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

In front of the gate of the Ming Royal Academy of Sciences, there are two huge stone lions that are about ten feet tall, and a huge plaque lies across the vermilion gate.

This plaque is made entirely of hardwood, with seven large gold-plated characters reading "The Imperial Academy of Ming Dynasty".

The font is vigorous and powerful, and is stamped with the private seal of Emperor Chongzhen.

Four institutions of different levels all have the word "Royal" in their names. The inscriptions on three institutions, including the Ming Royal Military Academy, were completed by Zhu Cilang.

The highest institution of learning, the Ming Royal Academy of Sciences, was requested by Zhang Shikang from his brother Chongzhen.

In fact, Emperor Chongzhen still felt that Zhang Shikang was spending money recklessly.

He believed that the current Ming Dynasty was pretty good. Low- and middle-level generals were recruited from the army, and high- and middle-level generals were selected through military examinations. There was no need to set up land and maritime academies.

However, Emperor Chongzhen favored Zhang Shikang, so he let him do as he pleased.

As for writing the inscription, it would naturally be impossible if Zhang Shikang had not had great reputation.

Outside the gate of the Royal Academy of Sciences, a crowd had already gathered, led by Song Yingxing, Wang Zheng, Bi Maokang, and several Europeans led by Johann Adam Schall von Bell.

Seeing Zhang Shikang coming over, Song Yingxing and others stepped forward and bowed.

"Gentlemen, there's no need to be so polite. You've all worked hard over the past two years." Zhang Shikang bowed in return.

Then he looked at the gate of the Academy of Sciences, which was obviously more magnificent than the gates of the other three institutions, with a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Great, great, it's finally built!

Come on, let’s go in and talk.”

As he spoke, Zhang Shikang couldn't wait to enter the Royal Academy of Sciences.

As soon as you enter the gate, the first thing that catches your eye is a huge relief. On the huge stone in the middle are engraved sixteen large characters - seek truth from facts, be thirsty for knowledge, be motivated and strive for progress, and integrate knowledge and action.

This is the motto of the Ming Royal Academy of Sciences, which was jointly agreed upon by Wang Zheng and several other science and engineering men.

Behind the relief is a square about half the size of a football field. A platform for preaching has been built in the center of the venue.

A red carpet was laid on the stage, and hundreds of prospective students from the other three colleges gathered around it.

Zhang Shikang took Mao Yuanyi, Song Yingxing, Wang Zheng, Johann Adam Schall von Bell and others to the podium. His personal guards stood in a row, protecting the entire podium and acting as human loudspeakers at the same time.

Zhang Shikang was in front, Zhu Cilang stood beside Zhang Shikang, and Mao Yuanyi and other science and engineering leaders were behind. Fortunately, there were no cameras at that time.

Otherwise, at such an important moment, Zhang Shikang Gaodi would have taken a few photos. Who knows, a hundred years later, this meaningful photo might become a national treasure.

Almost all prospective students have heard a rumor countless times when they first arrived here.

Everything here was created by Prince Wuying of the Ming Dynasty, and the future of this place will also be guided by Prince Wuying.

The reputation of Prince Wuying was known throughout the nine provinces, but seeing was believing. When they saw that this legendary Prince was so young, they were all shocked.

Just like when Song Yingxing and others first met Zhang Shikang, they didn't understand what secrets were hidden in the head of such a young man in his early twenties that could achieve so many achievements.

Unlike Wang Zheng and others who were introverted, Johann Adam Schall von Bell and a group of missionaries who came to him were very enthusiastic. Under his encouragement, hundreds or even thousands of people in the small square applauded in unison.

Then Johann Adam Schall von Bell looked at Zhang Shikang and signaled that he could begin preaching.

Zhang Shikang waved his hand, and the surroundings suddenly became quiet. He looked around at the students and the middle and senior craftsmen from the Manufacturing Bureau who came to watch the fun.

Some of these people are excited, some are calm and reserved, and most are thrilled.

"More than three years ago, this place was still a wasteland. I was honored to be appointed by His Majesty as the commander of the Beijing Camp."

Zhang Shikang spoke in a soft tone. Every time he spoke, the loudspeakers around him would repeat his words at the top of their voices.

Zhang Shikang seemed to be back in that turbulent scene a few years ago and continued:

"At that time, the imperial court was in trouble, plagued by internal and external troubles, and the military camps were short of food and pay.

Even the soldiers were not well fed or clothed, not to mention the artisans who accompanied the army, who were ragged and looked like beggars.

But I know that if the imperial court wants to prosper and revive, it will always be inseparable from those craftsmen.

From that time on, I have made up my mind to revitalize science and engineering.

Let craftsmen all over the world no longer be burdened by household registration, let craftsmen all over the world no longer be looked down upon, and let craftsmen all over the world hold their heads high.

This king squeezed out funds from the military pay and set aside a few separate tents in the military camp at that time, so that place became a research and development workshop exclusively for the Guards.

Later, I invited General Mao here."

As he spoke, Zhang Shikang pointed at Mao Yuanyi, who immediately perked up and held his head high.

"Later, through General Mao, I invited Mr. Song, Mr. Wang, and other leaders in their respective fields, as well as Reverend Johann Adam Schall von Bell, who came from Europe."

Zhang Shikang smiled at Song Yingxing and others, and Song Yingxing and others bowed in greeting.

“The conditions at that time were still very difficult, and silver was needed everywhere. But I knew at that time that the small scientific research workshop in the military camp would one day become the cornerstone of the Ming Dynasty’s revival.

A single spark can start a prairie fire!"

Zhang Shikang spoke excitedly, as if he was recalling the pain that later generations experienced during the national rejuvenation.

It is better to have it yourself than to have it from your father or mother. In that era, how many people worked day and night to have their own weapons to defend the dignity of the country.

Just like the dilapidated little workshop in the Xishan camp, it was there that Wang Zheng, Bi Maokang and others developed the banjiu gun and the musket.

These old men with gray hair are so similar to the scientific researchers in later generations who are working to achieve national rejuvenation.

With their qualifications and family background, they can definitely return to their hometown to enjoy their retirement and family happiness.

But they still came here from thousands of miles away, to the dilapidated military camp that was once poor and had nothing, and participated in research and development in a small dark room, day and night, without any complaints.

"This king has always believed that there is no distinction between high and low in all walks of life. Scholars do not need to look down on merchants, and merchants do not need to look down on craftsmen.

Without farmers, people in the world will have no rice to fill their stomachs; without merchants, the market will be like a stagnant lake; without craftsmen, the people will have no clothes, the soldiers will have no armor, and the country will no longer be a country.

Only when all walks of life are revived can our Ming Dynasty be revived.

Therefore, I strongly urge Your Majesty to abolish the household registration restrictions and return freedom to all people in the world.

Subsequently, the General Administration of Manufacturing was established and was regarded as a spiritual sanctuary by craftsmen all over the world.

But I still feel that this is not enough, far from enough.

The Ming Dynasty needs more skilled craftsmen and more brave and wise army and navy generals.

The court will provide you with sufficient financial support so that you will have no worries about food and clothing, increase your income, and allow you to hold your heads high and engage in scientific research.

These four universities are the foundation for realizing this ambition.

This king is very lucky to have the trust of Your Majesty, so I can plan all of this according to my own ideas.

And you are lucky too, because you will witness it all.

Yes, you will witness history!

Or, become a highlight in history!"

……