My Brother-in-law is the Prince

  Chapter 268 Magic weapon

Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, we always think that we will have everything in our country tomorrow, but in fact, the world's products are so rich. Let's say that this little raincoat was not brought by Marquis Deng. I found a rare treasure, but it is impossible to make it anyway.”

  He seemed to be selling a treasure, and then said: "This treasure can make more than mere raincoats, and its uses are much greater."

  When Zhu Di saw the raincoat, although he was not overwhelmed, he was also touched.

   All the officials in the back began to whisper.

   Anyway, this thing is really useful.

   "Treasure, what kind of treasure?"

"Rubber!" Zhang Anshi said: "Deng Hou said that when he went to a certain big island and saw the local natives, he took a kind of rubber juice and smeared it on his clothes. It can be avoided from the rain. When Deng Hou saw it, he was amazed, so he collected dozens of barrels of this rubber and brought it back, and at the same time, he brought back the rubber tree species."

   "These tree species have been planted in a place with a climate similar to that of the island. As for the dozens of barrels of rubber, they have been used to make some gadgets, and this raincoat is one of them."

   What Zhang Anshi said is very simple. In fact, rubber does have the function of avoiding water, but natural rubber also has many weaknesses. For example, once the weather is hot, it is easy to degumming and sticky.

  If you want to make it truly civilian, you need to use sulfur and rubber together to generate co-heating to solve this problem.

  Zhu Di was very surprised when he heard this. He nodded and said: "If this rubber can survive, then in the future... producing more raincoats like this will indeed have great benefits. This model camp can be assembled first."

Zhang Anshidao: "Once it can be widely planted, I plan to plant all of them in Lingnan, Qiongzhou, Luzon, Annan and other places. After taking rubber and processing it, it will benefit more than just raincoats here? Your Majesty ...and see..."

   As he spoke, he led Zhu Di to the second place.

  This venue is bigger, but there is a finely crafted carriage and horse.

  The difference between this chariot and horse is that it has four wheels.

  In Daming, most carriages are two-wheeled, and four-wheel steering is inconvenient, while the comfort of two-wheeled vehicles is very limited.

  This is also the reason why emperors always like to ride chariots, and ministers like to sit in sedan chairs. Because it is not bumpy, it is comfortable.

  Zhu Di didn't take it seriously when he saw this spacious four-wheeler.

Zhang Anshi said in front of everyone: "Your Majesty, this car has four wheels. Naturally, the steering of these four wheels is extremely flexible, because I asked the craftsmen to forge a chassis suspension system with refined steel. In this way, the four-wheeled vehicle can be turned easily like a two-wheeled vehicle. Not only that, but the wheels and the turntable are also made of this kind of refined steel bearings."

   As he spoke, Zhang Anshi squatted down and pointed to a round ball bearing between the two wheels and the chassis.

  Zhu Di didn't know, so he said authentically: "What's the use of this?"

   "It can reduce the friction between the axle and the chassis... well... this involves... a problem of power and friction."

  Zhang Anshi smiled, seeing that everyone was half-knowledgeable, Zhang Anshi then said again: "And this wheel.

  All the people discovered that the wheel made of fine steel is actually hollow, and it is made of steel rods, so although the wheel is made of fine steel, it should not be bulky.

   What's more interesting is that the wheel is covered with a dark layer of something.

Zhang Anshi went on to introduce: "This is also rubber. The advantage of rubber is that it is elastic, which can greatly reduce the bumps. At the same time...the friction with the ground is much less than that of wooden wheels. In addition, the minister is still here. Inside the carriage, many things have been improved."

   At this time, it was no longer the time for Emperor Taizu Gao, some extravagance had already begun to rise.

  When all the ministers saw the carriage, they still didn't take it seriously. They only thought that riding in a carriage was only for merchants after all.

  Ministers and scholars have the power to sit in soft sedan chairs. This sense of superiority is not comparable to ordinary people.

  Zhang Anshi continued: "On this carriage, I also had someone install a braking system. In this way, if danger is encountered, measures can be taken in advance to reduce the speed to a minimum."

   "And here, here..." Zhang Anshi said: "This is called a spring, and it was donated by craftsmen with steel bars, and it is also a part of the chassis..."

Zhang Anshi patiently explained: "This kind of carriage...is a hundred times more convenient and comfortable than the previous carriages. In the future, the trading company plans to build a workshop for manufacturing cars and manufacture them on a large scale. But right now, there is still a lack of rubber, whether it is brakes, wheels, etc. There is a demand for rubber for everything else, and what we can do right now is to improve this carriage a little bit, and wait for the time to come."

  Empress Xu was confused.

   And Zhu Di said: "Can I try this car?"

  Zhang Anshi said: "It is possible, but His Majesty will finish viewing the exhibition hall first, and I will arrange it later."

   Zhu Di has a sense of expectation for new things, especially Zhang Anshi's grand introduction, which breeds interest.

  Many of the officials who followed behind felt tired. They were already tired after walking all the way, and many of them didn't have much interest in it.

   Zhang Anshi led them around and walked around. In fact, most of the people's livelihood products are here.

  After shopping around, Zhang Anshi led Zhu Di to the Military Products Exhibition Hall, where Zhu Di became even more interested.

  In addition to various swords and swords made of fine steel, there are all kinds of firecrackers with different purposes. There is also a cannon here.

  Walking down a circle, except for Zhu Di, who had a bit of relish, almost everyone was complaining.

   It was noon at this time, and Zhang Anshi asked someone to arrange lunch.

  Ordinary ministers naturally went to one place to eat, while Zhu Di and Empress Xu, including the accompanying prince and princess Zhang, were arranged in a small hall.

   Zhang Anshi sat with him, and Zhu Di said: "What I saw today... I think it's quite interesting, but... why should these things be displayed?"

  Zhang An Shidao: "Because there will be a special judging committee for all the good things in it, and finally judge the pros and cons, and then award prizes based on its pros and cons."

   "Bonus awarded?" Zhu Di became interested: "How much is the bonus?"

"One for the first place, three thousand taels of silver. Two for the second place, two thousand taels. There are three for the third place, one thousand taels. In addition, there is an excellent award, which is twenty, three thousand taels One hundred taels."

  Zhu Di couldn't help laughing.

  Even the prince Zhu Gaochi, who had been hiding among the ministers just now, could not help but gently tugged at the sleeve of Zhang Anshi under the table, as if to say, "Don't mess around."

  Zhang Anshidao: "Your Majesty must find it ridiculous. Almost all the things displayed here are made by the Chamber of Commerce, but why...you still have to judge awards and distribute bonuses. Isn't this giving yourself money?"

  Zhu Di stopped laughing, he obviously heard the deep meaning in Zhang Anshi's words, so he said: "Why, what do you mean?"

Zhang Anshidao: "Actually... I call standing trees trustworthy. There are no more than three or four thousand craftsmen in the business. Although there are many skilled craftsmen, my Ming Dynasty has tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians. A few. The minister is actually encouraging those skilled craftsmen, if they can make something good, they are willing to show it at the next year's exhibition. In the future, this exhibition will not only exhibit the things of the chamber of commerce. This exhibition will be beneficial to them There are two advantages. One is that if the idea is good and original, you can get a bonus. The second is that many craftsmen have good ideas and can make rare things, but they don't have gold at hand. Silver cannot be produced, and if it is displayed here, more merchants can see it, and it may facilitate cooperation between them.”

"So, this exhibition, I take it very seriously. I even plan to register all the objects participating in the exhibition in the future. Anyone who is willing to register will be issued a patent certificate to prove that this person created it. If I meet in the future If there is any dispute, the exhibition will coordinate and seek justice for those who hold our exhibition patents. The other is that the exhibition can be used as a middleman or a guarantor. With the guarantee of the exhibition, they can avoid any worries.”

  After hearing this, Zhu Di realized that Zhang Anshi's intentions were not as simple as asking for credit and offering treasures.

  He frowned and said, "What's the use of this?"

Zhang Anshidao: "It is much more useful, Your Majesty... The reason why my Ming Dynasty is more powerful than the surrounding feudal clans is because we can manufacture better weapons, and also because we have exquisite things such as silk and porcelain. Not to mention, because I, Ming Dynasty, irrigated more land, had countless fertile fields, and raised tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians. On the other hand, although there are many countries in the world that should not be underestimated, many still live primitively and live in a The stage of drinking blood and bare hair."

"And these more sophisticated weapons, better irrigation, and more exquisite utensils, aren't they the reason why the Central Plains has been prosperous for thousands of years? Where did these things come from, but they are just accumulation. There has always been a lot in this world. A very smart person, with an idea, produces something, and even passes it on to future generations to benefit the world. There are also many skills, but because they cannot be spread, they eventually die out. Because of this, what if the Central Plains wants to continue to flourish? Can you not pay attention to these skills?"

After a pause, Zhang Anshi continued: "This is the purpose of the exhibition. On the one hand, it is to encourage skilled craftsmen, so that those who are truly talented can get bonuses and even have the opportunity to communicate with others by virtue of their ingenuity. Joint production and wealth creation. On the other hand, I also hope to continue these skills. Your Majesty, the ingenuity of our ancestors has benefited our descendants a lot. This is why we are today's heyday. How can we ignore these things? Naturally It is to build on this foundation and improve to a higher level, so that in the future, it can benefit the descendants of a hundred years or a thousand years later.”

  After Zhu Di listened, he was thoughtful. After thinking about it carefully, he had a contemptuous attitude towards the surrounding countries, calling them uncivilized barbarians.

  If you are a scholar, the distinction between barbarians is based on Confucianism. They think that the reason why they are different from barbarians is because they read the books of sages and sages.

Obviously, Zhu Di is not a scholar. His thinking is the same as Zhang Anshi’s. From his standpoint, his perception of barbarians is that my dynasty is omnipotent. I wear silk, use more refined utensils, have more sophisticated weapons, and plant valuables. A more sophisticated irrigation system for intensive farming. On the other hand, barbarians wear sackcloth, drink blood and wear hair. There is indeed a huge difference.

  So Zhu Di nodded and said: "Zhang Qing's words are quite enlightening to me, Prince..."

  Suddenly being named, Zhu Gaochi hurriedly said: "My son is here."

   Rarely said in a earnest tone: "Don't always listen to scholars, what your brother-in-law says is sometimes even more thought-provoking."

  Zhu Gaochi glanced at Zhang Anshi and nodded: "I know."

"You can't just say you know it. If you just respond, who wouldn't? You are the crown prince. In the past few years, you have also assisted me and taken care of a lot of things. I have always relied on you." After a pause, Zhu Di continued: "Let's think of a regulation. From my point of view, Zhang Anshi can't use the name of the exhibition to award and register. The East Palace... can think of a way, such as letting the East Palace come forward. In this way, it seems that the court attaches great importance to it. "

  Zhu Gaochi said: "Yes, my son obeys the order."

   After lunch, Yi Shiha came in a hurry and said, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Zhenyuan, Gu Cheng, is in a hurry."

  Zhu Di frowned when he heard the word Gu Cheng.

  Gu Cheng, the Marquis of Zhenyuan, is the grandfather of Gu Xingzu, and has been guarding Guizhou according to his orders.

  But generally speaking in a hurry, it means that something must happen, so he said: "What's the matter?"

Yi Shiha said: "The chieftains of Sizhou and Sinan Prefecture rebelled, and the Marquis of Zhenyuan ordered the Guizhou guards to suppress them, but because of the lack of food in the army... not only the Sizhou guards rebelled, but also the chieftain took this opportunity to launch an attack. A big defeat, lost 3,000 people, and returned to Guiyang."

  As soon as these words came out, Zhu Di's face turned cold.

   Empress Xu and Crown Princess Zhang tactfully got up when they saw this, and went to the side room to rest.

Seeing that the two had left, Zhu Dicai scolded angrily with a livid face: "How could you mutiny? Sizhou Wei is an elite, among them there are quite a few military officials who are from my own soldiers. Gu Cheng is also a veteran, Su Zhibing Slightly... how could such a thing happen?"

   Zhu Di's anger is conceivable.

  The Ming Dynasty didn’t even look down on the Tatars, but the mere chieftain of Guizhou had twists and turns during peace? Such a big defeat, not to mention the loss, the emperor Zhu Di alone is also dishonored.

Yi Shiha lowered his voice and said: "In the report of the Marquis of Zhenyuan, it is said that the delivery of military rations was delayed, and the soldiers tried their best to kill the thieves, but the rations did not arrive on time, so morale was low. This is the process of Sizhou Wei's rebellion. Among them, he was very brave, but because he had no food, and the reward he had promised before was not even worth it, so...he rebelled in anger..."

  Lack of food in the army...

  Zhu Di's face sank even more.

  However, this big defeat can be explained.

  The soldiers and horses have not moved, but the food and grass go first. Once the army runs out of food, it is very dangerous.

  Only in Guizhou, where there are many mountains, transportation is not easy.

  But Zhu Di couldn't help but said: "Since that's the case, why didn't you plan ahead? What does the Guizhou Transit Envoy do?"

Yi Shiha said: "There is also a report from the transfer envoy, saying that Guizhou is hot and humid, and the grain is easy to rot. Therefore, it is often not possible to hoard too much food in advance for the supply of military supplies. It can only be transferred again and again, which increases the risk of food loss. The burden of transportation…”

"Teach them that there is no need to explain." Zhu Di said with a sullen face, angrily: "Transshipment made the delivery of food late, dismissed, and Suona went to Beijing. Zhenyuan Marquis Gu Cheng, although it is excusable, but he lost so much money People and horses are also to blame. For the sake of him being the commander-in-chief, I will let him take the blame, and if he can't put down Sizhou and Sinanzhou chieftains again, he will be punished for several crimes and beheaded."

  Zhu Di was resolute and decisive, and his tone did not allow anyone to refute.

  Yi Shiha listened, and hurriedly said: "Your maidservant, I will go and explain to the gentlemen of Wenyuan Pavilion..."

  Zhu Di said: "Aren't the ministers of Wenyuan Pavilion accompanying you here? It's next door, why do you need to explain? I will go in person!"

   After finishing speaking, Zhu Di stood up and led Zhu Gaochi and Zhang Anshi to the front hall together.

  In this front hall, the ministers had already had lunch, and there were too many people accompanying them, so everyone had to crowd here.

  Someone brought tea to them, and everyone sat down and chatted with each other.

  Guizhou's military information was sent from the palace, and the Lijian Supervisor had a copy, and Wenyuan Pavilion also had a copy. Therefore, the Lijian Supervisor gave it to Yi Shiha, and Yi Shiha went to report it.

  Wenyuan Pavilion's memorial has already been shown to Hu Guang and Yang Rong.

   Now that Hu Guang and Yang Rong are with the accompanying ministers, naturally, the news cannot be hidden from the other accompanying ministers.

   Along the way, all the ministers were already full of complaints, and now they are even more exhausted. Thinking of such a major event now, His Majesty will have to drive back to the palace immediately, and everyone will have to go through a long trek back.

  So many people couldn't help sighing and complaining.

"There are so many important military and state affairs in the imperial court every day, but they still let me wait to come to Qixia to see some kind of exhibition. What's the use of seeing these things? I'm waiting in various halls, what day is it not a day to take care of everything? What a waste of a day Kung fu... What a great loss? If the soldiers and civilians know that the princes in the court have such leisure, they don't know how chilling they are. Hey..."

   "Yes, yes, I see those things are all strange and skillful things, what good are they for the common people?"

   "In the end, I just want to make money, but I asked Your Majesty and me to wait... to teach them to make more money. Hey... it all fell into the eyes of money."

   "Since ancient times, if the emperor is around, there are such people who only know how to drill camps, value gold and silver and despise the soldiers and civilians, which one will not be ruined in the end? Forget it, let's not talk about it."

  Everyone spoke excitedly, as if they were going to spew out all their grievances at once.

   Naturally, Hu Guang and Yang Rong, several important officials, bowed their heads and drank tea one by one, pretending not to hear.

  In this situation, it is best to play dead, because once you go along with them, it will definitely reach His Majesty's ears, and it is inevitable that you will lose His Majesty's trust.

   But if you object, then you will offend hundreds of officials and colleagues, and you will inevitably be spread by people with embellishments, and then... arouse the disgust of scholars all over the world.

   Scholars cannot be offended. Once you offend them, in less than three years, there will be all kinds of jokes and dramas that distort you! When the time comes, the reputation will be notorious, so what face is there to serve as Zaifu in Wenyuan Pavilion?

  Jian Yi didn't say anything, but he was old and not young at this time, and he also had complaints in his heart, but he didn't go along with it, but he also felt that Zhang Anshi was really not doing things properly.

  You do your business, that's your business, don't separate public and private! Is it plausible to pull the emperor and all the officials to cheer you on?

  Jin Zhong is too lazy to talk to other people, which is actually understandable. He is not from a professional background. He used to be a fortune teller. Although he is the Minister of the Ministry of War, once he speaks, it is inevitable that he will be directly attacked by others, and he will lose all face.

   Besides, isn’t it normal for Zhang Anshi to be scolded? No one scolded, Jin Zhong felt strange!

   Don't let this guy touch the old man, Jin Zhong is afraid of being splashed with blood on himself.

   "To be honest, old man, what's the use of these things? It's all right now, the military and state affairs have been delayed, gentlemen, you can't just sit idly by..."

  The one who spoke was a Yuanwailang from the household department, and he was the most excited. Because he was originally the same year as Xie Jin, he originally pointed to Xie Jin as a big tree to enjoy the shade.

   As a result, Xie Jin was thrown to Java because of Zhang Anshi. He was very upset, and his anger towards Zhang Anshi can be imagined.

  As soon as he spoke, the officials naturally relied on the law and did not blame the public, and it became even more lively.

  Unexpectedly, someone walked in, and everyone subconsciously saw that it was Zhu Di.

   All of a sudden, the hall suddenly fell silent, and a needle could be heard.

  Zhu Di had a cold face, murderous look in his eyes.

   Originally, because of the bad news in Guizhou, Longyan was furious, and he was in a bad mood!

  Just outside, he heard all these words, and the anger in his heart became even worse.

   Don’t think that everyone only scolds Zhang Anshi, but Zhu Di is very clear that most of these ministers are referring to Sang and scolding Huai. They dare not scold me, so they just use Zhang Anshi to scold me.

  Yang Rong, Hu Guang and others hurriedly got up and saluted Zhu Di.

  Zhu Di said with a sullen face: "There is no need to be too polite, Qing and others are the pillars of the country, aren't they all Guan Zhongleyi of my Ming Dynasty, this world cannot be separated from you."

   "The minister waits for ten thousand deaths."

  Everyone responded.

In the same year of Xie Jin, he knew that it was His Majesty who was angry with himself, so he couldn't help saying: "Your Majesty, I am not talented, but I am also a minister of the court. This criticism. If your Majesty thinks that what I said is wrong, I will certainly die. However, I think that... Da Ming wants long-term peace and stability, but it needs to focus on state affairs, not on these tricks."

   As he spoke, he kowtowed respectfully to Zhu Di.

  Zhu Di opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found... It seemed that this guy... blocked himself with a single sentence.

  Thus, if you are angry in your heart but don't know how to respond, your face will be even uglier.

  Seeing this, Zhang Anshi's face also changed slightly. You can scold me Zhang Anshi, but I'm not a good person anyway.

  But the exhibition that insulted me was not successful. I, Zhang Anshi, rely on this to make a fortune... No, I rely on this to benefit the world.

  So Zhang Anshi couldn't help it anymore and said: "The art of chicken crowing and dog stealing? I don't know what this means?"

   "It means literally." This foreigner has no fear even in front of Zhu Di, let alone Zhang Anshi!

  He said seriously: "Isn't it?"

  Zhang Anshidao: "Dare to ask Gao's name."

"Zhang Youcheng is no match for Duke Wei. He is just a mere member of the household department. The reason why the lower officials are so indignant and utter nonsense is that they think of the thousands of soldiers in Guizhou who died in battle... that's why they say what they say. If Duke Wei is offended, then , I'm an official... just to apologize."

  This guy's answer can be said to be watertight. Even if he scolds you, you can't blame him.

   After all, he can hold the name of righteousness.

  Zhu Di already knew that Zhang Anshi might be hanged up and beaten by the sharp words of the ministers again.

Zhang Anshi said: "Okay, since you are a member of the Ministry of Household Affairs, the transfer of the various provinces is also closely related to the Ministry of Household Affairs. Let me ask you why this time the transfer of military rations will be delayed. Why can't the money and rations for the army be delivered in time? "

"The amount of supply is too large. Every month, the food alone consumed by the Marquis of Zhenyuan costs 36,000 shi! This is only the rations of the army. In addition, there are horse feed for war horses and mules. There are so many It is necessary to requisition at least thousands of carts in advance, and people and horses to be transported along the way to eat and drink. In this way... a horse, a cart, and a round trip, the food that can be transported to the army is only a stone. But in Guizhou, there is a shortage of horses, if there is a delay in the middle, it will naturally not be able to supply."

  Zhang Anshi said in a questioning tone: "A car, running back and forth, is only a stone grain?"

  This piece has attained enlightenment: "The roads in Guizhou are rugged, and one stone of grain is the best situation. If it is in other places, after excluding losses, there are two stones."

  Zhang An Shidao: "In this way, you don't think it's the responsibility of the transshipment envoy, but instead think it's a problem of manpower and horsepower?"

  Zhang Youcheng said straightforwardly: "Of course it is. What the subordinates are supervising is transshipment, and they know it well. Duke Wei probably doesn't know the situation of transshipment in various places."

  Zhang Anshidao: "I may not understand the situation of transshipment, but I do know that a car can actually transport more than ten stones of grain, not one stone!"

  As soon as this remark came out, Zhang Youcheng couldn't help but sneered.

   Many people shook their heads secretly after hearing this.

  Even Zhu Di felt that Zhang Anshi's words were a little too much.

  He thought that Zhang Anshi was using this to criticize the transshipment envoy for being greedy for ink in the name of loss, but in fact Zhu Di was a general in the army and knew well about transportation. Naturally, he knew that it was indeed normal to transport one or two stones of grain per trip.

  Zhang Youxiang caught Zhang Anshi's handle all of a sudden, and hurriedly chased after him: "Since Wei Guogong doesn't know how to transfer luck, don't argue with the lower officials. Right and wrong, you have your own opinion..."

  Zhang Anshi said surprisingly: "What if I can transport more than ten stones in one car? And I will show you now!"

  Zhang Youcheng gave him a mocking look, then sneered, "The old man wrung his head off and kicked Wei Guogong like a kick."

  (end of this chapter)