On both sides of Zhengyang Avenue, countless people have long been looking forward to it.
Because for them, this was too new. There were no bricks or stones on the road, but cartloads of river sand and gray-black powdery stuff.
The two were put together, constantly stirred with water, and then poured into the Zhengyang Avenue covered with bamboo strips in large buckets.
"What is this thing? Why do you use this to pave the road? It took so much effort to compact and level the ground, and now you pour all this mud. What do you think?"
"Could it be that His Highness the Grand Sun was deceived by some villain? Isn't this even more harmful?"
"I don't know what I'm going to do with all this mud. There are so many foreign ministers, it's just a joke."
"Shut up, you don't want to kill us. How dare you say such words in broad daylight. Not to mention the state of the road, your criticism of His Highness Taisun alone is enough to have your whole family executed. Go farther away, there are patrols.
coming."
Amid the doubts and doubts of the people, a large number of patrol officers from the Department of Public Security began to drive them away, and put up wooden signs saying that it was strictly forbidden to approach.
The initial setting of cement takes several days, and complete hardening takes a month.
Therefore, the protection of Zhengyang Avenue is extremely important.
The dirt road a few feet outside Zhengyang Avenue is a temporary walking road.
Hundreds of carriages dragged a large amount of cement, which was continuously mixed and poured into the cement, which was then leveled with long rulers.
Including the reserved drainage holes, these have been planned and considered in advance. When leveling the ground, half a month of effort was mainly spent on this.
Zhu Ying didn't care about some of the people's comments.
Some things will only be known to others after they are completed, and there is even no need to restrict people's speech, even if some of them secretly and deliberately guide them.
As long as it takes shape, all doubts will naturally be eliminated.
Those who go too far will not be spared by Jinyiwei and the Department of Public Security.
In Kunning Palace.
Zhu Ying is discussing with Ye Yueqing about Di Bao.
After the completion of Zhengyang Avenue, the project of north and south official roads will be officially put on the agenda.
This agenda was just a process during Zhu Yuanzhang's court meeting. After all, although Zhu Ying's Qunying Chamber of Commerce took the lead, this matter was an important matter for the country.
All the places involved in the official road between the north and the south, all government offices and villages, require great cooperation.
In order to have enough businessmen to donate to it, the guidance of public opinion, including the dissemination of news, Di Bao played a vital role at this time.
"Currently, a large number of craftsmen who are good at engraving have been recruited, and more than twenty sets of movable type templates have been made. However, in terms of ink, the cost is much higher than what was previously considered."
"Including the cost, three cents for a newspaper is already quite a bit more than that. To be specific, it costs four cents."
Ye Yueqing reports in detail.
Whether it is wooden movable type or copper movable type, ink is inseparable.
Relatively speaking, copper movable type has higher requirements for ink.
Zhu Ying once thought that ink was a modern product, but after learning about it, he realized that as far back as the Wei and Jin Dynasties, there was already a saying of mixing oil into water, which was the creation of ink.
During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the composition of ink was very similar to that of later inks.
Although it is still mainly water, a connector must be added to it. Most of these connectors are made of tung oil, sesame oil, and grease as raw materials. This is also the origin of the name of the ink.
During the Song Dynasty, the ink-making technology using oil as a connector became more and more mature and perfect.
People gradually discovered that the ink made by adding oil to the ink-making water was much better than the ink made by predecessors.
After the development during the Yuan and Mongolia periods, the water-based ink technology of the Ming Dynasty is now very perfect. However, when printing with copper movable type, if the font is too thin, it is still easy to blur.
Just this matter, Zhu Ying solved the problem with just one sentence.
It is nothing more than whether the ink is mainly water or oil.
After the ink production is required to be mainly based on oil and water, the printing problem will be solved.
It sounds very mysterious, as if ink was invented so easily all at once, but in fact, there is only a layer of window paper between oil-based ink and water-based ink.
There is basically no difference in the production process.
The ink now used by Zhu Ying to print with copper movable type is ink mixed with oil.
Oil became the main carrier of ink.
The best thing to use is of course animal fat, such as lard.
Lard is not cheap.
Today's Ming Dynasty pigs are generally black pigs, which have much less fat content than white pigs.
In other words, black pigs have less fat, so the oil refining capacity will also be reduced.
Landrace pigs were introduced in later generations.
"There is no need to change the selling price of three cents." Zhu Ying said decisively.
Ye Yueqing frowned slightly and said: "But Your Highness, as a result, the production of Dibao can only be filled by other industries. The more we expand, the greater the deficit will be."
Dibao's strategy is not limited to the capital. According to the current plan, after it is established in the capital, if the trial is successful, it will be opened in the thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty immediately.
The intention is to spread the content of the Di newspaper as quickly as possible as soon as possible.
This is no small plate.
Even if you only earn half a penny, your daily income is extremely exaggerated.
If you lose a penny every day, the amount of loss is unimaginable.
You must know that the production, distribution, and sales of Di newspapers also require a lot of manpower.
Among them, if there is no profit, it is equivalent to a total loss.
To put it bluntly, if all thirteen provinces were rolled out, the daily losses would start from two to three hundred thousand guan.
In one month, nearly half of Ming's annual income would be lost.
In one year, the Qunying Chamber of Commerce will be completely destroyed.
Naturally, the issuance of Di Bao is not yet scheduled to be published once a day. Due to restrictions on information dissemination channels, it is tentatively scheduled to be published once every ten days.
Even so, it is still a very huge amount.
Based on this, Ye Yueqing raised questions about His Highness Taisun's decision for the first time.
Zhu Ying's expression was calm, even a little unconcerned.
He really wanted to tell Ye Yueqing that you knew nothing about traffic.
After thinking for a while, Zhu Ying decided to explain a few words. It would not be a good thing to make people panic.
"After the official publication of the Di newspaper, half of the reverse side will be blank. This blank space is reserved for the local Di newspaper."
"That is to say, the distribution of newspapers in the thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty was different."
"The half of the blank space is used by local clans, businesses, and store promotions. These are enough to make up for the large losses caused by the issuance."
"The current ink can be said to be the best of inks. After that, a separate ink factory will be set up, the personnel will be reorganized, and it will not be affiliated with Dibao. The market price of oil smoke ink will be 30% lower than that of oil fume ink."
After Ye Yueqing heard this, although her heart fell to the ground, there was still some hesitation on her face.
Zhu Ying smiled and said: "There is nothing to worry about between you and me. I also know what the harem means. The old man has also asked me, so I have no objection."
"If you have something to say, just say it, no need to be shy."
As soon as these words came out, two blushes appeared on Ye Yueqing's cheeks.
The matter of the concubine has been put on the agenda after the new year.
Youdao is about establishing a family and establishing a career to bring peace to the world. For the royal family, the inheritance of children is related to the destiny of the country and is even more important.
Zhu Yuanzhang mentioned it many times, but he almost sent someone to escort Zhu Ying to get the big thing done quickly.
Especially on the night of the Lantern Festival, Zhu Yuanzhang personally took Zhu Ying to the streets of the capital.
"Look, Grandson, the Lantern Festival Lantern Festival is very important for women. There are always pairs on the road, and those who are alone are especially pitiful."
After walking less than ten steps, he said again: "We Ming men, if nothing unexpected happens, we will marry you when you are sixteen years old. Even those who are seeking fame and fame may seem lonely, but in fact there are already spoilers in the family."
Mother, wait."
After walking another ten steps, I saw a grandfather holding his grandson, and sighed: "We are getting older, and I don't know if I can hold my great-grandson for a few more years."
A Lantern Festival Lantern Festival made Zhu Ying laugh bitterly.
Faced with the old man's urging to get married, Zhu Ying had no choice but to push it to Zhengyang Avenue and report to the palace.
This means that the wedding ceremony will be held on Zhengyang Avenue, and it will also receive blessings from the people.
The Di newspaper is published and can be spread throughout the country.
Relying on these two things, the old man calmed down a little.
In fact, for Zhu Ying, it was the first time for her to be a groom, whether in her previous life or in this life.
When facing this matter, I was still somewhat nervous and subconsciously avoided it.
But when things get tough, you have to bite the bullet.
After thinking about it, Zhu Ying became more relaxed about Ye Yueqing.
After a long while, Ye Yueqing adjusted her mentality, and then said: "Your Highness, Di Bao is the mouthpiece of the country. Is it too easy to give it to a businessman family like this?"
Zhu Yingdao: "They hide in the dark and it is very difficult to find them."
"Every time the newspapers of the thirteen provinces are issued, they will all be transmitted from the post station to the capital for backup."
"Instead of searching everywhere and not being able to find them, it is better to let them be under our noses. If there are any monsters and monsters, and they want to use their brains, they can be traced."
"Those who are doing business honestly should be allowed to make money."
After hearing His Highness Taisun's words, Ye Yueqing realized that his situation was too small. It was obvious that His Highness' vision wanted to see farther and longer.
Then Zhu Ying asked smoothly: "The editor-in-chief of the capital has already found a candidate."
Ye Yueqing nodded and said: "We have already found him. Speaking of this person, I even met His Highness once."
Zhu Ying couldn't help but asked curiously: "Who is that person?"
Ye Yueqing replied: "It was Yuan Jiachi, Tong Sheng from Shangshui County, Henan Province, who was the first person to apply for the job at the Overseas Talent Recruitment Center years ago."
Zhu Ying was still very impressed by Yuan Jiachi and asked, "Didn't he follow his third uncle? Why did he come to us again?"
Ye Yueqing explained: "Prince Jin..."
Zhu Ying raised her hand to interrupt: "Call me Third Uncle."
Ye Yueqing paused for a moment and then said obediently: "Though my third uncle stole a lot of people from overseas talent recruitment agencies, within a few days, he kept them at home and didn't care about them anymore."
"Currently, there are many things unknown about the Japanese country. Third uncle does not have too many restrictions on them when they are raised in the house."
"According to His Highness's instructions, the editor-in-chief and editor of Di Bao are not allowed to be recruited from the Hanlin Academy. Therefore, this person also signed up for the open recruitment."
"After repeated inspections, this person passed all the tests. He is very suitable for His Highness to organize the newspaper. There is a big difference between the others, so he was appointed as the editor-in-chief."
It is actually very difficult to recruit the editor-in-chief and editor of Di Bao who Zhu Ying wants to work for.
Even among the old team members in the Western Region, there are only a few who are suitable. Even those who are capable have already been given other important positions.
So I had to recruit people from the literary circles.
The reason why I avoided the Hanlin Academy was not because of my knowledge, but because of my thinking.
The ideas of Zhu Ying's Di Bao were very different from the current mainstream trend. No matter how good he was in studying the Four Books and Five Classics, he was not the kind of talent Zhu Ying wanted.
He is quick-thinking and intelligent, has a lot of miscellaneous knowledge, and basically knows a little bit about everything.
You must also have low-level life experience, so you are most suitable.
Yuan Jiachi's family was poor, and he had to sell calligraphy and painting to earn a living in order to have food and accommodation. He was very polluted by the smoke and fire in the world, and he didn't have the slightest pride and dignity like a literati. He was like an outlier in the literati circle.
After such screening, Yuan Jiachi became the only qualified candidate.
Zhu Ying nodded, not too surprised.
He explained: "Find a time in the next two days to have him come to my place, and I will talk to him personally."
Ye Yueqing wanted to obey the order, but under Zhu Ying's gaze, she finally said softly 'yes'.
When it comes to love, Zhu Ying is a straight man.
Besides, as he is now the great grandson of the Ming Dynasty, there is no need for him to fall in love.
As long as he has eyes for any woman he looks like, it's just a matter of words.
Perhaps, if you don't even say anything, just take a few more glances, you will naturally have smart people under your command, who can handle everything.
It can be said that a grandson taking a concubine or taking a concubine is a major national event.
After thinking for a while, Zhu Ying finally said: "You still need to check the current accounts of the Chamber of Commerce to see how much room is left for development."
"Lanyu and the others should be almost there now. Their trip will bring thousands of kilograms of corn grain with them, which will completely spread your crops to Shaanxi and other places during spring plowing."
"Corn may not seem as solid as sweet potatoes and sweet potatoes, but it is the highest quality feed. Whether it is raising horses or pigs, it is the best choice."
"For Ming Dynasty, it is very important."
"I am determined to open a feed factory, specifically to purchase corn, grind it into powder, and make high-quality feed."
"Although we are not in a hurry right now, we still need to start making preparations."
Speaking of feed, Zhu Ying suddenly felt that perhaps we could start introducing Western white pigs now.
Although the specific data on pigs is not clear, white pigs replaced the native black pigs in later generations, and most people have never even seen a black pig.
This effect is enough to illustrate the advantage of white pigs.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand the reason, it’s still very simple to just follow the gourd and draw the scoop.