Bringing the Railway to Daming

Chapter 367 Academy of Natural Sciences, Old Zhu reveals his true feelings [Please subscribe]

Now it was Liu Kuan's turn to be stunned.

Unexpectedly, while they were talking, Old Zhu gave him such a heavy burden.

He thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I only have some understanding of the later education system. Apart from being a teacher in the main hall for a few years, I don't have much experience in education."

"Besides, to accomplish this task, it is more important to understand the situation of education in various parts of the Ming Dynasty. As for the education system of future generations, I can write a memorial for your reference."

"In addition, Tiangong Academy currently has many important projects underway. If I leave, I'm afraid no one will be able to take on these responsibilities for a while."

Zhu Yuanzhang paused for a moment, then said, "How about this? Besides continuing to serve as the director of the Tiangong Academy, you will also be given the title of Minister of Rites, assisting in supervising the reform of official schools and the establishment of other schools?"

Liu Kuan felt that it would be acceptable if he was just to assist in supervision - it would just require him to take care of one more thing in the next few years and should not take up too much of his time.

Besides, he was originally planning to help Ming Dynasty establish its first university.

Thinking of this, Liu Kuan bowed and said, "I obey your order."

Seeing Liu Kuan agreed, both Zhu and Zhu Biao smiled.

When the official imperial edict is issued in the future, Liu Kuan will be considered a cabinet minister of the third rank. Since he has accepted this position, Liu Kuan must work hard. It will not be so easy to be lazy and slack off.

"Since you're writing a memorial about establishing a school, I won't ask any more questions today. We'll just review it later. So, why don't you tell me what to do about the Academy of Natural Sciences?"

In fact, a few years ago, Zhu Yuanzhang further understood the importance of science from the video, and he planned to establish the Academy of Engineering and the Academy of Sciences in imitation of later generations.

However, Liu Kuan took into consideration that the Ming Dynasty had almost no talent base for establishing an academy of sciences at that time, so he suggested that Zhu Yuanzhang set up the Tiangong Academy. That is to say, although the Tiangong Academy mainly focused on discovering technical talents from craftsmen, it also took into account the cultivation of talents for scientific research.

For example, there are many research talents in the various departments and institutes under the Tiangong Institute.

Therefore, upon hearing Old Zhu's question, Liu Kuan followed his prepared speech: "Your Majesty, the Academy of Sciences focuses on researching various scientific theories and technologies. Therefore, I intend to divest some of the departments and institutes under the Tiangong Academy, or transfer those research-oriented talents from them to form the foundation of the Academy of Sciences."

"In addition, the Academy will recruit qualified research talents from the private sector year-round. Furthermore, through the school system to be established, we will acquire a group of academic theoretical research talents."

"If we follow this policy for five or six years, the Ming Academy of Natural Sciences should have a relatively mature self-development mechanism, and then there will be no need for me to interfere."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and then asked, "What level do you think the Academy of Natural Sciences should be? Do you want to be the chief officer?"

"Your Majesty, this is exactly what I am going to say next," Liu Kuan said. "I plan to integrate the remaining parts of the Tiangong Academy into the Academy of Engineering, and temporarily place it under the Tiangong Academy together with the Academy of Natural Sciences."

"Therefore, it would be best if both the Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Engineering were one level lower than the Academy of Engineering, and theoretically equivalent to the Hanlin Academy."

"Then we will select two people to serve as presidents of the Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Engineering, and two to three people to serve as vice presidents of each. I can continue to serve as president of the Academy of Engineering."

"Finally, when the Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Engineering are mature enough, they can be allowed to become independent, and the Academy of Engineering can be abolished."

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but look at Liu Kuan meaningfully.

Liu Kuan designed the structure of Tiangong Academy in this way and said that Tiangong Academy would be cancelled in the future. It was obvious that he was avoiding suspicion or trying to reassure himself.

Because with the establishment of the Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Engineering, the power of the Institute of Engineering will indeed become greater. In fact, the Institute of Engineering has already taken away a considerable part of the power of the Ministry of Industry.

Zhu Yuanzhang now trusts Liu Kuan very much.

But he knew that trust was one thing, and not taking precautions was another. To avoid a situation neither side wanted to see, it was beneficial for both sides to build in defensive measures from the outset.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Okay, you can write a memorial on this matter later and submit it to the cabinet for approval."

"Yes."

After saying this, Liu Kuan was about to leave. But he saw a eunuch enter Fengxian Hall and said with a happy face: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan has sent another telegram."

After saying this, he presented the translated telegram, which Li Gui handed to the old imperial desk.

Speaking of which, although Zhu Yuanzhang said that eunuchs should not be allowed to participate in the decision-making of state affairs, he could not help but further employ eunuchs.

For example, he had already begun to establish a set of telegraph communication lines belonging to the intelligence system. Although the telegraph operators were not eunuchs, they were all supervised by eunuchs.

However, the official appointments in the telegraph department system were normal.

Perhaps in Zhu Yuanzhang's view, having these two telegrams, one open and one secret, would prevent him from being fooled by some treacherous ministers who used the telegrams to deceive him.

When Liu Kuan was thinking about how the Ming Dynasty's telegraph system would develop in the future, when it would degenerate, degenerate, and become corrupt, he heard Lao Zhu's laughter.

"Haha! The fourth brother is really good at fighting, and he also has some luck. He actually broke through Dhaka and launched a surprise attack on the Meng Kingdom's capital, Gol, and succeeded!"

After saying this, he signaled Li Gui to pass the telegram to Zhu Biao and Liu Kuan.

Zhu Biao finished reading first and also laughed, "Fourth brother said, 'The spoils are innumerable, and the vassal state is secure.' I believe that a lot of money, grain, and valuables were seized from the capital of the Meng Kingdom."

"As long as he doesn't get besieged by multiple forces in Bangladesh, there will be no setbacks in his plan to establish a vassal state in India."

After reading the telegram, Liu Kuan recalled the situation in the Indian subcontinent in later generations and said, "Now that the King of Yan has captured the King of Meng, I'm afraid that the various city-states of Meng are now staking their claim on their own territory. The possibility of them uniting to besiege the Yan vassal state is extremely small."

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly sighed, "The fourth son has gone to India. In the next two years, the third and seventh sons will also go overseas to serve as vassal states, thousands of miles away from us."

"Luckily, the Tiangong Institute developed this wireless telegraph early on. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to learn about their situation offshore. I'd be really worried."

Old Zhu is expressing his true feelings.

Zhu Biao heard this and comforted him: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. My third and fourth brothers are now capable. They can pass the many tests and be appointed as vassal states overseas, so nothing will happen."

Liu Kuan said, "Your Majesty, with the development of Ming Dynasty technology and industry, sea voyages will inevitably become faster and safer. Perhaps in ten years, the princes will be able to come back to visit you and the Empress more often."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, "I hope it's as you said."

Afterwards, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered a call back to Zhu Di, and Liu Kuan left upon seeing this.

After leaving the palace, Liu Kuan first went back to the Tiangong Institute and worked for more than an hour to come up with a preliminary idea of ​​how to write the two memorials.

When it was time to get off work, he announced the end of the office and went home first. After all, as the boss, he announced the end of get off work. As for the officials still on file at Tiangongyuan, that was none of his business.

It's better to be a little more involved. The more involved the officials are, the stronger the Ming Dynasty will be.

When he returned to the mansion, Liu Kuan saw Zhu Huilan walking around in the middle courtyard with a big belly.

Liu Kuan hurried over to support her and said, "Be careful. Although you can walk around during this period, you still have to be careful of accidents."

Zhu Huilan smiled and said, "With so many people watching, there's no way an accident could happen."

No wonder Liu Kuan was so nervous.

Zhu Huilan was now nine months pregnant and could give birth at any time. Most importantly, several renowned doctors at the Imperial Medical College diagnosed her with the possibility of twins.
　First update.

　　[The author would like to wish all readers a happy New Year! Wishing everyone a prosperous and prosperous Year of the Snake!]

　　
　
(End of this chapter)