Chapter 350 The calculations of the old ministers
"Another one fell, another one fell! Which master is this?"
"Is it from the British public?"
"What's the use of this car? I've killed more than a dozen young masters during this time..."
The Huitong Hall is not far from Wufu and Liubu. Several employees of the Tongyi Bureau ran to the door to watch. Some people from the Duoyan Mission also went to the door to take a look outside, and then returned to the lobby where they were drinking tea and passing time.
Ha said: "It's that kind of two-wheeled car. I heard that it belonged to the British prince of the Ming Dynasty. He fell down and the car was broken."
"Then why can the car move forward like a horse and turn corners?" Daha paid great attention to this.
I came to this lobby because of the Ming Pao newspaper.
Now, he was still listening to the person in the entourage who knew Chinese characters, struggling to identify the simplified Chinese characters above, and then relayed it to him.
His father is old, and Daha will be the future lord of the Duoyan tribe. When he came to the capital of the Ming Dynasty this time, he found that the Ming Dynasty did not control them as much as before. And in this hall, so many imperial decrees of the Ming Dynasty were published.
Even the "Ming Pao" of various secrets is placed here in such a grand manner.
The person who went out to look at the fallen bicycle was also an expert.
At this moment, he solemnly whispered: "It's very unusual! The wooden shell was broken to pieces, and inside were iron plates with teeth scattered all over the floor. It could be seen that those iron plates with teeth were also painted
Grease. Although it looks like a wooden wheel and wooden frame on the outside, it is actually an iron frame on the inside!"
Daha lightly clenched his fist and said nothing: Ming Dynasty had so much iron?
Just now he heard someone read an article in a newspaper, which introduced a practical event that benefited the people.
The general content is that since the Ming Emperor mentioned in his Spring Festival greetings on the first day of the first month of the fifth year of Jiajing that every farmer in the Ming Dynasty should have iron hoes, iron plows, and iron rakes, after three years of hard work, now in time for the autumn harvest
, another batch of iron farm tools was shipped from iron factories in Beijing, Foshan, Zunhua and other places.
By the end of this year, the Ming Dynasty will reach the level of the yellow list that was rebuilt in the sixth year of Jiajing. Each household will have at least an iron hoe, and the iron plow and iron rake will reach 40% and 2.5% respectively.
As more iron kilns are built and put into operation, it is expected that in three years, iron plows and rakes that consume more iron will be available to every household, benefiting the entire Ming Dynasty.
Now, Daha not only knew that the Ming people planned to lay iron on the road, but also saw that they used iron to make iron horses and iron carts that were similar to horses!
Not only iron is used, but precious grease is also used. Grease can protect iron arrowheads and various iron tools from rusting. Daha naturally knows this. Although he does not understand wear and lubrication, what he can see from it is the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty.
,extravagant!
Besides, you can’t believe what the Ming people said to him! They said that they could only walk on the paved flat roads in the city. Who knows if this is true? If the Ming border troops all rode such iron horses, that would be terrible!
While Daha was feeling a little shocked by the first-generation manual gear-driven limited edition bicycle, Lu Bing was arranging for people to verify many things reported by Wei Bin.
Wei Bin saw some problems with his experience and structure, and made the most important report to the emperor before resigning. Lu Bing did not understand many of them, but he was only responsible for finding out whether what Wei Bin said existed.
,right.
This investigation revealed that Yan Song was not at home and Yan Shifan was actually copying books.
"Where's the car I gave you?"
Yan Shifan was puzzled when he heard him ask this: "What's going on in the backyard room?"
"Take me to see it."
He went over to lift the bicycle into the courtyard, and Lu Bing watched intently.
The entire body, wheels and triangular frame, pedals and the place connected to the rear wheel are all wrapped in fine cork. The seats and wheels are even wrapped in fine leather, and the mezzanine also uses
Soft stretchy cashmere.
But this was only part of what Lu Bing wanted to observe. He looked carefully and saw how the wooden boards covering the two sides were held together with very fine mortise and tenon joints. After applying some paint, it was almost impossible to see
come out.
"Let's do it together and take it apart!"
"ah?"
"Tear it down if you ask me to! I'm doing business."
It took a lot of effort for the two of them to remove the wooden board between the pedals and the wheels.
At this time, you can see that the pedals are made of iron curved rods, and the gift Lu Bing gave to Yan Shifan is different from the one that was broken outside the hall.
In this car, between the pedals and the rear wheel is a chain made of fine steel, forged piece by piece by skilled craftsmen, and covered with layers of hollowed rings.
Yan Shifan was taught by his father, Yan Song, and his eyesight was extraordinary. He immediately praised: "I heard that it was His Majesty who came up with the idea and asked them to do this. It is really an ingenious work. Your Majesty has thoroughly studied the three principles of nature, objects and humans!"
Lu Bing remained silent, stretched out his hand to touch the chain, and pulled it hard with both hands.
No wonder Duke Xu Yande, who was still in mourning, said: This is the latest batch of good cars, and only three of them were trial-produced in total.
"I'm done reading and leaving."
Yan Shifan was stunned when he heard this: "What should I do with this car? It's damaged!"
"I'll send someone to pick it up later."
"Brother Lu, didn't you give it to me?"
"I'll copy your book carefully. Now I'll check it back first."
"Ah?" Yan Shifan felt excited when he heard the word "search", "What big case is involved?"
"It's not a case, what are you asking about? Let's go!"
Lu Bing left Yan Song's family and then went to many places, just to get acquainted with the children of Xunchen's families who were working in various companies.
At the same time, there were naturally the royal guards of Beizhen Fusi who went to various places to inquire about news under his orders.
After officially walking to the stage, and having the identity of Prince Consort, it was unusual for Lu Bing to interact with them.
Light industry park, heavy industry park, Mingbao shop in the city, etc...
It was not until the afternoon of the next day that he entered the palace to see him.
Zhu Houcong was looking at the information compiled by the Internal Archives Department and called him into the imperial study without raising his head: "Have you verified something?"
"Your Majesty, that's right." Lu Bing said and looked at Gu Dingchen and others.
"Say it directly."
"Yes." Lu Bing thought for a while and finally said, "What Eunuch Wei said is roughly correct."
Zhu Houcong finally raised his head and glanced at him, and then just sighed slowly: "It's normal. After all, there is still a lack of new talents, and someone has to do the work. Just after taking a few classes and listening to a few trainings, I can start doing things.
But it’s still the same old way.”
Gu Dingchen and others were confused.
"I ordered people to go to the countryside on the outskirts of Beijing. I heard that one of the iron farm tools sold by Shuntian Prefecture can be exchanged for two of the iron farm tools in Hebei. It is better to use more iron. Over there in the Heavy Industry Park, they have always said that there are not enough craftsmen and they are under pressure.
It's not a long journey. In fact, in Liangxiang, I sent people to visit three iron kilns and iron factories, and they didn't stop there all day long."
Zhu Houcong listened quietly.
"I went to Yan's house and took apart the bicycle that I received when I married the princess. The fine steel gears and steel chains were hammered and hammered. I don't know how much iron was used and how much labor was required to make it. The wood is the best golden nan among softwoods.
, the seats and wheels are all covered with pine flower tiger skin, and the interior is padded with cashmere. I heard that it is now very expensive, and a new car like this can be sold for a thousand taels of silver."
Zhu Houcong sneered: "Such a gift indeed shows the status of the Duke of Dingguo, and is also worthy of the princess's wedding gift."
"This is just under the Baojin Bureau. Huang Mingji and other companies have taken this opportunity to lay eggs, forget His Majesty's instructions and make a lot of profits. Especially the Zhejiang Shipping Company's license to go to sea, Eunuch Wei
I can't verify the amount I mentioned. But I revealed my identity, and a shopkeeper in the capital told the truth. In fact, all the shares of the Weaving Bureau in their family have been withdrawn. I went to various stores, and the managers of each store told the truth.
Even if the person in charge has an official rank of five, four or even three, he still has great respect for the children of each family of the distinguished ministers and follows the good deeds."
"Not just them? Even Wei Bin can only turn a blind eye for now, as long as there are no problems in the general direction. If he hadn't resigned due to illness, he wouldn't have exposed these things to me again.
Be loyal and complain." Zhu Houcong lowered his head and continued to read the information, "After all, honorary ministers are also extremely important, and it is not appropriate to force them too much. Now, I have hopes of a great victory, and there are more and more new honorary ministers, and he also feels that
When the time comes, the memorial will be presented."
Lu Bing finished what he needed to say and then remained silent.
This job is easy to do. What kind of person is Wei Bin? He has been in Huangmingji for so many years, and he knows everything behind the scenes. Now that it has been revealed, Lu Bing just followed the diagram to verify it, easily and quickly.
What matters is what the emperor is prepared to do.
Most of the old ministers no longer expect to achieve military merit. They say that if they work well in the enterprise, they can be promoted or not demoted due to meritorious service. I'm afraid they don't believe it in their hearts. In comparison, it is better to make more money.
In this way, in the future, the descendants' titles will be reduced again and again, and they will eventually become ordinary people, or at least they will still be rich.
Since the first batch of state-owned enterprises officially came to the stage in the fifth year of Jiajing, Zhu Houcong has focused most of his energy on Beilu in the past two years. For these state-owned enterprises, he is more concerned about ending the business directly and helping them to guide them technically.
direction.
As long as a skilled craftsman has a direction, even with the current technology and craftsmanship, wouldn't this primitive bicycle be made? It's just that Zhu Houcong hopes that they will continue to melt better steel through experiments and explore mass production processes. Some people
But he immediately turned this thing into a luxury item.
Think about it, the capital will soon be filled with princes and princes, and it will become increasingly prosperous. There will always be someone who can afford a car with a thousand taels of silver.
Zhu Houcong said: "Xuan Zhang Lun and Yu Chengye are here."
Gu Dingchen and others now understood: it was the company and the ministers who had the idea of "getting rich" with the emperor who had committed the crime.
They exchanged glances: This matter is not a small matter. After all, most of the families of honorable ministers now only want to make a fortune with His Majesty in the enterprise.
The emperor's words just now also revealed his thoughts: Now that His Majesty has gained the reputation of killing the Lord of Beiyuan, and has a group of new ministers, the time has come to attack the old ministers.
But wouldn’t this eventually chill the hearts of the large group of ministers? Even if they get rich, wouldn’t they?
In addition, by keeping them in attendance, does His Majesty imply to them that this matter can be reported to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, so that the censors can find something to impeach?
The British Duke Zhang Lun and the Prince Consort Yu Chengye were then announced to the palace and waited outside the imperial study.
Zhang Lun was a little worried, because when he entered the imperial study room for a visit, he felt that the atmosphere was different. The three imperial study bachelors all looked at him with strange eyes.
Zhu Houcong said at this time: "Jiuhe, why don't you go and see how the arrangements for tomorrow's meeting with the Duoyan Mission are being prepared."
The three people immediately resigned: Could it be that Your Majesty is going to scold the British Duke angrily? You must save some face for the British Duke.
Then why did Yu Chengye come?
There were only five people in the imperial study room next. Huang Jin raised his head and looked at the emperor.
Zhu Houcong did not get angry. Instead, he smiled and asked Yu Chengye: "You have stayed at Huangming University for more than two years. How are you doing with your studies?"
"Your Majesty, I have been studying hard, but now I can only say that I have a glimpse of the secret."
"That's good." Zhu Houcong ordered, "Huang Jin, please arrange a banquet for me and the two consorts tonight, and the British prince will accompany me."
"……yes."
Zhang Lun felt uncomfortable all over: What kind of rules do I have to accompany you?
Lu Bing came in the afternoon. Zhang Lun and Yu Chengye heard the announcement and entered the palace. At this moment, they could really start preparing for dinner.
Then Zhang Lun was there listening to the emperor chatting with his brother-in-law and his brother-in-law about domestic matters, saying that the palace of state would help take care of important civil affairs. As for him, as the emperor, in addition to government affairs and military affairs, the two most important things are military power and financial power.
, that is to ask them to help share the worries.
Yu Chengye was naturally modest: "I have mediocre talents and cannot be reused."
"You can't say that." Zhu Houcong said seriously, "After your wedding, I didn't have many people to rely on, so I had to send you to Jiangxi to patrol the water, and you did an excellent job. After working in Jiangxi for several years, Bo'an reported
I have praised you a lot, but it has caused you and the imperial sister to be separated in two places, and my mother has reprimanded me many times."
"...Your Majesty has a destiny, and I should share my worries. After returning to the capital, the princess also showed consideration to me. I have more time to study at Huangming University."
"It's not because I want to compensate the emperor sister that I didn't arrange an errand for you. I only asked you to go to study. After you returned to the capital, I chatted with you and asked you to consult with Yongxiu. You should understand that I still want to use you.
.Now that the emperor’s sister is pregnant, the mother is worried about bringing her into the palace to raise her fetus, so you should come to the palace to visit her more often.”
"I understand and I accept the decree."
Lu Bing probably understood that His Majesty wanted to use him to go to the Huangming Asset Management Bureau located under the inner transportation warehouse, right?
So next, it seemed that just because his relationship with Princess Yongfu became more and more stable, he was given a new idle position and arranged for him to work under Zhang Lun first to familiarize himself with the situation.
As a person who has been studying at Huangming University for more than two years, and has visited various schools such as the School of Calculation, and who was a Jinshi in the second year of Jiajing, he also asked Yang Shen, who had a twisted relationship with him by marriage.
Having met many people, Zhang Lun also understood that he was here to succeed him.
Who is Yang Shen? Regardless of his status as a talented scholar and a top scholar, he is now one of the few people in the Ministry of Household who know the latest laws and accounting methods best.
Some people are very talented, you have to admit it. As long as his mind turns around, he can learn faster than anyone else.
At the family banquet, Zhang Lun thought that this was the reason for today, so he was here to accompany him, so he naturally showed goodwill to Yu Chengye frequently.
When it was almost time to finish eating, Zhu Houcong put down his chopsticks and said calmly: "This year is a major national policy meeting. For the Assets Bureau and various enterprises, the year-end summary report cannot be like the previous two years. Especially last year,
I just came back from class, and I don’t have the time to read your summary in detail. This year, this summary must be done well, especially the summary of financial accounts. Chengye, please help the British father sort out the financial accounts."
"I accept the decree."
Zhang Lun was shocked, but he had no way to evade or explain anything in advance.
Why did the emperor's attention turn here so quickly? Aren't there still so many things going on like the opening of the market with Duoyan, the trial reform of the military settlement in Bianzhen, and the general change of the central leadership of the court?
When he left the imperial study room, Zhang Lun remembered that there was another person present today, Lu Bing, who had always had no sense of presence.
He is in Fusi, Jinyiwei North Town.
Zhang Lun broke out in a cold sweat and immediately put on a smile: "You two consorts, we just came to the throne, and it's really not convenient for you to have a drink. Why don't we find another place..."
Lu Bing just grinned: "I am a newlywed, and if I come home late, the princess will not forgive me."
"...Then go to the princess's house?" Zhang Lun didn't dare to be so confused, and held Lu Bing's hand eagerly, "I'm not stupid! I must find out what is going on. My assets in this
The game is also difficult, it’s difficult to go up, down, left, and right!”
Lu Bing shook his head repeatedly: "Master Guo, what are you talking about? I am a servant in the Jinyi Guards, how can I talk nonsense? Duke Guo, what are you afraid of?"
"I……"
However, Yu Chengye smiled at Lu Bing: "Let's go to your house and discuss it further. Since your Majesty has invited the Duke to accompany you to a banquet, he asked you and me to handle this matter well."
Zhang Lun immediately looked at Yu Chengye gratefully: What a good partner!
Lu Bing thought for a while, then nodded: "Okay. But first of all, Zhang Guogong, after you hear this, you should think about it carefully when you go back. It is best for your majesty to go to the palace immediately after meeting the Duoyan delegation tomorrow, so that your majesty can
The decree has been issued, and we know exactly what to do about this matter."
"sure!"
"Don't be afraid. Since Your Majesty has entrusted you with the important responsibility of being the Duke of the country, your Majesty will also understand your difficulties."
Zhang Lun could only frown: something really happened, and it seems that Jin Yiwei found out first.