My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 255 The Master of Practical Learning

Su Ze arrived at the cabinet.

A few days ago, the emperor ordered the replacement of the glass windows in the cabinet and personally paid for the renovation of the cabinet's buildings, which significantly improved the cabinet's working environment.

This time, Gao Gong was to meet Su Ze in front of the other cabinet ministers. Led by Guo Zhun, a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, Su Ze entered the main hall of the cabinet.

Although Su Ze had visited the cabinet several times, he had not stepped into the main hall many times.

Theoretically speaking, this is the central hub of the Ming Dynasty.

However, the office environment inside the cabinet is still somewhat crowded.

The cabinet now has five cabinet ministers. The position of Grand Secretary Li Chunfang, who occupies the seat but does nothing, is vacant, but he occupies the most spacious seat.

The high arch was piled with various memorials, and all sorts of books were scattered haphazardly around it.

Zhang Juzheng's seat was the tidiest, just like his study, with all kinds of documents neatly categorized. However, the Ministry of Revenue had the most documents, so Zhang Juzheng placed several large boxes around his seat, all filled with Ministry of Revenue documents.

Zhao Zhenji and Lei Li's seats were typical of the scholar-official style. There were only writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones on their desks. Everything else was stored in the Secretariat. The Secretariat staff moved back and forth, placing matters that needed to be handled on their desks.

Su Ze greeted each of the elders in turn, and everyone put down their work to look at Su Ze.

Gao Gong was the first to speak:

"Zilin, this is a memorial submitted by Hai Rui, the governor of Yingtian, and Li Shizhen, the chief physician of the Imperial Medical Academy. Take a look at it first."

Although Su Ze already knew the contents of the memorial from Shen Yiguan, he still took the memorial and read it carefully.

After Su Ze finished reading, Gao Gong, still impatient, asked:

"Zilin, what do you think?"

"Prime Minister, esteemed ministers, Physician Li has discovered the source of the water poisoning disease and verified the theory that it is caused by microorganisms. Governor Hai has adapted to local conditions and fought the epidemic with practical knowledge. These are all loyal ministers of the court."

"The student dares to recommend you two for commendation."

Gao Gong's round face wrinkled with a smile, and the other elders present also smiled ingratiatingly.

Regardless, it is an indisputable fact that Li Shizhen used practical methods to unravel the principles of water poisoning and its transmission, and that Hai Rui achieved success in fighting the epidemic using the same methods.

Even Zhao Zhenji, who disliked practical learning the most, had to admit at this point that practical learning had indeed brought him merit.

But Su Ze then said:
"But there is one thing the student does not understand."

"If the aquatic microbes live in water, why were there no diseases before the flood?"

“The people of Jiangnan work in the paddy fields every day.”

This question left Gao Gong speechless.

Su Ze continued:

"I wonder if these water-poisonous insects are hiding in something in the paddy fields, waiting to proliferate when the floods come, and then they come out to harm people?"

This conjecture made Gao Gong's eyes light up, and he said:
"Write down your ideas and have the Office of Transmission send them to Yingtian Prefecture so that Physician Li can verify them again."

Su Ze cupped his hands in agreement, and Gao Gong then said:

"Now that we know that microorganisms can cause disease, what about those who need to work in water? The south is currently experiencing severe flooding, and many places need to reinforce dikes by flooding. What can be done about this?"

Gao Gong's question was actually asked on behalf of Lei Li.

Various disasters often have a cumulative effect, resulting in a synergistic effect greater than the sum of its parts.

The floods brought waterborne diseases, and the local people and laborers dared not go into the water to reinforce the dikes, which then led to even greater floods.

Su Ze thought for a moment and said:
"First, there is the method of the Maritime Governor: in places where people gather, water must be boiled before drinking to prevent poisonous insects from entering the mouth."

Lei Li's attendant quickly took notes.

Su Ze continued:

"Lime kills insects. Sprinkle lime into the silt and then put it in the water."

Everyone nodded.

Su Ze said again:
"Finally, those who have to go into the water are affected. In addition to entering through the mouth, the microworms may also enter through other parts of the body. Therefore, laborers who need to go into the water need to apply tung oil and sesame oil to their legs to prevent the microworms from entering."

Lei Li nodded quickly after hearing this. Su Ze's thoughts were just conjectures, but they could be verified to find out the results.

Su Ze sighed. He thought of the rubber shoes from the previous timeline. If he had those, things wouldn't have been so troublesome.

Rubber has a profound impact on human production, but unfortunately he has yet to collect any rubber tree seedlings.

Even if we collect them, it's useless. Rubber trees take time to mature, and large-scale rubber plantations are probably something that future generations can only enjoy.

Gao Gong was already very satisfied. Practical learning could even cope with natural disasters, which would naturally arouse the interest of more people. As long as more scholars devoted themselves to practical learning, more achievements could be made.

Only now does Gao Gong feel that practical learning has taken on a new look.

Su Ze said again:
"Prime Minister, the Crown Prince once contributed one thousand silver dollars to verify the theory that malaria is caused by microorganisms. Today, Physician Li has used the microorganism theory to confirm the cause of water poisoning. Shouldn't the Cabinet reward him? This would encourage more people to devote themselves to practical learning."

Yes! That's a good idea!

Gao Gong hurriedly said, "I will immediately request His Majesty to issue an imperial decree to commend Hai Rui, the governor of Yingtian, and to bestow a reward upon Li Shizhen!"

Zhang Juzheng glanced at Su Ze and sighed again at why Su Ze wasn't his student.

The reward Li Shizhen received will inevitably encourage more physicians to participate in the research of practical learning, which will open up a large new front for practical learning.

Zhang Juzheng thought of the Huayang Award again. Su Ze had used the same approach before. Now many craftsmen are thinking about improving machines. Isn't this all due to the Huayang Award?
Not entirely, there's also the Copyright and Patent Office.

The copyright and patent office can protect the interests of inventors and allow those who invent new machines to profit, which is also the motivation for many businessmen to fund the innovation of artisans.

That's truly a far-sighted plan!
Zhang Juzheng then thought of the "Longqing Accounting Records" he was compiling. Su Ze always had a penetrating insight into financial issues, which was also because he understood human nature.

Is this what true learning is?
Zhang Juzheng was originally not interested in practical learning, but now he also had the idea of ​​finding out more about it.

After everyone had finished speaking, Zhao Zhenji then said:

"Early this morning, four new ships of the Dengzhou-Laizhou Navy, along with six Fujian-style ships of the Shandong Coastal Defense Inspection Office, have set sail for Ryukyu."

Zhang Juzheng's heart stirred. His eldest son, Zhang Jingxiu, was a trainee officer on the fleet's flagship and was also on this fleet's inspection of Ryukyu.

As a father, Zhang Juzheng was naturally worried, but he couldn't show it.

Zhao Zhenji continued, "How will the Japanese react? Su Zilin, what are your thoughts?"

Su Ze said, "Based on my understanding of the Japanese, they 'fear power but do not cherish virtue.' Seeing the strength of our Ming Dynasty's navy, they will surely withdraw from Ryukyu." Hearing Su Ze say this, Zhang Juzheng was somewhat relieved.

Su Ze continued:

"However, coastal areas must also prepare for defense against Japanese pirates, especially since our Ming Dynasty's ports are prosperous. We must guard against not only Japanese pirates but also pirates."

"Therefore, Su believed that the Ministry of War should take the lead in building forts along the coast to defend against pirates."

“Especially Zhigu, which controls the confluence of the Haihe River and is close to the capital. Emperor Chengzu built a fort in Zhigu back then, and now it is even more necessary to replace it with a new cannon.”

Zhao Zhenji nodded in satisfaction. Su Ze had made thorough preparations, and building fortifications at the port was necessary. This was a great achievement for the Ministry of War.

That's Su Ze's charm. Even the Ministry of War has to admit that Su Ze is fair and impartial and did not suppress the Ministry of War in official matters because of previous disputes with them.

At this point, the pressure fell on the Ministry of War. The Ministry of War's recent actions against Su Ze made it seem like they were being unreasonable.

Of course, not everyone can be like Su Ze. You first need to have a public-spirited persona so that people can't morally attack you.

When it comes to matters of fact, no one can rival Su Ze.

after one day.

The emperor was also very satisfied with Hai Rui's work in Yingtian Prefecture and soon issued an edict to commend Hai Rui. At the same time, he awarded Li Shizhen a thousand silver dollars to recognize his role in treating water poisoning.

Upon receiving the news, Su Ze immediately published the emperor's commendation in the Yuefu Xinbao newspaper and devoted another page to introducing Li Shizhen's achievements.

As expected, the demonstration had a remarkable effect.

Many doctors began to study the symptoms, seeking empirical explanations from the original abstract theories. Even if they didn't receive the emperor's reward, if they could occupy a front page in the newspaper like Li Shizhen, wouldn't they also become great doctors who would be remembered in history?
Who doesn't want to be remembered in history?
Another piece of news from the capital was that the Crystal Palace Expo had reopened after renovations, and from now on, the people of the Ming Dynasty could visit it every day off.

Moreover, this exhibition also features a new piece of equipment, a strange machine that pumps water from a well.

The main exhibition hall of the expo was also renovated, using bamboo tubes and straw to spray water to cool down the venue, which can effectively reduce the temperature inside the hall.

This strange machine and heatstroke prevention device quickly attracted the interest of powerful figures in the capital.

I heard that the thing that pumps water is called a steam engine, and the thing that cools it is called a water air conditioner; both are Su Ze's latest achievements.

Many wealthy families have begun hiring craftsmen, wanting to build such water-cooled air conditioners in their homes.

As for the steam engine, most of the powerful and wealthy had little interest in it.

It's just fetching water to cool things down, right? Just have the servants do it.

The dark, rumbling machine, emitting black soot, looked quite dangerous; no one would want to build such a thing at home.

Although the powerful and wealthy in the capital looked down on it, the Commercial Daily was quick to report on the machine.

The Commercial Daily devoted a large section to reporting on the machine, naturally because it was the newspaper of the Datong Fan family, and its editor-in-chief, Fan Kuan, recognized the machine's value.

One of the difficulties in coal mining is water accumulation in the mine shafts.

Once water accumulates in the excavated mine shafts, operations become impossible and there is a risk of collapse. Therefore, mines need drainage equipment.

Since Su Ze's machine can pump water from wells, could it also be used for drainage in mines?
As for the drawbacks of steam engines, such as high noise, excessive smoke, and the problem of burning coal, these are not issues in a mine.

Where is there any noise louder than in a mine?!
Where is there more smoke than in a mine?
As for burning coal, there's coal everywhere in Shanxi's coal mines; you can just pick up some, it's practically no cost at all.

So when the report came out, families with coal mines in Shanxi sent their children to check if they could install steam engines to drain water from the mines.

During his holiday in early May, Su Ze attended two banquets in a row.

The banquets were Fu Shun's farewell banquet and Wang Renzhong's promotion banquet.

Both banquets seemed to have something to do with Su Ze.

Fu Shun received the task from the Ministry of War and was ordered to leave the capital to build forts in Zhigu. This matter seemed to be related to Su Ze, as it was he who proposed the construction of forts in the cabinet.

Su Ze felt a little guilty when he attended the banquet, but Fu Shun really loved to create a festive atmosphere. The whole farewell banquet was so cheerful that anyone who didn't know better would think it was a promotion banquet.

When the banquet ended, Fu Shun privately approached Su Ze and said:
"Brother Su, this time I can squeeze a hefty sum out of the Ministry of War, which can be considered revenge for you!"

The rivalry between Su Ze and the Ministry of War was common knowledge in the capital. Fu Shun said:

"The Ministry of War gave me a large sum of money to build a cement plant in Zhigu!"

So that's how it is. It seems the Ministry of Works also saw the potential of cement, but was unwilling to spend its own money on research, so it took the opportunity of building the pillbox to ask the Ministry of War for money.

So that's how it works—using funds from other departments to conduct research within your own department.

Unexpectedly, Fu Shun, who seemed honest and simple, was also corrupted by officialdom.

While Su Ze was "heartbroken," he couldn't help but ask:
"The Ministry of War has agreed?"

“Agreed, why wouldn’t I agree? I’ll bring up Brother Zilin’s name and say that Crystal Palace used cement, and they had no choice but to agree.”

Su Ze had forgotten that Fu Shun also held the title of a hero who saved the emperor.

Although it was a premeditated assassination, the emperor recognized Fu Shun's merit.

Su Ze was in a good mood. Cement was a civil engineering marvel, and as long as it was produced on a large scale, the price could be reduced.

Once the fort is built, the cement plant will be too big to dismantle, and the cement produced can then be used elsewhere.

However, cement is very susceptible to moisture and cannot be transported over long distances.

However, as long as the quality of the Zhigu Fort is up to standard, a cement plant can be built alongside it when Fu Shun builds forts in other places in the future.

Su Ze never expected that cement in the Ming Dynasty could be laid out in this way.

But historically, the military industry has always been a driving force for technological progress, so this seems quite reasonable.

After attending Fu Shun's farewell banquet, it was Wang Renzhong's promotion banquet.

When the Japanese invaders caused trouble, the city's patrol censor was dismissed, and Wang Renzhong, the anti-smuggling censor, was included in the Ministry of Personnel's recommended list.

Wang Renzhong was originally just a runner-up; there were several censors on the list with more seniority than him, but the emperor personally selected Wang Renzhong.

In this way, Wang Renzhong also completed a leap in his career, directly becoming the Imperial Inspector of the Five Gates.

This is a key position among the censors; the next step up would be to become a vice censor-in-chief and governor of a region.

Moreover, being responsible for maintaining order in the outer city of the capital was a significant responsibility.

Not long after the banquet began, Wang Renzhong privately approached Su Ze.

(End of this chapter)