My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 426 Reaching for the Moon in the Nine Heavens, Capturing Turtles in the Five Oceans

[With the establishment of the Yiling Customs, the Ming Dynasty granted tax exemptions to goods entering and leaving Sichuan based on the proportion of goods entering and leaving the province.]

A year later, the first steamship on the Yangtze River embarked on its trial voyage. Departing from Yichang, the steamship traveled upstream through the Three Gorges to Chongqing. Locals lined the river to watch the steamship, marking the beginning of a new era for Yangtze River shipping.

Steamships revolutionized transportation on the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Starting that year, freight rates to Sichuan decreased significantly, and shipping capacity increased substantially. Within six months, more goods from other provinces flooded into Sichuan, bringing the total volume of goods entering and leaving the province to a balance, and tax exemptions were abolished.

The dumping of goods had a huge impact on Sichuan's handicraft industry. Enlightened Sichuan gentry began to set up factories and petitioned the imperial court to levy commercial taxes in Sichuan.

The dynasty's fate remains unchanged.

[Prestige Value +400]

[Remaining Prestige: 3400]

Su Ze shut down the [Portable Ming Dynasty Court].

The problem of unbalanced economic development is one that cannot be avoided at any time or place.

The dumping of goods by the Ming Dynasty was not limited to overseas markets; the dumping of goods from developed provinces to less developed provinces also caused problems.

Sichuan, known as the Land of Abundance, was relatively wealthy during the Ming Dynasty. However, Sichuan today still relies heavily on handicrafts, and such an economic system cannot withstand the impact of industrialization.

This dumping will also exacerbate conflicts between provinces, which will fundamentally shake the foundation of the country.

Su Ze sighed; there was nothing he could do about it.

The idea of ​​using developed regions to drive the development of less developed regions is certainly a good one.

However, the reality is that developed regions will become more developed, while underdeveloped regions will become more underdeveloped.

Sichuan boasts superior conditions in many aspects. It is known as the "Land of Abundance" and is the center of the southwestern provinces. It is an important passage between Han and Tibetan areas and has a well-developed shipping infrastructure, including the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and the Jialing River.

Therefore, in the original timeline, Sichuan was still the economic center of Southwest China.

Conditions in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan are much worse than in Sichuan.

However, the main contradiction in the Ming Dynasty at present is the contradiction of development. The first thing to do now is to develop productivity as soon as possible.

Su Ze put aside these chaotic thoughts, and then the steward of the manor came to announce that the top scholar Zhang Yuanbian had come to visit.

Su Ze was not surprised. He had submitted a memorial recommending Zhang Yuanbian to serve as the military commissioner of Yiling. It was normal for Zhang Yuanbian to bid farewell to Su Ze before taking office.

Just then, Su Ze also had some things to say to Zhang Yuanbian, so he instructed the steward to lead Zhang Yuanbian to his study.

When Zhang Yuanbian greeted Su Ze, Su Ze was momentarily dazed.

Su Ze still remembers the scene when he visited Gao Gong's residence not long after he passed the imperial examination.

At that time, Gao Gong also met him behind his desk.

Thinking of Gao Gong's appearance at that time, Su Ze put down the official document in his hand and looked at Zhang Yuanbian in front of him.

Zhang Yuanbian quickly said:
"I am about to take up my post in Yiling tomorrow, and I have come today to pay my respects to my master to say goodbye."

Su Ze vaguely recalled the scene from back then. Now he also had disciples?
Otherwise, how could there be an idiom like "fond of being a teacher"? It feels so good to be someone else's teacher!
Compared to his previous disciples, Zhang Yuanbian's status was significantly different. Zhang Yuanbian was the top scholar in the imperial examination and was already an official. This meant that the relationship between teacher and student was no longer academic but political.

In the parlance of cultivation novels, a disciple like Sun Wenqi would only be considered an outer disciple, while someone like Zhang Yuanbian would be an inner disciple, someone who could be entrusted with important responsibilities.

Su Ze nodded, thus establishing their master-disciple relationship.

Zhang Yuanbian then asked:

"I am about to take up my post. May I ask if my master has any instructions for me?"

Having a clever disciple is truly a blessing!
Su Ze finally understood why these big shots were so keen on training disciples; it was just too thoughtful of them!
Su Ze nodded and said:

"You've already paid your respects to Grand Secretary Zhang, haven't you? The Yiling Military Commissioner is a crucial position of interest to the imperial court, and the most important part is the Yiling Customs House. Do you have any thoughts on that?"

Zhang Yuanbian thought for a moment and said:

"After much thought, I believe the most important thing about this job at the Yiling Customs is its 'practicality'."

"Tell me about it."

"First of all, the data must be accurate. The Yiling Customs is of great concern to the Grand Secretaries. If the data is not accurate, it will affect the determination of the exemption quota for goods leaving Sichuan. Only by making the data accurate can we satisfy the Grand Secretaries."

Su Ze nodded in satisfaction. As expected of the top scholar, he had grasped the crux of the problem immediately.

If the customs data is inaccurate, it will become a reason for Sichuan officials to attack Zhang Juzheng and themselves, and Zhang Yuanbian will be unable to continue serving as the Yiling Military Commissioner.

At such a critical juncture, all parties are keeping a close eye on customs and taxation. Only by doing a good job in our business operations can we prevent these parties from taking any rash actions.

Politics is about people, but it also involves matters of concern, and ultimately it's about getting things done.

Su Ze nodded and said:

"Tell me, what are your plans?"

Zhang Yuanbian said:
"First and foremost, we must put people first. We need to train a group of qualified tax officials and strictly manage this team of tax officials."

"I wish to establish a tax school in Yiling so that tax officials can take turns studying there."

"First, we must be able to accurately value and determine the total amount of goods; second, we must constantly discuss the latest tax evasion methods and strengthen anti-smuggling efforts; and third, we must strengthen integrity and prevent tax officials from embezzling funds."

Su Ze nodded in satisfaction. Zhang Yuanbian's understanding meant he should be able to do a good job as the Yiling Military Commissioner.

Su Ze nodded and said:

"We'll do it your way. If you need anything else..."

Su Ze paused for a moment, then pulled a bag of rice from his desk.

Just as Zhang Yuanbian was wondering what was going on, a fat pigeon flew in through the window.

Su Ze untied the rice bag and pointed to the fat pigeon pecking at the rice, saying:

"When you arrive in Yiling, collect some local fine rice and hang it outside your study. This fellow will then appear. If you have any urgent matters that require my assistance, you can have it deliver a message."

“If I have anything important to say, I will also use it to deliver a message to you.”

Zhang Yuanbian looked at the fat pigeon with some doubt. Yiling was a thousand miles away from the capital. How could this fat pigeon find him? And deliver a letter over such a long distance?
But since his mentor Su Ze had said so, Zhang Yuanbian had no choice but to believe him, and he quickly said:
"Jingxiang rice is famous throughout the world, disciple understands."

I don't know if it was just my imagination, but when Zhang Yuanbian mentioned Jingxiang rice, the fat pigeon looked up at him, then went back to pecking at the rice.

The fat pigeon seemed to show an interested expression in its fighting eyes, which left Zhang Yuanbian somewhat dumbfounded. Could pigeons be so human-like?
My mentor is truly a mentor; even the pigeons he raises are so unique.
-
In the palace.

Junior Secretary Huang Ji bowed to Little Fatty Jun and said:
"Your Highness, this is the cosmic star map that I drew at Purple Mountain."

Little Fatty Jun looked at Huang Ji, but didn't see any pictures. He asked in confusion:

"Master Huang, where's the star map?"

Huang Ji waved his hand, and Zhang Hong immediately ordered the surrounding eunuchs to cover the doors and windows, plunging the entire room into darkness.

Immediately afterwards, Huang Ji lit a whale oil lamp and then covered it with a metal lampshade.

Light streamed from the holes in the lampshade, projecting onto the walls of the room, creating a dazzling starry sky before Xiao Pangjun's eyes. "Wow!"

For Xiao Pangjun, this scene was truly shocking!
The dazzling stars made it seem as if he were standing in the starry sky!

Not only was Xiao Pangjun dumbfounded, but the eunuchs and palace maids present were also in a state of extreme shock!

Huang Ji then pointed to several stars and said:

"Your Highness, this is the Dipper constellation, which can guide you at sea."

After listening to Huang Ji's science lesson on the starry sky, Little Fatty Jun was so engrossed in the stars that he waited until the whale oil lamp went out before ordering the doors and windows to be opened.

Huang Ji said:

"Originally, I had drawn a paper star map, but after Su Hanlin saw the star map, he suggested that I make this star lamp to present to Your Highness."

It turned out to be Su Ze's suggestion.

Huang Ji no longer felt jealous of Su Ze; all that remained was admiration.

While at Zijin Mountain, it was Su Ze who supported him in completing his research. Su Ze also assisted him in collecting star charts from the public, and even the formulas for the movement of some important celestial bodies were proposed by Su Ze, helping Huang Ji summarize the patterns of the star charts.

Huang Ji delved deeper and deeper into the study of mathematics, and felt that Su Ze had gone so far on this path that he could no longer catch up with him.

Huang Ji no longer had the desire to compete with Su Ze. All that remained was gratitude that he was in the same era as Su Ze and could make some contributions with Su Ze's help.

Huang Ji did not take credit for it, but told the Crown Prince the whole story about the Star Lantern.

He continued:

"Your Highness, I have come to bid you farewell."

"Saying goodbye? Didn't Master Huang just return?"

Among the officials of the Imperial Household Department, Xiao Pangjun's favorite was Su Ze, followed by Huang Ji.

When Huang Ji returned to the court this time, he brought back not only the lunar angular distance method for calculating longitude, but also a newly revised calendar.

Of course, the new calendar still needs to be verified before it can be promulgated.

According to the new calendar, Huang Ji has calculated the timing of solar and lunar eclipses from now until the end of the year, and has also calculated the exact time of the winter solstice. As long as these results are verified, the new calendar will be promulgated throughout the country.

Creating a calendar is a great achievement!
Huang Ji's merit, coupled with his background in the Hanlin Academy, would allow him to be promoted directly from Junior Historian to Grand Historian.

Huang Ji said:

"Your Highness, I intend to accompany the naval exploration fleet to the Southern Continent to personally verify the lunar distance method."

"what?"

Upon hearing Huang Ji's decision, Little Fatty Jun quickly said:
"Why does Master Huang want to go himself? Master Su said that ocean voyages are extremely dangerous, and the slightest mistake could lead to annihilation!"

"Didn't Master Huang teach me that a wise man doesn't stand under a crumbling wall? Why would you risk your life?"

"I already know about the establishment of the naval exploration fleet. We'll know which is better, Master Huang's lunar horn distance method or Zhang Bi's nautical clock method, once the fleet returns. Why doesn't Master Huang stay in the capital to assist me?"

Huang Ji said:

“Your Highness, all my knowledge is in mathematics. Now that the calendar is complete and you have Hanlin Su to assist you in government affairs, there is nothing to worry about. I cannot offer any better suggestions.”

"The calculation of the lunar angular distance is complicated. I am worried that the naval commander will not be able to calculate it accurately, which is why I have to go there in person."

"I have also heard that Zhang Bi has signed up to join the fleet. How could I possibly lag behind others in this matter?"

Seeing Huang Ji's resolute expression, Xiao Pangjun fell silent.

Huang Ji then said:
"The navy has made thorough preparations for this voyage, and has even purchased nautical charts from the foreign barbarians at great expense. I am confident in my ability to determine the voyage's location by lunar angle, and I am certain that we will complete the voyage and return to the capital safely!"

Little Fatty Jun was about to persuade him again when Huang Ji suddenly asked:

"Your Highness, do you know what the deep sea is like?"

Little Fatty Jun shook his head. He had never even left the Forbidden City, so how would he know what the deep sea was like?

Huang Ji said:

"Su Hanlin once told me that the deep sea is boundless, and where the sky meets the sea, it must be an immeasurable expanse that even a whale oil lamp cannot illuminate!"

"Only the countless stars in the sky are more brilliant and clear than the light cast by my star lamp. Their positions and brightness are the foundation for my method of calculating longitude using lunar angular distance!"

"Su Hanlin also said that beneath the boundless blue waves, there are powerful ocean currents, surging like the Milky Way flowing backwards!"

“Schools of colorful fish swim among the coral palaces!”

"If I am fortunate enough to witness these wonders, I will certainly return and tell Your Highness about them."

Little Fatty Jun was also momentarily captivated.

Huang Ji continued:

"The boundless deep sea and the vast starry sky are the only two things I have ever sought in my life. If I cannot sail the ocean with the fleet, it will be a lifelong regret."

"Su Hanlin once described the future to me, saying that as technology develops, one day we will be able to 'reach for the moon in the heavens and capture turtles in the five oceans.' Whenever I think of the grandeur of this phrase, I can't help but want to go and explore the oceans."

"Can we reach for the moon in the heavens, or capture turtles in the five oceans?"

Upon hearing these two lines of poetry, Xiao Pangjun was filled with longing and wished he could also board a ship on the open ocean to witness the boundless stars and moon in the deep sea.

He was pulled back to reality and said to Huang Ji:

"Since Master Huang has such ambition, I cannot take it away from him."

"I have decided to allocate ten thousand silver dollars from the shops in the Eastern Palace to support the navy's long-distance voyage. I am waiting for Master Huang to return so he can tell me about the deep sea and starry sky, and about the exotic scenery of the Southern Continent!"

Huang Ji was also deeply moved. The two hugged each other and cried for a while before reluctantly parting ways.

As the time for parting approached, Zhang Hong, the eunuch serving the Crown Prince, finally spoke:
“Your Highness, if you are worried about Huang Shaoshi’s journey, you can send Eunuch Chen to go with him.”

The eunuch Chen mentioned by Zhang Hong is Chen Ju, a close attendant eunuch to the Crown Prince.

This was when Xiao Pangjun was obsessed with naval war game simulations. Chen Ju was later sent to the Military Supervisory Bureau and also studied at the Naval Academy for a while, where he won Xiao Pangjun's favor.

Zhang Hong naturally disliked Chen Ju, and took this opportunity to arrange for Chen Ju to be assigned to the ocean-going fleet.

Little Fatty Jun nodded and said:
"Then let Chen Ju accompany us!"

When Zhang Hong saw Huang Ji off from the palace, his attitude was even more enthusiastic than before.

If Huang Ji can truly return from his ocean voyage, given his standing in the Crown Prince's eyes, he will undoubtedly hold a very high position in the new dynasty.

On September 23, the imperial court announced the establishment of two exploration fleets, which would depart from Laizhou together and head to Nanzhou using the nautical clock method and the lunar angular distance method, respectively.

Which fleet returns first will determine the outcome of the Longitude Battle.

(End of this chapter)