Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 437: Blossom and Fruit, Delicious Taste
"Di Renjie?"

The emperor gave a banquet that night, and Zhu Changluo naturally knew about it, so he looked at him with a mixture of laughter and tears.

He immediately said, "That's good. It's good to adapt to local customs. In this case, I will call you Jia Qing from now on. I see that you have high expectations for him, and I am happy for you and for the Ming Dynasty!"

"Your Majesty, I have never thought of a good surname." Kepler said on the side.

"You..."

Who made Galileo's name happen to have a similar pronunciation to an oriental surname? And Kepler was a bit obsessive-compulsive and didn't want to just pick a random surname.

"I think you guys can't think of a surname, so why not all be named Ouyang? Ouyang comes from Europe. In the Ming Dynasty, this surname has produced countless famous people and ministers." Zhu Changluo joked, "You are fascinated by astronomy, how about calling yourself Ouyang Wentian? One asks about the sky, the other asks about the way."

The atmosphere was naturally joyful. The banquet was attended not only by important ministers accompanying the emperor, but also by local officials from Hebei, as well as invited engineers from the Institute of Machinery, Tangshan Coal and Iron Plant, and professors from Hebei Engineering Machinery University.

The steam engine has been successfully developed, and now is the time to celebrate the achievement.

Not only was there the grace of being upgraded to a grand college, Zou Jin was also appointed as an academician, but there was also the reward mentioned by the emperor.

Very rich.

Of course it has to be generous, and Zhu Changluo has to encourage them to continue along this path.

The advent of a steam engine with sufficient efficiency and cost-effectiveness would soon bring about drastic changes to the Ming Dynasty - after all, there were the emperor and officials to fully promote it.

What Zhu Changluo needs now is more people who are willing to become engineers without being ashamed of studying nature. Engineers who know how to operate, maintain and repair steam engines will be needed everywhere, and those who start doing these things first will become the object of envy.

"In addition to the election of academicians of the Academy of Sciences, I have decided to establish a grand prize for the study of things, which is divided into five categories: mathematics, physics, chemistry, medicine, and mechanics. One grand prize will be selected in each category every year. The treasury will pay for it, and the emperor will award it. Each grand prize will be 20,000 taels of silver! If you don't have an official position yet, you can directly be awarded a doctorate or a researcher at the Academy of Sciences. When you elect academicians, you will be given special consideration, and your achievements will be announced to the world in the court newspaper."

Everyone was stunned. They didn't expect it to be so powerful.

That means giving out 100,000 taels of silver every year as a reward? And the specifications are also top-notch.

"The Academy of Natural Philosophy should set up a special agency to compile and publish academic journals like the Ministry of Publication." Zhu Changluo looked at Wang Zheng again, "So that people in the world who are interested in natural philosophy can explore the avenue together, learn the latest academic insights, and have channels to publish their academic achievements and become famous all over the world!"

"I accept the decree!"

Descartes... No, classmate Di Renjie was shocked after hearing teacher Jia Wendao's excited translation, especially after he heard him say how much money 20,000 taels of silver was approximately equal to.

Of course, it is not just because of the money, but because the establishment of this royal science award represents the royal family's highest respect for science.

This is not Europe, where there are many countries. In the East, there is only one empire with a vast territory, and the supreme emperor does not have to look at the face of any religious leader.

With such a Royal Science Award existing every year, how many people will be inspired to engage in scientific research?

Compared with Europe, which is still in the midst of endless wars, this vast and stable East will surely be a holy land of science!

As everyone was excited, the emperor's banquet held in the carriage naturally became more lively.

The atmosphere was lively because the emperor announced these decisions, drank a few more glasses and then left - while he was still there, he certainly couldn't let go.

However, Zhu Changluo still needed to release his joy, so he placed a small table in his bedroom.

Liu Ruoyu and Wang Wei accompanied him.

"King Zhongshan's brother Shang Feng and important minister Xiang Heling have already arrived. I have discussed with them in Ningbo. Now they are ordered to go north, and they are very anxious. Seven years ago, Satsuma in Japan captured Shuri Castle, and King Zhongshan and others were not able to return to their country until the eleventh year of Taichang. It is said that they urged King Zhongshan to determine the successor last year, but now they are delaying. They plan to have Shang Feng's son Shang Gong inherit the throne. If it is determined, they will also send them to Japan to meet Shimazu Yoshihiro."

"So you're worried that the Ming Dynasty is too far away to reach us?" Zhu Changluo smiled disdainfully while being slightly drunk. "No hurry, we'll talk about it when we get to Chengde."

Liu Ruoyu had just arrived. After attending Shen Yikuan's funeral, he went to Ningbo to wait for the envoys from the Ryukyu Kingdom to arrive.

The ruler of the Ryukyu Kingdom, who had just experienced the invasion of Satsuma, naturally felt like receiving a treasure when he received the letter from the Ming Dynasty, and he hurriedly sent an envoy to Ningbo. Now they are in a dilemma, and in fact they can only submit to both sides. Regarding the issue of the crown prince, Shimazu Yoshihiro is very strong, but the Ming Dynasty will only become stronger, so how can he make the decision easily?
It so happened that during the Battle of Salau, the Beiyang Fleet, which the Ming Dynasty had initially formed a few years earlier, was in Korea. That side was of course more important, and the Ming Dynasty could not spare any time.

Satsuma was closer and had a stronger situation than the people, so Ryukyu had no choice but to bow its head.

If nothing changes, Shang Feng will become the last Ryukyu ruler to be officially canonized by the Ming Dynasty, and Shang Feng will also send an envoy of thanks to "go to Edo", which will become a regular practice from then on. The Ryukyu ruler will not be canonized again by the Central Plains dynasty until the early years of Emperor Kangxi.

After the Battle of Saliu, Ryukyu was subject to both the Central Plains Dynasty and the Edo Shogunate. This situation lasted for more than two hundred years, and was eventually abolished by Japan and established as a prefecture. This was the beginning of it becoming a difficult problem in the future.

This was the first attempt: to directly interfere in the issue of succession rights of the crown prince of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

But now the Ming Dynasty no longer needs to worry about this issue.

Not just Ryukyu? With the steam engine now complete, Zhu Changluo had already seen the day when he could shorten the time and space boundary between Ming and Japan with the help of steam ships.

"Come, have a drink." Zhu Changluo waved him to sit down, "You've been busy for so long, take a break first. As for the Ryukyu prince, let him worry for a few days. I'm happy today. Also, did Xiaowei tell you that you'll have to help me with what I want her to do later."

Liu Ruoyu knew it, of course. Seeing Wang Wei blushing and pouring wine beside the emperor, he just smiled and said, "I will serve you."

"You know more. You should also teach my new disciple more." Zhu Changluo picked up the cup, "After he and Runling get married, he should be allowed to start with the experience of the royal family. Kuai Tan Xuan has never had a capable person to run it, so it's not a big problem for the royal family to do some business, but they have to play a bigger role."

On the one hand, there is the hard power represented by scientific and technological progress, and on the other hand, there is the soft power to be cultivated based on the brilliant culture. Zhu Changluo is naturally confident about the future vassal order.

Once he had an idea, he would tell the most trusted and capable eunuch around him about his future plans.

Wang An and others are considered the current "old generation", but Liu Ruoyu was very young when he entered the palace.

"In the future, in addition to the Imperial Clan Court, there will be a new system for eunuchs and female officials. In terms of purpose, in addition to those who enter the palace to serve the royal family, there will also be royal properties, personal troops, and local contacts..."

The Heavenly Family is special, but they also have to lay some groundwork to prepare for the future.

The steam engine represents a major breakthrough in productivity. Once widely used, it will inevitably bring about changes in many aspects.

The eunuch and palace maid system also had to keep pace with the times.

Of course, these can only be changed slowly. After all, the eunuchs currently still bear many important tasks related to the operation of power.

Liu Ruoyu was an eunuch with the integrity of a scholar. Having accompanied Zhu Changluo for so many years, his vision was beyond the reach of ordinary eunuchs.

He knew that he was responsible for the important mission of transforming the eunuchs in the future.

Now it seems that the emperor's decision to ask him to recognize Wang Wei as his sister was not just a sudden thought or a casual remark.

After talking about a few things, he only talked about what made the emperor happy today.

Liu Ruoyu, who had been by his side for so long, naturally knew that even the surrender of the Northern Tartars, the extermination of the Jurchens, and the pacification of Korea did not make the emperor so happy.

"How many prosperous times are recorded in history books? Ruoyu, everyone can have enough food and warm clothes, that is the minimum prosperous time!" At the end, Zhu Changluo, who was already quite drunk, patted Liu Ruoyu on the shoulder, "Then there must be a place to live, rescue in case of disasters, medicine for illnesses... So many things require continuous inventions and creations, and better tools! After returning, first organize this year's Gewu Award. The Machinery Award will be awarded to those who developed the steam engine! This major event, I want to personally take charge!"

"I obey your order!" Liu Ruoyu helped Zhu Changluo up, "Your Majesty, please do not drink too much. Your health is the most important. Help your Majesty wash and rest!" "Yes."

So Wang Wei went to the other side of Zhu Changluo and put his hand on his shoulder.

Liu Ruoyu looked at their backs, waited until the table was cleared, and then quietly closed the door when he left.

In the bedroom, Zhu Changluo sat beside the bed. Wang Wei brought him toiletries and water as usual.

"I've drunk so much and I'm sweating again." Zhu Changluo looked at her with a smile, "Although I took a shower after coming back from the Mechanical Institute, it's better to take another bath now."

"...I will go and prepare. Your Majesty, please wait."

"On big days, prepare more water."

Wang Wei's face, which had already turned around, became even redder and her heartbeat quickened.

From Tianjin Port to here, we naturally cannot act recklessly on the imperial carriage.

The emperor had been intimate with her, but had been busy with other things since arriving at Tangshan Prefecture.

What could the big day he was talking about now be? Of course, it was her big day.

In summer, you don't need to prepare too much, just slightly lukewarm water is fine.

This was not the palace, so we could only use a bathtub instead of the showers that were already common in the palace. However, the hot water stored on the large coal stove during the journey could be brought here using a leather hose, saving us from having to carry water in a wooden bucket over and over again.

There was a gurgling sound heard not far away; it was the emperor brushing his teeth and rinsing his mouth - he had always done these things by himself.

Toothbrushes have existed for a long time. I heard that they were improved by Emperor Xiaomiao.

After a while, Wang Wei tensed up slightly when he heard footsteps behind him.

She was still watching the steaming warm water from the leather tube being continuously poured into the bathtub. The ripples on the water surface and the rising hot steam were just like her mood at the moment.

Hearing the rustling sound, she thought it was not a good idea to just stand there and watch the hot water being poured - it was none of her business, so when it was almost done she could just ask the people outside to turn off the switch.

So she lowered her head, turned around and walked to Zhu Changluo to help him undress.

"Your face is red, you must be sweating." Zhu Changluo teased her, then said without question, "Together."

"……Yes."

Wang Wei spoke in a low voice, and soon watched the emperor reveal himself in front of him.

This is the first time that His Majesty can take a shower in the palace, and he usually washes himself.

"...Your Majesty, the bathtub is not big. Please wipe the dragon's body first..." She lowered her head and looked to the side.

"Let's squeeze in some space." Zhu Changluo walked over, took a look and said, "Tell them to stop releasing it. If they continue to release it, it will overflow soon."

So Wang Wei went to the side room to talk, and when he came back to put away the hose, Zhu Changluo was already sitting in the bathtub. He had originally closed his eyes and was comfortable, but now he opened his eyes and looked at Wang Wei, who was a little flustered.

It has already been washed once, so just give it a quick rinse now.

However, seeing that the steam engine had been successfully developed and had made considerable improvements, Zhu Changluo was naturally filled with pride and passion.

The young and beautiful Wang Wei is like fuel, fueling his vitality.

Of course, it’s also enjoyable.

But after working so hard for so many years, there are still bigger goals that require him to devote his energy and diligence. What's wrong with enjoying himself?
Wang Wei, who bloomed shyly in front of him, seemed to be the result of his waiting for so many years.

The taste is wonderful.

……

When the imperial carriage was heading towards Chengde again, there was already a noble person among them.

The process has not been completed yet, but the account has been blocked.

No one would be surprised, but instead they were surprised that Wang Wei only conferred the title of Zhaopin first.

Although her starting point was already unusually high, after all, she became Zhaopin from a palace maid and a female official.

At the same time, this also means that there is officially a "new generation" of concubines in the harem.

No one would ignore the other nobles who came with the emperor as tributes from other ethnic minorities - such as the noble lady Zhezhe who was presented by the Khorchin and other tribes. Although they already had a position, except for the very first Yehenara Donggo and the adult Haoshan, the others were still young and the emperor had never touched them.

This time the emperor brought with him Yehenara, who is now the Concubine He, and Haoshan, who was promoted to Shunpin only after being favored by the emperor, as well as Zhezhe, who is over 20 years old but still has never had sex.

He summoned the princes of northern border again. Since he brought Zhezhe with him, it was of course to show his favor to the Khorchin tribe.

I'm afraid that when I return to Beijing, there will be another concubine in the imperial carriage.

Of course, only the people in the harem talked about this more. Including them, everyone was still talking about the envoys from the Ryukyu Kingdom and the Western Netherlands, and the Portuguese surrendered ministers who had come here.

Why did the emperor order them to come to Chengde together for an audience?

This time, the imperial carriage went straight to the Chengde Summer Palace.

A few more years passed, and Chengde Prefecture had gotten back on track and changed its appearance.

Originally it was mostly grassland, but now both sides of the Luan River are full of fertile fields, and the Luan River is also very bustling.

Shu Baiqing was no longer the prefect of Chengde Prefecture, but took over Gong Nai's position as the chief of the Northern Frontier Division of the Lifanyuan.

Gong Nai was transferred to Nando and appointed as the general manager of the Nanyang Division.

He was good at networking and had made achievements in his diplomatic post. It happened that there was a shortage of people in Southeast Asia, and his new position was also to serve as a vanguard for the Governor of Xingang Xuanwei Division.

In the southeast suburbs of Chengde City, Shu Baiqing had already looked quite old.

But he is also young at heart.

Since we already have the Xingang Xuanwei Division, can’t we have a Beiting Protectorate?

(End of this chapter)