() In the Wenhua Hall, Xu Guangqi gave the bank architectural design drawing and explained it to Emperor Chongzhen, Wen Tiren, Bi Ziyan, Sun Chengzong, while Zhong Jinwei supplemented on the side.
Because there is not enough experience in cement construction now, the bank is not designed to be very large. It is just a simple two-story building with a basement. There are entrances to the southeast and northwest, which are used to handle different businesses.
After others had no doubts, Emperor Chongzhen made the decision and set aside a piece of land outside the Forbidden City. He immediately started building a bank and put it into use as soon as possible. The Ministry of Revenue began printing banknotes so that they could be used as spares. Both sides were carried out at the same time.
In addition, Emperor Chongzhen also specifically ordered Xu Guangqi to build more new cement kilns and increase production. This is not only needed for civilian use, but also for military use. The reason why Sun Chengzong stayed was to order cement from Emperor Chongzhen for his planned Liaodong strategy.
prepare for.
People in the Wenhua Hall discussed cement-related matters, as well as experiments on glass and steel, and the discussion lasted until very late before they dispersed.
Zhang Tongchang returned to his home in the evening, and Zhang Xiao, the elder of the Zhang family, opened the door. Seeing his young master's face looking happy, he smiled and said, "Young master, have you met the woman you love?"
Zhang Tongchang was nearly 20 years old and still unmarried. The old lady was so anxious that she tried several marriages but was rejected by Zhang Tongchang, saying that she relied on her help to fill the position of the secretary of the Central Committee and it was not her own ability.
You must do something famous before you can start a family.
Zhang Xiao had watched Zhang Tongchang grow up since childhood and knew him very well. Zhang Tongchang had a temperament and would not marry a woman who was not his favorite. In order to avoid the old lady forcing him to marry, he refused on the grounds of career.
Now that he saw Zhang Tongchang's happy expression, he knew that there were two reasons other than career and marriage that could make his son so happy.
Talking about career, the Zhang family has been in decline since the death of their great-grandfather Zhang Tongchang.
It wasn't until the Tianqi period that the imperial court remembered the Zhang family's past contributions and revived the family. As a result, Zhang Tongchang got a supportive person from Zhongshushe. That was all. No one in the court wanted to take a step forward. Young Zhang Tongchang
You still have to go through qualifications.
Therefore, Zhang Xiao automatically filtered his career path, thinking that Zhang Tongchang's happy event was due to the girl he liked, which could also solve the old lady's constant nagging all day long.
Zhang Tongchang shook his head with a smile and said to Zhang Xiao: "Uncle Zhang guessed wrong. A man has not succeeded in his career, so why should he take care of his family? Today I participated in the court meeting and won the emperor's important position. I will go on tour around the world in the future."
Zhang Xiao was startled at first after hearing this, and then a little confused. He felt that the news was a bit sudden, and he confirmed unconvincingly: "Young Master, are you serious about what you said?"
"What can I do to deceive Uncle Zhang? Where is my mother, I will go and tell you the good news." Zhang Tongchang answered Zhang Xiao with a smile. He himself felt that he was still in a dream, and there was no warning in advance.
Zhang Xiao saw that the young master did not look like he was joking and knew that it was true. He was overjoyed and said quickly: "The old lady is waiting for the young master to have dinner in the hall."
Zhang Tongchang left Zhang Xiao behind, raised his legs and walked to the lobby.
Speaking of the old lady, she is actually not old either, she is only about forty years old, but her family is not rich, and Zhang Tongchang's father died early, so she is very overworked, which makes her look a bit older.
She was a little worried when she saw that Zhang Tongchang had not returned home past the usual time. When she heard the movement at the door, she stood up and wanted to walk over to have a look. She happened to see Zhang Tongchang walking into the courtyard and walking over quickly.
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When Zhang Tongchang saw his mother coming out to greet her, he quickly said: "Mom, your body is afraid of the cold. Sit in the room and don't get cold when you go out."
Mrs. Zhang was very pleased to see her energetic and filial son. With Zhang Tongchang's support, she returned to her seat and sat down. Although she didn't need help yet, she enjoyed her son's care very much.
kindness.
When the maid Xiaocui saw that the young master had arrived, she turned around and went to serve the food.
After Zhang Tongchang waited for his mother to sit down, he smiled and reported: "Mom, my son has been summoned by the emperor today and has been transferred to the post of National Salt Patrol Censor. On the same day, he will be patrolling various places."
Mrs. Zhang was startled when she heard that, National Salt Patrol Censor, I had never heard of this official title. I had only heard of the salt patrol censor of a certain place. This position is a job that everyone is jealous of. Now her son is still the National Salt Patrol Censor.
, isn’t it more powerful?
Mrs. Zhang was not as happy as Zhang Tongchang imagined. She asked Zhang Tongchang doubtfully: "Why does the emperor want you to take such an important position?"
At this time, Zhang Xiao came into the lobby and smiled and congratulated the old woman. Mrs. Zhang Wang waved her hand and waited for Zhang Tongchang's answer.
Zhang Tongchang smiled and explained: "It was the chief assistant who recommended the child to the emperor, saying that the child would have the style of his great-grandfather, dare to do things, and know right from wrong. We should use the child's energy to wash away the staleness of the Ming Dynasty officialdom."
Zhang Wang and his family member Zhang Xiao looked at each other, a little confused. The Zhang family had no relationship with the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty. Could it be that they really took a fancy to Zhang Tongchang's talents.
"Bie Shan, do you know the chief minister?" Zhang Wang tried to ask.
Zhang Tongchang shook his head.
"Could it be that the granddaughter of the chief minister has fallen in love with you?" Zhang Xiao said in surprise.
"Uncle Zhang, stop talking nonsense. I didn't know the chief minister at all before. I don't even know if the chief minister has a granddaughter, let alone know him." Zhang Tongchang said dissatisfiedly after hearing Zhang Xiao's rich associations.
Wen Tiren just wanted to learn from Zhang Juzheng and reform the Ming Dynasty, so he paid attention to Zhang Juzheng's descendants. Without contact, Zhang Tongchang would of course not have known Wen Tiren in advance.
The Zhang family guessed for a long time but could not figure out the reason why the chief minister recommended young Zhang Tongchang to the emperor. In the end, they came to the conclusion that Zhang Tongchang's talent attracted the attention of the chief minister and recommended him to the emperor.
In today's Ming Dynasty, there are very few things like this kind of recommendation based on talent. The common situation is that people are recommended to be officials only if they have connections or receive money.
By this time, the maid Xiaocui had already made two trips and brought out all the food. The Zhang family was not rich and did not have many dishes, so they only had to make two trips.
A family of four, sitting at the dinner table, waiting for the old lady to open her chopsticks and take the first bite.
However, Mrs. Zhang did not move. She said to her son who was sitting next to her: "Bie Shan, have you decided to become the National Salt Patrol Censor?"
Zhang Tongchang cupped his fists with both hands, raised his hands to the upper left and said, "My child has made it clear to the emperor that he will definitely serve as the National Salt Patrol Censor." At this point, he put down his hands and said to his mother: "Mother,
The emperor has high expectations for the new salt policy. Even if the child is broken into pieces, he still has to do things well, and he will live up to the recommendation of the chief minister and the emperor's grace of promotion."
Mrs. Zhang Wang frowned: "What about your marriage?"
"We can talk about marriage after the child has settled this matter. By then, let alone my mother hiring someone to be a matchmaker, even if she just sits at home, the doorstep of our family will be leveled by the matchmaker." Zhang Tongchang knew.
Her mother had always been concerned about her marriage, so she gave her a prospect of tempting scenes that might appear in the future to reassure her.
When Mrs. Zhang heard her son's exaggeration, she couldn't help but smile, and then said: "Since you have made up your mind, mother will not stop you. It is good for a person to have ambitions in his life, and men should also do something. But mother
I don’t ask you to regain the glory of your great-grandfather, I just ask you to be safe. There are a few words for my mother that you must remember."
Zhang Xiao and Xiaocui looked at the mother and son, not daring to say anything to disturb Zhang's mother and her son.
Zhang Tongchang was originally a little worried that his mother would not let him go out to work, but now he was very pleased to hear that his mother was so reasonable and he quickly said: "My mother will definitely listen to her words."
"The position of Salt Patrol Censor is a lucrative position. When you patrol various places, there will be many people wooing you, either for money or sex. You must remember that you are working for the emperor, not just to make money for yourself. You usually use
As our great-grandfather is a role model, we should remember how he was attacked after his death, which caused the Zhang family to suffer." Mrs. Zhang Wang told her son solemnly.
"My child understands that the family's difficulties should be kept in mind. My child must be honest and self-disciplined, work wholeheartedly, and repay the emperor." Zhang Tongchang also replied seriously.
"That's very good. I'm thinking about it for my mother. This may be why the emperor uses you. First, you are young, and a newborn calf is not afraid of tigers. Second, our family has had such a tragic experience. You are a very popular minister, and you ended up confiscating your home."
. Therefore, even if our family wants to use power for personal gain and wealth, we will think twice more than others. Third, our family is in a poor financial situation. Not many people are willing to associate with our family, and there will be few interests. If the emperor asks you to do things, you will be more cautious.
Don't worry." As Zhang and Wang were talking, they suddenly summed up the emperor's intention in appointing Zhang Tongchang.
When Zhang Tongchang thought about it, it seemed that this was his family's advantage, so he kept his mother's words of wisdom in mind.
After Mrs. Zhang Wang told her everything, she started to use her chopsticks to eat.
The dinner table gradually became filled with joy. After all, it is a good thing to be valued by the emperor, promoted and do practical things.
Some people are happy, while others are worried. For example, Gao Jie, who is also the censor, is worried about why his resignation has not been announced yet, and he wonders how the emperor will deal with it.
Around 2:00 p.m., a man came to his house and saw Gao Jie in the inner room, who had been pretending to be sick at home.