body was rising strangely from the ground.
"Master Marquis, His Majesty said that I would like to ask you to go back."
The big Han general at the head didn't care how shameful Chen Kan's current posture was. He picked up Chen Kan's collar, turned around and walked towards Fengtian Hall.
Chen Kan blinked.
After carefully comparing the size difference between himself and this team of big Han generals, he decisively gave up the struggle.
Then he held the wooden box in one hand and skillfully covered his face with the other hand.
Chen Kan didn't know why Zhu Di could find so many big men to serve as his guards.
According to Ming Dynasty's average height of 1.6 meters, Chen Kan's height of nearly 1.8 meters makes him stand out no matter where he is.
But in front of Zhu Di, there are always different soldiers who can lift Chen Kan up like a chicken.
This unscientific!
The Han general carried Chen Kan back to the main hall like a chicken, and all the kings and ministers in the hall looked at him with vicious eyes.
Chen Kan's scalp was numb when they looked at him, and he could only look at Zhu Di's toes intently: "Your Majesty, long live long live, long live long live."
Zhu Di took a long breath and responded calmly: "Sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Chen Kan stood up and tilted his head slightly to look at Fang Xiaoru who was kneeling aside.
"what's the situation?"
Blinking his eyes, Fang Xiaoru immediately understood what Chen Kan meant.
Then he shook his head imperceptibly.
Zhu Di looked at Chen Kan and Fang Xiaoru with a dark look on their face and made eye contact as if no one was around, and wanted to scold them.
"Be bold!"
But seeing so many ministers present, he gave up the idea.
After all, he is a monkey, so give him some face.
"Chen Kan, if anything happens, please come quickly."
Zhu Di took the initiative to look at Chen Kan and asked.
This move is not only a step up for himself, but also a step up for all officials.
Sure enough, as soon as Zhu Di spoke, the courtiers all breathed a sigh of relief, and then all looked at Chen Kan curiously.
Chen Kan's eyes twitched, he observed the strange atmosphere in the hall, and then he honestly raised the wooden box in his hands with both hands.
He said loudly: "Your Majesty, I have come to report that the issue of the new treasure banknotes has been resolved."
As soon as Chen Kan finished speaking, the little eunuch beside Zhu Di quickly ran down, took the wooden box and handed it to Zhu Di.
When the courtiers heard this, they couldn't help but stretch their necks.
A few days ago, there was a rare joint effort between the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the Ministry of War. It was said that it was about the treasure banknotes, but there has been no news about this matter.
Except for Zhu Di and the Liubu Hall officials, no one else knew the inside story.
Now when Chen Kan said that he was here to revive his life, the officials' attention instantly fell on Chen Kan.
Zhu Di wanted this effect, so he did not open the box immediately.
Instead, he looked at the officials and said in a deep voice: "My dear friends, we will discuss other matters another day. How about we discuss the treasure banknotes today?"
"That's how it should be, that's how it should be."
Jian Yi wiped the sweat from his forehead, ignoring that Fang Xiaoru, the leader of the officials, had not yet stood up.
He got up first and came to the center of the hall.
"I wonder what is the difference between the new treasure banknotes made by Marquis Jinghai and the previous ones?"
Jian Yi is a typical person who is looking for something to talk about, but at this time, it would be good to find a topic. The other officials also learned the lesson and stood up immediately, preparing to discuss the matter again.
Only a group of distinguished nobles who usually didn't take care of things suddenly became ugly.
Then, Chen Kan found that the way the civil servants looked at him returned to normal, but the way the generals looked at him became weird again.
"Waterfak?"
Chen Kan stood messy in the wind.
