Princes were a very difficult group to deal with, but they had a weakness that princes did not have, which was that they were not that important.
Whether it was in Wang Xijue's eyes or in Zhu Yijun's eyes.
Compared to princes who caused trouble, princes who caused trouble could take a high-pressure stance.
Beijing, Forbidden City, Wenhua Hall.
After receiving Wang Xijue's memorial, Zhu Yijun breathed a sigh of relief. Prince Jin's residence was settled, and the rest would be easy.
Touching his chin, Zhu Yijun knew that he could start the construction of the new city in the western suburbs.
Of course, he had to pay for the construction himself, but he didn't care. The palace treasury could take out the money now.
In addition to the materials that the merchants had paid in advance, as well as the overdue construction fees, he didn't need to take out too much cash.
It had to be known that the construction of the new city in the western suburbs was a big deal.
Even if it was just to provide flashing bricks, it was a very, very big business opportunity.
Zhu Yijun believed that many people would be willing to pay in advance. Of course, there still had to be an upfront payment.
Looking up at Zhang Jing, Zhu Yijun said faintly, "Is he here?"
"Your Majesty, he is here!" Zhang Jing quickly bowed and said, "He is waiting outside."
Zhu Yijun nodded and put aside the memorial in his hand. Then he said faintly, "Let him in!"
Not long after, a young eunuch led a person in. He was in his forties and wore a fifth-rank civil official's uniform. He was thin and looked very capable.
"Your Majesty, the steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Cui Fu, greets Your Majesty!"
After walking in, Cui Fu quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Zhu Yijun, "Long live the emperor!"
Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "Get up!"
When Cui Fu stood up from the ground and stood respectfully to the side, Zhu Yijun said, "I have seen the hospital you are responsible for building and have also sent people to check and accept it. It is very good."
"Every expenditure in the accounts can be verified, and they are all genuine. The budget has been strictly implemented. Very well done."
Cui Fu was an inconspicuous steward in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but Zhu Yijun valued him because he was from a prestigious family in the Ministry of Works.
Several generations of them had been responsible for the construction and repair of the Imperial Palace. They were definitely the architects of this era of Daming.
After Zhu Yijun noticed this person, he didn't use him rashly. Instead, he let him be responsible for the construction of the hospital.
Now that the hospital was completed, Zhu Yijun's Cui Fu's assessment was also completed. From the results of the assessment, Zhu Yijun was very satisfied with Cui Fu.
Hearing Zhu Yijun's praise, Cui Fu hurriedly said, "It's all thanks to Your Majesty's good fortune."
Zhu Yijun waved his hand. "If you did well, then you did well. We will not mistreat a sincere person. I called you here today because I have an errand for you to do. At the same time, it is also a reward for you."
"You are now a fifth-level steward, right?
You can be promoted by one level! "Zhu Yijun said with a faint smile.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs was different from the yamen outside, but the level was the same. Above the fifth-level steward was the fourth-level steward, who was in charge of a certain aspect of power.
In the Ministry of Internal Affairs, this was also a threshold. Once you crossed it, it meant that you had more possibilities.
Cui Fu hurriedly knelt on the ground and said loudly, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Nodding, Zhu Yijun waved his hand again and said, "Get up!"
When Cui Fu stood up, Zhu Yijun said, "Have you heard about the opening of the vassal state?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I have heard about it!" Cui Fu hurriedly agreed.
Zhu Yijun nodded. "This is the errand I am going to give you."
After that, Zhu Yijun told Cui Fu about the matter, but Zhu Yijun only made a request, not a suggestion.
In terms of construction, Zhu Yijun didn't even know half a bucket of water. At this time, it was better not to talk nonsense.
In terms of ancient architecture, Zhu Yijun knew nothing about it, but Zhu Yijun still made a request, which was to use more bricks and cement, and less wood, mainly to make it stronger and faster.
Because there was no cement, the buildings of this era were mostly made of wood, because compared to stone, wood was easier to cut, better to inlay, and more reliable.
With cement, the purpose of fast construction could be achieved, and at the same time, it could also be very reliable.
Prince Jin's Mansion could use green bricks and some wood according to the rules, and the rest of the buildings were all made of cement and red bricks.
As for paving the floor, there was no need to think about using green stone slabs. Not to mention that it was time-consuming and laborious, the cost was high.
Whether it was mining or transportation, it was too difficult, time-consuming, and labor-consuming.
If the floor was changed to cement, not only would the construction be faster, but it could also save materials.
Just get some crushed stones and sand. There was no need to use big carts. Black sand was enough. Even red sand was not needed.
Cui Fu listened very seriously. He didn't dare to be careless. He had just been promoted and got such a job. Naturally, he had to work hard.
"Hire workers. Try to hire refugees and landless people. Give enough money and food. If you dare to embezzle it." Zhu Yijun continued, but he just coldly snorted.
Cui Fu shivered. His Majesty's saber was very fast.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this official understands!" Cui Fu quickly bowed.
"Go back and make a design plan, then give me a budget. You can choose the manpower. This time, transfer all the people who built the hospital with you." Zhu Yijun nodded his head and said.
These people were prepared by Zhu Yijun for the future construction company. Daming, there were too many places to build in the future.
The benefits of a professional construction team were self-evident. Now, the Beijing Army even had engineers.
Although it was not very mature, Zhu Yijun believed that with the passage of time, it would definitely be successful.
"This official thanks Your Majesty!" Cui Fu quickly bowed and said.
"Alright, you can go!" Zhu Yijun nodded and then waved his hand.
"This official will leave!" Cui Fu nodded, then bowed and left.
Zhu Yijun looked at Cui Fu's back and sighed softly. One step at a time. Don't rush, don't rush. Although he kept telling himself in his heart, Zhu Yijun still couldn't suppress his impatience.
"What's the name of Cui Fu's man?" Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Jing and asked again.
"Your Majesty, his name is Liao Qing!" Zhang Jing quickly said.
Zhu Yijun nodded. "Is he here too?"
"Your Majesty, he is here!" Zhang Jing quickly nodded.
"Let him in!" Zhu Yijun nodded and said.
Not long after, another middle-aged man was brought in. His face was dark and thin, but he looked very energetic.
After he bowed, Zhu Yijun said, "Are you Liao Qing?"
"Your Majesty, this official is Liao Qing!" Liao Qing quickly bowed and replied.
Zhu Yijun nodded, then glanced at Liao Qing and said, "This time, you are Cui Fu's assistant in the construction of the hospital. You did a good job. I am very satisfied. Promote to the fifth rank!"
For Liao Qing, this increase of five grades made him overjoyed.
As Cui Fu's assistant, Liao Qing was from the fifth rank. To be promoted to the fifth rank was half a rank, but this was not the key.
If he was promoted to the fifth rank, he would be the manager. If not, he could only be the deputy manager.
The difference of one word was like heaven and earth. Could the deputy secretary and the secretary be the same thing?
"This official thanks Your Majesty!" Liao Qing quickly bowed on the ground.
Zhu Yijun nodded and said faintly, "Get up!"
When Liao Qing stood up, Zhu Yijun said, "I have a task for you."
"Your Majesty, please tell me!" Liao Qing said quickly.
"I plan to build a cement road from the capital to Ji Zhou."
Zhu Yijun looked at Liao Qing and said faintly, "I am going to let you be responsible for this matter. Can you do it well?"
Build a cement road from the capital to Ji Zhou?
Liao Qing was shocked by the emperor's idea. How much money would it cost?
Then he thought that this was not what he should be concerned about. What he should be concerned about was that this was an opportunity!
If he led his men to build this cement road, not to mention anything else, this contribution would be enough for him to go one step further.
"I can do it well!" Liao Qing quickly promised, "I will do my best and not let Your Majesty down."
Of course, Zhu Yijun would not trust Liao Qing directly. He nodded and said, "Then build a cement road from the capital to Tong Zhou first!
The Ministry of Internal Affairs will send people to you. You should get the budget first. "
Since the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Zhu Yijun had been promoting the budget policy in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Now it was very convenient to use it.
There were also many benefits of building a cement road from the capital to Tong Zhou. It could improve the traffic. After all, the Tong Zhou dock was the end of the canal.
Of course, the main purpose was to observe Liao Qing and let him gain some experience.
"Yes, I will do it when I go back!" Liao Qing said quickly.
"Okay, you can leave!" Zhu Yijun nodded and said.
After Liao Qing left, Zhu Yijun stood up and stretched. It was quite tiring to sit all the time.
However, after these two things were arranged, he could breathe a sigh of relief.
Now that Zhu Yijun did not want to cause trouble, his reform could stop for a period. Now, both Daming and himself needed time.
Taking in refugees and people without land to build cities was to give them a way to live. On the other hand, Zhu Yijun also wanted to spread a message that people could live well without land.
Daming's people valued land too much. If they were to be freed from the land, not only physically, but also psychologically.
Without this concept, there was no way to move Daming's people away from the land.
For many people, a few acres of land, a cow, a wife, and children were the ideal life.
In fact, it was not a problem if they simply wanted to live this kind of life. However, it was not good for the people to only focus on one acre of land.
However, this kind of thinking needed time, and it would take a long time. Liao Yuan also knew that it was not something that could be done overnight.
Just as Zhu Yijun was wondering if there was any way to speed up the process, a young eunuch suddenly came to report that Xu Guangqi from the Royal Academy of Sciences and Eunuch Chen from the Armaments Department had arrived.
Zhu Yijun was stunned. Xu Guangqi had just developed a clock. How did he get involved with Chen Ju?
"Let them in!"
Although he did not know what the two of them wanted, Zhu Yijun still invited them in. Not long after, the two of them walked in from outside. After gesturing for them to dispense with the formalities, Zhu Yijun smiled and said, "The two of you have come hand in hand. It seems that something big has happened!"
"Your Majesty, I have developed a new type of gun!" Xu Guangqi looked at Zhu Yijun and said with a smile.
Zhu Yijun was stunned. He stood up and said, "You said you have developed a new type of gun?"
In fact, the Armaments Department had been investing in cannons for the past few years. In the past two years, this investment had been shifted to guns.
However, the progress was very slow. Although Zhu Yijun knew the direction of development, he was not clear about the details.
The Armaments Department could only continue to experiment and research, but there were not many breakthroughs.
Zhu Yijun knew that this was urgent, but Zhu Yijun believed that once the technology was accumulated to a certain level, there would be a qualitative leap in the Daming's weapon manufacturing industry.
At that time, all kinds of new weapons would be produced continuously. He only needed to wait for that day to come.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I have developed a new type of gun."
Xu Guangqi smiled and said, "I have brought the thing. It is now outside. Your Majesty, please allow me to present it."
It was a gun. It was impossible to bring it into the palace. It would be detained outside.
Of course, Zhu Yijun would not break the palace's rules. He nodded and said, "Present it to me!"
Immediately, a young eunuch ran to pass the decree. Not long after, the young eunuch came back with a box. However, he did not give it to Xu Guangqi. Instead, he gave it to Zhang Jing. Then, Zhang Jing passed it to Zhu Yijun.
When the box was in front of Zhu Yijun, it was already opened. There was a short gun inside.
Seeing this gun, Zhu Yijun was slightly stunned. Then, he reached out and picked it up. The expression on his face was very complicated. He glanced at Xu Guangqi and then at the gun in his hand.
Sure enough, no matter when, talent was the most important!
Although the craftsmen of the Daming were experienced, they were not professional researchers after all!
The gun in Zhu Yijun's hand had a sawtooth steel wheel, a chain, a spring, and a hammer. There was a dozen flints on the hammer. This thing was a rotary gun.
Not only did Xu Guangqi make it, but he also made a short gun. It was really amazing.
If it was a long gun, the rotary gun could only be regarded as a transition because it was far inferior to the flintlock.
However, the short gun could continue to evolve. Its next step was the revolver.
According to the protection of the wheel and the wheel spring, the rotary gun could be divided into three types: fully exposed, with the wheel exposed, and hidden. The revolver used an exposed gun body.
Although it could not be made into a revolver in the sense of the future, it could still be made into the original revolver.
Although it required a hand to move the wheel, or a hand to pull the hammer to move the wheel into position, and then pull the trigger to complete the single-action firing, and the bullet needed to be reloaded after firing, etc., it was an epoch-making existence.
Xu Guangqi did not improve on the long gun. Instead, he directly made a short gun. This was talent!