frightfiction Chapter 1033 I'm so clever!
Chapter 1033 I'm so clever!
Old Deng's birthday is on the 21st day of the tenth lunar month.
The wedding day for Heizhi Tangyuan was September 26th.
In other words, less than a month after Heizhima Tangyuan got married, it was Lao Deng's birthday, also known as the Longevity Festival.
During the Ming Dynasty, the Emperor's Birthday Festival, along with New Year's Day and the Winter Solstice, was known as one of the three major festivals. Officials would receive a three-day holiday, while ordinary people could decorate and celebrate. Even low-ranking eunuchs and palace maids could wear their favorite clothes instead of the standard blue and purple robes.
Of course, the holidays that officials referred to were actually for local officials. Officials in the capital had to go to the palace to pay homage and present gifts on the Emperor's birthday, so they basically had no time to rest.
Ningyang County sent a miniaturized steam engine, which Yang Shaofeng planned to use as a wedding gift for Heizhima Tangyuan, and also as a birthday present for Lao Deng.
"This coincides with His Highness the Crown Prince's wedding and the upcoming birthday celebrations."
We're cooking the fish two ways.
After all, a large number of people had already been lured away by Lao Deng and the black sesame dumplings, so sending any more gifts would only result in greater losses, which is something a wise person would not do.
While pondering this in his mind, Yang Shaofeng slowly said, "Has Your Highness considered that once the steam engine begins to be miniaturized, it means that machinery can replace more human labor?"
Zhu Biao's eyes widened immediately.
coming!
coming!
My dad was right. My brother-in-law will definitely use the miniaturization of the steam engine to cause trouble for people!
Tsk tsk.
Zhu Biao picked up the small dragon ball and took a sip.
In accordance with my brother-in-law's consistent style,
My dad definitely can't escape.
Li Xiang shouldn't even think about escaping unscathed.
Wang Guangyang and Hu Weiyong will most likely suffer the same fate.
The officials from the Ministry of Works and the Artisan Camp couldn't escape either.
I wonder who else my brother-in-law is planning to harm besides these people?
Just as Zhu Biao was pondering this, Yang Shaofeng smiled and said, "I'm thinking, what will those people whose workforce has been replaced by steam engines, especially the young and strong among them, do for a living in the future?"
"In addition, after the steam engine was miniaturized, it was not only used for plowing and transporting goods, but it could also power a whole host of other machines."
"For example, drilling machines, milling machines, and large water presses."
"These have all been prototyped or even put into use."
"Could spinning wheels and similar devices also be powered by steam engines?"
"As a result, a large number of female workers will lose the opportunity to work and earn money."
"..."
Zhu Biao was completely numb.
He was still too young and couldn't compare to his father and Prime Minister Li... mature and prudent.
Or rather, his father and Li Xiang had already anticipated the impact of miniaturizing the steam engine, and even anticipated that his brother-in-law might use it to cause trouble for people.
However... since my father's prediction was correct, the future course of events is not something that you, brother-in-law, can decide alone!
Zhu Biao deliberately put on a solemn expression and said, "Brother-in-law is right. The miniaturization of steam engines has a huge impact on the Ming Dynasty. If we are not careful, it could lead to turmoil."
After a slight pause, Zhu Biao tentatively asked, "Brother-in-law, could you organize these thoughts and write them into a memorial to the throne?"
"I'll take your memorial back to the palace later, so my father and Prime Minister Li can take a look and let them figure out how to solve these problems."
"Otherwise, wouldn't such a major reform be like crossing a river by feeling for stones?"
"I'm not afraid of feeling my way along the stones, nor am I afraid of taking detours. I'm just afraid there's a big pit ahead, and if I step into it, well..."
Yang Shaofeng glanced at Zhu Biao, then got up and left the room. He didn't return until quite a while later, carrying several memorials.
"Here, this is a memorial about the potential for the steam engine to bring about changes in various industries."
"This is a memorial outlining some ideas for the application of the steam engine."
"This is a memorial outlining the next steps for improving the steam engine."
"This is a report concerning the demand for coal and steel."
"This is a report on oil demand."
"And this, this is a memorial about the transformation of the Ming Dynasty from agriculture to semi-industrialization and industrialization. It mentions some simple issues. Your Highness can take this as a vision for the next hundred years. It may not come true, but it is better to be prepared."
"..."
Zhu Biao glanced at Yang Shaofeng, then at the several memorials in his arms.
Was it written in advance?
My brother-in-law has predicted my father's and Prime Minister Li's predictions again?
No, are you guys just playing around here?
Yang Shaofeng then retreated back to the recliner once more.
There's a famous saying in the workplace: "You can slack off, but you can't be incompetent."
Having a sword but not using it is one thing, and not having a sword at all are two different things.
Yang Shaofeng picked up the small dragon ball again and took a sip, then said with a smile, "I just remembered something, but I haven't had time to write a memorial about it yet."
Zhu Biao took a deep breath, put the memorial in his arms aside, and said, "What's on your mind now, brother-in-law?"
Yang Shaofeng put down his teacup and smiled, "I was just thinking, how many wonderful things did our ancestors create in the past?"
"Like papermaking, printing, gunpowder, the compass, and the armillary sphere and seismograph."
"Even the closer ones include the clock that Guo Shoujing made."
"However, the specific manufacturing steps and ideas behind so many wonderful things were not recorded in writing. After Zhang Heng passed away, the seismograph was completely lost."
After a slight pause, Yang Shaofeng continued, "As the saying goes, one person's plan is short-sighted, but two people's plans are long-sighted."
"If we could compile all these machines into a book, clearly explain the manufacturing process, and specify the required dimensions, others would be able to learn from it and find ways to improve it."
"What do you think, Your Highness?"
Zhu Biao immediately nodded in agreement: "Brother-in-law is right. I will have the Ministry of Rites take care of this matter as soon as possible."
At this point, Zhu Biao suddenly had a flash of inspiration and added, "I was just thinking about it too. We can have the Northern Kong work on a calendar, and the Southern Kong handle the engineering work."
Yang Shaofeng was immediately very satisfied and directly instructed the maid beside him: "Tell the kitchen to add two more dishes. Hmm, add shredded pork with sweet bean sauce and roast duck, and make a soup with duck carcass, cabbage and tofu."
Watching the little maid leave, Zhu Biao almost burst out laughing.
As the saying goes, you have to listen carefully to the underlying meaning—why did my brother-in-law suddenly bring this up?
They definitely wanted people to compile all sorts of machinery into books.
To put it bluntly, they just want to make things difficult for people.
Who in the capital had a grudge against my brother-in-law?
The answer is North Confucius.
So, my brother-in-law is planning to mess with Bei Kong.
And the final result did indeed prove that I was right.
After messing around with the Northern Confucian Temple, they casually added the Southern Confucian Temple to the mix.
Doesn't that mean we get two more dishes and a soup?
I'm so clever!