Xia Zhongshi arched his hand gratefully and said, "Brother Tang is generous, and he doesn't hide it, he does have this thought." ”

After a pause, Xia Zhongshi continued: "The saint mentioned the salt administration, which obviously attaches great importance to it. If there is a good law, it may be pleasing to the saints. ”

does what he likes, there is no shame for the emperor, and it is not flattery, but for the country.

Tang Mo was stunned for a moment, and then said with a wry smile: "Old Xia, you have picked a hot potato!" How many powerful and rich people are involved in salt affairs, if there is a good law that is beneficial to the country, you will cut off their financial routes! ”

"Cutting off people's financial means is equivalent to killing their parents." Xia Zhongshi smiled, but it was a sarcastic sneer, and said: "A certain person is not afraid of people's words, and he is not afraid of the notoriety in history." During the reign of Ming Jun, it was time for great changes. ”

Tang Mo nodded lightly and said, "Yes, the change has already begun, but some people still want to use their mantis arms as a car for their own interests." Lao Xia, just do it, a certain self will help you. ”

In the middle of the summer, he hurriedly thanked him again, "Brother Tang is kind, I thanked you first." In addition, there are a few heartfelt words, I hope Brother Tang will not be surprised by the backlash. ”

Tang Mo waved his hand and pretended to be displeased: "Who do you think of such and such a person when you say this?" Since it is a heartfelt word, how can a certain person not listen to it and remember it in his heart. ”

Xia Zhongshi smiled and nodded, his expression became solemn, leaned over slightly, and lowered his voice to speak to Tang Mo.

The emperor's plan is not something that ordinary people can figure out, and the deep meaning of each step is not known. But no one dares to slack off, businessmen, and officials too.

Sun Yuanhua, for example, listened to the emperor's narration with some confusion now, trying to think of the shape and function of this machine in his mind.

The cultivation and production of tobacco, as well as the manufacture of cigarettes, have been put on the agenda of Zhu Youxiao, and have begun to be implemented one after another.

While the Xiaoice period has not yet come, tobacco cultivation in the north has also been harvested. Although the quality is not as good as that of the south, which is warmer than the temperature, but new things are just emerging, who will find fault with the quality of tobacco leaves and think that Yuxi is better smoked than Huangguoshu?

This is a big source of wealth, and Zhu Youxiao can be completely sure.

The wars in eastern and southwestern Liaodong, the expansion of the navy, the increase in the salaries of officials, and the system of "officials to officials" to be implemented were all tests of the imperial court's finances.

Without a generous fiscal situation and sufficient funds, let alone reforms that promote the good and eliminate the disadvantages, it is impossible to survive.

Looking at Sun Yuanhua's somewhat stunned expression, Zhu Youxiao was not surprised.

First of all, it is definitely not easy to understand that there is no model or sample display; Secondly, Sun Yuanhua had no impression of the size and thickness of the cigarette roll at all, and no one in Daming might have seen it.

Since he was not surprised, Zhu Youxiao was naturally prepared. You must know that in addition to the title of "Emperor", the number one in the world, he may also be a superb craftsman in the Ming Dynasty - Zhu Carpenter!

Zhu Youxiao took out a flat wooden locket from the drawer of the bookcase, which was the kind of personal cigarette maker of later generations.

"Sun Qing can see it clearly." Zhu Youxiao put the paper cigarettes, and then pressed hard, the belt rolled up, and a cigarette roll appeared in front of Sun Yuanhua.

Zhu Youxiao handed the cigarette roll to Sun Yuanhua to take a closer look, and said: "This is the cigarette roll, this small device is called a cigarette machine." Sun Qing wants to build a big machine, which can be used as a reference. ”

"Yes, Wechen obeys." Sun Yuan bowed and took the cigarette roll and cigarette maker from the hands of the palace people.

This little toy is naturally not made by Mr. Sun himself, and Zhu Youxiao summoned him to explain it by the way, and he has his own skilled craftsmen to exert their wisdom.

Sun Yuanhua also understood what the emperor wanted to know, and sitting on the embroidery pier, Lao Sun began to report his work.

The production capacity of the Ordnance and Gunpowder Bureau is gradually increasing, and the quality of products is becoming more and more stable. In addition to the increased proficiency of the craftsmen, another important factor is the use of machines.

Zhu Youxiao unrealistically drew up some regulations before, what standardization, assembly line production, but the result is regrettable. Because the production and manufacturing based on hand-made manufacturing cannot meet the due conditions at all!

The human factor is difficult to overcome, and to solve the problem, we can only rely on machines, which is the truth that Zhu Youxiao pondered and understood.

Although according to the current technical conditions, the more complex machines are not to be thought of. However, some simple ones also have the effect of improving efficiency and ensuring the uniformity of regulation.

For example, the very early foot machine tools, changed from wooden to iron, plus some gears and crankshafts, and with finer scale units as the standard, have many characteristics of modern machine tools.

"Machines need to be increased, and more water and animal power should be used." After listening to a paragraph, Zhu Youxiao opened his mouth to instruct, "The ongoing parts casting experiment you just mentioned is a very good idea. ”

Casting is a one-time molding, if the precision is high enough, it can indeed minimize the error between the cast products, and may be able to meet the needs of standardized and assembly line production.

"Reward those who can make reasonable suggestions and even build practical machines among craftsmen." Zhu Youxiao paused, frowning slightly and thinking.

After a while, Zhu Youxiao asked with some uncertainty: "Sun Qing, are you too strict?" The three titles of righteous businessman, diligent worker, and warrior can be relaxed at the beginning, and the matter of buying horse bones can be followed. ”

Sun Yuanhua hurriedly arched his hand and said: "Weichen understands, the list has also been drawn up, and it will be played tomorrow, please long live the selection of the knight." ”

Zhu Youxiao laughed, and said with a bow: "Let's set a few examples, and the warriors also asked the military towns to draw up a list." Of course, there are more in Liaozhen and the southwest. Coupled with Sun Qing's part-time work, it can be regarded as complete. ”

Sun Yuanhua complimented: "Long live the simple promotion of talents, regardless of the high and low, it can be described as a meritocracy, which is really wise." ”

Zhu Youxiao was used in his heart, but he waved his hand and said: "If you can sweep away the four razors and make the Ming Dynasty strong, how can I be stingy with the reward of the prince?" ”

"That's right." Zhu Youxiao suddenly remembered another thing, and said: "I have pulled out a Jiangxi lifter, which seems to be a talent that can be created. When he goes to Beijing, you should pay more attention and teach more. ”

"I don't know the name of the person here?" Sun Yuanhua asked respectfully.

"His name is Song Yingxing." Zhu Youxiao paused and said: "I have tried and failed, my mind is not on reading, but I like to be biased." ”

Sun Yuanhua bowed and said, "Weichen has written it down." ”

Song Yingxing is famous in history, but he is only a lifter, and he has repeatedly failed to win the imperial examination during the Wanli years, so he has rejected the idea of the imperial examination.

And "Heavenly Creations", which made Song Yingxing famous in history, was not published until more than ten years later. Therefore, if it weren't for Zhu Youxiao remembering it, he could only continue to bury it in obscurity.

Zhu Youxiao has always attached great importance to scientific and technological talents, and has spared no effort to recruit and guide them, so that they can give full play to their talents as soon as possible and make further progress in the field of science.

However, in ancient times, there was no major of science, nor was there a profession of scientists, only the rank of being an official in the imperial examination and the road to success.

For example, Xu Guangqi, who was born as a Jinshi and loves natural science. But strictly speaking, the Four Books, Five Classics and Eight Strands of Literature are his majors, and natural science is just his hobby.

Human lifespan and energy are limited, and if we study less painstakingly the Four Books and Five Classics, we will naturally have more time and energy in scientific research and be able to make greater contributions.

However, it is difficult to establish a professional school similar to the Academy of Sciences, or a lower level, or even only to offer specialized courses.

The reason is very simple, if there is a school, who will be the teacher? Physics is better, chemistry, it is estimated that only Zhu Youxiao is more reliable, and he will not engage in any nonsense such as alchemy.

But who is Zhu Youxiao, he is the emperor, even if he has a carpenter's hobby, it is unlikely that he will teach! Even if he is given a tall title called a beast, he is not uncommon.

Therefore, Sun Yuanhua, Li Tianjing, Zhang Tao, Wang Zheng and other talents who are proficient in Western studies, as well as Song Yingxing, who entered Beijing in Jian, Zhu Youxiao is regarded and cultivated according to the strength of teachers.

"The work of the Weapons and Gunpowder Bureau, Sun Qing will find more suitable people to manage it." Zhu Youxiao thought of the arrangements to be made for Teacher Sun and Professor Sun in the future, and reminded him again: "At most one year, at least half a year, I have another important mission to hand over to Sun Qing." ”

Sun Yuanhua didn't know why, but he could hear the important envoy and know that the emperor was letting him out and having another appointment. The officials in charge of management are different from technical officials, as long as they are diligent and conscientious, they are still easier to find.

Seeing that the emperor had no more orders, Sun Yuanhua got up and retired.

Looking at Sun Yuanhua's back, Zhu Youxiao shook his head helplessly.

Sun Yuanhua, Song Yingxing, Wang Hui and others are certainly the scientific elites of this era, but to become teachers who meet his standards, they have to go through his teaching!

After thinking for a while, Zhu Youxiao put away his thoughts, paced to the sand table, and stared at Ning Yuan in western Liaoning. His gaze seemed to fly thousands of miles, and he was witnessing the brutal battlefield with the roar of artillery fire and the flying of flesh and blood.

…………………… Divider........................

The smoke of gunpowder was filled, the sound of guns shook the earth, and the fierce fighting under Ningyuan City continued.

Strictly speaking, although the battle was fierce, the city was impregnable, and the Ming army defended stubbornly, while the Jin army suffered heavy losses and had not yet seen any hope of breaking the city.

The Ming army abandoned its position outside the city and retreated to defend the city, which brought only a brief ecstasy to Jiannu.

When a large number of siege troops poured under the city, ready to storm the city with all their might.

The Ming army had already achieved the goal of retreating, lured the enemy to the city, and began to use ferocious and fierce firepower to bring hellish cruelty and misery to Jiannu.

To be honest, just looking at the strange shape of Ning Yuan City from a distance, I could roughly guess the intention. Isn't it just the transformation of the horse's face, reducing the dead angle of the attack in the city!

But when he really faced the fierce fire similar to the fortress, the Jiannu under the city knew its power, and only then did he know that attacking such a city was tantamount to falling into the abyss of blood and fire.

Not only are countless muskets spewing deadly projectiles out of the city, but there are also cannons roaring, sending hundreds of shotguns to the city. The bullet slammed down.

A rain of arrows flew towards the city, and the hanging signs at the head of the city to block the arrows soon became dense. Although it was at a disadvantage in the confrontation with the castle, this was the only counterattack that Jiannu could carry out at present.

Rumble! With a flash of fire, the projectiles fired by the Franco's planes in the city spread out in the air, forming a considerable area, and the archers of Jiannu fell in pieces.

The firelight flickered more intensively, and the roar of dozens of heavy muskets erupted almost simultaneously, and the indestructible lead bullets stirred up a cloud of blood mist flying under the city.

"Rush, rush!" Sagar Shoguli held the iron shield above his head and roared loudly.

According to his combat experience, which is also a regular practice of siege, it is relatively safe to approach the city wall. Because the enemy has to poke his head out to attack, it is not easy to attack, and it is easy to be injured.

And whether it is digging the corners of the city or erecting ladders and ants to attack, the premise is to be close to the city wall, and there is nothing wrong with Zhangguli's command.

That's what he shouted, and he took the lead in doing so. It was just the shape of the city wall in front of him that made him hesitate slightly.

The hesitation was only for a moment, not because he was greedy for life and afraid of death, but because he was weighing the trade-offs. Is it close to the protruding sharp corners of the wall, or the bevel of the sharp corners, or the flat section of the wall between the two sharp corners?

There were already soldiers shouting and howling and rushing forward, not only knives and guns in their hands, but also tools to dig through the walls. Zhangguli also made a decision and ran towards the nearest city wall.

Buckshot down in waves, soldiers were constantly shot and fell to the ground, and Zhangguli also saw the hollowed buckshot crashing into small craters in the icy land.

There are so many muskets! As soon as Zhangguli sighed, a buckshot hit his iron shield.

Although it did not break down, it hit a terrible depression. The tremendous impact caused Zhangguli to slam his feet, and the arm holding the shield was almost numb.

A corpse fell heavily beside Zhangguli. That's right, before he fell to the ground, this Jiannu had already lost his breath.

Heavy buckshot struck the slave's shoulder and neck, tearing flesh and skin, shattering bones and breaking the cervical vertebrae.

His head and body seemed to be connected to only a little flesh and skin, and when he fell to the ground, he was curled at a very strange angle, and his eyes rolled as terrifyingly as dead fish.

Shoguli forced himself to look away and move forward again, closer to the place he liked.

Already a small group of men had approached the walls, brandishing their tools and beginning to dig. The defenders of the city resisted, but instead of poking their heads out of the walls or smashing down the rocks without looking.

A fierce burst of lead bullets came from the side, killing and wounding the squad of Jiannu. Immediately afterwards, there was another musket shot, and a lot of Jiannu fell.

Zhangguli saw it in his eyes, and hesitated whether he wanted to go to the place he had just seen. As soon as he was distracted, he tripped over the corpse under his feet, and fell and rolled in some embarrassment.

Although this was embarrassed, it saved his life. More than a dozen lead bullets whistled and hit the same place, knocking down several soldiers, killed or wounded.

And after Zhangguli fell, the change of perspective also surprised him. The fire flickered on the diagonal side of the city, and muskets fired volleys of fire, targeting the soldiers under the diagonal opposite wall.

In other words, when the Houjin officers and soldiers under the city walls were digging the city, the blows they received came from the side and rear, not from the face.