Bringing the Railway to Daming

Chapter 99: Lao Zhu arranges, the first sound of steam! [First order required]

Facing Zhu Di's kowtow, Zhu Yuanzhang turned sideways - he was afraid that he would not be able to help but agree directly.

Taking a deep breath, Zhu Yuanzhang regained his composure and said, "Even if we count from the time you were married at the age of sixteen and went to Fengyang to garrison and train troops, you have only been in the army for five years, and have barely participated in actual combat."

"Let's return to Peking first. In the next two or three years, we will deploy you more often to participate in the war against the Northern Yuan Dynasty. We will also allow you to train a 3,000-man escort navy in Haijin (Tianjin)."

"If your performance satisfies us, we will transfer you to Fujian or Guangdong to participate in naval affairs there."

Zhu Di was a little stunned when he heard this.

When he first heard that he was asked to return to Peking, he felt a chill in his heart, thinking that his plan to become a vassal state overseas was hopeless.

Hearing the latter part, he was suddenly surprised and raised his head to ask, "Did the emperor agree to grant vassal states overseas?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him and snorted, "Whether or not we establish vassal states overseas, the Ming Dynasty will train its navy and embark on a journey of discovery."

"As my son, after we destroy the Northern Yuan Dynasty, you will definitely lead the navy across the oceans."

"If you don't perform well in these matters, even if we decide to establish a vassal state overseas, you may not be included. Do you understand?"

After hearing this, Zhu Di understood that although Zhu Yuanzhang had not yet decided on the issue of establishing overseas vassal states, he was already considering it.

What he needed to do was not to rush this matter, but to accumulate military experience on both land and sea during this period, and train himself and his team, so that he would be able to meet the requirements of being a vassal overseas in the future.

Only with sufficient talent and experience could he manage his civil and military subordinates when he went overseas, gain a foothold in foreign lands, and establish a vassal state!

After understanding this, Zhu Di kowtowed again, "I understand! I will live up to your expectations!"

"Okay, go back home. We'll leave Beijing the day after tomorrow morning."

"Yes, I will retire."

Watching Zhu Di's back disappear outside the hall, Zhu Yuanzhang sighed slightly.

"This Liu Kuan has to bring up the idea of ​​establishing a vassal state overseas so early—his suggestion is not bad, but it means we have to scatter our children to all corners of the world. How can we bear to do that?"

"But my sister is right—parents who love their children will plan for them in the long run."

"Even if we are reluctant to let them go, we still have to release them into the vast world to train them, let them achieve something, and give their descendants more opportunities."

"If there is any change in the future, our Zhu family may be able to restore the Ming Dynasty overseas!"

···
Zhu Di was in a good mood when he returned home.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that his father was right - becoming a vassal was no small matter, and the Ming Dynasty would be unable to provide much support if he went overseas. If he was not adequately prepared, his entire family would die overseas, so what was the point of talking about grand plans?
"Liu Kuan previously said that overseas vassal states would require at least ten years of preparation, which coincides with my father's idea."

"Ten years of hard work will sharpen a sword. I will use ten years to build a strong overseas vassal team!"

"If all goes well, perhaps within ten years, we will be able to wait for the opportunity to establish a vassal state overseas..."

While Zhu Di was thinking about something, the guard came to report.

"Your Highness, there is a monk outside who wants to see you. He says he is here on the emperor's orders."

A monk who came on the emperor's orders?
Zhu Di was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up. He stood up and walked outside, forgetting even to put on his shoes.

The guards had to take his shoes and chase after him.

When Zhu Di arrived at the gate of the palace, he saw a monk in black standing at the bottom of the steps, looking at him.

The monk was about forty years old, neither fat nor thin, neither tall nor short, and looked ordinary. But when Zhu Di met his eyes, he thought of a word: wisdom.

He quickly quickened his pace, came to the bottom of the stairs, and asked, "May I ask Master's Dharma name?"

The monk smiled and bowed, "I am Daoyan, the poor monk, and I am honored to meet His Majesty the Prince of Yan."

Although he had some guesses, Zhu Di was still overjoyed to learn that this person was indeed Daoyan!

According to Liu Kuan, this was the mastermind behind his successful Jingnan Rebellion!

Then, he suppressed his excitement and asked, "Master, why are you here?"

Daoyan said, "I have been ordered by the Emperor to come and have a talk with His Highness."

Talk about it?
Aren’t you ordered to assist me?

By the way, this person must be unaware of what happens in the future. He must understand my mind and character before he is willing to serve me sincerely.

If I don't catch his eye, even with my father's order, he will only be a clay puppet in my service.

Thinking of this, Zhu Di calmed down, but still remained enthusiastic. He smiled and said, "Master, please come to the mansion to talk."

···
Zhu Di took Daoyan away from the capital.

The day before he left, he sent an invitation to Liu Kuan to attend a dinner at his house.

Although Liu Kuan had a special status, he did not dare to violate Zhu Yuanzhang's taboo and meet with the vassal kings in private.

But Zhu Di seemed to have anticipated this and specifically asked the person who delivered the invitation to say something - the prince would also attend the banquet.

Liu Kuan was immediately relieved.

Why didn't Zhu Yuanzhang allow the princes to meet with ministers in private? Wasn't it because he was worried that the princes would collude with ministers to plot against the crown prince or the throne?

Since the prince also attended the banquet, it was equivalent to meeting in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, so it could not be called a private meeting.

So Liu Kuan went and met Yao Guangxiao, the "black-robed prime minister" in later history - of course, the other party did not have this name yet, and only interacted with others by the Buddhist name "Daoyan".

The dinner didn't end until very late.

Liu Kuan and his companions talked a lot. As for what aspects were involved and what the specific content was, apart from the people involved, probably only Zhu Yuanzhang knew.

A few days after Zhu Di left, Prince Zhou Zhu Su also went to Kaifeng to be enfeoffed as Zhu Di had planned earlier.

Liu Kuan knew that this didn't mean Zhu Yuanzhang had abandoned his proposal to establish a vassal state overseas. The prince's vassalage wasn't just about having the local government provide for him; its primary function was to guard the area, oversee military and political affairs, and monitor lawlessness, all while providing the prince with experience.

Therefore, it is more likely that Zhu Su became a vassal in order to gain more experience.

Sure enough, within two days, Zhu Yuanzhang sent Prince of Chu Zhu Zhen and Prince of Qi Zhu Gui to the southwest army with his personal troops to gain experience.

This group of the emperor's personal troops consisted of only 5,000 people, but they left the capital with 300 tiger squat cannons and 10 divine cannons. The army was more imposing than before...
The weather was getting colder day by day, and in the blink of an eye it was November.

Honeycomb coal became increasingly popular in the capital, and almost every household, big or small, bought a coal stove.

Drivers and porters delivering honeycomb coal are often seen on the streets, but the number of people going into the city to sell firewood and charcoal is gradually decreasing.

Science and Technology Department.

In Su Quan's "office", Liu Kuan was discussing matters with him.

"Nowadays, people in the capital all know that honeycomb coal is easy to use and much more cost-effective than burning firewood. Therefore, they often use coal stoves to cook, and even small families use coal stoves to cook."

"Many people outside the city who make a living by collecting firewood and selling charcoal are afraid they will lose their livelihoods—at least their main source of income."

"I'm wondering if Qinglongshan and other coal mines, when they open official shops selling honeycomb coal, could they give priority to recruiting firewood and charcoal sellers as their employees?"

Su Quan shook his head slightly. "This is a very difficult task. How can we identify the woodcutters and charcoal sellers? We can't just go out on the street and grab woodcutters and charcoal sellers to do our work, right? Besides, how many people can we really employ to sell coal?"

Liu Kuan felt helpless after hearing this.

In ancient times, unlike modern times, all walks of life had various databases on the Internet, and you could find out anything by just searching on the Internet.

So, what he said is indeed difficult to do.

At this time, Su Quan said again: "I know you are worried about the people who have lost their income due to honeycomb briquettes, but this is something that can't be helped. We can't ban honeycomb briquettes for the people who collect firewood and sell charcoal, can we?"

"These people all have farmland outside the city, and now that the government is clean and honest, even if they lose one source of income, they will still be able to support their families."

"If there are truly ambitious individuals, they can find other jobs without the government's special arrangements and earn a new income, or perhaps even more."

Hearing Su Quan say this, Liu Kuan felt relieved and immediately bowed, "Thank you Doctor Su for your guidance. I am grateful for your guidance."

Actually, as a person from later generations, he should have understood this kind of principle better, but he was unexpectedly confused by "intolerance" and had to ask Su Quan, a Ming Dynasty man, for guidance.

In fact, the changes that honeycomb coal and coal stoves brought to Ming Dynasty society were very small after all. They only reduced the income of a very small number of people who collected firewood and sold charcoal.

There are no major contradictions and no conflicts.

But when the steam engine is successfully manufactured and applied from trains and ships to the textile field, it will inevitably bring great changes to Ming society and even violent conflicts.

At that time, the imperial court would not be able to do nothing and let things go as it does now.

'I don't know if Old Zhu was still alive at that time.'

"If Zhu were still here, with his control over the imperial court and the strength of the Ming army, the conflict would not be difficult to control."

'How can we resolve the conflict caused by this incident?'

"We can't prohibit the use of steam engines in textiles and other fields, hindering the development of industry, right?"

"The application of steam engines in textiles has mainly cut off the income of many women. Perhaps more factories that recruit female workers can be established at that time?"

'In addition, using overseas gold mining, land reclamation, and risk-taking to get rich is a good way to divert people's attention and guide some people to start businesses overseas...'

Just as Liu Kuan was thinking about the future, he heard someone rushing into the court and shouting, "Vice-Law Liu!"

Qi Damu from the Power Research Institute?

When Liu Kuan heard who was shouting, his heart sank and he thought to himself: Could the boiler have exploded again?

He hurriedly walked out of Su Quan's "office".

Su Quan probably had the same worry, so he moved faster than him. Although he got up last, he went out first.

Qi Damuben was peeking out from the east wing when he noticed the two men coming out of the hall. He hurried over and said with a happy face, "My two superiors, the steam engine is finished!"

Hearing this, the two were stunned at first, and then overjoyed.

Su Quan's face was full of smiles. "So it's a happy event!"

Liu Kuan also had a smile on his face, but he said, "Even if it is made, it will only be the first generation. It is probably still some distance away from being practical. You will know for sure if you go and see it."

As he said that, he was about to follow Qi Damu.

Su Quan hurriedly grabbed him and said, "Could it be that Vice-Minister Liu has forgotten the Emperor's order? I'd better go."

Liu Kuan said, "Once the steam engine is built, I must see it with my own eyes. Let's go together. Just be careful when we get to the research institute."

Su Quan had no choice but to go to the Power Research Institute with Liu Kuan.

Because the distance was not close and many people in the group were walking, it took them about quarter of an hour to arrive outside the Power Research Institute.

Look up.

There was a column of smoke in the backyard and a strange buzzing sound.

It was as if a newly born monster was roaring in the capital of the early Ming Dynasty.

　It was supposed to be on the shelves at 12 o'clock, but I got busy and forgot about it, so it was delayed until now.

　　I have been really busy recently and haven't saved the manuscript.

　　But there must be more updates before it’s released, otherwise how can we be worthy of our readers?

　　Here are two chapters (more than 5,000 words) for you first. I’ll write and post more in the evening, and strive to reach 10,000 words a day.

　　Thanks again to everyone who subscribed!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)