Chapter 245: Restoring the Glory of the Founding Ancestor

Outside the court, there was endless noise and commotion.

The ministers were still arguing, but Zhu Youxiao's attention was no longer on that—it had shifted to the Hundred Crafts Institute and the imperial estates.

Because Zhu Youxiao knew deeply what mattered most.

No matter the era, the one with guns and grain is the one who has the final say.

No matter how loudly others clamored, it wouldn't amount to much, especially now that he had a solid foundation of rule.

Although the Great Ming seemed to be tottering in the wind, his own rule was still fairly secure. So Zhu Youxiao didn't care how the ministers made a fuss—he cared about what he could get his hands on.

Early the next morning, Zhu Youxiao rose at dawn, rendezvoused with Xu Guangqi, and the group set off toward the Hundred Crafts Institute.

The Hundred Crafts Institute had naturally long since prepared to receive Zhu Youxiao.

In the outside world, the Hundred Crafts Institute's reputation was not particularly good.

Because in many people's eyes, this was merely a place the Emperor had built for his own personal amusement.

Many people had already compared the Hundred Crafts Institute to the Leopard House, and quite a few jokes and anecdotes had sprung up about it.

Zhu Youxiao had no way whatsoever to deal with this.

In any era, quashing rumors is the hardest thing, let alone in the Great Ming where such matters were difficult to investigate.

The ministers and craftsmen within the Hundred Crafts Institute knew a little about this too. Only they didn't know much, because they rarely went out, and news didn't easily reach them either.

There was another reason: these people didn't pay much attention to such things. The mental energy they spent immersed in research day after day was already enormous, and they truly had little desire to concern themselves with such matters.

But many times, things aren't simply a question of whether you want to or not—some news still trickled in one way or another.

For the people of the Hundred Crafts Institute, proving themselves was crucial.

In recent days, they had studied day and night, worked day and night. On one hand, it was to not let Zhu Youxiao down; on the other, it was to realize their own worth. And of course, there was also the intent of silencing outsiders' mouths.

Only Zhu Youxiao knew very well that some people, at certain times, don't speak based on right or wrong—they speak based on their position.

They say whatever fits their stance; as for what the facts actually are, they couldn't care less. They're capable of lying through their teeth with eyes wide open, so why would the current situation be any different?

When Zhu Youxiao arrived at the Hundred Crafts Institute, its chief responsible persons were already there to greet him.

Standing at the very front was Bi Maokang—the man Zhu Youxiao had sought out, Xu Guangqi's disciple.

As for how Xu Guangqi and Bi Maokang had gotten together, Zhu Youxiao wasn't entirely clear.

But Zhu Youxiao wasn't surprised either—Xu Guangqi and Bi Maokang surely had plenty to talk about.

If Han Kuang could take Zhang Yu as a disciple, there was no reason Xu Guangqi couldn't take Bi Maokang.

"Your servants pay respects to Your Majesty." Bi Maokang led the crowd in bowing to Zhu Youxiao.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said with a smile: "Enough, all of you may rise."

Only after everyone had stood up did Zhu Youxiao look them over carefully, and then he furrowed his brow.

Compared to his last visit, Bi Maokang and the others looked quite worse for wear this time.

Although one could tell they had tidied themselves up before his arrival, basically every one of them had dark circles under their eyes, and even their figures had grown noticeably thinner.

It was clear to see—they had been working very hard.

But this wasn't what Zhu Youxiao wanted. These people were the very core of his enterprise.

In comparison, talent was the most important thing. It didn't matter if things were produced a bit slower—anyone in later generations knew this.

What matters most?

Talent.

Zhu Youxiao turned to look at Xu Guangqi, asking with slight displeasure: "What's going on here?"

"Didn't I tell you to have them rest on schedule? What about the imperial physicians I arranged? Is the food at the Hundred Crafts Institute not good? How is it that every one of them looks so exhausted, as if they'd been put through torture?"

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's questions, Xu Guangqi felt somewhat embarrassed at this moment.

It wasn't that he had no way to explain—it was that he didn't know how to say it.

Was he supposed to say that everyone had been killing themselves over their research?

But His Majesty had already told these people not to push themselves too hard.

At this moment, Bi Maokang stepped forward, taking one pace ahead, and said respectfully: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this matter is not Grand Secretary Xu's fault."

Zhu Youxiao frowned at Bi Maokang and said with a dark expression: "So is it you who skimped on their provisions?"

Hearing His Majesty's words, Xu Guangqi was momentarily stunned, then prepared to step forward to defend his disciple.

He certainly didn't want His Majesty to form any unfavorable impression of his disciple.

Bi Maokang was also startled, and hastily knelt to the ground, saying: "I beg Your Majesty to hear me out."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Bi Maokang with a cold face, his voice somewhat icy as he said: "You had better give me an explanation."

In truth, Zhu Youxiao naturally knew exactly what was going on, but this was not the time to let on that he knew. He had to pretend he didn't.

When putting on an act, one must commit to it fully—especially when winning people's hearts.

"Stand up and speak." Zhu Youxiao looked at Bi Maokang kneeling on the ground, and the expression on his face seemed to soften somewhat, his tone also gentler.

Only after Bi Maokang rose from the ground did he speak: "We servants at the Hundred Crafts Institute have been deeply favored by imperial grace."

"Your Majesty has cared for us with utmost dedication—our food, clothing, and daily provisions are all of the finest grade, and our monthly salaries are beyond what outsiders could even imagine."

"As the saying goes, one who eats the sovereign's grain must serve the sovereign's cause. We servants truly dare not be negligent, fearing only that we might fail Your Majesty's great trust, and so we have studied day and night."

"We servants have also heard some of the rumors from outside. People out there say that Your Majesty is indulging in pleasure and neglecting governance, that the Hundred Crafts Workshop is merely a place Your Majesty spends money on for amusement."

"But we servants know that this place is the future of the Great Ming! How could the petty people outside possibly comprehend Your Majesty's vision?"

"It's just that when we servants hear such words, it weighs heavily on our hearts. As the saying goes, when the master is humiliated, the servant must die. Your Majesty suffers their baseless slander—how could we servants sit idly by?"

"The servants of the Hundred Crafts Workshop cannot go argue with those people, for fear of damaging Your Majesty's prestige. But we can still do what is within our power—we hope to develop things as quickly as possible, so those people can see for themselves."

"Let them see that we are not playing around, let them see how far-sighted Your Majesty truly is. Let those people understand Your Majesty's breadth of vision, let them know that Your Majesty is devoted wholly to the Great Ming!"

"For this, we servants have studied day and night. Your Majesty's concern for us—we all know it well—but we servants are willing to die for Your Majesty!"

After saying these words, Bi Maokang knelt on the ground once more and said: "Your servant has disobeyed Your Majesty's decree—your servant is guilty! If Your Majesty wishes to punish your servant, I have no complaint whatsoever. Only, this matter has nothing to do with Grand Secretary Xu—I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly."

After seeing Bi Maokang kneel, the others standing behind him also knelt down and said in unison: "We are willing to die for Your Majesty, we beg Your Majesty to look into this matter!"

Watching the kneeling crowd, Zhu Youxiao's eyes reddened slightly, and his body trembled a little.

Xu Guangqi, seeing this from the side, walked directly to Zhu Youxiao's front and also wanted to lift his robes to kneel, but Zhu Youxiao grabbed him and pulled him up.

Zhu Youxiao said with some guilt: "I wronged you, my dear minister."

Xu Guangqi hurriedly said: "Your servant is overwhelmed with fear!"

Helping Xu Guangqi to the side, Zhu Youxiao stepped forward, went straight to Bi Maokang, and reached out to help him up. He said: "All of you, rise."

After everyone had stood up, Zhu Youxiao said: "I know the sincere hearts of all my dear ministers. But my heart, you do not know."

"In my view, Minister Bi speaks with reason — this is the future of the Great Ming. But why is this the future of the Great Ming? Because you are here."

"I have assigned you imperial physicians and arranged good food and lodging for you because what you do is very important to the Great Ming."

"For me, whether research is fast or slow, I do not care; the noise and clamor of the outside world, I do not care either; what I care about is you, all of you! You are more important than any of that research!"

"You must not only research things for me, but also stay healthy. That you are here in the Hundred Crafts Institute, away from your wives and children, unable to return home — I know all of this."

"I hope that one day you will return with honor, carrying the rewards I give you and the official positions I bestow upon you, returning in glory. Tell those who look down on you, tell your wives and children, that you are working for me, working for the Great Ming! You deserve it — you are the meritorious ministers of the Great Ming!"

"I do not want any of you to break down from exhaustion here. I do not want any of you to be lost here. I do not want your families, while worrying for you day and night, to receive in the end only your corpses!"

"This is my heart — I want to build a flourishing age of prosperity. I hope the Great Ming can restore the glory of the Grand Ancestor!"

"I hope that when that time comes, you will all still be here. You will be able to walk out of here with your heads held high, carrying the glory I give you, and enjoy the rewards I bestow upon you."

As he spoke, Zhu Youxiao's eyes grew even redder.

Those listening below grew even more stirred, and some even had tears falling, their bodies trembling with excitement.

The saying goes — one dies for one who appreciates him. At this moment, that was exactly the sentiment they held.

He gives you official rank, gives you rewards, and at the same time gives you respect and sufficient honor.

A sovereign like this is worth giving everything for.

Seeing the state of the crowd, Zhu Youxiao was quite satisfied in his heart.

These words of his were of course not said idly, nor were they simply to buy people's loyalty — because he felt it deeply himself.

In his previous life, Zhu Youxiao understood this point very well.

He had been an employee and a leader, and understood very well what an individual person needs.

A good position, sufficiently high salary, sufficiently broad channels for advancement — these are all external treatment.

Beyond that, being valued by the company, being regarded highly by one's leaders, being encouraged by one's superiors — these are equally important.

If they don't give you money and don't treat you like a human being, such an enterprise won't last long.

So Zhu Youxiao's actions seemed to be buying loyalty, but in truth they came from a genuine wish for their well-being.

After hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, even Xu Guangqi grew excited. He knelt directly on the ground and shouted loudly: "Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

Following Xu Guangqi's shout, the people behind him also all knelt down and shouted at the top of their voices: "Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

Zhu Youxiao knew their shouts came from the bottom of their hearts.

After they had shouted, Zhu Youxiao once again helped Xu Guangqi and Bi Maokang to their feet.

After everyone stood up, Zhu Youxiao continued: "I know your hearts, but from now on you must not do this."

"When it's time to do research, do research; when it's time to rest, rest. The research is no longer so urgent now, so you can relax a bit."

"There is one more thing — I will arrange for your families to come to the capital, so that you can be reunited and enjoy family happiness together during your rest. All arrangements for your families in the capital, whether food or lodging, I will take care of completely."

The chicken soup speech was done, and now it was time for the benefits — so Zhu Youxiao brought up this benefit.

This point was very important — it could soothe people's hearts. Of course, secrecy work also had to be done well, but that was not to be mentioned here.

After sweeping his gaze across the crowd, Zhu Youxiao continued: "This time, you have rendered meritorious service in research and development. Each person is rewarded fifty taels of silver, and from now on everyone's salary will be doubled. Work hard!"

"As for your official positions, after I have seen the things, I will reward you according to your merits."

Hearing these words, everyone grew even more excited, and the smiles on their faces became even more radiant.

Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Now, take me to see the results of your research."

The crowd excitedly acknowledged, and like stars surrounding the moon, they clustered around Zhu Youxiao and headed inside.

At this moment they were sincere — they wanted to stay by Zhu Youxiao's side, wanted to hear Zhu Youxiao's praise of them, wanted to hear Zhu Youxiao's recognition of them.

The news quickly spread, and throughout the entire Hundred Crafts Institute, cries of "Long live" rang out without end.

The group walked into the exhibition hall.

Everything had long been prepared here — many things were already laid out on an open space.

Bi Maokang smiled as he accompanied Zhu Youxiao. He was joyful in body and mind. Though still somewhat weary, he was mentally very excited.

He led Zhu Youxiao to a row of flintlock muskets and said: "Your Majesty, these are the prototypes of the first-generation flintlock. They are still crude, and the rifling problem has not yet been solved."

"Also, regarding the special bullet Your Majesty mentioned — that has not yet been successfully developed either."

The special bullet Zhu Youxiao mentioned was of course the Minié ball. Only in this life there was naturally no need to call it by that name, because Zhu Youxiao hadn't yet thought of a new name for it.

"Although we already have a finalized flintlock design, I believe it should not be mass-produced." Bi Maokang said from the side: "I feel there is still room for continued research."

"Only after the rifling and special bullet problems are solved might that be the optimal time for mass production."

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Bi Maokang and naturally understood the meaning of his words.

A rifled flintlock was essentially the pinnacle of muzzle-loading firearms.

The next pinnacle would be breech-loading rifles firing metallic cartridges — the early version being the Dreyse needle gun, model M1841.

If they had that kind of rifle, what would happen?

Zhu Youxiao didn't even dare to think about it, but it would certainly be a beautiful sight.