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

Zhu Zhanji silently made a mental note of it.

At this moment, Qian Lai asked Yang Ji seemingly unintentionally:

"Young master, what should we do if someone counterfeits the wine from our establishment and sells fakes outside?"

Zhu Zhanji pretended to think, and said in a childlike tone:

"Uncle Qian, I see that the wine bottles and medicine bottles in our building are very nice, and they also have Grandpa Xu's handwriting. If only we could put a mark on the bottom of the bottle or the seal that would be extremely difficult for others to imitate."

For example, a special signature or hidden pattern—wouldn't a good person be able to tell the difference between a genuine and fake document at a glance? Like an official seal.

Qian Lai and Yang Pu exchanged a glance, both surprised.

"Marking anti-counterfeiting measures," Yang Pu stroked his beard, "though it's troublesome, it's a method."

Zhu Zhanji added, "And those officials who come to ask for it, could you tell them that the quantity of imperial medicine is limited and is supplied to the border troops according to the Ministry of War's regulations?"

But in our building, we could use slightly inferior materials to make a batch of "comfort wine" and "care dew," inexpensive and of good quality, specifically to "comfort" you gentlemen for your hard work? That way, they'll save face, and we won't break any rules.

Qian Lai's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly: "Young master, your insight is brilliant! How could I not have thought of that!"

After staying at Mingyue Tower for about an hour, Yang Pu took his leave with Zhu Zhanji.

On the carriage back to the residence, Yang Pu asked, "What are your thoughts on today's trip?"

Zhu Zhanji replied, "Uncle Yang, I think that running a business is not just about making good products and selling them, but also about guarding against petty people, dealing with interpersonal relationships, and observing the times. It is more complicated than studying, but also more interesting."

Yang Pu looked at him, feeling a mix of emotions.

This young man not only has ingenious ideas, but also possesses such keen intuition about practical matters and human relationships.

"Your ability to see these things is far beyond what your peers can achieve," Yang Pu said gently.

"Remember Your Highness's words: observe more, listen more, and speak less. The points you raised today were quite insightful, and I will consider them and discuss them with Manager Qian."

"Thank you, Uncle Yang."

That night, at the Crown Prince's residence.

Zhu Zhanji spread out paper under the lamp, picked up his brush, and dipped it in ink.

He first drew a sketch of the bottom of the wine bottle: a simple relief pattern, shaped like a small tripod surrounded by cloud patterns, with subtle concave and convex textures on the body of the tripod, which is extremely difficult to imitate.

Side note: "Ceramics are molded during firing, requiring specially made molds."

Another diagram of the "Simple Testing Method for Official Roads" was drawn: soil samples were taken from different sections of the road and marked "suitable for compaction", "requires crushed stone", and "can be supplemented with lime".

Side note: "Take three feet of soil and observe its stickiness and permeability. If it is sticky and heavy, it should be tamped; if it is sandy, it should be crushed with gravel; if it is waterlogged, it can be mixed with lime to solidify it."

After finishing the drawing, he looked at it carefully and handed the first one to Chuntao: "Give him the money and let him find a reliable kiln to make a trial version."

The second one was carefully folded: "Keep this for now, and give it to Uncle Yang when the time is right."

Chun Tao took it and couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, how do you know all this?"

Zhu Zhanji smiled and said, "I learned it from books, heard it from Zhuangzi, and just figured it out myself."

He added, "By the way, how's things at West Mountain Villa? Did Lord Zhao give Master Sun any trouble?"

"Master Sun wrote that Lord Zhao is strict but reasonable. However, he needs to produce 500 catties of wound dressing within ten days, so we have to work day and night."

Chun Tao asked, "Master Sun asked when the 'experimental workshop' at the old kiln factory will be put into use?"

"Tell Master Sun there's no rush," Zhu Zhanji said thoughtfully.

"Once this batch of official goods is delivered, we'll quietly put them into use. The first batch of test products will be a higher-proof liquor, as well as the 'fragrant balm' that Madam Lin mentioned."

"Yes."

After Chun Tao left, Zhu Zhanji walked to the window and looked north.

"The path is the bloodline," he murmured to himself. "If the bloodline is blocked, even the strongest body will wither."

He needs more information, more data.

And Mingyue Tower will become his best intelligence station.

Seven days later, in Xuanfu Town.

General Wang Gui stared in disbelief at the several wounded soldiers before him.

These soldiers all used "Cleansing Wound Lotion". The most serious one had his foot ulcerated ten days ago, and the military doctor said he needed to have his leg amputated.

Now, although it's not fully healed yet, the ulceration has stopped, the wound is scabbing over, and I can barely walk a few steps.

"This medicine is amazing!" Wang Gui excitedly grabbed the old army doctor, Wu, "Old Wu, tell me the truth, where did this medicine come from?"

Old Wu lowered his voice: "General, the person who delivered the medicine said that His Highness the Crown Prince, out of consideration for the border troops, ordered it to be secretly made so that we could try it out. If it works well, we can supply it in large quantities."

"Your Highness," Wang Gui's eyes welled up with tears, "Your Highness is thinking of us!"

He immediately wrote a report, which was sent to Beijing by express courier.

In his report, he described the effects of "Wound Cleansing Dew" in great detail, concluding with:

"...With the advent of this medicine, the border troops are as if blessed by the gods. Frostbite can be healed, and external injuries can be treated, greatly boosting morale! On behalf of the 30,000 soldiers of Xuanfu Garrison, I kowtow to thank Your Highness for your divine grace!"

When this report was delivered to the Crown Prince's residence, Zhu Gaochi was discussing matters with Yang Pu and Zhao Kang.

After reading the report, Zhu Gaochi's hands trembled slightly.

"Scholar Yang, Steward Zhao, have you seen this?"

With tears in his eyes, Yang Pu said, "Your Highness, this is a blessing for the border troops, a blessing for the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhao Kang excitedly reported, "Your Highness, the first batch of 500 jin of wound-cleansing lotion from the workshop has been prepared and is ready to be sent to Xuanfu at any time!"

"Good, good!" Zhu Gaochi exclaimed twice. "Ship it immediately! Also, order the workshops to produce as many as possible!"

He suddenly looked at Yang Pu: "Scholar Yang, whose credit should this be given?"

Yang Pu understood his meaning and said solemnly, "Naturally, it was His Highness's consideration for the border troops that led him to order the craftsmen to develop it. As for the young prince," he lowered his voice, "he only provided some 'ingenious ideas' and cannot be credited as the main contributor."

"However, we can buy Mingyue Tower as a reward for him, just so the Crown Prince can play with it."

Zhu Gaochi was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Do as you say."

He looked north, a surge of pride welling up inside him.

With this wound-cleansing dew, how much suffering will the border soldiers endure! How gratified Father Emperor will be to see this during his northern tour!

"Zhanji, oh Zhanji," he murmured, "you have truly given your father a wonderful surprise."

Two days after the report was sent to the Crown Prince's residence, it arrived at the Prince of Han's residence.

Wang Bin hurriedly entered the study: "Your Highness, there's news from Xuanfu Town."

"explain."

"Wang Gui obtained a kind of miraculous medicine that has a remarkable effect on treating frostbite."

The wounded soldiers who received the medicine recovered very quickly.

Wang Gui has already submitted a report, which has been sent to Beijing by express courier.

Zhu Gaoxu narrowed his eyes: "A miracle drug? What's its origin?"

"They said it was sent by His Highness the Crown Prince," Wang Bin replied.

"Our intelligence says that the drug is colorless and transparent, has a pungent smell like strong liquor, and the person delivering it came from the direction of Xishan Village."

"Also," Wang Bin lowered his voice, "our people in the Ministry of Works said that Yang Pu has recently been mobilizing large amounts of copper, grain, and herbs to send to Xishan Manor, saying that he wants to set up some kind of workshop."

"The Crafts Workshop," Zhu Gaoxu laughed, "my eldest brother is quite quick on the uptake."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of Nanjing.

"Father should have already set off, right?"

"According to the schedule, it should be in the next two days."