Chapter 177 Retire after success
"Yes, I have put a lot of thought into the materials used for the banknote paper. Finally, I decided to add cotton to it to prevent the banknote paper from rotting when it comes into contact with water." Zhu Chong threw another new bombshell at Old Zhu.
"Cotton can be used to make banknotes?" Old Zhu's eyes were full of surprise. In his opinion, cotton is used for textiles, right? How can it also be used to make banknotes?
"That's right. Not only that, but also this ink, which contains tung oil, is the reason why the new banknotes will not smudge when they come into contact with water after being printed." Zhu Chong continued to introduce to Lao Zhu.
Old Zhu nodded and suddenly looked up at Zhu Chong. "So, according to you, everyone in the Baochao Tizhusi knows the production process of banknote paper now?"
Hearing what Old Zhu said, Zhu Chong's heart skipped a beat. He understood what Old Zhu meant. The new treasure notes involved the country's destiny. In order to prevent any trouble before it happens, with Old Zhu's temper, he would have to chop off everyone who knew the secret of the new treasure notes, except himself, in order to make him feel at ease!
Zhu Chong's scalp tingled, and he quickly explained to Old Zhu, "Father, I've actually built a lot of workshops recently at the Treasure Banknote Administration Bureau. The purpose is to streamline the workshop's production process."
"Process-based?" When Lao Zhu heard this word, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. It was the first time he heard such a new word.
"Yes." Zhu Chong nodded and said, "Father, you should have heard of the weapons manufacturing technology of the pre-Qin period, right?"
Old Zhu nodded blankly, and Zhu Chong quickly continued, "The reason why the pre-Qin Dynasty was able to sweep across the six kingdoms, in addition to its powerful army, another most important feature was that its weapons manufacturing was completely process-based."
"For example, the arrows used by the Qin army – the arrowheads, shafts and tail feathers – were not made by one group of people, but by three groups working together through division of labor."
"But the arrowheads are not entirely made by one team. They are fired in another workshop, made through molds, polished and finished here, and finally assembled by three teams of people."
"This inspired me, because this pre-Qin process was able to ensure that the craftsmen did not come into contact with military secrets to the greatest extent possible, and that the methods of manufacturing military equipment would not be leaked. After all, the tasks that each team needed to complete were the simplest."
"The same is true for the new treasure notes. The treasure note materials used by this minister are processed in seven workshops: rough cutting, fine segmentation, smelting, and production. Each workshop is only responsible for one of the details."
"After the banknote paper is finished, there are more than a dozen workshops for printing and dyeing, processing, cutting, pressing, and preparation, completing nearly 30 processes."
"The most crucial parts of banknote paper, especially the production of banknote paper and the creation of watermarks, are all completed by pressing tools. The production process of the tools and the materials used for the watermarks are all known only to me, your son..."
After hearing Zhu Chong's introduction, Old Zhu's expression relaxed, and he couldn't help but smack his lips in amazement.
"Second brother, you are much more careful in your work than before. I didn't misjudge you. I misjudged you before. I am very satisfied that you can accomplish so many things in such a short time. Thank you for your hard work!"
When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, he patted Zhu Chong on the shoulder, which had never happened before.
"It's not hard for me, son." Zhu Chong smiled and bowed. "Now that I have fulfilled my mission, the Treasury and Banknotes Administration should be under your personal control. I should retire now that I have accomplished my mission."
"Huh?" Old Zhu looked puzzled as to why he was leaving at this moment. But when he saw Zhu Chong casually handing him a stack of memorials, Old Zhu picked them up and read them, and his expression suddenly became clear.
What Zhu Chong wrote in his memorial to Zhu Yuanzhang were all secrets about the treasure note production process that were unknown to all the craftsmen.
For example, the actual ratio of ink, the method of making watermarks, etc., these things are now controlled by Zhu Chong alone. At first glance, there seems to be nothing wrong with it, but this is definitely a hot potato. Handing it over early can also make Zhu feel at ease.
Old Zhu naturally understood Zhu Chong's intention. It was right for him to control these secrets. Moreover, it was not right for Zhu Chong to stay in the Baochao Tizhusi all the time, even if he was a prince.
After all, if Baochao is really as Zhu Chong said, its status in the future will definitely rise. At that time, Zhu Chong will become the target of public criticism, and it will be inappropriate for him to continue staying in any position.
Rather than being criticized later, it would be more glorious to retire now.
However, Old Zhu felt a little unhappy. In front of Qin Kui, he couldn't help but complain to Zhu Chong: "Second brother, are you so timid? This is not like you!"
Zhu Chong smiled and said, "Father, you misunderstood. The issue of the treasure notes concerns the fate of our nation and the future of the Ming Dynasty. If I, your son, have always been in charge of these secrets, what if something happens to me one day? Wouldn't that be disastrous?"
"Besides, you know my temperament. I am really impatient with these trivial matters. Moreover, I am old enough to be a vassal. It is not appropriate for me to stay in the capital."
Hearing this, Old Zhu frowned and looked at his son seriously. After a long while, he slowly asked, "Don't you want to stay in Yingtian Prefecture anymore?"
"Your Majesty, you have misunderstood me again." Zhu Chong smiled and shook his head. "I abide by the rules you set. Why would I refuse to stay in Yingtian Prefecture? Could it be that Your Majesty wants me to violate the laws you set?"
Hearing what Zhu Chong said, Old Zhu frowned and realized that it was the law he had set that princes should be enfeoffed when they reached a certain age. At Zhu Chong's age, he should have been enfeoffed long ago, so there was indeed nothing wrong with what he said.
But Zhu Yuanzhang was unhappy to hear this and could not help but scold him: "Of course I know, but you can only be granted a fiefdom after the treasure banknote issue is completely resolved. This is settled."
Zhu Chong was not surprised at all when he heard what Zhu Yuanzhang said. Old Zhu was afraid that he had no trustworthy person around him who could take charge of the Baochao Tizhusi for him, so he could only let Zhu Chong continue to serve as the director of the Baochao Tizhusi.
It was also because Zhu Chong had brought too many surprises to Zhu during the time he served as the director of the Baochao Tizhusi, and he was a little reluctant to let Zhu Chong go to the fiefdom.
After all, he was his own son. If he didn't trust Zhu Chong, who else could he trust? Even Xu Da didn't trust him. Only his own son could make him feel more at ease.
In particular, Zhu Chong did not hesitate at all and directly handed over to him the secret of the Baochao Tizhusi, which even the Jinyiwei did not know. This made Zhu Yuanzhang even more confident in Zhu Chong.
No matter how Zhu Yuanzhang viewed Zhu Chong before, Zhu Chong was still his biological son, the legitimate son of Empress Ma.
To be honest, apart from the Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Zhu Yuanzhang cared most about his legitimate sons. As the second legitimate son under the Crown Prince, Zhu Chong naturally received Zhu Yuanzhang's special attention.
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