At this rate, in a dozen years or so, the clan's population will exceed 200,000. This is probably the fastest-growing clan in the world, truly worthy of the surname Zhu (Pig).
With a population of 200,000, even if calculated based on the annual salary of 200 dan for the lowest-ranking lieutenant of Fengguo, the total would reach 40 million dan, which is twice the national tax revenue during the Jiajing period.
In other words, if there is no reform, the court’s finances will have nothing to do with anything else, and it will not be able to support Zhu alone.
Instead of using sensational headlines, use solid figures to let the civil and military officials, royal family, nobles, and even ordinary people of the Ming Dynasty know this shocking fact.
The Ming Dynasty had hundreds of millions of people, but only 200,000 vassal states. A single spit from each of them would drown them.
Moreover, not only did civil and military officials not dare to privately make friends with the vassal states, they also had a bad impression of these useless and parasites. With the imperial edict and the emperor's support, they would not be lenient in implementing policies.
The emperor stroked his chin and sneered. He stood up, stretched himself a bit, put on his cloak, and walked out of the hall.
The Chinese New Year is just three days away. The palace is decorated with lights and is fully furnished, filled with a festive atmosphere.
This year was different from previous years. The great victory against Liao not only boosted the morale of the people but also lifted the heavy burden that weighed on the emperor and his subjects. The emperor also changed his simple style and took out 20,000 silver coins from the treasury to decorate the place and celebrate with the people.
As the festival approaches, the palace ladies can also wear more colorful clothes, which looks pleasing to the eye.
"Long live the emperor, long live the emperor!" The crisp cry made the emperor stop and turn around with a smile.
It was none other than the clever and well-behaved May, who had also changed into new clothes and flew over like a colorful butterfly.
Zhao Dabao followed behind with a silly look on his face. As the only successor to the emperor's carpentry skills, he didn't show any signs of it at all.
"Did you gain anything from visiting the Academy of Sciences? Did you give them any problems?" The emperor smiled and waved his hand, exempting the two children from kneeling.
May's face flushed red from the cold wind. She said with a smile, "We just happened to catch them experimenting with steam engines. We've gained a lot. The teachers and professors really like us."
Zhu Youxiao had seen the drawings of the steam engine. Even if the experiment was successful, it could only perform the simplest reciprocating motion, which was unstable and could not be used in practice.
Although it is still a long way from being able to propel trains and ships, this steam engine is the first in the world and is a milestone.
The emperor nodded and said, "What about you? Are you interested in the Academy of Sciences?"
Zhu Youxiao did intend to guide the children towards the field of science, but it all depended on their interests. If they didn't like it, he wouldn't force them.
Wu Yue nodded her little head vigorously, her pigtails bobbing up and down, and said, "Da Bao and I have discussed it, and we're going to the Academy of Sciences when school starts."
The emperor was stunned for a moment. In his opinion, he should finish junior high school.
"We can study junior high school courses on our own at the Academy." Wu Yue noticed the emperor's surprise and quickly explained, "I think it won't take three years, but one or two. We'll be ready to take the exam."
Zhu Youxiao had no doubt about Wu Yue's intelligence. If his IQ could be measured, he would think Wu Yue's was higher than his.
"Dabao, what about you?" The emperor looked at Zhao Dabao and did not hide his worry.
Zhao Dabao grunted. He hadn't even graduated from elementary school yet, so how could he have confidence in junior high school?
"I'll help him, there will be no problem." Wu Yue glared at Zhao Dabao. She was short and facing the emperor sideways, so she was not worried about being seen by the emperor.
Zhao Dabao grinned, nodded reluctantly, and said, "Don't worry, Wansui, I will study hard."
The emperor pondered for a moment and said, "That's fine. Select a few more children from the Shaoying Academy to go with you."
Graduating from Shaoying Academy's primary school was roughly equivalent to third or fourth grade in later generations. Reading and reading newspapers were barely adequate, and mathematical calculations were simple.
It may be a bit difficult for someone at this level to study physical chemistry, but it cannot be said that it is absolutely impossible.
The emperor wanted to see if it was just an experiment, and it wouldn't take up much of the children's time. Among their peers, their overall abilities were indeed superior to those of the children in the private school.
If you only learn to read, write, and do math, without memorizing anything like the Four Books and Five Classics, of course you will learn faster.
The emperor asked a few more questions casually and was basically confirmed, so he rewarded Wu Yue and Zhao Dabao.
"Thank you for your grace." May held the silver coin in her hand and knelt down to kowtow.
Although Zhao Dabao is older, he is like a younger brother in front of May and follows him to learn.
The emperor was in a good mood. He smiled and stroked Wu Yue's pigtails, then turned and headed for Kunning Palace. As he walked, he sighed in his heart: Those vassal statesmen who only eat the annual salary are really not even as good as two children.
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