My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 254: Those who are capable work hard

Although there were a lot of things going on, the improved steam engine of the Craftsman Academy still brought Zhu Yuanzhang a huge surprise.

After writing the words for the steam engine, Li Min was overjoyed. He then suggested to Zhu Yuanzhang that every time a new steam engine was produced, a plate with the words "Long Yu Tian Ji Furnace" engraved on it should be embedded on the machine.

Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed and immediately decided to increase the funding of the Academy of Craftsmen by 30%, specifically for the research of new machinery. At the same time, he rewarded each student who created a new type of steam engine with 500 taels of silver. After graduation, they would be awarded the rank of eighth-rank clerk and directly enter the Department of Industry.

This move immediately won applause from the whole room. Li Min laughed so hard that his eyes were squeezed into a line. Wu Daoxing on the side stared with his eyes wide open. He had been studying for a lifetime, but he never thought that a minister could do this.

Look at Li Min, no wonder he can sit in the position of Shangshu, he is both capable and knows how to behave, unlike me, an old pedant who can only say a few sarcastic words. As the ancients said, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles, and I really learned it.

The students present were even more envious. Look at him, as soon as he graduated he would become an official, an eighth-rank official at that. They were all determined to work harder and create something new to make a splash.

The new steam engine was built not just for show, but naturally it had to be put into production. Li Min called on the person in charge and skilled craftsmen of the machine factory to transport the new steam engine back to the production workshop. After they had mastered the manufacturing process, they began mass production.

Before returning to the palace, Zhu Yuanzhang instructed Li Min two things. One was to order him to build a small model sample according to the style of the new steam engine. He would give it to Li Han and make Li Han happy that the Ming Dynasty could manufacture steam engines on its own.

Li Min gladly accepted the order. Deep down in his heart, his respect for the extraordinary man Li Han was actually even greater than that for His Majesty. It was this extraordinary man who opened up the road to industrialization for the Ming Dynasty. Otherwise, what would be the point of the Ministry of Industry if it did not take charge of industry?

The second was the emergence of the new steam engine, which made Zhu Yuanzhang see the huge potential of the academy. Students could improve the steam engine while studying, which would inevitably promote the advancement of gun manufacturing.

It was immediately decided to offer a separate course in the Academy of Craftsmen to study and develop firearms and other weapons.

After returning to the palace, Zhu Yuanzhang continued to write back to Li Han while he was happy.

"Lao Li, I haven't replied to your letter for a while, I miss you very much.

There is some great news that I want to share with you. The southern expeditionary army led by Xu Da defeated the Annan army.

What surprised us was that Xu Da annihilated Annan's army of hundreds of thousands with only 25,000 soldiers and horses. This result was truly unimaginable.

This also makes us fully understand why the industrial society has a jaw-dropping crushing advantage over the agricultural society and creates one miracle after another. The fundamental reason is that it is exchanging steel for the enemy's flesh and blood.

Today, the military and political power of Annan is also controlled by the Ming Dynasty. Like Goryeo, it has actually been incorporated into the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

However, after this southern expedition, a major problem was exposed, that is, the long distance made transportation inconvenient, and the marching and supply speeds were too slow, so that the best opportunity for battle was missed.

This problem is not only reflected in marching and fighting. Now, with the vigorous development of Ming Dynasty's trade, the rapid increase in trade volume and speed, the long distance and slow transportation have become a shackle to the further development of Ming Dynasty's trade.

Regarding this, I wonder if you have any good ideas, Old Li."

Having written this, Zhu Yuanzhang stretched his body and shook his head helplessly. Li Han could solve the problem of long-distance communication, but he probably didn't have any good solution for long-distance transportation.

Unless Lao Li knows the magic of shrinking the distance into an inch.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but be amused by his own childish thoughts, but he still had some hope in his heart, maybe Lao Li really had a way?

It seemed that every problem he encountered was solved perfectly by him, except for the matter of Zhu Funing, which this kid refused to obey.

However, this also made me a little lazy. When I encountered a problem that I couldn't solve, the first person I thought of was Li Han. Hey, those who are capable should do more work. Since this kid Lao Li doesn't want to call me dad, then I should do more for Ming Dynasty.

Picking up the cup and drinking a sip of tea, Zhu Yuanzhang continued to write:

"There is another piece of good news to tell you. The students of the Imperial Academy of Craftsmen that we established have created a new steam engine. This was made by the Ming Dynasty with its own strength.

The size of this steam engine is much smaller than the previous ones, and according to Li Min, the Minister of Industry, the horsepower is also much higher than before, making it perfect for shipbuilding.

Of course, this is also inseparable from your contribution, Lao Li. Without the knowledge and skills you taught, I am afraid that the Ming Dynasty would not have achieved such great development and progress.

By the way, I asked Li Min to make you a small steam engine model as a souvenir."

As he wrote this, Zhu Yuanzhang was filled with pride beyond words. The fact that the Ming Dynasty was able to build a new steam engine entirely on its own was definitely a huge leap forward.

A few days later, when Li Min delivered the steam engine model, Zhu Yuanzhang sent the letter and the model to Li Han together.

……

"This bracelet is made of the finest Huanghuali wood. You said there is no authentic Huanghuali wood in China. Of course, if it were Huanghuali wood from China, the price would be doubled!"

While introducing the bracelet to the customer, Li Han was fooling around, saying that others were passing off inferior goods as good ones, so he had to pass off good ones as inferior ones. There was nothing he could do. Although this bracelet was made of genuine domestic raw materials, it was Huanghuali from the Ming Dynasty, and no one would believe it!

"Cheaper? It can't be any cheaper. When it comes to wooden artworks, it's the goods that choose the people, not the people who choose the goods. Do you know why this thing is so expensive? It's because it's rare. If you want to buy cheap ones, please look at the antique chain store across the street. There are handicrafts there. You can choose whatever you want, and you can even bargain."

Li Momo originally thought it was interesting to watch Li Han selling things, but when Li Han asked customers to buy cheap goods in his own store, she immediately became unhappy, puffed up her cheeks, and glared at Li Han angrily.

Li Han pretended not to see it and continued chatting with the customer. In the end, he sold the bracelet at the original price with his eloquence.

"Li Han, you are selling your stuff, why do you want to belittle my shop?"

After the customer left, Li Momo immediately began to blame Li Han.

"Look at what you are saying. I'm just introducing a guest to your house." Li Han was very thick-skinned and just kept talking nonsense. Anyway, she was used to playing around with Li Momo, so she didn't mind.

"By the way, what do you want to eat? I'll make it for you."

Li Momo came to return the golden needle and the gun, and also wanted to get together with Li Han after being busy for a while.

When he heard that Li Han offered to cook for him, he immediately smiled and said, "I want to eat a full banquet."

"A full banquet, do you think I am a full banquet?"

Li Han said unhappily: "There is no Man Han banquet, do you want to eat live pearls?"

(End of this chapter)