Zhu Ci was in high spirits, pulling Fu to begin researching the "submersible."
He drew a diagram while saying, "Actually, this thing has existed for a long time. Hmm, about twenty years ago, the Dutch had already created man-powered submersibles that could navigate under the Thames, so the most we need to do now is make some improvements."
The earliest of those submersibles was known as the Drebbel-type Submersible.
It must be said that traveling to the late Ming Dynasty has its advantages.
Many things already had their prototypes and foundations, so even if he brought them forth, people wouldn't consider them mere whimsy; furthermore, making improvements based on these foundations would be easier than creating them from scratch.
On Zhu Ci's diagram, the entire submersible was approximately thirty-three feet long, with a hull diameter of four feet five inches, could carry a maximum of fourteen people.
The predicted normal diving depth is approximately 18 feet, though it could reach up to 20 feet if pushed to the limit.
Compared to the existing Drebbel-type Submersible, this submersible is larger, utilizing a widened hull to improve stability and prevent capsizing.
Then, improvements were made to the hull, using double-layered hardwood directly. The outer layer was eight parts thick, the inner layer was two parts thick, a layer of oiled cowhide was sandwiched in between to buffer the water pressure and increase watertightness.
The only real trouble was likely the sealing of the seams. To achieve better sealing, one had to apply multiple layers: the first layer was hemp fiber and tung oil putty, the second layer involved filling the gaps with rosin, the third layer used oil-soaked leather for wrapping.
In addition to that, there were upgrades such as increasing the number of water pressure tanks to four, replacing single-cylinder pumps with double-cylinder hand pumps, adding retractable iron anchors to the hull, changing the paddles from straight oars to curved wooden paddles, upgrading the shaft seals, improving the breathing system, so on.
Zhu Ci initially thought there wouldn't be many areas needing improvement, after all, the current level of productivity was right there.
As a result, when he actually began discussing the details with Fu Chunsheng, he didn't expect that there would actually be quite a few areas that could be improved.
Fu had started his career with boats after all; although he didn't know much about submersibles, he had more experience in certain aspects.
The two people discussed matters in Wenhua Hall until midnight, in the end, Jiang Xueyan could no longer bear it and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Fu, it is getting late; it is time to rest."
Even though there was no Grand Court Assembly tomorrow, they couldn't keep staying up this late.
Zhu Ci snapped out of his daze and instinctively wanted to glance at a clock, but he forgot that this was Wenhua Hall and was not equipped with one. He could only glance at the hourglass and perform a mental calculation.
Oh, it's already twelve o'clock.
Although this time of day would be when young people are most active in later generations, it is not so in the present.
Seeing that Fu's eyes were slightly reddened, Zhu Ci immediately stopped and said, "Alright, go get some rest."
On the contrary, Fu was somewhat reluctant to leave: "There are still some areas that aren't perfect, perhaps.."
We'll talk about it tomorrow; this isn't something that can be solved in a day or two.
Zhu Ci stood up and stretched, listening to the faint cracking sounds of his bones being stretched, reflected that he could not sit for so long next time.
Fu stood up and said helplessly, "Your Majesty, your bearing."
Zhu Ci waved his hand. "There is no one else here."
Seeing that Fu wanted to say something more, Zhu Ci immediately said, "I understand, self-restraint."
He paused and said, "Don't be so nervous. Given the current situation, even if I were to sleep at my desk, who would dare say anything? Oh, except for you."
I don't know if Fu held exceptionally high expectations for him, hoping he could become a perfect emperor, which is why he was so strict in every aspect.
Of course, when it came to demanding things of himself, Fu also lived up to those standards.
For instance, Zhu Ci had never seen him looking disheveled, nor had he seen him acting in a casual or unrefined manner. He rarely spoke in a loud voice, he had never once lost his temper in front of anyone.
Fu listened and felt caught between laughter and tears: "Your Majesty.."
Zhu Ci placed his hand on his shoulder, forcing a brotherly pose, though it was certainly aided by Lord Fu's cooperation.
He said earnestly, "Don't care too much about the gaze of others. In truth, life doesn't have that many spectators. Even if I were the Emperor, what would it matter if my every move were recorded? I only need to do my duty and try my best to provide the people with a stable living environment. If I can make everyone's lives better, that would naturally be even better. Even if I am absurd, at most, people will just gossip about me."
Fu listened silently to Zhu Ci speaking. Thinking that Zhu Ci still couldn't let it go, he simply said, "Look at Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. If he had died twenty years earlier, he might have been remembered as a wise ruler, it wouldn't have been impossible to count him among the ranks of the great emperors of all time. However, even now, people call him a half-emperor of the ages."
Fu couldn't help but let out a light chuckle upon hearing the term "half-emperor of all ages."
Zhu Ci raised his hand and patted his shoulder: "Don't put so much pressure on yourself, don't be afraid of what others say. Their mouths are on their own heads; can you control them? As long as you have a clear conscience and don't break the law, then let them say what they want. Won't it be fine as long as they don't say it in front of you?"
Fu suddenly felt a bit curious: "What if someone says it in front of His Majesty?"
Zhu Ci watched the night outside with his hands tucked into his sleeves and said, "Then beat him."
Huh?
-----------------------
Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Don't hesitate when it's time to act; hit them first, talk about it after. You're the Grand Secretary, what are you afraid of? A kitten jumps onto Fu's head. jpg
Next update at 12:00 PM~
Chapter 161
Zhu Ci turned his head toward Fu, nodding vigorously as he said, "Exactly, whoever says they'll beat up whom. Some people spread rumors just to spite you, forcing you into a debate with them. Once the debate begins, they will have countless ways to provoke you, then you'll have fallen into their trap. Remember, when you encounter an argument, do not fall into the trap of self-justification. If there is no other way, then just beat them until they don't dare to speak again."
Fu looked thoughtful. "So that's how it is."
After Zhu Ci finished speaking, he felt as if he were corrupting a gentleman, but looking at Fu Qingsheng, he felt it didn't matter.
He knew very well that Fu must care about what others thought because of his extraordinary appearance.
Childhood trauma is the hardest to heal. Zhu Ci was no psychologist, nor was Fu; he couldn't simply tell him not to care without understanding his pain. He could only tell him that those things didn't matter.
Actually, Fu might not necessarily be unaware of this truth, but a sickness of the heart is difficult to cure; even if he knows, what good does that do?
So, a way to vent the frustration was still necessary; since self-justification was impossible, then one might as well resort to violence.
Anyway.. according to the current laws of the Great Ming, even if you beat someone up, you can use money to atone for your crimes.
Sigh, these broken laws will change sooner or later; according to current logic, the targets of those laws' restrictions are all the penniless commoners.
In fact, commoners are the ones least likely to get into trouble, even if they do, it is always something minor.
When the powerful and the wealthy do something, they do it on a massive scale; things like brawling and fighting are nothing in their eyes.
How many years has the phrase "princes commit crimes and are punished the same as commoners" been shouted, when has it ever truly been implemented in a feudal dynasty?
Zhu Ci's thoughts drifted away again, while Fu was digesting Zhu Ci's words.
He began to feel somewhat curious about the kind of environment Zhu Ci had grown up in.
He had never met anyone more unrestrained than Zhu Ci.
Over these years, whether they were high-ranking officials with prestigious titles or lowly peddlers and errand boys, he had come to know many of them; everyone seemed to be swept up by the pursuit of fame and fortune, no one was spared.
Zhu Ci, however, seemed not to care about these things at all; he only did what he believed was right.
If Zhu Ci knew his thoughts, he would tell him that if a person lives in an environment like walking on a tightrope for a long time, they too will slowly become indifferent to such things.
The two walked for a while in this silent yet non-awkward atmosphere. Finally, Zhu Ci returned to the Qianqing Palace, while Fu went to the Wenyuan Pavilion Zhishe. Since the Hongwu era, that place had been where Grand Scholars and core Hanlin scholars worked and stayed overnight, it was also where high-ranking Grand Secretariat officials stayed overnight.
It was just that, with the Grand Secretariat totaling only three people at most, even fewer Grand Scholars, it seemed that Fu was the only Grand Secretariat official staying overnight tonight, so Zhu Ci casually assigned an eunuch to go and attend to his needs.
After Fu left, Zhu Ci suddenly snapped back to his senses, turned his head toward Jiang Xueyan, said, "That's not right. Weren't we just discussing who would lead the army?"
How did it end up becoming a discussion on how to manufacture a Drebbel-type Submersible?
As Jiang Xueyan helped him take off his outer robe, she pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "Lord Fu is worried about His Majesty, His Majesty is also worried about Lord Fu. It seems neither of you can go out."
Zhu Ci sighed with some regret; when he returned to Nanjing, he had a premonition that leading troops again would likely not be easy.
Unless the Great Ming encounters a major setback, all other generals will have been unable to hold the line except for him; only then might he need to take action personally.
However, thinking about it this way.. if he doesn't go out, then he doesn't go out; it's better not to cause such an incident.
After all, once it reaches that point, it means the nation is in imminent danger; if this battle is not won, the entire country will collapse.
By then, not only he, Fu, the entire court of civil and military officials, but even the common people would have no way to survive.
How many massacres have the Qing Army already committed? If they weren't so brutal, Zhu Ci might truly have chosen to flee instead of fighting them to the death.
However, even if Zhu Ci and Fu had already reached an agreement, the actual resistance to starting a naval battle was still quite significant, so they both tacitly decided not to mention it just yet.
They had to wait until the Drebbel-type Submersible was finished before they could work on the □□.
Compared to the Drebbel-type Submersible, □□ is actually a bit simpler; after all, it only requires a percussion cap ignition device.
Once the Drebbel-type Submersible is completed, they will only need an opportunity.
This opportunity arrived very quickly; it even arrived while the submersible was still in its prototype stage, as Liu Zhaoji dealt a crushing blow to the Qing Army, capturing Xuzhou and forcing the Qing Army into a continuous retreat.
When the news of victory reached the Capital, the atmosphere among the common people grew fervent.
Few ordinary people understood the importance of Xuzhou, but everyone shared the simple thought that any victory won by the Great Ming was worth celebrating.
This means the Tartars will have no more opportunity to advance southward and wreak havoc; how could this not be cause for celebration?
When the news arrived, it happened to coincide with the small imperial court session.
A small court session is generally a small meeting held between the Emperor, the Grand Secretariat, the Left and Right Censors, the Left and Right Vice Censors, the Ministers of the Six Ministries.
Compared to the grand court sessions, the small court sessions were the ones that truly determined the direction of the country.
When the battle report arrived, Zhu Ci was rarely seen looking so visibly pleased. He quickly scanned it and handed it to Fu, saying with a beaming smile, "Good, good, good. Pass down the Imperial Decree: appoint Liu Zhaoji as General of the Commandery, grant him the title of Dragon-Tiger General, add the title of Vice Commander."
Liu Zhaoji had actually already been a Vice Commander before, a General Mingwei, but this time he was directly promoted to General of the Commandery, his rank of General also increased by one grade, he was even granted an additional title, making many people green with envy.
However, everyone understood the significance of the conquest of Xuzhou, so rewarding him in this manner was perfectly justified.
Aside from that, there was no need to mention the rewards given to the three armies and so on; except for the lack of alcohol, they were basically given everything from clothing to food.
Military merits would have to wait until Liu Zhaoji reported them.
In this instance, Liu Zhaoji almost completely suppressed Shi Kefa.
Of course, Shi Kefa also had his moments of brilliance during this battle.
Shi Kefa's strength was his stability; in fact, he and Liu Zhaoji made a good team, but when left on his own, Shi Kefa tended to be hesitant during sieges and indecisive when defending.
However, there was one thing Liu Zhaoji could not match Shi Kefa in: Shi Kefa had read many military books and possessed excellent vision.
Simply put, it was a bit like armchair generalship; he could talk incessantly when it came to actual combat, but when it came to his own practical application, he missed many opportunities due to his personality.
Therefore, Zhu Ci somewhat wanted to transfer Shi Kefa back, so that he could preside over the court.
However, it would be somewhat inappropriate to call him back immediately after a victory, as it might lead others to mistakenly believe that Shi Kefa had lost the morale of his troops, it would not be good for Shi Kefa's future development.
The news of victory passed through the hands of the various ministers, everyone's face was beaming with joy.
Zhu Ci waved his hand, signaling someone to bring over the sand table. On the sand table, the red flags representing the Great Ming had already occupied half of the territory.
Everyone gathered around the sand table to begin discussing their next move.