The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 215: A craftsman is like a slave

Shipu Port in Xiangshan County, Ningbo Prefecture, is one of the four largest fishing ports in China and one of the starting points of the Maritime Silk Road.

When Zhu Yuanzhang secluded his country, he left several ports to build ships and prepare for Japan.

Shipu Port has become one of them due to its superior natural environment and important strategic location.

After determining the policy of opening up the sea, Zhu Yuanzhang further expanded the shipyard and established a specialized yamen based on the original shipyard.

For example, Qingzhou Tiju Division, Ningbo Tiju Division, and Quanzhou Tiju Division were specifically responsible for shipbuilding work.

There is one person in the promotion department, who is the seventh rank.

Ningbo Tiju Division is responsible for shipbuilding work in Zhejiang, and its main office is Shipu Port.

At this time, four giant ships of similar appearance were docked at the dock of Shipu Port.

These four ships are about forty-four feet long and nearly twenty feet wide.

That is, it is more than 150 meters long and more than 60 meters wide. The mast is tens of meters high and reaches into the sky. There seem to be pavilions and pavilions on it.

Zhu Xiongying, Xu Yungong and others have never seen this scene before. Each of them opened their mouths so much that they could swallow goose eggs.

The crowd was also in a commotion. Even though we lived by the Yangtze River, we could see various ships every day.

But this is the first time I have seen one as big as a city tower.

The 'well-informed' Chen Jingke couldn't help but be shocked.

In his previous life, he had seen giant ships of 100,000 tons, and he had also seen Shandong and 055 from a distance, but those ships were all made of steel.

No matter how big it is, it still feels natural.

He just lamented that the country was strong, nothing else.

But this was a wooden sailboat, and it was so huge that it shocked him even more.

Then I sighed deeply. At least until now, China's shipbuilding technology and navigation technology are leading the world.

pity……

At this time, someone shouted: "Look over there, those boats are so thin."

Everyone looked up and saw five or six ships of various sizes docked at the pier on the other side.

These ships looked shorter. The longest ones were about twenty-seven or eighty feet long, but only three or four feet wide.

Compared with those treasure ships with a length-to-width ratio of only 2.5:1, these ships with a length-to-width ratio of seven to one are indeed much slimmer.

But Chen Jingke immediately understood the difference. That kind of giant ship should be the legendary treasure ship.

It was the one that Zheng He took on his voyages to the West.

Those slender warships are new sea-going ships built according to his designs.

It is low because it has a deeper draft and does not have a very high superstructure, which helps resist wind and waves.

The slenderness is to reduce water resistance, which is more conducive to breaking through wind and waves and effectively increasing the speed of the ship.

This thing can be solved with junior high school physics level.

Zhu Xiongying had seen the design drawings of new ships, and he immediately thought of the reason:

"Those are the new battleships you designed?"

Chen Jingke said: "It looks very similar. We won't know the details until we ask."

While he was talking, a large group of people appeared not far from the road. They were coming from the shipyard to greet Taisun.

After ensuring safety, Zhu Xiongying led people forward.

This is the first time that a monarch has come to inspect the Shipu Port Shipyard since its establishment - Taisun is the crown prince and the king.

Everyone in the shipyard was naturally very excited.

The person in charge of the Ningbo Lifting Department is called Ning Jizhong, who is also an old man who follows Zhu Yuanzhang.

Before the Ming Dynasty was established, he was responsible for building warships for Zhu Yuanzhang.

Later, he was promoted to official position due to his merit, and he jumped from shipbuilder to bureaucracy.

When Ning Jizhong saw Zhu Xiongying, his eyes filled with excitement and he said repeatedly: "

"The resemblance, it's so similar...I saw your majesty from a distance back then, and he was carved out of the same mold as your grandson."

"I regretted that I didn't dare to come forward and say a word to His Majesty."

"I'm fine now. I can talk to my great-grandson, and I can die in peace."

This is obviously lying with open eyes. Lao Zhu and Zhu Xiongying are not particularly similar.

In Queen Ma's words, Zhu Xiongying's face profile is more like that of Concubine Chang, but a little less delicate and a little more handsome.

But when an old minister said it, it was full of loyalty, so naturally no one would care about it.

For these loyal veterans, Zhu Xiongying naturally knew what to do and was relieved.

"...Grandpa Huang also knows about Ning Tiju and praises you for your loyalty and good shipbuilding skills. You are a pillar of the Ming Dynasty."

After saying this, Ning Jizhong knelt down on the spot and kowtowed several times in the direction of Yingtian.

Then he kowtowed to Zhu Xiongying a few more times, and then stood up again, his forehead already blue.

Everyone who watched was moved, and Zhu Xiongying's eyes became a little softer.

Chen Jingke was moved and couldn't help but sigh.

No wonder this man can transform from a craftsman to an official. This kind of behavior is not something ordinary craftsmen can do.

Afterwards, a group of people entered the shipyard.

It is obvious that the shipyard has been carefully cleaned and everything is neat and clean.

Zhu Xiongying came to the dock with great interest and watched these large ships up close. The shock was even stronger:

"Are these treasure ships going to sea?"

Ning Jizhong replied: "This little minister doesn't know. Last year, His Majesty ordered three shipyards to build twenty treasure ships with five thousand materials each and deliver them at the end of this year."

"These four ships are the first batch to be built, and eight more are already under construction..."

Zhu Xiongying asked: "We are running out of time, can we make it in time?"

Ning Jizhong said confidently: "Yes, we haven't built such a big ship for a long time, and we also lack skilled workers."

"These four boats are for everyone to practice their skills, and also to train young workers."

"Now that the personnel have been well adjusted, the speed will be fast."

Zhu Xiongying nodded, pointed to the ship opposite and asked, "Are those new warships?"

Ning Jizhong said with admiration: "Yes, they are all new warships..."

"I really don't know which master craftsman created this. According to his design ideas, the new ship's ability to withstand wind and waves will be doubled, and it will be safe when sailing in deep seas."

"I really want to pay him a visit and ask him personally for his shipbuilding skills."

Zhu Xiongying smiled and said: "It's not easy to visit him. The new sea-going ship was designed by Chen Bandu next to me."

"Ah?" Ning Jizhong was very surprised and said doubtfully: "This...this...Chen Ban understands shipbuilding?"

Chen Jingke shook his head and said, "I don't know about shipbuilding, but I know about learning."

"Based on what I have learned, I will speculate on what kind of ship can withstand wind and waves better, and then tell you my thoughts."

"You can then build a new type of sea ship based on these ideas..."

"So, these ships were developed by us together and not by me alone."

Ning Jizhong opened his mouth again and again, and finally turned into a bitter smile:

"Yes, we are at a disadvantage because we are ignorant and can only rely on the craftsmanship left by our ancestors to build ships."

“If you don’t understand the principles, it’s difficult to design a new ship type.”

Chen Jingke nodded, not only in the shipbuilding industry, it can be said that this is generally the case with all kinds of craftsmanship in ancient China.

Knowing this but not knowing why, I just follow the craftsmanship handed down from my ancestors.

Improvements depend on an accidental genius, or a flash of inspiration.

The five-thousand-material ship is actually a technology from the Song Dynasty.

It was inherited by the Yuan Dynasty and then passed on to the Ming Dynasty, but there was still not much progress.

Next, Zhu Xiongying boarded the treasure ship and the new warship successively to see the internal conditions.

He found that there were many small doors on the new warships, so he asked:

"What does this do?"

Ning Jizhong introduced: "This is the opening left for the artillery..."

Chen Jingke said in surprise: "Cannon, the cannon is on board now?"

Ning Jizhong smiled and said: "If Chen Ban read somewhere, the artillery would have been on board long ago."

"When His Majesty led the navy to attack the puppet emperor Chen Youliang, many ships were equipped with artillery."

Zhu Xiongying also said: "That's true. The boat that Grandpa Huang was riding was shattered by artillery. Fortunately, he changed ships one step ahead."

Ning Jizhong complimented: "Your Majesty is the master of destiny and has God's blessing."

Chen Jingke was indeed a little surprised. He thought gunboats were a thing invented by the West, but he didn't expect China to have them so early.

But...it's a pity that there is no follow-up development. At this time Ning Jizhong said: "The cannon is heavy and stupid, and the firing speed is also slow. It is only useful in the front."

"What really determines the outcome is close-range gang fighting."

Chen Jingke shook his head and said nothing more.

But I have decided in my heart that I will get some muskets and artillery when I go back.

Although he is not a mechanic, nor is he a military expert.

But I have watched some documentaries and know the general development process.

Just like shipbuilding, just propose a development direction and let the craftsmen study it.

The Ming Dynasty did not lack outstanding craftsmen, but what it lacked was someone to point the way.

Standing on the bow deck and enjoying the sea breeze, Zhu Xiongying asked:

"Isn't it difficult to make these treasure ships?"

Ning Jizhong said proudly: "It's difficult. Now there are only three shipyards in Qingzhou, Quanzhou and Ningbo that can build such ships in Ming Dynasty."

"A large part of the craftsmen in Qingzhou Shipyard are drawn from us."

"The most skilled craftsman there, Mei Shi, is the son of our shipyard Mei Laoshi."

Chen Jingke said thoughtfully: "Mei Laoshi, Mei Stern, Mei Chuan, Mei Gang, Mei Stern, father and son, are among the people with the highest shipbuilding skills in the Ming Dynasty."

"Especially since they are father and son, it is even more rare."

Ning Jizhong was a little surprised and said: "Chen Bandu is knowledgeable and knowledgeable, it is true."

"They may not have the best skills, but the five father and son are all master shipbuilders, unique in the Ming Dynasty."

"It's a pity..." He shook his head and did not continue.

Zhu Xiongying raised his eyebrows and asked, "Oh, what's the pity?"

Ning Jizhong hesitated for a moment and then said: "Mei Laoshi is just like me. He has followed His Majesty a long time ago and his shipbuilding skills are better than mine."

"He is just an honest man and not good at words. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he was rewarded and received only some money."

"Then the whole family was classified as a craftsman... Of the four sons, two of them have not yet married their mother-in-law."

Zhu Xiongying said in surprise: "Why is this so? Their skills are so superb, there should be many daughters vying to marry them."

Ning Jizhong shook his head, there were some things he didn't dare to say.

Chen Jingke knew the reason and sighed: "The status of craftsmen is low, and their descendants have been craftsmen for generations."

"Not to mention the daughter of a good family, even a hooker girl would not want to marry them."

Ning Jizhong glanced at Chen Jingke in surprise, but he didn't expect him to understand so clearly.

Zhu Xiongying looked a little ugly and asked, "Is that so?"

Someone took the lead, and Ning Jizhong no longer concealed it and said:

"But as Chen Bandu said, Mei Laoshi's two sons were able to marry their mother-in-law only by exchanging their daughters with other craftsmen."

"It's a pity that he only has two daughters..."

A craftsman's status is like a slave's status. Once one joins the craftsman's status, his descendants become slaves.

You cannot leave your country of citizenship and you cannot engage in any work other than your essential job.

Working for the court for free and receiving a meager salary, most of the time the salary could not be paid.

If any dignitary wants to build a house, he can borrow craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry for free...

No matter how low the status of a craftsman is, he even looks down on his own status.

It is absolutely impossible for my daughter to marry another craftsman.

Usually, they will find a good family and get out of the misery by being half-given and half-married.

Unless it's a marriage exchange between two families, just like Mei Laoshi's two sons.

Otherwise, unless you are lucky, you will be single for the rest of your life.

Zhu Xiongying's heart became much heavier, and the excitement just now was gone:

"Take me to the dock to have a look."

Ning Jizhong couldn't figure out what he was thinking and didn't dare to say anything. He led the way to the dock.

Thousands of people are busy on the huge construction site, and several giant ships are taking shape bit by bit.

The clothes of these craftsmen should have been washed, but they are basically in tatters and have patches on top of each other.

No outfit is complete without seeing one.

Xu Yungong whispered: "All these craftsmen have shaved their heads."

Chen Jingke had discovered this a long time ago and just nodded without saying anything.

Ning Jizhong quickly explained: "I learned this from the Navy. Marquis Wu Ding said this is..."

"Oh, by the way, this is what Chen Bandu advocates for everyone to shave their heads."

"Artisans do hard work, and it's inconvenient to have long hair, so I shaved it off."

Zhu Xiongying nodded and said: "It's good to shave it. I'm going to shave it in a few days... Mei Laoshi, let him see me often."

Ning Jizhong hesitated and said: "This...he has never seen the world. I'm afraid he won't be polite and will offend my grandson."

Zhu Xiongying said: "It's okay, I won't be acquainted with him, let him come over."

Chen Jingke also said: "Go, maybe something good will happen."

Because of the improvement of the new ship, Ning Jizhong trusted him more.

Seeing what he said, he didn't think too much and sent someone to call Mei Laoshi over.

Not long after, an old man with gray hair and a stooped figure was brought over.

"Pfft..." The old man didn't even dare to raise his head. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed from a distance:

"Cao Min Mei honestly meets your great grandson..."

After saying that, he lay on the ground and didn't dare to move. From his trembling body, you could see how nervous he was.

Zhu Xiongying said: "Get up."

Mei Laoshi didn't seem to hear it, and still knelt motionless.

Ning Jizhong was afraid that Zhu Xiongying would be angry, so he quickly scolded:

"Honest Mei, get up quickly."

However, Zhu Xiongying stretched out his hand to stop him and said, "No need to embarrass him... Let the father and son be good craftsmen and grant them official positions."

Ning Jizhong was ecstatic and said quickly: "Thank you, great grandson, thank great grandson..."

Then he found that Mei Laoshi was still lying on the ground motionless, so he rushed over and kicked him hard on the back:

"You bastard, thank you so much."

Mei Laoshi seemed to have just reacted, but still didn't speak, just kept kowtowing.

In just a few clicks, blood stains appeared on the stone beneath his feet.

Zhu Xiongying took a deep breath and stopped reading. He flicked his sleeves and said:

"I'm tired, let's go back and rest."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Ning Jizhong immediately followed him and said, "My grandson, please don't behave like a fool like him. I will teach him a lesson later."

Zhu Xiongying shook his head and said nothing.

Chen Jingke said loudly: "Ning Tiju doesn't need to explain. My grandson's heart is like a bright mirror and he knows everything."

Ning Jizhong just shut up and led the way diligently.

Just now he took the opportunity to mention Mei Laoshi, and his original intention was to see if his grandson could reward him with some property.

With money, Mei Laozhi can buy wives for his two sons.

Who would have thought that he would be promoted directly and even be promoted to an official? This is simply a huge surprise.

It is said that the grandson is the master of destiny. In the future, he will bless the world when he ascends the throne.

It seems that the rumors are indeed true.

There is also Chen Bandu, the legendary wise minister who responded to orders, and he is indeed wise.

The future of Ming Dynasty is promising.

　The adjustment in the past few days has really been effective. Now I feel much clearer and less tired.

　　I will try to write more these days.

　　As for when the two chapters and 8,000 words will be restored, I dare not promise you.

　　I can only say as soon as possible, no more than this week at most.

　　

　

(End of this chapter)