Chapter 657 "Salary Holder" and "Safe Production"


Chapter 657 "Salary Holder" and "Safety Production"

Legas was extremely disappointed with the development of Spain. There was also an influx of large amounts of silver. The Ming Dynasty used Ding Jian Da Gong to distribute it, while Feili Pope II built the magnificent El Escorial Monastery.

This monastery has fifteen cloisters, sixteen courtyards, eighty-eight fountains, eighty-six staircases, one thousand two hundred huge wooden doors, nine towers, and there are There is a huge altar decorated with countless gems plundered from the New World. The entire monastery is filled with exquisite statues and carpets covered with small wool. In addition, it also supports more than 1,500 priests.

When Felipe told Legaz about the magnificence of the monastery in a proud tone, Legaz did not ask any questions, let alone ask Felipe bluntly what the use of it was.

Don’t talk about what happened, don’t admonish what happened, and don’t blame the past. This is perhaps the greatest tragedy in politics. The past has become a fait accompli, so there is no need to dwell too much on it. The important thing is the present.

What made it difficult for Legaz to accept was that this monastery was about a hundred miles away from Madrid.

This means that the ministers of state and nobles need to go to this monastery a hundred miles away in various ways to meet the king. This is different from the fact that Emperor Jiajing hid in Xiyuan and refused to meet his ministers. What's the difference?

Legas hoped that Felipe could meet more ministers of state and nobles, but Felipe just smiled and did not respond.

As a king, Felipe is a spider king, which means he has many legs and many webs. He has to take care of everything. The conflicts between the king and the nobles are also extremely fierce. Felipe Lippe built this monastery for safety.

The historical experience and lesson of the Ming Dynasty is that large-scale construction projects are a sign of national destruction. This experience is not suitable for the Western countries, because the national conditions of the Western countries are completely different from those of the Ming Dynasty, because the civilians of the Western countries are more obedient than the people of the Ming Dynasty. many.

It has been more than two hundred years since the British royal family connived at the land enclosure movement of Parliament, nobles, MPs, and gentlemen. The streets of London are full of beggars, but the British royal family is still very stable.

The Northern Yuan Dynasty was somewhat similar to the English royal family. They condoned the annexation by the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River. In less than a hundred years, the Northern Yuan Dynasty was driven back to the grasslands to become barbarians.

"Angel Li, why do we care about politics?" Galileo looked at the sea and sky, blown by the sea breeze, and asked the question that had troubled him for a long time.

Legas said with a smile: "Because you don't care about politics, but politics cares about you everywhere. It affects you in all aspects of life, including food, clothing, housing and transportation. You studied medicine at the University of Pisa and explored the functions of the human body. Mysteries, curiosity about astronomy, and exploring the mysteries of heaven and earth have affected the authority of the Holy See. They have strictly banned your research and ordered you to drop out of school. In the end, you can only go to His Highness Felipe to beg for a meal. "

“This is also politics.”

Legas answered this question, if a person can not be affected by politics, he is either a god or a beast.

There is a lot of wisdom in the distant east. At this time, Emperor Zhu Yijun of the Ming Dynasty was preparing to go to Xishan Coal Bureau to participate in the official factory celebration on December 25th, because the emperor had not agreed to attend such an event for a long time. In folk celebrations, the Ministry of Rites carried out extremely in-depth intervention to prevent any violation of etiquette.

“Have you brought all the rewards?” Zhu Yijun asked his palace secretary Feng Bao if he had brought enough money, because there would definitely be rewards. This is why the Ming Emperor rarely attended folk celebrations. Giving more than 100,000 silver to Baiyi as a reward is an extremely huge waste. However, in this celebration, all the artists performing are from craftsmen, so there is no problem.

“I brought 200,000 silver according to your Majesty’s instructions.” Feng Bao replied.

"Girl, are you ready?" Zhu Yijun once again asked the queen and the emperor's eldest son Zhu Changzhi if he was ready.

Feng Bao said with a smile: "Everything is ready."

Among the Ming Dynasty's sacrificial ceremonies, the most solemn was the suburban sacrificial ceremony. That is, the emperor went to the Xishan Mausoleum to personally worship his ancestors. During the suburban sacrificial ceremony, it was The queen needs to accompany her. The queen is the official wife, not a concubine, so Wang Yaozhuo also has to attend the tenth anniversary celebration of the official factory.

Originally, Empress Dowager Li should also go, but Empress Dowager Li and Empress Dowager Chen refused. They were busy taking care of their children, so they just asked Your Majesty and the Queen to take their eldest son.

“Counting the days, Legas should have returned to Spain. Felipe would be fine if he was embarrassed for a moment. If Legas, who had returned tens of thousands of miles away, died, who would still love him in Spain? "Zhu Yijun talked about Ligasak, and he has always been thinking about him.

Legas is a person who deeply loves his homeland. When such a person dies, someone in Spain will definitely say, you love Spain, does Spain love you?

Without this guy's noise, Zhu Yijun's ears have indeed become much cleaner, but he always feels that something is missing, a perspective that looks at Ming Dynasty from an outsider's perspective. Every missing perspective, for The emperor saw clearly the nature of the problem, which was an obstacle.

"Legas should not die." Feng Bao said somewhat optimistically: "According to reports from Thai and Western businessmen, Felipe is a dictator. How can a dictator allow the Holy See to dictate terms all day long? Felipe If Lipei can't even save Legashi, he won't want to be the king of an empire where the sun never sets, and just go back to herding sheep."

"That's right, while it's still a little before departure. Time, bring the remaining memorials." Zhu Yijun sat on the dragon chair. There were still two quarters of an hour before departure, and the Ming Emperor found every opportunity to approve two memorials.

This is all his job, and he can't hide from it. He is lazy now and has to work overtime at night. No one can pass the exam, not even Zhang Juzheng, but the emperor will pass the exam himself, and the Ming Dynasty, He passed the examination of the Spring and Autumn History Society.

When evaluating a political figure, you don’t have to pay attention from the perspective of personal ethics, because politicians affect the majority of people, and the criterion for a political figure is merit.

Without achievements, at most he is just Renzong, and probably achieves nothing.

"Ah, did the southern scholars win?" Zhu Yijun first saw the memorial from the Ministry of Works. The southern scholars won an overwhelming victory on whether to build the canal.

Should the canal from Hangzhou to Ningbo be repaired? Is it useful to repair it? Most of the northern scholars thought it was useless to repair it, while the southern scholars directly called the northern scholars a bunch of landlubbers. They had never seen water transportation at all, so they thought it was useless!

The debate started in early November, and finally came to a very interesting conclusion, which explained many phenomena of the Ming Dynasty. This conclusion is: before the emergence of Chidao, Hetong was the only industry for bulk commodities. Although this is an effective mode of transportation, the losses caused by other modes of transportation are far greater than the value of the transported goods.

This conclusion explains why Wen and Wu were promoted, why the Daningwei, Yingchang, Kaipingwei, and Hetao areas were abandoned. It explains why the Ming Dynasty had repeatedly discussed reopening the Western Regions. From the Hongwu period, it was discussed During the Jiajing period, it was still not done because the cost of fighting was too expensive, and the freight for food would increase exponentially as the distance increased.

"It seems that great speculation is useful." Zhu Yijun Zhu approved the memorial of the Ministry of Industry.

Even though the southern scholars won the quarrel, and won with an overwhelming advantage, the northern and southern scholars had very unified opinions on the construction of the Ningbo-Hangzhou Canal and could not build it.

The reason why it cannot be built is that it is expensive, it is borrowing money, it is a waste of food, it is a large-scale construction project, and it is a sign of national subjugation. Even if the canal is built, it will benefit all the people.

The Ming Dynasty was an extremely conservative dynasty. From the fact that Shen Shixing built the City of Nations in Songjiang Prefecture and the shipping companies in various cities followed suit, it can be seen that the Ming Dynasty was never open or tolerant.

Zhu Yijun picked up another memorial. Shanxi Governor Zhou Liangyin’s reform of streamlining and abolishing bloated local yamen in Shanxi failed. Zhou Liangyin suffered a lot. Without Wang Chonggu’s support, Zhou Liangyin carried out the reform. The pilot ended in failure.

The streamlining was indeed streamlining, and the yamen also failed. In the end, after a lot of tossing and tossing, everyone was exhausted, but they went back to the starting point, re-established the streamlined organization, and recruited back the people who had been abolished.

Zhu Yijun personally went to the Quan Jin Guild Hall to invite Wang Chonggu, who had just been assassinated, to return to the court. Wang Chonggu did not support Zhou Liangyin under any circumstances. The current failure of the pilot test proved the viciousness of Wang Chonggu's vision.

"Try it, if you don't succeed next time." Zhu Yijun did not approve Zhou Liangyin's confession, but gave an encouraging reply.

Zhou Liangyin tried to streamline local yamen. Whether it succeeded or not was not important. What was important was to start. The bloatedness and rigidity of local yamen was a problem that needed to be solved by every possible means. If it didn’t work this time, try another approach next time. You cannot cover your eyes, ears, and mouth and pretend that you don’t have this problem.

As long as we set off, it is a good thing and proves that this is not an untouchable topic.

Zhongjunti Guohou Yu Zhao once again wrote this memorial. This is a New Year's greeting list. It mainly reports on this year's political achievements. The content is relatively brief because Hou Yu Zhao and Li Chengliang are returning to Beijing together. I have entered Beijing to resume my duties.

Li Chengliang asked for orders to return to Beijing on the grounds of old age, hoping that the court could replace someone to guard Liaodong. This memorial requesting to return to the hinterland triggered a discussion among the courtiers. The final result of the court discussion was opposition. When Li Chengliang We will discuss it in detail after returning to Beijing.

Zhu Yijun took every opportunity to approve several memorials, got on the jade chariot and headed towards the Xishan Coal Bureau.

The streets are becoming wider. From the narrow alleys and alleys, they have become wide open and closed. From being crowded with two horse-drawn carriages, to now being a broad road with twelve lanes facing each other, it is really a lot of fun. Transportation is much more convenient.

There are many martial artists in the capital who followed Emperor Cheng Zuwen Jing Rao’s Zhengyan banner. However, when these martial artists faced Wang Xiyuan, they finally agreed to demolish their old houses and give them to the capital of the Ming Dynasty. Make room for the road.

These Wu Xun also had troubles, and they even complained to the emperor. However, Wu Xun, who had no longer been in charge of the army, was destined to fail in a contest with the civil servants who were in power. They could have demolished and built at a lower cost, but the Ming Emperor With a wave of his hand, a group of martial arts mansions were specially built in Beicheng of Beidaying, which was regarded as preferential treatment.

When the Wu Xuns saw that the quarrel was out of the house, they stopped making trouble. After all, before Wanli, the salaries of officials had to be discounted, and Wu Xun's salary also had to be discounted. Since His Majesty's salary, Wu Xun After one hundred and seventy years, the honorees finally received their full salary again.

Your Majesty is not a complicated person. During the first negotiation, he offered the most generous terms. It was almost done. If you accept it, you will accept it. If you continue to make trouble, the house will be gone and the title will be gone. That's what's going to happen.

It is very fair that the Ming Dynasty owes wages to the border troops, the salaries of the court officials, and the salaries of the Wuxun clan. In many cases, even one million taels of gold flowers a year are owed. Silver and the emperor's salary are also owed.

It’s just that because the officials of the imperial court are in power, they can find compensation from the people.

"Is Xizhimen going to be demolished next spring?" Zhu Yijun looked at the noisy Xizhimen with some astonishment. Wang Xiyuan reported that the city gate would be demolished. Zhu Yijun approved it, but he didn't expect Wang Xiyuan to do it so quickly. The clearing has been completed, and there are no people on the scene. Xizhimen except for the emperor's car is no longer accessible to other vehicles and can only be detoured. Potholes are being dug at the scene and scaffolding is being prepared.

"Yes." Feng Bao bowed his head and said, "Is it open to discussion whether to demolish the city gate?"

Wang Xiyuan is too courageous. Without the city gate, it will be unsafe. Sense, what if the Hulu come south again and attack? Isn’t this a direct entry into the city? The court officials also followed suit, and the court council actually agreed with Wang Xiyuan's approach.

"If it's gone, it's gone." Zhu Yijun replied with a smile as his car slowly passed through Xizhimen.

In Wang Xiyuan's words, he wanted to demolish all nine gates and city walls of the capital during his nine-year term. I have to say that this idea is really bold, and Wang Xiyuan's bold idea got Qi Jiguang's support Support, in Qi Jiguang's opinion, the city size of the Ming Dynasty capital was expanding, and the city walls were no longer suitable for city defense, and the endless stretches of houses outside the city were city defense.

In big cities like the Capital, Songjiang Prefecture, Nanya, Hangzhou Prefecture, and Guangzhou Prefecture, future city defense battles must be street battles.

So, this bold idea is becoming reality.

Zhu Yijun’s car finally arrived at the gate of Xishan Coal Bureau. When Zhu Yijun got off the car and was about to walk in, he suddenly stopped and turned his head to the side. The ministers, courtiers, and courtiers behind him They all had to turn together. Zhu Yijun stood in front of a group of statues. This statue was an all-copper statue, a dark kiln worker with no arms, sitting cross-legged on the ground, eyes slightly narrowed, looking into the distance, looking more like a monkey than a human. Buddha, the kiln worker is a bit thin and shriveled, like a monkey, and the dark cheeks and thin but solid body are like a human being, with a somewhat vicissitudes of calm temperament, like a sitting Buddha.

The name of this statue is "The Salary Holder".

The Emperor of Ming Dynasty stood quietly in front of the statue and asked blankly: "Who made this statue?"

"Wang Qian." An agent from the official factory quickly replied.

"Master Wang, do you still have the talent for statues?" Zhu Yijun was extremely shocked by this statue. It is indeed art, and the strength and hard work of the kiln people have been vividly demonstrated.

"See Your Majesty." Wang Qian ran over out of breath. His Majesty suddenly turned a corner, catching the officials receiving him by surprise.

"Well, you did this?" Zhu Yijun asked, pointing to the statue.

"I did this. How can I have any talent? This kiln man's name is Xu Qi. This was the last time he went down the well. After he came up, he sat there in a daze. I saw it well and drew it." Wang Qian looked hesitant. He said: "At that time, Xu Qi was scolding his father Wang Chonggu."

Wang Chonggu looked at his biological son in great surprise, looked at it, and confirmed that it was his son!

This traitor made a statue of the kiln worker who scolded him and placed it at the gate of the official factory? And he said it in front of the emperor? !

The Seven-Star Ring Sword is already so hungry!

“My father stipulated that kiln residents should not go down the well for a maximum of five years. After that, they were not allowed to go down the well. They could only work on the well. They could earn sixteen silver a year underground, but only nine silver a year on the well, so Xu Qi was After going into the well, he sat there and cursed his father." Wang Qian explained the reason.

Work underground for up to five years, because if you continue working underground, you won’t be able to bear it anymore. The dangers and the wear and tear on the body if you continue working underground will be a waste of human life. Wang Chonggu did it for the good of the craftsmen, but the craftsmen all felt that Wang Chonggu was meddling in other people's business and lost seven silver coins in one year!

“Xu Qi scolded me when he saw this statue.” Wang Qian said helplessly: “Xu Qi felt that he should be placed at the gate so that everyone entering and leaving the official factory could Everyone saw it and was very dissatisfied."

"Oh, it's normal to have a few complaints." Zhu Yijun understood the reason and his smile was particularly bright. He liked this statue and these vivid stories. He looked at the statue and nodded repeatedly and said: "This statue is very good. It would be better to put it at the gate."

"What is the name of the statue over there?" Zhu Yijun walked to another group of statues.

This other statue is a family of four, relatively sturdy men. On the father's shoulders sits a half-grown child, who is grabbing his father's hair playfully, while the father is holding a child with one hand. The child is carrying a diagonal cloth bag. There are books and a slingshot in the cloth bag. The mother on the other side is holding a food box and is angry and seems to be nagging something. The whole picture is extremely warm.

"Is it called "Going Home"?" Zhu Yijun asked, looking at the statue. Whether it was the composition of the statue or the warm state revealed, Zhu Yijun felt that this was a family of four going home.

"It's called..."Safety Production", and it was also made by Chen." Wang Qian said with evasive eyes.

Zhu Yijun was stunned and said doubtfully: "Uh? Explain."

"It means you don't produce in accordance with safety laws. If something happens underground, others will spend your pension. Sleep with your wife and beat your children." Wang Qian was already sweating. The purpose of setting up this statue was to encourage safe production.

You can’t tell it just by looking at the statue, but with the slogans that can be seen everywhere in the factory, you can know the meaning of this statue.

"You can lie to me and say it's called "Going Home"." Zhu Yijun was still smiling. He liked the two statues at the gate very much. They were both very good and reflected the spirit of the poor coolies. Life.

The twelfth year of the Wanli Reform was not a waste of time.

"Isn't that bullying the emperor?" Wang Qian asked in a low voice: "Why don't you change your name and go home."

"No, it's called safe production. This has a very good meaning. "It's really good." Zhu Yijun looked at Wang Qian and said with certainty: "Very good, let's go into the official factory."

Wang Chonggu asked those who had been working in the kiln for five years not to work in the kiln again, and they were scolded. , Wang Qian was also scolded for setting up a statue, and Wang Qian, the statue of "Safety Production" was also scolded by others, but it doesn't matter. At least Wang Chonggu and Wang Qian treat craftsmen as human beings and are willing to fight for their safety and life. Think about your health.

They treat the craftsmen as human beings, and the craftsmen worship them as the masters of the sky.

No matter how fierce Xu Qi scolded him, he was actually grateful to Wang Chonggu in his heart.

This is what Zhu Yijun is most gratified about. As long as Wang Chonggu always maintains this idea, Zhu Yijun will ensure that Wang Chonggu has a good death and a good history.

Zhu Yijun laughed when he entered the official factory, because Wang Chonggu was also made into a statue, and it was still a part.

There is a god of steam engines, called Arctic Xuanling Dangmo Antarctic Chiyan Guangli Hongsheng Tianzun, referred to as the God of Water and Fire. He is the god of steam engines and controls the power of water and fire. Every time the Iron Horse Workshop is newly established, To worship the God of Water and Fire.

The prototypes of this water and fire god are Zhu Zaiyu, the king of De, and Wang Chonggu, the second assistant. One is responsible for developing the steam engine, and the other is responsible for bringing the steam engine to the ground. Many parts of the steam engine are produced in Xishan Coal Bureau.

Zhu Yijun laughed when he saw this statue.

Wang Chonggu also supported his forehead. He disagreed, but in the end the statue of the God of Water and Fire was erected in the official factory.

As soon as he arrived at Beidaying, Xishan Coal Bureau, and Quanchu Guild Hall, Zhu Yijun's thick disguise of the majesty of the emperor would be removed, and he would be full of smiles. This is the source of power for the empire's resurgence.

“Wang Cifu laughed at me before, saying that I was the god of the Great Guangming Sect. It turned out that the Renmin University of China’s Guangming Sect has no god at all and is the embodiment of wisdom. Haha, now Wang Cifu is a god.” Zhu Yijun tilted his head He said with a smile to Wang Chonggu.

"Alas, I am so ashamed, so ashamed." Wang Chonggu spit out his breath. He refused to let it be built, but his traitorous son built it and put it in the official factory. By the time Wang Chonggu saw it, it was already a done deal. Wang Chonggu When I saw it, I wanted to chop the traitor into pieces on the spot!

What Wang Qian said was particularly irritating. Wang Qian ran and said: The craftsmen in the official factory think the design is good, why do you, Wang Cifu, object? The official factory is not your private property, Wang Chonggu!

The Ming Dynasty was a secular country, and Wang Cifu was a minister, not a god. It was somewhat ominous to be associated with gods and ghosts.

"When the time comes, if the production is not going well, I'm afraid someone will blow up the statue of Wang Cifu." Zhang Juzheng teased with a smile.

Wang Chonggu immediately said: "Yuanfu, don't laugh at me. If you build that Taiyue Box, the possibility of capsizing the grain ship will be greatly reduced. Hey, you also have a statue at Songjiangfu Wharf. I will be bombed. You're not much better."

Li Chengliang bombed the Dragon King Temple in the Northeast because the Dragon King didn't make snow.

"Hahaha!" Zhu Yijun laughed, and the official factory was filled with cheerful air.

After Zhu Yijun entered the official factory, everything was cleaned spotlessly, there were lights and colorful decorations everywhere, and there was joy everywhere. December 25th is also the annual holiday of the official factory until next year. Work will start again on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.

Chinese New Year cleaning is a habit. Before the Chinese New Year, we are always willing to clean the inside and outside of our homes to welcome the New Year. It is obvious that the craftsmen are willing to treat the field as their home.

"Feng Banban, please give out the money." Zhu Yijun waved his hand and asked Feng Bao to take people to give out the reward. This is the New Year's money. During the New Year, you must buy new clothes and make New Year's Eve gifts. Zhu Yijun didn't give much for dinner. A craftsman only had one silver for the New Year.

"This year, the official factory is expected to produce more than 1.333 billion kilograms of coke, coal frying, briquettes, etc., an increase of 43% over last year; 50 million kilograms of pig iron, a 21% increase over last year; and 6.2 million kilograms of crude steel, an increase of 43% over last year. It increased by 22% last year and turned in profits of 1.4 million silver. This is all due to the craftsmen and Wang Cifu's good management." Zhu Yijun affirmed the achievements of the official factory as he walked.

Including Lanzhou Woolen Factory, the total output of Daming Woolen also broke through a new high last year, reaching a terrifying scale of 1.1 million horses. At the same time, it also fell into a bottleneck of incoming materials, and the grassland was only so small. People, such a small area, and all the sheep herding are not enough for the Ming Dynasty official factory. Therefore, the expansion of the woolen official factory is restricted by wool raw materials, but it still maintains a super high growth rate of 10% year-on-year.

"The Ming Dynasty would like to thank Wang Cifu. It is possible to leave the official factory affairs to others, but it will never be so successful." Zhu Yijun sincerely praised Wang Chonggu.

"It's my duty." Wang Chonggu quickly bowed his head and said with great humility.

Wang Chonggu’s family was the second richest man in the Ming Dynasty. During the Wanli Restoration, he took a huge share of the cake, so something needs to be done. Otherwise, don’t blame the Ming Emperor for turning this fat sheep off his family. Killed for the New Year.

Wang Qian spent 250,000 silver to hold the 10th anniversary celebration of the official factory. The 250,000 silver was the income and share of Wang Qian’s holding and trading of Suiyuan Chidao tickets. Long-term holding does not mean that there is no trading at all. Wang Qian cut leeks several times at the trading house and collected the money for the tenth anniversary of the official factory.

There are always some unscrupulous people who want to shortchange Suiyuan Chidao's tickets. Every time Wang Qian blocks it, he will make a lot of money. If this puts money into his pocket, he Wang Qian can't stop him, can he? The reason for short selling is very simple, which is to lower the ticket price and then buy in large quantities.

“Monkey King Monkey King’s Ruyi golden hoop weighs 13,500 kilograms. The steel production of Xishan Coal Bureau alone last year was enough to make 4,200 golden hoops.” Zhu Yijun knew that the workers of the Ming Dynasty had no idea about steel production. He used fairy tales to describe the scale of steel production of Xishan Coal Bureau last year.

One Monkey King has already caused a stir in Heaven. With 4,200 Monkey King going to Heaven together, I am afraid that the Jade Emperor’s dragon chair will be smashed by him.

The celebration and performance of the official factory began near dusk.

"Are these fireworks so far away?!" Zhu Yijun looked at the opening fireworks and said blankly.

The fireworks at the official factory are two miles away from the viewing platform. When you see the fireworks, you have to wait a while before you can hear the sound.

"It's better to keep the gunpowder away." Wang Qian said with great conviction. Whenever fireworks fall next to His Majesty, it is a huge sin.

(End of this chapter)

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