Zhang Mingwei wanted to go back early and didn't want to show off, so he said directly to them: "You see, when technology advances, many things that have never been thought of before, or that are considered impossible, will become possible! This microscope is In this way, I say the same goes for steam engines.”
At this point, he paused and then seriously concluded: "Now, you should believe what I say about the power of technology, right? As long as our Ming Dynasty vigorously develops technology and creates things that have never been seen before. Then, We can do things that were impossible before.”
Emperor Chongzhen was very excited after hearing this. He was still young, only over thirty, and I believe he could see many things that were not available before the Ming Dynasty. During his time as emperor, he achieved some things that were impossible to achieve before. He had enough reason to believe that the Qin Emperor, Han Wu, Tang Zong, Song Zu, etc. would pale in comparison with him.
So, he said loudly: "I believe what you said, sir, and I will fully support him."
After expressing his position, he felt that it was not enough, so he said to Zhang Mingwei: "Actually, I have long wanted to deal with those supervisors of the Imperial College, but they stopped me from doing it, saying that if you teach them a lesson, the effect will be better!"
After hearing what Emperor Chongzhen said, these ministers, to be honest, had mixed feelings.
They also studied the Four Books and Five Classics diligently in the cold window, and were born as disciples of Confucius. The imprint of Confucianism is imprinted in their bones.
They actually understand very well those supervisors from the Imperial College who are causing trouble.
A new knowledge is about to emerge, and it is very likely to affect the original knowledge, which will inevitably cause fear among students who have not yet learned it.
In particular, there are already signs that some people who are good at new studies, or miscellaneous studies, have been summoned to the capital by Duke Xingguo.
Especially regarding the steam engine, news spread from the capital said that Duke Xingguo would also suggest that the emperor set up a special government office. This means that those people will also have official positions. This will definitely have an impact on the imperial examination.
As Duke Xingguo became more and more powerful and prestige, the influence of the new learning initiated by Duke Xingguo would definitely grow.
In the past, they didn't know how to oppose it, but now that the steam engine accident happened, they just used it as an excuse. On the surface, they were opposed to the steam engine, but in fact, they were just opposing the new learning.
Of course, for those of them who have already jumped over the dragon gate, the impact is not big. But as disciples of saints, from an emotional point of view, they actually support those students from the Imperial College.
However, someone who can reach the position of a high-ranking official in the imperial court is definitely not a pedantic person.
Not to mention, they were recommended by the Duke. In other words, the Duke was their benefactor. From their perspective, they opposed the benefactor, which was not allowed by their ethics.
To take a step back, the new learning promoted by Xingguo Gong was not harmful to nature, and they, the senior officials of the imperial court, had no reason to oppose it.
Of course they had heard of some things before, such as their imagination of steam engines. But that's all.
To be honest, they tend not to believe things that have not been realized, especially if they cause such incredible things.
But now, they witnessed with their own eyes that the water droplets that looked like nothing turned out to be a world of insects. The shock of seeing it with your own eyes is more convincing than any words.
Since there is actually a world on the drop of water that they have never thought of before, or thought it would never exist, then the steam engine may not be possible!
At this time, hearing Emperor Chongzhen's statement, their moods were complicated, and naturally it was time to express their position.
At this time, Wang Chengen said to Zhang Mingwei without any psychological burden: "What the Duke has learned is urgently needed by the Ming Dynasty. It is what enriches the people and strengthens the country. The Chief of Ceremonies must also fully support the Duke!"
Hearing this, Zhang Mingwei nodded, then turned to look at the others. The first person to bear the brunt was naturally the chief minister of the cabinet.
When Du Yinxi saw Emperor Chongzhen looking at him and Duke Xing Guo looking at him, he smiled bitterly, then seemed relieved and said to Zhang Mingwei: "Don't worry, Duke, such good things must of course be supported. All lower officials have a I have such an impulse and want to see what the Duke said as soon as possible."
"Don't worry, I will spend the next time on building this steam engine and some other technological inventions." Zhang Mingwei listened and said to him with a smile, "It can take as little as a year and a half, and as long as three to five years Within this year, the application of this steam engine will definitely be seen.”
After finishing speaking, he turned to look at the others.
The emperor, the ceremonial supervisor, the eunuch, and the chief ministers of the cabinet have all expressed their opinions. What else can others do? Seeing is believing, who will object?
In the end, everyone present expressed their support for Xinxue.
There is no need to bother, and there is no need to deal with the supervisors of the Imperial College. With a microscope, the first purpose of returning to the capital has been achieved.
Zhang Mingwei was in a good mood, so he smiled and said to them: "The role of this microscope is to open up our understanding of the microscopic world. There will be a breakthrough in the understanding of some diseases, which will greatly improve our Ming Dynasty's medical science." level, thereby making us less sick and extending our lifespan. Of course, this is a process, and it requires someone to use tools such as microscopes to study, study things, find out the laws of the microscopic world, and use them."
This is something that benefits all mankind. Regardless of whether they are emperors, nobles, or traffickers, once they achieve something, they will all benefit.
After hearing his words, others could not object.
Of course Zhang Mingwei understood their mood and the impact of the new society on the original knowledge system. Therefore, he comforted them by saying: "Actually, the new society will not have much impact on Confucianism. I will not suppress it either. Confucianism, because in my opinion, New Learning and Confucianism are actually the two legs of Ming Dynasty. One lies in thought and the cultivation of values; the other lies in the real world and the discovery of existing laws. In short, you can think of it this way, New Learning In fact, it also comes from Confucianism. To learn things by studying them is to learn them well.”
Investigating things to achieve knowledge originates from one of the eight items in the "Book of Rites? Great Learning", which includes investigating things, achieving knowledge, sincerity, upright mind, self-cultivation, ordering the family, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world. Wang Yangming, the most famous person in the Ming Dynasty, also attached great importance to studying things.
When Zhang Mingwei said it from this perspective, it was more acceptable to Confucian scholars.
After saying this, he hurried back. He felt that what he had said was almost the same, so he didn't want to say more. He immediately turned to ask Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, is there anything else?"
Regarding what Zhang Mingwei said, Emperor Chongzhen was the one who could best stay out of the matter and watch happily. When he heard Zhang Mingwei's words, he immediately reacted and said quickly: "Yes, yes, good news from Dongjiang Town!"
Zhang Mingwei was very happy after hearing this. Good news came from the reconstruction of Dongjiang Town, which will definitely be very beneficial to the growth of Dongjiang Town.
After he finished reading, Emperor Chongzhen asked the question he was most concerned about: "Sir, do you think that person will be a slave chief? What will happen?"
Zhang Mingwei was a little surprised. He looked at the description in the victory report, thought for a moment and said: "In all likelihood, it is the slave chief Huang Taiji. As far as I know, he has been in poor health since the Songjin War. If according to... …”
He originally wanted to say that it would be based on historical development, but he quickly came to his senses and immediately changed his mind and said, "...My guess is that he won't survive this year. Of course, it may be that my guess is wrong. After all, I don't know who he is. The specific situation may change my understanding. However, even if there is a change in this matter, it will not change too much. "
When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he was immediately overjoyed and said: "Does this mean that the slave chief's life will be over soon?"
No one in this hall cared about the life and death of Slave Chief Huang Taiji, so they all listened with their ears pricked up.
Zhang Mingwei nodded and said, "I guess I don't have much time to live!"
Hearing his words, everyone in the hall couldn't help but become excited for a moment.
Of course they can feel Huang Taiji's ability. This person's death will definitely be of great benefit to Ming Dynasty.
However, Zhang Mingwei was not as happy as they were. He said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Actually, as long as our Ming Dynasty does a good job, even if Huang Taiji does not die, it will not be a big deal. The Spring Land of Liaodong, a remote place, Recovery is only a matter of time!"
There was strong confidence in his words.
If his words were said at the beginning of last year, many people would probably think that he was arrogant!
The imperial officers and soldiers had never been victorious in field battles against Jianlu. How could they recover Liaodong just by defending the city? Even when Jianlu entered the pass and plundered, the court had no way to do anything!
Now, if his words were spoken to others, many people would also question them. However, what Duke Xingguo said has weight.
The generals he recommended not only stabilized the situation in Liaodong, but even won two major battles. Not only at sea, but also on land, the soldiers have all been to the important town of Liaoyang.
For more than a year, Duke Xingguo himself had been leading troops in south and north wars, repeatedly defeating more with less. In the end, most of them were defeated by the bandits who were ravaging the Central Plains, and the remaining ones also fled into the southwest border.
Duke Xingguo’s military speech is absolutely authoritative!
Therefore, as soon as Zhang Mingwei finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall became obviously lively.
Zhang Mingwei didn't want to hear their echo. It was getting late and he should go home to rest and sleep. So, he grabbed the topic and said: "Moreover, the reorganized armies have already made achievements in the grasslands and will soon enrich the Liaodong side. As long as the strength of the captives is exhausted, it will be time to recover Liaodong. "
After finishing speaking, he felt that it was almost done, so he was ready to tell Emperor Chongzhen that he was tired from the journey.
However, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance had no eyesight at all, so he coughed and started talking.
