Steam Daming: Stop calling me to supervise the country

Chapter 114 The embassy and briquettes

In the imperial garden, the white snow was beginning to melt, and the warm sun set in the winter. It snowed for a few days, and it was cloudy for a few days, and finally the warm sunshine was ushered in.

The prince has been in good health recently. Taking advantage of the warm sun today, he came to the imperial garden to bask in the sun. The maids on the side guarded it with a large screen. Whenever the wind blows, open the screen to block it to prevent the prince from blowing. cool breeze.

The scent of silk was introduced into the nose of the prince, and Zhu Gaochi came to the spirit: "Zhansang, then give Dad a bunch of mutton skewers."

At this time, Zhu Zhanchang was letting Sang language kebabs eat on the side.

Zhu Zhanchang chewed the mutton in his mouth: "Father, the barbecue is too hot, and mother said you can't eat it."

The crown prince has been in the clear soup for a long time, and he slapped his mouth: "Zhan, a man can't listen to a woman, even your mother."

"Cough cough."

The Crown Princess's cough came from behind the screen. Zhu Gaochi pretended that nothing had happened, and played with himself while holding the senior scholar of Baimaoge.

Coming out from the back, the county master of Jiaxing jumped to Zhu Zhanchang's side: "Fifth brother, I want to eat this too."

At this time, the crown princess said a little reproachfully: "Eat these roasted things less."

"Understood mother."

The Crown Princess glared at Zhu Gaochi and took the Princess of Jiaxing away.

Zhu Gaochi's enthusiasm was waning: "Zhanchang, what do you think of the documents that came back?"

"Grandpa Huang said that he would let people from other countries participate in the imperial examinations. My son thinks that this is all right, and he can even promote it vigorously. Those who can learn our culture will be our ambassadors for the Ming Dynasty in the future."

"Then what if someone is really talented, overwhelms the heroes, and wins the top prize, where will I put my face as a literati?"

"Father, there's nothing to worry about. If you really have the title, you'll have to give him the title of champion, and you have to hype it up, make him an official, reward him with money, and let literati from other countries know the benefits of learning Chinese culture."

Zhu Zhanchang's opinion is the same as that of Zhu Di.

Zhu Gaochi is still entangled, and the ministers are divided into two factions on this matter, and Zhu Di has to make the final decision.

Zhu Zhanchang suddenly thought of a solution: "Father, do you think this will work? In the name of Daming, let's buy a piece of land in Jiaozhi, North Korea, Jianzhou and other places to build a school, where local students can study. Exams, government exams, and select the best among them to take the Beijing Science Examination.”

"At the same time, this place also dispatches officials to keep in touch with the local court for a long time and conduct diplomatic activities, so I call him the embassy."

"Embassy?" Zhu Gaochi murmured in doubt.

"In fact, there are certain similarities with the governor. The policy and culture of the Daming court need this diplomatic ambassador to maintain, and it also represents Daming's face outside. Whoever dares to violate the embassy is infringing on the land of Daming."

Zhu Gaochi thought for a while: "Jianzhou Jurchen and Wuliangha Sanwei are already under the jurisdiction of Nuergandu's envoys, and they can also set up embassy propaganda culture. If you want to try it, you can do it in North Korea and Jiaozhi first. "

"Father, you can go to Dongying and try it out."

"Dongying? Why?"

"Our understanding of Dongying is limited. We first sent people over to learn about Dongying's customs and geomorphology, just like when Dongying sent Tang envoys back then. Dongying knows a lot about us, but we know very little about them."

Zhu Gaochi frowned slightly: "It's not that easy to set up an embassy in Dongying."

"There is a delegation of envoys from Dongying in the New Year, so you must try it."

"This matter needs further discussion."

Zhu Zhanchang didn't say much. Zhu Xi wanted to export foreign trade and foreign culture. The functions of embassies in this era are definitely different from those of modern times, but they can be combined with Zhu Xi's policy of allowing literati from other countries to take imperial examinations. feel feasible.

"Have you sent someone to prepare the cotton and other supplies your grandfather asked for?"

Zhu Zhanchang pointed to the coal for barbecue, which contained ordinary coal and briquettes: "I'm ready, my father is cold in the north, and there is a great demand for coal. I asked Zhang San and others to find a way to add slaked lime and loess to make it. The briquettes that come out are simple to make and have little smoke, so I believe the demand in the north will be huge.”

"Why do you want to make this weird shape like this lotus root?"

Naturally, Zhu Zhanchang couldn't tell him to increase the air contact area to make the burning more repetitive, but made an excuse: "Zhang San and other craftsmen have tried repeatedly, and this way it burns more vigorously."

Zhu Gaochi saw the effect with his own eyes, and said, "The thing is good, it can be used for fire in winter, let's send it to the north."

"Father, there is a large amount of coal production near Shuntianfu. I plan to directly put the production of honeycomb in Shuntianfu, and then transport it to Jianzhou, North Korea, Wuliangha and even Oara for trade. It is also the mutual market that the emperor hopes."

Zhu Gaochi nodded: "It is feasible, smokeless coal, and the price is low, the market is vast, you have to keep the formula secret, or others will learn it."

"It is certainly possible to keep it secret in a short time, but because the actual production of briquettes is simple, it is estimated that it will not be kept secret for a long time."

"Doesn't that allow everyone else to learn?"

Zhu Zhanchang nodded: "Yes, but father, let's see if it is feasible for Daming to monopolize the coal mine."

"Monopoly coal mines?"

Zhu Zhanchang gave a different solution from the secret formula, energy monopoly.

"Steam ships need coal mines. The more steam ships in the future, the greater the demand for coal mines. Taking advantage of this time, Daming will first monopolize coal mines, and those outside the Great Wall will also find ways to obtain development rights for profit or development."

Zhu Gaochi looked at Zhu Zhanchang suspiciously, not understanding how his son thought about so many things, he always seemed to be one step ahead.

"Are you going to let the Cao family do it?" Zhu Gaochi asked bluntly.

Zhu Zhanchang was a little stunned, but he immediately returned to his original state. Can this matter escape the eyes and ears of the Crown Prince?And he didn't intend to hide it.

"Father is really amazing, nothing can be hidden from your eyes."

Zhu Gaochi laughed: "You have asked the quartermaster to contact the Cao family, who can you hide? You wait for your grandfather to come back and blame you."

"The Cao family has handled everything very well, how could Grandpa Huang blame him?" Zhu Zhanchang laughed "naively".

"You, don't be smart just because you're smart."

"Father, I didn't hide anything from you and Grandpa Huang."

Zhu Zhanchang continued to explain: "The reason for supporting the Cao family is that they promised to help me become a supply and marketing cooperative. As I told you some time ago, the market model of gathering people to share shares in public accounts and openly share them can increase taxes."

"But if these business giants don't see the benefits, it is impossible to do things with all their hearts, so this time I want to let them taste the sweetness, including the honeycomb this time, the coal mine must be in the hands of the imperial court, but The mining rights and processing rights can be distributed to private companies to increase everyone’s enthusiasm.”

Zhu Gaochi became more and more satisfied with Zhu Zhanchang. He knew very well which ones had to be in the hands of the imperial court and which ones could be separated.

It is understandable for him to make some money. Whoever does not rely on the status of the royal family to make some money from the other princes and nobles of King Zhao of the Han Dynasty is like newly bought stockings - clean and breathable.

"The Cao family is willing to be a supply and marketing cooperative."

"The cotton and briquettes are handed over to them. Their business has grown a lot, and they are naturally willing. After the steam engine is mass-produced, it will be sold to them first. Now the Cao family is already working on the construction of a supply and marketing cooperative."

"As long as they are willing to do it, they can support them, but remember that even if it is a pretense, don't let others see too much of your connection on the bright side. People say it is scary, and other people are jealous, and it is not sure what will come out. It's broken. your own reputation."

"Understood, father."

"Let's do the briquettes. The coal mines in the north will take over. As you said, the energy must be in the hands of the court."

"Father has one more thing to do. The New Year is approaching. Will there be a feast for the ministers this year?"

"I told His Majesty about this, and everything is business as usual." Zhu Gaochi was eager to try, and the banquet meant that he could have a good meal.

When it comes to food, Zhu Gaochi is neither sleepy nor tired.

"The chefs selected in this year's Golden Knife Competition can come in handy this time."

Zhu Zhanchang said helplessly: "Father, Guanglu Temple has to order it earlier."

However, Zhu Gaochi of Daohonglu Temple had a look of disgust on his face: "It's fine for someone at Guanglu Temple to order it as usual. The dishes in Guanglu Temple are very unpalatable. I'd rather be hungry than eat it."

The prince is so principled.

At this time, Zhu Zhanzhen came over, and he was so devastated that Jiangxi's bandit suppression was unfavorable, and he had already asked Zhu Gaochi to go to the army twice in person.

He also said that he wanted to imitate the emperor's grandfather's personal expedition, and it was not good to be angry with Zhu Gao.

Although Zhu Di's personal expedition cost a lot, but Zhu Di really has the ability to fight, and leads the army to go to the four barbarians to obey, but you Zhu Zhanzhen have no experience in fighting at all.

Before I asked him to have a little bit of war with the Ministry of War, there are a lot of flaws, let you lead the troops, in case even the thieves on the mountain can't be wiped out and let people fight back, then I really have no light on my face, Zhu Gaochi's face was also dull.

Now that the bandits are surrounded like this, although they can't be eliminated in a short time, their losses are not too big. This winter is very difficult, so why be aggressive.

Seeing Zhu Zhanzhen, Zhu Gaochi had a headache.

"Father, the Cochin Army is reporting."

"what's the situation?"

"It's fairly stable. There is a fight within the rebel army, and now it's fighting in the nest. If you lead troops to go out at this time, you may be able to win it in one fell swoop."

Zhu Gaochi frowned slightly and watched the military report that there was chaos in the other party. It was indeed a rare opportunity, but the risk of war on the north and south fronts was too great, so he finally shook his head: "No, keep it as it is."

"Father, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"What our army needs is not a good opportunity. With the strength of our army, the rebellion can also be solved by freeing up the army to suppress the situation."

Zhu Zhanzhen disagreed with the prince again, but there was nothing he could do, but he was indignant.

After a while, he said, "Father, the envoy from Dongying has arrived."

Zhu Gaochi looked at him suspiciously: "Why is there no news? Where did you find out?"

　Thanks to Liangwen for the 1500 reward of drinking and good sentences with tea:

　　Thanks to April Sixue for the 181 coins

　　
　
(End of this chapter)