Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

"Place honor above life."

Zhu Di's eyes stayed on the papers on the two tables. After looking at them for a long time, he said slowly: "This sentence is really good. I remember it very clearly... When I was a child, Emperor Taizu Gao ordered General Xu Da to lead an army of twenty Fifty thousand Northern Expedition to the Central Plains. Among the slogans of the Northern Expedition, what impressed me the most was not the sentence that you all know, 'Drive out the Huru and restore China'."

Dao Yan, who had always remained deep-tempered, now showed great interest in this seemingly insignificant matter.

"Which sentence is that?"

Zhu Di replied: "With a small number of people and little power, they blocked the troops and took advantage of the danger. They bribed and lured the famous nobles, aiming to build up their strength in case of trouble. This is the person who Guan Shaanxi."

What I want to say here is that Zhu Yuanzhang did not mean to launch map cannons. The so-called "people from Guan and Shaanxi" were not targeting the common people, but Wang Baobao, Li Siqi, and Zhang Liangbi who were separatist in Guan and Shaanxi at that time or were about to flee into Shaanxi.

The reason why Zhu Di said this was because he felt it.

"Why did the separatist armed forces in Shaanxi appear to be 'bribing famous nobles in order to support their strength' during the war at the end of the Yuan Dynasty? In fact, in the final analysis, isn't it the reverse of Mr. Jiang's words? In the Yuan Dynasty, from the generals down to the soldiers, He doesn’t take reputation seriously at all.”

Zhu Di continued to use the topic to play.

"The founding of the country, Jingnan, and Wu Xun's status have been elevated, but are the top soldiers in the underground still the 'stinky Qiu Ba' you talk about? In the hearts of the people, the Duke of the country can be put together with the minister. When will Wu Xun be put together?" How tall can he be compared with a young scholar?"

"Of course I know that this may never be possible, but the soldiers who serve the country deserve some due respect."

"So, I think Jiang Xinghuo's proposal is very good."

"Just as the Jingnan is over, I always feel that in addition to rewarding the heroes and giving them the title of "Feng Tian Jingnan" as a military minister, there are less rewards for the generals and soldiers below. Let's use this medal system."

Dao Yan suggested from the side: "The eight hundred warriors who captured Peiping were given a separate medal. This was a great achievement. Based on their merits, they can be awarded silver medals to start. When they defeated Geng Bingwen in the Battle of Zhending, they were also given a separate medal. At that time, the meritorious soldiers, You can start with the Bronze Medal; you can start with the Bronze Medal in the battle of Beiping City Defense and Zhengcunba, both of which were tough battles; you can start with the Iron Medal when you defeat Cao Li Jinglong in the Battle of Baigou River."

The five-star emperor Mike Jinglong, who was far away in Japan, sneezed at this time.

Then, based on the difficulty of the battle, it was decided that the three bloody battles of Dongchang, Jiahe, and Hongcheng would start with the silver medal, and the decisive battle of Lingbi would start with the bronze medal.

Medals from different battles can be obtained at the same time, and Zhu Di said he still has to think about what kind of preferential treatment the medals can receive.

As civil servants, Jian Yi and Ru Ru certainly did not want to see the emperor exalt the status of warriors, especially ordinary warriors.

But while the emperor was talking about the tragedy of the Jingnan War and the hardships of the soldiers, what else could they say?

"Jiahe and Sicheng are like a mill of flesh and blood. Many good men died on the battlefield. The war was extremely tragic at that time. Thousands of soldiers were killed and injured every day. Of course I know the cruelty of war, so I never thought about it. I didn't want to retreat, I just hope that the national crisis can be quelled as soon as possible. But now that I think about it, I feel sorry for those soldiers who died!"

"His Majesty!"

Jian Yi and Ru Ru, who were sitting aside, immediately knelt down.

Of course the two gentlemen knew that, and if they continued to speak, they would really hit the hidden pain point in the king's heart.

"I already know His Majesty's intentions."

The issuance of medals must be under the control of Ruyu, Minister of the Ministry of War. Seeing that the emperor's will cannot be disobeyed, Zhongbo embodies his title.

"Your Majesty is wise." Rujun said: "I believe that even without these things, the soldiers will understand your Majesty. But the war is cruel after all. The soldiers fought bloody and bloody battles on the battlefield to quell the national calamity. If there are not enough rewards, , I’m afraid the soldiers will be disappointed!”

Jian Yi looked at Ru Rui in disbelief.

Although this is not a matter involving fundamental interests, you can't just follow your heart so quickly, can you?

Ru Yun frowned and stared straight ahead.

Highlight a "loyalty"!

"It's natural."

Zhu Di sighed softly and said: "Of course I know that doing this is actually a beneficial and cost-effective move, but doing it is much better than not doing it. What's more, how can I let go of these people who are loyal to our Ming Dynasty? The soldiers are heartbroken."

Dao Yan also nodded when he heard this. Dao Yan was more than one round older than Zhu Di. Whether it was in terms of physical strength or his status as a counselor, he did not have the conditions to go into battle to kill the enemy in person. However, Dao Yan, who was the leader of King Yan at that time, probably felt the hardship and cruelty of the Battle of Jingnan even more profoundly than the soldiers who were present at the battle.

"Your Majesty has made up his mind, and I firmly support it." Jian Yi also lowered his head and said.

Zhu Di nodded and said, "With the support of my two dear friends, I have nothing to worry about."

Look, when you don't express your opinion, you call me Shangshu, but when you express your opinion, you instantly become Aiqing.

"But Ru Aiqing, there is something Jiang Xinghuo said just now. Although the Jingping national crisis is worthy of celebration, there is also a problem that needs to be dealt with."

Zhu Di looked at Ru Yu and said: "When I came to the throne, even though I was diligent and economical internally, the Ministry of Household Affairs still repeatedly responded that the soldiers and horses in the Ming Dynasty really exceeded the needs and affordability of ordinary people. It is time to let some The troops and horses that were rapidly expanded during the crisis have been retired, but the changes in the military establishment involve too many interests and are too wide-ranging, so this process is not easy to implement."

"I am willing to assist your Majesty in slowly completing the disarmament. In addition, the army is also the sword and gun in your Majesty's hands. Your Majesty must have had a plan in advance. I just obey your orders."

Loyal Ru Ru bowed respectfully and said.

Zhu Di nodded with satisfaction.

——————

Now on the ground it says:

①Organizational preparation, whether to establish an independent township-level tax agency?

②Personnel preparation needs to meet the requirements of literacy, numeracy, integrity, and foreigners

③Policy decomposition

④Policy experiment

⑤Policy propaganda

⑥Policy promotion

Jiang Xinghuo continued.

“According to our backward calculation, to establish a township-level tax collection agency, among the four conditions required for personnel to be literate, literate, honest, and foreigners, the last two have been met, so let’s see if the first two can Satisfied. If it is possible, then both ① and ② have feasible conditions. Let’s continue with ③.”

Xia Yuanji looked at the orderly procedures on the ground and became more and more emotional.

This seems to have greatly improved work efficiency?

Jiang Xinghuo continued: "Let's talk about understanding magic first. How much do you think you need to know to complete tax collection? How long does it take to train someone to understand it?"

"Although I don't understand it at all." Zhu Gaoxu pointed to the ground and said, "But I think it takes at least ten or eight years, right? After all, those accounting clerks start as apprentices, and it usually takes ten years before they can become a 'big abacus' .”

As one of the people who knows the most about magic in the world, Xia Yuanji gave a different understanding.

"It's almost a year. The accountant is afraid that the disciples will starve to death, the master, and refuses to teach the truth."

In fact, this is also the conclusion Xia Yuanji drew based on his mathematical knowledge.

It is not that the Chinese civilization does not have the subject of "mathematics". In fact, the level of mathematics of the Chinese civilization has been ahead of the world for a long time. This lead is measured in thousands of years.

As for Jiang Xinghuo's previous life, he was a brainless historical novice who shocked Qin Shihuang with his multiplication tables. That's even more nonsense!

It should be noted that the "Guanzi" in the Spring and Autumn Period has already mentioned that "an opera composes the number of ninety-nine to correspond to the way of heaven"; in the Warring States Period, the ninety-nine formula has become quite popular, and the works of various scholars such as "Xunzi" have included the multiplication formula The text is quoted as an argument.

In the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Zu Chongzhi based on the precise method of exploring pi pioneered by Liu Hui, which was the circle cutting technique mentioned in "Nine Chapters of Arithmetic", he calculated pi to the seventh decimal place for the first time, maintaining the world's leading position. Status for thousands of years.

So, since the Chinese civilization has such a long history of mathematical research, why did it fall behind later?

Is it because we lack summative books that make future generations have to re-explore the path taken by their predecessors?

no.

"Zhou Bi Suan Jing", "Nine Chapters Arithmetic", "Haidao Suan Jing", "Wucao Suan Jing", "Sun Zi Suan Jing".

Not to mention that basic and advanced mathematics problems are basically covered, it can also be said that nothing is missing.

The fundamental reason is that mathematics in Chinese civilization, as an independent subject, was suppressed by the social atmosphere caused by the ancient feudal dynasty and farming traditions. It congenitally lacked attention and popularization, and was limited to a "sufficient state."

So how to break this state?

Jiang Xinghuo believes that the most important things are two points.

First, lower the threshold for learning mathematics and promote (not invent) Arabic numerals that are easier to use.

Second, improve the formal logic of mathematics and write mathematics textbooks that range from easy to difficult and can be mastered through study.

The result of the lack of development of formal logic in China is that our Chinese civilization is good at induction, but it lacks formal logic, a deductive and strict framework, and also lacks rigorous definitions.

For example, there is the binomial theorem in mathematics, and there is the Yang Hui triangle in Chinese history. After expansion, it is actually the binomial theorem, but its expression and thinking methods are different. The Yang Hui triangle was used by ancient Chinese mathematicians to solve higher-order openness. The tool found for the square problem, but the specific derivation process was not given in the works at that time, so later generations can only think that Yang Hui's triangle was discovered by mathematicians at that time through induction.

The binomial theorem is different, it is deduced by logical reasoning. Newton gave the general formula and derivation process of the binomial theorem.

And [Definition] and [Logic] are all the foundation of modern science.

In Jiang Xinghuo's mind, the promotion and popularization of [Definition], [Logic] and [Textbook] are far more powerful than just clicking on the technology tree alone!

Not paying attention to the foundation and trying to bloom.

It's like a flash of fireworks, a fleeting cloud of smoke.

The establishment of scientific foundations and systems and the cultivation of talents from generation to generation are truly things that can benefit future generations.

Otherwise, when he dies, won’t Ming’s technology return to its old ways?

This is another interpretation of the mass view of history.

Whether it is promoting mathematics or setting up science and technology trees, it also requires tens of thousands of people with basic education to engage in relevant research after screening and filtering.

Perhaps some of these people will engage in other jobs and careers that have nothing to do with science and mathematics, but when they see the familiar and troublesome mathematics knowledge, they will still think back to those days when they were young and green. Are all kinds of problems not some kind of answers to future destiny?

Jiang Xinghuo's thoughts wandered, but it only happened for a moment, and finally returned to the present.

He only said three words.

"Three months."

"What?"

Zhu Gaoxu and Xia Yuanji were both shocked.

This number is a bit too far behind the ten years, eight years, or one year they proposed.

So much so that they thought Jiang Xinghuo was joking.

"When I said three months, I meant it was a long time."

Seeing that the two people were puzzled, Jiang Xinghuo explained: "How much mathematical skills do you think are needed to collect taxes? Isn't addition, subtraction, multiplication and division enough? Just let them collect taxes and not be easily deceived. In the end, they have to go up a level. As for the grade-level report, there will naturally be more professional Mr. Shushu to do the accounting and verification."

"Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division." Zhu Gaoxu scratched his beard, "It's quite difficult."

Xia Yuanji couldn't help but remind him.

"Out of a hundred people, more than ninety are illiterate."

"You don't need to know many words, just use Arabic numerals, and the same goes for doing accounts."

"What about the extra numbers involved?"

Xia Yuanji also used his hand to write on the ground "three and one minute four centimeters one milli six silk", which is the written representation of pi in daily use.

Jiang Xinghuo directly wrote 3.1416.

"Add a little more."

Xia Yuanji was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.

Much simpler indeed.

Then there is nothing more to say.

As for Jiang Xinghuo's previous life, many students think that "fraction", "square" and "square root" are also imported words. In fact, they are not. In the annotation of "Nine Chapters of Arithmetic", we can see that fractions are still called "fractions" , "square" and "square root" (full name "square root") are also the same titles.

In fact, most of the Chinese terms used in modern mathematics are exactly the same as those in ancient times, both literally and in meaning.

As for why Xia Yuanji wasn't shocked?

He was the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and Jiang Xinghuo talked about economics and the currency system that he had never heard before. Of course Xia Yuanji was shocked.

An ordinary accountant knows mathematics, so what's so shocking?

Arabic numerals and decimal points are just another simple and easy-to-generate form of expression.

"In this case, knowing the magic can solve it."

Xia Yuanji nodded and immediately asked: "There are only these few numbers in magic. I have a loose mind. I can add and subtract without being taught. I can learn the multiplication table of multiplication and division. I can apply it roughly. At worst, I just need to memorize it by rote. I really can't memorize it." , it costs less than a penny to print it and put it on the wall.”

“The question is, how do you solve literacy?”

Zhu Gaoxu also started to think deeply about this question.

Zhu Gaoxu has personal experience with the cultural level in the military.

Basically all of them are father-in-law.

Literacy was basically out of reach for ordinary people in ancient China.

Being able to speak Chinese characters but not write them is perfectly normal.

Conservative estimates suggest that the illiteracy rate in the Ming Dynasty at this time was at least higher than 95%.

The reason is also very simple.

Most ordinary people in ancient China did not need to be literate.

Why?

Ordinary people in ancient China were basically farmers, and farmers did not need to learn to use chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or operate new agricultural machines like modern times.

As long as they know how to use a hoe and a sickle, there will basically be no problem.

Isn’t this just a matter of having hands?

For farmers, they will never leave the countryside in their lives. Some have never been to the county town in their lives, and have only been to nearby towns within a dozen or two miles.

So, what is the use of knowing words?

Moreover, it was not easy to learn to read in ancient times.

Normally, writing is difficult to learn, and it takes at least three to four years for children to learn to read and write letters.

There were no public schools at that time, only private schools. Although the cost of schooling was not high, it was not very cheap either. This was an unaffordable burden for peasant families who usually had many children.

Most of the troops that were expanded during the Jingnan Campaign were from peasant families, which meant that most of them were illiterate.

Moreover, they are also older, the youngest is fifteen or sixteen years old, and the oldest is twenty or thirty years old. Their personalities are generally irritable. How can they be taught?

Facing the two people's doubts, Jiang Xinghuo asked.

"Let me ask you, can an illiterate person speak?"

Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help laughing: "Of course he can talk but can't. Doesn't he become mute?"

"As long as anyone can speak, I can teach him to write 500 common words in three months."

"Mr. Jiang, please don't joke!"

Xia Yuanji knew that the emperor was listening and quickly started to remind him.

It would be difficult if the emperor took it seriously.

Jiang Xinghuo instead said: "Who is kidding?"

"A person who can't write five hundred words, can't write daily letters, or can't even write his own name, don't you think you should let him live like this for the rest of his life? What's more, this is not a person, but a number Tens of millions of people.”

"How can I make him live a straight life if he can't even write his own name for the rest of his life?"

"Then why can Mr. Jiang guarantee that he can teach him?"

Zhu Gaoxu said in astonishment: "These can't be accomplished overnight, right?"

"I'm not just talking about spells and words, there are many things that can be taught." Jiang Xinghuo said calmly: "As for not being able to write... Hey, how about we make a bet?"

"What are you betting on?" Zhu Gaoxu asked.

"Go to the civilian prison and find me some inmates who are illiterate and can't count. Don't be the most vicious ones, the kind who have made small mistakes."

Jiang Xinghuo said this because the Yan army invaded Nanjing and made a lot of connections. In order to rectify the atmosphere, they imposed heavy sentences for minor crimes. Due to the dereliction of the Jianwen period in Nanjing, most of the prisons were overcrowded and many other types of prisoners were also imprisoned. He was temporarily imprisoned in imperial prison.

"Tell them to come to me and study for an hour every day. If they meet the study requirements, they will have one more bun to eat. If they fail to meet the requirements, there will be no penalty."

Jiang Xinghuo looked at Zhu Gaoxu and said, "I believe you can do it."

"There are less than three months left in my sentence and more than two months later, that is, before I am released from prison. Come and see if these people can do addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and whether they can recognize 500 common words."