After buying the treasured sword, the shopkeeper's attitude became even more enthusiastic. Zhu Yijun strolled around while chatting with the shopkeeper.
Glancing at the shopkeeper, Zhu Yijun asked with a smile, "Shopkeeper, is the business in Ji Province going well?"
"It's going well!"
The shopkeeper said with a smile, "Ji Province is a military camp. There are many rules, and everyone follows them. It's a good thing for our business."
Zhu Yijun nodded and chatted with the shopkeeper for a while. Then, he turned around and left.
In the next few days, Zhu Yijun basically wandered around the city, looking here and there.
He even went to the Qian family's chicken farm and pig farm. The scale was really big.
In fact, the situation in Ji Province was much better than he had imagined.
It was obvious that both Governor Wu Dui and Zhang Weixian had put in a lot of effort, which made Zhu Yijun very satisfied.
After staying in Ji Province for five days, Zhu Yijun left Ji Province with his people.
A thousand guards escorted Zhu Yijun out of Ji Province and went straight to the Daming Royal Shipyard.
This shipyard had been established for a long time and had made some achievements, but Zhu Yijun had never been there. Now that he had the opportunity to come, he naturally had to take a look.
When Zhu Yijun arrived at the entrance of the shipyard, Song Yingchang was already waiting there.
This talent, who had been arranged by Zhu Yijun to work at the shipyard, now looked very old.
Zhu Yijun felt a little sorry for him. On one hand, he was really old, and on the other hand, he was really tired.
There were many trivial matters in the shipyard. All these years, he had been urging them to expand production. The expansion of production put Song Yingchang under a lot of pressure.
Slowly walking to Song Yingchang, who had bowed to him, Zhu Yijun reached out and helped Song Yingchang up. Looking at Song Yingchang, Zhu Yijun said softly, "You have worked hard!"
"Your Majesty and the Daming, that's all." Song Yingchang quickly said.
Zhu Yijun nodded. Back then, he had appointed Song Yingchang because he valued his talent.
In his early years, he had fought against Japanese pirates, served in the local government, and even wrote memorials and strategies, such as the famous "Coastal Defense Matters".
In history, Song Yingchang also served as the North Korean Governor, and together with the commander-in-chief Li Rusong, he led the army to cross the Yalu River on the ice to aid the North Koreans.
They had defeated the Japanese army and recovered Pyongyang, Kaesong, Hwangmei, Pingji, and Jiangyuan.
He sent his soldiers to burn down the Longshan granary that night, cutting off the Japanese army's rations and supplies. He led his army to the southern plains and Jinzhou, forcing the Japanese army to retreat to Xiongchuan West's Shengpu.
The Minister of War, Starlord Shi, withdrew his troops to negotiate for peace. Song Yingchang suggested that they stay behind to assist in the defense, but his suggestion was rejected. Song Yingchang returned and resigned.
However, the peace negotiations turned into a joke. The Minister of War, Shi Xing, and Shen Weijing were both executed by the Wanli Emperor.
One of the main reasons why Zhu Yijun came to the Royal Shipyard this time was to take Song Yingchang away.
The Royal Shipyard was already on the right track. It was no longer appropriate to send Song Yingchang here at this time.
He pulled Song Yingchang to his side and the group walked into the shipyard.
"You, when I asked you to come here, this place was overgrown. It was you who did not fear hardship and built such a large shipyard for Daming here. I am very pleased."
Looking at the magnificent shipyard in front of him, Zhu Yijun said with some emotion.
"It is the duty of an official!" Song Yingchang said respectfully, "I am just doing my duty."
Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "I came here this time to see your contributions. Bring me around!" With that said, Zhu Yijun smiled and followed Song Yingchang forward.
Hearing Zhu Yijun's words, Song Yingchang hurriedly brought Zhu Yijun around, a proud look on his face from time to time.
Song Yingchang introduced the shipyard to Zhu Yijun in a very comprehensive manner. From the personnel and materials to the shipping of the shipyard, Song Yingchang could explain everything clearly. All kinds of data were at his fingertips.
The group walked forward and soon arrived at the shipyard. Zhu Yijun smiled and asked Song Yingchang, "How's the speed of shipbuilding here?"
"Your Majesty, at the beginning, the speed wasn't fast. With sufficient materials, it would take half a year to build a small ship. But now, it can be launched in a month.
Large ships also only take three months. The speed has increased a lot, "Song Yingchang hurriedly replied.
Zhu Yijun nodded. In fact, this had to do with the great increase in manpower.
There were many people in the shipyard. When the Liao Army was reformed, many soldiers were called to work in the shipyard.
These people knew how to obey and were all men. Naturally, they were good laborers.
As the technology became more mature and the craftsmen became more skilled, it was normal for the speed of shipbuilding to increase.
Zhu Yijun looked at the warships under construction, then looked at the other warships at the side and nodded with satisfaction.
Accompanied by Song Yingchang, Zhu Yijun entered the duty room of the shipyard.
The shipyard was an office building with the living quarters at the back. Not far away was the residential area.
After sitting down, Zhu Yijun looked at Song Yingchang and said with a smile, "You, I came here this time to take a look at the shipyard. I have already seen it. You have done a good job. I am very satisfied!"
"Secondly, I have something to discuss with you."
Song Yingchang was slightly stunned. Discuss with me?
That was his own problem.
Since that was the case, it would be inappropriate to speak without knowing what was going on. Therefore, Song Yingchang decided not to speak.
"You have been here for a few years. Now that the shipyard is on the right track, it is time for you to be promoted."
"Back then, I gave you the position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Works, and I feel that it is time to fulfill it," Zhu Yijun said as he looked at Song Yingchang and asked with a smile, "I wonder what you think?"
In fact, the position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Works was just a transition. Very soon, Song Yingchang would take over as the Minister of the Six Ministries.
Song Yingchang was slightly stunned. He did not expect that Zhu Yijun was here to talk to him about this.
His expression was a little stunned. Speaking of which, the shipyard was built from scratch. This was all Song Yingchang's hard work!
However, after being an official for so many years, Song Yingchang knew that it was impossible for him to stay here for the rest of his life.
It was only a matter of time before he left. Although it was a little sudden now, it might be a good opportunity.
After all, the Emperor personally came to look for him and gave him the position of Assistant Minister of the Six Ministries.
In fact, Zhu Yijun did not want to give him the position of Assistant Minister of the Six Ministries. He wanted to give him the position of Minister of the Six Ministries.
However, in the current Daming, it was already good enough for him to be an Assistant Minister of the Six Ministries.
Zhu Yijun knew the significance of this shipyard to Daming, but he could not say it out loud. He could only follow the rules and give the position of Assistant Minister first.