The hall was quiet for a long time, and Zhu Di said suddenly: "How many catties of steel can be produced every day?" ”

"It depends on the amount of pig iron." Zhang Anshi said: "As long as the supply of pig iron is sufficient, the minister's side ...... It's a big deal to build more stoves. ”

Zhu Di said: "If this is the case, how much charcoal do you need?" This charcoal...... The consumption is also amazing. ”

The price of charcoal is not low, although there are many mountains and forests near Nanjing City, many of them are royal gardens, if it is mined on a large scale, too much steel can be produced, but it is difficult to supply.

Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, the minister's furnace is not charcoal for steelmaking, but for ...... Coal. ”

"Coal?" Zhu Di knew a little about this, so he said: "This thing...... Can it replace charcoal? ”

"Not only can it be replaced, but there is a lot of coal around Nanjing. Coincidentally, the nearest coal mine is in Qixia, leaning on Zhongshan. ”

This area of coal mining is not small.

Of course, if it is exchanged for such a huge output in later generations, it is nothing.

In fact, Zhang Anshi's steelmaking furnace may be regarded as a cross-era transcendence in his contemporaries.

But if it is compared with later generations, it is simply pediatric, and any steel plant can kill Qi Xia a hundred times in seconds.

Now, even if it is a large-scale steelmaking, for Qixia, this Qixia coal mine is enough to be refined for fifty years.

At this time, the means of transportation were very backward, and it was important for the steelmaking workshops to be close to the production areas of coal and pig iron.

Zhang Anshi continued: "As for iron ore, in Meishan, Nanjing, there is a large area of iron ore, which is enough. ”

Zhu Di said: "In this way, can you produce such a billet every day, but there are 5,000 catties?" ”

"If Your Majesty needs it, the minister can produce 200,000 catties." Zhang Anshi said confidently: "It's just ...... But His Majesty needs to let the firm ...... to be in charge of mining, and steelmaking, among other things...... In order to produce on a large scale, it is necessary to borrow a large amount of silver from the bank. ”

200,000 catties...... In the future generations, it is only a hundred tons, which can be said to be not worth mentioning.

But here, it was enough to make Zhu Di gasp.

Doesn't this mean that a day's output can directly assemble tens of millions of military horses?

You must know that when Zhu Di was in Beiping, he was a little expert in ironmaking.

In order to calm the trouble, he forged weapons in the palace, and in order to cover up the sound of forging weapons, he also raised a lot of geese in the palace.

He's very good at that.

"Qixia has set up a bureau of manufacturing, in addition, the iron ore in Meishan is also handed over to Qixia to manage, whether it is mining minerals, as well as steelmaking, forging weapons, all of which are in charge of the Annan Marquis of Qixia, the town of Qixia, and the bureau is not under the control of the palace, nor does it belong to the Ministry of Industry, but belongs to the commercial bank." Zhu Di immediately decided: "If there are any difficulties, you can report to me at any time, by the way, there are craftsmen, how much do you want?" ”

"The minister wants to recruit on his own." Zhang Anshi is not very comfortable with the craftsmen.

Because this thing is hereditary, the craft is very unstable.

"Yes." Zhu Di said: "All in all, I want to see you exercise 200,000 catties of steel every day, no, I am not embarrassed, even if it is only 100,000 catties, I will also count it as your credit." ”

Zhang Anshi said: "The minister obeys the order." ”

Zhu Di's mood was very good, and he looked at King Ning with a laugh and said, "Look, I said a long time ago that Zhang Anshi is my right-hand man!" At the beginning, when we were in Beiping and Daning, if we could smelt so much good steel, then the Tatars in the desert, why should they be afraid? I'm afraid that if I fight, it will be easier. ”

When King Ning heard this amount, he was also startled, so he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, if the minister moves the domain, the supply of this steel ......."

Zhu Di said: "It depends on yourself, how much ability you have, how much steel and gunpowder you get, the trading house is based on efficiency, just like that Annan, how much commercial tax and agricultural tax the commercial bank collects from Annan, and then according to these, half of it will be left to the local garrison, with this silver, the governor's palace will buy again, all in all, it will not let you take advantage, but it will not teach you to suffer." ”

When King Ning heard Zhu Di's words, he was relieved.

In fact, he is not worried about Zhu Di's own brother settling accounts, the only thing he is worried about is that the other party breaks his promise and gets fat. If he could settle the accounts first, he would have nothing to worry about, after all...... Ning Wang Zhu Quan is still quite confident in his ability.

"Ning Wangwei...... At the beginning, he was dismissed a lot by His Majesty, can the minister recall some of the minister's old departments in Daning? Besides...... Among the three guards, there are many people who have old relations with their ministers, if there are still people who are willing to follow their brothers, can Your Majesty allow it? ”

Zhu Di said boldly: "How many belongings you can bring is your business, as well as your Ning Wangfu, how much can you move away from Ning Wangfu, including stored grain, gold and silver, you take it away yourself, these belongings were originally yours, will I still be greedy with my conscience?" I only hope that you can take the imperial examination and lay a foundation. ”

Zhu Quan was eager to try, to be honest, it was not easy to make up his mind like this, but when Zhu Di said this, he had the bottom in his heart.

At the beginning in Monan, Daning City was the closest to the remnants of the Northern Yuan, didn't it press the Tatars and Warats to the ground and beat them?

Now it's just going to Luzon, so the natives of Luzon can still be compared to the Tatars and Warats?

So Zhu Quan said: "Thank you, Your Majesty." ”

At this moment, it seems that the relationship between Zhu Di and Zhu Quan has become a lot more intimate during this meeting.

At this time, Zhu Di actually wished that this guy would bring more soldiers and horses, and hoped that he could make a difference overseas!

And Zhu Quan also knew that once he went to sea, he was afraid that he would have to rely on this imperial brother.

Zhu Quan and Zhu Di exchanged pleasantries for a while, and then said: "Your Majesty, the courtiers are only afraid that they will go back as soon as possible, discuss with the vassals, and prepare for departure as soon as possible, so I will leave here first." ”

Zhu Di bowed: "It's okay to be early, but this time...... If you want to set off, you also need Zheng He's fleet to come back, and when they go to the West next time, they will pick you up on the way. So you have plenty of time to prepare. ”

Wait for Zhu Quan to leave.

Zhu Di glanced at Zhang Anshi and said, "How did you fool him?" ”

Zhang Anshi said with a smile: "The minister didn't fool him, the minister just told His Royal Highness King Ning that there was a place where he could display his talent, and he was tempted." ”

"Hey, he's still unwilling after all." Zhu Di said with emotion: "But if it is changed to me, I am afraid and unwilling, Tianhuang is noble, and after learning so many skills, who wants to spend his time in the palace for the rest of his life?" It can be seen that it is right to let him move the domain, and those brothers of mine should all move out. ”

Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, not every vassal king has the courage of His Royal Highness King Ning. ”

Zhu Di said: "So...... You have to let him set an example, the happier he is outside, the more greedy everyone is, you have to think of a way to make him happier. ”

Zhang Anshi nodded: "The minister also thinks so, and there is also the matter of steelmaking......"

Zhu Di stared at Zhang Anshi and said, "What's the matter with steelmaking?" ”

Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, the more vassal kings who move the domain, the greater the demand for steel in the future, this new steel is tough, and the minister plans to try to let this steel be used in firearms, but now the eight characters have not been ......skimmed."

Zhu Di said: "You can do your own thing, you don't have to report to me, all in all, in Qixia, you can do whatever you want, and I give you the right to arbitrariness in Qixia." ”

Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty is so trusted, Ling Chen ......"

Zhu Di waved his hand impatiently and said, "Don't say those words, listen to Lao Tzu goosebumps." ”

Zhang Anshi said very aggrievedly: "The minister just felt it." ”

Zhu Di said: "You feel home, don't let me know." ”

"Oh." Zhang Anshi was unhappy, and there was always a feeling that he had nowhere to show his skills.

Wait for Zhang Anshi to retire.

Zhu Di asked Yishu to put the pen, ink, paper and inkstone in place, and immediately picked up the pen and wrote down a line of words: "Within Qixia, Annan Hou acts, is arbitrary in danger, and there is no need to ask." ”

After writing, Zhu Di sat down and said, "It's also lost." ”

Yisha said: "The slave is here." ”

Zhu Di said: "After framing my ink treasure tomorrow, I will send it to Qixia and let Zhang Anshi's guy hang up." ”

"This ......" Yizha said cautiously: "Your Majesty, whether this Enlong is too much, this may not be a good thing for the Marquis of Annan." ”

Zhu Di shook his head and said: "To teach people to do things for you, you must always trust them." This kid has one thought a day, wouldn't it be a pity if he was afraid to do things? This is not the grace I gave him, it was my whip, urging him to hurry up and earn more money for me, and do things for me well. ”

Yisha understood, and immediately smiled: "The slave and maid know, and the slave and maid will send it in person tomorrow." ”

Zhu Di looked down at the words he wrote, and couldn't help but say: "My writing has grown, when the emperor said that among the princes, my writing is not good, you see, I have become the son of heaven, and I review and play every day, is this word more pleasing to the eye?" ”

Yisha smiled and said: "Your Majesty's book is unique and has the spirit of a dragon and tiger. ”

After hearing this, Zhu Di couldn't help but sigh: "There is a dragon and tiger spirit, doesn't this fucking mean that my book is not good?" But if you can pick out a little good, you won't say anything bullshit and angry. ”

Yi Lost: "......"

Does this count as a slap on the horse's ass?

He said he was helpless!

Zhu Di suddenly remembered something at this time, and said, "How is Ji Gang now?" ”

Yisha became cautious, he quietly glanced at Zhu Di, and then said, "Commander Ji, cut off your own hand...... I'm recovering from my injuries now. ”

Zhu Di had a trace of murder on his face.

But when I heard what I said, I was quite surprised.

"How's the injury?"

"Not so good."

Zhu Di said lightly: "Give the medicine." ”

Yisha sighed in his heart, he had to admit that Ji Gang did have his superiority, this person...... Too yourself.

Originally, King Ning's matter, this black cauldron, Ji Gang was decided, and it can be said that he would definitely die.

Who would have thought that he would save His Majesty's heart by self-harm?

Originally, King Ning's matter seemed reckless, but after all, Ji Gang also showed his loyalty, and now through self-harm, he made His Majesty who was originally disgusted with him have some sympathy.

Yisha suppressed his mind and said respectfully: "The slave obeys the order." ”

…………

A boat slowly passed through the pier and arrived at the Confucius Temple pier.

From the boat, there was a heart-rending cough.

A servant tiptoed into the canopy in the awning boat and whispered, "It's time to Nanjing, and the master is going to visit ......."

"No need to visit ......" The scholar coughed, shook his head with a wry smile, he covered his heart, coughed a few more times, and then said: "They know that I am in Nanjing City, I heard that Qixia is a good place, although it is not in Nanjing City, but now it is also a gathering of merchants, so it is not lively." As...... Just find a place to stay there. ”

The servant frowned and said, "Master...... It's Zhang Anshi......"

The scholar smiled and said: "I'm just a sick scholar, it's not worth mentioning, that Zhang An Shi is a nobleman, how can he pay attention to me?" Don't worry about it, just do what I tell you to do. ”

Although the scholar's tone was easy-going, the servant didn't dare to refute it, so he said, "Yes." ”

"Mo Nan, what's the news?"

"Over there, Tatar...... originally planned to strike while the iron was hot and attack Daning, but when he heard that Zhu Di did not punish Zhu Quan, he was disappointed, and finally gave up the plan. ”

"Hey...... The Great Khan was in too much of a hurry. The scholar sighed and said: "Whoever achieves great things must plan slowly and win with one move." But it's good if he can give up on the plan. ”

As he spoke, there was a deathly silence in the boat, except for the occasional coughing, but the coughing sound was heartbreaking.

………………

to the end of the year.

The fleet of treasure ships finally returned to the sea.

When the treasure ships appeared at the Songjiang port, on the orders of Emperor Yongle, Xie Jin, a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion who greeted Zheng He, led the officials of the Ministry of Rites to stand on the dock and watch the countless ships return to the port.

Full of Western spices and strange goods, they began to move off the treasure ship.

Countless feet are like ants, unloading a lot of goods and transporting them to the docks.

There are many people who have come to the port in anticipation, and all of a sudden, businessmen gathered, and the people were crowded.

Xie Jin's heart was quite uncomfortable.

The ministers of the Ministry of Rites behind him said in a low voice: "Labor and money, these ships are all people's fat and people's ointment, and it is chilling to watch. ”

"Yes, the true teaching is like a man's back, and the fat of hundreds of people has become the merit of one person and one family......"

Xie Jin glared back at them.

The two officials hurriedly silenced.

Xie Jin said gently: "You must be cautious, and you must also have the body of a minister." ”

"Yes, Xie Gong, the lower officials know that they are wrong."

Xie Jin didn't say anything more, and when he saw that someone was on the flagship, he hugged a person to get off the boat, so he greeted him and saluted him.

Zheng He lost a lot of weight, his face was tired, although he was wearing a new one at this time, no matter how new the clothes were, he looked depressed when he wore them.

Licking his salty lips, Zheng He returned the salute after Xie Jin, and then greeted Xie Jin.

The next day, Zheng He was ordered to enter Beijing.

At the court, Zhu Di and Zheng He talked all night.

On this night, the lights were blazing, and Zheng He talked about the dangers in the sea, the customs and customs of various countries, the skills of navigation, the interesting things that happened to the soldiers and civilians accompanying him, and the loss of ships, as well as the treasures collected from all over the world.

"Your Majesty, Gonggong Deng is traveling west this time, but I don't know how." Zheng He said with emotion: "Even if it is a slave maid, I admire his courage, when people are overseas, they live like years, and everyone can't wait to ...... Even if he returned an hour earlier, this Deng Jian still stubbornly set sail for Yang Fan, even if he did not die in the ocean, the hardships and pains were unimaginable. ”

Zhu Di couldn't help but sigh and said, "Yes, that kid Zhang Anshi...... But it makes people miserable. If Deng Jian can't sail back in the future, I will set up an ancestral hall for him. ”

Zheng He nodded and said, "There is one more thing, that is, the minister's side brought back a large number of treasures...... An inventory still needs to be counted. ”

Zhu Di thought for a while and said: "This is not for you, you will work the return trip, teach Wenyuan Pavilion, and let them ...... with the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Households." Sell these treasures. ”

Zheng He said: "Yes." ”

Most of these treasures are Western spices, ivory, and other specialties.

It is impossible to collect all of them in the palace, and it is useless to keep them, so they can only be processed and exchanged for gold and silver.

So in the early morning of the next day, Xie Jin and others had just entered the palace and sat down.

There was a will to let Wenyuan Pavilion come up with a charter for dealing with treasures.

Xie Jin didn't dare to slack off, and first checked the accounts of the treasure fleet.

Then, Xie Jin looked at Hu Guang and Yang Rong and said: "It has been a waste of manpower and material resources to go to the West, and what I get is just some so-called treasures. It's just that...... The size of a mosquito is a piece of meat, and if it can make up for the lack of some of the treasury, let's make up for some. In my opinion, let Liu Wenjun, the head of the Household Department and the Warehouse Department, deal with these treasures, he is good at economics, and these little things are enough to be competent. ”

Hu Guangdao: "Xie Gong has the idea. ”

However, Yang Rong frowned and said: "There are so many treasures, but only the head of the household department and the warehouse department can dispose of them, isn't it...... A little too frivolous? ”

Xie Jin showed a look of displeasure and said: "The imperial court is not Qixia, the baht must be compared, and it will be profitable to say that it will be profitable?" Do you still let the ministers and servants of the household department deal with these things? Liu Wenjun is a person with clean sleeves, integrity, and excellent article writing, but he is a rare cadre, let him do it, and the government and the opposition are also at ease. ”

He talked about the government and the opposition, but Yang Rong had nothing to say.

In fact, Yang Rong knows very well that if he continues to argue, the other party may buckle a big hat.

A scholar like Yang Rong still values fame.

So he had to remain silent.

……

As a result, more than 100 ships of treasure began to be sold.

On the other side, Zhang Anshi is also sharpening his knives.

This time, although Deng Jian did not come back, the fleet formed by Qi Xia also brought back more than 30 ships full of treasures.

Although it is far inferior to the fleet of the imperial court, the number of treasures is only two or three percent of the imperial court.

But Zhang Anshi's eyebrows fluttered, and he was very happy.

"Get rich." Zhang Anshi was in a very good mood, found Zhu Jin, and said.

Zhu Jin was also happy, and said with a smile: "Yes, the little one personally went to Songjiang yesterday, and these goods were quickly loaded on the ship, along the mouth of the river, through Taicang and Zhenjiang into Nanjing, and then they were directly transported to the Qixia Ferry, and the warehouse was ...... The little ones are also moving......"

Zhang Anshi said: "It's a pity...... It's still too little, I should have sent more boats if I knew it was so......"

Zhang Anshi was not without regrets, and then said: "Anyway, we can't lose money on this trip, I have explained to Di Bao, let Di Bao release the news on the last page, sell treasures, and three days later, ask this businessman inside and outside Nanjing to come to our Qixia." By the way, you have to cheer up and set up a venue for me these days. ”

"Venue?" Zhu Jin looked at Zhang Anshi in confusion.

Zhang Anshi said directly: "I want to auction." “

"What is an auction?"

Zhang Anshile said: "What about this auction...... I can't tell you for a while, but I'll write a charter later, and when the time comes, you can just take the charter and do it. ”

Zhu Jin nodded hurriedly, he knew better than anyone else that Master Hou always had many strange methods, and these methods were often very effective.

Anyway, he only recognized one thing, that is, as long as he did what the Hou Ye ordered, he would be right!

So Zhu Jin didn't say much, but said happily: "The little one understands." ”

…………

Zhu Di has been in a good mood these days, the fleet is back, and after a rest, it is time to start the second plan to go to the West.

This time, the results of the fleet were very fruitful, passing through 27 countries, and feeling the situation in the Western Ocean clearly, and bringing back a lot of treasures, which can be said to be an extraordinary completion of the task.

Next...... You can go further afield.

A few days later, Zhu Di summoned the scholars of Wenyuan Pavilion to come to see him.

Zhu Di said: "The New Year is coming to an end, and after the New Year, after the beginning of spring, I want Zheng He to go to the West twice." Zhuqing, the manufacture of ships in various places should also be accelerated, and the Ministry of Industry should be asked to inspect everywhere and not delay major events. ”

"Yes." The three replied.

"Your Majesty......" Xie Jin thought for a while, and then said, "Is it more prudent for the fleet to continue to maintain its current size?" ”

Zhu Di said lightly: "When you go to the Western Ocean for the second time, you have to go farther away, if you don't have enough ships and manpower, and you encounter danger on the way, it's unpredictable." ”

Xie Jin said: "What Your Majesty said is, oh, yes, the minister's side...... There is one more thing to do. ”

Zhu Di said: "But it doesn't hurt to say it. ”

"Liu Wenjun, the head of the household department, was ordered to sell treasures, and these treasures are also selling well, Your Majesty...... Now it has been converted, and it has sold a full 140,000 taels of silver. ”

140,000 taels ......

Zhu Di felt that he had earned a little profit anyway, and if it was a few years earlier, he would definitely be surprised.

But now, I don't feel anything.

"This Liu Wenjun is selling fast, I thought it would be delayed for a few months."

Xie Jin said: "Liu Wenjun is this person, he was recommended by the minister to be responsible for the sale, this person has clean sleeves, is upright, and acts meticulously...... The minister had also heard of one thing. ”

Zhu Di said: "What's the matter? ”

Xie Jin said: "This Liu Wenjun, although he is in charge of the warehouse with great oil and water, but he is so poor that he doesn't even have a sedan chair, and the sedan chair driver can't afford to hire it...... I just arrived in the hall......"

After hearing this, Zhu Di couldn't help but be moved, so he said: "It's really rare, let's summon him to meet him tomorrow...... There are not many such ministers. ”

Xie Jin smiled and said: "Yes, in front of him, the ministers are ashamed of themselves, and both inside and outside the government and the opposition praise him." ”

"Really?" Zhu Di turned his eyes and looked at Hu Guangdao: "Hu Qing's family also thinks so?" ”

Hu Guangdao: "The minister has indeed heard of his reputation for incorruptibility. ”

Zhu Di bowed his head: "Such a person must be on the table." ”

Wait for the three of them to quit.

Zhu Di thought for a while, looked at Yizha on the side and said, "Yizha, let the officials send Liu Wenjun's exam book to me to see." ”

Yizha knew in his heart that once His Majesty cared about someone's merits, then that person would not be far away.

So he nodded and said, "The slave will go and explain." ”

"That's right." Zhu Di said: "How is Zhang Anshi's steel training? And also...... What about the anti-party, why don't you have eyebrows? ”

"This ......" also lost haha: "these days...... The Marquis of Annan is all in Qixia......"

Zhu Di felt that there was something in Yi's words.

Then he asked, "If you have something to say, speak up." ”

Yisha said: "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Annan is everywhere in the auction of his treasures. ”

"Auction?" Zhu Di was confused: "What is the auction?" ”

Yishu was stunned for a long time: "It may be a photograph and then sell, or it may be ......"

Zhu Di immediately blew his beard and glared: "If you don't understand, don't talk nonsense." ”

"Yes, yes, the slave really doesn't understand." Yisha said: "But...... Now it's Qixia that provokes it, businessmen gather, and I heard that many merchants have come there today. ”

Zhu Di said keenly: "This guy ...... Definitely won't do useless work, nine times out of ten, and what the hell is the idea. ”

As soon as he heard this, Zhu Di's heart was hot, silver, he loves silver, Zhang Anshi has not opened up new sources of wealth for a long time.

Zhu Di walked back and forth with his hands behind his back: "There is nothing left and right, instead of speculating here, it is better to take a look." ”

Yisha smiled bitterly, His Majesty's temperament, where is like the emperor, in this palace, he can't sit still for a moment.

Even if you don't go out of the palace to Qixia, most of them will run to the camp of Yulin and other guards.

And every day, I thought about going to Beiping and the desert, and I wanted to personally lead the troops to sweep the Tatars and Warat in the desert.

Practice makes perfect: "Slaves and maids go and prepare." ”

…………

Xie Jin and the three of them returned to Wenyuan Pavilion.

Xie Jin was in a very good mood at this time, but when he arrived at the public house, a scribe came and said: "Xie Gong, Liu Wenjun, the head of the warehouse, has arrived." ”

Xie Jin smiled and said, "Call." ”

Soon, Liu Wenjun entered Xie Jin's duty room, and first saluted: "I've seen Xie Gong." ”

Xie Jin said gently: "I mentioned you to Your Majesty just now." ”

After a pause, Xie Jin smiled again and said: "Your Majesty is also full of praise for you, this time you sold treasures, which can be regarded as a meritorious service, it seems that soon, the imperial court will have a will." ”

Liu Wenjun said: "Duke Xie values it so much...... Xiaguan ......"

As he spoke, he looked grateful.

Xie Jin smiled: "This is just a gesture, you are a gentleman, we are a Ming, there are many villains, in this court, what is lacking is a gentleman like you, only a gentleman like you can be ranked in the court, the country can prosper, and the people can live and work in peace and contentment." ”

(End of chapter)