Chapter 145: Jin Wang Zhu Gang
Returned home from Hu Weiyong’s residence.

Mu Ying said goodbye to him and left.

People were sent to unload the gold, silver and jewelry from the carriage, and Yang Chen counted them.

In this trip, he gained a total of nearly 300,000 taels of silver.

Three hundred thousand taels of silver. These things are not Ming Dynasty treasure notes, but real silver and gold that can be seen and touched.

As for Aiguli and Jiang Juan, Yang Chen had no intention of letting them go.

It wasn't that he wanted to keep the two as concubines, but because in this era, people with healthy limbs might not survive.

Not to mention that their looks are too eye-catching. If they are not careful, they will be abducted and sold for a high price.

Letting them go is not only doing a good deed, but it is actually making them die faster.

Under the persuasion of Chunxiaqiudong, the two men let down their guard and were no longer as vigilant as before.

With the support of these 300,000 taels of silver, Yang Chen no longer has to be restrained as before and do great things on his own.

As for Zhu Biao, he didn't pay any special attention to him. It was impossible for Zhu Biao and Old Zhu to be around him all the time.

The prince and the emperor have too many things to deal with every day. At that time, Yang Chen just glanced behind Zhu's seat, which was about the height of a ten-year-old child. It instantly reminded him of the days when he was in school and just went to the toilet, but there were several extra test papers on the table.

It’s scary to think about.

With no one to disturb them, the progress of fertilizing the sand was getting better and better.

That day, just when Yang Chen wanted to go out for a walk, Tao Chengdao dragged him to the sand.

"Lao Tao, can you slow down? I just finished eating and haven't digested it yet. If I give you some stomach problems, I don't want to do surgery under these conditions."

Tao Chengdao seemed not to hear Yang Chen's warning, but kept taking him to the experimental field.

After working with the other person for a long time, Tao Chengdao has long understood that his friend can always say some words that they cannot understand.

Over time, the crowd simply ignored Yang Chen's modern words. Sometimes when they heard words that were more concise than what they said, they would learn to use them instead.

For example, when they are surprised, they no longer just stare with their eyes wide open and open their mouths like before, but instead say "Fuck!"

When Yang Chen saw a few guys who looked like ancient people saying these two words, it took him several minutes to gradually adapt.

"I'm talking to Master Yang.

It's already this late and you still have the heart to joke around. Take a look at what's in front of you!"

After talking about this and that, Tao Chengdao straightened Yang Chen's head, and Yang Chen looked carefully at the thing in front of him.

In an instant, an emotion called joy surged up in his heart.

"Done?"

"It's done!"

The fields in front of us are roughly divided into four plots, two of which are planted with bean sprouts and two of which are planted with mustard greens.

Using bean sprouts as an experimental field, the bean sprouts in one field were wilted, with their heads just poking out from the cracks in the soil.

In comparison, the bean sprouts planted in another field appeared to be very vigorous. What was even more pleasing was that these bean sprouts were sprouting out like weeds.

The number of them is so large that it completely surpasses the bean sprouts in another field.

Comparing the two is like a three-inch tall man standing next to a nine-foot tall man. There is absolutely no comparison.

"Oh my god! Oh my god! The effect of this fertilizer is too direct! How much did you add? How did you apply it?"

Yang Chen swallowed his saliva and bent down to touch the golden bean sprouts. The roots were very thick. This was not the effect of forcing growth, but the bean sprouts grew on their own with the nourishment of fertilizers and nutrients. One could not help but praise them.

When talking about how to plant, Tao Chengdao became very proud and told everything in detail.

"Master Yang, you may not know this. We originally decided to add more fertilizers. After all, you said that these things can make vegetation grow very quickly, so they thought that adding more fertilizers would produce more food.

But I know that too much of anything will not have a good effect. You reminded us of this at the beginning. If we add too much, it will easily burn the seedlings.

Under my suggestion, it was decided to reduce the original dosage by about 41%. One scoop of fertilizer was divided into four parts, and two parts were applied to two plots of land.

Look, this little money is enough to buy all the food and vegetables."

Tao Chengdao's position in Saudi Arabia is not just a gunpowder maker and weapons expert. Yang Chen can almost throw everything to him.

In this era, there are not many people who can understand what he means, and Tao Chengdao is one of them.

"Master Yang, the bean sprouts after applying fertilizer have increased by 15% compared to those without fertilizer! This is a huge invention that has never been seen before!

If this can be promoted throughout the Ming Dynasty, it will surely help people suffer less hunger!"

Tao Chengdao was so excited that he couldn't help but grab Yang Chen's arm and said.

Having come up from the bottom, he knows best what life the common people live.

Fertilizer is a good medicine for the Ming Dynasty.

Yang Chen rubbed his palms, glanced at Tao Chengdao and ordered:
"You told me some time ago that you hadn't been back to the palace for a while, and you wanted to find time to go back in addition to your work at the Ministry of Industry, right?"

Before leaving the palace, Tao Chengdao served as the Minister of Works in the palace.

Ever since following Yang Chen, his burden as the Minister of Works was completely relieved.

But the imperial court is a machine that runs all the time, and no one can be missing, especially the head of the Ministry of Works. As a vice minister, he can be away from work for a short period of time.

He also understood that he could not hold the title without performing the work of a minister, so the Minister of Works informed Zhu about this matter some time ago.

At first, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't want to pursue the matter. The court belonged to him and he had the final say.

As long as he doesn't nod, no matter what others say, they can't do anything to him. However, the court is the court after all, and this cannot be treated as a joke.

After Zhu Biao's approval, it was decided to let Tao Chengdao return to the palace and completely hand over his position as assistant minister.

This was also the result agreed by Tao Chengdao.

With the accumulation in the first half of his life, Tao Chengdao was able to provide his family with a prosperous life and they were not short of money.

Not to mention that the money Yang Chen gave him was no less than that given by the imperial palace.

“Well, go back to the palace and tell the prince about this, let him know that the fertilizer is ready for use, and have him tell His Majesty.

By the way, I will solve your problem. From now on, there will be no Minister of Works Tao Chengdao, only the weapons expert in my Yang Chen mansion."

Without any hesitation, Tao Chengdao nodded and agreed, returned to his dormitory, packed up and left.

"Tao Chengdao wants to see me?"

At this time, Zhu Biao, the executive vice emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was working hard, rapidly reviewing the mountains of memorials in front of him, without even having time to raise his head.

Seeing that Zhu Biao was staring at him, Tao Chengdao didn't say anything more and said bluntly:

"Your Highness, I have been ordered to come here to report an important matter."

"Oh? But Brother Yang asked you to come?" Zhu Biao looked a little tired, as if he would fall down at any time.

It seems that the prince has been very busy recently, so busy that he has not even taken care of his own health.

"Yes, Prince." Tao Chengdao responded, and then told him about the fertilizer matter one by one.

"A few days ago, Lord Yang taught us to use the traditional coking method and combined it with the tower method of refining sulfuric acid to successfully extract fertilizer. Lord Yang said that this is a kind of compound fertilizer, which means that it has both nitrogen fertilizer and potassium fertilizer, and can have a small effect on grain production.

After the experiment, the bean sprouts and mustard greens that were spread with chemical fertilizers in the farmland grew well. If we wait until the harvest season, it will definitely give us a big surprise! ”

Tao Chengdao and Zhu Biao understood that the other party was, after all, an old meritorious official by their father's side.

Facing Zhu Biao, Tao Chengdao did not have the slightest intention of looking down on him. In this palace, anyone who dared to look down on this prince would surely suffer. Besides, what he did was for the people of the world, so he made almost no exaggeration and did not say any false propaganda.

After listening to Tao Chengdao's explanation, Zhu Biao put down the memorial he was reviewing halfway and stood up immediately.

Just as I was about to speak, I suddenly felt stars in my eyes and dizzy.

"Ouch! Prince, be careful. Standing up suddenly after sitting for a long time can easily cause blood pressure to circulate!"

Having been with Yang Chen for a long time, Tao Chengdao was naturally very familiar with this knowledge and reminded the other party immediately.

Zhu Biao was stunned at first, then he reacted. He didn't need to guess to know that this must be the result of Yang Chen's teaching.

He waved his hands to indicate that he was fine.

"Thank you for the trouble, Minister Tao. Since you need to go to the Ministry of Works to handle official business, then you should hurry up and do it. I just need to inform my father about this matter."

"No problem, no problem. Your Highness, you have worked hard, so you must remember not to overwork yourself. No matter what, your health is important so that you can do your work better."

After much thought, Tao Chengdao decided to remind Zhu Biao.

Realizing that he had caused misunderstanding to the other party, Zhu Biao bowed, said a few words, and then left.

After separating from Tao Chengdao, Zhu Biao quickly rushed to his father's side.

He happened to see his third brother Zhu Gang being summoned by his father.

Zhu Gang is the current Prince of Jin in the Ming Dynasty. Like Zhu Di, some people believe in many historical records that he was not born to Empress Ma.

Actually it is not.

Zhu Gang began to study at the age of three. He was taught by Song Lian, one of the most famous Confucian masters of the time. He studied the Four Books and Five Classics, and also read a wide range of books, covering areas such as astronomy, geography, and military strategy.

At the same time, he also learned calligraphy under the tutelage of the calligrapher Du Huan. His handwriting was elegant and vigorous, earning him the reputation of "Feibai".

In addition to his own excellence, he was also highly valued by Zhu Yuanzhang.

One of the few important places in the Ming Dynasty was his vassal state, Taiyuan, Shanxi.

When he went there last year in the eleventh year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang presented him with a piece of jade in the hope that he would treat the people well.

When he first arrived in Taiyuan, he did as his father had instructed and did not forget his mission.

Zhu Gang led troops to war many times, built castles, and developed military farms. He built more than ten defensive castles in border areas and designated numerous grasslands to provide the Ming Dynasty with the feeding needs of war horses.

According to official historical records, he often sent his subordinates to infiltrate Zhu Di's fiefdom to monitor Zhu Di's every move.

He would never have done this without Zhu Yuanzhang's approval.

Zhu Gang, wearing a yellow dragon robe, was being lectured by his father at this moment.

"Third brother, the fourth brother is ready to go to the north to attack the three Jurchen tribes. The second brother has been punished for his misconduct in his own territory and is now waiting for his fate.

The matters concerning the conferment of titles on the vassal kings are all in place. As the third oldest, do you have any rivals you want to challenge?"

"Father, I don't know where I can find an enemy. Taiyuan has been well managed by me, with abundant food and fodder, and strong war horses. If I could go north to fight like the fourth brother, it would not be impossible. However, the Northern Yuan Dynasty still exists, and I am afraid that I cannot defeat four people with my own two fists."

"Indeed, although the Northern Yuan court does not have any outstanding generals, they occupy the natural barrier and once the war starts, you will still be at a disadvantage. If you only rely on your three guards of Taiyuan, you are indeed no match for them."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the map on the table and made an appropriate judgment.

Finally, he looked towards the northwest and said:
"How about this, let you take over the second brother's Three Guards of the King of Qin? With your Three Guards of the King of Jin plus the Three Guards of the King of Qin, it is also a considerable force. As our son, you must set a good example for the younger brothers below, and at least not lose to the fourth brother.

If you feel that your troops are not enough, how about I send you some of your father-in-law Xie Cheng's troops?"

When Zhu Gang heard this, he knew what his father meant. He knelt down and kowtowed, saying:

"I will lead my troops to annihilate the lands that my father has pointed to. The territory of the Ming Dynasty will only become wider and wider. I am willing to dedicate everything to the Ming Dynasty! Even if I die on the battlefield, I will not hesitate!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression remained calm. He knew that his son was definitely not a coward.

The reason why I asked Zhu Gang to come here today is that I want to know whether they still have ambitions in their hearts.

Zhu Yuanzhang was never afraid that his son would try to seize power and usurp the throne. He knew that no one in the world would dare to do that to him while he was alive.

As long as these brats have desires in their hearts, Lao Zhu is confident that he can stimulate their desires and even make them come true.

Don’t you just want to be the emperor?
Then go ahead and be one!

He wished that the emperors of the countries surrounding the Ming Dynasty were all his sons, so that in the future he could have children and his Zhu family would be everywhere. Wouldn't that be countless times better than letting his descendants make trouble in his own home?
"Why is Father in such a hurry to get the other brothers out? Isn't this a bit too cramped?"

Zhu Biao, who was standing at the door, was confused at first when he heard his father say this, but he soon figured out the cause and effect.

It must be because he believed that Zhu Di would be sure to win if he went out to fight, so he wanted his other brothers to go out with him.

This will only lead to one result.

That is, the Ming Dynasty's front line was too long, which would easily lead to bad things happening in the end.

If we are not careful, the Ming Dynasty will not be able to replenish its troops in time, and the frontline soldiers will not be able to receive supplies and will be exhausted to death.

"Father!"

Thinking this, he quickly walked in from the door and shouted.

"Biao'er? Why are you here? I have something to discuss with you. The fourth brother already has a target, and the third brother is embarrassed to do nothing. Come over and discuss with us what kind of place should be found for your brother. How about that?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw his son coming, he looked very happy and quickly called him to his side.

"Let's put aside the matter of the third son of the father for now."

"Okay, let's listen to Biao." Old Zhu was stunned at first, but soon guessed that his son wanted to discuss something with him. He waved his hand and signaled the other party to find a seat and sit down.

His action made Zhu Gang, who was kneeling below, feel envious.

Among all Zhu's sons, as long as they were born to Empress Ma, those who reached a certain age and were able to get involved in politics would without exception be very envious of their eldest brother.

I’m so envious. They are born from the same mother, so why are there such big differences?

So was Zhu Di, and so was Zhu Gang.

"Don't kneel, third brother. Get up." After Zhu Biao saluted his father, he pulled his younger brother up from the ground.

"Thank you, big brother." Zhu Gang's eyes were filled with gratitude. He knew that his big brother still took care of them, his younger brothers, after all.

(End of this chapter)