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

Power, resources, and attention will follow, but along with them will inevitably come a more complex situation, more subtle scrutiny, and more dangerous undercurrents.

He quickly suppressed his emotions, his face not showing much surprise, and simply nodded, his voice calm: "Understood. Has the Prince's residence issued any specific decree?"

Eunuch Wang hurriedly said, "The imperial decree has not yet officially arrived in Beiping, but the news is absolutely true! The Beiping garrison and the government are stepping up preparations for receiving the emperor and for the celebrations."

A message came from Her Majesty, instructing the young prince to remain at the estate and that arrangements would be made by the palace once the situation stabilized.

Zhu Zhanji grunted in agreement, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Eunuch Wang, in the manor, you should appease them a little, but there's no need to make a fuss. Everything should remain as usual."

"Over at Black Soil Slope, starting this month, everyone's wages will be increased by twenty coins. You go and distribute them personally, saying, 'Grandfather's ascension to the throne is a cause for celebration throughout the land, and the young prince shares in your joy.'"

Eunuch Wang was taken aback, but then he realized that the young prince was winning people's hearts, and the timing was just right.

He quickly bowed and said, "This servant understands, Your Highness is kind and benevolent!"

Although the news was not publicly announced, the "extra money" and the words "share the joy" were like a warm breeze, quickly dispelling the gloom and unease in the hearts of the farmers.

The Emperor ascended the throne, and the young prince became the eldest grandson of the Emperor. Far from putting on airs, he even increased everyone's wages! A simple loyalty born of shared honor began to grow in the hearts of the farmers.

The guys at Black Soil Slope worked even harder and were more mindful of keeping things confidential.

Zhu Zhanji stood in the courtyard, gazing in the direction of Nanjing.

Grandpa has finally taken that position, and it's probably not far off that Father Zhu Gaochi will become the rightful crown prince.

He turned and went back inside, spreading out paper and pens.

This time, instead of drawing the separation process, he created several more detailed diagrams:

A cross-sectional view of a "fuel-saving stove" with a relatively simple structure but far superior ventilation and combustion efficiency compared to current rural stoves.

A schematic diagram of a method for making "simple coal cakes" that involves mixing coal dust, clay, water, etc. in a certain proportion, pressing them into shape using existing wooden molds, and then air-drying them before use.

"Sister Chuntao," he called to a maid, "have Sun San come over here. Also, have you made any progress on those fast-growing saplings that I asked you to keep an eye out for, the ones that aren't too bothered by smoke?"

He recalled information in his mind that mentioned certain tree species could improve soil and absorb harmful gases, thus serving as an aid in long-term environmental improvement.

Moreover, these fast-growing saplings can also be used as fast-growing forests for ordinary people to get through the winter, which will greatly reduce the heating costs for the poor.

Right now, the first step is to get the fire in the stove clean and warm.

Sun San was secretly summoned again. Holding those more detailed drawings than before, his hands trembled. He couldn't eat or sleep well for several days and practically lived in his dilapidated house.

The things on the drawing were completely different from what he knew about stoves and the use of coal, yet he vaguely felt that they made some sense.

The fuel-efficient stove, in particular, with its ingenious design of a recirculating flue and air inlet, could truly save fuel and reduce smoke if it were to be successfully implemented.

However, when it comes to making it, the size, angle, and clay ratio are all crucial; even a slight mistake can render all the effort futile.

He asked the two old carpenters to help him make molds and support frames, and asked the bricklayer Lao He to dig up suitable clay and prepare hemp knives.

He then repeatedly pondered the recipe for coal briquettes: the ratio of coal dust, clay, and water was key. Too little would make it sticky and difficult to form, while too much would make it difficult to burn and waste materials. This required repeated experimentation.

Zhu Zhanji did not urge him, but simply asked Chuntao to go to the vicinity of Sun San's house every day to check on the progress and bring back a few words.

He knew that the process of turning blueprints into a physical object, especially in an era where tools and materials were limited, inevitably involved a process of trial and error.

He needs to give Sun San time and some leeway to make mistakes.

Over there on the black soil slope, the coal blocks that have undergone preliminary screening and washing have already piled up into a small mound.

With his father's tacit approval, Han Shitou became Sun San's most capable "experimental assistant".

He was strong, quiet and hardworking, but not stupid. When Sun San asked him to mix coal dust and clay in different proportions, he carried it out meticulously.

He then meticulously recorded the properties of each mixture, the drying condition after coal briquettes were made, the temperature and amount of smoke during each test firing, all on a broken wooden board designated by Sun San using charcoal sticks.

The first attempt to build a fuel-efficient stove failed when Sun San tried to light it in his own yard.

The smoke and fire inside the stove were backflowing, making it impossible for people to enter the house; it was even worse than the old stove.

Sun San squatted in the thick smoke, looking at his hands covered in mud and ash, feeling somewhat dejected.

The two old craftsmen who came to watch the spectacle also shook their heads, feeling that the young nobleman's "method he learned from a book" was probably unreliable.

When the news reached Zhu Zhanji's ears, he was drawing symbols that only he understood on the sand in the yard with a small twig.

After listening to Chun Tao's account, he thought for a moment and said, "Tell Sun San not to rush. The angle at the bend in the flue can be made a little gentler, and try to make the baffle at the air inlet adjustable."

Try adding some fine sand to the mortar used for building the stove; it might make it more fire-resistant. Have him modify only one area at a time, and note the difference between the before and after modifications.

When Chuntao delivered the message, Sun San was staring blankly at the failed stove.

Upon hearing these specific adjustment suggestions, his eyes lit up, as if he had grasped something.

"Change only one thing at a time, and note the differences," he muttered to himself, his frustration vanishing as he immediately rolled up his sleeves and got back to work.

One afternoon, just as Sun San was engrossed in improving the stove and Han Shitou was experimenting with the fifth coal briquette recipe, a group of people broke the tranquility of Xishan Manor.

They were several officers of the Imperial Guard, mounted on horseback, carrying swords, and with capable expressions.

Surrounded by a middle-aged eunuch with a fair complexion and no beard, dressed in a sunflower-patterned collared shirt, they went straight to the small courtyard where Zhu Zhanji was temporarily staying.

Eunuch Wang had already received the news and hurriedly went out to greet him, kneeling by the roadside: "This servant, Wang Zhen, greets you, Eunuch! I was unaware of your esteemed presence and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me!"

He recognized the man as Liu, one of the most influential eunuchs in the Prince of Yan's residence.

Eunuch Liu reined in his horse, surveying the simple courtyard and the terrified Wang Zhen from his elevated position. His shrill voice carried a hint of scrutiny:

"Wang Zhuangtou, please rise. I have come on the orders of the Crown Princess to visit His Highness the Eldest Grandson and to convey the joyous news of His Majesty's ascension to the throne in Nanjing, the distribution of rewards for meritorious service, and the celebration of the nation. Is His Highness present?"

"Yes, yes! His Highness is resting in the courtyard!" Wang Zhen hurriedly got up to lead the way, but his heart was filled with ripples.

This eunuch Liu is no ordinary messenger; he is a trusted servant of the Crown Princess. His arrival at this moment is probably not just to deliver good news.

Zhu Zhanji had already received a whispered report from Li Wei and was now sitting on a small stool under a jujube tree in the courtyard, holding an open copy of the "Thousand Character Classic" in his hand, seemingly engrossed in reading it, with Chun Tao standing beside him.