After listening to He Zhiyuan's introduction, Zhou Fu said: "Listening to your introduction, this steam engine can replace horse-drawn carts, grinding and so on in the future, and the world will change a lot." ”

"You're right, it's a machine that has made a huge difference in the world." He Zhiyuan said, and then went on to elaborate: "It was invented using scientific knowledge. People who don't have scientific knowledge, let alone invent such a machine, it will be difficult to even use it. ”

After visiting the Institute of Physics, the sun was about to set, He Zhiyuan said to Zhou Fu: "It's getting dark, and the Institute of Chemistry and the Institute of Optics will not go this time." Let's go to the firearms factory, where I have a gift for you. ”

Zhou Fulai said with some reluctance: "It's okay, can you give a general introduction to the research content of these two places." ”

He Zhiyuan saw that he was very interested in the Academy of Sciences, so He Zhiyuan gave a general introduction to the research directions and projects of the two research institutes. When he heard that there was a group of Taoist priests engaged in chemical research, he was amazed. He said with emotion: "It turns out that this Taoist priest is not useless, and he is not all pretending to be gods and fooling the people, and there are scientific truths in these spells of theirs." ”

He Zhiyuan said: "It's true, it's just that they didn't find the truth in it, or they didn't want to say it if they did." ”

When he heard that the Institute of Optics was actually developing a camera, he couldn't believe that there could be such a miraculous machine in the world. asked He Zhiyuan again and again that this kind of machine can really be developed, is it really in line with scientific principles, not magic?

He Zhiyuan told him with great certainty: "This is science, and it will always be developed in the future." Not only that, but future telescopes will be able to see the moon more clearly. And to change the world's perception of this universe, that is a major event that subverts the world's cognition. ”

Hearing this, Zhou Fulai fell into deep thought. He heard the sound of the extraneous sound from He Zhiyuan's words, changing the way the world listens to the universe? Now that the world thinks that the sky is round and the earth is round, what will it be? He didn't dare to ask any more, and if he continued to ask, he might even be scared. For the first time, he felt lacking in what he had learned.

The two chatted while walking, and after a while, they arrived at the firearms factory and met Ding Kui. He Zhiyuan asked him, "Master Ding, have those pistols been made?" ”

"It was made yesterday afternoon, and twenty guns is not a lot." Ding Kui replied easily: "This time there is plenty of time, and the workmanship is much better than the first gun." ”

Next, Ding Kui asked the workers to bring all the guns. He Zhiyuan took out two handfuls, handed one of them to Zhou Fu and said, "This is the gift I gave you, and I will use it for self-defense in the future." ”

After Zhou Fulai took the gun and thanked him, he took it in his hand and checked it repeatedly. He had seen this kind of short gun before, but it was ignited by an arquebus, and some princes and nobles just used this kind of gun as a toy, and it was not very powerful. But this gun was markedly different, it didn't have a device for ignition.

He Zhiyuan saw his doubts and immediately introduced: "This kind of gun does not use a fire rope, it is fired with flint. ”

Then He Zhiyuan took out the ammunition bag, demonstrated how to charge the charge, and then said to him: "Don't pin this gun is very small, it is guaranteed that a shot can knock down a strong man within thirty steps, and it is the most suitable for self-defense." The guards who will come with you this time, except for the long rifles

, and one of these pistols per person. ”

Zhou Fulai was puzzled: "I heard that this kind of gun can only be fired once at a time, and it is troublesome to load, so there is no chance to fire a second time." With this firearm, there is no bow and arrow to use on the battlefield. ”

He Zhiyuan smiled, asked Ding Kui to find a long rifle and said: "What you said is the previous firearm, the gun I designed is improved, it is not only fired with flint, but also a knife can be installed under the barrel, as long as the knife is installed, it is a spear." This way, you only need to use this gun, and it can be used for both melee and long-range shooting. ”

Zhou Fulai took the gun and looked at it repeatedly, and kept admiring: "It's wonderful, it's much better than the original firecracker." Suddenly, he remembered something, and hurriedly asked He Zhiyuan: "By the way, will this kind of gun explode?" Will the launch be dangerous? ”

At this time, Ding Kui replied for He Zhiyuan: "Although Lord Zhou can use it with confidence, all the guns that come out of our firearms factory are made of high-quality steel pipes, and they will definitely not explode." The previous fire rifle was caused by insufficient materials and poor quality of steel, and had nothing to do with the gun itself. ”

Zhou Fulai looked at He Zhiyuan with an inquiring gaze, and He Zhiyuan nodded in agreement with Ding Kui's statement. Zhou Fulai was relieved to hang the pistol on his body.

Then He Zhiyuan instructed Ding Kui: "I took these two guns, and the rest will be sent to Xu Qianhu now." He's waiting to use it. ”

By the time they left the firearms factory, it was already dark, and the two of them chatted on the way as they walked towards the town. Zhou Fulai asked He Zhiyuan: "This academy of sciences only studies and creates, and does not produce anything, so you invest a lot, right?" ”

He Zhiyuan replied as he walked: "Well, from the completion to the present, tens of thousands of taels of silver have been invested. If this continues, at least 100,000 taels of silver will be invested a year. ”

"The investment of hundreds of thousands of taels of silver a year has not brought any benefits, what are you trying to do?" Zhou Fulai couldn't help but wonder.

He Zhiyuan said with a smile: "Don't look at the current investment is very large, once the research and development is successful, it will bring me more income than ten soap workshops." Moreover, these studies can bring greater benefits to our Ming Dynasty, and it can make our Ming Dynasty truly rich and strong. Everyone has their own ambitions, and that's what I want. ”

After Zhou Fulai heard this, he had a further understanding of his brother-in-law, and was happy for his sister because he had this ambition. It seems that my father's vision is right, this person is definitely not a thing in the pool, and it is not flattering to be a marquis and a great minister in the future.

Then he asked: "I heard that the Ma Qishan Thousand Households Office was established with your financial support, and the imperial court only gave three thousand taels of silver, and the rest was your silver." ”

"It can't be said that part of the salary is still given by the imperial court." He Zhiyuan said with a smile.

In fact, both of them knew that the salary issued by the imperial court was not even sixty percent in the hands of the soldiers after being plucked by officials at all levels. Each soldier only has more than three cents of silver, and He Zhiyuan gives the soldiers a monthly salary of three taels per month, which means that ninety percent of the salary and silver received by the soldiers are He Zhiyuan's.

Zhou Fu said: "This time the time is too rushed, it's a pity that I didn't go to the barracks to have a look." The brother-in-law has invested so much for thousands of households, and the soldier's demeanor must be different. ”

He Zhiyuan hurriedly said: "Brother don't regret it, it's not too late to go when you have the opportunity." The ten guards I found for you this time are the best of these soldiers

Everyone, everyone is good, not only can the gun be accurate, but also the use of cold weapons will not lose to anyone, and you will be able to appreciate their demeanor when the time comes. ”

At this time, He Zhiyuan remembered the cunning and insidiousness of the Japanese and the Lu family, so he reminded: "Brother went to Yangzhou this time to inspect the salt imperial history, and he must be careful when investigating the case." Be sure to bring a guard when you go out, and never go out alone. At the same time, you must also pay attention to guarding against the Japanese invaders, I heard that the Lu family is colluding with the Japanese invaders, you have to prevent them from jumping off the wall in a hurry. To your disadvantage, the musket I gave you should be carried with you, and it will save your life when it is critical. ”

When Zhou Fulai heard this, his heart was moved. Then he said: "I wrote it down for my brother, you have to be careful." The things you do are so good that you will be envied. You now have no power as a distant official, but in fact you have military power, and you also have a lot of wealth, although Jane is in the emperor's heart, it is inevitable that there will be villains plotting. For my brother, I hope that you will win the crown next autumn, and when I return to Beijing after my dismissal the year after tomorrow, we will meet in Beijing. ”

He Zhiyuan replied with a smile and easily: "Brother, don't worry, those who are jealous of me and plotting against me, I have my own way to deal with them." I'm going to get it next fall, and I'm very confident about that. See you in Beijing the following spring. ”

Early the next morning, Xu Qianhu personally came to He Mansion with the ten veterans he had selected. These ten people were all selected from the original batch of family members, including Xu Detian, Ma Wu, Jiang Yuanqing and others.

He Zhiyuan looked at the ten people he was familiar with, and said in his heart that Xu Qianhu had put in a lot of effort this time, and he selected the most elite parts, which showed the importance he attached to this operation. He Zhiyuan said: "Uncle Xu, the ones you selected this time are all elites in the army, I remember that Ma Wu was newly married, right?" How did you choose him? ”

Ma Wuyi was anxious when he heard this, and hurriedly said, "He Gongzi, you must let me go." Without He Gongzi and Xu Qianhu, there would be my Ma Wu today. What can happen to the newlywed, it is still important to protect Lord Zhou. Besides, I went to Huai'an and Yangzhou with my son last time, and I am familiar with the situation there, so of course I have to go. ”

Xu Tangyi explained: "Originally, he was not allowed to go this time, but he found me and had to go." There was no choice but to let him go. ”

He Zhiyuan nodded approvingly, and said to Ma Wu: "Then you must be careful over there!" ”

"I know, our task is not to arrest corrupt officials and profiteers, we are to protect Lord Zhou." Ma Wu replied solemnly.

"Yes, that's right!" He Zhiyuan patted him on the shoulder and said. Then he said loudly to the ten people in front of him: "This time I went to Yangzhou with Lord Zhou, and your task is to protect Lord Zhou." Lord Zhou made a special trip to investigate the case on the orders of the emperor this time, and there must be danger in it. You must always stay around Lord Zhou, even if you sleep, someone must stand guard, don't be careless! Do you understand? ”

The ten men replied in unison, "Understood!" ”

"Good! Lord Zhou is about to set off. Everyone is ready to go! ”

At this time, Zhou Fulai was also ready to go, He Zhiyuan walked over with them, bowed to Zhou Fulai and said, "Brother, the guards are ready and ready to go at any time." ”

"Okay, take care!" Zhou Fulai said with a salute.

After speaking, Zhou Fulai said to everyone: "Take care, everyone! Then he said to his entourage: "Go!" ”

The guards got on their horses and walked away......

(End of chapter)

The little people of the Ming Dynasty

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