The Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 65: Visited Jizhou

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After getting up, Zhu Youjian was still immersed in his dream, immersed in the dream he had compiled for Li Chunye.

If you don't make more effort than ordinary people, no matter how beautiful the dream, no matter how brilliant the future, dreams are just dreams, either forgotten or broken, and will never have a point of intersection with reality.

Zhu Youjian is working hard to fulfill his dream and the historical responsibility that he carries, even though the historical responsibility is entirely the pressure he put on himself. After breakfast, Zhu Youzhen rarely went out. He sat in the main hall of the palace and summoned a few people who were extremely important to him.

"See Your Highness." The four people lined up and knelt in front of Zhu Youjian, their heads lowered to their chests.

"Get up! You are all believers in the palace, don't pay attention to these forms." Zhu Youjian's face neither smiled nor looked stern, this is just a normal report, don't need to be too serious.

"Yes, Your Highness." The four of them all stood up, and only half of their buttocks sat on the upper stool after Zhu Youjian's repeated requests.

These four people are Zhu Youjian's hope now. They are Kong Zhen, the director of the cement factory, Qian Hu, the director of the brick kiln, Li Shen, the director of the glass factory, and Li Cheng, the director of the three factories.

In order to distinguish it from other factories in Daming, according to Zhu Youjian's meaning, the supervisors of all factories are called factory directors. Kong Zhen, Qian Hu, and Li Zhong are all in their thirties, and only Li Cheng is slightly older, who is over forty years old. Although they were all given important responsibilities by Zhu Youjian, and now they are all alone, they can't let go in front of Zhu Youjian, as if the elementary school students met the teacher.

"Kong Zhen, first tell me, how is the production of the cement plant now?" Zhu Youjian is most concerned about the cement plant, which is his cash cow, expanding the new plant, and improving the treatment of Siwuying, mainly relying on cement. The profitability of the plant. Moreover, it was not easy for the capital to get to Shanhaiguan’s first avenue. Even the emperor helped him speak. He didn’t want this avenue to be suspended due to insufficient cement production.

"My Majesty, I have made a small budget. With the current output, it will be provided to the Ministry of Industry for road repairs and a military academy. There must be a gap. In addition, there are some big households in the capital who do not know where to get news and want to order cement to build houses, but The little one didn't dare to agree." When it comes to the cement, Kong Zhen gradually relaxes, his tone revealing a bit of confidence. He was originally a servant of the Royal Palace, but because of Zhu Youjian's attention, he was promoted to the head of the cement factory. Although he is still a slave in front of Zhu Youjian, he has a large number of workers under his staff. The sense of accomplishment and self-confidence is not comparable to that before. Moreover, since he became the factory director, Zhu Youjian gave him The remuneration has doubled.

Kong Zhen has followed Zhu Youjian for many years, and he is still clear about the family of the Xin Wangfu. Although Zhu Youjian is a prince, there are not many fiefs. His income mainly comes from the supply of the clan mansion. In addition, the emperor and empress sometimes give rewards. But there were many servants and maids in the palace, and Zhu Youjian did not have much savings. The increase in his remuneration is mainly due to the profitability of the cement plant in the future. Cement is indeed a good thing. As long as it can be produced, it will be bought by merchants and large households. Now that there is such a good opportunity, the output of cement cannot increase. It is a pity.

"Well, you are doing a good job. Cement is a strategic material. Priority is given to road construction and military academies. Large families want to build houses, and I will talk about it later." Who is hot to make money? However, Zhu Youjian feels that the most urgent task now is to build slaves. Let's talk about making some contributions to Shanhaiguan. Cement is now a seller's market, with only production problems, no sales problems. Not to mention the use of money for building roads in various places, the money of the big family of Guangjing Normal University can be used to count the money, cramps, and piles of gold and silver on the roof beams. "

"His Royal Highness, if you expand the scale, you will have to recruit more craftsmen, and the money invested in the early stage is not enough..." Kong Zhen thinks that Zhu Youjian does not have much money now, but expanding the scale requires more investment. His remuneration has increased, and he has to consider it for his owner.

Zhu Youjian found that Kong Zhen's eyes were particularly bright. Although the light in the palace hall was a bit dim, he could see that Kong Zhen's eyes were shining brightly, as if the eyes could shine by themselves.

If he was born three hundred years later, with these eyes, he would not know how many crushes would be infatuated. "You can find the craftsman yourself. Of course you need money to expand the scale. When you look back, you can find the housekeeper to pay three thousand taels. Don’t worry about the money. The Ministry of Engineering will start building roads soon. They will pay for the cement when they take away the cement. Part of the cement.” Zhu Youjian would like to thank the Japanese pirates. If the Japanese pirates did not invade Shandong, he would not have made military exploits, and the emperor’s brother would not reward him with gold or silver. Last time the emperor’s brother made an order, not to mention pearls and agates, there are twenty thousand taels of light silver, plus one thousand taels of gold, and another ten thousand taels of silver, for a total of thirty thousand taels. The emperor's elder brother's silver came in time.

"Yes, your lord, the younger ones must do the same." Kong Zhen bowed his head and replied. Since the prince gave the money, it would be no problem to expand the scale. There are a large number of craftsmen in the capital who are unemployed. If they are given a job, it is their god. .

"Well. In addition, the most important thing in the factory now is production, and production is inseparable from the efforts of the workers. Workers cannot be paid less than the employees of Jingshi merchants, or even higher than them. These craftsmen place their hopes in the factory. We must not let them down. We must let them live better than before and better than others. Only when their lives are better can they produce cement with peace of mind.” Zhu Youjian’s remarks were not only addressed to Kong Zhen, but also What Qian Hu and Li Zhong said, only if workers truly identify with the factory from the heart, they will not be lost. If a large-scale job hopping occurs and the factory has to re-train skilled hands, not only will the cost increase, time will also be an issue.

"Yes, Your Highness. The young one has already paid the workers a month's remuneration in advance according to His Highness's arrangement. They are all very satisfied." Although Kong Zhen didn't understand why Zhu Youjian was so good to the workers, Zhu Youjian was The real owner is only managing the factory on behalf of Zhu Youjian. Zhu Youjian has said so, and he has no reason not to follow suit. As for the reason, of course he can't understand it, but it doesn't matter. Zhu Youjian has too many things that people don't understand. For example, how can he make cement, red brick, and glass, and how can he train soldiers.

"There are also accounts. All income and expenditures need to be recorded in detail, and I will arrange for Li Cheng to supervise. Li Cheng does not participate in the management of the factory, but he can check the accounts at any time." Zhu Youzhen said here with an unusually cold expression, and he just accumulated His gentleness gradually faded. He didn’t want worms in his factory: “The profit of the factory has to be paid to the Ministry of Households. If the accounts are unclear, the Ministry of Households will suspect that we are making false accounts. That’s the crime of decapitation. I arranged for Li Cheng to do it. The directors of the three factories are not distrusting you, but spurring you and protecting you." Zhu Youjian does not believe that relying on human self-discipline can eliminate all desires, although they are now being promoted and reused to treat themselves. Thanks to Dade, because of the increase in income, he will not have the idea of starting a factory, but as time goes by, a large amount of money passes through the hands, and human greed will annihilate all morals.

Zhu Youjian also believes in plugging the loopholes in the system. First assume that everyone is greedy, and then establish a corresponding system to place the devil in the Leifeng Pagoda, so that every greed will be punished, so that they dare not reach out to sin.

Relying on personal prestige, you can hold it down for a while, but you can never hold it down for the rest of your life. The purpose of Zhu Youjian's establishment of the factory was not only to accumulate money now, but also to let the people of Ming Dynasty live a good life, not to create a few rich men.

"Thank your Highness for your reminder, I understand." Kong Zhen's sharp rise in economic status was entirely due to Zhu Youjian's support, and he was just the spokesperson with Zhu Youjian in the factory, and Zhu Youjian's words were naturally regarded as imperial decree.

"You are all believers in the Royal Mansion. If you believe in the Royal Mansion, you will have your share. If you have any difficulties, you can just say it." Zhu Youjian also knows that if credit is made, these factory directors Both time and energy are much more than that of workers, so it is normal for them to pay high salaries. If the rewards and punishments are unknown, these factory directors have no enthusiasm, and they are alone and will never be able to manage these factories well.

"Yes, Your Highness. The young ones understand." The four people answered together, and Zhu Youzhen's words were addressed to them, and the same things don't need to be said four times.

"Qianhu, how is the brick kiln? Has the red brick been produced?" The production process of the red brick is the simplest. Zhu Youjian estimated that there should be no problem with the production. The key is the output.

"His Royal Highness, the red bricks have been produced, and the quality should be no problem. However, the red bricks need to go through a drying process. This stage takes time and cannot be mass-produced at the moment." Qian Hu was really troubled by the production capacity, although he Thinking day and night, but Zhu Youjian urgently needs a red brick military academy, so he has no time to verify one by one. This time he was summoned by Zhu Youjian. He had long wanted to tell Zhu Youjian that he didn't know what the omnipotent prince could do.

"Oh. Don't worry, the military academy's grounds are not completely leveled. Moreover, you can prepare a large number of red bricks and dry them in batches." Zhu Youjian later engaged in scientific research and did not study specific technologies. In later generations, as the division of labor in society has become more and more detailed, there is no overlap between those engaged in scientific research and those engaged in technology. Often those who engage in scientific research produce any results, and throw the blueprints to those who engage in technological development. They have clear responsibilities. If the drawings are wrong, they are responsible for scientific research. If the drawings are okay and there are problems in manufacturing, they must pursue technical responsibilities.

"That's the only way." Qian Hu is also annoyed. Even Zhu Youzhen can't help it. He, a man born as a thug in the palace, has no other way. He may not have the ability to improve his craftsmanship in his entire life.

"Li Zhong, how is the glass research going?" If Zhu Youjian wants to produce cement and red bricks because of the need to build roads and military academies, then the production of glass is entirely for making money without strong financial support. Whether it is the research and development of firearms or the training of Siwuying is just empty talk. At present, the main income of the Daming Household Department is spent on the military salary of Liaodong. The ability to squeeze out the funds to build the First Avenue has already caused the Household Department Shangshu Li Qiyuan to have a headache. If he is expected to spend a lot of money on the Firearms Bureau, it would be better to kill. he. Daming is now in an endless loop of moneyless improvement of firearms-Liaodong warfare is unfavorable-Liaodong troops increase-Liaodong army pay-the Ministry of Households is even more moneyless.

"His Royal Highness, although some of the glass is produced, according to His Highness's request, all of them are unqualified." Li Zhong was very depressed. He didn't dare to look at Zhu Youjian, as if he had lost in a winning table tennis match. Japanese players. There are three factories in Xinwangfu. The cement plant is on the right track and is about to win a large amount of income for Xinwangfu. The brick kiln factory also produces qualified products. Now it is just a matter of expanding the scale. His factory has dragged its tail.

"Ao, Li Zhong, don't worry. The production of glass is the most complicated, and the requirements are also the highest. It is right to do a few more tests. However, in any case, you must not let unqualified glass leave the factory, and you must not smash the royal brand." When Li Zhong looked upset, Zhu Youzhen comforted him. He couldn't help much. He just knew the simple principle and knew that glass could be produced. That's it. "Well, did the glass message leak out?"

"According to your Royal Highness's instructions, the information has leaked a bit. They are all big merchants of Jingshi. However, we didn't say that it was produced by us. They all thought we bought it from Fujian, but the goods have not arrived yet."

"Li Zhong, you did a good job." Zhu Youjian finally showed a satisfied smile, as if a lot of silver was smiling at him.

After Kong Zhen and the others left Xinwang's Mansion, Zhu Youqian immediately repaired a letter and handed it to Wang Mujiu, the captain of the special forces team: "Send to Jizhou immediately. Be sure to see me."