Hearing this, Zheng Zhilong thought for a while before replying: "Sir, Iwami Silver Mountain was able to produce about one million taels per year more than 20 years ago."
What a huge number!
However, for Zheng Zhilong, the protection fee he received alone amounted to tens of millions of taels a year. Therefore, the maximum production capacity of only one million taels is really not very exciting!
Even Lu Xiangsheng was a little disappointed when he heard that the peak output of Shijian Yinshan was only about one million taels. In his expectation, the reputation of Ishimi Yinshan should be around ten million taels of silver.
If there were so many, to be honest, he would definitely report to the emperor immediately and mobilize his troops to capture Iwami Silver Mountain first. However, at this time, Lu Xiangsheng was a little cautious. After asking Zheng Zhilong some questions about the Japanese country, he told Zheng Zhilong: "You are familiar with the affairs of the Japanese country. You can select some people from the Japanese prisoners and return them to the Japanese country as my Ming spies." Spying on information to prepare for future battles.”
Although the information from Emperor Chongzhen was often accurate, as a commander facing an enemy, it was also compulsory to learn the enemy's information. Let’s first find out the situation of Iwami Yinshan. If we can easily capture it, that would be the best.
For now, the Japanese army has been defeated. At least for now, there is absolutely no ability to fight the Ming Dynasty again. However, Lu Xiangsheng was unsure of the extent of the Japanese military losses. If he were to fight for the lifeline of Japan with his current military strength, he would still be very cautious.
Therefore, Lu Xiangsheng temporarily put aside his thoughts about Iwami Ginzan and discussed the Ryukyu Kingdom with Zheng Zhilong.
…………
At the same time, Emperor Chongzhen, who was far away in the capital, transferred his energy to the military situation after learning of the Ming army's victory.
With the full cooperation of the interest group on the Prince's side and Bi Maokang on the Military and War Bureau, resources from across the country are available, and there are countless skilled craftsmen, and results have been achieved. The first steam engine in the Ming Dynasty, or the first steam engine in the world, was finally built.
Of course, Emperor Chongzhen's guidance was indispensable during this process.
Although Emperor Chongzhen did not actually make a steam engine in his previous life. There are so many steam engine components that include separate condensers, thermal insulation layers outside the cylinder, oil-lubricated pistons, planetary gears, parallel motion linkages, centrifugal speed regulators, throttle valves, pressure gauges, etc. Understand. However, after all, he graduated from college and did not return physics to the teacher. The principles, ideas, thoughts, etc. are all very clear.
Just by looking at the steam engine they built, you can immediately suggest many improvements. Due to the existence of this bug caused by Emperor Chongzhen, it originally took hundreds of years of gradual improvement before it could be used as an industrial steam engine. In this dimension, the Ming Dynasty used the power of the whole country to use it for more than a year, or at most two years. Time, it was created.
Today, the steam engine placed in front of Emperor Chongzhen has reached the level of the steam engine improved by Watt in the original plane. However, this steam engine has to be replaced by Watt's steam engine, and the cost is unknown.
You know, this steam engine was built part by part by master-level craftsmen among skilled craftsmen. If you add in the cost of the efforts of the Ming Emperor and the Prince, it can be said that this steam engine is priceless!
Seeing Emperor Chongzhen sizing up the steam engine that was finally presented, Prince Zhu Cixi happily said: "My father, my son, and Bi Qing have calculated that such a steam engine can be used in mining, smelting, textiles, machine manufacturing, etc., and can Greatly improve efficiency.”
Emperor Chongzhen smiled and nodded. He knew far better than the prince how versatile this steam engine would be.
Seeing him smiling, Zhu Cixiang was very happy and immediately continued to play with great ambition: "Father, I plan to move this steam engine to a carriage and test it on a ship in the next step. I must realize it as soon as possible." The grand occasion mentioned has greatly changed my traffic in Ming Dynasty!"
To be honest, Bi Maokang contributed the most to this steam engine. However, Zhu Cihong was the prince of the dynasty who couldn't hold him back, so naturally, the credit belongs to the prince first. If he takes the lead in saying this, Bi Maokang will not have any objection, and neither will anyone else.
"That's very good." Emperor Chongzhen first confirmed Zhu Cixiang's idea, and then continued: "Since this practical steam engine prototype is already available, let's follow the example of the glass factory and set up a steam engine factory. As for the shares, it will also be modeled on the glass factory. The imperial court, I, you and the War Bureau will share some of it, and put the rest up for auction, and the proceeds will be used to build a few more factories, at least in the two capitals. How about that?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Cihong and Bi Maokang looked at each other. They were both overjoyed and quickly thanked them. You know, if this happens, who doesn't like the money rolling in?
But what they didn't expect was that Emperor Chongzhen continued to smile and said after they thanked them: "Bi Qing is already a firearms master. Now that this steam engine has been built, how about I make you a machine master?"
The title of Grand Master is the fourth rank. Not only does one have tax-free grain fields, but one can also be exempted from the labor of two family members. Even if he didn't have these, being able to get another master title would be the emperor's recognition of him, and it would be an extremely honorable thing.
Therefore, Bi Maokang was overjoyed when he heard this and quickly thanked him.
After he finished thanking him, Emperor Chongzhen turned to look at Zhu Cixi and asked with a smile: "You also participated in the construction of this steam engine. You spent a lot of effort and energy. Since you have contributed a lot, I will also grant you the title." How about Machine Master?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was immediately stunned.
You know, Zhu Cixi is the prince! This prince is much higher than any other title. In other words, the position of prince is unique in the world, and no title can be compared with the prince.
Why would the emperor designate the prince as a machine master? This is really unreasonable! For some reason, his mind immediately recalled the past when Emperor Zhengde granted himself the position of general.
Therefore, Zhu Cihong was stunned there. Before he could react, Bi Maokang had already taken the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, with the dignity of a prince, how can he receive an ordinary title? Isn't this incompatible with etiquette?"
Hearing this, Zhu Cixiang came to his senses and looked at his father, wondering what his father's answer was.
Emperor Chongzhen smiled, looked at Bi Maokang and said: "What's unreasonable? The prince is the prince, and the machine master is the machine master. Is this a conflict? If I named him the machine master, it would be an admission that the prince was very important to the Ming Dynasty in terms of machine building. Made outstanding contributions."
Having said this, he turned to look at Zhu Cixiang and asked him: "What do you think, do you want the title of Machine Master or not?"
After hearing this, Bi Maokang turned to look at Zhu Cixiang. He knew that whether the prince would be awarded the title of "Machine Master" in the end or not would depend on the prince himself.
Although the prince has not yet answered, Bi Maokang knew that something unprecedented was about to happen to Ming Dynasty based on Bi Maokang's understanding of the prince.
Sure enough, Zhu Cixiang was excited and respectfully saluted Emperor Chongzhen, and then solemnly said: "I want it!"
While he was answering, he knew in his heart that when he returned, his mother would not be happy if she found out. But my father has said that this is an affirmation of his work in building steam engines, so why not? Of course I want it!
When Emperor Chongzhen heard his answer, he immediately smiled and said: "Okay, then my Ming Dynasty will have one more master!"
Seeing this, Bi Maokang was intimidated by the emperor's prestige and did not dare to object, so the matter was settled.
Emperor Chongzhen did not forget the skilled craftsmen who participated in building the steam engine, so he summoned the most important craftsmen, encouraged them and later gave them the title of "professional craftsmen".
From now on, these craftsmen will not only receive the corresponding salary and land, but also have the privilege of being in front of the fifth-rank magistrate and below officials. To describe them as overjoyed is the most appropriate way to describe them.
This steam engine was built and brought so much joy. The atmosphere at the scene was extremely festive, which seemed to dilute the coldness of the north wind.
After they were all happy, Emperor Chongzhen did not forget to make a request to them: "When building this steam engine, you must also think about speeding up the production capacity. You cannot just rely on a few of your professional craftsmen to build it. The parts can be produced on the assembly line. , we need to change to assembly line production. If there are problems in the middle, we will solve them, do you understand?"
"My son understands!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Cihong responded excitedly.
Emperor Chongzhen had long proposed the concept of the assembly line. It can even be said that this happened as far back as the Qin Dynasty. However, based on the experience of the previous military battles, the requirements for the assembly line are indeed very high, and it will be difficult to assemble the components if they are even slightly wrong in size. For this reason, Emperor Chongzhen previously proposed a tool called a vernier caliper.
As my father said, if this steam engine is replaced by an assembly line to build components, there will definitely be many difficulties. However, if there is a problem, solve it. This is the famous saying of my father, just do it!
At this time, Zhu Cixi was full of confidence and motivation. If Empress Zhou saw it, she would definitely comment that she was not doing her job properly. However, with Emperor Chongzhen protecting him, there was nothing anyone could do.
Emperor Chongzhen looked at the steam engine, sorted out the technology tree he knew in his mind, and then summoned Song Yingxing.
He first showed Song Yingxing the steam engine, and then said to him: "I will ask you to do something again. Before the Chinese New Year, and no later than March next year, do it for me!"
Upon hearing this, Song Yingxing couldn't help but be overjoyed. The emperor has another good idea that falls on him. The glass before, what will it be this time?
"Your Majesty's decree, I should do my best to fulfill it!" Song Yingxing thought in his heart, and immediately echoed loudly.
Not to mention, Bi Maokang next to him was filled with envy when he saw him.
Miaoshuwu
