As soon as Zhu Gaoxu woke up, he heard that several ministers were already waiting outside the Rouyi Palace. The eunuch Cao Fu and others waited for him to wear clothes, mentioning that it was probably because the General Administration Department received Sheng Yong's recital.

When he arrived at the main hall, Zhu Gaoxu issued an order, and the quasi-ministers entered the hall to meet him.

Six people came, Qi Tai, Gao Xianning, Xia Yuanji, Ru Yu, Song Li, and Qian Xun. They fell on their knees and bowed twice, once outside the temple gate and once when they entered the temple.

Because Zhu Gaoxu had just woken up and was a little sober, he didn't pay much attention to etiquette, so he beckoned and said, "Excuse me, get up." He walked over to the large table and reached out to find Sheng Yong's recital in a pile of movements.

Cao Fu bowed forward, picked up a book and handed it to Zhu Gaoxu with both hands. Zhu Gaoxu glanced at Cao Fu, then stood in place and flipped it open.

Zhu Gaoxu felt a little thirsty, so he walked to the coffee table in the northwest corner and sat down. Cao Fu gave Lian a look, and Lian came over to make tea. Zhu Gaoxu looked at the recital, and looked up at several ministers: "Come and sit here." ”

The crowd said, "Thank you, Holy Grace, for your sitting." ”

Everyone's expressions were very happy, and Xia Yuanji's face was about to laugh. Originally, when he wanted to use troops against Japan, Xia Yuanji was opposed; But when it comes to harvest season, he is the happiest. The imperial court received the silver, and most of it must have been used for the treasury, and it was impossible for the royal family to monopolize it.

Zhu Gaoxu didn't bother to talk about him, just looked at the song and said: "Where is the harvest without sowing seeds, and how can there be returns without investment?" ”

In the recital, Sheng Yong described the discovery of silver mines.

The discovery of silver ore was very simple, as it was not discovered by the Ming army. More than 100 years ago, the Ouchi family and some local people had already found silver mines, and records could be found in a temple; The Ming army even discovered a relatively shallow old pit. The Japanese did not exploit on a large scale, firstly, there was no technology for refining, and secondly, the size of the silver ore was not clear.

Of course, Zhu Gaoxu is very sure that Iwami Silver Mountain is a huge silver mine; Otherwise, he would not have been able to make an impression, and he must have been a very famous place to leave a memory in his mind.

After Sheng Yong arrived at the place with a group of officials and craftsmen who were proficient in mining, he quickly found at least two different ore veins. One is copper-silver ore and one is sulfur-silver ore. Silver mines in all parts of the Ming Dynasty are very scarce, and most of the silver mines are not high in silver, so the government still found and mined and refined; For a rich ore like Iwami Silver Mine, the existing technology of the imperial court made it impossible to mine and smelt the ore.

The most difficult process of major events is, of course, the Ming army's firm possession of Iwami Silver Mountain. Not only did a war be unleashed, but several compromise negotiations were conducted. Now that it has been recognized by the Muromachi Palace, the Ouchi clan has been wooed, and the Ming army has set up a fortress in Iwami Province, and there are conditions for mining to be opened.

After this recital passed through the General Administration, several ministers probably already knew the contents. Zhu Gaoxu looked at it, but handed it to them for circulation.

Soon, Lian Shi brewed the tea and handed it to him in turn. Zhu Gaoxu found that her technique was quite skillful, but it was reasonable to think that she was from a wealthy family; If Lian's husband's family is poor, I'm afraid he won't be able to play with Yang Ji and other gentlemen.

Ru Yu was the first to speak: "The minister thinks that after the Iwami country builds a workshop, it can be rough smelted first and produce 'mineral silver'. Then the silver will be transported directly to Taicang, Songjiang Prefecture, and the Ministry of Industry's 'Papermaking Bureau' will set up a factory in Taicang (the Papermaking Bureau originally belonged to the Household Department), and use the 'soot blowing method' to refine gold and silver. ”

He paused for a moment and continued

"There are two advantages to this, one is that the silver is black and cannot be used directly, and the refined silver can be used in unusual places, which can reduce the risk of cargo ships being raided by pirates. Second, there was no need to set up a stove in Japan to make charcoal or charcoal (coking coal), and the dispatch of Ming craftsmen was reduced to prevent the transmission of refining skills.

In Japan, silver mining workshops only need to mine black silver ore, grind it, water it, and screen it, and hire local people to do it. It is reported that as long as there is food, a large amount of manpower can be obtained, and in addition to the transportation of food from Izumo Province in Japan, it can also be supplied regularly by order to the Korean State. The separation of copper, silver, gold and sulfur by the 'sootblowing method' is completed in Taicang. ”

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Ru Butang is very proficient. ”

Ru Yu hugged his fists and said: "The minister originally served in the Ministry of War, but he has been in the Ministry of Work for a few years. ”

Xia Yuanji said: "The minister suggested that the 'Paper Bureau' should set up a factory, which should be near Longjiang Port in Beijing. Sea ships can enter Beijing from the river, why hoard silver in Taicang? After refining the gold and silver, they have to be transported hundreds of miles to the Jingshi Mint, so that corrupt officials and thieves have an opportunity? ”

Song Li immediately agreed, and the rest of the people also echoed Xia Yuanji. Ru Yu then seconded Xia Yuanji's proposal.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "It makes sense. He looked back left and right, his gaze stayed on Xia Yuanji's face, "There are Japanese silver mines, Yunnan water transportation minerals from Annan, and the raw materials of the mint are enough." In the past few years, new coins have to be added to the market, and the life of the imperial court may be much better. But this method cannot be long-lasting, and if the coinage is increased without limitation, and the commodities do not increase, it will inevitably lead to a rise in prices, making it unprofitable for the central bank to mint money and deduct costs; Tax administration and foreign trade should also be pre-arranged. ”

Everyone nodded yes.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Purchased sulfur, silkworm cocoons, cotton, grain and other raw materials from various countries, and circulated the Ming currency to Japan, Korea, Annam, Champong, Chenla, Siam, Java and other places; Then sell the finished industrial products to the countries and get the money back...... Once you come and go, you can have enough domestic materials and commodities. There are many contradictions in various countries, so we can sell firearms, armor, and ammunition first. ”

He looked at Qian Xun: "The firecracker for export, can it be made?" What is the progress of the flint fire fire? ”

Qian Xun said: "The minister has set up various factories under the iron factory to make ...... according to the will of the Holy God Holy Lord, please look at the file drawings, this kind of firearm does not have a butt pipe, the body is shorter, and the range is smaller, but it is still a sharp weapon in the outer domain. ”

Zhu Gaoxu looked at the place where Qian Xun opened it, and said without raising his head: "We have to continue to improve the operation mode of the iron factory, and strive to make the weapons produced by the Ming Dynasty 'cheap and reliable', so that it is better to buy imitations from foreign domains." We must continue to develop sharper firearms in order to maintain our technological leadership. ”

Qian Xun flipped through a few more pages, pointed to a picture on it and said: "Shengshang, this is a firing mechanism that the Southern Agency has recently tried to make, and it can only be fired successfully occasionally, and the reed hits the spark of the flint, and often cannot ignite the primer. The ministers and others are offering a reward in the iron factory, looking for a new method in terms of the recipe for the primer, the structure of the mechanism, and the strength of the reed. ”

Zhu Gaoxu nodded and said, "Very good." The arquebus is reliable and can be ignited by pressing the fire into the primer pot, but there are many drawbacks. The first is to expose the target when the light is dim, and the second is to keep the fire alive all the time. The most important thing is the tactical inability to form a more dense firepower; If the wind blows or the sergeant gets too close, it is easy to accidentally ignite the primer pot. As long as the flintlock pistol is successfully made and does not rely on open flames, the tactics will also change. ”

Qi Tai said: "The saint is good at weapons, and the ministers are obedient. ”

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at the white smoke kettle on the stove, and said quietly: "I have gone through several wars, and I have experienced that some strength and non-human animal power are comparable. Under the pretense of the power of technology, it is the right way. ”

Qian Xun and the others nodded yes, and Xia Yuanji and Ru Yu did not object.

After a while, they got up and thanked them for their leave. Zhu Gaoxu left Qian Xun alone.

Qian Xun bowed down and stood opposite the coffee table, and Zhu Gaoxu greeted, "Sit down and talk." Qian Xun thanked him and re-seated.

Zhu Gaoxu stared at the kettle for a long time and did not say a word. Seeing this, Lian hurriedly wanted to bring the kettle down, but Zhu Gaoxu said, "Don't move." ”

Qian Xun also turned his head with some curiosity and stared at the kettle with Zhu Gaoxu.

"The New Deal was all about it." Zhu Gaoxu said.

Qian Xun said cautiously: "The minister is stupid. ”

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Haven't you read the book "Scientific Translation of the Kingdoms" presented by the Fake Academy? ”

Qian Xun arched his hand and said: "The minister has read through, this is a gift from Yao Fang, the son of the Marquis of Pingyi." ”

Zhu Gaoxu said: "The law of conservation of energy, heat energy is converted into kinetic energy. This is true of firearms and artillery, whose power far exceeds the power of humans and animals. Look at the lid of the pot, can it move without burning the fire? ”

Qian Xun replied and continued to stare at the kettle, frowning and pondering.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Someone has come up with a plan before, or you can use steam to drive the machinery to run. That's a nobody, this proposition is made by Qian You, you are born in the long history of the Han Dynasty, born and died for me, and you should be famous in history. ”

Qian Xun hurriedly said: "The minister doesn't dare. ”

Zhu Gaoxu looked directly at him: "I am the emperor, I don't need to use this fame, who do you want?" ”

Qian Xun glanced at Zhu Gaoxu and nodded slightly.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Hydraulic machinery, whether it is water drainage, water cone, row cone, or hammer, is very restrictive. It is necessary to cut off the river and build embankments, which can only be used by the river, and the efficiency is also low. Only the steam engine is the future.

But if there are no mining, textile and other workshops, and there is an urgent need to improve the efficiency of transportation and manufacturing, and the world just wants to farm and eat, who will continue to develop this kind of power? What is it for?

I support the New Deal because it's something like that, and it can change everything today. The truth has gradually come out, if we don't do it first, someone will always do it, and then we will be miserable.

Earlier, I discussed with my ministers, and I talked about currency and trade. You should be able to understand that industry and commerce need a raw material market, and capital must seek the greatest return on investment. As soon as this kind of thing develops, it is doomed that some parts of the world will become the object of economic plunder, and bear the burden of suffering and little profit. I don't want the Ming to act like that. ”

Qian Xun said: "The wisdom of the saint is very clear to people. ”

Zhu Gaoxu said: "This is your proposition. ”

Qian Xun was silent for a moment, and solemnly clenched his fists and said, "The minister is willing to step forward for the saint." ”

Zhu Gaoxu nodded with satisfaction, and then looked at the curious Lian family on the side, and didn't care. She couldn't understand it anyway, and she couldn't get out of the palace.