Chapter 268 – Divine Armor

Zhang Anshi said: “Your Majesty, we always think, my Ming dynasty state, everything, but in fact, the world’s products, how rich. Let’s say this little raincoat, if not for Deng Hou brought a rare treasure, but no matter how it can not be made.”

He sold the treasure as if, and then said, “This baby, can make more than just the district’s raincoat, the use can be much greater.”

Zhu saw this raincoat, although the heart did not turn over, but also touched.

The hundred officials at the back, each began to whisper.

In any case, this stuff is really useful.

“Treasure, what kind of treasure?”

“Rubber!” Zhang Anshi said, “Deng Hou said, he went to a certain big island, see the local natives, even take a kind of rubber juice, painted on their clothes, and so on after drying, this clothes can be sheltered from the rain. Deng Hou saw, greatly amazed, so one side collected dozens of barrels of such rubber to bring back, and at the same time brought back, there is also this rubber tree species.”

“These trees, I have asked people to look for places where the climate is similar to the climate of that island to plant, as for the dozens of barrels of rubber, but used to make some gadgets, this raincoat is one of them.”

Zhang Anshi said it is very simple, in fact, rubber does have the use of avoiding water, but natural rubber also has many weaknesses, for example, once the weather is hot, it is easy to peel off the rubber and sticky.

Trying to make it truly civilian, however, requires the use of sulfur and rubber together to create a co-heat to solve the problem.

Zhu Di heard, greatly surprised, he then nodded and said, “If this rubber can also be viable, then in the future …… more production of such raincoats, there is indeed a great benefit, this model battalion can be assembled first.”

Zhang Anshi said, “Once it can be widely planted, I intend to in Lingnan, Qiongzhou, Luzon, Annan and other places, all planted on, take the rubber, after processing, you can benefit, not only this area of the raincoat it? Your Majesty …… and see ……”

Saying that, he led Zhu Di and continued to the second place.

This arena is much larger, yet it holds a finely crafted carriage and horse.

What sets this carriage horse apart is that it has four wheels.

In Daming, horse-drawn carriages were mostly two-wheeled; four-wheeled steering was inconvenient, and the comfort of a two-wheeled vehicle, however, was very limited.

That’s why, emperors always preferred to ride in a carriage, while ministers all preferred to ride in sedan chairs. Because it’s not bumpy and comfortable.

Zhu saw this spacious four-wheeled vehicle, but he was not impressed.

Zhang Anshi, however, said in front of the crowd: “Your Majesty, this vehicle is four-wheeled. Naturally, the steering of these four wheels, but extremely flexible, because, I let the craftsmen with steel made a chassis suspension system, so that this four-wheeled vehicle and two-wheeled vehicle in general, can easily steer. Not only that, but the wheels and the turntable are also made with bearings made of this fine steel.”

Saying that, Zhang Anshi squatted down and pointed to a round ball bearing on the location between the two wheels connected to the chassis.

Zhu said uncertainly, “What’s the point?”

“It can reduce the friction between the axle and the chassis …… Well …… what this involves …… is a matter of power and friction. ”

Zhang Anshi laughed, and seeing that everyone was in the dark, Zhang Anshi then spoke again, ”There is also this wheel.

Only then did the crowd realize that this steel made wheels, actually wisps of empty, with a steel brazier composition, so although this wheel, is steel built, but should not be bulky.

What’s more interesting is that on this wheel, there’s a dark layer wrapped around it.

Zhang Anshi then went on to introduce: “This is also rubber, the benefits of rubber, lies in the elasticity, can greatly reduce the bumps, at the same time …… friction with the ground, but also compared to the wooden wheels to be much less. In addition to this, I have also improved many things in this carriage.”

At this time, it is no longer the time of Emperor Taizu Gao, some extravagance, has begun to rise.

The ministers saw the carriage, but still more than not think, only think the car, after all, is the merchants only do things.

Ministers and readers only have the power to sit in the soft sedan chair, this kind of superiority, but not ordinary people can be compared.

Zhang Anshi, on the other hand, continued, “On this carriage, I also had someone get a system of brakes, so that if there is ever any danger, measures can be taken in advance to minimize the speed.”

“And here, here ……” Zhang Anshi said, “This is called the spring, is the craftsmen, with steel bars donated, is also part of the chassis …… …”

Zhang Anshi patiently explained, “Such a carriage …… is a hundred times more convenient and comfortable than the former carriage, and the future merchant bank, intends to establish a workshop for making carriages, and manufacture them on a large scale. Just at the moment, rubber is still lacking, whether it is brakes, wheels and other things, there is a demand for rubber, at the moment, what can be done, is to make this carriage, and then improve one or two, waiting for the time to be ripe.”

Empress Xu looked cloudy.

And Zhu said, “Can this car be tried?”

Zhang Anshi then said, “It’s possible, just that Your Majesty will finish viewing this exhibition hall first, and I’ll have someone arrange it later.”

Zhu Di, on the contrary, had a sense of anticipation for something new, especially when Zhang Anshi introduced it in such a grand manner, thus breeding interest.

Tailed behind the hundred officials, but there are many people feel tired, this all the way on foot, this is tired, and a lot of people on this, not too much interest.

Zhang Anshi led them and wandered around the place, which was actually mostly livelihood items.

After strolling around, Zhang Anshi led Zhu Di to the Military Products Exhibition Hall, which was more interesting to Zhu Di.

Among them, in addition to all kinds of swords made of steel, there are various kinds of cannons for different purposes, and here, there is also a cannon.

A circle down, in addition to Zhu Di has a few points of enjoyment, almost everyone is screaming bitter.

It was already noon, and Zhang Anshi had someone arrange for lunch.

The ordinary ministers, naturally, went to one place to eat, while Zhu Di and Empress Xu, including the Crown Prince who came with them, as well as Crown Princess Zhang, were arranged in a small hall.

Zhang Anshi accompanied the seat, Zhu Di said, “Today I have seen …… feel quite a few points of interest, just …… these things, why show it?”

Zhang Anshi said, “Because of all the good things in it, there will be a special jury that will finally judge the merits and then award prizes according to its merits.”

“Awarding a bonus?” Zhu became interested, “How much is the bonus?”

“One for first place, three thousand taels of grain silver. Two for second place, two thousand taels. And three for third place, one thousand taels. On top of that, there are the excellence prizes, which are twenty, three hundred taels.”

Zhu couldn’t help but laugh.

Even Crown Prince Zhu Gaoqi, who had not been pitting his voice and was hiding in the pile of ministers just now, could not help but gently tug on the hem of Zhang Anshi’s sleeve under the table, as if to say, “Don’t fool around.”

Zhang Anshi said, “Your Majesty must find it laughable that what is on display here is almost all made by the Chamber of Commerce, yet why…is it necessary to award prizes and give out prizes. Isn’t this just giving out money to yourself?”

Zhu Di then stopped laughing, he obviously heard the ulterior meaning of Zhang Anshi’s words, so he said, “Why, what do you mean by this?”

Zhang Anshi said: “In fact,……鑷ｈ繖鍙珛鏈ㄤ负淇★紝鍟嗚閲岀殑鍖犱汉锛岃嚦澶氫笉杩囦笁鍥涘崈浜鸿€屽凡锛岃櫧鐒舵湁涓嶅皯鑳藉伐宸у尃锛屽彲鎴戝ぇ鏄庯紝鍐涙皯涓囦竾涔嬫暟锛岃兘浜哄紓澹紝涓嶇煡鍑″嚑銆� I am actually encouraging, those skilled craftsmen, if you can make a good thing, but also willing to the next year’s exhibition, show out, after the exhibition, but not only the exhibition of the Chamber of Commerce things. This show, they have two benefits, one is if the idea is good, original, you can get a bonus. The second is that many craftsmen, although they have good ideas, can produce rare objects, but they do not have the gold and silver, can not be produced, put on display here, will allow more merchants to see, may be able to facilitate cooperation between them.”

“Therefore, this exhibition, the minister extraordinarily on the heart, and even intends to participate in all future exhibitions of things, they are registered, all willing to register, can be issued a patent certificate, proving that it is the person who started, the future, if I encountered any disputes, the exhibition will be coordinated this side, for the holders of our exhibition patents, to seek justice. The other is that the exhibition can serve as a middleman, or a guarantor, if it facilitates the cooperation between skilled craftsmen and merchants, the exhibition as a guarantor, so that they can be free of worries.”

When Zhu Di heard this, he realized that Zhang Anshi’s mind was not as simple as inviting credit and offering treasure.

He frowned, “What’s the point of this?”

Zhang Anshi said: “The use can be much bigger, your majesty …… the reason why I am more powerful than the surrounding clans, because we can make better weapons, but also because, we have silk and porcelain such exquisite things. Not to mention, because my Ming irrigated more land, there are countless good land, raised tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, in contrast to the world’s countries, although there are many not to be underestimated, but there are also many still live primitive, in the stage of drinking blood and wool.”

“And is not this finer weaponry, better irrigation, finer utensils, the cause of a thousand years of prosperity in the Middle Kingdom? These things, from whence they come, are but accumulations. Throughout the ages, there has always been no lack of people in this world, there are extremely clever people, the inspiration, the output of something, so as to pass on to future generations of children and grandchildren, for the benefit of the world. There have also been many, many skills that eventually died out because they could not be spread. Because of this, if the Central Plains wants to continue to thrive, how can it not emphasize these skills?”

After a pause, Zhang Anshi then said: “The purpose of my organizing the exhibition, lies in this, on the one hand, it is to encourage the skilled craftsmen, so that those who are truly talented, by virtue of their cleverness, can get the prize money, and even have the opportunity, to produce in partnership with others, to create wealth. On the other hand, it is also hoped that these skills can be continued, your majesty, the cleverness and wisdom of our ancestors have already benefited us, our children and grandchildren, which has led to today’s prosperity, how can we ignore these, naturally, we want to build on this foundation, to go up a level, so that in the future, we can benefit our children and grandchildren a hundred years and a thousand years later.”

Zhu Di heard, pondering, he thought carefully, his own attitude towards the surrounding countries are mostly despised, calling them unenlightened barbarians.

If the readers, the distinction between barbarians and barbarians is made by Confucianism, and they think that they are different from the barbarians because they read the holy books, while the barbarians do not know the rites and are no different from the beasts.

Obviously, Zhu Di is not a reader, his thinking and Zhang Anshi, in his position, for the barbarians, the view is, my heavenly dynasty, wearing silk, can use more delicate utensils, have more sophisticated weapons, planting has a more sophisticated irrigation system, as a result of intensive cultivation. On the contrary, the barbarians, but wearing hemp clothes, drinking blood and hair, there is indeed a huge difference.

So Zhu Di nodded and said, “Zhang Qing these words, quite enlightening to me, Prince ……”

Suddenly being named, Zhu Gaoqi then hurriedly said, “My son is here.”

In a rare tone with a few bitter words, he said, “You don’t always listen to the words of the readers, what this wife and brother of yours say is sometimes even more thought-provoking.”

Zhu Gaoqi glanced at Zhang Anshi and nodded, “My son knows.”

“Can’t just say I know, if it’s just a response, who wouldn’t? You are the Crown Prince, these years, but also assisted me, and took care of a lot of things. I have also been relying on you.” After a pause, Zhu Di then said, “Think of a statute, according to me, can not let Zhang Anshi, with the name of the exhibition to award and registration, the East Palace …… can think of a way, such as let the East Palace to come forward, in this way, it also seems that the court on this extraordinarily important.”

Zhu Gaoqi said, “Yes, the son minister obeys the decree.”

After lunch, but also lost Ha was in a hurry to come, said: “Your Majesty, Zhenyuan Hou Gu Cheng urgent message.”

Zhu Di frowned when he heard the word Gu Cheng.

Zhenyuan Hou Gu Cheng, since Gu Xingzu’s grandfather, has been ordered to guard Guizhou.

And usually if it’s a rush, it means something must be going on, so he said, “What is it?”

Also lost ha said: “Si state and Sinan state of the Tusi rebellion, Zhen Yuan Hou ordered the Guizhou guards military horse suppression, but because of the lack of food in the army …… not only the Si state guards mutiny, and this Tusi took advantage of the opportunity to launch an attack, Zhen Yuan Hou was defeated, loss of 3,000 people, retreated back to Guiyang.”

At these words, Zhu Di’s face turned cold.

Seeing this, Empress Xu and Crown Princess Zhang had the good sense to get up and head to the side room to rest.

Seeing the two gone, only then did Zhu Di’s face turn blue as he angrily scolded, “How could there be a mutiny? Sizhou guards are elite, among them there are quite a number of military ministers, which are my own soldiers from the military, Gu Cheng is also a veteran general, who has always known the military strategy …… how could such a thing happen?”

Zhu Di’s shocked anger is imaginable.

Ming even the Tartars are not in the eyes, but the district of Guizhou Tuji, the pacification of a wave of twists and turns? Such a big defeat, not to mention the loss, alone Zhu Di the emperor, is also a disgrace.

Also lost ha lowered his voice: “Zhenyuan Hou’s report, said that the army food delivery schedule, the generals and soldiers to kill the thieves, but the army food is not on time, so the morale is low. This Si state guards in the process of counter-insurgency, very brave, but because of no food, previously promised bounty silver also not see the slightest, and thus …… indignation and mutiny …….”

Lack of food in the army ……

Zhu Di’s face sank even further.

The big defeat, however, explains it.

Before the soldiers and horses move, food and provisions go first. Once the army is deprived of food, it is very dangerous.

It’s just that in that part of Guizhou, there are more mountains and transportation is not easy.

But Zhu Di still can’t help but say, “In that case, why is there no prior planning? What does a transit ambassador in Guizhou do?”

Also lost Ha said, “transit messenger side, there is also a report, said Guizhou is hot and humid, food is easy to pan rot, so the supply of military food, often can not be hoarded beforehand too much, only through the transfer of time and again, which increases the burden of transportation ……”

“Teach them that they don’t have to explain.” Zhu Di grimaced, exasperated, “The transit ambassador transporting grain missed the deadline, deposed, solicited into the capital. Zhenyuan Marquis Gu Cheng, although it is excusable, but the loss of so many men and horses, can not be blamed. Thinking that he is the main general’s share, I am open to one side, let him wear the crime, if he can no longer pacify the Si State and Sinan State Tusi, then several crimes and punishments, beheading.”

Zhu was decisive and his tone did not allow anyone to argue.

Yizhuoha heard, then hastened to say, “slave girl this will go to explain the Wen Yuange’s public officials ……”

Zhu Di said: “This Wen Yuan Pavilion of the Secretaries, is not accompanied by driving here? Just next door, why do you need to go to explain? I personally go!”

After saying that, Zhu Di stood up and led Zhu Gaoqi and Zhang Anshi, together to the front hall.

In this front hall, the ministers have already eaten lunch, and there are too many people accompanying the driver, so everyone has to crowd here.

Someone served them tea, so everyone took their seats and chatted.

Guizhou’s military intelligence, is sent from the Palace, the Secretary of a copy of the Secretary, Wen Yuange also has a copy of the Secretary, so the Secretary of the side sent to the also lost Ha, also lost Ha since the report.

And the Wen Yuan Pavilion’s report has been sent to Hu Guang and Yang Rong to read.

Now that Hu Guang and Yang Rong were with the ministers accompanying them, naturally, the news could not be hidden from the other ministers accompanying them.

This way, the ministers have been complaining a lot, now is even more exhausted, think of now there is such a big event, his majesty will have to immediately get up to go back to the palace, everyone will have to go through a lot of trekking back to the journey.

So many people couldn’t help but sigh and whine.

“Daily court such a lot of military and state affairs, but also let us come to this Qixia to see what exhibition. This …… hey …… what is the use of looking at these things? We in the ministries hall, which day is not the day to day? Delay a day of effort …… is what a great loss? If the people and the military know that the court of the public have this leisure, more do not know how cold hearted. Hey ……”

“Yes, yes, I see those things, all of them are strange, obscene and skillful things, what good will they do to the people?”

“In the end, it is just a matter of wanting to earn silver, but asking His Majesty and I to come …… so that we can teach them to earn more money, hey …… this can all fall into the eye of money.”

“Since ancient times, if the son of heaven, there are such only know how to drill, heavy gold and silver and contempt for the military and the people, which one is not ultimately a defeat? It’s just, it’s just, don’t say it.”

The crowd spoke with such excitement that it seemed as if they wanted to spew out all their grievances at once.

Naturally, Hu Guang and Yang Rong, a few important ministers, but one by one, they lowered their heads and drank tea, pretending not to hear.

When you come across such a situation, it’s best to play dead, because once you attach yourself to them, it’s bound to reach His Majesty’s ears, and you’ll inevitably lose His Majesty’s trust.

But if you are against it, then you have to offend the hundred officials and colleagues, and it is not unlikely that they will be added to the oil and vinegar to pass out, and then …… cause the world s readers to be disgusted.

Readers are not to be messed with, once they are offended, in less than three years, there will be all kinds of distortions of your paragraphs and plays will appear! By then, your reputation will be in tatters, and you will not have the face to serve as a minister in the Wen Yuan Pavilion.

Jian Yi also did not say anything, but he is old, at this time not young, the heart also has a complaint, just he did not agree with just, but also think Zhang Anshi this guy, really some things lack proper.

You do your business, that’s your business, don’t lose sight of public and private matters! Pulling the Emperor and all the officials to support you, is this acceptable?

Jin Zhong lazily pay attention to other people, this is actually good to understand, he is not from the class, once upon a time is a fortune teller, do not look at the Ministry of War, but once you open your mouth, it is inevitable to be disliked directly, when the face is lost.

And isn’t it normal for Zhang Anshi to get scolded? It’s only strange for Jin Zhong if no one scolds him!

Never let this guy get next to the old man, Jin Zhong is afraid of getting blood spilled on himself.

“Old man to be honest, these things, and what is the use? Now well, delayed military affairs, gentlemen, can no longer sit idly by ……”

Speak up, is a member of the Ministry of households, he is the most excited. Because he was originally Xie Jin’s same year, originally also pointed to Xie Jin this tree good cool.

As a result, Xie Jin was thrown to Java because of Zhang Anshi. He was so indignant that his anger towards Zhang Anshi could be imagined.

With him opening his mouth, the ministers naturally relied on the law to be more lively.

But coldly, someone walked in, the crowd subconsciously look, but it is Zhu Di.

At this moment, this hall was violently quiet, and a needle could be heard.

Zhu Di had a cold face and a murderous aura in his eyes.

Originally, because of the bad news in Guizhou, he was in a bad mood because of the anger of the dragon!

Just outside, but he heard all these words in his ears, and the anger in his heart became even greater.

Don’t look at everyone only scold Zhang Anshi, but Zhu Di knows very well, these ministers are mostly scolding Samuel, they do not dare to scold me, they borrowed to reprimand Zhang Anshi, to my verbal attack just.

Yang Rong and Hu Guang and the others hurriedly got up and saluted Zhu Di.

Zhu Di sullenly said: “There is no need to be polite, Secretary and so on are the pillars of the country, is not one and all is my Ming Guanzhong Le Yi, this world can not be separated from the Secretary ah.”

“Ten thousand deaths.”

Crowd Response.

That xie jin’s same year, know that this is his majesty yin and yang yin themselves, can not help but say: “your majesty, I’m not talented, but also as a minister of the court, but the state affairs are many as hair, but the court officials, but in this nothing to do, so I have this non-compliance. If Your Majesty thinks that what I said is not right, of course I will die. But I thought that …… Daming wants to have long lasting peace and stability, but need to put the mind, focus on the state affairs, not these cock and bull trick.”

With that, he respectfully bowed and saluted towards Zhu Di.

Zhu Di opened his mouth, wanted to say something, but found …… that it seemed that this guy …… had blocked his own speech with a sentence.

Consequently, the anger inside, but not knowing how to respond, made his face even harder to see.

When Zhang Anshi saw this, he also changed his face slightly, You can scold me Zhang Anshi, anyway, I Zhang Anshi is not a good person.

But insulting my exhibition is not, I Zhang Anshi want to rely on this to get rich …… No, I want to rely on this to benefit the world.

So Zhang Anshi could no longer hold back and said, “The art of chicken and dog theft? I wonder what this means?”

“It’s literally that.” This member of the staff was fearless even in front of Zhu Di, let alone against Zhang Anshi!

He squared his shoulders and said, “Isn’t it?”

Zhang Anshi said, “Dare I ask your name.”

“Zhang Youcheng, not compared to the Duke of Wei, but is a district Ministry of Households Minister only. The reason why the next official is indignant, big speech, really is the thought of Guizhou thousands of soldiers died in battle …… which is mouth to mouth, if the Duke of Wei see blame, then, the next official …… to ask for a crime is.”

This guy’s answer can be described as dripping with water, both scolding you but teaching you that there’s no way to blame him.

After all, he could hold the name of the Great Righteousness.

Zhu Di already knew that Zhang Anshi was only going to be hung up and beaten again by the sharp words of this minister.

Zhang Anshi, on the other hand, said, “Well, since you are a member of the Ministry of Revenue, the matter of transshipment in the provinces is also closely related to the Ministry of Revenue. Let me ask you, why this time the transportation of military food will be out of schedule, the money and food to supply the army, why can’t it be delivered in time?”

“The number of supplies is too large, every month, Zhen Yuan Hou consumes alone food, need 36,000 stone! This is only the army’s rations, in addition, there are war horses and mules and horses of the horse material, so much material, need to requisition in advance at least thousands of large car, along the way also transported people and horses to eat and drink, so that …… a horse, a car, a round trip down, can be transported to the army’s food, but only a district of one stone only. And Guizhou that place, there is a lack of horses, if there is a delay in the middle of the road, naturally it can not be supplied.”

Zhang Anshi said with a questioning tone, “A cart, running a round trip, is only one stone of grain?”

This Yucheng said, “The roads in Guizhou are rugged, and one stone of grain is already the best case; if it were any other place, there would be two stones after taking out losses.”

Zhang Anshi said, “In that case, you don’t think it’s the responsibility of the transporter, but instead think it’s a problem of manpower and horsepower?”

Zhang Youcheng said very directly, “Of course it is so, what I supervise is the matter of transshipment, and I know it like the back of my hand. I don’t think that the Duke of Wei thinks that he understands the situation of transshipment in various places.”

Zhang Anshi said, “I may not know about transshipment, but I do know that a single cart can, in fact, transport more than ten stones of grain, not one stone!”

At these words, Zhang Youcheng couldn’t help but sneer.

Many people shook their heads darkly as they listened.

Even Zhu Di felt that Zhang Anshi’s words, were a bit too much.

He thinks Zhang Anshi is to use this to attack the transit ambassador in the name of loss of ink, but in fact, Zhu Di is a general in the army, for the transportation is also like a finger on the pulse, naturally clear, a trip to the car, the transportation of one or two stone grain, is indeed the normal situation.

Zhang Youxiao like is all of a sudden caught Zhang Anshi’s handle general, hastened to pursue: “Wei Guo Gong since do not understand the transit, do not argue with the next official, right and wrong, there is a public debate …….”

Zhang Anshi, however, said in a shocking way, “What if I can transport more than ten stones in one trip? And I’ll transport it to you now!”

Zhang Youcheng mockingly glanced at him, then sneered, “Then I will rip off my head and give it to the Duke of Wei as a cuju kick.”