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

"Yes, of course there are. This year, the imperial court dug several canals around Zhuxian Town, connecting the Dahe River, Jingshui River, Shahe River, Suishui River and several other rivers!

This old man has lived for so many years, and this is the first time I have seen the court do practical things for us ordinary people.

As soon as I finished my work in the fields this year, I went to dig canals with the people in the town. They provided me with meals and gave me money!

My twelve acres of land had a good harvest this year, all thanks to this canal!"

Old Man Xing spoke highly of the court's canal digging campaign, and it can be seen that Old Man Xing and his family are full of expectations for the future.

Zhang Shikang nodded when he heard this. He had definitely spent a lot of money this year, but it seemed that all the expenses were worth it.

Canals can not only supply water to fields during droughts, but can also play a role in flood diversion to a certain extent when floods occur. It is truly a good thing that benefits the present and future generations.

That is to say, the current technical conditions are not met, otherwise Zhang Shikang would have to suggest building a dam. Zhang Shikang almost laughed at the thought of it. He estimated that when the time really came, Hai Zhongqi, the most stingy person in the Ministry of Revenue, would be so angry that he would jump to his feet.

Zhang Shikang exchanged a few words with Old Man Xing and was about to leave when he suddenly saw the old man sighing. After sighing, he glanced at Zhang Shikang quietly.

Zhang Shikang immediately knew that the old man had something to hide, so he asked in a very appropriate manner:

"Why is the old man sighing?"

"Alas, I am worried too! Look at my disappointing son!" Old Man Xing said, pointing at his son Xing Dianwei who was a little embarrassed.

"I have always wanted to be strong, and I thought that if I had a son, he would be brave enough to have a son of some courage, so I named him Dian Wei.

Take a look at him, is he even a hair of Dian Wei worth a lick? "

When the old man talked about his disappointing son, he kept on talking as if he had opened a chatterbox, and his son sitting beside him didn't dare to say a word.

It is true that a loving mother often spoils her children, but if the father is too strong and has too much control, the children he raises will appear cowardly and have no opinions of their own.

"I originally wanted him to take the imperial examination, but he just wasn't up to the task. He just liked to do those useless craftsman things all day long. It really pissed me off!" The old man said as he kept poking his son's head with his fingers.

Zhang Shikang frowned as he listened. Wouldn't this method of disciplining his son ruin his son?

“Don’t be angry, old man. But as far as I know, the court is currently making use of craftsmen and improving their status. Next year’s imperial examination will also include science and engineering subjects.

How can you be sure that your son will not rise to prominence in the art of craftsmanship?"

After Zhang Shikang said this, the young man named Xing Dianwei's eyes lit up.

"Great Marshal, craftsmen have been lowly since ancient times. Of course, I don't look down on craftsmen. I am just a farmer.

But what parent wouldn’t want the best for their son?

The imperial court did allow craftsmen to take part in the imperial examinations starting last year, but who knows if it will cancel this policy one day?

Besides, carpenters and blacksmiths are not good enough to be on the stage. If blacksmiths and carpenters stood in the court, wouldn’t they be laughed at by those Jinshi candidates?

Do you think so? "

Old Man Xing’s idea reflects the general perception of ordinary people today.

Once a consensus is reached, it is not easy to change it.

Indeed, for thousands of years, craftsmen had a low status, especially in the Ming Dynasty, they were even lower than farmers and were nothing more than slaves of officials.

In the final analysis, this is all Confucianism's fault, dividing people into different classes and religions.

Zhang Shikang was very angry about this. He frowned and said:

"This is a fallacy! If an old man thinks this way, I am really disappointed!"

His words were very harsh, which was of course intentional. Considering the position that he held in the old man's heart, such words made the old man feel a little flustered and at a loss.

Zhang Shikang roughly guessed that the old man sighed deliberately just now, either because he wanted him to help persuade his son to give up his studies as a craftsman and take part in the Jinshi examination.

Or he simply wanted to find Zhang Shikang to use a backdoor, but no matter what the reason, Zhang Shikang would not agree.

"If you believe me, you should let your son learn science and engineering well. In a few years, you will see that the status of craftsmen will not only not be reduced, but will be more respected.

Old man, this is your first time to grow sweet potatoes, which is equivalent to being the first person to try something new. You have also earned money that others cannot earn.

Your son specializes in craftsmanship. Isn't this just practicing your style?

Craftsmen will become the real pillars of our Ming Dynasty, do you understand?"

Zhang Shikang said a lot of things at once, and none of them were false.

In the past three years, wars have been frequent and Zhang Shikang has been busy with various matters every day.

Even though he was so busy, he never gave up science and engineering. Since the prevalence of firearms, no country can stand out in the world because of agriculture.

Today is the Age of Exploration. With the rapid development of European technology, the world will become increasingly connected within a few generations.

Wars between two countries are no longer just caused by their proximity. Trade, colonies, etc. can also cause two far-away countries to fight each other.

Industry is the future, and only industry can allow the Ming Dynasty to stand tall among the nations of the world.

The old man was speechless after hearing what Zhang Shikang said. He believed what Zhang Shikang said. After all, it was Zhang Shikang who gave him a good life and hope.

But the inherent ideas formed over the past two thousand years are not so easy to change. Seeing the current marshal speaking in this way, he chose to remain silent.

"Young man, what type of craftsman do you like?" Zhang Shikang no longer paid attention to the old man, but asked the young man.

In fact, he is not necessarily younger than him, but Zhang Shikang has lived two lives and experienced war. His temperament is incomparable to his peers.

"Replying to the Grand Marshal, I... I like smelting. My father always said that this is what blacksmithing is. But Grand Marshal, this is different from blacksmithing. It is another skill."

Xing Dianwei spoke hesitantly, which was probably due to the dominance of his father.

“Smelting, I know a little bit about it, but it’s a profound subject.

Even in the field of iron smelting and metallurgy, the technology of our Ming Dynasty can only be considered average.

Although other metals such as copper, tin, zinc, aluminum, steel, etc. are also smelted, the technology is much worse.

Not to mention that there are many rare metals that have not been mentioned before, and there are also alloys. For example, when one metal is fused with another metal, will it make up for their respective defects and make the metal more suitable for use?

Including how to increase the temperature during smelting and so on.

Since you are interested in this subject, you should study it well. As for your future, as long as you have real ability, I guarantee that your treatment will definitely not be worse than that of Jinshi candidates.

Do you have confidence?" Zhang Shikang said with a smile.

The young man named Xing Dianwei showed a look of surprise on his face when he heard this, and nodded rapidly.

At this time, the old man finally changed his attitude towards the so-called science and engineering, and it seemed that he would no longer forcibly interfere with his son's choice.

"I live in the capital, if you need anything, you can come find me.

But remember, the prerequisite is that you really have the ability. "

After saying that, Zhang Shikang got up and left the yard, leaving only the family with surprised faces.

It is worth it no matter what to get the attention of the current Grand Marshal and Duke of Zhenguo.

"Brother Wuji, how come you know everything?" Ma Lingqi couldn't help asking as soon as she left the yard.

……