Zhu Yijun knocked on the table as he quietly pondered. Li Zhi's ideas were very radical. Zhu Yijun also wanted to promote them, but Zhu Yijun knew that now was not a good time.
However, it was still possible to promote it among the civil servants.
No matter what reform it was, the reform of the political system was fundamental. Daming the current civil servants, there were only two words: Haha!
However, it was still possible to shape a theory and standard for civil servants.
Rubbing his chin, Zhu Yijun felt that although Li Zhi's theory could not be promoted for the time being, it could be considered for both industry and commerce.
This would help him collect business taxes and also divert attention.
Li Zhi saw that Zhu Yijun was silent for a long time with a serious expression. He was somewhat worried.
Glancing at Li Zhi, Zhu Yijun smiled and said, "Not bad. We will tell Lv Shenxing that in the future, you can teach and write at the same time!" Saying this, Zhu Yijun smiled and picked up the sweet potato on the stove. "It's roasted!"
A trace of disappointment flashed in Li Zhi's eyes. He had spoken so excitedly just now with the intention of acting.
In fact, Li Zhi knew that the emperor did not send him to the capital to teach and write. He also intended to take advantage of this opportunity.
Thinking of Dong Zhongshu and the seniors of the Confucian Sect, this was a great opportunity for him to leave his name in history.
Through Zhu Yijun's attitude, Li Zhi also knew that the emperor was interested in his theory, but he did not give much support.
It was already a very good thing that he was allowed to give lectures and write here. He could only rely on himself for the rest.
However, Li Zhi was confident. These days, he had been in the civil servant school. He knew what was lacking.
Although the civil servant school also taught some things that were very bewitching, Li Zhi knew that it was not the right way.
The civil servant school lacked a kind of ideology, an ideology that the civil servants themselves could identify with. This was also the reason why Li Zhi wanted to teach here.
In fact, by achieving this goal, Li Zhi could be considered to have accomplished his goal.
It was impossible to reach the sky in a single step. Li Zhi was very clear about this.
Looking at the young Son of Heaven who was happily eating the roasted sweet potatoes, Li Zhi revealed a smile on his face. The future was long!
After eating a roasted sweet potato and drinking a big bowl of warm tea, Zhu Yijun left in a good mood.
This period of training for 100 civil servants was completed, and they would be put to use at the end of the year.
Next spring, there would be another recruitment for civil servants, but this time, it would not be just 100 people.
After boarding the carriage, Zhu Yijun instructed Zhang Jing, "Go to the Armaments Department!"
In reality, Zhu Yijun had not paid attention to the Ordnance Division for a long time. He only occasionally received memorials from the Ministry of Revenue, and most of them were complaining about the Ordnance Division's spending.
If it wasn't for the fact that the officials and gentry had received quite a lot of money from the grain collection, Zhang Xueyan, the Minister of Revenue, would probably have come to him for an explanation.
However, Zhu Yijun didn't care about this. Some money was worth it, so he had to spend it.
It was time for the Armory Division to come up with something. This time, Zhu Yijun went to the Armory Division to see something new.
When Zhu Yijun arrived at the Armaments Department, Pan Jixun and Chen Ju were already waiting there.
The two of them were clearly grooming themselves to avoid embarrassing themselves in front of the emperor.
Zhu Yijun didn't care about these things. He was more concerned about something.
"You two, please rise!" Zhu Yijun said with a faint smile after looking at the two of them.
Chen Ju no longer looked as fat and pale as he was in the palace. He was much tanner and more muscular. Pan Jixun, on the other hand, was still the same.
This assistant minister of the Ministry of Works, who had come to the capital in fear, was now working in peace.
The two of them stood up and respectfully followed behind Zhu Yijun and walked out of the Armory Division.
"You guys burned the thing?" Zhu Yijun looked at the two of them and asked.
Pan Jixun didn't steal the limelight. He let Chen Ju say it. After all, he was a eunuch. If he followed him to the Armory Division, he wouldn't have much time to get close to the emperor.
Pan Jixun felt that it was better to let him have this opportunity to show off.
"In reply to the Imperial Majesty, the firing of red bricks doesn't take much effort. It's not much different from firing green bricks. After a few experiments, it's done!"
Zhu Yijun nodded. He was the one who fired the red bricks. The hardness of green bricks and red bricks were about the same. It was just that the cooling method after firing was different. Red bricks were cooled naturally, which was easier, so there were more red bricks produced. Green bricks were water-cooled (actually, it was a kind of oxygen-deficient cooling). It was more troublesome to operate, so there were fewer of them produced.
Although the strength and hardness were about the same, green bricks were obviously better than red bricks in terms of oxidation resistance, hydration, and atmospheric erosion.
The productivity of this era was low, and the production of green bricks was so low. Although red bricks weren't as good as green bricks in many aspects, it was easy to produce, which was enough to beat green bricks. Coupled with cement, it was twice the result with half the effort.
At this time, Pan Jixun took over from Chen Ju's words. He knew that it was not suitable for Chen Ju to say the following words.
"Your Majesty, I've also tried this red brick. Although it's hard enough, it's still a lot worse than a green brick!" Pan Jixun reminded him. He had to say this in advance in case there was a problem.
Zhu Yijun glanced at Pan Jixun and said with a smile, "I know!"
"How's the firing of the cement?"
"Your Majesty, it's also successful!" Pan Jixun quickly said.
There were a few large wooden barrels on the ground not far away. The outside of the barrels was tightly bound with iron plates, and the inside was covered with oiled paper. The barrels contained the cement that Zhu Yijun wanted. Walking over, Zhu Yijun reached out and pinched a little bit. Zhu Yijun nodded with satisfaction.
"Good stuff!"
Zhu Yijun sighed. Although he didn't know what grade the cement could reach, as long as it could be made, it was good.
Glancing at Pan Jixun, Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "Have you asked someone to try it?"
"Your Majesty, they have!" Pan Jixun nodded and pointed to a wall not far away.
"The foundation is made of red bricks and cement, but it has only been a few days, and it hasn't dried yet. In addition, the weather is cold, so the effect is not good." Pan Jixun once again gave Zhu Yijun a warning, for fear that Zhu Yijun would not be satisfied.
Glancing at Pan Jixun, Zhu Yijun shook his head helplessly. Old Pan's illness was caused by the ups and downs of officialdom!
Using cement for construction in this season was simply a joke. Of course, Zhu Yijun knew what the consequences would be. It was enough to simply test the effect.
Looking at the wall in front of him, Zhu Yijun nodded.
Leaving the cement and bricks, Zhu Yijun began to focus on the main point of the day, which was steel!
"You have submitted a report to me, saying that you have produced crucible steel. Don't let me down!" Zhu Yijun looked at the two and said.
Anyone who paid attention to modern history would know that crucible steel was a key point that couldn't be ignored. It was the method of melting metal in a graphite clay crucible into molten steel. It was the first method in human history to produce liquid steel.
As for Zhu Yijun, he really didn't know much about it. He only mentioned it to Chen Ju once.
For the past decade, Chen Ju had been researching and searching for craftsmen from all over the world. When Zhu Yijun walked in, he saw a few foreigners.
They looked like Portuguese or something. Anyway, Zhu Yijun couldn't recognize faces.
There were also a few Indians. Zhu Yijun knew them, and he wouldn't mistake them for someone else.
"Tell me about it!" Zhu Yijun looked at the busy scene in front of him and said to Chen Ju.
Chen Ju nodded and quickly said, "The craftsmen cut the carburized iron into small pieces and placed them in a closed clay crucible. They heated the outside of the crucible. The iron continued to absorb the carbon in the graphite and melted it into high-carbon molten steel. The molten steel was then cast into small ingots and forged into the desired shape."
After saying this, Chen Ju said with some hesitation, "Although this method can produce crucible steel, the production is very small and the cost is very high."
"But Your Majesty, don't worry. I will get people to hurry up and develop it."
Zhu Yijun glanced at Chen Ju. This wasn't so easy. One had to know that the method of making steel using crucible was later replaced by the electric arc method. That method required electricity. Building a thermal power plant was something that Zhu Yijun could only dream about.
However, Zhu Yijun didn't discourage Chen Ju. Instead, he smiled and patted his shoulder. "Just try your best!"
He reached out and picked up a piece of crucible steel. It was a little cold, but Zhu Yijun couldn't help but look at it.
Crucible steel might have many shortcomings, such as low production, high cost, and not being able to be mass produced. However, it had an advantage that Zhu Yijun urgently needed.
When steel was melted in the crucible, graphite carbon could also act as a reducing agent. The oxygen in the steel could be removed, and various inclusions could also be removed from the liquid steel. Therefore, the quality of steel was better than the current metal materials and could be used to make tools to process metal materials.
Crucible steel was also known as tool steel. This advantage was irreplaceable.
Of course, it was also the best for forging swords. Zhu Yijun had read some information before. It was said that Damascus steel was this kind of crucible steel. Zhu Yijun didn't know whether it was true or not. He just took a glance.
Regardless of whether it was true or not, crucible steel was definitely the best metal in the world.
With crucible steel, many tools could be made. It was the best tool steel for cutting and engraving metals.
With this kind of steel, it was possible to make some drills. With drills, it meant that the other thing that Zhu Yijun wanted was about to appear. That was rifling.
With rifling, rifles could be made, that is, rifled guns. Rifling would solve the problem of aiming guns.
Even if the cost was high and the production was low, rifles could still be very useful. For example, rifles could be used for gunners.
Ambushing a large group and shooting accurately was similar to snipers in the future. Of course, it was still a long way from this step. Zhu Yijun could only work hard in this direction.
With crucible steel, Zhu Yijun felt that the Armament Division would be able to make many good things. He had confidence in the craftsmen of Daming.
"Make a sword for me!"
Zhu Yijun threw down the crucible steel in his hand and said, "Other than this one, don't let anyone else make it. All the steel must be used, understand?"
"We understand!" Pan Jixun and Chen Ju quickly bowed.