The Young Dragon of the Ming Dynasty: Bound to an Industrial Blueprint from the Start

On the same day, in the study of the Crown Prince's residence.

Zhu Zhanji, holding several rolls of crookedly drawn blueprints, stood outside the door, took a deep breath, and knocked.

"Father."

"Come in."

Zhu Zhanji pushed open the door and went in.

Zhu Gaochi was reviewing documents when he saw him enter. He put down his pen and smiled gently, "Zhanji, have you finished your homework for today?"

"It's finished." Zhu Zhanji walked to the desk and spread out the drawings. "Father, I've drawn some things and would like you to take a look."

Zhu Gaochi looked at them and saw several sketches of improvements to coal briquette stoves.

The drawings are rudimentary, but the annotations are clear: adjustable dampers have been added, the flue routing has been optimized, and the furnace structure has been improved.

"This is," Zhu Gaochi examined it carefully, "you want to improve the furnace?"

"Hmm!" Zhu Zhanji nodded vigorously. "I went to the village a few days ago and saw that the villagers were using stoves. They produced a lot of smoke and used up a lot of coal."

The child thought, "If we add a small door that can be opened and closed to control the airflow, the fire temperature will be easier to control; if the flue were to bend like this, the smoke would be discharged more smoothly." Master Sun saw this and said, "With this modification, we can save 10% of the coal!"

He spoke with great enthusiasm, his eyes sparkling.

Zhu Gaochi looked at his son, a mix of emotions welling up inside him.

These improvements seem simple, but could a four-year-old really come up with them?

"Zhanji," he said gently, "are these really your own thoughts?"

"It was my idea!" Zhu Zhanji replied without hesitation.

"But I came up with this idea after seeing the furnace in the manor and listening to what Master Sun and the others said. Father, isn't it somewhat useful?"

"Useful, very useful." Zhu Gaochi nodded, patted his son's head, "My son is clever and can apply what he has learned, very good."

Zhu Zhanji beamed with joy upon receiving the praise.

He pressed his advantage, whispering, "Father, I have another request."

"Oh? What is it?"

"I heard that Uncle Yang is going to find a way to let more people know about and use the wine and medicine produced by his workshop."

Zhu Zhanji blinked, looking curious. "I was thinking, once these things are produced, someone has to sell them and talk about them, right? Just like the saying goes, 'Even the best wine needs a good location.'"

Zhu Gaochi laughed: "You certainly know a lot. So, what do you want?"

"I've heard that there's a place in the city called 'Bright Moon Pavilion,' which is dedicated to appreciating fine wines and where connoisseurs can hear news from all over the place," Zhu Zhanji said cautiously.

"I want to go and see how other people run their businesses and how they deal with people."

In the future, if more people can learn about and make good use of the products from our workshop, wouldn't that help Father even more?

He tilted his little face up, his eyes clear and full of curiosity.

Zhu Gaochi remained silent.

He recalled Zhang's instructions, Yang Pu's report, and those improved blueprints. His son clearly had practical interests and abilities far beyond his age.

Confining oneself solely to the study might truly be a waste of one's potential.

But sending him to that kind of place...

"Zhanji," Zhu Gaochi said slowly, "It's good that you want to learn practical skills, but Mingyue Tower is crowded and noisy. You are still young and it's not advisable for you to go alone."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Zhu Zhanji's eyes, but he remained silent.

Zhu Gaochi looked at him, weighing his options in his mind.

After a long silence, he said, "How about this, let Scholar Yang Pu accompany you, disguised as his nephew or niece. You mustn't reveal your identity. Inside the building, observe and listen carefully. Can you manage that?"

Zhu Zhanji's eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously: "Yes! Your son will definitely listen to Uncle Yang and only observe without saying a word! Thank you, Father!"

"And another thing," Zhu Gaochi added.

"If you are truly interested in learning, then write down all the inconveniences you see in the village and the market, just like you drew this stove. Think about them, and if you have any good ideas, no matter how small, you can tell your father. This is your 'homework,' how about it?"

"Alright!" Zhu Zhanji replied excitedly, "I will definitely do my homework well!"

Zhu Zhanji breathed a long sigh of relief as he left the study.

The first step was successful.

Three days later, an ordinary blue cloth carriage stopped at the back gate of Mingyue Tower.

Yang Pu got off the car first, and then led a little boy wearing a small hat and a silk shirt down.

The boy was about four or five years old, with delicate features and bright eyes. He was Zhu Zhanji, who was dressed up as "Yang Ji".

Qian Lai was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing the two arrive, he bowed deeply and said, "Lord Yang, please come in."

His gaze swept over Zhu Zhanji, his smile unchanged. "And who is this young master?"

"I brought a younger member of the family to broaden their horizons," Yang Pu said casually.

Are there any distinguished guests in the building today?

"What a coincidence." Qian Lai stepped aside to lead the way. "There are some refined gentlemen here today, appreciating the newly arrived Jiangnan spring tea. Please follow me."

The interior of Mingyue Tower was more elegant than Zhu Zhanji had imagined.

The front hall was not large, but it was exquisitely decorated. The walls were adorned with calligraphy and paintings, most of which were high-quality imitations, yet they were indistinguishable from the real thing. The tables and chairs were made of fine wood, and Ru kiln tea sets were placed on the tables.

The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, mixed with a subtle aroma of wine.

Qian Lai led them to a private room.

The location here is clever; it offers a view of the main hall while remaining relatively private, making conversations less likely to be overheard by outsiders.

"Lord Yang, young master, please have a seat." Qian Lai personally poured tea. "This is the first batch of West Lake Longjing tea this year. Please have a taste."

Yang Pu took a sip and nodded: "It's good tea."

He looked at Qian Lai, "Manager Qian, how's business at the restaurant lately?"

Qian Lai smiled wryly: "Thanks to your kindness, things are alright, but..." He paused, as if he had something difficult to say.

"Please feel free to speak."

"Since the reputation of Drunken Immortal's Brew spread, more people have come to the restaurant, and with it, more troubles have arisen."

Qian Lai lowered his voice, "There are genuinely refined scholars who come to appreciate the craft, as well as spies with ulterior motives. Just the other day, someone inquired about the specifications of the distillation copper tubes and where to purchase them, asking extremely detailed questions."

Zhu Zhanji listened intently, but pretended to be interested in the tea and snacks on the table, taking small bites of almond shortbread.

Yang Pu frowned: "Can we find out who it is?"

"Not at the moment," Qian Lai shook his head.

"The man claimed to be a Shanxi merchant, but his accent was wrong, and his behavior was not that of a typical merchant."

"Furthermore," Qian Lai continued, "many officials want to use their connections to ask for or buy Jingchuanglu at a low price. If they refuse, they'll offend people; if they agree, they'll break the rules and can't afford to provide it."

Yang Pu pondered for a moment: "I will discuss this matter with Your Highness."

Just then, a commotion broke out in the main hall.

The group looked over at the sound and saw a slightly tipsy official from the Ministry of Rites loudly complaining:

"The relocation of the capital has caused endless arguments between the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue, resulting in budget cuts to our Ministry of Rites' budget for sacrificial ceremonies! Even the chief officiant has to be of a lower rank!"

His companion offered words of comfort in a low voice, but the sound could be faintly heard:

"I heard that Chief Clerk Li Qing and Vice Minister Chen Gui were arguing again at court over who should pay for the repairs of the official road from Tongzhou to the capital. It is said that His Highness the Prince of Han even inquired about it, saying, 'If the road is impassable, how can the army march north?'"

Yang Pu's expression shifted slightly.