The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 128 Xu Sima: We're back!

The next morning, dawn broke in the east.

Under the escort of Mao Xiang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhu Xiong Ying left the city gate and traveled by carriage to Zhongshan Academy.

Upon arriving at his destination, he wasted no time and went straight to the workshop.

Dan An looked excited and led a dozen or so apprentice craftsmen to wait at the door early in the morning.

Upon seeing the eldest grandson of the emperor, he quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, we, your humble servants, respectfully welcome you!"

Zhu Xiong Ying remained calm and reached out to help them up, saying, "Master Shan and everyone else have worked hard. Please get up!"

"The Yong'an limestone that was sent to the palace yesterday has far exceeded expectations! We showed it to the Emperor, and he praised it highly!"

""

This matter has already reached the emperor's ears.

Leaving aside Shan An, the rest of them were both apprehensive and overjoyed!

With a hunched back, Shan An led the way, saying, "It's all thanks to Your Highness's excellent methods!"

"We, your humble servants, have spent our entire lives studying this, and have never seen such a solid mortar before. Today, we have truly witnessed its incredible strength! We dare not claim any credit!"

"Furthermore, a new kiln was recently opened and is awaiting Your Highness's inspection!"

When Lao Dan was speaking.

Zhu Xiong Ying walked among the leaders, peering inside.

Compared to a little over a month ago.

Inside, several lime kilns had been built, and amidst the thick smoke, many people were still busy at work.

We walked all the way to the kiln.

On the ground were many bluish-gray lumps, all hardened with water, roughly the same size, with smooth and dense surfaces.

However, upon closer inspection, the different styles of the various piles clearly indicate that they originated from different kilns.

Unable to contain his joy, Shan An pointed to the first pile of Yong'an lime blocks and said, "This is the first kiln of Yong'an limestone! The firing temperature was a little off, and the strength is slightly insufficient!"

"This is from the second firing; the firing temperature was just right, but the proportions were off—"

Upon reaching the back, he said again, "Your Highness, please take a look!"

"This is from the newest batch, the best quality!"

"In addition, this old minister also preserved these gray stones in different environments for several days! One was naturally air-dried, and the other was submerged in water—"

As Shan An spoke, he gave the craftsman beside him a wink and said in a deep voice, "Bring me a hammer!"

After taking the hammer, he lifted it and smashed it forcefully against the dried Yong'an limestone.

There was a muffled thud, but the object showed no cracks.

Chang Sheng, Mao Xiang, Fang Xiaoru, and others who were traveling with him were all immediately impressed!

Chang Sheng was the first to exclaim in surprise, "Wow, this stuff is really hard! Harder than the city's paving stones!"

Zhu Xiong Ying was not in a hurry.

After observing carefully, he specifically said, "Second Uncle, try hitting it a dozen more times and see how much force it can withstand!"

"Your subject obeys!"

Chang Sheng, intrigued, took the hammer again and began to smash it.

Only after a crack appeared did he put it down, exclaiming, "Your Highness, look! This thing is far more sturdy than anything else! I have never seen anything like it in my life!"

"If it can be mass-produced, it will have a wide range of uses in both civilian and military fields."

I just learned from Shan An that it was the eldest grandson of the emperor who gave me this method.

Fang Xiaoru was also deeply moved. He quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Highness uses your practical knowledge to benefit the world and has created this object. This is the true way of a sage. I admire you greatly!"

Faced with Lao Fang's words, Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head and said, "Mr. Fang, you flatter me!"

"The classics teach us to have the people in our hearts, while practical learning teaches us how to benefit the people through concrete actions. These two aspects, thought and action, are inherently one."

He finished speaking.

Not to be outdone, Mao Xiang and others also began to flatter him.

Then, Zhu Xiong Ying went to the water vat and said, "Master Shan, why don't you take out the Yong'an limestone from the water and try it out too!"

When doing something, you have to do it completely.

All these actions were meant to be seen by Zhu De!

It is likely that after returning to the palace, Mao Xiang will report everything he saw and heard to his grandfather.

"yes!"

After taking the soaked substance out, I looked down and saw that it showed no signs of softening or loosening.

He picked up the chisel again and chiseled hard, but only managed to chip off a small piece of debris.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and said, "This material hardens underwater, that's quite good!"

"Take out a portion of these hardened test samples and a portion of the Yong'an lime clinker, pack them up, and present them to Your Majesty—"

After giving his instructions, Zhu Xiong Ying's smile faded, and he addressed those around him, saying, "And Lord Shan, along with all of you, have rendered a great service by burning the Yong'an ash!"

"By special decree of the Emperor, all participants will receive an additional three months' salary and be exempt from two years of corvée labor!"

"As for Lord Shan, he is specially granted a small residence in Yingtian Prefecture, along with fifty strings of Ming Dynasty banknotes, ten jars of imperial wine, and one of his grandsons is permitted to enter the Imperial Academy without examination."

Upon hearing of the Emperor's grace, Shan An and the others were startled and hurriedly bowed in gratitude.

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly helped him up and offered a few words of comfort.

Once all the raw materials and hardened Yong'an limestone were collected and handed over to the Embroidered Uniform Guard,

Zhu Xiong Ying summoned Mao Xiang and ordered him to send someone to deliver it to the palace as soon as possible.

After doing all this, he was not in a hurry to leave the university.

Instead, he went inside the school building and spoke privately with Fang Xiaoru, inquiring about the progress of medical reforms.

Regarding admissions matters.

Zhu Xiongying had many entrustments.

"The recruitment trip for this accelerated course will be coordinated by the Crown Prince's Palace and the University. In our opinion, we should select more children from impoverished families. Firstly, they are hardworking, and secondly, after completing their studies, they are more likely to return to their hometowns or join the army!"

Having understood the purpose of the eldest grandson of the emperor, Fang Xiaoru readily agreed.

As I was about to leave, I stood outside the university hall, beside the carriage.

Zhu Xiong Ying called her second uncle, Chang Sheng, to her side alone.

He also inquired about the mass production of the new firearms and crossbows.

Chang Sheng, who had been mediating the matter, spoke frankly and said, "Your Highness is wise!"

"Over the past period, the Ordnance Bureau has sent dozens of outstanding craftsmen to learn from us, and we will strictly adhere to standards in all processes!"

"Once completed, a portion will be delivered to the Imperial Guards, and the remaining weapons will be immediately transported to Beiping to ensure their use in the Northern Expedition!"

"Your Highness, rest assured on this matter. We're keeping a close eye on it every day; nothing will go wrong!"

As for my uncle.

Zhu Xiong Ying was already quite relieved.

Even the old Zhu in the palace, and the father of Biao'er in the Eastern Palace, were the same!

Otherwise, he wouldn't have entrusted the important task of manufacturing new military equipment to his second uncle!

The uncle and nephew chatted for a long time, expressing their hopes for each other.

On the same day, after returning to the palace.

Sure enough, Old Zhu called his eldest grandson to his side and praised and showed him off!

At that time, Xu Da and others were also in the palace.

Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

It was the tenth day of the tenth month of the nineteenth year of the Hongwu reign.

Downstream of the Yangtze River, the wind howls.

Several official boats sailed downstream, stirring up thousands of waves.

On the lead ship, Xu Sima, dressed in a dark blue military uniform, with a black cloak over his shoulders and a sword at his waist, stood on the deck.

Judging from his age, he was over thirty and had a robust build.

His tiger-like eyes were fixed on the river, in the direction of the capital, filled with reminiscence and contemplation.

Since leaving my parents that day to stay in the Central Plains, more than a decade has passed in the blink of an eye!

He has gone from a young man to middle age!

As for Yingtian Prefecture, it has been even longer since I last saw it.

Today, Xu Congzheng has returned!