Bringing the Railway to Daming

Liu Kuan had considered this matter a long time ago.

He saluted and said, "The court can set up an Electric Power Bureau under the Ministry of Works to be responsible for the power supply, power supply, and electricity fee collection in the capital."

"Once power stations are built and connected to electricity in other places in the future, we will upgrade the power bureau to a department or even an independent unit."

Zhu Yuanzhang paused for a moment and said, "Your idea of ​​setting up the power bureau first and then upgrading it later is fine."

"However, no one at the Ministry of Industry knows how this Power Bureau is organized and managed. Furthermore, the Power Bureau will inevitably have to deal with thermal power plants and even research institutes related to the Tiangong Institute. It would be better to place it directly under the Tiangong Institute. What do you think?"

Liu Kuan was a little speechless and said, "Your Majesty, the Institute of Technology already has many offices under its jurisdiction, but fortunately, most of them are responsible for research and development. If you add a functional office like the Electric Power Bureau, it will seem bloated."

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "It's just an additional power bureau, how come it's bloated? I think you're being lazy again and don't want to get involved!"

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang had decided to put him in charge of setting up the Power Bureau, Liu Kuan had no choice but to accept his fate.

But he couldn't just accept his fate, so he could take the opportunity to propose some conditions.

However, he had not made any excuses when he said that Tiangong Academy had too many subordinate offices and a bloated departmental structure, so he really needed to find some management talents to join Tiangong Academy.

Since Old Zhu insisted on letting him take charge of the Power Bureau, he could take the opportunity to ask for someone.

He then said, "If Your Majesty wants me to set up a power bureau, please allow me to transfer a few people to the Tiangong Academy."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "When have we not given you people when you wanted them? Tell me, who do you want?"

Liu Kuan immediately recalled and based on some information he had read since traveling through the Ming Dynasty, he said, "These people are either new officials in recent years or students who have not yet entered the officialdom. Their names are: Jian Yi, Xia Yuanji, Huang Huai, Xie Jin, and Yang Shiqi."

Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly surprised when he heard this.

Because he had heard of the names of the five people mentioned by Liu Kuan.

The first four were indeed newcomers in the officialdom. The fact that he could remember their names showed that Jian was in the emperor's favor.

As for Yang Shiqi, although he was not an official he remembered, he was one of the Three Yangs during the Xuande and Zhengtong years in history as mentioned by Liu Kuan before, so he naturally remembered him.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly and said, "Yang Shiqi was able to become a cabinet minister in history, and even be called a famous minister. He is indeed worthy of your request."

"What about Jian Yi and the other four? Could they also be famous officials in Ming Dynasty history?"

Liu Kuan hesitated for a moment, not knowing what to say, because he didn't know whether these four people could be considered famous officials.

At this time, Zhu Biao also advised: "Brother-in-law, it is rare that I have some free time today. If these four people are really famous ministers in the history of the Ming Dynasty, you can tell us about their deeds, so that my father and I can know how to use them."

Upon hearing this, Liu Kuan said, "I only remember the general deeds of these four people. As for whether they can be regarded as famous officials, it depends on how Your Majesty and Your Highness the Crown Prince judge them."

Zhu Yuanzhang: "Just tell me."

"Yes," Liu Kuan replied. "Jian Yi was highly regarded during the reign of Your Majesty in history. He was highly valued during the Yongle, Hongxi, and Xuande reigns, and served as the Minister of Personnel for many years."

He died of illness shortly after Zhu Qizhen ascended the throne, so he served in five dynasties. During the Yongle reign, he was as famous as Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Revenue. He assisted the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi in handling state affairs and provided logistical support for Yongle's five expeditions to the northern desert.

"As for Xia Yuanji, as I just mentioned, he was the Minister of Revenue during the Yongle reign. He can be considered the most meritorious official who provided logistical support for Yongle's five expeditions to Mobei."

"Historically, in the later years of Yongle's reign, Xia Yuanji opposed Yongle's continuation of the expedition to Mobei, citing internal and external exhaustion and a lack of reserves at the border. He was therefore imprisoned and not released until Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne."

"It seems he died of illness during the Xuande reign, but I cannot remember the exact year."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang could not help but comment: "If there were no science and technology to support the development of industry, and if the Ming Dynasty only relied on agriculture as before, then Xia Yuanji would have been able to manage the logistics of the fourth and fifth expeditions to the northern desert during the 20th year of the Yongle reign. He must have been an expert in civil affairs and economics."

"What's even more rare is that he can see through the current problems and persuade the fourth brother from behind - this is equivalent to putting his own safety aside, which is rare."

Zhu Biao couldn't help but say, "Historically, my fourth brother ascended the throne after four years of fighting the Jingnan Campaign. If he were to conquer Mobei soon after, the country's finances would surely be in trouble."

"If Xia Yuanji became the Minister of Revenue from that time on, it would indicate that he was quite capable in raising food and fodder and managing finances."

Liu Kuan then recalled something and said, "Oh right, I remember that in history Xia Yuanji seemed to have been in charge of water conservancy projects and was certified as a water conservancy expert."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but exchange glances with Zhu Biao, and they both made a decision in their hearts.

Liu Kuan continued, "As for Huang Huai, I remember even less information about him. I only remember that he was a cabinet minister and a minister during the Yongle era, and seemed to be second-in-command to Jian Yi and Xia Yuanji."

After a pause, Liu Kuan said, "The last one is Xie Jin. It's a little complicated to explain. Later generations called him the first talent of the early Ming Dynasty, and also called him the most learned of the three great talents of the Ming Dynasty..."

Hearing this, Zhu Biao couldn't help but interrupt and ask, "Brother-in-law, who are the other two of the Three Great Talents of the Ming Dynasty? Why did they receive this honor?"

Liu Kuan explained, "These three great men of talent actually refer to those who were exceptionally talented in a particular field, recognized by scholars and the literati. In descending order of appearance, they are Xie Jin, Yang Shen, and Xu Wei." Zhu Biao was surprised and asked, "Why isn't Tang Bohu included?"

Liu Kuan smiled and said, "Your Highness, Tang Bohu is actually most famous for his paintings in later generations, followed by his calligraphy, and finally his poetry."

“However, the first two were considered minor pursuits or amateur hobbies by orthodox scholars, and in terms of poetic talent, he could not match Yang Shen.”

Zhu Biao wanted to ask more, but Zhu Yuanzhang was getting impatient and said, "Biao'er, let Liu Kuan finish first. If you have any questions, ask them later."

"Yes." Zhu Biao had no choice but to suppress his doubts and listen patiently.

Liu Kuan said, "Let me first talk about Xie Jin. Xie Jin is considered a great talent because he edited the "Taizu Shilu" and compiled the "Yongle Dadian."

"Moreover, his erudition and versatility were recognized by many literary figures during the Hongwu and Yongle periods."

"Unfortunately, this person doesn't seem to have a high level of political proficiency, or perhaps he's too straightforward, or perhaps he's just too arrogant because of his talent."

"During the Yongle reign, he was envied by the Prince of Han for being involved in the dispute over the crown prince, and was disliked by the Yongle Emperor for his direct criticism."

"After compiling the 'Taizu Shilu' (Veritable Records of the First Emperor), he was appointed as the Prime Minister of the Cabinet for his meritorious service. However, he was later demoted repeatedly and was ultimately banished to Jiaozhou."

"Later, when he returned to the capital to report on official matters, he ran into the Prince of Han, Zhu Gaoxu, who falsely accused him of 'lack of decency'. This coincided with his request to dig the Gan River, which made Yongle feel that he should not be doing such a costly and laborious undertaking when the country was planning a northern expedition. He was therefore imprisoned, and reportedly tortured in every way."

"Four years later, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard presented a list of prisoners to Emperor Yongle for review. The emperor then asked, 'Is Xie Jin still alive?' It's unclear whether Ji Gang genuinely misunderstood the emperor's intentions or deliberately misinterpreted them. Ji Gang then ordered his men to get Xie Jin drunk and buried him in the snow, where he froze to death."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao's brows were already furrowed.

Even Old Zhu frowned.

Because in Liu Kuan's narrative, Zhu Di was undoubtedly an image of a foolish and tyrannical ruler.

After coming to his senses, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with this Fourth Prince? I thought he was worthy of the title of Yongle Emperor and should be a wise ruler, but why did he behave so foolishly and cruelly in the matter of Xie Jin?"

After hearing this, Liu Kuan couldn't help muttering in his heart: You say others are cruel, but you later showed yourself to be even more cruel than Zhu Di in history.

But then Liu Kuan felt that it was inappropriate to use the word "brutal" to describe Zhu Yuanzhang in his later years, and that the word "cold" should be used instead.

In addition, apart from being limited in knowledge, Zhu Yuanzhang was rarely deceived or exploited by his subordinates, so he can definitely not be called "stupid".

But some of the things Zhu Di did were really foolish and unwise.

In addition, Zhu Yuanzhang liked to use capital punishment against corrupt officials, but Zhu Di liked to use capital punishment against ministers who had political views that were opposite to his - probably because his throne was not so legitimate after all.

Liu Kuan thought about these things and did not answer Lao Zhu's words, nor should he answer.

Zhu Biao spoke up, saying, "In history, most fourth brothers, after ascending the throne, wanted to use their martial arts to prove that they were the most suitable person to sit on the throne. As a result, they neglected domestic affairs, giving those with ulterior motives an opportunity to take advantage."

"Brother-in-law, if I'm not mistaken, the Jinyiwei Commander Ji Gang is most likely Zhu Gaoxu's man, right?"

Liu Kuan said, "Your Highness, Ji Gang was indeed on good terms with the King of Han, but historically, he was executed by slicing for harboring fugitives and secretly storing armor and weapons, for crimes such as plotting rebellion and conspiracy."

"Of course, some people in later generations believed that Ji Gang, as the commander of the Jinyiwei, was killed because he had wrongfully killed too many ministers who angered Emperor Yongle, just as he had done with Xie Jin."

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang could not help but snort, "This Fourth Brother, a Jinyiwei who was supposed to monitor officials and investigate secrets, has been used as a murderous weapon by him."

"As an emperor, you can't kill people without justification. How can you convince the people of the world by using shady means?"

Zhu Biao also sighed: "I never thought that the fourth brother in history would become like this - I hope he will not become like this now."

Perhaps not wanting to talk more about Zhu Di, Zhu Biao changed the subject and said, "Brother-in-law, let's talk about Yang Shen."

"Yes," Liu Kuan agreed. "Yang Shen is the son of Yang Tinghe, a famous official in the mid-Ming Dynasty. He was the top scholar in the Zhengde era and was even considered the foremost of the three great talents."

"Because Yang Shen was not only good at writing eight-legged essays and had many works on Confucian classics, he was also extremely talented in poetry, lyrics and music."

"In addition, he also dabbled in classics, history, local chronicles, astronomy, geography, epigraphy, calligraphy and painting, music and drama, religion and folklore, and was extremely knowledgeable and versatile."

"However, in my time, Yang Shen became well-known thanks to a poem in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms."

Zhu Biao became interested again and asked, "Which poem?"

Liu Kuan smiled and said, "The name of the tune is 'Linjiangxian' - The Yangtze River rolls eastward, its waves wash away all heroes. Right and wrong, success and failure are all in vain. The green mountains remain, the sunsets turn red again and again."

"The white-haired fisherman and woodcutter on the river bank are accustomed to watching the autumn moon and spring breeze..." (End of this chapter)