Chapter 70 Farm Vehicle Movement
When the uncle and nephew arrived outside the greenhouse in a carriage, Zhu Zhanji had already walked in swiftly before Zhu Yuhuan introduced him.
After seeing what was inside, Zhu Zhanji was already amazed. He turned around and said to Zhu Yuhuan, "I can't believe that my niece has such skills."
Zhu Yuhuan quickly waved his hand and said, "I was only responsible for coming up with the idea. The details were all completed by the joint efforts of several craftsmen. I have nothing to do with it."
Zhu Zhanji waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "Hey, ingenuity is also important. Without these fresh ideas, how could there be this new farm cart?" After saying that, he squatted beside the farm cart. He felt that this cart was strange no matter how he looked at it. It seemed familiar yet unheard of.
Zhu Yuhuan sighed, then looked at the craftsmen beside him and quickly said to his uncle, "Uncle, please let them get up. They are still greeting you."
The highest-ranking people these craftsmen had ever seen were the eunuchs who had previously managed them. When they first saw Zhu Yuhuan, they were already shocked. This time, a young man in gorgeous clothes came, and when they heard Zhu Yuhuan call him "Fifth Uncle", they knew that this person was the prince's brother. Naturally, they bowed and greeted him as soon as they met.
Zhu Zhanji waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "Alright, alright, get up quickly."
Seeing that they were afraid to move, Zhu Yuhuan reminded them, "Hurry up and get up. Don't be shy. This is the first time Fifth Uncle has seen a farm vehicle, and he needs you to introduce it to him."
When it came to introducing the farm carts, the craftsmen who were originally a little nervous immediately became excited and began to look at Zhu Zhanji with expectant eyes, as if they were students waiting for their teacher to ask questions.
Although they were skilled craftsmen, familiar with various tools and equipment, they ultimately worked to support their families. Now, His Majesty has granted them special permission to work under the command of Princess Shunde, making new farm tools. Not only will they receive regular wages, but they will also receive rewards from His Majesty. This will allow them to meet their family's needs while allowing them to fully cultivate the skills passed down through generations.
Zhu Zhanji was caught in their overly eager gazes and subconsciously swallowed his saliva. He quickly said, "I've never seen farm tools before. Please explain them to me one by one. Don't be in a hurry. I won't understand if you speak too fast." He reached out and patted the farm cart next to him. He originally wanted to let the craftsmen start with this one, but then he felt that he had been a little too rough. He hurriedly said, "Hey, did I hit it too hard just now? Will this thing fall apart?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the originally enthusiastic craftsmen on the opposite side froze in expression, and some even revealed a hint of humiliation.
No matter who you are, you will feel uncomfortable if your technical ability, which you are proud of, is looked down upon.
Zhu Zhanji was a little confused when Zhu Yuhuan whispered to him, "Fifth Uncle, this farm cart was meticulously crafted by these craftsmen. Besides, if it's not sturdy enough, how can we use it in the fields?"
Zhu Zhanji said "oh" in understanding, stroking his chin. He didn't care and just asked, "In that case, why don't you try it out for me first?"
Seeing this, Zhu Yuhuan called a slightly shorter eunuch and had him demonstrate to Zhu Zhanji how to use it on the spot.
Although part of the structure of the farm cart is made of wood, the key parts are iron parts and chains, which makes it move quickly and efficiently.
Seeing that Zhu Yuhuan was not very strong, Zhu Zhanji finally understood the so-called new agricultural tools made by the craftsmen. He couldn't help but bend down, pat Zhu Yuhuan's head, and asked curiously, "Niece, what's in your little head? You can even come up with something like this?"
Zhu Yuhuan was speechless and choked for a long time before he spoke: "Fifth Uncle, why don't you sound like you are praising me?"
Zhu Zhanji said with a grin, "How can this not be a compliment? This is a compliment on your exceptional talent and uniqueness!"
Zhu Yuhuan sighed and pointed at the farm road. "If we replace the soil-loosening tool at the back with wheels, add a cargo box between the wheels, and replace most of the parts with iron, with a simple modification, we can create a brand new means of transportation."
This new mode of transportation was familiar to everyone; it was, of course, the common tricycle used to haul goods. While it couldn't compete in the Ming Dynasty speed races like the legendary donkey carts of the Gaoliang River God, it was far more effective at moving things around the palace than commanding the eunuchs to do hard labor.
That being said, Zhu Yuhuan doesn’t have enough materials, so he naturally can’t make these things.
Zhu Zhanji muttered softly while thinking, "Transportation? Which transportation?"
Seeing that he was thinking very seriously, Zhu Yuhuan asked curiously, "Fifth Uncle, do you understand?"
Zhu Zhanji replied nonchalantly: "I don't understand!"
Zhu Yuhuan finally chose to remain silent.
My fifth uncle is really not a decent person...
Zhu Zhanji keenly caught a hint of emotion on Zhu Yuhuan's face, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Huanhuan, did you dislike your fifth uncle just now?"
Zhu Yuhuan quickly defended himself, "I didn't do that. It was you who said that, Uncle Wu."
Zhu Zhanji burst out laughing, then said, "Although my fifth uncle doesn't understand this, the people in the Ministry of Works must understand it better than me. They say 'Everyone has their own experience, and everyone has their own expertise'. In that case, wouldn't it be enough to let them understand how powerful this farm cart is?" He stared at the farm cart for a long time and said, "I think the people from the Ministry of Works alone are not enough. It would be best if we could call everyone from the six ministries. Of course, the Ministry of Works should also allocate funds, right? The Ministry of Personnel should also reward these craftsmen, right? If all three ministries are mobilized, then the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of War cannot lag behind. And then there are those stinking scholars in the Hanlin Academy. We all need to work together and make progress together!"
Zhu Yuhuan subconsciously interjected, "Otherwise, how can we make the Ming Dynasty great again?"
Zhu Zhanji hadn't thought of this at first, but after hearing what Zhu Yuhuan said, he immediately nodded seriously and said, "That makes sense! I'll tell them so later!"
I have been in the Ming Dynasty for so many years, and although I have been speechless many times, none of them is like today.
I always feel that there is a hint of rationality in the outrageousness. Thousands of words can only be turned into one sentence to express my fifth uncle's admiration: "Amazing."
If he were in modern times, Zhu Zhanji would also be considered a talented person.
"Huanhuan, didn't you just say that we could make some kind of transportation..."
Zhu Yuhuan added sympathetically, "Transportation."
"Right, right, right!" Zhu Zhanji repeatedly said yes, and then said, "It will take some time to convince the officials of the six ministries. In that case, why don't you just make the tool you mentioned and show it to them together. It will definitely scare them!"
Zhu Yuhuan raised his chin towards Huai En, and he walked quickly into the house and quickly brought out a roll of paper.
Zhu Yuhuan said confidently, "It doesn't matter if we draw one or two. After we finish the drawing of the farm cart, we'll also draw this improved drawing!"
Zhu Zhanji met her sparkling eyes, then glanced at the craftsmen behind her who also had expectant expressions. Finally, he couldn't help but say, "You guys...are quite diligent."
If it were him, even if it was an order from his father, the emperor, Zhu Zhanji would have wanted to avoid it if possible, let alone take the initiative to do it. But Zhu Yuhuan, a little kid, actually did one thing after another without being told at all. His diligence was so diligent that even he felt a little ashamed.
Zhu Yuhuan answered obediently: "For the Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Zhanji, who always said one thing to one person and another to another, was speechless for a moment. After a long time, he patted his niece's shoulder and said, "She has a bright future!"
He has such awareness at such a young age. If his eldest niece can't succeed, who else can?
Previously, although Zhu Yuhuan was also ordered to do things, she was the only one in charge. Although everyone respected her, there were always some inconveniences. But with the prince Zhu Zhanji, things became much easier. He could do whatever he wanted, which made Zhu Yuhuan a little jealous.
I have to say that the identity of a prince is indeed very useful. It would be great if Zhu Zhanji could become his partner.
With this in mind, Zhu Yuhuan also accelerated his plans for tricycles and bicycles. He would deal with any problems encountered during production. It was always a good idea to draw them first. What if new shipping routes were opened up in the future and new materials could be obtained? Maybe these drawings would come in handy then.
She saw that Zhu Zhanji was very interested in this new thing. So, she took advantage of this opportunity and tried to bring Zhu Zhanji into her gang. This would make it much easier for Zhu Yuhuan to do something in the future.
Zhu Yuhuan wanted to recruit Zhu Zhanji to join his group, but Zhu Zhanji had some new understanding of his eldest niece.
After all, Zhu Yuhuan was too young and there was a generation gap between them, so he didn't pay much attention to his niece who was praised by everyone. But ever since his eldest niece gave her eldest brother a cricket as a birthday gift, Zhu Zhanji had a vague feeling that his niece might not be that simple. Coupled with the events in the palace and the training of his niece by his mother who was more skilled than anyone else, Zhu Zhanji almost immediately understood that Zhu Yuhuan was a talented person with great potential.
Putting aside other things, the ingenious ideas of these devices are not something that ordinary people can think of. Just based on this interest, Zhu Zhanji also plans to get closer to his niece, not to mention how the status of his eldest niece will rise if this farm vehicle is used like a greenhouse in the future.
Zhu Zhanji certainly knew that no matter how famous Zhu Yuhuan was as a woman, it would be of no use to her. This was also the reason why everyone trusted her. In this case, what was wrong with him, the fifth uncle, protecting his niece at the right time?
Zhu Yuhuan was busy with his own affairs here, and Zhu Zhanji was also packing his luggage to travel south. After all, this trip would take at least a year and a half, so he naturally had to make careful preparations.
Sun Mengqiu claimed to be ill and would not be away for a few days, but she was still worried about Zhu Zhanji, so she stayed with Hu Shanxiang to help prepare Zhu Zhanji's luggage, etc. However, when facing Wu Miaosu, the reserve concubine, Sun Mengqiu could not help but make a few sarcastic remarks from time to time.
She knew that Zhu Zhanji didn't care about Hu Shanxiang, so she could live in peace with Hu Shanxiang because Sun Mengqiu knew that she was no match for her, but it was different for Wu Miaosu.
Although Wu Miaosu was born a palace maid, she was able to become a female official through her own efforts, and was even appointed by Empress Zhang to take care of Zhu Zhanji, which shows that her methods were not bad, not to mention that Zhu Zhanji treated Wu Miaosu and Hu Shanxiang in completely different ways.
Zhu Zhanji had a childhood sweetheart relationship with Sun Mengqiu, but he admired Wu Miaosu more. This admiration was too glaring in Sun Mengqiu's eyes, and it made her feel a rare sense of crisis.
Therefore, Sun Mengqiu took the initiative to submit to Zhu Zhanji, which was extremely rare. In the past, this would have been almost impossible. However, Wu Miaosu's appearance brought her too much anxiety, and Sun Mengqiu naturally could not let the situation continue to deteriorate. Not to mention that Wu Miaosu was obviously closer to Hu Shanxiang, the Crown Princess. Two people against one person was obviously a disadvantage for her, and Sun Mengqiu could not sit idly by.
Despite this, because of his trip south, Zhu Zhanji had almost no time to take care of his backyard. Instead, Wu Miaosu, who served Zhu Zhanji, spent every day with him and they were very close.
Sun Mengqiu's uneasiness was barely concealed. Even though Zhu Yuhuan usually left early and returned late, busy with various affairs, he could still sense Sun Mengqiu's anxiety. As Zhu Zhanji took Wu Miaosu south, this anxiety seemed to disappear briefly, but it had only subsided from the surface to the depths.
Sun Mengqiu's thoughts weren't incomprehensible. After all, few people could be as selfless as Hu Shanxiang. A person's environment inevitably influences their personality. In such an inherently oppressive environment, even the most lively person would be ground into a pulp, their bones reshaped. Zhu Zhanji, who had previously always been able to confidently answer either of the two options, briefly reassured Sun Mengqiu. However, the appearance of Wu Miaosu, the "catfish," naturally disrupted the tranquility of the fish tank.
However, in this matter, Zhu Yuhuan really had no time and no position to comfort Sun Mengqiu. Zhu Zhanji left for the south and just missed Hu Shanxiang's birthday.
Hu Shanxiang was a low-key person and had never intended to celebrate her birthday. In addition, Zhu Gaochi had been in poor health recently and it was a special period, so the East Palace was silent. If it were not for the palace maids performing their duties every day, people would probably mistakenly think that this was an empty palace.
Zhu Yuhuan didn't care. After all, celebrating a birthday was just a formality. The most important thing was the thoughts of her and her sister Zhu Youtong.
On Hu Shanxiang's birthday, Zhu Youtong deliberately covered her eyes with a cloth, saying it was a "surprise" for her mother, and brought her to the birthday gifts prepared by the two sisters. Perhaps because Zhu Zhanji was not around, Hu Shanxiang felt much more relaxed and was willing to play this "boring game" with her two daughters.
Zhu Yuhuan exchanged a look with his sister, and then he turned his hand-cranked music box as before.
Hu Shanxiang was somewhat surprised to hear the ding-dong music and asked tentatively, "It sounds like someone knocking on a jar. What a crisp sound."
Zhu Youtong chuckled, and when Zhu Yuhuan inserted the paper tape for the second time, he began to sing along: "What a beautiful jasmine flower, what a beautiful jasmine flower! All the flowers in the garden are more fragrant than this one. I want to pick one to wear, but I'm afraid of being scolded by those who see the flowers..."
She is still young, and when she sings she looks innocent, cute and lively, and her tender voice can melt people's hearts.
Zhu Yuhuan doesn't have a strong memory for most modern pop songs, but "Jasmine Flower" is different. When he was a child, the songs that would often play on the phone before the call was answered were "Jasmine Flower" and "Butterfly Lovers." The latter was so long that Zhu Yuhuan only remembered a short snippet, and humming the entire piece was a struggle. "Jasmine Flower," however, is different; it's not an exaggeration to say it's ingrained in his DNA. Its simple and beautiful melody makes it easy for even a beginner like Zhu Youtong to compose it.
Hu Shanxiang removed the cloth covering her eyes and watched the music flow along with Zhu Yuhuan's movements. She wasn't surprised, but instead asked curiously, "What tune is this? I've never heard it before, but it's really beautiful. However, I remember it as something from the south."
Zhu Yuhuan said with a grin, "I heard it from the palace servants who came from Yingtian."
"Jasmine Flower" is originally a folk song from Jiangsu, so it is natural that the palace ladies in Nanjing have heard it.
"That's a really good poem." Hu Shanxiang seemed to sigh, saying, "I want to pick one to wear, but I'm afraid it won't sprout next year... He truly loves and cherishes flowers. Such people are probably very rare in this world..."
Zhu Yuhuan heard her sigh and obviously saw Sun Mengqiu's uneasiness, so he smiled and said, "This person who appreciates and cherishes flowers must be a woman. Only women understand the cruelty of flowers withering and will love and cherish them more. Women love the fragrance and whiteness of jasmine flowers. She who loves flowers is also a pure and flawless jasmine flower." After saying this, he did not forget to move closer to his mother and whispered, "Mother asked my aunt to take the pipa back to her hometown to comfort my grandfather's longing. But this pipa is also Mother's only sustenance for her hometown and relatives. Huanhuan and Tongtong want to give Mother a new comfort. May Mother's fragrance and beauty last forever."
Hu Shanxiang was slightly stunned, and couldn't help but sneered. She tapped Zhu Yuhuan's forehead and said, "You're so smooth-talking!"
Zhu Youtong agreed firmly, "Sister is right! Mommy is as fragrant as a jasmine flower!"
Hu Shanxiang smiled and shook her head, saying, "You two are the only ones who can talk."
But there seemed to be a hint of melancholy in his tone.
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