Chapter 211: New Sign‑In Items

Hongwu year 11, Lunar New Year's Day.

The festive atmosphere of Yingtian Prefecture hasn't faded yet; lanterns on streets and alleys glow bright red, and firecracker fragments litter the ground.

Early risers wear new clothes, visit relatives and friends, and wear smiles on their faces.

In Wu Wang Fu, Zhu Yong got up very early.

According to the rules, New Year's Day requires a palace audience; after being busy all day yesterday, today he can finally rest.

But Zhu Yong has something on his mind; today is the second day, yet by past custom the sign‑in day has always been New Year's Day. Yesterday he was so busy he barely touched the ground, and he hasn't had time to check what the system backpack added.

After washing up, Zhu Yong sits in the study, and his consciousness probes the system space.

Sure enough, the backpack now contains a stack of blueprints and a thin booklet.

"Hongwu year 11 sign‑in reward, plastic manufacturing method."

Zhu Yong feels a surge of joy.

Plastic—this thing is extremely useful.

He opens the booklet, which details the process of extracting plastic from natural rubber, including vulcanization, mold making, seal‑ring fabrication, and so on.

The blueprints are schematic diagrams of various plastic products, plus a set of simple rubber‑refining equipment blueprints.

"Fine stuff." Zhu Yong closes the booklet, a hint of a smile curling his lips.

Having read history in a past life, he knows rubber's importance in the Industrial Revolution.

Seal rings, insulating material, waterproof cloth… With plastic, steam‑engine leakage can be fully solved, and wire insulation now has a material basis.

This thing is worth more than Gold and Silver.

Moreover, the steam engine under study now only lacks rubber; otherwise its lifespan wouldn't have stagnated for so long without a major breakthrough.

"Prince, it's time for breakfast." Xiao Zhu's voice comes from outside the door.

Zhu Yong replies, puts the blueprints and booklet away, and pushes the door open.

In the main hall, Guanyin Nu is already seated at the table with two children.

Zhu Huanhuan, almost six this year, with two little braids, sees Zhu Yong enter, jumps down from the chair and runs over saying, "Dad, Happy New Year!"

"Alright, alright, didn't we already pay New Year respects yesterday?" Zhu Yong scoops up his daughter, laughing.

"That's different; yesterday it was a side‑note to the Imperial Father's New Year greeting, today it's to Dad." Zhu Huanhuan says confidently.

Zhu Yong is amused; the girl's tongue gets sharper, just like her mother.

Guanyin Nu holds Zhu Qiong Jiong in her arms; the boy, a little over a year old, lively as a tiger, reaches out to grab the snacks on the table.

Seeing Zhu Yong approach, he also cries "ah‑ah," leaning his body forward.

Zhu Yong catches his son with one hand, weighs him and says, "He's heavier again."

"Exactly; yesterday at Kunning Palace, Imperial Mother held him tightly, saying the child is robust," Guanyin Nu laughs, serving Zhu Yong a bowl of porridge.

The family of four sits down to eat.

Zhu Huanhuan chatters while eating, recounting yesterday's palace happenings—how Third Uncle got scolded again, Fourth Uncle was caught stealing snacks from the Imperial Kitchen, Fifth Uncle gave her a big red envelope… Zhu Yong listens, occasionally responding.

After breakfast, Zhu Yong stands and says, "I'll go to the palace; yesterday I obtained something that I need to show Dad."

Guanyin Nu nods, "Go ahead! We'll also go to the palace later; mother said yesterday she wants us to have lunch there."

"Alright..."

……

Zhu Yong rides his horse out of the Wang Fu, heading toward the Imperial City.

The Street on Lunar New Year's Day second is a bit cleaner than yesterday, yet still bustling.

"Prince!" someone on the roadside recognizes him and quickly bows.

Zhu Yong waves his hand and continues forward.

Upon reaching the Imperial City, the gate guards see Wu Wang and immediately let him pass.

Zhu Yong heads toward Qianqing Palace; just as he reaches the palace gate, he hears Zhu Yuanzhang's hearty laugh from inside.

"Biao Er, look at these blueprints; the Ministry of Works has finally made progress this time!"

Zhu Yong walks in and sees Zhu Yuanzhang standing with Zhu Biao at a large table, a stack of blueprints spread out on it.

A few Ministry of Works officials stand nearby, bowing and attending.

"Yong Er, you're here, just in time; come take a look," Zhu Yuanzhang says, looking up.

Zhu Yong walks over and sees that the blueprints are revised steam‑engine schematics.

"The Ministry of Works folks have been tinkering for years; finally they've extended the steam engine's lifespan—previously it needed repair after half a month, now it can run three to four months continuously without breaking.

The seal rings use new material, and the lubricating oil formula has been changed," Zhu Yuanzhang says, pointing at the blueprints.

A while back the service life was a year, though not in continuous use—only occasional—since the Ministry of Works has its own calculation method.

Zhu Yong nods, "The Ministry of Works is diligent."

Zhu Biao smiles, "Thanks to Second Brother's idea, they refined it step by step. Imperial Father says this year they'll trial it in a few workshops in the Capital City; if effective, it'll be rolled out nationwide."

Zhu Yuanzhang is about to speak when he suddenly notices Zhu Yong holding something, and asks, "Yong Er, what are you holding?"

Zhu Yong gives a goofy grin, "Dad, I was just going to tell you—yesterday on New Year's Day, I got another new item."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes light up.

These years, Zhu Yong has presented a novel gadget each New Year's Day, from Spinning Wheels to white sugar, from Flintlock Guns to steam‑engine blueprints; each has greatly benefited Great Ming.

This has become what Zhu Yuanzhang looks forward to most.

"Quickly bring it over so we can see!" Zhu Yuanzhang says impatiently.

Zhu Yong steps forward, spreading the booklet and blueprints on the table.

"Plastic manufacturing method? This plastic… what is it?" Zhu Yuanzhang reads the words in the booklet, looks up at Zhu Yong and asks.

Zhu Yong points to the blueprints and explains, "Dad, this is a new material refined from tree sap; it can be made into seal rings, gaskets, waterproof cloth, and insulating material."

He picked up a schematic and said, "Hasn't the Ministry of Works always been worried about steam engine leaks? If we make a seal ring out of this plastic and install it, it will be airtight…"

Zhu Biao listened intently and interjected, "Second brother, this plastic… from what tree is it harvested?"

"Over in the South Sea there is a rubber tree; when you cut the bark, white latex flows out. Great Ming's Yunnan and Liangguang also have them, though not many. We can send people to locate them, and once found, we can introduce and cultivate them."

"It's written in the pamphlet," Zhu Yong explained.

Zhu Yuanzhang squinted as he flipped through the pamphlet, becoming more delighted the more he read.

Although he didn't fully grasp the technical details, he understood the meaning of "seal," and knew this thing could solve a major problem.

"Good! Good! Let's say, Yong Er can surprise us every year; what about the Ministry of Works people? Come over and take a look!" Zhu Yuanzhang thumped the table.

Several Ministry of Works officials had already been listening attentively and rushed forward at the words.

The leading minister took the Blueprint, examined it carefully for a moment, and his hand trembled slightly.

"His Majesty, if this… if it's real, the steam engine's difficulty can be completely solved, and those machines that used to leak badly— with this thing…"

"Stop just talking, test it right away! From today, your Ministry of Works must devote all effort to researching this plastic method— give people what they need, give money what it costs; we must see this thing produced within a year!"

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said.

"I obey the decree!" the Ministry of Works official cradled the Blueprint, retreating as if it were a treasure.