The coinage business of the Great Song Dynasty was responsible for the money supervisors in various places, and the money minted by the people was called "private money", which generally could not be exposed, but there was no prohibition on printing flying tickets. Therefore, Zhao Xing's suggestion is equivalent to half legal and half illegal. Because according to him, the new money he minted will not be confined to the content of precious metals, but will only be regarded as a kind of metal bill, as a circulation for inter-bank transactions.

However, the profits of opening a bank are too high. In these years, the money deposited in the bank not only has to pay interest, but also charges handling fees and custody fees, and this income alone is eye-catching, which is equivalent to sitting and collecting money, who is not tempted.

After all, it was Cao Lin who spoke first, and he asked: "Zhao Xiaoguan, but I don't know how to prevent counterfeiting of this ticket?" ”

Zhao Xingwan smiled: "In the past few years, I have been exploring the printing technology, Uncle Cao, you also know that my concubine has a printing workshop in her hand, and I will use special paper and special ink to print very difficult to imitate the flying banknotes, but now, I can't say the specific anti-counterfeiting means, I have to wait until the participants are determined." ”

There was still a commotion below, Cao Lin glanced at the people discussing below, and said, "Zhao Xiaoguan, can you avoid it and allow us to discuss?" ”

Zhao Xing stood up calmly and walked out of the hall. The door was closed, Chen Yiyi was standing by the door with a teacup, and the elder who was putting his ears up, saw Zhao Xing coming out, and asked urgently: "Brother Xing, do you think they will agree?" ”

"I will agree, these people can't see silver in their eyes, and they will definitely agree."

Chen Yiyi jumped happily: "Great, in this way, we can completely break away from the sea trade in the future, and control the goods through the ticket house, and in the future, the imperial history will no longer be able to find it, and Brother Xing will be able to be a bigger official." Brother Xing still has a way. ”

There was a pause. Chen Yiyi asked worriedly: "You say, we told them the method, will they unite themselves and leave us aside?" ”

Zhao Xing smiled and touched Chen Yiyi's white and smooth face: "No, they don't dare to leave us." Because although the benefits of the exchange and deposit are huge, I did not tell them the specific operation method, and only my family, which owns a copper mountain, can pay for the exchange of the take-off ticket, and they dare to leave me. We will use money to smash it, so that they can't afford to exchange it. ”

"Okay", Chen Yiyi cheered, his body was already hanging on Zhao Xing's body, and he said with silky eyes: "Brother Xing, let them go and discuss." How about we go take a shower? I'm very ...... dry."

"Uh-huh". Zhao Xing's legs weakened, and he hurriedly pulled Chen Yiyi to run to the castle. The two of them were sneaking towards the castle, and bumped into Cheng Shuang head-on, his face was a little unhappy, he stopped Zhao Xing regardless of etiquette, and replied very respectfully: "Teacher, the news from the capital." Teacher or take a look? ”

After that, Cheng Shuang stuffed a large pile of paper dissatisfied, and stood in place, holding his arms and waiting for Zhao Xing to read it.

In fact, this stack of documents is not a very important and urgent thing, he used this stack of documents to stop Zhao Xing, because he didn't want to see the teacher hook up with the branch wife in broad daylight. On the other hand, since Cheng Azhu gave birth to the child, she has shifted all her attention to the child, invisibly. She and Zhao Xing gradually drifted apart, and even started a cold war with each other. This made Cheng Shuang, a child of the Cheng family, very unhappy. So he began to look for every opportunity to hint at Zhao Xing.

The document was sent by Cheng Xia in the capital. Now the fighting in the capital is inextricable, following Li Chang, Fan Yi also degraded out of Beijing, and Cheng Xia, who Fan Ye brought over, relied on his excellent calculation talent to establish a foothold in the gold department of the household department.

As a petty official, Cheng Xia is not involved in the fight between ministers. Although the official position is not high. But live a white-collar life in the capital. Enough is enough.

As the eldest son of the patriarch of the Cheng family, the property of the Cheng family has to give Cheng Xia a dividend every year. Now the business of the Cheng family is booming. Cheng Xia's extra income naturally soared. With the support of his family, he settled down in the capital, lived in the small courtyard left by Zhao Xing in the capital, and took his wife over, and began to work in the capital in peace.

Ma Mengde also lived in that courtyard, and he was responsible for collecting intelligence for Zhao Xing in the capital, and over time, Cheng Xia, as a member of the Cheng clan, also began to take the initiative to participate in this work. This time, he got a piece of information that Ma Mengde couldn't get: the whole book of drawings of the water transport instrument and elephant platform.

Zhao Xingcai turned a few pages, and was dizzy by the complex structure on the drawings, he blinked his eyes, and tried to recall the evaluation of the water transport instrument in his memory, which seemed to say that this water clock integrated the role of astronomical observation, and the mechanical transmission equipment in it represented the peak of the mechanical level of ancient China, until the end of the twentieth century, the Suzhou science department with the help of foreign instruments, restored this Song Dynasty mechanical device.

Although Zhao Xing couldn't read the map, he was completely attracted by the drawings in his hand, completely ignoring Chen Yiyi's frequent fingers rubbing him behind his back, he endured the pain and said: "It's not enough to have drawings alone, this drawing makes me dizzy when I look at the ground, who else can understand it?" ”

Cheng Shuang pointed to the castle, and Zhao Xing patted his head: "Ah Ye, Shen Kuo, Mr. Mengxi, I actually forgot him." By the way, he's still in the castle? ”

Cheng Shuang replied: "The teacher placed him in the room that day, and then the teacher went out to suppress the bandits, and then came back and was busy repairing the road, and it was too late to get home.

He had recently been close to the high priest of the land of Ichichi Joy and Karma, and it is said that the priest was working hard to learn the Song language while he set about translating the diagram of Ichich Joy. He had read all of the teacher's treasures, and at present, Mr. Mengxi stayed with the high priest all day, and the two of them talked about things we didn't understand every day.

However, Mr. Mengxi was really knowledgeable, and his disciples sometimes asked him for questions, and he could find the source of any problem, which made the brothers very impressed. ”

Of course, Shen Kuo is erudite, and he really has to rely on this person to repair the water transport instrument elephant platform. Because this person is the initiator of the development of the water transport instrument elephant platform instrument,

In the seventh year of Xining, Shen Kuo renovated the old armillary sphere, canceled the white road ring, and corrected the armillary axis. Great progress has been made, but the "Shouyuan Calendar" issued in the eighth year of Xining is also unsatisfactory; Shen Kuoshang explained that it was required to make precision observation instruments.

Subsequently, by Su Song, Han Gonglian and others. Summing up the advantages of the famous masters of the past dynasties, the production and design of a giant clock that can not only drive the bronze armillary sphere and the celestial sphere, but also play the drum and beat the bell to sign the sign, which is the world-famous "water transport instrument elephant platform".

Since Shen Kuo can point out the shortcomings of the old instrument and make modifications to the old instrument, he will definitely be able to copy the new instrument, Zhao Xing touched his chin and pondered there: "Well, I don't know if this instrument is complicated or not, if it is not too complicated, you say." What would it be like if we organized people to produce it and sell it to the wealthy merchants who needed it? ”

Chen Yiyi didn't react when she saw how to pinch Zhao Xing, and Zhao Xing was obviously obsessed with the drawing in front of her, she stomped her foot in hatred and left by herself.

Cheng Shuangmu does not squint. Arch replied to Zhao Xing's question: "I'm afraid it's not easy!" I read Brother Xia's letter, and he said that the water transport instrument elephant platform was 12 meters high, and more than 20,000 catties of copper were used for casting copper parts alone. It is necessary not only to solve the problem of hydrodynamic energy, time display accuracy, but also to accurately adjust and synchronize with the operation of celestial bodies. It's all handmade and assembled, which is too difficult.

But, Teacher. What do we want this thing for, although I can't help but build such an instrument, but such a large object may attract the attention of the courtiers. ”

Chinese often cringe at the sky, and the emperor often calls himself the son of heaven, the son of heaven, so observing astronomy and studying astronomy is the prerogative of the royal family, and even carrying it, building astronomical instruments is also a taboo thing, and Cheng Shuang said that it is not forbidden to mean that although the imperial court does not explicitly stipulate it. But studying astronomy is dangerous after all.

Zhao Xing looked at the dock area, sighed with his hands behind his back: "You don't understand." I copied this, one is to study this object, figure out those transmission devices, if possible, and try to popularize the knowledge of these mechanical transmissions.

On the other hand, maritime transport is inseparable from astronomical observations, and our sea vessels must use stealth when they go out. Latitude must be known. ”

During the Song Dynasty. People have actually discovered the problem of latitude, but they are not aware of it. For example, the fate of this water transport instrument elephant platform. It just reveals the Song people's understanding of latitude. After the Jin people attacked Bianliang, astronomical instruments such as the instrument platform were captured by the Jin soldiers. Later, the golden instrument platform was moved to Yanjing and wanted to reassemble and use, but due to the different latitudes and terrain of Kaifeng and Yanjing, the polar star could only be seen by moving down 4 degrees from the lookout. In addition, due to the long-distance transportation, some parts have been damaged or scattered, so the dismantled water transport platform can no longer be restored.

The phrase "peeking at the pole star from the telescope will move down by 4 degrees" here is an observation of latitude.

Zhao Xing stood there and thought for a while, and then asked, "How is Mr. Mengxi's mood recently?" ”

Cheng Shuang adhered to his usual meticulous attitude and answered without omission: "After Mr. Mengxi moved in, his mood has improved a lot, and the two widows are also very meticulous, and occasionally play and sing a song and dance for him......"

Cheng Shuang grinned and continued to add: "We have good food here, and Mr. Mengxi has a lot of people chatting, he has gained a lot of weight in the past few days, and he is no longer that skinny." However, his wife, Zhang, had come to Mr. Mengxi......"

Cheng Shuang paused slightly, saw that Zhao Xing was expressionless, and then continued: "The student didn't let the Zhang family pick up Mr. Mengxi. Afterwards, the students went to inquire, and it was rumored that this Zhang was very fierce, and often slapped Mr. Mengxi in the face, and Mr. Mengxi's nose was blue and his face was swollen.

Another time, she grabbed Mr. Mengxi's beard, and even the skin of her chin had been pulled off, and Mr. Mengxi was drenched in blood.

I also heard that this Zhang is the second wife of Mr. Mengxi, and she drove Mr. Mengxi's original matchmate out of the house, and every year she had to inspect and sue the eldest son, and the local government did not bother her very much, even her own children could not be seen, and often cried and knelt down to beg her mother's subordinates to show mercy. ”

Zhao Xing let out a long sigh and understood, Shen Kuo was suffering from severe depression in an absolutely lonely situation, and his lady was suffering from mania, in this case, Shen Kuo certainly expected a peaceful place. The high priest in the castle had no interest in him, and the two chatted without warning, and the children admired Shen Kuo's knowledge and often asked for advice, which made Shen Kuo feel warm, so he didn't want to go back, and became more and more quiet in the sea.

Zhao Xing then patted his head and said: "Speaking of which, it is my teacher who is derelict in his duties, nominally your local teacher, but except for the years in the mountains, I didn't teach you how many words to read, it's a pity." ”

Speaking of this, Cheng Shuang showed a look of memory on his face, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. He said, "Yes, when I think back to those days, it is really innocent...... But there is no need to blame yourself too much, you have brought us a wider world, and I have seen more things from it...... Well, I am also going to write a book recently, writing about my overseas experience with my teacher for several years, as well as the grass and trees in the overseas land, the customs and customs, and the teacher should not laugh at me for being naïve. ”

Zhao Xing nodded frequently with satisfaction: "Okay." You're 20 years old now, and it's time to start a family. The ancients said: Stand up, stand up, and stand up. Now you're starting to say it, so you can have a family. ”

Cheng Shuang respectfully bowed to Zhao Xing, and Zhao Xing accepted it calmly. When he finished saluting, the master and apprentice smiled hand in hand. It's all in plain sight.

The meeting at the west wall was still going on, Zhao Xing looked at the drawings in his hand, and said: "I have an idea, I want to teach you the principles of these machines and transmissions, remember the book I wrote silently at sea - that book "Physics", yes, that book is about the principle of the operation of mechanical objects." There is a principle guide. I believe that the mechanical level of Da Song will be even more brilliant...... However, this matter still needs Mr. Mengxi's help, go, find him. ”

Shen Kuo's life is very nourishing now, he is lying on the couch, two widows rub their heads, one rubs their feet, he holds a cup of fragrant tea in his hand, a bunch of various snacks next to him, and a book in the other hand. As he looked, he greeted: "Come closer, bring the lights closer." ”

When Zhao Xing walked in. Hearing this, he commanded: "Light a few more lamps, and there will be no shortage of candles in our house." ”

Zhao Xingjia is indeed not short of candles, and since last year, his new iron keel ship has been launched continuously, in order to train the crew and train the team's ability to cooperate with each other. Since last year. He made a new rule: a newly launched ship had to spend a year as a whaling before it could be converted to a regular merchant ship.

The benefits of whaling are enormous. A whale has more than ten tons, or even twenty tons, just those whale skin whale meat are sold, it is a big input, and the whale's brain wax is even more high-quality, a whale can contribute several tons of ground wax, no less than a shovel down to pick a big gold nugget. Therefore, Zhao Xing's plan to train new sailors is not much worse than commerce.

The servants brought more candles, and when Shen Kuo saw Zhao Xing appear, his mood fell into depression again, and he focused on his book, not caring about Zhao Xing's existence at all.

People with extreme depression are actually close to autism. Shen Kuo is now due to extreme self-reproach of conscience, he has closed himself in his own world, for fear of meeting outsiders, because outsiders may accuse him.

Zhao Xing was not polite, he spread out the stack of drawings in his hand and stuffed it on top of Shen Kuo. Shen Kuo glanced at it twice, and was immediately attracted by the drawings, he quickly flipped through them one by one, and when he finished flipping through them, he stretched out his fingers and counted them nervously: "Seven years of Xining...... It's now the fourth year of the Yuan Dynasty, and it's been 23 years, and they've finally developed it. ”

Zhao Xing's eyes widened suddenly, Shen Kuodi's calculation ability was too strong, and he actually knew that Yuan Si minus Xining Seven was equal to twenty-three, and Zhao Xing couldn't calculate this answer, he needed to check it.

In 1089, China developed a water transport instrument that represented the pinnacle level of ancient Chinese machinery. In the same year, the Black Khan Dynasty (in Afghanistan), which was established by the 15th Uighur tribes that moved westward during the Tang Dynasty, was captured by the Turkic Seljuks, and the Black Khan Dynasty became a Seljuk vassal state.

In the same year, the Pisa, one of the three great powers of the Mediterranean, took advantage of the Christian crusade to make a fortune, and in that year they plundered the treasure of six cargo ships, and while thanking God for his guidance, the Pisan people also had the ambition to show off their wealth—they decided to build a majestic cathedral, and one of the annexes of that church was the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Shen Kuo muttered to himself for a while, he closed the stack of drawings and asked, "What do you want me to do?" ”

At this time, Cheng Shuang pushed the door in, he held the Zhao Xing notebook that he turned out of Zhao Xing's secret room, and spelled the four words "Junior High School Physics" in Chinese pinyin on the skin. Shen Kuo couldn't understand this Latin pinyin, he pouted, turned the page, and was immediately attracted by the content of Zhongdi.

But he only turned two pages, Zhao Xing stretched out his hand and forcibly closed the book, Shen Kuo raised his eyes and stubbornly repeated the question he just asked: "What do you want me to do?" ”

Zhao Xing clapped his hands, the black slave Tyson appeared from the door, and Zhao Xing ordered: "Bring a fur for Mr. Mengxi and let him go out with me." ”

The weather in Layue was a little cold, Shen Kuo wrapped the fox fur tightly and followed Zhao Xing to the suspension bridge and walked towards the Israeli village opposite. Shen Kuo was never allowed to step on this bridge, he was very curious, and muttered as he walked: "It seems that I have seen the appearance of this bridge somewhere." ”

Zhao Xing didn't speak, and led Shen Kuo to step on the ground opposite the bridge, and on the watchtower at the head of the bridge, the two Israelis guarding raised the whistle stick in their hands to Zhao Xing to show their respect, and Zhao Xing nodded in return. led Shen Kuo into the Israelite village.

The Israeli village completely reproduces the style of Su Shi's courtyard, and the small second floor of Su Shi is arranged along the street. Five streets divide the village into six districts, with a typical European-style steeple church in the middle and a school behind it where the Israelites taught their children. Due to Zhao Xing's connections, some young Cheng children also read here, and now they are teaching an essay by Han Yu in the Tang Dynasty. The sound is loud and endless. The school is not big, there are only three houses, divided into three classes, seeing Zhao Xing's arrival, an assistant priest stepped forward and bowed, and Zhao Xing stopped the other party's greeting. Tilt your ears and listen to the reading in the classroom while observing Shen Kuodi's face.

Shen Kuo had a leisurely expression on his face, he seemed to have returned to his childhood when he was a student, and the youthful vitality of that time reappeared in front of his eyes, making the corners of his mouth smile.

Zhao Xing observed Shen Kuo for a while, pointed to this elementary school, and said, "This is what I need you to do, the second floor of the wall building of my castle, I plan to vacate it." All schools are open. Now that the teachers have been chosen, I will be given ten teachers. and the Nestorians, who will give out twelve. I need 10 native teachers. ”

Zhao Xing pointed to the physics, and then to the stack of drawings, and continued: "The water transport instrument elephant platform is twelve meters high, I can't be that high, four meters is enough, can this elephant platform be reduced?" I took a cursory look at the drawings. There are a total of 2 wooden figures on the 5 floors below. They have their own duties: at certain times, wooden figures come out on their own to beat bells, drums or musical instruments, report the time, indicate the time, etc.

Or so many wooden people. Twenty-four is enough, I need a simplified version of the water transport instrument platform, I only need it to ring the bell twenty-four hours a day, and by the way, to observe the stars, and that is enough.

In addition, I will build the same water transport platform, a twelve-high platform, but this water transport platform will stand on the seashore, and a lighthouse will be added to it.

This book is called Physics, and it talks about some mechanical principles, very simple mechanical principles, but it can tell us why machines move like this, and I need Mr. Mengxi to teach this book for me. I believe that the work of restoring this water transport instrument is also an understanding of this book, and I hope that Mr. Mengxi can translate the words in this book into the language used to read people. ”

The Israelite assistant had only now interjected, and he complained a little unpleasantly: "My lord, I have heard that theology is also taught in that college, and my Israelite faith is never outside, and I don't want my children to be polluted by other religions. ”

Zhao Xing smiled, but did not answer the other party's words. When Shen Kuo finished speaking, he had already begun to flip through the book in his hand, and after a pause, he replied a little embarrassed: "I'm writing a book, and I'm going to call it Mengxi Pen Talk, if I teach it here, I'm afraid I won't have time to go back and write it." ”

Zhao Xing smiled like a rabbit: "My school is a new-style school, and there are two holidays every year, and each holiday has a month's time. In addition, I can also assign three to five palmsters to Mr. Mengxi to record Mr. Shen's notes, in addition, I can also provide Mr. Shen with equipment and research materials, Mr. Shen has two days off for every five days of school, and I am responsible for sending someone to send you home, how about it? ”

Shen Kuo hesitated for a moment and agreed: "So, good." However, I have a sister-in-law......"

Zhao Xing immediately took over the topic of the other party: "I have many positions here, he can choose at will." I also built a village next to this village, which was enough for his family to live in. Mr. Mengxi is assured that this small village is not open to the public, and outsiders generally cannot enter. ”

Shen Kuo finally smiled a little on his face: "In this way, I need to go home, settle down with my family, and bring some of my manuscripts." ”

Zhao Xingyi pointed to the side of the courtyard: "Okay, most of my yard has been built, Mr. Mengxi can pick one and store your manuscript - anyway, that garden is usually lived in by everyone, I built it for my concubine to play, Mr. Shen wants to live for as long as he wants, just live there." ”

When Zhao Xing returned to the castle, Chen Yiyi was in a hurry to jump his feet, and when he saw Zhao Xing, he grabbed him and asked, "Where have you been?" I'm looking for you everywhere, the results of the discussion have come out, the Cao family still wants to see, the six major Japanese maritime merchants have asked to join, and there are some Quanzhou maritime merchants, and a ticket house in Yangzhou and Guangzhou has also asked to join. Just waiting for you? ”

Zhao Xing returned to the secret room where the meeting was held, and at this time, the maritime merchants who were unwilling to join, or the merchants and ticket houses who had not yet decided, had already left, and only those who were willing to join were left.

Zhao Xing first took out a bunch of forms and said: "Everyone, first of all, we have to sign a confidentiality contract, you must swear to keep the internal business of the ticket bank confidential for the rest of your life, and the violator will be expelled once verified, and his shares will be forcibly purchased by others - at the original participating price." After signing the confidentiality agreement, Zhao Xing ordered the servant to lock the contract in front of him in an iron box, and then spoke: "Forget what I said at the beginning of the meeting, most of those words were coaxing." In the future, we intend to carry out the following operations:

First, large-amount acceptance business; Second, the exchange of small bills, or even banknotes, that is, we will issue a new kind of money that is in circulation internally. Here's a plan detailing our business and the means of secrecy and identification of bills. Ladies and gentlemen, this is just a rough plan, and there are more details, but that plan will need to be discussed in detail after you have subscribed for shares. Let me first say that this joint note bank intends to raise 20 million yuan, so each share is set at 1 million yuan, you can subscribe first, and I will eat the rest. ”

Everyone in the audience gasped. Nowadays, hundreds of thousands of yuan are generally enough for small ticket banks, and 20 million guan is equivalent to one-eighth of the annual tax of the Great Song Dynasty.