Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

Songjiang Mansion is the place where the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River is the most powerful, and it is also the place where the contradiction between man and land is most acute.

Homesteaders and sharecroppers live under the shadow of their clans, and abandoned babies can be seen everywhere. Although the farmers' plight has been somewhat alleviated through the promotion of farm work, the problem remains serious.

The light industry, especially the textile industry that was to be developed first, could accommodate a large population and create huge trade spreads, which was equivalent to robbing a large number of people from the Jiangnan gentry.

In the place where the Jiangnan gentry is the most powerful, one can imagine the resistance to promoting changes that will definitely touch their interests.

But Jiang Xinghuo's choice was very much to Zhu Di's liking.

Zhu Di's favorite thing to do was to use the handle of a knife to straighten the bones of a stubborn person.

"Then Mr. Jiang thinks, which place in Beizhili should be used as a pilot to develop heavy industry?"

"Tianjin Wei."

Jiang Xinghuo gave the best answer in his mind.

As mentioned before, Tianjin Wei is an intermediate node that can be reached by coal from Shanxi and railway from Liaodong through water transportation.

Moreover, the construction of heavy industry here not only facilitates the transportation of coal and iron resources, but also allows the rapid transportation of heavy industrial products to various ports in Daming.

At the same time, consider it from a safety perspective.

The two wings of the Bohai Bay formed by Liaodong and Jiaodong are like two huge crab claws, guarding the safety of the future heavy industrial zone. Jinzhou and Dengzhou were both naval bases of the Ming Dynasty. Currently, the Dengzhou Navy of the Jiaodong Peninsula The strength is stronger, and Jinzhou on the Liaodong Peninsula is weaker.

Back to Tianjin Wei, it is also an excellent port in itself. It can not only dock the fleet, but also build large permanent forts for defense.

"I feel that the choice of Songjiang Mansion and Tianjin Wei as small pilot projects in the two large experimental fields of North and South Zhili is a good choice. It just allows the two princes to focus on something." Zhu Di nodded slightly.

Of course, in Zhu Di's plan, piloting light and heavy industries is something that will be carried out later.

Now Zhu Di is just asking Jiang Xinghuo what issues need to be paid attention to if Ming Dynasty engages in industrialization to prevent Ming Dynasty from going astray.

With Jiang Xinghuo, an immortal who could see through the future, Zhu Di no longer had too many doubts about whether he could successfully reform the Ming Dynasty.

The most important thing right now is the next few things that can be called the highlight.

There was a rare hint of hesitation in Zhu Di's words.

"I have one more important question to ask about industrialization."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

Jiang Xinghuo looked at Zhu Di and vaguely guessed what he was going to ask.

This is probably the issue that the emperor is most concerned about.

Sure enough, Zhu Di repeated the question that he had not heard during the lecture.

After Jiang Xinghuo showed him the four circles on the handout, Zhu Di began to think for a long time.

"After industrialization has cultivated a large number of handicraft practitioners, will it"

Before Zhu Di could finish speaking, Jiang Xinghuo simply replied.

"I am very aware of your Majesty's concerns, but your Majesty must know that the way of organization and management is also advancing with the times. Since in the industrial zone, the Ming Dynasty in the future can organize hundreds of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people for industrial production, then once If you start a full-scale war with other countries, you can do the same thing, but the location will change into a battlefield."

"So."

"Compared to industry than handicrafts, the energy and skills invested by people are no longer the decisive factor, nor are the people themselves."

In front of Zhu Di's eyes, a whole new world seemed to appear just like Xia Yuanji's back then.

However, the world that Xia Yuanji simulated that day was just numbers.

Zhu Di, on the other hand, saw tiny mechanical parts forming a huge machine.

The parts couldn't run apart from the machine, so he didn't have to worry.

The pioneering exploration of industrial zones will also explore new management models for him. In a sense, the factories of the future will be essentially the same as those of the Ming Dynasty.

Obviously, Jiang Xinghuo lied, 99% truth and 1% lie.

But Zhu Di did not identify the 1% lie hidden under the beautiful picture.

After Zhu Di thought about it, he finally felt relieved. Since industrialization would not pose a threat to his imperial power, it would also greatly enhance the national power of the Ming Dynasty and help him become the emperor of the ages who "ruled the Tang and Song Dynasties and reached the Han and Tang Dynasties". So why not do it?

"The new type of army, that is, infantry equipped with breastplates, muskets, and bayonets, I plan to form an experimental unit in South Zhili first for verification."

Zhu Di pondered: "I wonder if Mr. Jiang would be willing to provide some guidance to this unit?"

Just now Jiang Xinghuo pretended to be a master without saying anything, which gave Zhu Di a wrong signal.

That is, Jiang Xinghuo still knows everything.

So, Jiang Xinghuo must have some experience in building a new type of army, right?

If Jiang Xinghuo can give guidance, I think the construction of the new army will be much smoother.

Of course, Zhu Di still paid close attention to important matters as important as military power. He was still wary of Jiang Xinghuo, but let Jiang Xinghuo guide him instead of directly managing this new army.

However, Jiang Xinghuo's answer was somewhat beyond his expectation.

"If your Majesty plans to form a new-style army, he might as well use tax soldiers to defend him. After all, the fire-gun soldiers in the new-style army are fine, but the artillery soldiers still have some requirements for the soldiers' cultural level. Only if they can read and arithmetic can they roughly Learn how to use artillery."

Zhu Di nodded. It would be the same for any army. With the tax guards to be formed in the future, it would be natural for one army to do two things.

"And if His Majesty wants Jiang to provide guidance, Jiang feels that Jiang may not be able to do a better job in training grassroots soldiers and managing the army than the outstanding officers who have experienced the bloody battle of Jingnan for four years, but Jiang You can achieve better results on another matter.”

"What is Mr. Jiang referring to?" Zhu Di seemed to have a guess.

"Your Majesty may wish to establish a small officer school specifically to train the officers needed for the new army of the Tax Guard. Jiang can give some guidance on this point."

Jiang Xinghuo said: "The fire tactics of the new army require officers and non-commissioned officers as the core of high-standard command. Well, non-commissioned officers are soldiers' officers, similar to positions such as commanders and corps commanders. And how to train officers to be responsible for executing the orders of officers? And the non-commissioned officers who manage soldiers, Your Majesty thinks they are experienced."

"But how to educate qualified new officers to use industrial era concepts to manage the army and logistics, and conduct campaign planning, I don't think anyone has this experience."

Zhu Di nodded, Jiang Xinghuo was indeed very suitable for the job of teaching and educating people.

If a small military officer school is established, a few naughty nobles are stuffed into it, and Jiang Xinghuo is given a good education. Even if the formation and training of the new army of the Tax Guards does not go smoothly, it can be regarded as training the next generation of the Ming Dynasty. A generation ago.

Zhu Di sighed and said: "Actually, the things I want to ask Mr. Jiang for guidance are not just about the new army."

"Reform and innovation are complicated, and everything needs Mr. Jiang's guidance."

"As the saying goes, if the name is not correct, the words will not be smooth, and if the words are not smooth, the things will not be accomplished."

Jiang Xinghuo's heart suddenly moved, and he roughly understood what Zhu Di meant, which was what he had revealed before, about becoming a national master.

Jiang Xinghuo said, "Your Majesty, Jiang has no desire for the glory, wealth, fame and fortune that the world pursues."

Zhu Di looked at Jiang Xinghuo and became much more serious.

"I intend to use Mr. Jiang's method to reform the Ming Dynasty. I should give Mr. Jiang a reputation."

"Mr. Jiang, I want to imitate the story of King Wen of Zhou worshiping Jiang Ziya as his grand master, and establish the position of national master, which is above all officials. He can ride horses in the imperial city, enter the palace without worshiping, give Shang Fang sword, and counsel on innovations."

Above all officials!

Imperial City Horseback Riding!

Don’t bow before entering the palace!

Grant Shang Fangjian!

The conditions given by Zhu Di, from fame to face, from power to benefits, almost reached the pinnacle of what an emperor could give to his ministers.

Further up, there is the abdication package exclusive to powerful ministers.

It can’t be said that we don’t pay attention to it, and we can’t say that we don’t spend a lot of money.

Jiang Xinghuo knew very well that Zhu Di sincerely asked him to become a national master.

At a certain moment, Jiang Xinghuo admitted that his heart was moved.

The supreme position is simply within reach.

All he needed was a nod.

He can become the Great Master of the Ming Dynasty under one person!

But in the end, under Zhu Di's expectant eyes, Jiang Xinghuo shook his head.

"Mr. Jiang, do you think what I gave you is not what you want?" Zhu Di's tone was a bit puzzling.

Zhu Di did not speculate that Jiang Xinghuo was greedy for more power or wealth, because Jiang Xinghuo was not that kind of person.

Zhu Di just felt that maybe the conditions he gave were not in line with Jiang Xinghuo's wishes.

"Your Majesty, do you still remember the promise that Jiang asked for in exchange just now?" Jiang Xinghuo said suddenly.

Of course Zhu Di remembered that in order to learn from Jiang Xinghuo how the Ming Dynasty fell, Zhu Di made a promise to Jiang Xinghuo, a promise that he would do as long as he could do it.

Jiang Xinghuo said calmly with his body long and his hands behind his back.

"The time has come for His Majesty to decide to fulfill his promise."

"Jiang, I would rather not be the national advisor of the Ming Dynasty, but I also want to ask your majesty to do one thing."

Zhu Di's eyes flashing with murderous intent narrowed slightly.

Jiang Xinghuo, what do you want?

Jiang Xinghuo suddenly raised his head, looked directly into Zhu Di's murderous eyes, and said.

"The national advisor of the Ming Dynasty only seeks a country."

"What I want is to plan for eternity!"

"If you want to do it, be the teacher of the common people and young children in the world!"

"If one day, the Ming Dynasty's national power takes off and finances permit, please do it so that all the common people in the world, regardless of high or low status, regardless of region, have access to education and education for all children."

"Go to school and learn how to stand up for yourself."

"Reading is the science of tomorrow."

"If this can be achieved, and a cup of goat's milk or cow's milk is allocated by the imperial court, and your majesty gives it to young children to drink every day, that would be Jiang's greatest wish."

A trace of uncontrollable astonishment flashed across Zhu Di's eyes.

Jiang Xinghuo, instead of asking for a national teacher, he actually asked for a teacher for the common people and young children in the world!

In Zhu Di's mind, a sentence suddenly flashed across his mind, a sentence he thought he had forgotten long ago.

"Gong Ai of Lu went hunting for Lin in the west, and Confucius' last work, "Spring and Autumn Annals", said: My way is poor!"

Where the Tao is, the saint is.

Now, a true saint appeared in front of Zhu Di.

Zhu Di breathed a sigh of relief and bowed seriously to Jiang Xinghuo.

"I promise to be the Imperial Master."

Hearing this somewhat unfamiliar title, Jiang Xinghuo's expression was a little touched.

Jiang Xinghuo also returned the gift solemnly.

"The road ahead will be difficult and dangerous from now on, and Jiang is willing to go with His Majesty."

Zhu Di's body, like a javelin, stood quietly beside Jiang Xinghuo, and the two of them seemed to have unloaded something at this time.

"Actually, I have always had a question buried in my heart. Why does Mr. Jiang not want to go to the afterlife?"

"Because of this era"

Jiang Xinghuo did not turn to look at Zhu Di, but looked at the warm winter sun in the sky.

“There are so many things that represent hope.”

Zhu Di was about to say something, but at this moment, someone suddenly broke into the courtyard.

It's Zhu Gaochi.

Zhu Gaochi was followed by Yuan Gong, who held a letter with a solemn expression. After entering the courtyard, Yuan Gong probably learned all this from Zhu Gaochi's mouth and went straight to Jiang Xinghuo.

"Master Yuan."

Jiang Xinghuo was a little surprised when he looked at the sloppy old Taoist priest who had been refining fertilizer with him before.

"On behalf of my friend, I would like to deliver a letter to Mr. Jiang."

Jiang Xinghuo took the letter from Yuan Gong and did not open it. Instead, his eyes fell on the familiar signature.

Now he knows the true identity of his "pen pal".

——The famous prime minister in black in history, Dao Yan.

Opening the letter in front of Zhu Di, Jiang Xinghuo hurriedly browsed through it, and his face immediately became solemn.

"Your Majesty, if there is any ceremony to worship me as a national master, I am afraid it will be delayed for a while. I must go back to Jingting Mountain in Xuancheng."

Zhu Di seemed to have understood something before. He nodded and said nothing more.

Jiang Xinghuo, on the other hand, took a deep breath.

Daoyan, waiting for him.

The questions Dao Yan asked in the letter made Jiang Xinghuo's heart stir up a storm.

In this day and age, why would anyone be able to ask?

this problem?