Ming Dynasty: Tanks blocked the door and you said to me, "Long live Ming Dynasty"

Pointing at the thermometer, Zhu Youxiao asked in surprise.

"This...was also made by you?"

Song Yingxing shook his head awkwardly when he heard this: "Your Majesty thinks too highly of your students. This was made by a Taoist priest during the Jiajing period in order to make elixir for Emperor Shizong."

"I heard that it was also included in the Yongle Encyclopedia."

Zhu Youxiao:..........

Nima!

The Yongle Encyclopedia again? ?

Chapter 207 Fair?

Taking the thermometer handed to him by Song Yingxing, Zhu Youxiao looked at it carefully.

The technology of making glass has a history of more than a thousand years in China.

Throughout history, ancient people also gave glass different names.

In the "Mu Tianzi Zhuan" of the Western Zhou Dynasty, it was called medicinal jade and medicinal glass.

The "Book of Documents·Tribute of Yu" in the Warring States Period called it Qiulin.

The "Salt and Iron Discussions" of the Western Han Dynasty called it "glass".

During the Yuan Dynasty, "History of Yuan Dynasty·Biographies of Officials" called it Guanyu.

In the Ming Dynasty, the word "glass" already appeared in "Ge Gu Yao Lun" written by Cao Zhao.

But no matter what it is called, it is enough to prove that it has a long history in China.

However, due to technical problems, for more than a thousand years, the purity of glass has not been as transparent as it is in later generations.

Just like the thermometer Zhu Youxiao is holding in his hand at this moment, it has red and green spots inside, but it does not affect the judgment of the scale.

But I have to say, this color looks pretty good.

Zhu Youxiao turned his attention to the iron pipes in the underground cellar.

These iron pipes are very thick and are cast directly from pig iron. Cowhide gaskets are used at the joints for sealing.

Cowhide will expand when it comes into contact with water and can provide a good sealing effect within the tolerable temperature range.

I reached out and touched it, and the wall of the tube was warm, but not hot.

If you are a little further away, you won't feel the heat.

Pointing at the exposed stubble of cowhide, Zhu Youxiao asked Song Yingxing.

"Can this sealing method be used on a fire bull?"

Song Yingxing nodded and said, "Your Majesty, it can be used, but not for long."

Zhu Youxiao didn't say anything more because an idea suddenly came to his mind.

"Fifth brother!"

Zhu Youjian came over quickly and said, "Your humble servant is here."

Zhu Youxiao said with a smile, pointing at the heater on the wall.

"In your name, summon the nobles and wealthy merchants in the capital."

"See if you can sell this thing."

"After all, not every household has heating methods like fire walls and ground fire dragons."

"Let Mr. Song calculate the cost later, and then... "

"Just sell it at five times the cost!"

Zhu Youjian: ???

Sell?

And they're selling it for five times the cost?!

Damn, my brother is so dark...

Wen Tiren rolled his eyes and secretly poked Song Yingxing from behind.

"Xiao Song, can this thing be a little warmer?"

"If possible, how about bringing a few sets to my house first?"

"Of course, just as your majesty said, the cost will be five times!"

Zhu Youjian, who was in a daze, finally reacted at this time and asked uncertainly.

"Your Majesty, isn't this a bad idea?"

"These are all iron tools. If someone... "

Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Zhu Youxiao with a frown.

“It’s a little bit bad!”

After pondering for a moment, he turned around and walked out of the cellar.

Everyone was puzzled, but they could only follow.

After leaving the Ministry of Revenue, Zhu Youxiao took them to the Ministry of Works.

Upon hearing the news, Wu Chunfu hurried out to greet him.

"I didn't know your majesty was coming. I failed to greet you from afar. I hope you will forgive me."

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and gave him instructions.

"Find me a few old blacksmiths with superb skills!"

After saying that, he went to the lobby of the Ministry of Industry and waited.

Wu Chunfu dared not delay, and in less than an incense stick of time, he brought the four old men back.

"Your Majesty, these four are the best blacksmiths in the capital."

The four old men followed closely and paid their respects.

"Little Maji."

"Zhou Feng."

"Cao Zui."

"Pandan."

"See Your Majesty!"

Looking at the four people in front of him, Zhu Youxiao's lips curled up slightly, revealing a cordial smile.

"How old are you this year?"

Pan Dan bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, I am 62 this year, and the other three are 61, 59, and 55 respectively."

hiss..........

Hearing this age, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but take a breath.

62-year-old blacksmith!

Moreover, he is, according to Wu Chunfu, the best blacksmith in the capital!

This is simply like a treasure!

He immediately stood up and said to Zhu Youjian.

"Quick, give them a seat!"

Pan Dan and the other three were somewhat flattered. They didn't even dare to sit firmly on the chairs that Zhu Youjian had brought himself.

After they sat down, Zhu Youxiao smiled and told them the purpose of calling them over.

Today's Ministry of Works only serves the imperial court. It does work when there is work and just watches when there is no work. This is very unfavorable for innovation.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao had to find a few competitors for the Ministry of Works!

Use them to force the Ministry of Industry to make progress!

Pan Dan and his four companions were his targets.

He wanted to build four new blacksmith shops near the capital and let these four people be the managers.

In addition to receiving work from the imperial court, these four blacksmith shops also sold their products to the common people.

For example, radiators!

For example, farm tools!

In short, apart from swords, guns, and armor, anything the people need can be made!

Of course, Zhu Youxiao was only responsible for providing the start-up capital, and everything else after that was up to them to bear the profits and losses, except that they had to hand over 30% of the profits every year.

After hearing this, Pan Dan and the other three looked at each other, all in a daze.

God!

This is the first time I have encountered such a good thing in my entire life!

This is absolutely a godsend!

Zhu Youxiao is the God of Ming Dynasty!

The Minister of Works Wu Chunfu's face changed instantly, he stood up and bowed and said.

"Your Majesty, you can't!"

"There are also many blacksmith shops among the people, who make a living by making iron tools."

"If we act this way, I'm afraid we will be suspected of competing with the people for profit, and we will be criticized by people all over the world!"

But just as he finished speaking, Ma Ji beside Pan Dan couldn't help but retort.

"Your Excellency Shangshu, this is wrong."

"For those blacksmiths in the countryside, it's already a big deal if they can make a few kitchen knives a day."

"Are you not giving them too much credit by asking them to build the boiler?"

"Also, the blacksmiths' skills are limited. Not to mention making a boiler, even making a plowshare would probably take them ten days or half a month."

"Spring ploughing will begin in two months. If the people can buy one more plow, they can plow dozens more acres of land."

"Sir Shangshu, please tell me."

"Your Majesty, is this action to compete with the people for profit, or is it to provide convenience to the people?"

If it were in the past, he would not have the courage to go against Wu Chunfu, but now with Zhu Youxiao in front of him, what is there to be afraid of?

If he wins the competition, he will be able to take charge of a workshop on his own, and he will not be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Works and will only obey the orders of the emperor.

Even if I lose the argument, the worst that can happen is I can just pack up and go home. I'm already this old, what's there to be afraid of? !

Pan Dan and the other two had the same idea. After Ma Ji finished speaking, Cao Zui also spoke.

"Although I haven't read much, I know a little bit. Only when there is competition can one's skills improve day by day."

Zhou Feng followed: "That's right, just like the kitchen knives sold on the street, if you can sell them for ten cents, I can also sell them for ten cents. People are not fools, they will buy from whoever has the better ones! If you want to do good business, you have to make the knives sharper and more durable!"

Listening to their argument, Zhu Youxiao's heart was filled with joy.

This is the scene I want!

Looking at Wu Chunfu again, the old guy was already blushing with anger.

"Think twice, Your Majesty!"

"If this precedent is set, I'm afraid everyone will want to follow suit!"

"This is unfair to other craftsmen!"

Chapter 208 Potato Vine