Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

Even if he used his butt to think, he knew why the Ming Dynasty's maritime ban policy was like this.

Smuggling?

The big landlords and bureaucrats have status and background, and they secretly engage in smuggling and make huge profits.

Why don't they agree to open the sea? If the sea is opened, everyone can legally engage in maritime trade. How can they monopolize? How can they earn high profits?

The emperor banned maritime traffic because he was short-sighted and thought that the Japanese pirates were always causing trouble, so he simply banned maritime traffic to resolve the issue.

But the people below support the emperor's maritime ban, which definitely means they have no good intentions.

Thinking of Brother Chongzhen, Zhang Shikang sometimes felt that he was hateful and sometimes felt that he was pitiful.

He let down all the capable ones, but trusted the incapable ones. During his 17 years in power, countless loyal ministers and generals who were determined to serve the country died directly or indirectly because of him.

You say he is pitiful, and indeed, to be honest, this guy does think he has tried very hard.

Even Zhang Shikang felt that no one wanted to revive the Ming Dynasty more than Brother Chongzhen.

Alas, sometimes it’s like this, I get off topic.

Imposing additional taxes on the people is like drinking poison to quench thirst. When it comes to increasing revenue and reducing expenditure, the focus has never been on reducing expenditure but on increasing revenue.

If maritime trade is developed well, the Ming Dynasty will have a steady stream of new income, and all conflicts will gradually be resolved.

In short, it is only a matter of time before the sea opens.

To do business at sea, you need trade goods. China's three traditional products, silk, tea and porcelain, are indeed popular in foreign countries.

But basically most of them were transported by land, from the Western Regions all the way westward, and after arriving in the Arab region, they were transported to the Mediterranean by Arab merchants.

This is a very mature sales network that has been operating for thousands of years.

The old three items can certainly be shipped by sea, but more trade goods can bring more profits, and textiles are very important.

Zhang Shikang's understanding of merchants and trade really impressed Song Yingxing, and he felt that he had something to say.

Because he found that this new noble in the court seemed to be just as Mao Yuanyi had said, not only did he not have any rejection or discrimination towards businessmen and engineering, but he was even very enthusiastic.

But he found a small loophole in what Zhang Shikang said.

"But sir, how can we increase the spinning efficiency eight times?" Song Yingxing asked in a low voice.

For those who study engineering, the worst thing is to have high expectations but low skills. After thinking so much, what you said does make some sense, but the root of the problem is still not solved.

Yes, how to increase spinning efficiency eightfold?

As for the spinning machines currently used in the Ming Dynasty, Song Yingxing is confident that he can improve them and increase efficiency a little, but only a little.

The reason why Song Yingxing asked in such a low voice was because he had long seen what this young adult was doing, and he couldn't bear or dared not to offend him too much.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Shikang was waiting for Song Yingxing to say this. He slammed the table and said:

"That's a really good question!"

As a fish that was caught in the net of nine-year compulsory education in later generations, Zhang Shikang was quite familiar with modern industrial history, especially the First Industrial Revolution.

He suddenly felt a little grateful to his history teacher. In order to prepare for the college entrance examination, the history teacher at that time deliberately simplified the content they learned into a jingle.

Each sentence is not only catchy, but also contains a related historical story to deepen the impression, and this is exactly the inspiration for the creation of the Spinning Jenny.

Zhang Shikang immediately ordered his men to find a spinning machine.

In fact, it was the first time he had seen this thing, but Zhang Shikang said he had it under control.

He shook the spinning machine in an imitative manner, looked around, and acted as if he understood a lot.

But Song Yingxing, an expert, shook his head slightly. He could almost conclude that this little adult would definitely not be able to use it.

Of course Zhang Shikang had no intention of spinning in front of the boss, so he kicked the spinning machine to the ground.

Mao Yuanyi thought that Zhang Shikang was careless and enthusiastically helped to lift up the spinning machine.

Zhang Shikang kicked the spinning machine over again.

"General Mao, don't support it, just let it fall." Zhang Shikang said helplessly.

Mao Yuanyi had a face full of questions. Although he was interested in handicrafts, he didn't know much about it. He scratched his head and stood aside.

"Look, Mr. Song, when this spinning machine is in normal use, the spindles are arranged horizontally.

But if I put it down, will the spindle become upright?

How is it? Does Mr. Song have any inspiration? "

The history teacher at the time only told this story, but to be specific, after so many years, Zhang Shikang had almost forgotten it.

He is not an inventor, and he knows nothing about the textile industry, but he can still provide creative ideas.

Song Yingxing's brows had not relaxed since he heard that. He squatted on the ground and stared at the upside-down spinning machine in a daze, sometimes frowning, sometimes relaxing, and sometimes shaking it with his hand.

Mao Yuanyi wanted to speak, but was persuaded by Zhang Shikang. He felt that the most important thing now was to be quiet and not disturb the thinking of a handicraft giant.

Song Yingxing just squatted there thinking and researching, while Zhang Shikang and Mao Yuanyi continued to sit at the table sipping tea.

After a cup of tea, Song Yingxing slapped his thigh and said with joy:

"Sir, I have figured it out!

If the spindles are arranged vertically and driven by a spinning wheel, multiple spindles can be spun together by simply changing the shape of the spinning machine.

Not to mention eight times, as long as we can find the right materials, even ten times is possible!

Such a simple idea, no one has discovered it before! You are really talented!"

At this moment, Song Yingxing was as happy as a child, and the smile on his face was almost overflowing.

As an engineering expert, nothing makes me happier than developing more efficient machinery.

Zhang Shikang also showed a smile. He knew that a handicraft hexagonal warrior like Mr. Song would not let him down.

"Hey, I just came up with an idea. It's not worth mentioning. It's not worth mentioning."

After showing off, Zhang Shikang became humble instead.

But Song Yingxing disagreed. He stroked his beard and said:

“Your Excellency, there is no need to be modest. I have been immersed in this field for decades and have found that in many cases, the invention or improvement of a certain technology lacks only an idea, a thought, or an inspiration or a coincidence.

Sir, please do not underestimate this inspiration. Sometimes, it is because of this that a great invention is delayed by hundreds of years."

Zhang Shikang smiled. Of course he understood, so he chose to throw out some ideas.

The brick was the one that kicked over the spinning machine, and the jade was the one that Song Yingxing figured out to improve it.

If industrial innovation had not been carried out step by step, Zhang Shikang would have planned to throw another brick at Song, such as repeatedly lifting the lid of the boiling teapot in front of Song to make him figure out the steam engine.

Hahaha, Zhang Shikang thinks he is so talented.

"There are carpenters in the military camp. If you give me ten days, I will definitely build an improved spinning machine." Song Yingxing assured confidently.

“Don’t worry, it’s better to write down the specific manufacturing process.

But it is very important to keep it secret, including the self-made musket, and do not tell anyone about it." Zhang Shikang ordered.

Although Mao Yuanyi and Song Yingxing felt a little strange, they still obeyed the order.

After the three of them finished their meal, Zhang Shikang left the barracks where the craftsmen were and asked his subordinates to call all the generals to a meeting.

The military camp suddenly had more than 20,000 soldiers, and Zhang Shikang was not familiar with many of the generals. In addition, the promotion of the generals in the Beijing camp had not yet been implemented.

As soon as the military order was issued, the central hall of the Xishan camp was crowded with people, including nearly two hundred generals of all ranks.

There was no room to sit in the room, so the generals at the highest level had to stand due to their status.

No one said a word, but everyone's face was filled with excitement.

The war was fought and won, and His Majesty only rewarded them with military honors, but did not make any promotions or demotions in their military ranks.

Everyone understood that His Majesty had handed over all military and political power to the Grand Marshal, Zhang Shikang, the governor of their Beijing Camp.

……