An old lady's life

In May, the sun was shining brightly. When dusk came, the setting sun hung in the sky, and the entire palace was bathed in gold, making it look more sacred and solemn.

In the imperial study room, King Qi just happened to come to meet the saint. In the past two years, King Qi has been proud of his spring breeze. The sons who have been worrying about him have all turned around now, especially his son-in-law. Sensible.As long as his daughter-in-law can subdue her son and prevent him from messing around outside, even if she only gave birth to a granddaughter, he will not put pressure on her.

"Your majesty, where did you get Yu'er?" King Qi was very worried. After the beginning of this year, he, the emperor's younger brother, did not know what kind of style he was sending his son out to do things, but he did not know what to do. I don't know.

Emperor Changping glanced at King Qi leisurely, and King Qi had a resentful expression on his face: "You have to guarantee Yu'er's life, he has only one girl under his knee now, if the eldest granddaughter is a grandson, I don't care what you ask him to do. "Although it is important for the emperor to use him, he is also happy for his son, but it is definitely not an easy matter to divide the matter for a few months.

"Brother Wang, I will keep what you said for now, and wait for Jing'er to tell her when she grows up." Emperor Changping glanced at King Qi. The granddaughter is almost spoiled to heaven.

King Qi rolled his eyes angrily, if he hadn't been the emperor, he would have let him see how powerful he was, "You're ruthless!"

Emperor Changping sneered, stood up and turned out from behind the desk, "Don't worry, he will be back soon, and he will definitely be back for the Spring Festival at the latest."

The previous words made King Qi very happy, but the latter words made him at a loss as to what to say. It's only May, half a year before the Chinese New Year.

Bear with it, there is no other way, King Qi can only admit defeat, who is the biggest emperor.

Emperor Changping walked out of the imperial study, and King Qi quickly followed him: "Where are you going? I won't go to the harem."

"Horse field!" Emperor Changping turned to look at King Qi, "Brother Wang, what are you going to do in the palace today? You always go to the Three Treasure Hall for everything." After finishing speaking, he took the lead and walked forward.

King Qi rubbed his nose, he would not come to the palace if he had nothing to do, but he would visit the emperor at least twice a month, which is not a small number.

Wang Wei followed behind with a group of young eunuchs, he pursed his lips, King Qi would go wherever there was interest, King Qi had entered the palace quite a few times recently, but he hadn't seen the emperor that's all.

I met a few princes on the way, only the king of Zhaojun was missing, the king of Xiangjun and others had just come out of the harem and planned to leave the palace to return to the mansion. This is the perfect time to meet the father and uncle Wang. , how can I go?

So a mighty group of people went to the racecourse, and there was a little eunuch in front of them to open the way.

The racecourse itself is a piece of grass, next to it is the martial arts field paved with various bluestone slabs and stones, and between the martial arts field and the racecourse is the ground paved with ash powder.

This ground is mainly paved with stones, but it is much smaller than the bluestone slabs. Each stone is evenly distributed, and there is ash powder between the stones.

Dusty, not very pretty, but durable and strong.

This piece of ground has dried up, and now there are many people walking on it, and a few horses are running on it.

As soon as Emperor Changping arrived, everyone stopped their hands and saluted to greet him. When the emperor called, several officials from the Ministry of Industry greeted him together and gave today's work report respectively.

Jia Zheng was naturally among them. During this period of time, he was usually in Qianshan Workshop in the morning and observed the ground in the palace in the afternoon.

It has been more than 20 days. After the ground was laid, it took about ten days for it to dry. After that, they used various heavy objects to test the bearing capacity of the ground every day.

Now that the data collection is almost done, the emperor also pays attention to this matter every day. After the next discussion, it should be able to go into production.

King Qi stood beside Emperor Changping and listened attentively. The princes were also very patient, and there was no trace of impatience on their faces. From the time the officials of the Ministry of Industry reported their work, everyone stood aside obediently.

When the officials from the Ministry of Industry retreated, King Qi approached Emperor Changping, lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty, what are you going to do with this thing? Ruochen will help you solve your problems."

Emperor Changping took a fixed look at King Qi, and Wang Wei couldn't help taking a step back, saying that King Qi didn't get up early!

"Brother Wang, are you short of money?" Dare to say short of money, he felt that it was necessary for him to check King Qi's assets in detail.

King Qi's eyes began to wander, he coughed and said, "No one thinks too much money! No, I enjoy the fun of making money!"

Emperor Changping couldn't bear the internal pain in his heart, Brother Wang kept saving money in his own pocket, and as an emperor, his internal treasury was not as rich as his prince, so he had to think of the national treasury first.

The eyes of the four from Xiangjun Wang to Yujun Wang lit up instantly. As princes, they have always spent a lot of money, and they are the ones who are most short of money.

Emperor Changping ignored this man who would pluck out a feather from an iron rooster. Even if he was his elder brother, he was still a majestic Prince of the Phoenix. He asked Wang Wei to call Jia Zheng over.

"Judging from the experimental data during this period, this ashes is indeed very good. After this, what rules does Jia Aiqing have?" Emperor Changping glanced at the disheveled Jia Zheng, but before Jia Zheng could answer, He added: "Go back and think about it. Tomorrow, I will go to the palace with Minister of Industry to negotiate with me."

Jia Zheng was a little dazed, but soon came back to his senses, bowed his head and said, "Yes, Your Majesty." In fact, he already had a detailed plan in his hand, but he still needed the participation of the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Household Affairs.

King Qi took a closer look at Jia Zheng, he seemed to be an old-fashioned scholar, and doing business was not so simple, anyway, he must get a piece of the pie in the end!

Emperor Changping was also thinking about how to do it, but the current business model made him unable to think of other effective methods. Don't wait until the end, this thing was obviously researched by the Ministry of Industry, and it was all cheap for businessmen.

Although the businessman has to pay taxes, he is still unhappy.

Three cobblers are worth one Zhuge Liang. It seems that brainstorming is indeed necessary.

Leaving from the palace, Jia Zheng failed to return to the mansion. He was off work now, and if he wanted to find the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, he had no choice but to go to the Minister of the Ministry of Industry to find him.

When the Minister of the Ministry of Industry heard about his intentions, he couldn't help turning around in the room, beating the clock for a day as a monk. He was still the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, so he also wanted to fight for a profit for the Ministry of Industry.

"Cunzhou, what's your good plan?" After thinking for a long time, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry couldn't think of a good way. This benefit will only fall on the people who do business in the end. The treasury collects business taxes, but the Ministry of Industry is better than them Not relevant anymore.

Jia Zheng clasped his fists and said, "Master Zhao, I have an idea, I don't know if it is feasible, just listen to it."

After all, Jia Zheng explained his plan in detail, and this plan naturally involved Hong Ye's participation, so that Jia Zheng and the five craftsmen would not be afraid that they would be busy and get nothing.

What Hongye proposes is of course the patent right. Set up a separate patent right project in the household department. In the future, no matter who wants to do ash powder business, they will have to pay a fee to the household department, and the household department will get a share to the Ministry of Industry. Here, let the Ministry of Industry have more funds to carry out various researches.

Minister of the Ministry of Industry praised Jia Zheng again and again, patted Jia Zheng on the shoulder, and said with admiration: "Cun Zhou is a good idea."

Leaving from the Minister's Mansion of the Ministry of Industry, the sky is getting dark, and the stars are hanging in the sky, but the moon has disappeared.

Back at Rong Mansion, the meal time had already been missed, so Wang hurriedly ordered the maid to go to the kitchen to serve food, and she hugged Sister Shan and went to Jia Zheng's side to chat and laugh.

"Master came back later today, was it delayed by something?" Wang moved closer to Jia Zheng and sniffed him, and she was relieved that she didn't smell the smell of makeup.

Jia Zheng glanced at her, and then his eyes fell on the white and tender sister Shan, "Well, I have something to discuss with the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, so I wasted time."

Wang's ears twitched, and then she put Sister Shan into Jia Zheng's arms, and suddenly her face changed. Sister Shan pursed her mouth, but she didn't cry, and played with bubbles.

Jia Zheng has gotten used to Wang's small movements in front of him. He has hugged Sister Shan more often, and he has become very skilled in holding the child.

"Where's Zhu'er?" His son's voice was not heard in the entire west courtyard, and Jia Zheng couldn't help saying a word of concern.

"We're playing naughty with Hu'er and Lian'er in the garden." Mrs. Wang took out a towel and wiped Sister Shan's saliva, and said, "He didn't know you would come back, and he will see him later."

The husband and wife had a conversation, the servant girl brought the food, Jia Zheng had dinner, and Mrs. Wang was chattering beside him, talking about the affairs of the mansion, talking about the Dragon Boat Festival for a few days, and she couldn't go out to watch the dragon boat race... After dinner Afterwards, Jia Zheng took sister Shan for a walk and went to see his mother in Rong'an Hall.

During this month, Jia Zheng had almost no rest, and the holidays were also used for office work, so Hongye only saw him at night when he wanted to see Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng talked about today's affairs, and Hongye nodded upon hearing: "So, you can break away from this matter and do other things."

"Mother is right." Jia Zheng nodded. Sister Shan in her arms waved her little hands and made a cheerful voice, but no one could understand what she was saying.

Hong Ye took Sister Shan and hugged her upright, nodded her nose, and said with a smile: "Sister Shan will definitely look like her mother when she grows up, a beautiful girl."

Jia Zheng stretched out his hand and shook his daughter's little hand, "Miss Shan is easy to carry, and she doesn't cry much at night." Because of his busy schedule during this time, Mrs. Wang was afraid that it would affect his night's rest, so she put another one in the bedroom. She sleeps with Sister Shan on the original bed, and he sleeps alone in the original bed.

Jia She rushed in like the wind, saw his mother and younger brother, and sat down next to Jia Zheng, pinching Sister Shan's nose with his fingers, "Sister Shan, I am uncle, uncle."

As soon as Hongye put Sister Shan into Jia She's arms, he also took it steadily and hugged her in his arms, and then began to talk about business.

"Mother, I asked someone about the shipyard. Every shipyard can pay a deposit for production, but the cost of long-distance merchant ships is very high. A two-story long-distance merchant ship costs more than 50 taels, and the heavier the load. , the higher the cost."

Hongye nodded: "Don't worry, you need to learn more about shipbuilding, and we'll talk about buying ships later."

Jia Amnesty nodded, these things are not professionals, I really don't know, and others will not easily tell outsiders, so if he wants to buy a boat, he really can't be in a hurry.

"There are no shipyards in the capital city. The shipyards are all near the sea or inland rivers. Haicheng Shipyard, Fucheng Shipyard." Jia Amnesty recounted in detail the information he had learned about shipbuilding during this period.

Jia Zheng listened carefully, and Hongye was feeling emotional again, "This ship's navigation depends entirely on manpower and wind power. It would be great if there is something else that can replace it as power." She misses the steam engine. invented.

Jia Amnesty and Jia Zheng were silent, and followed their mother's way of thinking. If there is something else that can play the role of driving the ship, it is an invention through the ages.

Jia Amnesty patted Jia Zheng's shoulder heavily: "Second brother, I entrust this great invention to you."

Hongye couldn't help laughing, and said: "I just feel so emotional, you are really too, mother's nonsense, can it still come true?"

The steam engine can be realized, but at this stage, the technology in all aspects is not up to standard, and it is impossible to make it at all.

Back in the west courtyard, Jia Zheng went to the study to make the final notes before going to sleep. He opened a special black cover book, turned to one page, and added a line of words in the last space where there was writing: —— , What can replace manpower and sails to promote the forward movement of the ship?

The next day, Jia Zheng went out earlier than usual. He met Minister of the Ministry of Industry at the gate of the palace. It was still early, and the ministers of the previous court entered the palace one after another. The two stayed at the gate of the palace for a while until the Minister of the Ministry of Households arrived. .

The group of three said as they walked, when the Minister of the Ministry of Households heard the proposal of the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, he agreed directly without even thinking about it.

If you don't agree to such a great good thing, isn't that the same as pushing out the money you get?

This is just a rough outline, and there are bound to be many rules and regulations in the specific implementation. This is what we should discuss with the emperor next.

Because it is a big Asahi, there are so many things to do, and the Asahi will be extraordinarily lively.This was Jia Zheng's first visit to the court. He stood behind the two servants of the Ministry of Industry and observed the courtiers openly.

The main hall is divided into civil servants and military generals on the left and right. The five princes stand at the front of the left and right sides respectively. On the left are Xiangjun King and Qinjun King standing with the civil servants. On the right are Gongjun King and Zhaojun King standing with the military generals. Wang and Yujun Wang.

The Yue families of Xiangjun King and Qinjun King are civil servants, and the future Yue families of Gongjun King, Zhaojun King, and Yujun King are all military generals... Should we be so clear-cut?

Jia Zheng observed silently. The ministers were arguing with them. He could find a lot of fun in observing others.

It's almost time for the court meeting to end, and it's almost over soon. Jia Zheng followed the two ministers and four ministers to the imperial study. He couldn't help evaluating the hunger in his stomach. When he went out in the morning, He had breakfast, but he never thought that it was only an hour earlier, and eating breakfast was equivalent to not eating.

Emperor Changping ordered the palace servants to eat, knowing that there would be no time to spare, so he asked everyone to eat before discussing matters.

When they ran out of money here, King Qi and several princes also came together. Emperor Changping sighed, his elder brother is really so persistent in earning money!

King Qi and the others didn't open their mouths first, but Emperor Changping's eyes fell on Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry. I don't know why he called Shangbu?

Minister of the Ministry of Industry came out and first explained the method Jia Zheng said yesterday from the beginning to the end, "This method was thought up by Jia Zheng, and I think it is very good."

King Qi and the others looked at each other in blank dismay. Doesn't this mean that they have to pay both patent fees and commercial taxes in order to do business? It is equal to paying two fees. This is... very good!

"How can this be done? Your Majesty, the tax for merchants is already very high, and there is an additional fee..." A prince with a ruddy face immediately jumped out to object.

Emperor Changping took a leisurely look at the prince. The Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry was not as tough as the Shangshu of the Hubu, and the Shangshu of the Hubu directly quarreled with the prince.

"Your Majesty Liang, you don't have to do this business, so you don't have to pay patent fees. Don't forget the well diggers when you drink water. Don't be too dark-hearted when you do business. You don't have the research of officials from the Ministry of Industry and craftsmen who forget to eat and sleep. How can you come here?" ashes?"

Prince Liang glared at him immediately: "Bullshit, what aspect of my business does this king not spend money on? Isn't it because he was the first to discover ashes, and he still wants to rely on this to earn money from businessmen forever, who is evil?"

.. ......

Emperor Changping made them quarrel, and no one would give in to anyone anyway. During the intermission, Emperor Changping looked at Jia Zheng: "Jia Aiqing, what do you think?"

Jia Zheng took out a booklet from his sleeve. This is a statement he wrote, not only about the ashes this time, but also about more inventions and creations in the future. If you make a model now, you don't have to worry about it in the future.

"Reporting to the emperor, inventions and creations take time, money, and manpower. I think that patent fees are not too much. The things created by hard work are completely irrelevant to me. If I change anyone, I won't do it again." There is enthusiasm for creation, not to mention that it is time-limited, and with the patent fee, there will be more projects in the future, and Qianshan Workshop will not need to pay extra money from the treasury..."

Jia Zheng did not say what is right or wrong about the princes, horses have no grass and no fat, craftsmen also have dreams, and only by giving craftsmen more hope can they create more wealth in the future.

Emperor Changping read it carefully, it was very detailed, but he also stopped at the patent. As for the content of the quarrel between the Minister of the Ministry of Households and several princes, he did not touch it.

Emperor Changping has already thought about many issues. Even the changes involved in the future, from top to bottom, although he can't think of 50 years later, he can still think of the changes in 20 years.

In the end, Emperor Changping looked at everyone and said, "Back off, I will think about it."

King Qi and the other princes smiled happily. Since the emperor still needs to think about it, it is possible that they will win in the end. Although the patent fee is actually not high, it can't boost the ambition of the craftsmen, otherwise they will not be able to climb on their heads in the future. Blessing?

With a mutter in his heart, Jia Zheng followed and exited the imperial study. The Minister of the Ministry of Industry and the Minister of the Ministry of Households walked together to discuss, and he, the Minister of the Ministry of Households and the Minister of the Ministry of Industry came together to talk.

The left servant of the Ministry of Industry said to Jia Zheng: "Cun Zhou, you are a real person and don't show your face!"

Jia Zheng cupped his hands: "Master Yun, you really flattered me."

Soon after they left, Emperor Changping summoned King Xiangjun, King Gong, King Zhaojun, King Qin, and King Yujun in order, and heard different or the same answers from the five sons.

The craftsmen of Qianshan Workshop are all craftsmen, and their status is not high. They are humble in the eyes of the world, and the things they create should be enjoyed by the world.

King Xiangjun and King Gong unanimously refused to agree to the so-called patent fee, while King Zhaojun to King Yujun all agreed, but the reasons were the same but different.

Yujun Wang was married and entered the court to do business. His idea was relatively straightforward. "Patent fees should also be paid, which is equivalent to giving money to servants who have done a good job on weekdays."

The meaning of Qin Junwang is similar: "I think it is feasible, and the craftsmen can create more good things after tasting the benefits, which can facilitate everyone's life, why not give it?"

After hearing what the eighth son and the ninth son said, Emperor Changping couldn't help but think of what the seventh son said.

"Father, my son thinks that we must give. People are constantly moving forward and cannot retreat." King Zhaojun thought more deeply, "The world of our Feng family was stolen from the previous dynasty. Our ancestors had the courage to change the dynasty. Why don’t people have the courage to keep moving forward? Suppressing others is never the best solution, there will always be a day when there will be an outbreak, it’s better to block it.”

Emperor Changping thought about it for two days. King Qi and others were not worried. The emperor agreed to pay a fee, and if he disagreed, it was just that they made more money. Only those who were directly related to this matter were particularly worried.

It was rare for Jia Zheng to get off work on time this day, so he went back to the west courtyard to wash up, changed into his normal clothes, and then left for Rong'an Hall.

"Mother, my son really doesn't understand. It's just a matter of patent fees. Why did the emperor take so long to think about it?" Jia Zheng couldn't figure it out.

Hong Ye took a sip of the juice, glanced at Jia Zheng, and said, "If the emperor agrees or refuses, it will not be a good thing for you."

Jia Zheng was stunned: "Why?"

Hongye smiled and said, "I will see for myself in the future, mother can't tell you everything." She sighed, "The emperor's ability to ponder for so long proves that he really has the ability to foresight. He is an emperor. What you see is much farther than yours.” Butterfly wings can also cause overseas tsunamis, and although cement is only a small pavement, the things derived from it are extremely far-reaching.

"You guys are always called Hui Fen, Hui Fen, can't you think of a nicer name?"

Jia Zheng was still obsessed with thinking about the profound things his mother said just now. Hearing what his mother said, he asked in a daze, "Why don't mothers choose a name?"

Hongye raised her eyebrows: "Then cement, it sounds better than dust."

Jia Zheng nodded hurriedly, and after the emperor approved, he changed the name of ashes to cement.

The emperor's decree came down five days later. At the same time, the emperor announced the Minister of the Ministry of Households, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and Jia Zheng to enter the palace to discuss meritorious deeds. Jia Zheng took the opportunity to ask for rewards for the five craftsmen.

Emperor Changping was not surprised, he just pondered for a moment and agreed.

After that, the matter was handed over to the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Industry to handle it together. As for how much patent fees should be charged, the Ministry of Households negotiated with those who did business.

Anyway, the Ministry of Commerce and Taxation will also charge a copy!

The ash powder was also renamed as cement, and it began to be fully used at the same time. When Emperor Changping issued a decree to go to the palace to escape the summer heat, the roads entering and leaving the palace began to be paved with cement.

However, there is a dumbfounding thing that makes the whole Rongfu not know what to say. Because of the advent of cement, Zhang Tao, who built the embankment in the south of the Yangtze River, has been staying for a year, and the embankment is almost built. He should be able to return to the capital. However, the emperor gave him another decree, asking him to use cement to continue to build embankments in the south of the Yangtze River.

The author has something to say: Tomorrow's update will still be so late, sorry, I will adjust it back to the original time on the weekend.