The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 126 Is Xu Sima coming back?

At this point, Shan An shook his head and sighed, "Your Highness is unaware that because the mortar is irreplaceable and has such flaws, our canal embankments and river defense fortifications are repaired and damaged every year, wasting countless resources and manpower!"

"When I was in the Ministry of Works, I led the craftsmen in trying dozens of different proportions, but we still couldn't solve the problem!"

The shortcomings of the three-in-one soil are obvious.

As Lao Dan said, it softens when it gets wet, and its waterproofness and strength are far from sufficient!

Of course, the top-quality gelling material in the early Ming Dynasty also included glutinous rice mortar!

However, this substance requires a large amount of grain, making large-scale use impossible.

Zhu Xiong Ying did not interrupt Shan An after he finished speaking.

Wait until the words in his ear have finished.

He calmly took out a booklet, handed it to Sanbao, and then had Sanbao pass it on to Shan An.

The method described inside is a simple way to make Roman cement, which is natural cement.

That being said, I only saw it online in my previous life, and whether it will actually work out is still unknown!

"My lord, please be wise! This is a mortar method I found while reading some ancient books and miscellaneous notes in my spare time, and it's called Yong'an Mortar!"

Dan An bent down and took it with both hands.

Zhu Xiong Ying continued with a smile, explaining, "The raw materials for Yong'an lime are simple: they are just limestone and clay that we can find everywhere!"

"As for the manufacturing method, first place the limestone in a kiln and calcine it with a strong fire to make quicklime, then add water to slake it, and grind it into a fine powder!"

"Then the clay is dried, ground into powder, and mixed evenly with a ratio of seven parts lime to three parts clay. It is then placed back into the kiln and fired at a high flame for two hours. After firing, it is made into powder."

"Once these procedures are completed, according to the records in the miscellaneous books, the Yong'an Ash is basically finished!"

After a pause, as Yu Shan'an flipped through the document, Zhu Xiong Ying added, "Most importantly, this Yong'an ash is completely different from the three-in-one soil and glutinous rice ash we use!"

"It does not soften when it comes into contact with water; even when submerged, it remains as hard as a rock. When mixed with sand and gravel to make mortar, it can be used for repairing dikes, building bridges, and constructing city walls, and its strength is several times higher than that of rammed earth!"

"Just like now, we in the Jiangnan region are frequently plagued by floods. If this experiment is successful, it can be widely used for people's livelihood! At that time, the dikes, wharves, and other structures built will not be washed away or damaged by the water—truly a measure that benefits the country and its people!"

Dan An became more and more excited as he listened, his arms trembling like a sieve.

If what the eldest grandson of the emperor said is true.

The soil here in Yong'an is far stronger than that of Sanhe soil, and it can harden even underwater. Wouldn't that bring about a complete transformation in the water conservancy and city defense systems of the Ming Dynasty?

After examining it closely, he suddenly raised his head, his old eyes gleaming, and bowed deeply, saying solemnly, "Your Highness! This Yong'an soil truly has miraculous effects!"

"Even if it costs me my life, I will make it!"

Zhu Xiong Ying reached out to help him up, smiling, "Please rise, Master Shan!"

"You and Master Tao are both masters in your respective fields! Whether this product will succeed and whether it can be used in important projects depends on you leading the craftsmen in trial firings, verification, and optimization of the formula and process!"

"And in this matter, we trust you even more!"

"But I also hope you can take care of your health and not overwork yourself."

Dan An doesn't even want to eat now; all he wants to do is figure out how to create it.

He hurriedly replied in a trembling voice, "Yes! Your Highness, this old minister will certainly follow your instructions, first firing the Yong'an soil, then testing step by step to find the most reliable ratio and make a solid mortar!"

"If this succeeds, I wonder how much manpower it will save, how many lives it will save! It will also solidify the rule of our Great Ming Dynasty!"

Seeing Lao Dan's appearance, it was as if he were possessed.

Zhu Xiong Ying supported her arm and offered a few more words of comfort.

After finishing this business, we were on our way back to the palace.

He did not visit Luo Guanzhong and the others as he had done that day.

I just sent Laifu to deliver some Mid-Autumn Festival gifts and pass on a message.

Five days later, on the fifteenth of August.

Mid-Autumn Festival.

According to past practice and court etiquette, ancestral worship and moon worship ceremonies are required, along with court banquets and family banquets.

Before dawn, Zhu Xiong Ying had already finished washing and dressing, and changed into the court robes reserved for the eldest grandson of the emperor. He wore a plain jade pendant with two fish on his waist, as well as a peace charm given to him by Empress Ma.

When his younger brothers Zhu Yun and Zhu Yuntong, along with his cousins ​​Zhu Jixi and Zhu Gaochi, all arrived at the inner palace.

He led his younger brothers to pay their respects to their grandfather Zhu Yuanzhang and grandmother Ma Xiuying.

Then, following Old Zhu, Biao'er's father, and other relatives in Beijing, he accompanied the emperor to the Fengtian Hall to participate in ancestral temple sacrifices and subsequent court ceremonies.

-

Before we knew it, it was noon.

After the banquet for the officials concluded.

Zhu Xiong Ying then returned to Kun Ning Palace.

Following Empress Ma, I met with the female elders of the Lan family, including my maternal aunt, as well as several married aunts.

By afternoon, the family dinner had not yet begun.

After seeing off some of the relatives, Zhu Xiong Ying noticed the menu for the evening banquet.

As he massaged his grandmother's back, he praised, "Grandmother's arrangements are truly thorough!"

"Uncles Twelfth and Eleventh will be leaving Beijing soon, and this is their last Mid-Autumn Festival here. Look at these dishes; we added a few more to suit their tastes!"

"And my grandchildren and brothers love sweet treats, so you've included those too!"

Empress Ma smiled and patted her beloved grandson's arm, saying, "You are all my precious children, how can I not love you dearly?"

""

Upon hearing this, all the concubines, princes, and grandsons present offered their compliments.

An hour later, it was already evening.

Zhu changed into casual clothes and walked side by side with Empress Ma to the banquet venue in Qianqing Palace.

The two elders naturally sat in the main seats.

As for the princes and grandsons, they were seated on the left and right according to their age.

As with other festivals, the first greeting is a bow of respect, followed by a toast with auspicious words.

The banquet was in its middle.

Thinking of his sons, who have all been enfeoffed this year.

Old Zhu, deeply attached to his sons, felt a pang of emptiness in his heart. He lingered on Zhu Bai and Zhu Chun for a moment, saying, "Our Bai'er, our Chun'er!"

"After the festival, you will all be going to your respective posts. Remember your responsibilities. Don't follow the example of your second and third brothers; learn from your fourth brother! And more importantly, strictly follow the teachings of us, your mother, and your eldest brother. Don't let us down, understand?"

Zhu Yuanzhang strictly disciplined his officials.

He was very patient with his children and grandchildren!

These heartfelt words were spoken with great care and consideration.

Zhu Chun and Zhu Bai were only two or three years older than Zhu Xiong Ying.

Both rose from their seats, bowed, and said, "Your subjects obey your command and will remember your teachings and fulfill our duties diligently!"

Old Zhu smiled, took a few more sips of wine, and suddenly glanced at Empress Ma, saying, "There's something else we almost forgot!"

"A few months ago, after discussing it with my sister, we sent an imperial decree to Henan. I expect Ma'er will be going to the capital to pay homage to the emperor in early October!"

Upon hearing the name "horse".

Zhu Xiong Ying sat down at the table, put down the fruit wine in his cup, and immediately knew who it was.

He was none other than the adopted son of Emperor Zhu and Empress Ma, and his uncle, Xu Sima!

He was the same as his eldest uncle Mu Ying and his paternal uncle Zhu Wenzheng.

They both treated him as their own son!

But after all these years of guarding the Central Plains, he has never seen them!

Among them, the most famous is none other than the most renowned!