prosperous age

Chapter 976 1065 In the Wenhua Palace

"Lu Bu, go and ask the four chamberlains to come in and help me carry my things to the Wenhua Palace."

Early that morning, Wei Guangde came to the cabinet, followed by four Forbidden Army captains, carrying two large boxes into the room.

The four captains put down the boxes in the duty room, then bowed and exited.

Wei Guangde walked to the desk, picked up the cup of herbal tea on it and drank it in one gulp.

"Hey, why is it so hot today?"

He sighed, then swung his sleeves to keep fanning himself.

Time has entered August, and tomorrow is the birthday of Wanli Emperor Zhu Yijun, which is the so-called Longevity Festival.

Wanshou Festival is the birthday of the emperor, which means longevity without borders. It is a national festival and an important ceremonial event in the ancient palace.

On the emperor's birthday, the whole country has a three-day holiday, and celebrations are held at the same time, so that "the government and the public rejoice together."

In the capital, officials would wish the emperor a happy birthday, offering wine, nectar and various gifts. The emperor also rewarded officials according to their rank.

After the Song and Yuan dynasties, in the Ming Dynasty, the emperor's birthday - Longevity Festival, together with "New Year's Day" and "Winter Solstice" were called three major festivals, and the same was true in the Qing Dynasty.

For such a major festival, Wei Guangde naturally made preparations for the young emperor Zhu Yijun.

In fact, Wei Guangde had already thought of a gift for the little emperor half a year in advance.

Last year, Wei Guangde gave the young emperor a Fengzhou model, which is still displayed in the Qianqing Palace. Zhu Yijun plays with it from time to time.

Things that attract children, especially those in their teens like Zhu Yijun, are naturally made to be very delicate. Almost all components on the model can be rotated, just like a real ship.

This is the biggest attraction of the model to children. Through the model, he can also know the function of every component on the ship. Even if he has never been on a ship, he will have an intuitive impression and know how to use it.

And this time the model is naturally a model of a gunboat that Yu Dayou arranged for craftsmen to carefully make. It is a scaled-down version of the real situation. Even the artillery on board was initially just a wooden model, but after seeing it, Yu Dayou decided that it should be used. Made of pig iron.

In fact, it is not difficult to make small iron cannons. In a few days, dozens of small cannons have been completed.

After loading gunpowder, it can even be released, just like setting off firecrackers.

When the things arrive in Wei Guangde's capital and are delivered to Wei Guangde's house, they will naturally be played with by him for a while.

Even Wei Guangde's two sons were very fond of things and wanted them noisily.

Therefore, in Wei Guangde's reply to Yu Dayou, he asked Yu Dayou for two more gunboat models.

Today, it was Wei Guangde's turn to be the lecturer at the Wenhua Palace. Thinking of the gift he had presented, in order to avoid being criticized by other officials in the court, he did not plan to present it until tomorrow, but gave it to Emperor Wanli in advance.

Soon, four chamberlains were called into the room by Lu Bu, who asked them to divide into two groups and carry the boxes towards the Wenhua Hall.

After all, this is the Wenhua Palace, so it would be more appropriate to let the chamberlain in.

When Wei Guangde arrived, it was still early and the little emperor had not arrived yet.

He was asked to put the box on the desk while he drank herbal tea and waited.

He is responsible for teaching "The Great Learning" to the little emperor, because among the four books, "The Great Learning" has the least number of words.

"The Great Learning" is said to be a book, but in fact it is more like an article. To be precise, it is an essay representing Confucian thought and culture.

Because it is the smallest in length, it is easier to learn and master. Therefore, the book "The Great Learning" by Zengzi goes from knowing, stopping, being still, peaceful and worrying, to arranging the family, governing the country and bringing peace to the world.

It explains in great detail the basic principles of how ordinary people behave and do things, as well as the great ideals they have when they grow up.

It is very much like a life plan, so it is very suitable for children to read and establish their own lofty life ideals.

For example, in "The Great Learning", "Things have their origins and things have their beginnings and endings. If you know the order of things, you will get the shortcut."

When people understand this truth, they will have a beginning and end in doing things, and they will be more likely to succeed.

While Wei Guangde was waiting, he thought about the teaching plan formulated by Zhang Juzheng and felt that he seemed to have exceeded the outline of the plan, so he simply stopped teaching today and just chatted casually with the little emperor.

Look at his understanding of the previously taught articles and the changes in his current mentality.

Of course, I can give it as a gift so that I can play with the model one last time.

After all, once a gift is given, it will not be seen for a short time.

It would also take time for Yu Dayou to make a new set and then send it to the capital.

When Emperor Wanli arrived and Wei Guangde saluted, Zhu Yijun sat upright, waiting for Wei Guangde to start his lecture.

But today, Wei Guangde did not intend to talk about the following content, but directly asked Zhu Yijun about his views on the "Three Programs", which are the so-called clear virtues, being close to the people, and striving for perfection.

Later, someone asked how to understand the "eight items", which are to study things, to gain knowledge, to be sincere, to have a correct mind, to cultivate oneself, to manage the family, to govern the country and to bring peace to the world.

These are all discussed at the beginning of "The University" and are actually the main content of the book.

As for the rest, it is more about the discussion of the Three Cardinal Guidelines and the Eight Articles. In the end, "There is a way to make money." He planned to wait until the Ming Dynasty Money Law was fully implemented and then explain it to Zhu Yijun based on the Money Law.

He could only talk about a general thing. After all, he was not an economics student, so he had only a partial understanding of most of the things, but after his own logical thinking, he also figured out some things.

At that time, I can still teach the little emperor a few lessons.

Of course, although his understanding is also superficial, it is still very advanced in this era. At least such ideas have not yet appeared in the West, and that will only be two or three hundred years later.

"Your Majesty said it is very good. It is the gateway to virtue."

After the little emperor told his understanding and opinions, Wei Guangde sighed in praise.

For children, frequent praise will make it easier for them to build self-confidence and make them more eager to learn.

Moreover, the content in the university is actually easy to understand. The main thing is whether it can become the guidance of the little emperor and affect his future.

Hearing Wei Guangde's compliment, Zhu Yijun also had a smile on his face.

“I just hope that in the future, your Majesty will always keep in mind the virtues, kindness to the people and the pursuit of perfection. The so-called righteousness, sincerity, self-cultivation, ordering the family, governing the country and bringing peace to the world are Confucian moral principles. Not only should they be kept in mind, but also Use this to guide your actions.

Only in this way can we truly read the book, instead of just superficially reciting it by mouth without applying it, which is equivalent to learning nothing. "

Wei Guangde said cheerfully.

"Master's teachings, students will never forget."

The little emperor Zhu Yijun clasped his hands and saluted.

When Wei Guangde saw this, he immediately turned sideways to avoid the little emperor's salute. Although he was an emperor's master, in feudal society, the difference in status was still obvious, and he did not dare to accept the courtesy of the little emperor.

In fact, among Sakon's chamberlains, you don't even know who are the informants in the palace. If you are a little neglectful, the news will spread to Ciqing Palace.

The two queen mothers' concern for the young emperor was extraordinary.

"Okay, that's it for today's class. Tomorrow is His Majesty's birthday. I would like to congratulate Your Majesty in advance."

With that said, Wei Guangde clasped his hands and saluted the little emperor.

"Master Wei, please come back quickly. This is the Wenhua Hall. There are only teachers and students, not monarchs and ministers."

Zhu Yijun said hurriedly.

Although he said this, the little emperor's eyes were already looking at the two wooden boxes placed on the desk next to him.

The box is not small, it is three feet long, more than a foot wide, and more than a foot high. Obviously the things inside are not small.

Following his gaze, Wei Guangde saw Zhu Yijun's performance and said with a smile: "That is the gift prepared by the old minister for His Majesty."

When he entered the Wenhua Hall before, the little emperor had actually noticed the two boxes, which he had not seen before, so he had some guesses in his mind.

Now hearing Wei Guangde's words, Zhu Yijun immediately became happy. He stood up and walked to the desk, walked around in a circle, and then said to Wei Guangde: "Master, I don't know what kind of gift is inside. Can you open it and take a look?"

After all, tomorrow is his birthday, and Wei Guangde also said it was a birthday gift, so the little emperor did not open the box immediately.

"Of course, since it is delivered today, it is naturally His Majesty's property."

Wei Guangde smiled, walked over, opened the hidden button at the bottom of the box, called the waiter next to him, and lifted the lid of the box.

Immediately, a model of a bird ship appeared in front of them.

This bird ship model can be said to be the same as the bird ship Yu Dayou rode on. The three masts have been hung with sails, and the cannons are fixed on the deck, all placed in their respective gun emplacements.

"Ah, what kind of ship is this? Why is it so low? It's not as good as the model of the lucky ship that Master Wei gave me last time. That one looks more majestic and domineering, and it makes me look like a Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yijun also likes the bird boat model, but compared with the actual seal boat model that Wei Guangde gave to him before, it seems a bit petty.

"Your Majesty, this is the first-generation gunboat model of our Ming Dynasty Nanhai Navy. The ship type is an improvement on the wave boat from Zhejiang. It is called a bird ship in the military.

The ship has low sides, a moderate length-to-width ratio, and is extremely fast at sailing on the sea.

Even on a calm day, you can paddle through the oars on both sides of the ship, so it has excellent maneuverability and is a type of ship that the navy relies on very much.

Your Majesty, you may not think that it is low, but if you think about it, when you are firing at an enemy ship, the side of the ship is low, and the enemy's artillery may fly over its head, thus reducing the possibility of being hit.

Compared with the tall ship type of Fuchuan, it actually has obvious advantages in naval battles. "

Speaking of this, Wei Guangde hesitated a little, because he thought that Yu Dayou said in the letter the reason why he selected this ship to be transformed into a gunboat. It was really the navy's helpless choice.

But should I tell the little emperor this?

"Can this still happen?"

Zhu Yijun didn't notice the change in Wei Guangde's expression. After finishing his sentence, he started counting the artillery pieces on the ship.

The bird ship model is indeed different from the previous lucky ship model. Looking at the cannons densely arranged on the deck, the little emperor has already thought of the scene when ten thousand cannons are fired.

"Master Wei, why aren't these cannons placed at the bow? Instead, they are placed on both sides?"

The little emperor noticed that on the model, there was a cannon at the bow and stern of the ship, while twenty smaller cannons were densely placed on both sides of the ship.

"Your Majesty, the latest Hongyi cannons are installed on the bow and stern of the ship. On both sides of the ship are fouji, a slightly lighter artillery."

Since the emperor asked, Wei Guangde planned to simply explain it clearly. It might be beneficial to let him know the gap between the Ming Navy and the Yi Navy.

"The reason why the hair grains are placed on both sides is not because the imperial court does not have red barbarian cannons, but because"

Then, Wei Guangde told the little emperor about the gunboats equipped by the Ming Navy. By the way, he also said that the armed merchant ships used by the Yi people carried more guns than the gunboats of the Ming Navy. The little emperor's eyes widened when he heard this.

"I heard that in the far west, which is the country of the barbarians, their navy, oh, the gunboats used by the navy, we are talking about, can have as many as four or five floors of cannons, and one boat can load There are over a hundred artillery pieces.”

Wei Guangde finally told the news that Yu Dayou had heard, and felt relieved.

Then, when he felt that the little emperor was feeling lonely, he smiled inwardly, and then asked the servant to open the box next to him.

This time, the bird ship model that appeared in the eyes of the little emperor had obviously changed. It was no longer a one-deck gun ship, but a two-deck gun ship.

"Your Majesty, please take a look."

Wei Guangde pointed to the ship model and explained: "After hearing that the Yi people used decks to stack artillery in an attempt to achieve the maximum firepower of a single ship, Admiral Yu tried to produce this kind of bird ship carrying a large number of artillery. Let people start building this kind of gunboat with two decks.”

Wei Guangde pointed to the four gun windows exposed on the lower deck and continued: "In order to keep the warship sailing and firing smoothly, eight of the latest Ming Dynasty Hongyi cannons are loaded on the lower gun positions, which are the same as the bow and stern of the ship. new artillery.

On the upper deck, sixteen doors are arranged.

In this way, the whole ship can carry as many as twenty-six guns.

Although it seems that there are only four more artillery pieces than a single-layer gunship, the difference is still huge, because this kind of gunship carries ten Hongyi cannons. "

On the double-decker gun ship, Yu Dayou made a little thought, that is, increasing the number of artillery guns on the upper deck to make it look more powerful.

But in actual use, it will never be equipped with so many artillery.

Because this will increase the center of gravity of the gunboat, which is actually not conducive to safe navigation.

The first thing he would try is to place ten Hongyi cannons on the lower deck, test their loading conditions, and then adjust the gun positions.

In other words, even if artillery is to be added, it will mainly be concentrated on the lower deck, and the increase may be the number of guns.

He has mobilized the Hong Yi cannon on a bird ship, which used to be a problem in actual use. Judging from the current response in actual use, four or two Hong Yi cannons can actually be added to the lower deck.

However, the single-layer gunboat cannot be directly modified, and the hull needs to be increased by about one foot.

Because we had conducted some experiments with military bird ships before, we directly ordered ten gun ships for the first time, and several of them were modified from the original order.

As for the new double-decker gunboats, Yu Dayou has already ordered two from Zhejiang Shipyard, and large-scale construction will have to wait for the new ships to be used.

However, Yu Dayou faced many difficulties in vigorously developing the navy.

With the financial support of Jiangnan provinces, there is no shortage of money. The main shortage now is actually wood for shipbuilding.

(End of this chapter)