My Brother-in-law is the Prince

  Chapter 193 Return with a rewarding experience

  The hall was quiet for a while, and Zhu Di said suddenly: "How many catties of steel can be produced every day?"

   "It depends on the amount of pig iron." Zhang Anshi said: "As long as the supply of pig iron is sufficient, I will... build more furnaces at worst."

  Zhu Di said: "If this is the case, how much charcoal is needed? This charcoal... consumption is also amazing."

  The price of charcoal is not low. Although there are many mountains and forests near Nanjing City, many of them are royal gardens. If they are mined extensively, there will be too much steel that can be produced, and it may be difficult to supply.

  Zhang Anshidao: "Your Majesty, the minister's stove does not use charcoal to make steel, but...coal."

   "Coal?" Zhu Di knew a thing or two about this, and said, "This thing... can replace charcoal?"

   "Not only can it be replaced, but there is a large amount of coal around Nanjing City. It just so happens that the nearest coal mine is in Qixia, next to Zhongshan."

  The coal mines in this area are not small.

  Of course, if it is changed to the huge output of later generations, it is nothing.

  In fact, Zhang Anshi’s steelmaking furnace may be regarded as a transcendence in the same era.

   But if compared with later generations, it is simply a child's play. Any steel factory can kill Qixia a hundred times in seconds.

  Looking at it now, even if it is large-scale steelmaking, for Qixia, the coal mines in Qixia are enough to refine for fifty years.

  At this time, the means of transportation were very backward, so it was very important that the steelmaking workshops be close to the production areas of coal and pig iron.

  Zhang Anshi continued: "As for iron ore, there is a large area of ​​iron ore in Meishan, Nanjing, and it is enough for us."

  Zhu Di said: "In this way, the daily production of such billets is five thousand catties?"

"If your Majesty needs it, I can produce 200,000 catties." Zhang Anshi said confidently, "It's just that... His Majesty needs a business...to be responsible for mining and steelmaking. In addition...for large-scale production , need to borrow a large amount of silver from the bank.”

  200,000 catties... In later generations, it will only be a mere hundred tons, so it can be said that it is not worth mentioning.

  But here, it is enough to make Zhu Di take a breath.

   Doesn't this mean that a day's output can probably directly assemble tens of thousands of military horses?

   You know, when Zhu Di was in Beiping, he was a small expert in making iron.

  For the sake of Jing Nan, he forged weapons in the palace, and in order to cover up the sound of forging weapons, he also raised many geese in the palace.

  He is very good at these things.

"Qixia has set up a production bureau. Besides, the iron mines in Meishan are also managed by Qixia. Whether it is mining minerals, steelmaking, or forging weapons, you are in charge of Annanhou in Qixia Town. It does not belong to the palace, nor does it belong to the Ministry of Industry, but to the commercial firm." Zhu Di made a decisive decision: "If you have any difficulties, you can report to me at any time. By the way, there are also craftsmen, how much do you want?"

   "I hope to recruit by myself." Zhang Anshi was not at ease with the craftsmen.

  Because this thing is hereditary, the craftsmanship is very unstable.

   "Yes." Zhu Di said: "In short, I want to see you forging 200,000 catties of steel every day. No, I won't embarrass you. Even if it's only 100,000 catties, I will take credit for you."

  Zhang Anshi said: "I obey the order."

Zhu Di was in a great mood. He looked at King Ning with a big laugh and said, "Look, I said earlier that Zhang Anshi is my right-hand man! Back then, when we were in Beiping and Daning, it would be great if we could cultivate so many Why should the Tatars in the desert be afraid of steel? It would be easier if they fought."

   King Ning was startled when he heard this amount, so he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, if the subject moves to the feudal domain, the supply of steel..."

Zhu Di said: "It depends on you, how much ability you have, how much steel and gunpowder you have, the business is based on the benefits, just like Annan, how much business tax and agricultural tax the company collected from Annan, and then based on these , will leave half of it to the local garrison, and with this money, the Governor’s Mansion will buy it again, all in all, it won’t let you take advantage of it, but it won’t teach you to suffer.”

  After hearing what Zhu Di said, King Ning felt relieved.

  Actually, he is not worried that Zhu Di's brother will settle accounts, the only thing he is worried about is that the other party will renege on his promise and lose weight. If he could settle the accounts first, he would have nothing to worry about. After all... King Ning Zhu Quan is quite confident in his own abilities.

"Ning Wangwei... was dismissed a lot by His Majesty at the beginning, can I call back some of the old ministers in Daning? Besides... Among the three guards of Duoyan, there are many people who are old with the minister. If there are still people who are willing Follow my younger brother, can Your Majesty allow it?"

Zhu Di said boldly: "How much belongings you can bring is your business, and your Ningwangfu, how much can you move away from Ningwangfu, including the stored grain, gold and silver, you just take it away yourself, these belongings, It was originally yours, so why would I want to seize it out of conscience? I only hope that you can follow the imperial examination and lay down a foundation."

  Zhu Quan is eager to try. To be honest, it is not easy to make such a determination, but when Zhu Di said this, he has a bottom line in his heart.

   Back in Monan, Daning City was the closest to the remnants of the Northern Yuan Dynasty. Didn’t the Tatars and Oirats be beaten on the ground?

   Now it’s just going to Luzon, so how can the natives of Luzon be as good as the Tatars and Oirats?

  So Zhu Quan said: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

   All of a sudden, it seems that the relationship between Zhu Di and Zhu Quan has become a lot closer in this short period of time.

  At this time, Zhu Di actually wished that this guy would bring more soldiers and horses, and hoped that he could make a difference overseas!

   And Zhu Quan also knew that once he went to sea, he might have to rely on his brother.

  Zhu Quan exchanged pleasantries with Zhu Di for a while, and then said: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that I have to go back as soon as possible, discuss with the vassals, and make preparations for departure as soon as possible, so I will take my farewell here."

  Zhu Di nodded: "Earlier is better, but this time... you are going to set off, and you still need Zheng He's fleet to return. When they sail to the West next time, they will pick you up on the way. So you have plenty of time to prepare."

   Wait for Zhu Quan to leave.

  Zhu Di glanced at Zhang Anshi and said, "How did you fool him?"

  Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "I didn't fool you, I just told His Highness King Ning that there is a place where he can display his talent, and he was tempted."

"Hey, he's still not reconciled after all." Zhu Di said with emotion: "But if it were me, I'm afraid I wouldn't be reconciled, Tian Huanggui, who has learned so many skills, who would like to waste time in the palace for the rest of his life? It can be seen that it is right to let him move the domain, and those brothers of mine should move out."

  Zhang An Shidao: "Your Majesty, not every vassal king has the courage of His Highness Ning Wang."

  Zhu Di said: "That's why... let him set an example. The happier he is outside, the more greedy everyone will be. You have to find a way to make him happier."

  Zhang Anshi nodded: "I think so too, there is also the matter of steelmaking..."

  Zhu Di stared at Zhang Anshi and said, "What's the matter with steelmaking?"

Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, the more vassal kings who move their vassals, the greater the demand for steel will be in the future. This new steel is tough. I plan to try to use this steel on firearms, but it's just that the horoscope has not yet been released. A skim..."

  Zhu Di said: "You can do what you want, and you don't have to report to me. In short, in Qixia, you can do whatever you want, and I will give you arbitrary power in Qixia."

  Zhang Anshidao: "Your Majesty is so trustworthy, Your Majesty..."

  Zhu Di waved his hands impatiently and said, "Don't say those words, I'll get goosebumps listening to you."

  Zhang Anshi was very aggrieved and said: "I just express my feelings."

  Zhu Di said: "You go home and feel good, don't let me know."

   "Oh." Zhang Anshi was unhappy, always feeling like he had nowhere to display his skills.

   Wait for Zhang Anshi to resign.

  Zhu Dirang Yi Shiha's pen, ink, paper and inkstone were set, and he picked up the pen and wrote a line: "In Qixia, the Marquis of Annan acts arbitrarily in times of crisis, and he is not allowed to ask questions."

  After writing it down, Zhu Di sat down and said, "Yi Shiha."

  Yi Shiha said: "The servant is here."

  Zhu Di said: "After mounting my calligraphy tomorrow, send it to Qixia, and let Zhang Anshi hang it up."

   "This..." Yi Shiha said cautiously: "Your Majesty, whether this Enlong is too much, it may not be a good thing for Marquis Annan."

Zhu Di shook his head and said: "Teach others to do things for you, you must always trust them. This kid has one idea a day, if he is timid when he does things, wouldn't it be a pity? This is not the grace I bestowed on him, but my whip. Urging him to give me the favor quickly Earn more money and do things well for me."

  Yi Shiha understood, and immediately smiled and said: "I know, I will send it to you tomorrow."

Zhu Di looked down at the handwriting he wrote, and couldn't help but said: "My running script has improved. At the time, the emperor said that among all the princes, my handwriting was not good. You see, I have become the emperor, and every day After reviewing the memorial, does this word look more pleasing to the eye?"

  Yi Shiha smiled and said: "Your Majesty's running script is unique and has the spirit of dragon and tiger."

After Zhu Di heard this, he couldn't help sighing: "It's like a dragon and a tiger. Doesn't that mean that my running script is not good? If you can pick out something good, you don't have to say something unique and dragons and tigers. "

  Yi Shiha: "..."

   Does this count as flattering on the ass?

  He expressed helplessness!

   Zhu Di suddenly remembered something at this moment, and said, "How is Ji Gang doing now?"

  Yi Shiha became more cautious, he glanced at Zhu Di quietly, and said: "Commander Ji cut off his hand...he is recuperating now."

  Zhu Diben had a murderous look on his face.

  But after hearing Yi Shiha's words, he was quite surprised.

   "How's the injury?"

"not too good."

  Zhu Di said lightly: "Give me the medicine."

  Yi Shiha sighed in his heart, he had to admit that Ji Gang did have his strengths, this person...is too cruel to himself.

  Originally about King Ning’s matter, this scapegoat, Ji Gang has decided against it, it can be said that he will definitely die.

   Who expected that he would use self-harm to win back His Majesty's heart?

  Originally, the matter of King Ning seemed reckless, but after all, Ji Gang also showed his loyalty, and now through self-mutilation, His Majesty, who was originally disgusted with him, felt a little sympathy.

  Yi Shiha suppressed his emotions, and said respectfully: "Your maid obeys the order."

  ...

  A ship slowly passed the pier and arrived at the pier of Confucius Temple.

  In this boat, there was a piercing cough.

  A servant tiptoed into the Wupeng boat and said in a low voice, "We have arrived in Nanjing. The master is going to pay a visit..."

"No need to visit..." The scholar coughed, smiled wryly and shook his head. He covered his heart, coughed a few more times, and then said: "They know that I am in Nanjing City. I heard that Qixia is a good place, although it is not in Nanjing. The city is full of merchants now, so it's very lively. Why don't you find a place to stay there."

  The servant frowned and said, "Master...that's Zhang Anshi..."

  The scholar smiled and said: "I'm just a sick scholar, it's not worth mentioning, that Zhang An Shi is a noble person, how can he pay attention to me? Don't worry too much, just follow my orders."

  Although the scholar's tone was easy-going, the servant didn't dare to refute, so he said, "Yes."

   "Monan, is there any news?"

   "The Tatar side... originally planned to attack Daning while the iron was hot, but when I heard that Zhu Di didn't have the right to punish Zhu, I was disappointed and gave up the plan after all."

   "Hey... the sweat is too hasty." The scholar sighed: "Anyone who achieves a big event must plan slowly and win with one move. But it's good if he can give up the plan."

   As he spoke, the boat fell into a deathly silence, except for the occasional coughing sound, but the coughing sound was heart-piercing.

  ………

   to the end of the year.

  The fleet of treasure ships finally returned.

When treasure ships appeared at the port of Songjiang, under the order of Emperor Yongle, Xie Jin, a scholar of the Wenyuan Pavilion of Zheng He, was ordered to welcome Zheng He, and led the officials of the Ministry of Rites to stand on the pier and watch the countless ships return to the port. .

   Full of Western spices and rare goods, began to move off the treasure ship.

   Countless legs are like ants, unloading a lot of goods and transporting them to the dock.

   Many people came to the port one after another to look forward to it. All of a sudden, merchants gathered and people crowded together.

   Xie Jin felt a little uncomfortable.

  The ministers of the Ministry of Rites behind him whispered: "It's a waste of money for the people. These ships are full of people's fat and people's anointing. It's chilling to see."

   "Yeah, it really makes people feel like a light on their backs. The grease of countless people has become the merits of one person and one family..."

   Xie Jin turned around and glared at them.

  The two officials quickly fell silent.

   Xie Jin said gently and authentically: "You must be cautious in your words, and you must have the body of a minister."

   "Yes, Mr. Xie, the next official knows his mistake."

   Xie Jin didn't say anything else. Seeing that on the flagship, there were people disembarking surrounded by people, so he went up to meet him and greeted him.

  Zheng He lost a lot of weight, and his face looked exhausted. Although he was wearing new clothes at this time, no matter how new the clothes were, he looked downcast.

   Licking his salty lips, Zheng He returned the salute after Xie Jin saluted, and then greeted Xie Jin.

  The next day, Zheng He entered Beijing by order.

  In the court, Zhu Di talked with Zheng He all night.

  This night, with the lights on, Zheng He talked about the dangers at sea, the customs and customs of various countries, the skills of sailing, the interesting stories of the accompanying soldiers and civilians, the loss of ships, and the treasures collected from all over the world.

"Your Majesty, Eunuch Deng does not know how to go west this time." Zheng He said with emotion: "Even slaves admire his courage. When people are overseas, life is like a year. Everyone is eager...even if it is an hour earlier. Returning to the voyage, This Deng Jian still insists on sailing Yang Fan, even if he does not die in the ocean, the hardships and pains involved are unimaginable."

  Zhu Di also couldn't help sighing: "Yes, that kid Zhang Anshi... can make people suffer. If Deng Jian can't go back, I will build a shrine for him."

  Zheng He nodded and said: "There is one more thing, that is, the minister brought back a large number of treasures... still needs to be counted."

  Zhu Di thought for a while and said: "I won't bother you, you have to work **** the return journey, teach Wenyuan Pavilion, and let them sell these treasures with the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Households."

   Zheng He said: "Yes."

  These treasures are mostly Western spices, ivory, and other specialties.

   It is impossible to store all of them in the palace, and it is useless to keep them. They can only be processed and replaced with gold and silver.

  So in the early morning of the next day, Xie Jin and others had just entered the palace and sat down.

   Then there was a decree to ask Wenyuan Pavilion to come up with a regulation for dealing with treasures.

   Xie Jin and the others did not dare to neglect, first checked the accounts of the treasure ship fleet.

Then, Xie Jin looked at Hu Guang and Yang Rong and said, "Going to the West wasted a lot of manpower and material resources, and what I got was just some so-called treasures. My Ming Dynasty is rich all over the world, so how can I care about these scraps of Westerners?" It's just... the size of a mosquito is a piece of meat. It can make up for some of the shortage of the national treasury. Let's make up some. In my opinion, let Liu Wenjun, the head of the warehouse department of the household department, handle these treasures. He is good at economics. These small things are enough. competent."

  Hu Guangdao: "Mr. Xie made up his mind."

  Yang Rong frowned and said, "There are so many treasures, but only the head of the household department warehouse department handles them. Isn't it...too frivolous?"

Xie Jin showed displeasure, and said: "The imperial court is not Qixia, and every penny must be weighed, and it is always said to be profitable? Do you still let the Ministry of Households and the servants handle these matters? Liu Wenjun is a man with a clean hand and integrity. , the writing of the article is also very good, but it is a rare official, let him do it, and the people inside and outside the court will feel at ease."

  He talked about inside and outside the court, but Yang Rong had nothing to say.

  In fact, Yang Rong knew very well that if he continued to argue, the other party might give him a bad name.

  Wenyuange University Scholars like Yang Rong still value reputation very much.

   So I had no choice but to keep silent.

  …

  Thus, more than a hundred ships of treasures began to be sold.

   On the other side, Zhang Anshi was also sharpening his sword.

  This time, although Deng Jian did not come back, the fleet formed by Qixia also brought back more than 30 ships full of treasures.

  Although it is far inferior to the fleet of the imperial court, the number of treasures is only 20-30% of that of the imperial court.

  But Zhang Anshi was beaming with joy, extremely happy.

   "It's getting rich." Zhang Anshi was in a great mood, and he found Zhu Jin, and said conveniently.

Zhu Jin was also happy, and said with a smile: "Yes, I personally went to Songjiang yesterday. These goods will be loaded on the ship soon, along the mouth of the river, through Taicang and Zhenjiang, into Nanjing, and then directly shipped to Come to Qixia Ferry, the warehouse... the small ones can also be moved..."

  Zhang Anshidao: "Unfortunately...there are still too few. If I knew this, I should have sent more ships..."

Zhang Anshi was not without regrets, and immediately said: "Anyway, we can't lose money on this trip. I have already told the Dibao to release the news on the last page and sell the treasures. Three days later, I will invite merchants from inside and outside the city of Nanjing." Come to us, Qixia. By the way, you have to cheer up these few days and arrange a venue for me."

   "The venue?" Zhu Jin looked at Zhang An Shidao in puzzlement.

  Zhang Anshi said directly: "I want to auction."

   "What is an auction?"

  Zhang Anshi was happy: "This auction... I can't tell you for a while, I will write out a regulation later, and then you can just take the regulation and do it."

  Zhu Jin nodded quickly, he knew better than anyone else that Lord Hou always had many strange methods, and these methods were often very effective.

  Anyway, he was only sure of one thing, that is, as long as he did things according to Lord Hou's orders, he would be right!

  So Zhu Jin didn't say much anymore, but said cheerfully: "I understand."

  ...

  Zhu Di has been in a good mood these past few days. The fleet has returned. After taking a rest, it is time to start the second voyage plan.

   This time the fleet has achieved very fruitful results. It has passed through 27 countries, and has found out the situation in the West, and brought back a lot of treasures. It can be said that it has completed the task extraordinary.

  Next... you can go further.

   A few days later, Zhu Di summoned all the scholars from Wenyuan Pavilion to see him.

Zhu Di said: "The new year is coming soon. After the new year and the beginning of spring, I want to order Zheng He to go to the Western Seas twice. Your Excellencies, the manufacturing of ships in various places must be accelerated, so that the Ministry of Industry will go to various places. Go to patrol, don't delay the big event."

   "Yes." The three answered.

   "Your Majesty..." Xie Jin thought for a while, and then said, "Is it safer for the fleet to continue to maintain the current size?"

  Zhu Di said lightly: "The second voyage to the West will go farther. If there are insufficient ships and manpower, it will be unpredictable if you encounter danger on the way."

   Xie Jin said quickly: "Your Majesty said, oh, yes, I have one more thing to play on my side."

  Zhu Di said: "But it doesn't matter."

   "Liu Wenjun, head of the Warehouse Department of the Household Department, was ordered to sell treasures. These treasures are also selling well. Your Majesty... now it is calculated and sold a full 140,000 taels of silver."

  140,000 taels...

  Zhu Di felt that at least he had earned a little profit. If it had been a few years earlier, he would have been surprised.

  But now, I don't feel anything anymore.

   "This Liu Wenjun, the sale is so fast, I thought it would be delayed for several months."

Xie Jindao: "Liu Wenjun was recommended by the minister to be in charge of sales. This person has a clear style, is upright, and meticulous in his actions. The affairs of the warehouse department are in his hands, and he arranges them in an orderly manner... The minister also listened Said one thing."

  Zhu Di said: "What's the matter?"

Xie Jin said: "Although Liu Wenjun is in charge of a very lucrative warehouse department, he is so poor that he doesn't even have a sedan chair, and he can't afford to hire a sedan chair bearer. He walks to the department hall every day to be on duty. I'm about to get up, and I have to walk for more than an hour... I just arrived at the hall..."

  After Zhu Di heard this, he couldn't help being moved, so he said: "It's really rare, let's call him to have an audience tomorrow... There are not many ministers like this."

   Xie Jin smiled and said: "Yes, I feel ashamed of myself in front of him, and everyone in the court and field praises him."

   "Really?" Zhu Di turned his eyes, looked at Hu Guang and said, "Hu Qing's family also thinks so?"

  Hu Guangdao: "I have indeed heard of his reputation for incorruptibility."

  Zhu Di nodded his head: "Such a person needs praise."

   Wait for the three of Xie Jin to leave.

  Zhu Di thought for a while, looked at Yi Shiha and said, "Yi Shiha, ask the Ministry of Officials to send Liu Wenjun's merit test book to me."

  Yi Shiha knows in his heart that once His Majesty cares about a certain person's merit test, then this person will not be far away from reaching the top.

  Then nodded and said: "Your maidservant will go and explain."

   "That's right." Zhu Di said, "How is Zhang Anshi's steel training? And... what about the rebellious party, why haven't there been any clues yet?"

   "This..." Yi Shiha said, "These days... Marquis Annan is in Qixia..."

  Zhu Di felt that there was something in Yi Shiha's words.

   then asked: "If you have something to say, speak up."

  Yi Shiha said: "Your Majesty, Marquis Annan is everywhere making arrangements for the auction of his treasures."

   "Auction?" Zhu Di was at a loss: "What is an auction?"

  Yi Shiha was stunned for a long time: "Maybe it will be sold after taking a photo, or it may be..."

  Zhu Di immediately blew his beard and stared, "Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand."

   "Yes, yes, the slaves really don't understand." Yi Shiha said: "But... now it's Qixia's place that is annoying, and merchants gather there. I heard that many merchants have gathered there today."

  Zhu Di sharply said: "This guy... definitely won't do useless work. Nine out of ten, he has some crazy idea."

  Hearing this, Zhu Di's heart became hot, Yinzi, he loves Yinzi, Zhang Anshi hasn't found a new source of income for a long time.

  Zhu Di paced back and forth with his hands behind his back: "There is nothing left and right, so instead of guessing here, why don't you go and have a look."

  Yi Shiha smiled wryly, His Majesty's temperament is not like that of an emperor, and he cannot sit still for a moment in this palace.

  Even if they don’t leave the palace to go to Qixia, they will probably go to the camp where Yubayashi and other guards live.

   And every day he was thinking about going to Beiping, going to the desert, and personally leading troops to sweep the Tatars and Oalas in the desert.

  Yi Shiha Practice makes perfect: "Slaves, go prepare."

  ...

  The three of Xie Jin returned to Wenyuan Pavilion.

  Xie Jin was in a good mood at this time, but when he arrived at the public house, a clerk came and said, "Xie Gong, Liu Wenjun, the head of the warehouse department, has arrived."

   Xie Jin nodded with a smile and said, "Call."

   Soon, Liu Wenjun entered Xie Jin's room on duty, and first saluted: "I have met Xie Gong."

   Xie Jin said gently: "I mentioned you to His Majesty just now."

   After a pause, Xie Jin smiled again and said: "Your Majesty is also full of praise for you. This time you sold treasures, which can be regarded as a meritorious service. It seems that the court will have a favor soon."

  Liu Wenjun said: "Mr. Xie attaches so much importance to...the next official..."

   Said, showing tears of gratitude.

Xie Jin smiled: "This is just a little effort, you are a gentleman, and in our Ming Dynasty, there are many villains. What is lacking in this court class is a gentleman like you. Only a gentleman like you can be in the court class. Only when the country prospers can the people live and work in peace and contentment.”

  (end of this chapter)