After opening the door, Sun Xian and several students stood beside the steam engine to wait for orders. Two women dressed as peasant women stood with them.
After the ceremony, Lao Zhu ignored these people. As soon as he entered the door, he was attracted by the spinning machine placed in the middle.
Lao Zhu had been self-reliant in the palace, so he was no stranger to weaving. Although he had already guessed that the spinning machine made by Han Du was definitely different from what he had in mind.
But when he saw this strange-looking thing in front of him, he couldn't help but frown.
He wondered: "Is this the spinning machine you made?"
"Exactly." Han Du smiled and nodded.
He looked back again, but still didn't see anything remarkable about this spinning machine. However, the long row of spindles attracted Lao Zhu's attention, and he continued to ask: "Why do you put so many spindles on it?"
What? And why is your spindle standing upright?"
Han Du pretended to smile mysteriously and said: "Your Majesty, this is the key point of this spinning machine. I can't explain it clearly in just a few words. Why don't you start the spinning machine? Your Majesty will know it at a glance."
"Then let's drive it." Lao Zhu was good at saying things.
Han Du winked at Sun Xian.
The steam engine had already been started, but the gears were not connected to the spinning machine. Now, with Han Du's signal, Sun Xian ordered his students to press down an iron rod and block it.
Suddenly, the twelve spindles of the spinning machine began to rotate.
The woman on the side quickly stood in front of the spinning machine. One stood at one end, one fed the cotton, and the other operated the spinning. The two quickly shuttled left and right, and a roll of yarn was spun out at a speed visible to the naked eye.
This scene shocked the uninformed Lao Zhu and Queen Ma, especially Queen Ma. She owned a huge weaving workshop, and she knew better than anyone how cloth was woven.
Although the weaving speed will vary depending on the individual's proficiency, Queen Ma can swear that she has never seen anything that can spin so fast in her life.
Lao Zhu's eyes were full of shock, and he stared at the twelve rapidly rotating spindles without blinking. His intuition told him that the key to this thing lies in these spindles.
Han Du stood up with a smile and explained: "In ordinary spinning, one person can spin the spinning wheel by hand and can only spin one spindle of cotton thread at a time. But this spinning machine can spin twelve spindles at a time.
, an increase of six times. Moreover, as the spinning machine continues to be improved in the future, it will be possible to spin twenty spindles at a time, or even more."
"The emperor once determined that the people of the world would no longer have to worry about hunger. Now that the Ming Dynasty has begun to grow strange grains, the people will not be hungry for much in the future. But even so, the people still lack clothing to keep out the cold."
"There is no other reason than that the world produces too little cloth every year."
Turning to look at Empress Ma, "Even if the empress built a large weaving workshop, tens of thousands of people would be working hard to weave cloth day after day. Although more cloth could be weaved, the efficiency of weaving would not be the same.
There was no fundamental change. Therefore, the Ming Dynasty still lacked cloth."
"But with this spinning machine, the yarn that one person can spin in a day is equivalent to the yarn that ten people could spin in a day in the past. Now one person can do it."
"Your Majesty, just imagine, if the Ming Dynasty's annual production of cloth could increase tenfold, even if the people are still short of clothing, wouldn't it be much better than now?"
Lao Zhu nodded frequently after hearing this.
Moreover, what Han Du has not said is that cloth is in short supply and there is no need to worry about selling it. It can be said that no matter how much cloth is produced, it can be easily eaten by the Ming Dynasty market. If this machine can spin yarn
If the quantity increases tenfold, it means not only that the people in the world have clothes to wear, but it also means that they can harvest a steady stream of wealth!
"How do you sell this spinning machine?" Lao Zhu's eyes were filled with fire and he was very tempted.
Lao Zhu knew exactly why Han Du wanted to invite him here today. So, without beating around the bush with Han Du, he directly asked for the price.
Seeing that Lao Zhu was so eager, Han Du swallowed back the words he had prepared and said with a smile: "This is cheap, one hundred pieces."
"A hundred guan?" Lao Zhu's eyes widened, he turned around and stared at Han Du fiercely, and asked in a deep voice: "Just a few broken wooden frames and broken iron spindles, you want to sell me a hundred guan?"
Han Du quickly explained: "Your Majesty, you can't say that. The effect of this spinning machine is immediate. Although a hundred strings are not cheap, as long as you sell this spinning machine back, you will make money every day."
.”
"The earlier you buy, the earlier you make money. It only takes less than half a year to earn back one hundred guan. What you will earn in the future will be pure profits."
Lao Zhu did not listen to Han Du's deception, and turned to the steam engine and asked: "This thing needs a steam engine to drive it? You don't want me to buy you a spinning machine, and you also need to buy another steam engine, right?"
"
The spinning machine is indeed not expensive, but the steam engine is too expensive, costing five thousand guan. If a spinning machine needs to be equipped with a steam engine, then I am afraid that if the spinning machine is broken, it may not be possible to buy a steam engine.
Make money back.
Han Du instantly understood Lao Zhu's worries and quickly explained: "Of course not, the emperor misunderstood. Although this spinning machine does need a steam engine to drive it, one steam engine can drive dozens of spinning machines. Therefore.
, the emperor only needs to buy a small amount of steam engines."
This is more or less the same. One steam engine can drive dozens of spinning machines... Lao Zhu nodded slowly and his face became slightly better.
Rolling his eyes, Lao Zhu stroked his beard and prepared to take the knife, "This thing is barely enough, but the price of one hundred guan is too expensive."
What does it mean to do it reluctantly...is this an artifact, okay? Han Du has a deeper understanding of Lao Zhu's shamelessness. Even such a spinning machine can be turned into a spinning machine in Lao Zhu's mouth.
Ordinarily, Han Du no longer wanted to say anything and was a little unable to complain.
"If the emperor thinks it is too expensive, I will not dare to force him to buy it. However, if the emperor does not want to buy it, then I will have to build a weaving workshop and use it myself."
Lao Zhu thought Han Du was speaking out of anger and said disdainfully: "You weave your own cloth? Are you good at it?"
Why can't I... Han Du looked at Lao Zhu's face and felt that he was extremely greedy.
Clothing and food have been big business since ancient times. Take cloth as an example. With the huge market of nearly 60 million people in the Ming Dynasty, the amount of cloth needed every year is simply an astronomical figure. Just based on the volume, you can make a lot of money.
Full. If you have a spinning machine as a powerful tool, the profits you can make are unimaginable.
The reason why Han Du did not build his own workshop and kept the profits from the cloth was because Queen Ma had a huge weaving workshop and it was difficult to steal her business.
Unexpectedly, Lao Zhu also mistook his good intentions for donkey's liver and lungs. In this case, what should Han Du have to hesitate? As soon as the spinning machine comes out, a huge amount of cloth will definitely be available soon, and the price of cloth will definitely drop.
.When the cloth becomes cheaper, more and more people will be able to afford it, which is a great good thing for the people.
But for a primitive weaving workshop like Queen Ma, it would be a disaster.
"Bring me five hundred sets first." Just when Lao Zhu wanted to continue bargaining with Han Du, Queen Ma suddenly intervened and said.
"Okay, don't worry, Madam, I will deliver the five hundred spinning machines as quickly as possible." Han Du was overjoyed when he heard this and nodded quickly in reply.
This is the reason why Han Du asked Lao Zhu to bring Queen Ma... After several confrontations with Lao Zhu, Han Du felt that Lao Zhu had become bad, and he had to bargain no matter what he sold to him.
Ichiban.
Although after bargaining, I still made a profit. But if there is an opportunity to make more, who would give it up?
Queen Ma is in charge of the royal weaving workshop and is extremely familiar with weaving. She can see the value of this spinning machine more clearly than Lao Zhu.
If you want to sell good things at a good price, the best way is to sell them to people who know the goods, and in Han Du's eyes, Queen Ma knows the goods better than Lao Zhu.
After hearing this, Lao Zhu turned his head dissatisfied and glanced at Queen Ma, but Queen Ma gave him a calm look.
After pondering for a while, Lao Zhu did not interrupt and let Queen Ma make the decision.
"Handu, look at how many more steam engines are needed and prepare them for me."
Having made a big deal, Han Du's face was filled with smiles and he nodded quickly: "Don't worry, Madam, according to my calculation, eight steam engines are barely enough. Of course, if there are ten, that would be the best.
"
"Then let's make ten." Queen Ma didn't care at all and nodded directly.
Han Du's eyes narrowed when he heard this. It was so refreshing to do business with Queen Ma. He didn't even respond to the price and just settled on it.
Lao Zhu watched from the side as Queen Ma was squandering money like water, and suddenly his face turned bad, and he said hesitantly, "A steam engine costs five thousand guan. If you open your mouth, 50,000 guan will fall into his pocket."
Facing Lao Zhu's hateful gaze, Han Du immediately turned aside and ignored Lao Zhu. After seeing Queen Ma's cheerfulness, Han Du deeply felt that he really didn't know what to think before.
Only then would he choose to fight with Lao Zhu. How great would it be if he found Queen Ma from the beginning?
Queen Ma was about to say something when she saw Lao Zhu, and stretched out her hand to pull Lao Zhu behind his back.
Lao Zhu couldn't help but refute Queen Ma's face, so he had no choice but to put the matter down. Anyway, he had said it in front of everyone, and it was impossible to go back on it, so he might as well let it go.
Next, Han Du took Lao Zhu and Queen Ma around the academy with enthusiasm.
Although Lao Zhu was dissatisfied with Han Du's high price for selling him, he was still very satisfied with the appearance of the students in the academy. He had been to the Imperial College more than once, and what impressed Lao Zhu the most was that once he went to the Imperial College, he would definitely be impressed by everyone.
The students were overwhelmed.
But in the academy, except when he came to the academy, after all the students paid their respects to him, he could not see any student approaching him at all.
Lao Zhu was confused, so he asked Han Du about the difference between the Imperial College and the Academy.
Han Du lowered his head and thought for a moment, then replied softly: "Your Majesty, this may be different from the respective philosophies of the Imperial College and the Academy."
"Oh? Tell me carefully." Lao Zhu said without looking back while walking on a path.
Han Du pondered for a while and said slowly: "The Imperial College is mainly to train officials for the imperial court. All the students who enter the Imperial College are aiming to become officials. Therefore, when they see the emperor coming, they are naturally excited. But everyone
Anyone who has been an official knows that even if they can become familiar with the emperor, it will be of great help to their future career. Driven by such interests, they will naturally flock to the emperor."
"It makes sense!" Lao Zhu smiled and nodded, agreeing with Han Du's statement, and then asked: "What about the academy? What is the philosophy of the academy? None of the students in the academy came to me.
Doesn’t it mean that the students in the academy don’t want to become officials?”
The students in the academy really don't want to serve... Han Du knows this well. From the first time he took part in the college examination, he was targeted and attacked and accused of cheating. People from the academy
, there is very little interest in becoming an official.
Even in the academy, there are also many people who choose to become officials, but they either choose to become officials because of Lao Zhu's forced order, such as Wang Yuanji and others. Or they choose to become officials because they really can't go on in their studies.
Therefore, there is now a saying circulating in the academy: "The best classmates have all stayed in the academy, and the worst classmates have all gone to become officials."
Han Du doesn't know if Lao Zhu has heard of this sentence. If he has, then maybe asking himself this question now is just asking for punishment!
Although Lao Zhu did not say the heroic words of "all the heroes in the world have fallen into my trap", as an emperor, he inherently disliked people who were obviously knowledgeable but did not choose to serve in official positions.
The imperial court, as the world's orthodoxy, does not deserve such a person to serve in an official position? Isn't that superficial, looking down on him, Lao Zhu? It's strange that Lao Zhu has a good look towards such a person.
After secretly glancing at Lao Zhu, Han Du could see no emotion or anger on his face. After pondering for a while, he said: "Your Majesty, the purpose of the academy is to benefit the people of the world."
"For the benefit of the people of the world? What you said is quite new." Lao Zhu first said with a smile.
Then his tone changed and he asked in a deep voice: "In this case, shouldn't the students of the academy should become officials? Being an official can benefit a party, and wouldn't it be more convenient to benefit the people? Why should Hao Shou hide in the academy instead?
Poor scripture?"
"Your Majesty, if you stay in the academy, you can still do things for the people of the world." Seeing Lao Zhu's expression change, Han Du finally understood that Lao Zhu was really dissatisfied with the students in the academy who were unwilling to serve as officials.
When Lao Zhu heard this, he narrowed his eyes and stared at Han Du inexplicably.
Han Du smiled and avoided Lao Zhu's burning gaze. He looked up at the study room where the students were attending class and said: "Take the spinning machine as an example. One machine can increase people's efficiency tenfold, and can make people more efficient."
The Ming Dynasty's annual production of cloth has increased tenfold, allowing more people to afford cloth and wear clothes. Isn't this benefiting the people? In my opinion, this can even benefit the people on a broader scale.
It will benefit more people."
Lao Zhu didn't expect this, and it's not his fault. It's true that he has never experienced such a thing before.
"Okay, I admit that what you said makes sense. However, in the future, you still want more students to serve as officials. Don't let people say that only those who can't stay in the academy will join the court as officials. This kind of influence is very important.
No, it seems like the imperial court is inferior to your academy."
"Your Majesty, this is your academy." Han Du did not answer Lao Zhu directly, but said with a smile.
Lao Zhu was stunned when he heard this, and immediately realized that he was the judge of the academy. Strictly speaking, this was indeed his academy.
"Hahaha......"
The depression in Lao Zhu's chest disappeared instantly, and there was no longer any dissatisfaction.
Han Du duly echoed: "The students in the academy are all the emperor's disciples. If the emperor wants them to serve as officials, maybe he can go and tell them in person."
Lao Zhu understood what Han Du meant. He felt that Lao Zhu could disclose his identity as the academy judge to the world.
But Lao Zhu lowered his head and thought for a moment, shook his head and said: "Now is not the time, let's wait."
Han Du didn't understand that by this time, the academy had become fully fledged, and even if the Imperial Academy wanted to suppress it, it would be impossible. But Lao Zhu was still hesitant, wondering what he had to worry about.
However, it was Lao Zhu's business whether it should be made public or not, and Han Du could only propose it. Since Lao Zhu refused, Han Du no longer insisted.
Lao Zhu and Queen Ma walked around the academy with great interest for more than an hour, looking at everything inside and outside the academy, before taking Queen Ma on the royal carriage and going back.
Queen Ma was sitting in front of Lao Zhu. Seeing his eyes lowered, she thought he was still thinking about the spinning machine. So she explained: "The emperor is still wondering why I bought 500 spinning machines directly from Han Du."
machine?"
Lao Zhu didn't think about this problem, but since it was Empress Ma who brought it up, he followed up and asked: "What do you think, girl? That guy Han Du has to take a big bite of everything he sells. The spinning machine is good,
But even if you want to buy it, you should bargain with him for the price."
Empress Ma smiled, lowered her head and took a sip of tea, her red lips parted slightly, "Does your Majesty know how much money the weaving workshop made last year?"
"The weaving workshop is run by girls, how could I know?" Lao Zhu paused after hearing this, looked up at Queen Ma, and asked in confusion.
Empress Ma did not deliberately whet Lao Zhu's appetite and said directly: "Last year, the weaving workshop made more than 1.3 million yuan."
"Why so much?" Lao Zhu was surprised. If this was still ten years ago, with an annual income of 1.3 million yuan, this would be his cash cow.
It was only after Han Du took charge of the Jiaofang Division that Lao Zhu found his first way to earn more than a million dollars a year. In the past, he relied on taxes from the people and printed treasure banknotes.
Empress Ma chuckled and shook her head, "Your Majesty, you don't even think about it. How many people are there in this world? How many clothes and pieces of cloth do each person need every year? The value of cloth is very high. There are still many places in the Ming Dynasty.
Use cloth as money and goods."
Lao Zhu naturally knew this. Because of the secret policy, Lao Zhu had secret secrets given to him by officials from all over the world. Not to mention knowing everything about Ming Dynasty, at least the general information must be clear.