Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 265 This is the power of science and technology!

Looking at this small section of wall in front of me, made of cement and bricks.

There were still a few cement ingots left, and Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were full of smiles.

I was incredibly happy.

This is top-quality stuff.

Cement is something that can be found everywhere in later generations.

Towering buildings, rural roads connecting every village, bridges and paved roads... everything depends on it.

When ordinary families build houses, steel bars and cement are indispensable.

In later generations, it would be perfectly normal and nothing would seem strange to anyone.

However, these ubiquitous items somehow made Zhu Yuanzhang incredibly greedy.

Leaving aside the asphalt roads, just using cement to build main roads from the capital to all parts of the country would be incredibly beneficial for him and the Ming Dynasty.

Once this type of road is built, it is flat, sturdy, and not easily washed away; it also doesn't become muddy after rain.

Unlike now, road construction used to be very costly, and maintenance costs were also extremely high.

Apart from the bluestone slab roads, even the roads made of rammed earth, which require a lot of effort to build, will still get muddy after it rains.

Too many carts and horses will make the area muddy, creating deep ruts.

It still requires regular maintenance.

But if it were a cement road, none of these problems would exist.

Once built, maintenance costs are practically nonexistent.

After all, there are no large vehicles running over it nowadays; it's just people and vehicles walking on it, so it won't get damaged.

The only problem is that in some places, summer rains have eroded and damaged the roadbed, which is quite troublesome.

However, such cases are extremely rare.

Compared to the current cost of maintaining the road, it is negligible.

Building fortresses on the borderlands is incredibly easy, given the presence of reinforced concrete.

The city that was built was practically an impregnable fortress.

Nowadays, when fighting and besieging a city, in addition to forceful attacks, some places near water sources also use rivers to divert water to flood the city.

The city wall will become soft from being soaked, and some parts will collapse later.

However, if a city is built with reinforced concrete, it can be used for irrigation without too many problems, and it would be much harder for it to collapse.
It maxed out the defense...

Once the cement roads are completed and connected to the many provinces of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty's control over the entire country will increase.

The movement of people and business travel between countries will also see a significant increase.

Although cement roads are a bit tough on livestock hooves and less durable than the original dirt roads, they can cause them to wear out quickly.

But there's no need to worry about that at all. Those animals that need to be pulled for long periods of time, such as oxen, donkeys, and mules, can simply have their hooves shod, just like horses.

This problem can be completely avoided.

After Zhu Yuanzhang picked up a hammer and struck the cement a few times, he personally verified its strength.

The smile on his face became even wider.

This cement is perfectly usable.

We can expand production now.

Inside that half-foot square cement block, there was reinforced concrete.

These two items were arranged and made to be made by Zhu Yuanzhang as soon as he returned to the Ming Dynasty.

Now, he has finally achieved his goal, bringing to the Ming Dynasty this thing that would later make him so envious.

Although the types of cement used in later generations were relatively limited, there were still significant differences in many aspects.

There are still many areas for development.

However, this solid step has already been taken.

Going from zero to one is not easy, but once you've taken that first step, going from one to two to three becomes much easier.

Even if we can't go from one to two steps right now, this one step alone is enough to make it usable.

The production of steel bars was not very large, but with my guidance, the steelmaking technology I developed was vastly different from that of later generations.

However, compared with the current technology of our Great Ming Dynasty, it has made great progress.

Both the quality of steel and the efficiency of steelmaking have made great progress.

Given the current national strength of the Ming Dynasty and its steel production capacity, there is still a long way to go before it can achieve the level of steel and cement used in later generations, even for building a small pigsty or a cowshed.

However, for now, it is entirely feasible to conduct more research and development and apply them to military applications and important buildings.

In the future, we will definitely expand production and increase capacity.

As we move forward step by step, scarce materials like steel bars and cement will inevitably become more abundant and widespread.

In ten or twenty years, it may not be possible for steel and cement to be widely used in ordinary people's homes, allowing them to build houses with blue bricks and tiles, or even single-story houses, when they are building houses.

There will never again be a situation like Du Fu's, where his thatched hut was destroyed by the autumn wind.

This is the power of technology!
And especially the steel bars, which are not just simple steel bars.

The advancement of steelmaking technology has a particularly significant impact on many aspects.

For example, manufacturing firearms, casting, artillery, and producing steam engines, and corresponding steam locomotives, etc.

These are fundamental things, and their impact extends far beyond their physical existence.

It relates to all aspects and all industries.

If one day, the Ming Dynasty has so much steel that even ordinary people can use steel bars when building houses.

Ordinary households have many steel products, and the cost of acquiring them is not high, which is ideal.

This demonstrates that the steel production of the Ming Dynasty has made significant progress.

Zhu Yuanzhang longed to see tall buildings made of reinforced concrete appear in his Ming Dynasty.

I really want to see cars speeding back and forth on the main road.

I really want to see tractors billowing black smoke, working in the fields...

In later generations, things that many people criticize as concrete jungles and for polluting the air are things he now desperately wants to obtain, but which are difficult to achieve.

It cannot be achieved immediately, at least not immediately.

"Hahaha, tell the Ministry of Revenue to immediately distribute all the due rewards, not a single penny less!"

"Over there in Caijia Lane, each person will be rewarded with a house!"

"The medals for scientific progress were awarded to Master Wang Fang and Lord Liu Li Cheng."

Promoted to intermediate engineer!

The person who came to report this showed a look of shock and envy on his face.

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and then spoke again: "Forget it, let's not involve the Ministry of Rites in this matter."

"Have the Ministry of Rites organize a ceremony. Three days later, I will personally meet with them and personally award them the medals!"

Those who were already shocked were even more astonished upon hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words.

This... is possible?

But on second thought, it doesn't seem like it's impossible.

After all, His Majesty has paid special attention to craftsmanship over the past year or so, which is evident to all.

They've been working to improve the status of these artisans in every way, and now they've finally achieved results. At this point, it's understandable that they want to show off a little...

Zhu Yuanzhang certainly didn't want to boast about this, as this person thought.

How could he be such a shallow person?

Of course, there was some desire to show off, but that's understandable.

However, these are only a small part of the reason. The most important reason is that we want to demonstrate our respect for scientists and science and technology through these actions.

When superiors have good intentions, inferiors will surely follow suit.

This emphasis on technology goes beyond mere words.

At the same time, we should also do some practical things to demonstrate its significance.

At present, the Ming Dynasty is in the nascent stage in terms of science and technology.

Through my own forceful efforts, some results have been achieved.

This tiny seedling needs to be carefully protected, watered and cared for so that it can grow strong and healthy.

Why is reading so popular?

Many people want to take the imperial examination?
It was because one could become an official through studying and taking the imperial examinations.

The returns are enormous.

That's why so many people are eager to read.

Everything is of inferior quality, but reading is of high quality.

If science and technology are to develop, then naturally, corresponding benefits must be offered.

Those engaged in scientific and technological research should be able to benefit from it.

Moreover, the rewards are far greater than what you would gain from doing other things.

Only in this way can we attract the right talent, let more people see this path, and get them involved.

Only by attracting enough outstanding talents to participate can the field of science and technology become increasingly broad and fruitful.

Only then can we forge a path completely different from that of the Ming Dynasty in the past.

Therefore, what can stimulate them is naturally themselves, that is, the emperor himself taking action and personally guiding them.

Thousands of dollars to buy horse bones.

These two people who have made groundbreaking progress in reinforced concrete are the very horse bones I want to buy.

Simply buying horse bones isn't enough; there also needs to be corresponding rules and regulations to standardize this process.
For example, the professional title system he modeled after that of later generations was a very good approach.

This professional title is only related to their treatment and honorary titles, and it is only useful in their industry. It has nothing to do with becoming an official.

However, it would also be good if we could improve aspects such as treatment and honors.

With the emperor himself personally stepping in to provide substantial support in this area.

I refuse to believe that a culture of respecting science and encouraging more people to strive in the field of science and technology can gradually take shape in the Ming Dynasty.

People like Zhao Guangyi can come up with things like "all other professions are inferior, only studying is superior."

The idea of ​​using civil officials to control military affairs was put on hold and became a consensus in the Song Dynasty.

As the founding emperor, he was bound to do a good job of emphasizing science and scientific research.

Of course, that's not enough.

Going forward, we must also work on making corresponding improvements to education and the system of appointing and selecting officials.

We can refer to later civil service examinations and other official appointment systems.

Based on the actual situation of the Ming Dynasty, certain adjustments will be made.

We need to find a way to get these researchers to have a meal at the table.

Only when a significant number of people in officialdom have science and engineering backgrounds did this matter truly gain a foothold.

I don't want this matter to be easily overturned right after I pass away.

Only when there is sufficient power in officialdom, and a group of people with engineering backgrounds have a voice, can this path be more secure.

Steel bars and cement are just the beginning. In the future, as more and more people engage in this field, things will become completely stable.

It's not like someone can just become useless if they want to.

Even if later emperors wanted to abolish it, it would be impossible.

Even if it can be suppressed temporarily, it can still rebound in the future.

Of course, it's not enough for me to simply commend this matter here.

The subsequent promotion must also be done well.

For example, once the matter is accomplished, we must ensure that the Daming Daily News promotes it extensively.

He wanted everyone to know just how much importance he, as emperor, placed on scientific research.

Let them see that someone has already benefited greatly from this and has become the first to reap the benefits.

Actual efforts, coupled with media coverage.

It's bound to attract many people.

And they resolutely threw themselves into it.

In the future, more houses need to be built in Caijia Lane, specifically as rewards for those who have made outstanding contributions, such as scientific researchers.

Living in the capital is no easy feat. Buying a house is not only difficult in later generations, but throughout history, for most ordinary people, buying a house has never been so simple.

It requires a lot of money.

It was especially difficult in the capital.

Using a house as a reward is quite substantial.

It will surely touch the hearts of many people.

I refuse to believe that with my own efforts, I can't get this done.

……

When Zhu Yuanzhang's decree reached the Ministry of Rites, the Minister of Rites and others were taken aback upon receiving the order.

What Your Majesty has done is far too unorthodox and does not conform to the rules of propriety.

How can we treat these artisans with such high standards?
If you want a reward, just give it to them directly. Making up this elaborate ceremony is really going too far.

These craftsmen, aren't they just making steel bars and cement, the things used to build houses?
He hadn't made any significant contributions, so the emperor wouldn't have acted in such a way.

But these are just thoughts in my mind.

It doesn't mean we'll actually implement it, and we shouldn't explicitly oppose it either.

What you think in your heart and what you actually do can be completely different.

However, he knew that once the news of His Majesty's actions spread, countless people would be outraged.

They felt that the emperor's actions were a serious disrespect to scholars.

I just don't know if anyone will cause trouble because of this.

……

"Biao'er, do you think this might cause trouble again, with some people feeling that we shouldn't treat the artisans with such high standards?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and asked, his gaze somewhat distant...

(End of this chapter)