Chapter 141 About Taiyuan, Zhu Yuanzhang’s shame and curiosity.

"By the way, it's been so long, and you're not going to explain to Dad what's going on with your Taiyuan?"

Still in Kunning Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the two brothers who were leisurely eating. After a moment's silence, he spoke.

The Jinyiwei had naturally returned from Taiyuan a long time ago, but what they saw and heard was a bit too strange and was simply beyond Zhu Yuanzhang's understanding.

Even the Jinyiwei were in a fog, everything had a beginning but no end, and an end but no beginning.

It’s hard to say what Taiyuan’s construction is like.

If we really have to sum it up in one sentence, it is a country within a country, where people do not pick up things on the roads, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and there is an abundance of food and products, with almost everything available.

Especially when it comes to commerce, agriculture and animal husbandry, the Jinyiwei were even more confused. In a nutshell, it was just a book.

"On the importance of scientific breeding?"

There is also a gray road, which seems to be called cement road.

Anyway, it was Zhu Gang who ordered its construction, and this kind of cement road was popular in almost the entire Taiyuan.

The road surface is clean and tidy, more than ten meters wide, and extremely flat, as if it were naturally formed, and there is nothing wrong with it.

If we have to describe it, it is a creation of heaven and earth. After all, in the entire Ming Dynasty, there is no land that is so clean, tidy and natural.

This also amazed the Jinyiwei. If it was really just manpower, could such a clean road be built?

"My son has been back in the capital for so long. Even if the Jinyiwei rejected him the first time, he should be able to get through smoothly the second time."

"So what do you want your son to explain?"

Zhu Gang was holding a large chicken leg in his hand, chewing on it while speaking incoherently.

"Besides you, I can hardly think of anyone else who can rival you, the smartest person in our Ming Dynasty."

"Take our eldest brother for example. He is not weak in politics and can protect the world well when it comes to governing the country."

"But if you want to govern a prosperous country like your Taiyuan, it will never be possible in your lifetime."

"After all, our Jinyiwei are not stupid, but they still can't figure out how Taiyuan entered a prosperous era?"

"People don't pick up things on the road, they don't lock their doors at night, there are no corrupt officials, and even strangers can greet each other and talk freely."

"Such a simple folk custom has never existed since we were born, so how did you do it, Third Brother?"

Zhu Yuanzhang first glanced at Zhu Biao, then looked at Zhu Gang and said in a deep voice.

"Is it really that good?"

Zhu Biao was also slightly stunned, and then blurted out.

"Ah."

"The Imperial Guards would never lie to us. The Third Brother's achievements in Taiyuan are obvious to all, and the people even have songs praising him."

"Love the people as your own children and hate evil as your own enemies, that's all."

“And even if the third brother left Taiyuan, Taiyuan will still be as prosperous as ever, and even better.”

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly.

There was a flash of shame between the words.

Think about it, Zhu Yuanzhang ruled the Ming Dynasty for nine years, and the people's lives were acceptable, but far from the standard of a prosperous era.

Even whether or not people can have enough food to eat depends on God’s will, so it is only the beginning of peace in troubled times.

However, Zhu Gang had been in Taiyuan for three years, and he had been fighting wars all the time, but he had not spent a single ounce of silver from the court.

Not only was it self-sufficient, it also crushed the grassland with an overwhelming attitude, causing the grassland cavalry to be frightened and dare not confront Zhu Gang head-on.

Such terrifying combat power is also because Taiyuan can serve as the pillar of the entire battle, and the already invincible Jin Wang Army has increased its chances of winning by more than 30%.

After all, Taiyuan, which can guarantee food, fodder and equipment, can determine the outcome of a battle.

So Zhu Yuanzhang was not only curious, but also a little ashamed.

The reason for curiosity was that Zhu Yuanzhang really wanted to know how Zhu Gang governed Taiyuan.
The reason for shame is that Zhu Gang is the son of Zhu Yuanzhang, but this father is no match for his son from head to toe, so how can he not feel ashamed?

"Just tell me what you want to know first?"

Zhu Gang naturally understood what Zhu Yuanzhang meant, so he put down his bowl and chopsticks and turned around to ask.

"Cement road, how on earth were they made?"

"And why did you build this cement road and spread it all over Taiyuan?"

"The other thing is that when the Jinyiwei entered the city, they were given a wooden sign with numbers on it. The reason is that every carriage entering Taiyuan had to obtain such a wooden sign."

"And this wooden plate is divided into temporary license plates and long-term license plates. What is the purpose of this?"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it, then looked at Zhu Gang and asked three questions in a row.

"Let me answer your first question first. How is cement made?"

"It's actually very simple. It's not very difficult to make cement, so I built several large cement factories in Taiyuan to mass produce cement, so that cement roads can be popularized in Taiyuan."

Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and spoke softly.

It was impossible to produce cement in ancient times like the technology in later times.

Because this requires very precise control of chemical composition and advanced industrial equipment, which were not available in ancient times.

But Zhu Gang was a time traveler after all, and he possessed the knowledge and technology of later times, so even though he could not produce cement using the technology of later times.

But it is still possible to make cement that is close to the cement of later generations.

Because the core materials of cement are limestone, clay, sand and iron ore powder.

Although it was difficult to find pure iron ore powder in ancient times, this did not stump Zhu Gang, so it was not a very difficult problem.

As for the proportions and preparation, we can only rely on craftsmen to create labor-saving tools. As for wanting to be comparable to later generations, it is simply impossible.

Therefore, the most difficult part is blast furnace calcination, because in ancient times it was difficult to reach the high temperature of around 1450°C required for cement production in later generations.

To this end, Zhu Gang combined ancient technology to invent a rotary kiln similar to a cement rotary kiln.

Because if you wanted to build a rotary kiln in ancient times, it would definitely be a huge challenge, as it requires a considerable understanding of materials, thermodynamics, and mechanical engineering.

But if it is just the most basic version of the rotary kiln, it is not impossible to succeed.

Just like an alternative drive system, there were no electric motors in ancient times, so the drive system may have relied on human, animal or water power.

So Zhu Gang used a large gear connected to one end of the kiln body by a rope or chain, so that human or animal power could be converted into rotational power.

This is also the first rotary kiln invented in the world today, and is also called rotating kiln by Zhu Gang.

Then the biggest problem is solved, so it is not very difficult to make cement.

“It’s so complicated.”

After hearing the method of making cement, not only Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, but even Zhu Biao and Empress Ma frowned slightly.

So much manpower and resources are wasted just to build a road?
They somewhat felt that it was not worth it. After all, they had spent so much manpower and resources just for a cement road. It was not cost-effective to think about it.

“It is indeed complicated, but Taiyuan’s prosperity today is inseparable from these cement roads.”

Zhu Gang naturally understood Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts, so he spoke.

"Hmm?" Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head again with some curiosity.

"Let's talk about the role of cement first. It's not just for paving roads."

"It can be used in many ways. I won't list them all. I'll just say one thing: cement can be used to build fortifications and city walls."

"As for why cement is used to pave the road, it's because, if you want to get rich, you must first build roads."

"The benefits that road construction brings to Taiyuan are obvious."

"To promote economic development alone, roads in Taiyuan must be repaired."

"With the cement road, we can speed up the transportation of goods, reduce transportation costs and promote the circulation of goods."

"After all, think about it, because the road is rough, the cost of transportation is already very high."

"But if there is a cement road that is wide, clean and natural, then the transportation cost can be reduced."

"That would better promote commerce and facilitate the circulation of goods."

“The other thing is to strengthen the connection between the zones, which can be understood as politics in plain terms.”

"Because there is a good road, whether it is strengthening management or passing government orders, it can greatly shorten the time."

“This is also a disguised way of strengthening politics.”

"Another thing is that with a good road, the quality of life of the people can be improved, it will be more convenient for people to travel, shorten travel time and improve the convenience of life."

"Another goal is to improve and strengthen the connection between Taiyuan and rural towns and remote areas, so as to treat them equally and without bias."

Zhu Gang poured out almost everything at once, without hiding anything.

"I see."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao suddenly realized.

Although it is restricted by thinking, the truth is actually not difficult to understand. There are two main purposes of building roads.

One can make you rich.

One way to strengthen politics is to ensure political stability and harmony among the people.

So if you think about it this way, not only does Taiyuan need to build roads, but even the entire Ming Dynasty needs to build roads.

Because only by promoting commerce across the country can the country become stronger and politics be strengthened.

After all, the cost of time is always immeasurable, so as long as we can save time, everything we do is worth it.

"Then can this cement road be popularized throughout the Ming Dynasty?"

Afterwards, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't wait to look at Zhu Gang and asked.

"Naturally."

"But it is difficult to accomplish this with Taiyuan's own strength."

"If we want to truly popularize cement roads in all prefectures of Ming Dynasty, we need to open cement factories in the local areas. Otherwise, the transportation cost will be too high and it will not be cost-effective."

"So my son can transfer people to you, and you can set up cement factories in various places, so you can be completely self-sufficient."

“It can be used not only to build roads, but also to build fortifications.”

"As for the formula, you don't have to worry about it leaking out, because the most important part is the rotary kiln."

"If there is no rotary kiln, even if you get the formula of cement, it will be useless because you still can't make it."

"It's a rotary kiln, but it's a big project. It requires professional talents to calculate accurately before we can design a usable rotary kiln. It also has requirements for the terrain. It's not that easy to build."

Zhu Gang thought about it, then looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said with a smile: "After all, talents are hard to come by. It is not easy for me to train this group of talents, so you don't have to worry about others stealing my technology."

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was relieved. He then rubbed Zhu Gang's head and couldn't help but admire him: "How did you get this brain? You are so smart. You are a bit like your father."

As he spoke, a hint of pride flashed across Zhu Yuanzhang's face again.

Seeing a hint of helplessness in the eyes of Empress Ma and Zhu Biao, they shook their heads at the same time.

He was just short of calling you shameless.

Even I, Zhu Gang, almost couldn't hold it in. Why is it that today's Zhu Yuanzhang still has a bit of the self-praising flavor of Wang Po selling melons?

Zhu Gang also chuckled and shook his head, not caring.

After all, they are still father and son, so let Zhu Yuanzhang be proud for a while.

“When will these talents be in place?”

Zhu Biao turned his head and looked at Zhu Gang and spoke.

"Without affecting operations, Taiyuan also has reserve talents to prepare for today."

"So, old man, your son has never had any selfish motives."

Hearing this, Zhu Gang turned his head again and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with a smile.

The dispute between them as father and son has almost spread throughout the Ming Dynasty, so he might as well explain it today so that the old man won't have any resentment in his heart.

Because from the very beginning of making cement, Zhu Gang was not only preparing for Taiyuan, but also for the world.

After all, cement roads must be popularized throughout the Ming Dynasty, and the purpose of doing so is that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

It's all for the people and for Zhu Yuanzhang.

"I have held you in my arms since you were little, how could I not know your devious thoughts?"

Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyes at Zhu Gang and spoke unhappily again.

"hey-hey."

Zhu Gang chuckled and scratched his head a little embarrassedly.

"Prince Jin, can you please issue an edict to transfer all these talents to the capital and lend them to our Ming Dynasty?"

Facing Zhu Gang who was laughing, Zhu Yuanzhang reached out and rubbed Zhu Gang's head, just as a playful gesture.

Even if Zhu Yuanzhang's imperial edict could be conveyed to Taiyuan, whether anyone would listen to it was another matter.

This is also thanks to the fact that Zhu Gang is Zhu Yuanzhang's son, and a son who was spoiled from childhood.

Otherwise, Zhu Yuanzhang would have thought that his Ming Dynasty was incomplete.

"Go ahead. I have already lifted the ban on Taiyuan. Your imperial decree will be unimpeded. No one dares to disobey your orders."

A look of embarrassment suddenly flashed across Zhu Gang's face.

Old Zhu's tendency to hold grudges has never changed. It was just a little conflict a few years ago, but he still holds it today.

"Farewell, if they don't listen to the imperial edict of an old man like me, I will lose face even though I am middle-aged. It's not worth it."

Zhu Yuanzhang, however, still waved his hand with a playful look on his face.

"Can you speak properly?"

Empress Ma, who was sitting next to him, threw the shoe sole in her hand directly at Zhu Yuanzhang and raised her eyebrows.

Well, the tigress is going to start protecting her cubs again.

(End of this chapter)