Precision determines so many things.

Now, Zheng Kui, the lead mold firing team of the "Printing Press Project Huangming University Research Group", is also facing this problem.

There are several young masters, some of whom know a lot about kiln burning - although they are burning green bricks, Zheng Kui knows a lot of tricks about burning fire. There are people who know how to melt and cast, but they used to cast guns, which were relatively rough guns.

Now they realized that, despite the drawings, it was not easy.

Shen Zhongming explained to them personally.

"Knowing that this movable type has been out for hundreds of years, why are there more engraved scrolls now?"

Zheng Kui and the others naturally shook their heads in confusion.

"The main reason is that it's extremely difficult to make each word the same size." Shen Zhongming also brought a few models, "You see, this character mold is thinner than the little finger, and you can't see the difference in width, narrowness, height and height when you put it together." But on the board frame, you will find that some can be stuck in the word slot, some will be loose, and the height is not really the same. Therefore, it is necessary to flatten and stabilize with soft fat. ”

Shen Zhongming showed them and asked them to compare each other directly, and there was really a slight difference.

Moreover, the words on the mold are all engraved in Yang, and it is not easy to find the words. Although there are radicals now, there is an additional way to find words, but it is still difficult to find. Shen Zhongming explained, "These characters are all boxy, and if a certain character is reversed during plate making, it is also common." Therefore, folk engraving books are still mainly engraving. ”

Zheng Kui didn't seem to understand, but he only heard the dean say solemnly: "If the printing press can be trial-produced, if you want to make it easy to use the engraving in the future, Your Majesty said that this lead mold is also extremely important." Don't think it's insignificant just because you're in charge, there's a lot to learn here! ”

Now Zheng Kui understood, he thought that the dean was just here to cheer up their marginal group.

In the Imperial City, there were already workshops in the Inner Court and the Ministry of Industry, and they could go over to do experiments.

However, Shen Zhongming quickly put forward more specific requirements for this new character mold: the top and bottom of the character mold should be engraved in Yin and Yang respectively.

On the yin side, it is convenient for others to find and recognize words in the future. On the Yangwen side, there is also a small triangle missing in one place, so that it is convenient to confirm whether the direction is correct when the word is placed in the slot on the board in the future.

As for the size and size of the word mold when casting, it is up to them to master.

How fine the molds should be, and how to mix them so that they do not shrink to different sizes due to cooling, all have to be tried little by little.

Or after the casting is done, there can be a fine polishing method - it should be simple, after all, there are many character molds, and there will be problems when polishing them one by one.

After receiving the task, the group had a big head.

“…… It's much easier to make a projectile, it's like embroidering on iron. ”

"If you want to be so fine, you can only use the lost wax method." The young master of casting asked Zheng Kui, "Can you do it?" ”

“…… Where can the black kiln factory use the lost wax method? Zheng Kui is very helpless, he is a brick-burner, "I understand what you are saying, whether it is a mud fan or an iron fan, I am still somewhat sure that it will not burn out." ”

To make such a fine typeface, it is natural to make a mold of the word.

"Then let's discuss how to do this model of words. I thought that since the printers had so much trouble making plates, it would be better to think about the typefaces together with the boards they used to put them, and make a set of things to do it. ”

"Absolutely! We only make character molds, and I'm afraid we won't be able to achieve the same size and height as the dean said, and it will be flat and stable after being put away! ”

Zhu Houxi pays attention to this matter, and the most important thing is to value its leading role in machine production, precision manufacturing, process technology, etc.

Now that the emperor attaches great importance to it, many people below have moved, trying to improve the details.

Zhu Houxi, who has experienced some things, naturally has never forgotten that there is another easy way: engrave wax paper prints.

But in essence, wax paper still needs a lot of people to carve by hand, which is tiring and prone to errors. At this time, the so-called wax paper that already existed was not a special engraving wax paper, and even if the development of new ink adapted to this kind of engraving wax paper was not considered, a piece of engraved wax paper could only be printed in a small number of copies in Zhu Houxi's impression, and it would be reimbursed.

This will have a great consumption of wax, and the problem is that although the cost of wax was reduced a lot after wax was found in the Song Dynasty, it was still at the "tribute" level, and the price of one candle was as high as more than 100 wen.

At present, the production of this ash is in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and the way used is to breed ash worms. Perhaps the surge in demand will bring down the cost of wax, but the ensuing impact is that ash insect farming, which has similar benefits to silkworm farming in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, will definitely rise greatly.

What is the whole thing to change rice to wax, and it is also a small matter for Jiangnan to have one more economic dividend, but how much significance does the promotion of this method have for the whole technology?

On the contrary, the screw stud nut appeared in Daming, and it was too significant.

Things had been arranged, and the emperor finally focused his attention on the national policy meeting.

On November 15, the Japanese Dynasty will still be in the morning, and those who have already known in advance that the second issue of "Ming Pao" will be published on this day will naturally wait for this issue of the newspaper as early as possible.

The intention of the imperial court to launch this newspaper at this time is self-evident, that is, to cooperate with the new law, and to publicize the decree in the name of the imperial court.

There must still be news in this issue!

When this issue of the newspaper reached the hands of many people, many people frowned in unison.

Why is it only fifteen days, and this issue of the newspaper is pulled like this?

……

The emperor did not pursue the quality of printing, and the Ming Pao Company was frantically rushing with limited manpower, and the second issue of Ming Pao was far less beautiful than the well-prepared first issue.

Fortunately, although the handwriting was ghosted, blurred, and even some dragged out of the ink, every word on it was correct.

The main point is to look at the content.

Many people don't yet know all the simple characters, and the new style needs to be used to. But there were not many copies of the newspaper, and most of the people were reading it together, discussing and speculating with each other, and they could barely read it from the context.

In Guozi Prison, Tang Shunzhi naturally begged for the first time from the book and looked at it with his classmates.

He had a hand-copied copy of the Jiajing Dictionary very early on, and he basically knew all the abbreviated characters.

At this moment, he read softly: "A letter from His Majesty the Emperor to the subjects of the world. ”

Pointing to the many empty columns on the left side of the front page of this issue of "Ming Pao" under the new style from left to right and from top to bottom, Tang Shunzhi said: "Your Majesty's imperial pen. ”

The prisoners pursed their lips in unison: Isn't this like a holy decree?

How beautiful is the Decree? How solemn was the ceremony?

Listen to the oracle, do you want to bow first?

But there was no proclamation of the lieutenant officer, only a somewhat rough newspaper......

Tang Shunzhi read this letter, it was a bit like he was reading out the holy decree, and the atmosphere in this room seemed a little strange for a while.

At this moment, after some people found out that this was the emperor's imperial pen, they first put the roughly printed newspaper respectfully and respectfully, and then made a big salute - mostly because of the middle and low-level officials in public places or in the government.

Then they got up on their own and read the letter carefully.

[Subjects of the world, read the newspaper as before I am. 】

Not because of this sentence?

But everything needs to have a head to show solemnity.

After all, Zhu Houxi couldn't talk about this newspaper in more plain terms all at once - printing was already so difficult, purely oral vernacular, one was not formal enough, and the other was too many words.

[I have been on the throne for five years, and I have given birth to two princes. There is a proverb, start a family. My cause is the well-being of the people of the Ming Dynasty, the family is better than before, and the country of the Ming Dynasty is richer and stronger than before. 】

[For this reason, a lot has happened in the past five years. 】

[In the sixteenth year of Zhengde, the Westerners attacked, and Wang Shi won. During the typhoon disaster in the first year of Jiajing and the drought in last year, the provinces were able to provide relief. In the fourth year of Jiajing, Huguang rebelled against chaos and was pacified. 】

[I am the king of the domain, and if I want to use the new law to enrich the country, I know that it will not be easy. 】

[Fortunately, the central monarch and ministers of the court are single-minded, and now the country is stable. The new law has been tried on a trial basis in Guangdong and Shandong, and both have been quite effective. 】

[On the occasion of the convening of the national policy meeting, I would like to use Ming Pao to speak to the subjects of the world. 】

[What the new Jiajing law seeks, a rich country and a rich people are not contradictory. Shinong, industry and commerce, all my subjects, I put it in my heart, hoping that everyone can live well, so that it can be called the wealth of the country. 】

[The new law has been implemented on a trial basis and has been effective, and will be gradually implemented in the Ming provinces since the fifth year of Jiajing. At the national policy meeting, the monarch and ministers will also carefully discuss the priorities. 】

[In order to implement the new law well, I have decided to appoint a prime minister and a minister of state to oversee many civil affairs of the Ming Dynasty. 】

Seeing this, everyone opened their mouths wide.

This matter, which only a very few people know, has finally been announced here.

Daming has reappeared as the prime minister, and he is still the prime minister with real power, not a title.

The meaning revealed from this is too great.

The old Zhu family has grasped the power much stronger than the old Zhao family, and now there is a substantial move to release some power.

[The heavenly family inherits the respect of the subjects of the world, and I also respect the people of the world for their hard work, and the loyal work of the world's officials and gentry. The title of character, grace, merit, and knighthood is to tell the subjects of the world that under my rule, everyone can think about the future. As long as you have merit in the country, no matter how big or small, I can use these four titles to make a mark here. 】

[My descendants of Yan and Huang have been inherited for thousands of years, and the dynasty of the world has changed, and I am not shy about saying: the world is not unique to the Son of Heaven. If I can't let the people of the Ming Dynasty live and work in peace and contentment, the Ming Dynasty will eventually come to an end. 】

[Today, the Prime Minister and the Minister of State have made a covenant with the gentry of the world: a person with both talent and virtue has the mind to rule the world with him. 】

[Now the new law is implemented to the provinces, and the people of the world make a covenant: the people who abide by the new law have the ambition to make their livelihoods prosperous. 】

[Today, there is a new school that has been spread to the world, and I have made a covenant with the subjects of the world: those who are literate and reasonable, I have the wish to hope that you can use what you have learned. 】

[I set up the Huangming University, cultivated good breeds to satisfy my subjects, changed the military weapons to protect my Ming Dynasty, and studied ten thousand laws to promote the prosperity of all industries, in order to protect the country and enrich the people. 】

[We have set up public security departments, nursing homes, medical homes, etc., to clean up water conservancy and control floods, and will continue to protect the territory and the people. 】

[In the palace, all the degrees are purchased, and all parts of the world are paid tribute, which is an example for the world, although my family is large, I must live a careful life with thousands of families in the world. 】

[After the appointment of the Prime Minister and Minister of State, I have more time to observe the people's feelings. In this Ming Bao, in the letters of the village sages, I can talk to you. 】

I spoke to the merchants, listened to how they made money, and told them that they should pay taxes. 】

[I talk to the craftsmen, listen to how they make clever things, and study the truth with them. 】

[I talked to the old farmers, listened to them talk about the tricks of farming, and asked them to pass on their experience. 】

In the future, I can also talk to you, listen to your wishes, and listen to your difficulties. 】

[Under the new law, what I can give to my subjects all over the world is many opportunities to make contributions and leave a name in history. 】

[I am twenty years old, and my ambition to recreate the Ming Dynasty is unswerving. Counter-current or homeopathy, all subjects in the world can think carefully. 】

[The Ming Dynasty is up and down, all as one, and this body becomes a country. 】

[The country is rich and strong, and it is for the people to be rich and the people are safe. 】

[May everyone be able to eat well and live a better life between the mountains and rivers of Daming, sea, and China. 】

[I will spend my whole life doing this. 】

There is no "Chin this", and when it comes to this, the letter is over.

The letter is actually not long, only a few hundred words.

Some people are thinking after reading it, listening to it, and some people are seeing the "Ten Questions from the Editor-in-Chief of the Emperor's Answer to Ming Pao" in the back.

If you talk about feelings, it is really like listening to the emperor say something in person, and there is nothing grandiose and literary.

And the biggest difference is that the emperor does not seem to intend to maintain the mystery of the emperor and the heavenly family.

Anyone who understands understands that mystery itself can promote coercion.

What the emperor wants to convey seems to be a very amiable image - after so many major cases of rebellion last year.

But that sentence against the current is still homeopathic, and it also makes people really think: only the implementation of the new law, he is resolute, and he cannot disobey it.

The reader read a little bit from it.

Now those who can read this newspaper are naturally readers. But the emperor said more, but the peasants, craftsmen, merchants, these royal relatives, nobles, and gentry were the real people of the Ming Dynasty.

The people don't read the newspapers!

Tang Shunzhi looked at the "Ten Questions and Answers" in the back, which was related to how ordinary people were awarded village sages, what would the medical homes and existing Huimin pharmacies do, and the purpose of the establishment of Huangming Primary Schools in various places.

The emperor cares about the people's livelihood, so the readers who read the newspaper and the current and future officials naturally have to think about it: if they follow the trend, their opportunity naturally lies in how to do these things well, so that the ranks, favors, merit, and titles are related to them.

At this moment, the court meeting in the palace that has been renamed the National Assembly is also coming to an end.

The court counselors listened to the decree in person and knew that there would be a prime minister and a minister of state.

"In the future, the Prime Minister and Minister of State will inform the officials in the name of the State Hall of the results of last year's administration, the handling of many important matters, the problems that have arisen, and the plans for the coming year."

Zhu Houxi sat there and spoke, and his voice was transmitted from people to the outside of the hall.

"The first Prime Minister, the Minister of State, and the rest of the new dignitaries will be appointed by the Ministers at the Council of State. After being elected, Layue will look at the day of the court, and I will set up a worship minister in the National Assembly Hall! ”

Fei Hong couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat.

Is there still a ritual?

The resignation table has been knocked down, and Zhu Houxi summoned him to the Heart Cultivation Hall yesterday to talk about his heart.

Zhu Houxi gave him some specific "guarantee" questions.

Everything else is false, Zhu Houxi just said: The prime minister of his dynasty, unless he really rebelled in his brain, he is guaranteed to enjoy the Taimiao.

This treatment will be officially announced.

Will he, Zhu Houxi, set the rules first, and then kill the prime minister he ordered first and invite him to accompany him in the temple, will the two of them do it in the underworld in the future?

Strange to say, people nowadays believe this.

And Zhu Houxi told Fei Hong another point: If you make a bad start, is it possible that the prime minister is set up to make future generations afraid of this and trembling?

This is an "unspoken rule".

Now, Fei Hong has let go of a lot of heart, and is looking forward to the fifteenth day of the lunar month.

The emperor pays homage to the prime minister.

Old man Fei made up a script at the beginning, but he didn't expect that there would be such a day.

Let's not talk about the others, the important ministers who follow the emperor are indeed more and more things that they didn't dare to think about before.

"Disperse the dynasty and start holding a national policy meeting."

"Your Majesty, long live my emperor! Banzai! Hooray! ”

(End of chapter)