My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 407 is all in the hands of the Soviet Party.

They've even produced white phosphorus?

Su Ze looked at Tao Guan, surprised that this sorcerer was so capable.

That's true. In fact, early chemists were similar to alchemists, constantly boiling and refining various substances.

Tao Guan also looked at Su Ze excitedly.

Now that Su Ze has guessed that this substance was extracted from urine, can he also know the use of this mysterious substance?
After Tao Guan extracted this magical substance from urine, he began to study the properties of white phosphorus according to Su Ze's method.

But after studying it for a long time, Tao Guan couldn't find any use for it other than its ability to emit light.

Tao Guan did not want his hard-earned invention to become a toy for amusement in the palace.

What is the use of white phosphorus?

White phosphorus is so useful!
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are all essential substances for living organisms, and phosphate fertilizer is an important type of fertilizer.

Of course, Tao Guan's method of preparation is far too inefficient; the yield is simply not enough to produce fertilizer.

The richest source of phosphate fertilizer in nature is guano. After Da Ming pointed out the technology of ocean navigation, Su Ze prepared to send the fleet to find islands rich in guano.

After simple processing, these bird droppings become high-quality phosphate fertilizer.

Larger-scale phosphorus extraction will have to wait for further developments in chemical technology.

In addition, white phosphorus can also be used to make weapons.

White phosphorus bombs are also a type of weapon with tremendous power.

However, the same problem remains: the production yield of Tao Guan's preparation method is too low.

But that doesn't mean white phosphorus is useless!

Quite the opposite! In the early industrial age, phosphorus's most important use was in making matches!
Matches, something that had long been obsolete in the original timeline, were actually one of the greatest industrial products in history!

Lighting is one of the most basic human needs, and matches are more convenient and safer than any previous method of ignition.

During the most humiliating moment for China in the original timeline, in the semi-colonial and semi-feudal late Qing Dynasty, while other foreign goods faced fierce resistance from the small-scale peasant economy, matches were the only ones that were sold throughout the country.

At that time, people called matches "foreign fire," and they were something that every household could not live without.

Tao Guan's preparation method is sufficient for making matches!

Of course, Su Ze didn't know the detailed process of making matches either, since he wasn't a chemical engineering student.

However, he can guide Tao Guan.

Su Ze looked at the glowing white phosphorus and said to Tao Guan:

"Master Tao, what is the reason that this object is glowing?"

This question left both Tao Guan and Zhu Yijun speechless.

Yes, why does it glow?

Su Ze proposed a hypothesis:

"Is it possible that this glowing, like burning, is a reaction between this substance and some other substance in the air?"

Tao Guan immediately said, "What Su Hanlin is talking about is phlogiston, isn't it?"

Phlogiston is a new theory proposed by Tao Guan recently. It was published in the Yuefu Xinbao and has attracted the attention of some scholars who are interested in practical learning.

According to Tao Guan, there exists a substance in our air called phlogiston, which is invisible and intangible, but can help objects burn.

To support this theory, Tao Guan also conducted an experiment.

He placed the burning candle into a sealed glass container, and the flame gradually went out.

All of this demonstrates that the flame will go out once the phlogiston in a given space is exhausted.

Tao Guan rubbed his hands together excitedly:
“I can continue to conduct sealed combustion experiments. If the sealed ‘light powder’ can be extinguished quickly, it will show that this luminescence is also a combustion phenomenon.”

Little Fatty Jun quickly shook off the white phosphorus powder from his hands. If it was burning, then there must have been flames burning on his hands just now!

Su Ze then asked:

Did Master Tao name this substance "Spiritual Light Powder"?

Little Fatty Jun jumped out and said, "Master Su, you guessed wrong! This is my naming!"

Su Ze said quickly:

"Your Highness's name is very fitting, but the art of alchemy requires a specific term. I suggest we use its sound and name it 'phosphorus'."

Little Fatty Jun clapped his hands and said:

"Brilliant! If we follow Master Su's suggestion, since this substance is white, let's call it white phosphorus?"

Su Ze nodded, then said to Tao Guan:
"Master Tao, if the glow just now was also a form of combustion, then could it be used to ignite a real flame?"

Yes!

If the glow just now was indeed a form of burning, then if it could turn into real flames, wouldn't that be the legendary magic of creating fire in the palm of your hand?
Su Ze then added:
"Your Highness, Master Tao, since this substance is extracted from the human body, will it return to the world after a person dies?"

"Could this be the will-o'-the-wisp that floats in the cemetery in folk tales?"

Tao Guan was truly amazed. He quickly said:

"Your Highness, I have read some supernatural tales in the marketplace, and there are always great scholars who do not practice Taoist arts, yet they can repel demons! I did not believe it at first, but now that I have met Hanlin Su, I realize that there are such people in this world!"

Tao Guan was truly impressed. Su Ze could come up with so much from just one luminous phenomenon. Was his practical knowledge really that impressive?

It seems I haven't studied enough!
After he finished speaking, Su Ze added:
"But Master Tao, I have something to impeach you for!"

Tao Guan was startled.

Su Ze pointed to the white phosphorus powder on His Highness's body and said:
“All things in this world possess both spirituality and toxicity. This object can emit light, but whether it is toxic or not is still unknown. You have rashly offered it to His Highness.”

"Your Highness is of noble birth. If it were a highly poisonous substance, how would you apologize to the world?"

Tao Guan broke out in a cold sweat and immediately knelt before the Crown Prince:
"Your Highness, forgive me!"

Little Fatty Jun said dismissively:

"Master Su is making a mountain out of a molehill. I only started experimenting after seeing that the eunuchs had tried it without any problems. Oh no, that's why I did it myself."

Su Ze shook his head and said:

"Your Highness, the toxicity of these things varies in speed and duration. Some poisons take effect immediately after ingestion, while others accumulate in the body and take effect only after a certain period of time. Such poisons are more troublesome."

"Furthermore, the dosage of poisons matters. Arsenic is highly toxic, but small amounts can be used in medicine."

"What if the substance is highly toxic, but only in trace amounts is it non-toxic, and overuse can lead to poisoning?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Pangjun quickly asked Zhang Hong to bring him water to wash his hands and remove the white phosphorus powder.

White phosphorus is toxic.

Xiao Pangjun did not show any symptoms of poisoning because Tao Guan prepared a small quantity of the product, and its purity was limited.

The toxicity of low-purity white phosphorus is also chronic; otherwise, it wouldn't have been so popular among the European nobility in the original timeline for so long.

Prolonged exposure to white phosphorus can cause damage to teeth and jawbone.

This disease was the first occupational disease in human history, and those who contracted it were the workers who extracted white phosphorus for European nobles.

If it is to be used in matches, the white phosphorus needs to be converted into red phosphorus, which is less toxic.

Of course, all of this is for later.

Su Ze was reminding Tao Guan not to offer new materials to the Crown Prince indiscriminately.

In addition, it was also a reminder to him to be careful of these new substances. If Tao Guan were to die from poisoning due to the new substances he discovered, he would become a model of erroneous experiments in later textbooks and be remembered for all time.

After the incident involving white phosphorus ended, Little Fatty Jun quickly said:

"Master Su, is the grain-growing competition about to end?"

Su Ze then remembered the grain-growing competition organized by the Yuefu Xinbao newspaper.

This was an event held last year by the Yuefu Xinbao newspaper to increase sales, which attracted attention in the capital.

The rules of the activity are simple: each participating farmer can select a one-acre experimental field to plant winter wheat. When harvest time comes, the farmers will be ranked according to the yield per acre, and the farmer with the highest yield per acre will receive a reward of one thousand silver dollars.

In the original timeline, winter wheat could be harvested around June, but this year the climate in the Ming Dynasty was particularly cold, and the wheat grew slowly. In addition, the wheat varieties in the Ming Dynasty were far less advanced than those in later times, so the harvest season was delayed until now.

Su Ze then remembered that this grain-growing competition had another important purpose:

That is to promote "fertilizer powder," a by-product of steel mills, through this grain-growing competition. This fertilizer is ammonium sulfate.

Su Ze asked:

"Your Highness, may I ask how the Wuqing Earl's farm is doing?"

At this point, Little Fatty Jun revealed a smug look and said:
"Master Tao, could you explain this to Master Su?"

Tao Guan also quickly said:
“Su Hanlin, Tao goes to Wuqingbo’s demonstration field every now and then. After using ‘fertilizer powder,’ his wheat is growing the best in the vicinity. People have been asking about it these days.”

Little Fatty Jun picked up the conversation and said:
"Master Su, Master Tao is too modest. These days, the farm owners outside the capital all say that Master Tao used herbal magic on my grandfather's demonstration field, which is why his wheat is growing so well," Tao Guan quickly said.

"Your Highness, I dare not take credit for this! It was Hanlin Su who discovered this item, and it was Your Highness who sent me to the Marquis of Wuqing's house to retrieve it. How could I possibly claim such credit?"

Su Ze discovered that Tao Guan was not only scientifically capable, but also a master of flattery.

Could it be Lord Niu of the Ming Dynasty?

However, Little Fatty Jun clearly enjoyed such flattery.

Because Tao Guan's flattery had more than just emotional value.

Agriculture is the foundation of a nation.

In the past, whenever Xiao Pangjun was close to Tao Guan, Consort Li would always nag him.

However, after Wu Qingbo visited the palace once and talked about his family's demonstration fields, Consort Li stopped nagging.

The emperor even asked Tao Guan to present a magical technique to increase yield per mu, and Tao Guan immediately presented the method for preparing ammonium sulfate.

Emperor Longqing believed that Tao Guan truly possessed magical powers and thought he could cure his illness.

However, Tao Guan did not resort to superstition; instead, he explained everything clearly. Although the emperor was somewhat disappointed that Tao Guan did not possess any magical abilities, he still rewarded him handsomely.

After this grain-growing competition, Su Ze planned to "accidentally" reveal the "fertilizer powder" to the media, so that it would have the best effect.

There were many noble families like the Earl of Wuqing in the capital, who knew they had no ability to participate in politics, and managing their family business was the most important thing for them.

"Fertilizer powder" that can increase yield per acre is certainly worth trying.

After discussing these matters, Tao Guan withdrew, and Zhang Hongping dismissed the surrounding eunuchs and palace maids, personally standing guard at the door.

Su Ze knew that the two were going to discuss confidential matters.

"Your Highness, how is His Majesty's health?"

Little Fatty Jun's face looked rather grim. He said:

"I feel much better now after being treated by Dr. Li."

"But Father still can't speak, and his temper is getting worse and worse."

Su Ze remained silent.

Illness is very torturous.

Especially for middle-aged patients, unlike the elderly whose physical functions decline, other organs of middle-aged patients may still be functioning normally, and the torment of this disease can devastate their spirit.

Little Fatty Jun sighed again and said:

"And Father has started taking tonics again."

Hearing this, Su Ze also sighed.

This indicates that after a prolonged illness, the Longqing Emperor no longer blindly followed Li Shizhen's advice and began to use other treatment methods.

However, given his numerous ailments, the best approach is to improve his lifestyle, maintain a healthy diet, and gradually extend his life through proper care.

But many chronic disease patients are like this: they don't trust their attending physicians and prefer to believe in secret remedies, folk prescriptions, or dietary supplements.

There's nothing we can do about it; prolonged illness can indeed make people more suspicious.

In the original timeline, the Longqing Emperor died in May of the fifth year of his reign.

Li Shizhen's first memorial to the throne extended the emperor's life. In addition, Li Shizhen's promotion of evidence-based medicine helped the emperor save his life. It seems that Emperor Longqing should have no problem living to the end of the year.

This is naturally a good thing, as it can alleviate the impact of the emperor's sudden death on the court and give the officials a gradual process of accepting it.

Looking at Zhu Yijun, who seemed somewhat dejected, Su Ze said gently:

"Good people are always blessed by Heaven. Your Majesty has made great contributions to the country, and Heaven will protect you."

Hearing Su Ze's words of comfort, Xiao Pangjun relaxed a little.

Su Ze then added:

"Your Highness, the Grand Secretaries will naturally take care of things in the outer court. As for matters in the inner court, please listen to the Empress and the Imperial Concubine and try your best to keep His Majesty in a good mood."

"You must also take care of your health and not slack off on your studies."

Su Ze gave him another round of instructions, and Little Fatty Jun wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and said:
“Master Su is right. Our Great Ming still has a loyal minister like Master Su in court. I only need to put my father’s mind at ease.”

Su Ze said again:
“Your Highness, I am also a lecturer. If Your Highness has any questions about your studies, you may summon me to the palace.”

Little Fatty Jun's eyes lit up.

Ordinary officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices only had the right to give lectures at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

However, Su Ze was also a lecturer, which was the emperor's lecturer and allowed him to give lectures in the palace.

If I want to see Su Ze in the future, I can summon him to the palace under the pretext of giving a lecture.

Xiao Pangjun nodded repeatedly. Among the people around him, Zhang Hong was cautious and refused to speak on political matters, and Tao Guan was a Taoist priest, so Xiao Pangjun would not ask him about political affairs.

There was originally another uncle, Li Wenquan, but Li Wenquan is currently busy with the Zhiwu Railway project and is often in Zhigu.

As for Consort Li, let's not even mention her.
-
Leaving the palace, Su Ze felt somewhat helpless.

The emperor's illness was a political event, and now that he no longer trusted even Li Shizhen, Su Ze abandoned his plan to offer medicine.

Given Emperor Longqing's physical condition, if he continued to overexert himself, he would probably only have six months to a year left to live.

We still need to strengthen our efforts to gather information from the palace and ensure the smooth flow of information.

Su Ze proposed to enter the palace to give lectures in order to maintain communication with the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince is the person in the entire Ming Dynasty who knows the most about the Emperor's illness. As long as Su Ze can maintain contact with Xiao Pang Jun, he will always be able to obtain first-hand information.

When Su Ze returned to the newspaper office, he found that Shen Yiguan, who had just left, had returned.

Shen Yiguan stared at Su Ze for a long time before asking:
"Brother Zilin, is Cheng Ziwen really not one of your men?"

Luo Wanhua also looked at Su Ze, who helplessly spread his hands and said:

“Brother Jianwu has asked several times already. I really don’t know Lord Cheng at all. I’ve only met him once in the main hall of the Ministry of Justice.”

Shen Yiguan still didn't believe it, but he persuaded him:
"Brother Zilin, the imperial court has just issued an edict."

"Cheng Ziwen, the former Provincial Treasurer of Guangxi, was demoted two ranks for his crimes and transferred to the post of Governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou."

"Tu Zemin, the current governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou, was appointed as the provincial treasurer of Guangxi because of his contributions to the opening of Laizhou port and the minting of coins."

Su Ze was also stunned.

The governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou was a very important position in the Ming Dynasty at that time.

Both Dengzhou and Laizhou had ports when the sea opened, and Laizhou also had a mint, making it the anchorage of the Ming Dynasty navy.

Both of these cities have surpassed the provincial capital of Shandong to become among the most important cities in Shandong and even in northern China.

Cheng Ziwen's appointment as governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou could hardly be considered a demotion in a sense. After all, being transferred from the remote and desolate Guangxi to Dengzhou and Laizhou, which are very close to the capital, was the dream of many officials in border provinces.

For Tu Zemin, the governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou, being appointed as the provincial treasurer of Guangxi was a promotion.

Moreover, Tu Zemin's trip to Guangxi also had the intention of putting out fires.

This is the most challenging moment for an official. If Tu Zemin performs well in his post in Guangxi, he can be promoted back to the capital and enter the ranks of the Nine Ministers.

If Tu Zemin messes things up, he'll probably be transferred to Nanjing to retire and wait for his official retirement.

Tu Zemin has always been considered a core member of the "Su Party," so it's no wonder that Shen Yiguan has always suspected Su Zemin after his promotion.

The two prefectures of Dengzhou and Laizhou have always been regarded as the core territory of the "Su Party" because the coinage reform, naval reform and maritime trade reform promoted by Su Ze were first implemented in the two prefectures, as well as a large number of factories established after the new policies.

Since Cheng Zixue was able to serve as the governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou, he was naturally a core member of the Su Party.

Su Ze sighed; this was a situation he couldn't explain away.

But upon further reflection, this arrangement is quite ingenious.

Cheng Ziwen was the kind of ambitious official who wanted to bring development to the local area.

With the imperial court's tax-sharing reforms, the Dengzhou and Laizhou regions will also have greater fiscal autonomy.

The position of Governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou was indeed a place where he could make the most of his abilities.

Tu Zemin's achievements during his tenure as governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou are evident to all.

However, Dengzhou and Laizhou are mainly engaged in economic work. Promoting him to a higher position in Guangxi, where he will gain experience in a more complex environment, is a rather ingenious appointment to prepare him for future promotion to the rank of one of the Nine Ministers.

Su Ze understood; this must have been Gao Gong's doing.

This has led people to mistakenly believe that Cheng Ziwen is a member of the Soviet Party.

Of course, the position of governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou is very important, and Su Ze also needs to ensure that Cheng Ziwen's administration does not deviate from the original plan.

Ah, it's time to visit Cheng Ziwen.

(End of this chapter)