sjar Chapter 695 He even deliberately bullies his father-in-law.
Chapter 695 He even deliberately bullies his father-in-law.
Emperor Zhu felt that his son-in-law was sometimes very shrewd, but at other times he was as brainless as a fool.
Take water pumps, for example.
These two idiots probably think that the water pump is the solution to the drought problem.
However, they failed to grasp what it truly means to solve the drought.
If we had to find a point of reference for comparison, even a hundred or a thousand Dengzhou border markets wouldn't be as important as a water pump.
The absence of the Dengzhou border market will not affect the original tributary system and tributary trade; at most, it will only result in a difference in how much profit is made.
But without water pumps, a severe drought could claim the lives of millions of people.
Not to mention that severe droughts are often followed by locust plagues.
"For thousands of miles, all vegetation was gone, and even cattle, horses, and banners were destroyed. The damage was even more severe than that caused by floods or droughts."
"They flew and blocked out the sun, filled windows and doors, leaving no room to move."
"It devours the seedlings, then encircles and eats people like silkworms, until their skin and flesh are completely gone in an instant."
With water pumps, drought can be mitigated to some extent, at least ensuring that people have access to basic drinking water and preventing them from having to leave their homes due to drought, thus avoiding unrest.
So, if we really want to calculate it, the creation of the water pump is not only a great merit that saves countless lives and benefits future generations, but also greatly benefits the Ming Dynasty. How could the title of Duke be enough to repay such a feat?
Of course, it's against my conscience that I bestowed the title of Duke upon him, but I absolutely cannot let that scoundrel know that I'm guilty.
Emperor Zhu glanced at Yang Shaofeng, who still looked completely bewildered, and said, "Since this water pump works, I'll let bygones be bygones for what you said behind our backs."
After a slight pause, Emperor Zhu continued, "By the way, organize the manufacturing methods of water presses, and then select a few craftsmen who know how to make water presses to go to the Ministry of Works. Also, let Zhou Jingxin take charge of manufacturing and promotion."
As Emperor Zhu finished speaking, Yang Shaofeng couldn't help but roll his eyes.
This official is eyeing Lao Deng's private treasury, while Lao Deng is eyeing the manpower in Ningyang County.
Look at what this old man is saying. He wants me to organize the manufacturing method of the water press, transfer the craftsmen from Ningyang County to the Ministry of Works, and have Zhou Jingxin, who is from Ningyang County, take charge of manufacturing and promotion.
So Lao Deng is only interested in the wool from Ningyang County, right?
He's not afraid of being exploited by Grandpa Ge in Ningyang County!
And what about my champion, Marquis?
You old man, skipping over the title of Marquis of Champion and giving me the title of Duke of Ying, did you even ask for my opinion?
Yang Shaofeng became increasingly annoyed, so he pointed to the water pump.
"This thing can't be made too high, it has to be shorter, otherwise it's hard to exert force."
"In the future, we should prepare more firewood for winter. It's not that this piece of junk can't be used to draw water if it freezes, but if it gets damaged, we're completely doomed."
"Also, if there is water underground, it's fine, but if there is a severe drought and there isn't enough groundwater, this broken thing won't work either."
"Moreover, promoting this requires a large amount of iron ore, iron smelting workshops, and blacksmiths. Installing these things in people's homes also requires manpower. All in all, the cost is not low."
In just a few words, they practically said that the water pump was completely useless.
Seeing Emperor Zhu's face grow increasingly dark, Yang Shaofeng felt much more at ease.
After a slight pause, Yang Shaofeng added, "Father-in-law, you need to think carefully about whether to have the Ministry of Revenue allocate the funds or have the Imperial Treasury pay for it."
Emperor Zhu was so angry that he didn't want to speak.
That's outrageous! And he's specifically targeting my father-in-law.
They even asked if our money was paid for by the imperial treasury?
Damn it, there are tens of millions of households in the Ming Dynasty. If each household has a water pump, and each water pump uses fifty catties of iron, and each water pipe uses fifty catties of iron, then that's ten million multiplied by one hundred, and the total amount of iron used is a hundred million catties.
With a base figure of 100 million catties, even if calculated at the price of 10 coins per catty of iron, it would still cost 1 million coins, or 10 million strings of cash.
It may not seem like a lot, but the key point is that this number only calculates the finished iron material, completely ignoring the increased costs of iron ore mining and smelting due to the consumption of iron material, as well as the costs of craftsmen and transportation.
If you include all these miscellaneous expenses, we can't even imagine the final amount of money!
Damn it, our private treasury has really made something of itself, always talking about projects worth tens of millions of strings of cash.
While Emperor Zhu was internally ranting and raving, he glanced at the water pump.
That bastard is definitely no good.
But this water pump is really good.
Emperor Zhu glared at Yang Shaofeng again, then couldn't help but reach out and stroke the cylinder of the water pump, a smile gradually spreading across his face.
Yang Shaofeng took a small step back, unable to bear looking directly at the smile on Lao Deng's face.
terrible.
too frightening.
To put it simply, Old Deng's smile right now is even more excessive than the smiles of men on a tram in some very hot place; he doesn't look like a good person at all.
It wasn't until quite a while later that the smile on Emperor Zhu's face gradually subsided. He then turned to the craftsmen and said, "You all put in a lot of effort. When you go to the Ministry of Works, we'll have someone prepare official titles and honors for you, and give you the rewards you deserve as well."
Give me some money.
Give me something as a reward.
They were then granted the title of centurion, a position that could be passed down for three generations.
Once they become centurions, they will become officials appointed by the imperial court.
If we transfer them to do something else, that bastard can't accuse us of taking advantage of him anymore, right?
After the craftsmen hurriedly expressed their gratitude, Yang Shaofeng said to them with a dark face, "When you go to the Ministry of Works, remember to use the standardized method to make the water press, just like the previous harvester."
The lead craftsman chuckled and said, "Don't worry, sir, we all remember and will never forget about standardization."
……
It must be admitted that few of the officials during the early Ming Dynasty were simple-minded.
No sooner had Yang Shaofeng finished making the water pump than Hu Weiyong began pleading poverty to Emperor Zhu.
"It's tough for the people of Liaodong to rise to power."
"It's bad enough that the weather is bitterly cold, but the key is that we can't escape the drought either."
"How can the people of Liaodong survive without the water pump?"
Hu Weiyong looked at Emperor Zhu expectantly and said, "Your Majesty, I request permission to transfer a few craftsmen who know how to make water pumps to Liaodong, and also a few craftsmen who know how to prospect for minerals and smelt iron and steel."
"Furthermore, the installation of a water pump is not something that just anyone can do. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to send a few laborers who are about to be sent to Liaodong to Ningyang County to learn how to install a water pump."
Looking at the pitiful Hu Weiyong, Yang Shaofeng felt somewhat bewildered.
No.
You haven't even been to Liaodong yet, and you're already thinking about moving there?
Furthermore, I am the newly appointed Duke of Ying! Duke, is there not a single one of you who cares about me?