The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 1272

[1272. Chapter 1211 Imperial Approval]

Those who paid for themselves are different.

If there is anything wrong with this railway, Emperor Hongzhi will fight you tooth and nail.

The rise and fall of stocks is closely related to the construction and future operation of railways.

If anything went wrong, Emperor Hongzhi would lose all his money.

Fang Jifan dared not say anything, so he said obediently to Emperor Hongzhi: “Your Majesty, please rest assured. This project is being directed by Erchen’s disciples and Erchen’s disciples, Chang Wei, the great engineer of Xishan Jianye. With them here, I would like to come. There won’t be any big problem.”

When Fang Jifan called out the two names, he deliberately spoke louder and spoke a little harder.

Emperor Hongzhi frowned slightly, with a faint arc at the corner of his mouth, and smiled: “So, you are quite clean.”

Fang Jifan said in surprise: “How can your Majesty say such things? These are all my ministers’ fault. How can I stay out of this matter? Even if something goes wrong and my son is beheaded, I will be so hurt that I would rather die.”

Emperor Hongzhi found that he would always be dragged down to his arrogant level by Fang Jifan. Then this guy, using his rich experience, left himself speechless.

He had no choice but to shake his head, put his hands behind his back, and looked at the scenery outside the floor-to-ceiling glass window. He said earnestly: “This railway will benefit the country and the people. I invest in the railway not just for profit, but for the people of the world and the interests of my ancestors.” Jiangshan Sheji.”

Fang Jifan and Zhu Houzhao nodded like chickens pecking at rice.

Your Majesty is the biggest, you can say whatever you want.

Emperor Hongzhi immediately glared at Zhu Houzhao, and snorted coldly from his nostrils: “I heard that steam locomotives are still being improved? Your steam research institute must work harder to build one before the railway is completed. A better locomotive will come, with greater transport capacity and the ability to carry more cargo.”

“Okay.” Zhu Houzhao grinned and nodded to Emperor Hongzhi: “Father, don’t worry, I will do my best.”

Emperor Hongzhi said. He lowered his eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly said: “I heard that Baoding Prefecture has started to promote something called statistics. It was created by a group of math students. It is said to be a measurement standard and digitize everything. Then, we will make statistics and finally get a scientific data, such as annual iron production, coal production… Based on the statistics of these figures, I think this is also a good way, so why not do this? I won’t push you. If your steam locomotive’s capacity cannot be increased by 20% by then, I will deal with you.”

Zhu Houzhao: “…”

It turns out that statistics can still be used in this way.

Fang Jifan couldn’t help but admire Emperor Hongzhi.

In fact, this statistics seems to just list some boring numbers, but its appearance and its effect are huge.

In other state capitals of the Ming Dynasty, the amount of money and grain was not complicated because their economies were relatively primitive. As for local officials, they only needed to ask and roughly have an idea in mind.

But in Tongzhou and Baoding Prefecture, with the continuous expansion of population and industry, for a local official, the situation they face has become more and more complicated. At this time, it is no longer just a matter of asking a few petty officials. Can understand the whole story of things in a general way, and at this time, full-time statistics play a role. Every day, different data will appear intuitively in front of the officials. The so-called knowing yourself and the enemy will always win the battle. The essence of statistics is It depends on the confidant. Only by seeing the situation clearly through the numbers listed can you make an accurate judgment.

Unexpectedly, His Majesty is so wise that he could see the wonderful use of statistics at a glance.

Fang Jifan couldn’t help but raised his thumb, and praised Emperor Hongzhi very pertinently: “Your Majesty is wise, and your ministers can’t take any precautions.”

Emperor Hongzhi smiled: “Your Xishan Mountains are full of treasures. In the past… the local and state capitals gave them to you. The reports that came up were all imaginary numbers, but the reports that came in from Ouyang Zhi were all real numbers, and they were so dazzling that it gave me a headache sometimes, but… this does have a magical effect, it’s amazing. “

The so-called imaginary numbers, In fact, it is also an old problem, for liberal arts students… For example, if a disaster occurs, in this era, most reports to the court are that there are more than a thousand casualties, or that the number of people who are poor and poor is ten thousand…

This is an imaginary number. God knows the specific number anyway. How much, directly use the units of hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands. As for whether it is thousands or tens of thousands, or just to feel more domineering, use ten thousand words, but in fact, it is only a few hundred.

The relationship between the imperial court and the state capital was like a blind man touching an elephant. The local state capital was talking nonsense, and the imperial court had to hold its nose to recognize it.

It is conceivable that based on such a number and letting the court make a decision, only a genius knows whether the final decree is consistent with the reality.

Zhu Houzhao couldn’t help but said: “Father, I have something to report.”

Emperor Hongzhi glanced at Zhu Houzhao, with doubts in his sharp eyes.

Zhu Houzhao quickly took out a charter from his sleeve and presented it to Emperor Hongzhi: “Father, you will know after reading it.”

Emperor Hongzhi took the charter, read it carefully, and raised his head: “Strategic Security Bureau, this name, It sounds strange that the matter of full-time overseas spying was your idea or the successor’s idea.”

Zhu Houzhao hesitated: “Of course it was my son’s idea, but…” Fang Jifan

echoed from the side: “Your Majesty, you are smart. The minds always coincide.”

Emperor Hongzhi glared at the two of them, and then he began to ponder: “What the memorial said is not unreasonable. In recent years, the imperial court has invested countless manpower and material resources in order to sail to the West. We can’t make the same mistake as Xinjin. Let’s take the lead in this Strategic Security Bureau. “

Emperor Hongzhi doesn’t understand the affairs overseas.

Since the prince has volunteered, let him come.

Not to mention, Emperor Hongzhi only had one son, so the ancestral inheritance would have to be handed over to him sooner or later.

Even if this were not the case, Emperor Hongzhi still trusted his son.

Although this guy was always confused, he was extremely filial. When he was in danger of death several times, he and Fang Jifan worked hard to save him.

What’s more, this overseas matter does not involve the internal affairs of Ming Dynasty, so there is no doubt that he is involved.

Zhu Houzhao said: “My son’s companion Liu Jin, he…he…” Zhu Houzhao tried hard to think about Liu Jin’s advantages, but he hesitated for a long time and couldn’t tell. I couldn’t say whether he was good at parachuting.

So when it came to his mouth, Zhu Houzhao tried hard for a long time but still couldn’t finish it.

Emperor Hongzhi was cheerful and did not hesitate. He nodded to Zhu Houzhao and said: “Let’s take this person. Since you have recommended him, then use him. Everything will follow the precedent of Jin Yiwei. All overseas reports will be sent to you first. The important ones will be sent to you first.” , bring it to my desk.”

Zhu Houzhao was overjoyed and said hurriedly: “Father, Emperor Shengming.”

Emperor Hongzhi smiled: “Hurry up and watch the construction of the railway.”

Fang

Jifan and Zhu Houzhao came out together.

All of a sudden, two big things were accomplished, and the two of them were in a very happy mood.

Zhu Houzhao called Liu Jin to come, and a copy of the charter for the establishment of the Strategic Guarantee Bureau fell directly on Liu Jin’s face: “You bitch, do what you say above. I have guaranteed it for you. If you can’t do it, it depends on me.” I can’t kill you.”

Liu Jin hurriedly lowered his head to pick up the charter and bowed to the ground with great gratitude: “Slave… Thank you for your grace. Your Highness is so kind to me. This slave has been acting like a cow and a horse. It’s hard to repay him just in case.”

Fang Jifan stood aside with a smile.

Liu Jin gave her godfather a grateful look.

Godfather is great. Without Godfather, there would be no Liu Jin today.

My god-grandfather is more kind than our biological grandfather.

He vowed: “Don’t worry, your highness and godfather, I have been thinking about this matter for the past two days. When I was in Baoding Mansion, I had a group of idle men. These people have no other skills. They have the ability to give people eye drops and get information, but they are all good at it.”

He continued: “This Strategic Security Bureau is responsible for spying on overseas affairs, but it is not easy to open up situations overseas. It’s too complicated. The servant is thinking, we might as well build a thousand-household settlement in the West, where Han people, natives, Francons, and even cannibals live together, and send out people first to adapt to the environment. , disguised as merchants, traveled through the West, and traded with various countries, while the other part made friends with the local Francois and Dacans, and first gradually became familiar with their habits and local customs, and then selected targets to see. Who can be won over, and then be included in the Strategic Security Bureau, and let them return to Franji, Dashi, or even join the army? As long as the situation is opened up, it will be easy to handle. “

“Not only that, if you want to carry out activities, if you use the identity of Ming Yousi, I think it is very inappropriate and will inevitably arouse people’s vigilance. You can set up a trading company and carry out activities with this identity. It will be easy to handle More.”

Fang Jifan nodded secretly.

As expected, this is what the eunuch is best at.

Especially Liu Jin, this kind of person is simply the best.

The situation overseas is countless times more complicated than that of the two capitals and thirteen provinces.

If you want to be truly pervasive, this means that the Strategic Security Bureau must not only recruit Han people, but also recruit and win over people from all over the world. Using the West as a foothold is indeed a clever move, and it is a good move to use the trading houses. Using the flag as a cover to carry out activities can also be described as a far-sighted move.

This guy Liu Jin is also a talent. If it is not important, it will be wasted.

Fang Jifan thought secretly in his heart.

Zhu Houzhao didn’t quite understand this matter, so he looked at Fang Jifan.

Fang Jifan nodded to Zhu Houzhao and said with a smile: “Yes, yes, just leave this matter to Liu Jin. The one I gave birth to… was not born by me, but he is the grandson I recognize. He can’t be wrong.”

(End of chapter)