Chapter 40 The Institute of Literature and Thought
Mao Xiang was stunned and said: "Your Majesty, I am ignorant. Hasn't Guo Huan's matter been investigated clearly? You only need to give an order and the Jin Yiwei will arrest him. Why do you need to send someone there?"
Zhu Yuanzhang's tone was calm, like an elder, and said: "Mao Xiang, you are my nephew, I won't hide it from you. This He Xi comes after my old friend, but it is a pity that the old friend has gone west. I will definitely take good care of He Xi. This time
The trip to Hangzhou is to try He Xi's materials. If it is enough to be entrusted with important tasks, it will be easy to place him in the future. If it is really not that piece of material, it will be fine if he is raised in glory and wealth."
"I want you to go and do three things. First, no matter what happens, you must protect He Xi's safety."
"Second, give He Xi secret guidance. If He Xi can't investigate further, give him some clues to make this matter end well."
"Third, report every move He Xi made in Hangzhou. I want to see how good He Xi is."
As Mao Xiang, who controls the world's intelligence, he actually does not believe in He Xi's identity.
It's just that Mao Xiang has served as the commander of the Jinyiwei for so many years, and he knows too much about what it means. He doesn't ask what he shouldn't ask, and he doesn't think about what he shouldn't. The more he is the commander of the Jinyiwei, the more he knows. Knowing too much will not end well.
Since Your Majesty said it was after an old friend, it must be after an old friend.
Mao Xiang said: "I obey your orders." Mao Xiang hesitated for a while, then lowered his voice and said: "Your Majesty, what about my errands in the city?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a while.
He naturally knew what kind of errand Mao Xiang was in the capital.
Inspecting hundreds of officials, he usually pointed out the charges of burying nails in the mansions of many heroes and generals.
In fact, at this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang had no idea of killing the heroes. He did this because he had a strong sense of insecurity in his heart and used it as a subconscious defensive method. Now thinking about history, the old brother he was forced to die by Zhu Yuanzhang...
The time is a bit confusing and sad.
He said: "Let Jiang Xian be responsible. He is not allowed to carry it or act rashly."
Although he felt a little confused and sad that he had killed so many old brothers in history, Zhu Yuanzhang was absolutely rational when making decisions. Although he did not want such a situation, if this method can solve the problem.
He is not afraid to use it.
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Early the next morning, He Xi was called over by the prince.
The prince yawned and said: "The errand my father just handed over to me, I saw it was your suggestion. Tell me, what should I do?"
He Xi saw a piece of paper on the table, with rewards for meritorious craftsmen written on it. Generally speaking, every craftsman who contributed his or her efforts would be rewarded with a certain amount of treasure notes, ranging from thousands to hundreds of coins. The depreciation of Ming Dynasty treasure notes was also a factor.
process.
Nowadays, the price of a treasure banknote is unknown.
However, he believed that the Ming Dynasty would not discount the rewards, so he did not look further.
However, there was one line of words that He Xi paid attention to.
He Xi said: "What is Wensi Academy?"
The prince said: "The Wensi Courtyard was a royal institution in the Tang Dynasty, responsible for craftsmanship and exquisite craftsmanship. There are many exquisite works, and there are several in the palace, which are inscribed with the Tang Wensi Courtyard. However," the prince looked at He Xi with a half-smile,
Said: "Wensi Academy existed from the Tang Dynasty to the Five Dynasties and Song Dynasty, but this institution did not exist in the Ming Dynasty."
"What do you think we should do?"
Zhu Yuanzhang established a huge set of eunuch institutions, which can be said to have reshaped the entire palace institution. Many institutions handed down from the Tang and Song Dynasties were merged into new institutions. Naturally, they are gone.
He Xi was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed and said, "Did your Majesty really say that?"
The prince said: "If not, can I call you?"
He Xi pondered for a moment and said: "In my opinion, the Academy of Literature and Thought is the same as the Hanlin Academy. It serves as an advisory body to the imperial court. For major matters such as building water conservancy, building sea ships, repairing roads, etc., the imperial court needs to consult with the Imperial Academy before making decisions.
Leaders from all walks of life consult one or two. It is also used as a reward for merit. For example, if the craftsmen who have made merit in supervising the making of armor this time are rewarded in the past, how should they be rewarded?"
The prince said: "Give them official positions and let them serve in the Ministry of Industry."
This is true. In the early Ming Dynasty, many craftsmen became officials, usually serving as minor officials in the Ministry of Works. There were even brilliant ones who were promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Works. But later on, this situation became rare.
He Xi said: "Your Highness, do you really think these craftsmen are qualified to serve as officials?"
The prince was stunned and said: "It's okay to serve in the Ministry of Industry."
The prince did not think that craftsmen were qualified to serve as other officials, but they could supervise the manufacture of weapons or major construction projects in the Ministry of Works.
He Xi said: "What His Highness said is very true. But I think this is a waste of talent. The real talent of these craftsmen lies in technology. Letting them become officials puts the cart before the horse. It is better to let them continue to study technology and solve more problems."
, for example, what is the most important issue today? It is the speed of iron ore mining. Once the new steelmaking method is used on a large scale, a large amount of pig iron will be needed. Although there is a lot of iron ore in stock now, I estimate that it will be opened to use, not this year.
, it will be used up next year, and the amount of iron ore needed by then will be very large. If the imperial court uses the army to mine, I am afraid it will have to use more than a dozen guard posts, which will consume a lot of manpower and material resources. This is why His Majesty has not maintained large-scale mining.
, it’s too labor intensive.”
"But is there a technical solution to this problem?"
When the prince heard this, he was immediately moved.
Mining itself is an industry that consumes a lot of manpower and material resources. If there is a way to save hundreds of thousands of people, or even more manpower and material resources, it will greatly reduce the burden on the court. The prince leaned forward slightly and said: "Brother He
So? But there is a way?"
He Xi said: "I don't have it for the time being. However, His Highness the Crown Prince should not expect all these problems to be solved by me. The Crown Prince has also seen that this time, it is these craftsmen who really solve the problem when supervising the construction of the armor. Not me. Your Highness is in charge."
The intelligence of the world can overcome the difficulties and dangers of the world, but how can we let the intelligence of the world be tolerated?"
The prince said: "I understand what Brother He means. It's just that Brother He's thoughts are too taken for granted."
The prince pondered for a moment and said: "Wensi Courtyard is subordinate to the palace. The Guhui will choose a palace from the palace to be Wensi Palace and serve as the residence of Wensi Courtyard. The envoy of Wensi Courtyard will be temporarily appointed as the fifth rank. Empty but not responsible for three things.
.First annotation. All craftsmen with meritorious service will be separated from the craftsman status and listed in Wensi Academy, which is the same as official status. Second reward, after the craftsman has made meritorious service, he can be given the title of Wensi Academy according to the degree of merit. From the ninth grade
When you reach the fifth rank, you will enjoy all levels of salary. You will also have an official house to rent, and the third court will carry out major projects. We must let the Wensi Academy participate in it as the second assistant in charge."
"For a while, that's all for now."
"Brother He, some of your ideas are good. Maybe one day in the future, but running a big country and cooking small delicacies, some things cannot be rushed."
Although the prince is a kind and kind gentleman, he is definitely not a fool to study. In fact, the prince also knows that this is completely unacceptable to the scholar-officials. Otherwise, the scholar-officials hope to monopolize the officialdom. All officials will be selected from among them.
. Even He Xi’s words made the prince hesitate.
Does the prince have that much ability for craftsmen? Is it necessary because they have trouble with the scholar-bureaucrats?
But He Xi's words moved the prince.
What the emperor has to do is to let the intelligence of the world be used. The emperor should use all the smart people for his own use. Are there no talents among the craftsmen? Starting from this principle, the prince decided to give the craftsmen a channel for advancement.
But the prince also knew that how long this upward channel could be maintained depended on the strength of the craftsmen themselves.
If these craftsmen have not done anything, this channel will probably be abandoned.
He Xi was a little disappointed, but she cheered up and said, "I understand."
The prince said: "My father sent you to Zhejiang? Are you prepared?"
He Xi said: "I'm not prepared."
The prince took out a note and said: "There are some candidates here. After you go, you can contact them directly. For my sake, they will help you. However, don't believe it."
He Xi was a little confused and raised his head.
The prince saw the confusion in He Xi's eyes, smiled softly, and said: "Everyone in the world is flattering me and my son, but people's hearts are hard to fathom. One day is only twelve hours for one person. Even if I don't sleep, I can't understand the whole world."
Things. Are the things they put on the pen the same as what they think in their hearts?"
"I don't know, I don't know. Brother He is going, why don't you help me see what these people are like."
"If you find anything, you can report it to me immediately through Hangzhou Jinyiwei. My father is a bit impatient. If you need anything, I can intercede for you."
He Xi said: "I would like to thank Your Highness."
The prince said: "You're welcome. By the way, the Marquis of Yingchuan will leave the capital tomorrow and the army will head southwest. He misses you very much."
He Xi said: "Your Highness, what Marquis Yingchuan is thinking about is the steel crossbow."
The prince said: "Yes, I didn't expect that the steel crossbow was so valued by the Marquis of Yingchuan. In the past few days, all the craftsmen have given up making armor and are working on the steel crossbow. It is estimated that they can make up a thousand. This is all
Brother He, it’s all thanks to you. Of course you’re going to see me off tomorrow, so that Marquis Yingchuan owes you a favor. Marquis Yingchuan is the backbone of the army, and I don’t know when his favor will come in handy.”
He Xi was slightly moved when he heard what the prince said. The prince really took care of him as his younger brother. Maintaining the relationship between him and the Yingchuan Houfu also paved the way for He Xi. After all, the emperor did not do whatever he wanted in many things. Many friends
Multiple paths.
However, when He Xi thought of Fu Youde's fate, he felt that it was better not to maintain the relationship with the Yingchuan Hou Mansion. However, the prince's kindness was hard to refuse, and He Xi could not refuse. He said: "I obey." This chapter has been completed!
