Dagu, Tianjin, where the Haihe River flows into the sea.
At this time, it was also called Zhigu River and Dagu River.
Its uppermost reaches is still in Shanxi, and is connected to the northern end of the canal, and is also close to the sea.
Since the Cao Army was reorganized and the Maritime Bureau was established with General Zheyang as the backbone, Dagu, Tianjin has become the headquarters of the Maritime Bureau.
Later, the Treasure Ship Supervisor also set up a shipyard here. When the Ming Dynasty decided to build the three naval divisions of Beiyang, Dongyang and Nanyang, the headquarters of the Beiyang Navy was also located here.
Similarly, as a special enterprise with armed forces, the Maritime Great Wall Company cannot be too far away from Beijing's control.
Today, Tianjin is already a major town in Beijing, and the scale of Dagu Port is growing day by day.
As the steam engine is finalized, in addition to the heavy industry park in the northeast of Liangxiang, a new industrial park is also beginning to be built in Tianjin. It does not rely on the water power of the Haihe River, but will be powered by steam engines.
Next to Dagu Port, the Bao Shipbuilding Dagu Shipyard has been built for a long time. In recent years, it has developed into the fourth largest shipbuilding plant on par with Dongguan, Quanzhou and Ningbo.
This is due to the expansion of border trade and the huge trees purchased from North Korea and the Jurchens.
Now, the first preparation work received from Dagu Shipyard is to dig a larger shipyard.
"According to rough calculations, according to the new standards set by the Ministry of Construction, the length of this dock must be more than 120 feet and the width must be 30 feet. Only then can a larger pulley crane be built. The depth must also be 15 feet.
, this new dock can only be dug new!"
"Yes, ships from other shipyards, Marine Division, Maritime Great Wall Company, and Maritime Transport Bureau are all occupied. Even if you want to merge the two into one, you still have to dig deeper and longer. It is better to dig a new one!"
"If you ask me, since we have to dig, why not dig two at a time? What if we only dig one and something goes wrong?"
Listening to their chattering, the factory supervisor of Dagu Shipyard asked worriedly: "President Shen, digging such a large shipyard will consume a lot of labor and money. Can the factory pay for it first?"
"No need to worry, just start doing it! Build a new one, build one first, and prepare for the next one!"
"...It's a lot of work and money!" the factory supervisor of Dagu Shipyard reminded again.
"You don't have to worry, I'll be responsible for the money!" Treasure Ship Supervisor Shen Qi glanced at everyone, "In addition, we must build a courtyard. His Majesty has decreed that the Shipbuilding Research Branch of the Academy of Sciences will be established here at the Dagu Shipyard. In June,
All the academicians, doctors, and master craftsmen are coming. Not only them, but also the Baojin Bureau, the War Bureau, the Construction Bureau, and the Tongyi Bureau are all going to build new factories and new stations in Tianjin. This steam ironclad ship is an important item of the great nation appointed by His Majesty.
Tool!"
The people he called to the meeting were stunned.
"The ships under construction cannot be stopped. I have sent orders to various places to dispatch a group of master craftsmen and skilled workers to go north." Shen Qi's eyes lit up, "The big treasure ship of the past, according to today's new standards, is only a seventy-mile span. A hundred-mile span large ship
If it can be built, the Ming Dynasty will be invincible!"
Everyone looked at him in shock.
In fact, most of today's companies still have honorable ministers as presidents, but Treasure Ship Supervisor is an exception.
Shen Qi, who is only fifty years old, can be regarded as a middle-aged man who succeeded in his career.
He passed the Jinshi examination in the 11th year of Jiajing's reign after the imperial examination syllabus was changed. By then he was already in his forties.
The reason is: he likes miscellaneous studies very much.
After becoming a Jinshi, he entered the Treasure Ship Supervisor as a Jinshi, which many people did not understand at the time.
But four years later, his book "Chronicles of the Ming Dynasty Ships" reached Tianting, and he rose to prominence from then on. Last year, the steam engine was produced, and after the meeting on major national policies, he directly came to the position of Treasure Ship Supervisor. Now everyone understood: It turns out that the emperor is I fell in love with him and he knew how to sail.
The Ship Chronicles of the Ming Dynasty can now be regarded as the most comprehensive work on the shipbuilding industry of the Ming Dynasty. It has four volumes, one of which describes the shipbuilding material specifications and drawings of various types of ships in the Ming Dynasty, and the other describes the evolution of shipbuilding technology in the past dynasties. One volume summarizes the official responsibilities of the Ming Dynasty shipbuilding industry, private shipyards, and the industry status of shipbuilding craftsmen, and the other volume details various management methods of the shipbuilding process.
In history, Shen Qi was forty-eight years old before he won the Jinshi in the 17th year of Jiajing. In the second year, he went to Longjiang, the Ministry of Industry, to apply for the examination, and finally began to work hard. Longjiang is in the north of Nanjing and is a major shipyard in the Ming Dynasty. Zheng He He set sail from there on his seventh voyage to the West.
Shen Qi completed the book "Chronicles of the Southern Ships" when he was fifty years old, but this time, he had a new encounter.
The government-run shipyards of the Ming Dynasty were unified and integrated into the Treasure Ship Supervision, and the Ming Dynasty also had a new standard of ships and an official shipbuilding office management system.
At this moment, Shen Qi, who was also just over 50 years old, was already at the top of the Ming Dynasty's shipbuilding industry. He expected that his achievements would surpass those of the Great Treasure Ship.
"I will personally supervise the construction of this steam ironclad ship!" He looked around at everyone, "Use wood and iron together, and sail and oar together! Cast iron keel, steam engine oar, if you can figure out these problems, you will be the leader in the shipping industry in the future! Your Majesty has issued an edict, if you can On the day it is completed and launched into the water, the emperor will come to congratulate you!"
So that afternoon, the Treasure Ship Supervisor launched a large campaign in nearby Tianjin, Jinghai, Baoding, Wen'an, Qingxian, Cangzhou and even Dezhou in Shandong.
Not only Bao Ship Supervisor, but also other companies have also started recruiting wars nearby.
Dagu, Tianjin, is about to undergo major construction projects. Starting this year, millions of silver taels will be spent there every year. What kind of opportunity is this?
The attractive prospect attracted some young men and businessmen on the canal.
In the capital, people are waiting to see the results.
On February 15th, the joint examination had just ended and the rankings had not yet come out, but new news was published in Ming Pao.
The palace examination was reorganized, the profession was chosen, and the imperial examination was re-opened. News of the two new earls spread like wildfire.
Exam candidates are confused.
There is not much time left for them, the imperial examination will be held at the beginning of next month.
The results haven't come out yet, but if you get into the main list, you have to consider which direction to choose now.
Wang Chonggu was very confused.
According to his previous views, the Wang family was originally a big businessman in Shanxi, and what they needed most in the future was to take root in the officialdom.
But now the emperor wants to divide the Jinshi into three directions: government, enterprise, and academy of sciences, and his intention is quite obvious.
The Grand Inspector of Industry and Commerce is at the front, the Datong Party under Heaven is established at the middle, and the Jinshi classification is at the back. His Majesty is dissatisfied with the fact that those in official positions are involved in businesses related to their own families.
There are three types of officials. One is to work as an official in the government and "serve the people" for Your Majesty; the other is to work as an official in a company to make money for Your Majesty and the court and stabilize the economic lifeline; the other is to work as an official in the Academy of Sciences and in the field of culture and education.
Sow seeds for the future of Ming Dynasty.
Wang Chonggu's original intention to become an official was to take care of the Wang family's business.
From this point of view, it is probably better to choose the direction of the enterprise.
Based on his family background and the skills he had learned from childhood, it was not impossible to even take a look at the leader of the economics and civil sciences.
Wang Chonggu thought about it for several days and finally released the list.
No surprise, he is indeed on the list.
With this identity, he could finally give the order: "Prepare two generous gifts. I am going to visit Tang Guowu and Chief Yang."
One is Tang Shunzhi, who has a close relationship with the Wang family, and the other is Yang Bo, the chief of the imperial study room, who is also from Shanxi. Wang Chonggu, as a new tribute scholar, can now visit them.
We also need to ask for their suggestions on the way forward.
Like Wang Chonggu, all tribute scholars on the official list must face this problem.
How to choose the future path?
At this moment, Zhu Houcong was also looking at the list of Xinke Gongshi and their scores in the imperial study room.
What was presented to the emperor was a more detailed analysis.
In today's general examination, the syllabus has been changed, and some arithmetic and general knowledge questions have been added. Optional questions such as "additional questions" have also been included in the final practical questions.
After changing the imperial examination from the original test of only Neo-Confucianism to the present, Zhu Houcong could only use this method to select some talents who may be different.
Take Shen Qi for example. The reason why he went directly to the Treasure Ship Supervisor was probably because Zhu Houcong suggested Yan Song to him and asked him to pay attention to Shen Qi.
Otherwise, due to inertia, of course everyone would still choose to serve in the government.
All the questions for the palace examination have been published. For the first time in more than 20 years, Zhu Houcong was looking forward to the results of the palace examination.
This time, naturally we have to guide some people to take a bold step and choose another direction.
"After all, the system is just two leaders, Feng Bo." Zhu Houcong looked at the analysis and circled or checked some names. "I went to the enterprise and made a lot of money, but the management was still as strict as an official.
, the real power is not as good as that of local officials, but their salary is higher. Going to the Academy of Sciences and other schools makes you look even more impoverished. But some people are potential seedlings and should be advised."
Zhu Houcong raised his head and glanced. In front of him, Tang Shunzhi, Yang Bo, Yan Song, Huang Zuo and other important ministers were here. Hu Zongxian and Shen Lian were also present.
"You are all important ministers who are familiar with me. Since the list has been released, you must be inundated with calls." Zhu Houcong handed the list to them, "You can try to give some advice to these people. I do not set up enterprises to monopolize all walks of life.
Industry, it’s just that the country needs to concentrate on doing some big things, and do things that will pay off in the long run. With enterprises as the hub, as long as we abide by the law, I am happy to see private and commercial development getting better and better.”
"As for running culture, education, and doing science, I'm afraid it does require some enthusiasm. But in terms of reputation, status, and salary, I will definitely give it enough. When the first batch of academicians is selected, I will express my condolences on every festival, the Spring Festival state banquet, and the kindness of my children.
, there will be no shortage of them.”
Zhu Houcong sighed slightly: "I am almost forty, and my energy will gradually decline from now on. But the importance of the Academy of Sciences, many officials and scholars, and the common people are not important. I have told you this over and over again.
That’s it. If you want to have a successor on the path of physics, you have to start from today. Go ahead, except for leaking questions, you are all here to guide me.”
Yan Song smiled and bent down: "I and others understand that Your Majesty has worked so hard."
State-owned enterprises are still dominated by distinguished ministers. It would be a good thing to have more civil servants with academic background, as long as they are willing.
As for the honorable ministers who may be a little unhappy, that doesn't matter. After the affairs in Japan are finished, there will probably be a group of them who can be accommodated there.
The plates are getting bigger and bigger.
After Tang Shunzhi and others left, Zhu Houcong asked Yang Bo: "Do you need to practice or should you keep a straight face every day?"
Yang Bo smiled: "Although Mr. Yang feels unhappy, since all state affairs have been agreed upon, he will still take it seriously."
Zhu Houcong also smiled.
There are nine state affairs including the Chief Assistant, and there is an emperor above them. Although the Chief Assistant has great power, if the Chief Assistant is not capable enough and the structure is not big enough, then it will actually be a situation of joint decision-making.
Yang Shen, this guy, really doesn’t have a big picture and doesn’t have a long-term vision.
I don't know where his spirit of remembering the past and present and writing "many things in the past and present are all told in a joke" came from when he was down and out.
Could it be that we only have time to reminisce about the past and present when we are sad for spring and autumn, but when it comes to doing practical things, our horizons are too small?
Zhu Houcong didn't blame him. Yang Shen's considerations made sense. Ming Dynasty was already in the lead. To make further progress would be to get twice the result with half the effort. After all, he had to find his own way out first.
Besides, there are naturally many solutions to the money problem at the national level, so we don’t have to tie our hands to this.
The emperor said that his energy would gradually decline from now on, but that is obviously not the case now.
In recent months, he has obviously moved faster, not only in terms of state affairs, but also physically.
After nightfall, he walked quickly to Lam Qingping Palace.
The treasure books of the five new concubines have been awarded. In fact, they have been regarded as Zhu Houcong's women since they entered the palace, so they have naturally had their hands on it.
There was a new person in the palace, and since around the Chinese New Year, Zhu Houcong actually tried his best to maintain a more regular schedule.
Handling state affairs is one thing. Now that steam engines are available and Ming Dynasty has entered a new stage, he must also have a sense of health preservation.
If you live longer, you can ensure that the path of Ming Dynasty will be wider.
So nowadays, the emperor can be seen in the various palaces more often. At least the emperor no longer spends the night in Yangxin Palace every day, but always stays in a certain palace.
Talking about gossip is a way to appease someone.
Listening to the piano and enjoying dancing are my favorite things.
If you fight in bed again, it will be even more of a favor.
Needless to say where to wake up.
The emperor used another kind of "energy" to coordinate the stability of the harem, but he has obviously paid a lot during this period.
Huang Jin was a little afraid that he wouldn't be able to bear it.
So when we arrived at Lin Qingping's place, a nourishing and health-preserving meal was already prepared.
What is missing in the palace?
There is no shortage of good medicinal materials, good ingredients, and good prescriptions.
Besides, people feel refreshed when happy events happen, and newlyweds are even fresher now.
Seeing that the emperor was dragging her to go to the inner room after eating, Lin Qingping stopped.
"Your Majesty, there is something wrong with my concubine today. Your Majesty will go to your concubine's place."
Zhu Houcong couldn't help but look at her.
Lin Qingping smiled slightly: "I and Concubine Shu both know the general situation. Before and after the queen enters the palace, they will help your majesty to restrain everyone. But your majesty, the dragon body is more important, so there is no need to worry.
The harem is so busy."
Zhu Houcong is a little embarrassed. Has he been acting a bit outrageous recently?
Lin Qingping hugged him: "I and your majesty's son have grown up, I am satisfied."
Zhu Houcong thought of his eldest son in Yunnan and stroked her back: "He wrote a letter and said that he is very comfortable in Kunming."
"The princess is pregnant, and I am even more happy. I hope she will give birth to a child safely."
Zhu Houcong was in a daze: He's not even forty yet, are he going to have grandchildren?
"It's not advisable to travel around when you're pregnant. When the child is born, I will announce that he will return to Beijing next year and reunite the family."
"Um!"
Lin Qingping let go of him, smiled and pushed him with a look like "I don't know you yet", "Go ahead. If Your Majesty wants the rain and dew to be wetted, I can just turn around and wait for Your Majesty to sleep in peace. It has been more than twenty years.
, Your Majesty sleeps most soundly next to me."
Zhu Houcong thought about the old incident when she and Huang Jin took turns keeping vigil when they first entered the palace, and felt that it was the most difficult thing to bear the kindness of a beauty.
But his body is still honest.
After that, he made a joke: "Why is the dragon body so important? Am I not as good as before now? Just wait!"
Lin Qingping watched him go to the side hall with a smile, and then sat down quietly.
She didn't say anything against her will, but the new person was better than the old person, which made her feel a little sad.
However, if you think about it carefully, the emperor is also somewhat touching.
Although it cannot be said that the body is not as good as before, although it can be said that it is for the sake of the peace of the harem, after all, it is also the inner feeling of "trying your best" to take care of the concubines.
Even if you have proper arrangements for your children, you are still afraid that they will feel sad. As a concubine, what can you complain about when you meet such an emperor?
Jealousy? Let him only love one person?
A person like this in the Ming Dynasty has lived in Renshou Palace for many years.
Duan concubine has other thoughts, and now her three daughters are all terrified.
Lin Qingping sighed, thinking that she would mention this matter to him when the emperor came back.
It's okay for the concubines to just let it happen, but the three princesses should really think about it.
When a new Jinshi comes out, the eldest princess born to concubine Jing and the second princess born to concubine Duan should choose a consort?
She hesitated again. The queen was going to enter the palace soon. If she mentioned this now, would the queen think that she was acting as the master of the harem?
After thinking about it for a while, she decided to forget it.
Your Majesty is wise and mighty, and he should have his own opinions.