Why can the Northerners be so pragmatic? It is because they have seen so much on their journey while fleeing; once they have settled into stability, those with a heart for their country and their people will naturally begin to reflect.
Whether such thinking can be put into practice or not, it is at least substantive.
Gu Rouqian did not take the side of the scholars from the South at all, which left many people dissatisfied and caused rumors to spread that he was sucking up to them.
Of course, some people took it to heart.
Gu Rouqian did not care what those people rumored; ever since he had made a clean escape, there had been constant rumors outside, claiming things like how he had betrayed his teacher for personal gain.
He simply stopped caring; after all, his teacher's entire family was gone, he didn't think the Emperor had done anything wrong, so he just closed his eyes and focused on his work.
With the wheat harvest approaching, no one had the time to engage in verbal disputes with them.
While the top scholars of the Civil Service Examination and the Military Service Examination were leading their classmates to attend the celebratory banquet, Zhu Ci was playing with a newly manufactured Short Gun.
The short gun in his hands was truly exquisite; although there was still a certain gap between it and the pistols of later generations, it was becoming increasingly similar.
He weighed the short gun in his hand as he asked, "What is the production cost? And how is its performance?"
Fu presented a booklet and said, "The materials and processes for all models are listed here."
Zhu Ci flipped through it and read carefully for a long time, then smacked his lips and said, "The cost isn't low, but it's still manageable. It's just this production time.. it's a bit long."
Fu said helplessly, "Your Majesty, this is already very fast."
He would have liked to go faster, but he lacked the necessary conditions; the things the Little Emperor had mentioned sounded no different from the methods of the gods to him.
Zhu Ci put it down and said, "Take your time. We'll be able to equip them sooner or later anyway."
As the front lines advance in the future, their defensive pressure will increase. Everyone knows which areas are strategic must-haves, but other places are not unimportant either.
The Qing Army was well aware that they were few in number, they might focus their strikes on weak points in the future.
In this situation, the only way to make up for it was to rely on weapons.
In any case, besides the Short Gun, the long-range gun and the rapid-fire gun are also being developed simultaneously, both are more powerful than the Short Gun.
Fu smiled slightly at Zhu Ci's somewhat regretful expression and said, "However, there is also good news. His Majesty will surely be happy to hear it."
"What?" Zhu Ci asked, somewhat curious.
Fu said, "The Dingyuan General Bronze Cannons have been completed."
Zhu Ci's eyes lit up upon hearing this, he stood up, saying, "Let's go, let's go, let's go see."
Fu had long been prepared and left the palace with the Little Emperor.
Well, now no one dares to tell the Little Emperor that it is dangerous outside the palace or that he cannot leave the palace easily.
Because the civil officials discovered they couldn't control this Little Emperor at all; if you told him it was dangerous outside the palace, he would draw his blade, without another word, everyone would fall silent.
No matter how dangerous the people outside might be, few possess combat strength comparable to the Emperor's, the personal guards surrounding the Emperor are no pushovers either.
Of course, the most important issue was the leader of the civil officials; the Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, Grand Secretary Fu, not only failed to manage them but frequently led the Emperor away on excursions.
On the way, Fu asked, "Your Majesty, the Hanlin Academy has not yet been fully rebuilt. How should these new scholars be arranged?"
Zhu Ci said, "Send them to the Six Ministries for rotation first; it just so happens that the Six Ministries are short-staffed right now."
Fu said, "But this is not a long-term solution."
Zhu Ci glanced at him and said, "Actually, I'm thinking of changing the format of the civil service examinations a bit."
Fu Cai leaned forward slightly and asked, "How does Your Majesty wish to change it?"
After a brief pause, before Zhu Ci could even speak, he said, "In any case, please, Your Majesty, think carefully before you act."
Zhu Ci did not answer, but simply said, "I see that among the jinshi selected this time, several are even in their sixties.."
He paused for a moment, let out a sigh, said, "At this age, after spending a lifetime studying, they might understand nothing. Even if they were to start learning now, they might not have much energy left. How could they govern the people?"
Sixty-something years old.. even in later generations, that would be an age where one could already retire, let alone considering the average age of this era. Perhaps they have only just passed the jinshi examination and.. right?
Zhu Ci didn't notice it when he first saw the list, but after seeing the specific details of these people, his vision went dark.
The average age of the newly minted Jinshi was over forty. In later generations, this age would indeed be considered prime of life, a time of boundless potential.
But the prerequisite for having a limitless future is having already struggled and gained experience at the grassroots level, rather than doing nothing but studying a single thing for one's entire life.
After hearing this, Fu Qingsheng knew what Zhu Ci meant, he said after some consideration, "With years of chaos, so many young scholars have been affected, but it won't stay like this forever."
Zhu Ci shook his head and said, "We are looking for talent, not just people who can read."
As soon as Fu Qingsheng heard this, he knew the Little Emperor's mind was made up, no one could stop him at this time.
He simply asked, "Your Majesty, how do you wish to change it?"
Zhu Ci rarely showed a look of difficulty, frowning as he said, "I don't know either, which is why I wanted to discuss it with you. Where we are, it is like this.."
After introducing the civil service system of future generations, he emphasized, "Under this system, no matter who they are, everyone must take the examinations."
No matter how good one's background is or how powerful one's family is, one still has to take the examinations.
Of course, for every policy from above, there is a countermeasure from below; things like "cushy jobs" were born out of such necessity.
However, those with truly prestigious backgrounds shouldn't need to resort to something like the Carrot Post, because they have much better ways to secure hereditary positions.
There was no way around such things; after all, the systems were different, it was impossible for Zhu Ci to copy them entirely.
The people of later generations who conquered the world truly possessed ideals and great love; hot-blooded youths gathered together, wanting to save this world.
You can't say they don't have it now, but their mindset is different.
From Zhu Ci's perspective, if it wasn't for securing a future or for the sake of one's descendants, why would anyone be willing to spill their blood and risk their life for you?
Wouldn't it be more pleasant to surrender to the Qing Army?
After hearing this, Fu thought seriously for a long while before saying, "This matter is difficult to say it is hard, yet also easy to say it is easy; it just cannot be achieved in one fell swoop."
Zhu Ci's eyes instantly lit up. "You have an idea?"
At this moment, the carriage came to a halt, Fu said, "I shall return and write a petition to hand to His Majesty; for now, let us go down and see the Dingyuan General Bronze Cannon."
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Sigh, if governing the state were as easy as fighting. Cat playing with fists. jpg
Next update at noon~
Chapter 152
After Zhu Ci stepped off the carriage, he had only taken a few steps before he saw the actual Dingyuan General Bronze Cannon.
The moment he saw the bronze cannon, a sense of security surged in his heart.
His fear of insufficient firepower was somewhat cured at this moment.
This bronze cannon was massive; the barrel alone was nearly four meters long, the total weight was a full 4,200 jin.
Of course, this uses the current measurement system; if converted to weight units from later generations, it would be approximately two and a half tons.
A behemoth in every sense of the word.
Given the current level of industrial production, it is no wonder it took more than half a year to manufacture this.
Zhu Ci reached out and touched the body of the Dingyuan General Bronze Cannon; it was engraved with inscriptions stating that the caster was Fu, the name of the cannon was Dingyuan General, the time was the fifth month of the first year of Guanglie.
He looked at the inscriptions, suddenly the words "leaving one's name in history" felt real to him.
No matter what the ultimate fate of Great Ming may be, as long as this cannon remains, future generations will know that Guanglie was his era name.
Zhu Ci felt a whirlwind of emotions, finally turned to smile at Fu. "That's wonderful," he said.
That smile was simply too radiant; even though he knew that looking directly at the Emperor's face was a sign of disrespect, Fu still could not help but stare for a long while before finally bowing and saying, "As long as Your Majesty likes it."
He liked it, he liked it very much.
Zhu Ci touched the brand-new blue-black cannon barrel with affection and asked, "How many are there in total?"
Reporting to Your Majesty, there are three in the first batch.
Zhu Ci asked, "How is their power?"
Fu was very confident: "It is definitely stronger than the Hongyi Cannon."
He was not confident in himself or particularly confident in the craftsmen; he believed in Zhu Ci.
The blueprints for this cannon were provided by the Little Emperor, it seems the Little Emperor even made improvements to the cannon, so even if the Tartars had the Dingyuan General Bronze Cannon, it wouldn't compare to this one of theirs.
Zhu Ci asked, "Have you tested it?"
Fu nodded. "Correct. No matter which aspect you consider, the Red-coated Cannon is inferior to the Dingyuan General Bronze Cannon."
He paused and said, "Your Majesty, although this cannon was once made by Wu Sangui, it is now quite different from his bronze cannon; it might be better to change its name."
Change the name, then.
Zhu Ci rubbed his chin and said, "Then let's call it.. Dongfeng."
Dongfeng Express, mission accomplished!
Fu looked at the bronze cannon and said, "Everything is ready, all that's missing is the East Wind. A fine name indeed."
It wouldn't be wrong if you understood it that way.
After seeing the Dongfeng Bronze Cannon, Zhu Ci was clearly in a very good mood.
It was a pity that the power of the Dongfeng Bronze Cannon could not be seen.
Fu Anfu said to him, "If Your Majesty wishes, I can arrange a place."
The power of the Dongfeng Bronze Cannon was truly immense, the sound was also incredibly loud.
To avoid causing panic or unnecessary speculation, it would be best to find some desolate mountains or wilderness to conduct the tests.
Zhu Ci waved his hand and said, "This thing is not easy to transport; right now, the place it should go most is the front lines rather than the martial arts grounds."
At this, he couldn't help but rub his hands together and say, "Actually, I only need to make a trip to Xiaoxian, then I'll naturally be able to see it."
"No." Fu rejected him decisively.
Zhu Ci's eyes widened instantly. Good heavens, even you have betrayed me?
Why not? It was because there was no progress in the war before, there were still many matters in the imperial court near the New Year that required my presence, so I returned. Now that a full-scale offensive is imminent, I must naturally see things through to the end!