"Envoy to the sea, Ma Sanbao has returned."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yunwen were delighted and immediately summoned Ma Sanbao to the court.
Ma Sanbao walked in with high spirits, bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yunwen, and then happily reported that he had brought back some special products from overseas this time.
Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yunwen were both very happy to hear this.
After Ma Sanbao finished his report, Zhu Yunwen immediately spoke up, unable to wait any longer:
"Although you just got back and haven't had a proper rest, I shouldn't be in such a hurry to assign you a task. But there is indeed something that requires you to go out to sea again, heading towards South America."
Upon hearing that he was going to go to sea again, Ma Sanbao was more excited than anyone else.
Every time he went out to sea, he would bring back something and be eager to return.
Upon returning, they couldn't wait to go out to sea again.
So, Zhu Yunwen's suggestion that he be sent out to sea was insignificant to Ma Sanbao, who then hurriedly asked:
"Your Highness, what do you want me to find at sea this time? Just tell me, and I will definitely find it for you."
Zhu Yunwen said:
“In South America, there is a species called the rubber tree. Try to bring back a large number of saplings. Ideally, you should collect some rubber sap from the local rubber trees and bring it back with you.”
Before Ma Sanbao could even ask, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately said:
"Yun-Teng, what is a rubber tree? What is it used for?"
Zhu Yunwen immediately said:
"Grandpa, this rubber tree can collect a lot of rubber liquid, from which rubber can be extracted."
Rubber can be used for the tires of this bicycle. Just by wrapping a layer of rubber around the tire, it will also have a buffering effect when encountering hard road surfaces.
The key is that the tires are very slip-resistant, preventing the bicycle from slipping on any surface, which is incredibly useful.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was immediately excited and said:
"We need to get this back as soon as possible, so that riding a bicycle will be more comfortable and safer in the future."
Ma Sanbao was completely confused and asked:
"Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince, what is this bicycle?"
Before Zhu Yunwen could speak, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately stepped forward, grabbed Ma Sanbao, and said:
"You don't know? Let me explain this bicycle to you. It's something that's hard for most people to learn, but I can. I'll demonstrate it for you."
So Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't wait and demonstrated the bicycle to Ma Sanbao. After watching, Ma Sanbao said:
"This thing is quite ingenious. I wonder if I may try it?"
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said:
"It's not that we look down on you, but this thing is extremely difficult to ride, even harder to train than a wild horse. You don't know how yet, so there's a risk of falling if you try to ride it now. But if you want to try, then give it a shot."
After saying this, Zhu Yuanzhang pushed the bicycle to Ma Sanbao.
After Ma Sanbao mounted the horse, he prepared to try it out, following the method Zhu Yuanzhang had instructed.
Zhu Yuanzhang, on the other hand, revealed a slight smile. He could now ride a bicycle, after all. Facing Ma Sanbao, a beginner, the sense of superiority Zhu Yuanzhang exuded was simply indescribable.
He had even planned out how to go up to Ma Sanbao and comfort him after he fell down.
However, just as he was thinking this, Ma Sanbao, holding the handlebars, steadily started riding the bicycle.
In that instant, Zhu Yuanzhang was completely stunned.
He couldn't believe that Ma Sanbao could ride a bicycle so easily, something he had spent so long learning to do.
The key point is that Ma Sanbao also said:
"Your Majesty, it's not as difficult as I imagined."
Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyes in anger and snorted, saying:
"It wasn't difficult to begin with!"
However, Zhu Yunwen burst into laughter. It was not surprising that Ma Sanbao could ride the bicycle so steadily.
First of all, Ma Sanbao was skilled in horsemanship. When Zhu Di asked for him, Zhu Di repeatedly said that Ma Sanbao had a talent for horsemanship that was difficult for ordinary people to match.
He was also a master at charging into battle on horseback.
In addition, Ma Sanbao has been sitting on a boat at sea all this time, drifting around, so his balance is exceptionally strong.
Therefore, he was skilled in archery and horsemanship, had excellent balance, and developed good coordination skills while on the ship.
In addition, he is currently in his prime, strong and healthy, and quick-witted. His physical condition is among the best in the court.
Riding a bicycle is something that can be learned quickly once you master the simple techniques; there's nothing strange about it.
Zhu Yunwen told Zhu Yuanzhang about this, and after hearing it, Zhu Yuanzhang accepted it to some extent and felt less resentful.
So Zhu Yuanzhang said to Ma Sanbao:
"You've seen this bicycle. If it can be developed vigorously, it will definitely be a convenient means of transportation."
However, this bicycle still needs improvement. As Taisun said, the wheels are too hard, making it not only bumpy but also prone to slipping on the road.
If we can really follow the grandson's wishes and go to some place in South America to bring back some rubber.
That would definitely improve tire performance significantly, and you'd have accomplished something truly great.
Ma Sanbao immediately expressed his opinion:
"Since His Majesty and the Crown Prince have said so, I will set off immediately in a couple of days. Also, I have indeed been wanting to go to South America again."
I brought back some sweet potatoes and corn from there last time, and I'm thinking of going back this time to bring back some more.
I heard that there is a product called chili pepper there, which has a very special taste and texture.
I've been wanting to bring back some of these special fruits, vegetables, and other foods for a long time.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunwen's eyes lit up and he said:
"Yes, yes, we must bring back a lot of chili peppers. It would be best to bring back different varieties."
We mustn't forget this: the introduction of chili peppers to our Great Ming Dynasty would be a major breakthrough in improving our cuisine.
Ma Sanbao paused for a moment, then looked at Zhu Yunwen and said:
"Your Highness, I heard the locals mention this chili pepper when I last went to South America. Could it be that it was recorded in some book of the Ming Dynasty? Otherwise, how would you know about it?"
Zhu Yunwen paused for a moment, then coughed and said:
"This is quite complicated to explain, but in short, I am clear about it and know it. Who told me to be so well-read? You just need to go and bring these things back."
Ma Sanbao looked at Zhu Yunwen with admiration:
"I have sailed the seas several times, traveled to many countries, and traversed many lands, yet my knowledge is still far inferior to that of Your Highness, the Crown Prince. The gap is simply too great."
My reverence for His Highness the Crown Prince is like a surging river, endless and boundless, like the countless stars in the sky…
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