My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 324 My two brothers have really put me in a difficult position.
The thing Xiao Pangjun was talking about was the explosion that happened at the acid production plant last month.

The emergence of industrial alkali production methods greatly increased the demand for sulfuric acid, which affected the soy sauce factory in Donggong.

Zhu Yijun then offered a reward for anyone who would attempt to artificially produce acid.

A Taoist priest named Tao Guan accepted the challenge and provided a method for making alum oil.

The method given by Tao Guan involves igniting saltpeter and sulfur in a glass bottle, then adding water to obtain sulfuric acid.

However, this method also has a problem: it's too easy for the device to explode.

Saltpeter, sulfuric acid, and charcoal make gunpowder.

Last month, an explosion occurred at the acid production plant. Fortunately, no one was killed, but two workers were injured.

The entire acid production plant was shut down for half a month, resulting in significant economic losses.

Xiao Pangjun asked Tao Guan to make improvements, but Tao Guan struggled for several days without finding a good solution.

So Little Fatty Jun turned to Su Ze for help again.

Su Ze thought about it for a moment, and it still came down to the reaction vessel.

Glass can withstand strong acids, but it is prone to explosion, which led to this accident.

In that case, the reaction can be carried out in a sturdy container that does not react with strong acids.

The result is obvious: the only metal that the Ming Dynasty can extract and smelt on a large scale that does not react with sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid is lead.

Su Ze then invited craftsmen from the Ministry of Works to create a lead reaction chamber, and they successfully produced sulfuric acid.

After listening to Su Ze's method, Xiao Pangjun was overwhelmed by a bunch of chemical terms, so he called Tao Guan over to listen to the lesson.

After hearing Su Ze's solution, Tao Guan's eyes lit up, and he looked at Su Ze and asked:
"Su Hanlin, how did you know that lead and alum oil do not mix?"

"Jiaotai?"

Tao Guan said:

"As the ancient texts say, the union of two things is called 'jiaotai' (交泰)."

Oh, so it means chemical combination.

For a moment, Su Ze didn't know where to begin.

How do you explain this? Does it start with a chemical reaction?

Tao Guan noticed that Su Ze's expression was different, and quickly said:
"I apologize for my intrusion. People say that Hanlin Su possesses a secret book that cannot be passed down to the heavens. I should not be asking about such things."

"Book of Heaven?"

Little Fatty Jun said from the side:
"Yes, yes, people say that Master Su has a heavenly book, which is why he is so knowledgeable about everything."

Su Ze smiled and said:
"Your Highness believes in this too?"

Little Fatty Jun thought for a moment and said:

"I didn't believe it at first, but since Master Su can solve the problem of alum oil, I'm almost willing to believe it."

Su Ze said:

"There are no celestial books here; all of this is simply practical knowledge."

Tao Guan exclaimed in surprise, "Practical learning? Practical learning can also thoroughly explore the principles of Yin and Yang?"

Su Ze suddenly thought of something. He looked at Tao Guan, having heard the Crown Prince mention this alchemist several times. He was indeed a peculiar person.

Tao Guan learned the arts of magic from his family's Taoist books, but he had no interest in those elixirs of immortality; what he wanted to study was the art of turning stone into gold.

After he came of age, he spent all his family's wealth trying to study alchemy.

As a result, Tao Guan nearly went bankrupt and had no choice but to come to the capital to make a living.

Then they removed the prince's proclamation and solved the problem of acid production.

Su Ze pondered that perhaps Tao Guan could become the founder of modern chemistry.

From alchemy to chemistry, there are two crucial steps.

The first step is quantitative analysis.

In the original timeline, French scientist Lavoisier studied combustion and discovered the existence of oxygen. Through quantitative analysis, he deduced that two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen could be combined to form water.

From then on, mathematics became a tool for chemical research. With quantitative research, chemistry was no longer a mystery but a scientific method.

The second step is to standardize the language of chemistry.

Any discipline needs communication to develop.

The prerequisite for communication is "standardization of written language".

The chemistry of the Ming Dynasty is still in the era of "alchemy", and the descriptions of various substances in the alchemical formulas are different.

For example, sulfuric acid is called alum oil, green vitriol, alum extract, or gall extract. These names make basic communication impossible.

In the original timeline, Lavoisier also solved this problem. He proposed a standardized chemical nomenclature system, wrote a book called "Fundamentals of Chemistry," classified known chemical substances, and proposed unified naming rules.

The naming rules for acids and bases were proposed by Lavoisier.

Su Ze looked at Tao Guan and felt that he could guide him to do these two things.

As for why Su Ze didn't do it himself, it was because he didn't have the time, and because he wasn't familiar with these alchemists and had no influence in the circle, so it was impossible for him to communicate with them.

So Su Ze took another introductory chemistry lesson at the East Palace.

After hearing this, Tao Guan trembled all over and admired Su Ze to the point of complete awe.

Then he looked at Crown Prince Zhu Yijun with intense gaze.

The first item that Su Ze just mentioned is the essence of the art of transforming all things!
He already had some basic mathematical knowledge, and after listening to Su Ze's words, he decided to study mathematics properly and introduce Su Ze's "quantitative analysis" into his alchemical experiments.

But Su Ze's next action excited Tao Guan even more.

Su Ze said that he wanted to unify all the alchemical formulas, sort out the substances and the results of their reactions, and classify the substances. Isn't this just compiling an "alchemical classic"?

If I could really accomplish this, wouldn't I become a great alchemist who would be remembered in history?
Of course, this task requires financial assistance from a benefactor to complete, as these experiments are very expensive.

And isn't the crown prince right in front of us the best benefactor?

As expected, Little Fatty Jun nodded and said:

"In that case, I, the Crown Prince, will sponsor Master Tao."

Tao Guan was so excited that he trembled and was about to bow down to the little fat Jun.

However, Zhu Yijun said:
"However, my funding is not provided directly."

"?"

"Master Tao, follow Master Su's method and build the new alum oil factory. I, the Crown Prince, will fund this factory, and you will receive 30% of the profits to support your experiments."

After listening to the Crown Prince's suggestion, Tao Guan also felt that it was very feasible. He made a pledge to Xiao Pangjun and hurriedly went out to set up a lead-acid production plant.

After Tao Guan left, the Crown Prince looked at Su Ze and asked:

"Master Su, what do you think of my idea?"

Su Ze nodded:

“Using profit-sharing incentives to support Tao Fangshi is indeed a good way to encourage him to focus on the alum oil factory and solve the problem of the shortage of alum oil in the Prince’s Garden.”

Zhu Yijun said smugly:

"I have thoroughly studied Master Su's 'debate on righteousness versus profit'."

"Oh? Does the Crown Prince have any insights?"

Zhu Yijun said:
"The art of managing subordinates must take into account both profit and righteousness. But if you only talk about profit and not righteousness, your subordinates will come for profit and leave for profit."

“If we only talk about righteousness and not profit, then we will only win over those who are good at empty talk and flatterers.” Su Ze nodded in satisfaction and said, “If Your Highness has such an understanding, then our Great Ming Dynasty will surely prosper forever!”
-
Su Ze didn't know if the Ming Dynasty could prosper forever, but he knew that the Ming Dynasty's lifespan had been shortened.

The "Joint Proposal on Fiscal System" was passed, marking the entry of the National People's Congress's consultative system into the historical arena.

The National Council, originally a system for financial deliberation, eventually became a crucial institution influencing the politics of the Ming Dynasty.

[A growing number of social classes demanded to join the National Political Council to vie for their own interests, leading to fierce struggles.]

[National Fortune - 2.]

[Prestige +500.]

[Remaining Prestige: 820.]

Upon seeing this, Su Ze thought, "Does my Great Ming Dynasty also need its own three-level conference?"

Su Ze didn't know whether the system's prediction of the dynasty's lifespan was a deduction or a prophecy, but the end of this dynasty's lifespan was still far away, so he didn't need to worry about it until then.

After that, Su Ze sought peace and quiet in the Imperial Household Department, and would occasionally give lessons to Little Fatty Jun.

However, the capital was in turmoil, and although Su Ze was hiding in the Imperial Household Department, he still heard a lot of rumors.

The first issue is the handling of the Beijing garrison.

If so many officers of the Beijing Garrison are not dealt with in time, it will cause chaos in the capital.

Minister of War Cao Bangfu submitted a memorial proposing a rather lenient solution.

The officers of the Beijing garrison involved in the rebellion were naturally unforgivable. According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, those who should be beheaded were beheaded, and those who should be exiled were exiled.

While they did not participate in the rebellion, the majority of them seized the land owned by the Beijing garrison and misappropriated military pay.

Cao Bangfu's opinion regarding these officers was that they should hand over the military pay they had embezzled since the emperor's ascension to the throne.

Those who can be handed over will be demoted and reassigned to remain in the Beijing garrison.

If the money cannot be handed over within the specified time, the imperial court will confiscate the family property and dismiss the person from their post as a soldier.

Cao Bangfu's plan was approved by the cabinet and by the Longqing Emperor.

The Ministry of War is truly cunning.

In this way, the deficit was recovered, and at the same time, a position was created.

With so many vacancies in the Beijing Garrison military positions, the Ministry of War has gained significantly more power.

This outcome did not push people to the brink; the recovery only went back to before the Longqing Emperor ascended the throne, which can be considered a favor from the emperor.

Su Ze estimated that most of the officers in the Beijing garrison could deliver the goods.

The public was not satisfied with the outcome, believing that the Ministry of War had let these officers off too easily.

However, Su Ze understood that the Ministry of War was seeking stability.

The Beijing garrison may not be able to accomplish anything, but with such a large population and their combined social relationships, it's no simple problem.

These people in the capital can't rebel, but becoming outlaws is still an option.

In the end, it was the imperial court that suffered the most headaches.

Lower their pay to give them a way to survive, and then we can address the issue gradually later.

In any case, the Beijing Garrison has already lost its voice. Whether to disband it in batches or convert it to civilian status is a matter for the Ministry of War to decide.

After the Beijing garrison finished dealing with the situation, the people of the capital were indeed at ease.

Several martial arts students connected to the Beijing garrison finally felt at ease and resumed their daily studies and training.

But even though Su Ze didn't cause trouble, trouble came knocking on his door.

On March 10, Shen Yiguan and Shen Shixing arrived at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, where Su Ze first delivered a budget proposal.

"This is?"

Shen Yiguan, holding the memorial, said:

"Brother Zilin, this is a budget proposal jointly signed by fifty officials of the fifth rank or above in the capital. We would like to ask you to sign it."

"so much?"

Previously, the Ministry of Personnel had also compiled statistics showing that among officials in the capital, there were approximately 400 civil officials of the fifth rank or above, and approximately 200 military officials and members of nobility.

These days, the military officers have been working together to submit petitions, supporting the use of the entire million-dollar budget for training the new Beijing garrison.

Therefore, it is impossible for the two hundred military merits to appear in the joint memorial submitted by civil officials.

Fifty people, which is one-eighth of the high-ranking officials in Beijing, is a considerable political force no matter how you look at it.

Once this memorial is submitted, others will consider the opinions expressed in it.

Otherwise, with fifty people opposing it, it would be very difficult to push through any budget in the end.

Su Ze didn't look at the specific budget allocation; instead, he flipped to the end.

The memorial concluded with the signatures of the officials who had jointly signed it.

These officials all wrote down their official titles and names, and changed their seals.

"Are they all officials below the fourth rank?"

Su Ze looked at Shen Yiguan with a puzzled expression.

Su Ze saw many familiar names, such as Fu Shun and Wan Jing, officials of the Ministry of Works, and Shen Li, director of the Imperial Academy.

Naturally, it also bears the signatures of Shen Shixing and Shen Yiguan.

Shen Shixing said, "This is Brother Jianwu's idea. In fact, we should listen to the ideas of the officials in charge about how to use the court's money."

"So we visited the heads of the various departments of the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers, listened to their opinions, and produced this budget proposal."

"Although there were many people, Brother Jianwu said that we still needed a more substantial signature, so we went to Brother Zilin."

Su Ze had just offended Zhang Juzheng and originally wanted to avoid suspicion in this budget allocation, but unexpectedly, Shen Yiguan and Shen Shixing came to his door again.

Isn't this just going to slam the Ministry of Revenue in the face?

And what do you mean by "Shen Shixing"? Aren't you one of Grand Secretary Zhang's men?
But under the eager gazes of his two friends, Su Ze looked at the budget proposal.

After a quick review, Su Ze finally understood why this budget proposal had the support of more than fifty officials of the fifth rank or above in the capital.

This is a comprehensive budget proposal.

The one million silver dollars saved were invested in various fields such as military affairs, governance, people's livelihood, water conservancy, and education, taking care of almost every area.

For example, in the military sphere, the budget proposal also supported the formation of a new army in the capital, but the budget for the new army was cut to 400,000 silver dollars.

Of these 400,000 silver dollars, a portion was invested in weapons production, gunpowder factories, and arquebus factories for expansion. Another 100,000 silver dollars were allocated to the navy for its construction and the establishment of a naval port on Jeju Island.

Further funds were invested in improving people's livelihoods, establishing more cement plants, accelerating the construction of new-style earthen buildings, and repairing the main roads of the capital.

Investment in water conservancy was relatively conservative, mainly because winter had passed and it was not suitable to carry out large-scale water conservancy projects. Therefore, these silver dollars were used to reinforce dams for flood control.

The reform of the civil service also allocated a sum of silver dollars, which was used to separate the civil service training class from the Imperial Academy and recruit permanent teachers to teach it.

This budget even takes into account organizations such as newspapers and police stations.

For example, five thousand silver dollars could be set aside to establish an award, modeled after the Huayang Award, to reward editors and field researchers who write outstanding news articles.

The police force also has the same award to recognize outstanding officers.

Su Ze put down the budget proposal, which was comprehensive in every aspect, leaving him no choice but to sign it.

Su Ze could only pick up his pen and sigh:
"You two brothers have really put me in a difficult position."

(End of this chapter)