Bringing the Railway to Daming

Chapter 155 Railway Bureau Affiliation, Trusteeship Experimental Class [Please Subscribe]

Since Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to reward Liu Kuan, there was no reason for him to refuse.

What's more, his two secret recipes can indeed bring a lot of wealth to the Ming Dynasty, and it is the kind that will continue to flow.

However, Liu Kuan didn't want anything in particular at the moment, so he said, "Your Majesty, just give me some gold, silver, and shops."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked meaningfully, "Don't you want the land anymore?"

Liu Kuan asked Zhu Yuanzhang for land before, mainly to appease Zhu.

He originally thought that several thousand acres of land would be enough, but after hearing Lao Zhu's question, he said, "Of course, farmland will also be enough."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Then I will reward you with ten thousand taels of gold, one hundred thousand strings of banknotes, two hundred hectares of land, and ten shops throughout Zhili!"

Liu Kuan was slightly surprised when he heard this, then he bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

This time, Old Zhu's reward was obviously much more than the previous times, but it was still nothing compared to the two secret recipes offered by Liu Kuan.

Moreover, the 200 hectares (20,000 mu) of farmland was not mentioned as fertile land, nor was its location specified. Although the shop was specifically located in Zhili, it was not necessarily in the capital; it might be in one of the small county towns.

So if you think carefully, fields and shops are just an addition to gold and banknotes.

Liu Kuan had never thought of getting rich by relying on Lao Zhu's reward. After thanking him, he no longer thought about it, but talked about another thing related to the railway.

"Your Majesty, whether it is to operate the railway or to build new railways in the future, a specialized agency is required. Therefore, I request that a Railway Bureau be established under the Ministry of Transportation of the Ministry of Public Administration."

The Tongzhengyuan was originally the Tongzhengsi, and was upgraded to the Tongzhengyuan during the reform of the Six Ministries. It was under the jurisdiction of the Chengjinsi, Yichuansi, and Jiaotongsi.

The Transportation Department previously had jurisdiction over the Official Road Bureau, Waterway Bureau and other agencies, which were specifically responsible for planning water and land transportation.

Since railway transportation is a new mode of transportation, the relevant departments should naturally belong to the Transportation Department.

Zhu Yuanzhang paused for a moment after hearing Liu Kuan's words, then said, "If we place this Railway Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation of the Tongzheng Yuan, who will be in charge of its affairs? Currently, apart from you, I'm afraid there's no one else in the Ming Dynasty who can handle this task."

"If you are transferred to the Transportation Department, who will be able to take on the responsibilities of the Science and Technology Department?"

"In my opinion, it would be better to first place the Railway Bureau under the Department of Science and Technology, and let you set up the Railway Bureau's structure. When its operation matures in the future, it can be transferred to the Department of Transportation."

Liu Kuan thought about it and realized that the initial work of the Railway Bureau really could not do without him, and no one else could take on the affairs of the Science and Technology Department except him for the time being.

Although he paid attention to cultivating talents when he first joined the Science and Technology Department, it has been less than a year since he traveled to the Ming Dynasty. In such a short time, the talents he started to cultivate have not yet grown up.

Not to mention officials such as Shen Lin, Liu Yan, and Ma Mengyang who were promoted from clerks, even Guo Tianwen, Qiu Qichi and other chief officials who had served in the Science and Technology Department for more than half a year were not able to take on the affairs of the entire Science and Technology Department.

Thinking of this, Liu Kuan said, "I only have some knowledge of railway operations, but I have never done anything myself. This time I can only do my best."

"In addition, the establishment of the railway bureau will inevitably require a group of capable officials. I also ask Your Majesty to allow me to expand the scope of official selection."

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "It's better to have insight than to be clueless. As for the officials and other personnel needed by the Railway Bureau, except for the Ministry of War, you can choose officials from other ministries and agencies, and we will approve them all!"

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When Liu Kuan returned home, he slumped in his chair and sighed.

Zhu Huilan asked hurriedly, "What's wrong with my husband?"

Liu Kuan said, "I've been tasked with setting up the Railway Bureau. I expect I'll be busy for a long time—my previous leisurely days are gone."

Zhu Huilan laughed. "Other people who become officials want more responsibilities and more power. But my husband, on the other hand, just wants to be free and unemployed."

Then he waved to the side and said, "Dongmei, come and give the master a massage to relax him."

"Yes."

Dongmei agreed and immediately came over to show off her expertise.

Feeling a pair of small hands pressing from his shoulders to his neck and then to his head, softly yet firmly, Liu Kuan couldn't help but moan, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

The weather was hot, so Zhu Huilan made a gesture to silence Dongmei, whose forehead was already sweating, and told her not to press it anymore. She just asked Chunlan and Qiuyue to fan her lightly.

She was reading a book on the side, quietly waiting for Liu Kuan to wake up...

The next day.

Near the Imperial City.

In a large courtyard with a sign that reads "Pseudo Hot Air Balloon Experiment Group," students who normally attend classes in the main hall stood in two rows.

Liu Kuan said, "Today's lab class will be led by class monitor Zhu Xiongying, with Zhu Chun and Zhu Bai assisting. All other students must follow and cooperate. Do you understand?"

The students didn't know why Liu Kuan made such an arrangement, but they all responded in unison: "I understand!"

"Okay, let's start the lab class now."

After Liu Kuan finished speaking, most of the younger princes were at a loss.

Zhu Ying and Zhu Tan looked at Zhu Xiongying with an expression that showed they were enjoying the show.

Zhu Ying felt that since he was the oldest and could suppress the other students, he should be in charge.

Zhu Tan felt that he was the smartest and had the best grades in science subjects, so he should be the one to lead the experimental class.

Now Liu Kuan had handed over the responsibility of leading the experiment to Zhu Xiongying, not even allowing them to assist. The two were naturally dissatisfied. Seeing that all the students were looking at him, Zhu Xiongying was at a loss for a moment. Then he walked up to Liu Kuan and bowed, saying, "Teacher, please teach me."

Liu Kuan smiled and handed over the lesson plan for a single experimental class. He said, "Just follow the lesson plan and continue with the content of the previous experimental class, and direct the students to do the experiment."

"I'll be watching this class. If you don't understand anything, feel free to ask."

"Yes."

Zhu Xiongying took the lesson plan, read it through, and immediately felt more confident.

As an auditor, Zhu Huilan didn't have to attend the class. Seeing this, she came over to Liu Kuan and asked in a low voice, "Why did my husband make such an arrangement?"

Liu Kuan said: "This pseudo hot air balloon experiment is currently mainly to obtain performance data of various materials through various experiments, so as to select various materials suitable for making pseudo hot air balloons."

"This is actually just a time-killing thing. Before, when I had free time, it was fine to lead them to do it. Now that I'm busy, I might as well let them do it on their own. It can be considered a form of exercise."

"Zhu Ying and Zhu Tan are both busy outside, so there's no need to distract them from this. Therefore, it would be most appropriate to hand this over to Xiong Ying, Zhu Chun, and Zhu Bai."

Liu Kuan did not mention Prince of Tan Zhu Zi, and Zhu Huilan did not ask.

She had been attending classes at the main hall for more than half a year and understood the characters of these brothers better than before.

Zhu Zi is timid by nature and has no ability to stand up to challenges. Even after serving as the disciplinary committee member for half a year, he hasn't changed much.

It is reasonable for Liu Kuan not to let Zhu Zi host the experimental class.

Although Zhu Xiongying is young, he is quite mature and steady; although he is not as smart as Zhu Tan, he is smarter than his peers.

As for Zhu Chun and Zhu Bai, they both have quiet personalities, study diligently and seriously, and are relatively obedient, making them suitable to be Zhu Xiongying's right-hand men in experimental classes.

Under Liu Kuan's supervision, although there was some confusion in this experimental class led by Zhu Xiongying, the planned contents of the lesson plan were finally completed within an hour, and various data on several sets of new materials were obtained.

Seeing this, Liu Kuan clapped his hands, drawing the students' attention. He said, "Everyone performed well in this class, especially Zhu Xiongying, Zhu Chun, and Zhu Bai. This was their first time leading and organizing an experiment, and they were able to direct each group to complete their respective experimental steps within the stipulated time. This is quite remarkable."

"Next, students should carefully pack up the experimental equipment, especially the glassware, and then we can leave the get out of class."

With Zhu Yuanzhang's order, the Ming Dynasty's glass craftsmen developed transparent glass shortly after the Spring Festival this year, and soon after that they used the "lead-mercury amalgam method" to make silver mirrors.

When Liu Kuan learned about this, he ordered a batch of glassware specifically for experiments from the government-run Liulichang.

However, the transparency of these glassware still needs to be improved. They cannot be compared with the experimental equipment used in primary and secondary schools in later generations, and are even further away from the level of research institutes.

Fortunately, Liu Kuan only used it to do some simple experiments, so he could use it.

After the students and craftsmen from the experimental group packed up all the experimental equipment, they consciously lined up in the front yard.

After the students were in position, Liu Kuan said, "The teacher will not be in the next lab class. Just like today, Zhu Xiongying, Zhu Chun, and Zhu Bai will lead you."

"If anyone disobeys classroom rules or deliberately disrupts the class, the discipline committee member or the class monitor can report them to me. Do you understand?"

Zhu Ying and Zhu Tan were still stunned after hearing this, but several younger students had already habitually answered in unison: "Understood!"

Liu Kuan smiled and nodded, "get out of class dismissed!"

"goodbye teacher!"

"Goodbye, classmates!"

After leaving the compound, it was still the squad leader Zhu Xiongying who led the princes living in the palace back.

Zhu Ying, Zhu Zi, and Zhu Tan, however, walked towards Taiping Street with Liu Kuan and Zhu Huilan.

Zhu Zi is thirteen years old this year and has left the palace to live separately according to the rules.

Because Zhu Tan was assigned to the Six Gates, Old Zhu allowed him to leave the palace a year earlier.

Shortly after leaving the experimental group compound, Zhu Tan approached Liu Kuan and asked, "Teacher, did you assign the experimental class to Xiongying because you've been too busy with official duties lately?"

"good."

He then asked, "Is it because the train will soon be put into practical use?"

Liu Kuan smiled, "It seems that His Royal Highness Prince Lu's care for the six gates is not in vain, he is well-informed."

In fact, this news did not come from the Six Gates - the Six Gates selected patrol officers, not spies like the Embroidered Uniform Guards, so how could they find out what was happening in the court?

Zhu Tan had heard this information from somewhere else. Seeing Liu Kuan misunderstood, he didn't explain. Instead, he asked with a smile, "Teacher, if the train is put into practical use, when can we take a ride and experience it for ourselves?"

Liu Kuan didn't expect Zhu Tan to be so concerned about this. He felt that Zhu Tan was still young and childish after all, so he said, "Your Highness will have to ask His Majesty about this. However, even if His Majesty agrees, we have to wait until the railway is officially operational."

"So when will the railway officially start operation?"

Liu Kuan estimated the progress of the Railway Bureau's establishment and replied, "It will probably take at least two or three months."

　First update.

　　
　　
　
(End of this chapter)