Hearing this, Zheng Zhilong thought for a while before replying: "My lord, Iwami Silver Mountain was about 20 years ago, and it was about 1 million taels a year. ”

That's a lot!

However, for Zheng Zhilong, the protection fee he receives in a year is as much as 10 million taels. Therefore, the limit production capacity of only one million taels is really not particularly exciting!

Even Lu Xiangsheng was a little disappointed when he heard that the output of Iwami Silver Mountain was only about one million taels at its peak. In his expectations, the reputation of this stone silver mountain should be about 10 million taels of silver.

If there are really so many, to be honest, he will definitely immediately make a note to the emperor and transfer troops to capture Iwami Silver Mountain first. However, at this time, Lu Xiangsheng was a little cautious, and after asking Zheng Zhilong some questions about the Wa Kingdom, he explained to Zheng Zhilong: "You are familiar with the affairs of the Wa State, you can select some people from the Japanese captives to come out as my Ming secret agents and send them back to the Wa State to spy on the news, so as to prepare for future wars." ”

Although Emperor Chongzhen's news is often very accurate, as the commander of the enemy, it is also a must to learn the news of the enemy. I inquired about the situation of Iwami Ginzan first, and if I could easily take it over, it would certainly be the best.

For now, the Japanese army has been defeated, at least for now, and there is absolutely no ability to fight with the Ming Dynasty again. However, Lu Xiangsheng had no bottom in his heart about how much the military loss of the Japanese State was. If he used his current strength to fight for the lifeblood of the Wa Kingdom, he would still be very cautious.

So, Lu Xiangsheng temporarily put aside his thoughts about Iwami Ginzan, and discussed the affairs of the Ryukyu Kingdom with Zheng Zhilong.

…………

At the same time, Emperor Chongzhen, who was far away in Beijing, transferred his energy to the side of the War Bureau after learning of the Ming army's victory.

With the full cooperation of the interest group on the prince's side and Bi Maokang's side of the War Bureau, there are resources available from all over the country, and there are countless skilled craftsmen, and there are already results. The first steam engine in the Ming Dynasty, or the first steam engine in the world, was finally built.

Of course, in the middle, the guidance of Emperor Chongzhen is indispensable.

Although Emperor Chongzhen did not actually make a steam engine in his previous life. I don't know what kind of separating condenser, setting up an insulation layer outside the cylinder, lubricating the piston with oil, planetary gears, parallel motion linkage, centrifugal governor, throttle valve, pressure gauge, etc., so many steam mechanism parts. However, he graduated from college and did not return physics to the teacher, and the principles, ideas, and ideas are very clear.

Just one look at the steam engine they have built will immediately suggest a lot of improvements. This bug of Emperor Chongzhen existed, and it was originally necessary to go through hundreds of years of gradual improvement in history before it could be used as an industrial steam engine, but in this plane, it was built by the Ming Dynasty with the power of the whole country, and it took more than a year, at most, two years.

Now, the steam engine in front of Emperor Chongzhen has reached the level of the steam engine improved by Watt on the original plane. However, this steam engine is to be used by Watt's steam engine, and the cost is not known how much higher.

You must know that this steam engine is a master-level craftsman among skilled craftsmen, and it is built one part after another. If you add the cost of spending the energy of the Ming Emperor and the crown prince, it can be said that this steam engine is priceless!

Looking at Emperor Chongzhen's final appearance of the steam engine, the crown prince Zhu Cihong happily played: "Father, Erchen and Bi Qing have calculated that such a steam engine can be used in mining, smelting, textile, machine manufacturing, etc., which can greatly improve efficiency. ”

Emperor Chongzhen smiled and nodded, in this regard, he knew far better than the crown prince how widely this steam engine would be used.

Seeing him smile, Zhu Cihong was very happy, and immediately continued to play with great ambition: "Father, the son plans to move this steam engine to the carriage in the next step, and there will be tests on the ship, and it will definitely realize the grand occasion that my father said as soon as possible, and greatly change the traffic of my Ming Dynasty!" ”

This steam engine, if you really want to tell the truth, is the most contributed by Bi Maokang's side. However, if Zhu Cihong can't stand it, he is the crown prince of the dynasty, so this credit is naturally the prince's first. He took the lead in saying this, Bi Maokang will not have an opinion, and others will not have an opinion.

"So very good" Emperor Chongzhen first affirmed Zhu Cihong's idea, and then continued: "Since this practical steam engine prototype already exists, let's set up a steam engine factory following the example of the glass factory. The shares, also modeled after the glass factory, the imperial court, I, you, and the War Bureau are all divided, and the rest is put up for auction, and the funds obtained are used to build a few more factories, at least two capitals must be had. How is it? ”

Hearing this, Zhu Cihong and Bi Maokang glanced at each other, both of them were overjoyed, and hurriedly thanked each other. You know, in this way, the money is rolling, who doesn't like it?

But what they didn't expect was that Emperor Chongzhen continued to smile and say after they thanked them: "Bi Qing is already a master of firearms, and now that this steam engine has been built, how about I make you a machine master again?" ”

The title of master is the fourth grade, which not only has tax exemption for grain fields, but also exempts two family members from servitude. Even if he doesn't have these, to be able to get another master title is also the emperor's recognition of him, and it is an extremely glorious thing.

Therefore, Bi Maokang was overjoyed when he heard it, and hurriedly thanked him.

After he finished thanking him, Emperor Chongzhen turned his head to look at Zhu Cihong again, and asked with a smile: "You also participated in the construction of this steam engine, which took a lot of your effort and energy, and with your share of credit, I also named you a machine master, how about it?" ”

Upon hearing this, everyone was immediately dumbfounded.

You know, Zhu Cihong is the prince! This prince is much higher than any title, or in other words, the position of the prince is unique in the world, and no title can be compared with the prince.

Why does the emperor want to crown the crown prince as a machine master, this is really unreasonable! I don't know why, in his mind, he immediately remembered the past when the previous Emperor Zhengde gave him the position of a great general.

Therefore, Zhu Cihong was stunned there, and before he could react, Bi Maokang had already taken the first step and said: "Your Majesty, with the respect of the crown prince, how can you receive an ordinary title?" I'm afraid this is not in line with etiquette, right? ”

Hearing this, Zhu Cihong also came back to his senses, and looked at his father, wondering how his father answered.

I saw Emperor Chongzhen smile, looked at Bi Maokang and said, "What's unreasonable? The prince is the prince, and the machine master is the machine master. Is this a conflict? If I named him a machine master, it is to recognize that the prince has made outstanding contributions to the Ming Dynasty in the construction of machines. ”

Speaking of this, he turned his head to look at Zhu Cihong and asked him, "What do you think, do you want the title of machine master or not?" ”

Bi Maokang on the side heard this, and also turned his head to look at Zhu Cihong. He knew that whether the prince would be awarded the title of "Machine Master" in the end would depend on the prince himself.

Although the prince hasn't answered yet, but based on Bi Maokang's understanding of the prince, he knows that Daming has one more thing that has never been done before.

Sure enough, I saw Zhu Cihong with excitement, respectfully saluted Emperor Chongzhen, and then said solemnly: "Erchen wants!" ”

While answering, he knew in his heart that when he went back, the queen mother would not like it when she found out. However, my father said that this was an affirmation of his own construction of the steam engine, so why not? Of course!

When Emperor Chongzhen heard his answer, he immediately smiled and said, "Okay, then I will have one more master in the Ming Dynasty!" ”

Seeing this, Bi Maokang was afraid of the emperor's prestige and did not dare to object, and the matter was settled.

Emperor Chongzhen did not forget the skilled craftsmen who participated in the construction of the steam engine, so he gathered the most important craftsmen and encouraged them, and later gave them the title of "professional craftsmen".

From then on, these craftsmen could not only get the corresponding Yulu and field properties, but also have the privilege of not worshipping officials in front of the prefect and below of the Zhengwupin; It is most appropriate to describe them as overjoyed.

This steam engine was built and brought so much joy. The atmosphere at the scene, which was extraordinarily celebrative, seemed to dilute the severe cold of the north wind.

After they were all happy, Emperor Chongzhen did not forget to make a request to them: "To build this steam engine, you also have to think about speeding up the production capacity, and you can't just rely on a few professional craftsmen to build it." If the parts can be produced on the assembly line, it should be changed to assembly line production. If there is a problem in the middle, solve the problem, understand? ”

"Erchen understands!" When Zhu Cihong heard this, he hurriedly responded excitedly.

The concept of assembly line was put forward by Emperor Chongzhen a long time ago. It can even be said that this happened as far back as the Qin Dynasty. However, according to the experience of the previous military warfare bureau, the requirements of the assembly line are indeed very high, and it is difficult to combine the parts if the size is slightly wrong. For this reason, Emperor Chongzhen proposed a vernier caliper before.

As my father said, if this steam engine is changed to an assembly line to make parts, it will definitely encounter many difficulties. However, if there is a problem, solve it, this is the famous saying of my father, just do it!

At this time, Zhu Cihong was full of confidence and enthusiasm in his heart. If Queen Zhou saw it, she would definitely give a comment of "not doing her job". However, with Emperor Chongzhen's protection, no one can do anything.

Emperor Chongzhen looked at the steam engine, and after combing the technology tree he knew in his heart, he summoned Song Yingxing to come over.

He first let Song Yingxing see the steam engine, and then said to him: "I will tell Qing to do something, before the Chinese New Year, no later than March next year, and get it out for me!" ”

Hearing this, Song Yingxing couldn't help but be overjoyed. The emperor has another good idea on his head. The glass before, so what will it be this time?

"Your Majesty's will, Weichen should do his best!" Song Yingxing thought in his heart, and immediately echoed loudly.

Not to mention, Bi Maokang on the side saw it, and he was envious in his heart.

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