There are all kinds of disturbances in the capital, but life still has to go on one day at a time.
Although the news had been out for a long time, there had been no movement in the court. As the weather grew colder, the pace of the entire capital slowed down.
We've been busy with the autumn harvest and the food supply for a while now, and everyone's attention is focused on this. This time of year is always a busy time for the court. Although we're used to it, we still dare not neglect it.
However, this year's situation is much better. Although it is busy and tiring, the results are much better than in previous years. After all, the potato planting area this year is not very large, but the harvest is very good.
Zhu Youxiao was strolling around the palace. He had received a report from his subordinates that the potato harvest was good today, and at least there would be no problem with winter grain this year. Many people could still have a full stomach in the winter even if they relied on potatoes.
You know, winters in the Ming Dynasty were still very difficult. The cold wasn't enough, and the people had nothing to do or earn, so getting enough to eat was a struggle. Chopping wood and hunting kept them busy, and they usually went hungry. Now, with potatoes, they could have a good year.
Glancing at Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao asked, "Is Bi Maokang here?"
"Your Majesty, the person is already outside." Chen Hong quickly agreed.
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Then let him in."
Not long after, Bi Maokang walked in from outside.
For people in the court, Bi Maokang was considered a rising star. He had already reached the position of Vice Minister of Works and was now in charge of the Academy of Hundred Workers.
Many people have predicted that the next Minister of Works would most likely be Bi Maokang.
Bi Maokang had dressed up carefully, but he still looked dusty. In the Baigongyuan, he was busy every day and had no time to rest.
Bi Maokang looked a little embarrassed at this time. Although he tried his best to stay alert, he still looked very tired.
After Bi Maokang finished his greeting, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said with a smile, "That's enough. No need to waste your energy. Sit down and talk."
Chen Hong on the side took a brocade cushion and placed it directly behind Bi Maokang.
After Bi Maokang sat down, Zhu Youxiao continued, "Have you heard about the plan to build a new city?"
"Your Majesty, I have heard about it." Bi Maokang quickly agreed.
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "I've been wanting to talk to you about the brick and cement issue. How is it going?"
When building the new city, Zhu Youxiao wanted to use bricks and cement. The bricks were red bricks, not the blue bricks used in the Ming Dynasty.
The quality of blue bricks is better, but the cost is too high and does not meet Zhu Youxiao's expectations.
Many people in later generations have commented on the beauty of ancient houses and the ingenuity of their mosaic structures. However, those were the homes of royalty and aristocrats, who could afford to build them at any cost. What kind of houses did ordinary people live in during this era?
Most of them are mud houses with thatched roofs. They can't even use ordinary tiles, let alone glazed gold tiles.
The emergence of cement has greatly reduced the difficulty and cost of engineering projects, and most importantly, improved construction efficiency.
If we were to build it using Ming Dynasty technology, whether it was stone or wood, it would be very difficult to obtain. Not only would the cost of logging be high, but the cost of transportation would also be uneconomical.
New building materials replace old building materials. This is determined by cost and is the general trend.
Zhu Youxiao's goal in building this new city, besides promoting education, was to make money, and the more money, the better.
If construction costs are reduced, won’t money come in?
Hearing Zhu Youxiao's question, Bi Maokang quickly said, "Your Majesty, the brick problem has been solved. We have also solved the problem of refractory bricks before. The firing of cement has also been preliminarily determined. As long as we invest money, we can start mass production."
Hearing Bi Maokang's words, Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction.
This is naturally the best way. The architectural style of the new city will naturally not adopt the style of later office buildings or public buildings.
First, it is impossible to build too high, because that would require reinforced concrete. The Ming Dynasty did not have that much steel, so the building height could not be that high.
Secondly, it had to be in the style of Ming Dynasty palace architecture, with a rigorously symmetrical floor plan and a clear distinction between primary and secondary elements. The main structure would be constructed of brick, stone, and concrete, while the secondary structures would continue to utilize brick walls and wooden beams, albeit with significantly less wood. As for the construction method, Zhu Youxiao believed that the Ming Dynasty's craftsmen had a better say than he did.
From ancient times to the present, the craftsmen of the Celestial Empire have never disappointed anyone, making the flying eaves, brackets, caissons, carved beams and painted buildings form the unique architectural style of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "I'll leave this matter to you and the Ministry of Works. Come up with a plan and a budget as soon as possible. It would be best if you could make a plan for the new city. I want to take a good look at it."
After hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Bi Maokang nodded quickly and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"A few days ago you submitted a memorial saying you wanted to see me. Is there anything wrong?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Bi Maokang and asked.
He has finished talking about his story, and now it is Bi Maokang's turn.
"I would like to invite Your Majesty to visit the Academy of Craftsmen." Bi Maokang said directly without hesitation.
After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao was stunned.
It's not like he hadn't been to the Hundred Craftsmen's Academy before; this was just the first time he'd been invited. Apparently, the Hundred Craftsmen's Academy had something new, or else Bi Maokang wouldn't have been comfortable letting him see it.
Zhu Youxiao looked Bi Maokang up and down and said with a smile, "Are you so confident?"
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