Chapter 21 The First Way
Zhu Yuhuan had studied for many years in the Ming Dynasty and knew that there was a lot of theoretical knowledge in ancient books, and there were people who insisted on summarizing these ingenious devices, but there was always something missing.
After hearing what the craftsmen said, Zhu Yuhuan immediately realized this.
Summarizing is one thing, creating is another. Today, we can create advanced equipment, but without a sufficiently solid theory, all we can do is "summarize" and "record."
When everyone heard Zhu Yuhuan's words, they couldn't help but feel confused.
Shouldn't we consider the cost-effectiveness of any action? They knew how much effort the princess had put into the steam engine, and even risked abusing her power to ask for His Majesty's approval.
Would His Majesty and the Princess do something that was not worthwhile? Wouldn't they just wait for the Princess's orders?
Xu Wangzhi was originally confused by what Zhu Yuhuan had just said, but when he met her eyes that were as bright and lively as ever, Xu Wangzhi vaguely understood what Zhu Yuhuan meant.
Zhu Yuhuan said seriously, "As the old saying goes, 'A thousand things, a thousand changes, all have the same principle.' The steam engine is just one of a thousand things, and as long as you can master the 'principle,' you can master a thousand changes. So if you have some free time, think carefully about the 'what' and 'why' of this device."
Compared to Zhu Yuhuan's enthusiasm when he brought the draft and drawings, everyone was silent after hearing this.
It’s better to say it’s ignorance than silence.
They vaguely understood that there seemed to be another world hidden in Princess Shunde's words, but they were still a little confused.
What is it? Why?
Zhu Yuhuan stroked his chin and said, "Madam Xu took An Han to the mountains to collect many unprecedented medicinal herbs. What she needs to do is naturally to understand the medicinal properties and uses of these herbs. As long as she can master this, she can create new prescriptions and cure certain diseases that were once incurable."
Xu Wangzhi waved his hands and muttered to Zhu Yuhuan, "What nonsense you are talking about is so confusing. Who can understand it in a short time..."
Zhu Yuhuan scratched his cheek and whispered, "I just suddenly remembered..."
Xu Wangzhi cleared his throat and said, "The Princess is saying that as long as you can build something like a steam engine, she can do it, not to mention asking His Majesty for permission. Even if it means going to heaven or into the earth, she can do it. The Princess is so powerful, and His Majesty is willing to allocate manpower and resources. You shouldn't always wait for her to come up with something brilliant. Why not come up with your own ideas? For example, why does water turn into gas, and why can gas push a stopper? This is the 'Tao,' and these cylinders and rods are the 'changes.' With one Tao, there are thousands of changes. In this way, all your ideas can come true... Anyway... just go for it, don't worry about anything else, the Princess will naturally support you!"
Everyone suddenly realized what was going on, and looked at Zhu Yuhuan with a bit more determination.
"Your Highness is worthy of being His Highness. He speaks differently. We can't understand him!"
"What do you know? Those Dao and transformations are only understood by cultivators like Your Highness. We don't have immortal roots or predestined relationships with the Dao!"
"So that's how it is. I was wondering why I didn't understand it at first... Madam Xu also has immortal roots!"
"Your Highness knows so much... No wonder the late emperor allowed His Highness to become a monk!"
Zhu Yuhuan: “…”
Forget it, didn't someone say "the end of science is theology"? As long as everyone understands what she means...
After everyone else left, Xu Wangzhi finally spoke up, "Can you really do it?"
Zhu Yuhuan came back to his senses and asked in confusion, "What?"
Xu Wangzhi said confidently, "What you just said is that you are willing to pay them to do things that are not cost-effective in the short term."
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but smile upon hearing this and said, "That's right. As for whether you can do it, my answer is naturally yes."
Xu Wangzhi couldn't help but feel a little worried. He asked, "Is it really possible? The caravan just delivered a letter from the capital. My elder brother told me in the letter that your coma caused a lot of trouble in the capital. Although the matter was finally settled, His Majesty might still have some opinions about you..."
Huai'en also looked at Zhu Yuhuan. In fact, he knew very well in his heart. Wang Zhen was in the capital, and Zhu Yuhuan was in Yunnan. If the emperor was dissatisfied with the princess, Wang Zhen would be the first to know, and it would be the easiest for him to play tricks on him.
This is the case of "I am in the light and the enemy is in the dark". Whatever Zhu Yuhuan wants to do, he will be one step slower than Wang Zhen.
Besides... the steam engine is certainly a perfect answer, but it is extremely difficult to maintain the current level of investment on this basis.
The emperor had just won a victory, and his attention was probably completely drawn to the war. Once a war was about to begin, armor and weapons would need to be replenished. Given the emperor's personality, when he had to make a choice, he would definitely give up the Wunong Temple first.
Due to the influence of various factors, Zhu Yuhuan's situation was not optimistic.
Zhu Yuhuan simply smiled and said, "Aren't there enough people who dislike me? If I throw a handful of sand and it hits ten people, nine of them dislike me, and one dislikes Princess Shunde. Yet, I've managed to get to where I am today, haven't I?" Seeing Xu Wangzhi grow anxious, she continued, "The arrow is on the string now. How can we wait to shoot it?"
Xu Wangzhi was still a little hesitant and said, "This...why does it sound like you're trying to be brave?"
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and put his arm around Xu Wangzhi's shoulders, saying comfortingly, "Don't worry, we have people in the capital."
Xu Wangzhi was confused. "Is there anyone here?"
Zhu Yuhuan said as a matter of course: "Xu Yun."
Xu Wangzhi exclaimed, "Ah!" and asked in disbelief, "Brother Xu? Can he be trusted?"
Zhu Yuhuan quickly spoke up for Xu Yun: "You're underestimating Xu Yun. He looks so good at dancing and being well-mannered. He swears that he has no connection with Wang Zhen. Do you believe him?"
That...that seems unbelievable...
Xu Wangzhi choked and asked, "Is he related to Wang Zhen? Doesn't that prove that he is unreliable..."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "Every monkey has its own way of tying up. Xu Yun is the Minister of Works, and many things have to go through his hands. He knows what's going on. When the time comes, send some gifts to Wang Zhen. Given Wang Zhen's personality, he may not care about these things."
Yunnan's mineral resources were still being mined, while armor production in the north often relied on proximity, such as in Yangcheng, Shanxi, and Zunhua, northern Zhili, where large ironworks existed, eliminating the need for excessive transportation costs. In the south, silver mines predominated, as seen in Fujian and Guizhou, where the imperial court mined large quantities of the precious metal.
In other words, Zhu Yuhuan and Zhu Qizhen’s demands for resources do not conflict with each other. The most important thing is to make Wang Zhen keep his mouth shut.
It is reasonable for Xu Yun to come forward.
Xu Wangzhi certainly didn't have as much experience as Zhu Yuhuan in this area, so he said, "As long as you know what's going on, I'm too lazy to think about it."
"Let's go, today is a good day, let's go eat something good!"
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