Different from later generations, the catering industry in the Song Dynasty has a saying that it never ends. During the Southern Song Dynasty, people generally would not go out to eat on New Year's Eve. Whether they were rich or poor families, they would choose to stay at home for a reunion meal. meal, so during this day, the restaurants in Lin'an City are basically closed. Since the beginning of the New Year, restaurants have entered the peak season. Restaurants of all sizes are doing booming business and are overwhelmed. This also reflects from one side. It describes the prosperity and prosperity of Lin'an City in the Song Dynasty.
In the first year since I came to the throne, the country's economy has begun to show signs of recovery. Compared with the previous year, both the country and the people have made a lot of progress in their pockets. Therefore, this year's Spring Festival is no exception. Since the beginning of the year, people have been coming to the hotel to dine. The business has been good and the number of guests has been even greater than in previous years. Even Xiao Tian, the head shopkeeper of Lelou, went to the hotel to entertain the guests in person, which is evident.
Accompanied by Yuan Ji and Xiao Qi, I dressed in casual clothes and walked out of the north gate of the palace and quietly came to Shifeng Commercial Bank. Together with Wen Tianxiang and Minister of Education and Health Jiang Wanli, who were waiting here, I went to Tongle Building to attend the banquet. .
In addition to the banquets that I, as the emperor, entertained for the officials of the DPRK and China during the Great Court Meeting, during the entire Spring Festival, I only arranged this one banquet for the public, to entertain experts and professors from Lin'an University and the Academy of Sciences. This also shows that I attach great importance to science and technology. As a time traveler, I certainly know the importance of science and technology. The benefits brought by the scientific and technological revolution to mankind are so great that people of this era cannot imagine. I must make the most of my advantages.
In the evening, a group of five of us entered Tongle Building through the small door.
Due to the large number of people attending the banquet, although Tianzi Room 1 is large, it cannot accommodate more than 40 people, so the banquet was held in Tianzi Room 10, which is also the largest private room in Tongle Building.
Since the founding of Lin'an University, there has been a saying circulating in the university that Lin'an University has two presidents. The first one is President He Jihe, whom everyone sees every day, and the second one is a famous president. The young master named Huyan has great supernatural powers, but he is quite mysterious. His family is as wealthy as the country, he has good relations with important ministers in the court, and he is also closely related to the royal family. Although these rumors are various, there is only one core content. Mr. Huyan, this person is extraordinary.
"I have met Mr. Huyan," as soon as I walked into Room 10 on the second floor, I saw about thirty people inside stood up at the same time and saluted in unison. The movements of these thirty people were synchronized and their voices were neat. , just like the congratulatory performance of the ministers at the court meeting, it seems to have been rehearsed in advance. Among these people are men, women, old and young. I know a few of them, such as Yun Bofei, Huang Daopo, Yang Hui, Song Wuxin, Yang Xiaozhi and others.
"Dear gentlemen and professors, Hu Yan would like to wish everyone a happy New Year,"
"Thank you, Mr. Huyan. We wish you good luck in the new year and all your wishes come true."
"Everyone, please take a seat," I said with a smile on my face, and then pointed to Wen Tianxiang and Jiang Wanli beside me. The education of the DPRK, the person on the right is Mr. Wen Tianxiangwen, academician of the Government Affairs Council,"
After everyone sat down, they quickly stood up and said in unison: "I have met Mr. Jiang, I have met Mr. Wen,"
"You're welcome, you're welcome, gentlemen, happy New Year," Wen Tianxiang and Jiang Wanli hurriedly returned the greeting with their hands in hand. The two ministers clearly knew that I valued these scientific talents and were very polite to them.
Jiang Wanli and Wen Tianxiang are both very famous. Although most of the people here are not very concerned about the affairs of the court, they know these two people quite well. Jiang Wanli joined the Imperial Academy when he was young, and later became obsessed with it. Yu founded the academy and had a high prestige among literati students all over the world. Wen Tianxiang was once the number one scholar in high school, so he was naturally a celebrity.
When I saw everyone sitting down again, I said: "Principal He, please introduce these gentlemen and professors to me first."
"Yes, sir," He Ji stood up hurriedly and introduced to me the names and scientific research directions of the people attending the banquet one by one. He Ji and others knew my purpose, so in terms of personnel selection, they basically used Mainly natural science scholars.
When I met people I didn't know, I nodded to each of them and gave them encouragement or a few polite words. Most of these scientists themselves were arrogant, but when I met He Ji, Shen Yiqiu, Quan Jue, etc. The leaders and master-level celebrities such as Yun Bofei, Song Wuxin, and Yang Hui all respected me very much and were polite, without even the slightest hint of arrogance.
"Very well, you are all the elites from all walks of life in our Song Dynasty. On the occasion of the New Year, I would like to toast you all first,"
"Thank you, sir," everyone said after finishing their drinks.
After getting my consent, He Ji stood up and said: "Everyone, the banquet is about to begin. Before that, please give a speech by Mr. Jiang. Everyone is welcome,"
Amidst the applause, Jiang Wanli stood up and said: "Gentlemen, Happy New Year to everyone, Xianguan Jiang Wanli, I am very happy to come here to participate in the grand gathering of the scientific community. You are all scientific and technological talents of our dynasty. According to the emperor's words, He is a scientist. Jiang has just heard of this title and is still unfamiliar with it. However, the emperor has said that scientists, like military strategists, writers, calligraphers and thinkers, are indispensable talents for our dynasty. Even in the past, scientists Even though the official is stupid and cannot fully understand the emperor's intention, the official believes in the emperor, and with the emperor's wisdom, he will never miss the target."
"This Jiang Wanli is really good at flattering me," I laughed to myself.
"This time, I have been entrusted by the emperor to convey some holy wishes on this occasion of the feast," Jiang Wanli continued, "The emperor said that in the second year of Xianchun, this year, the scientific and educational circles will usher in a new era. A year of great opportunities. Starting from this year, the imperial court will increase funding for education and scientific research year by year. First, it will focus on the construction of basic education facilities, that is, the universalization of primary and secondary schools within our territory, and it will also vigorously support projects that are beneficial to the country and the people. Key scientific research projects require money to give money, people to give people, science and technology to rejuvenate the country, and education to rejuvenate the country. This is the basic national policy decreed by the emperor at the end of last year. The scientific and technological revolution will be the main theme of our future government. Lin'an University and the Royal Academy of Sciences will become You are at the forefront of this revolution, and you are the core figures in this theme. Your scholarship, your inventions and creations will be recorded in the history of the Song Dynasty along with your names, and will be passed down through the ages."
"Science and technology rejuvenate the country, and education revitalizes the country, which will be recorded in the annals of history and passed down through the ages." These words made everyone present feel excited.
"Our scholarship and inventions can be passed down through the ages,"
"This seemed unbelievable in the past, that strange and ingenious things can actually enter the house," everyone couldn't help but think, and some even murmured in a low voice.
Most scientists have unruly and self-righteous quirks, but they cannot escape the category of human beings after all. They may not be afraid of power and may devote themselves to the truth, but they also hope that their academic work can be recognized and praised by others, and even be passed down to future generations. , famous for thousands of years.
"One more thing, in order to cooperate with our country's basic national policy and encourage more people with lofty ideals to join the scientific and technological revolution, the emperor is considering issues related to the salary and reputation of our country's scientific and technological and educational talents," Jiang Wanli met everyone. After calming down, he continued, "The emperor's preliminary idea is to divide scientific and technological talents into different grades based on their academic achievements and inventions and their contributions to our court and outside the country, with the title of 'Royal Science Scholars'." , enjoy different salaries respectively. For example, a first-rank Royal Science Scholar will enjoy the same salary and status treatment as a first-rank official of the imperial court. A second-rank Royal Scientific Scholar will enjoy the same salary and status as a second-rank official of the imperial court. Position, salary, and so on. Of course, scientific national scholars are not the same as official positions. They generally do not enter the court as officials and are responsible for certain government affairs."
"Ah, first rank," even Shen Yiqiu, Quan Jue and others were shocked at this moment. The highest level of scientific national scholar is equivalent to the treatment of a first rank official. What a favor it is. You must know that the official titles of ministers of various ministries in the DPRK are also It is only between the second and third grades. It seems that the emperor is sparing no expense this time and must ensure that the scientific and technological revolution can be implemented smoothly.
"Yes, it's just first-class treatment," Jiang Wanli said with a smile, "When I heard the emperor say this, I was as surprised as you were, and even doubted whether I heard it wrong."
"What did the emperor say?" asked a man in blue clothes.
Jiang Wanli said: "Your Majesty, Jiang Aiqing, in ancient times, before the birth of fire, the ancestors of mankind could only live a primitive, beast-like life. The so-called 'eat the food of plants and trees, the meat of birds and beasts, and drink the meat of birds and beasts. Blood is like its hair. Later, some people invented fire by drilling flints to make fire, and got to know fire. From then on, human beings lived a life in which "cannons are cooked, making people have no abdominal diseases, and are different from animals" "The invention of fire has brought about earth-shaking changes to mankind. My dear, please tell me, the person who invented this fire has made less contribution to society and mankind than any first-class official in history."
"The emperor is wise, and he is the wise king of the ages. The invention of fire is not only less powerful, but its effect is so great. I think even hundreds of first-class officials put together can't be as good as it. It's just that this kind of invention is even more difficult." ," the man in blue shirt who just asked the question spoke again.
"Of course it is very difficult. Inventions like this have all changed human life habits. The emperor said that the country should certainly give such rewards to those who have made such contributions,"
The man in blue shirt nodded and said: "Should, should,"
"Okay, I've finished conveying it to you,"
He Ji looked at me and said: "Now, I announce that the banquet has begun."