Zhao Xu was very satisfied with Shen Kuo's performance.
Zhao Xu clapped his hands, and Feng Jing, who had been standing in the hall, bowed and came to him.
"Go and show the movable type to Shen Tiju..."
"yes……"
Feng Jing bowed and accepted the order, and delivered a piece of movable type found by Shi Deyi to the minister who was standing in the palace and obeying the order.
Shen Kuo took the clay movable type and looked at it in his hand.
Of course he knows what this is?
Movable clay type was a method of printing books that he had seen on Huainan Road when he was young.
Shen Kuo was very curious at the time, so he searched everywhere to collect related movable type.
In the process, he learned that this thing was invented by a cloth craftsman named Bi Sheng.
But where did the Xiaoguan family know about this, and how did they find it?
As far as Shen Kuo knew, not many people used clay movable type in Bianjing.
Because of this, various problems will inevitably occur when printing books, and it is not as convenient as engraving.
Even he is someone who thinks this thing has great potential.
In fact, I am not optimistic about the prospects of clay movable type.
Therefore, I simply collected related movable type and collected them.
Otherwise, when he promoted the Astronomy Supervisor and the Weapons Supervisor back then, he would have vigorously promoted it, turned this matter into a success, and then promoted him to a higher position.
So, he bowed and asked: "I am stupid, please show me..."
"I would like to order you to change this movable type..." Zhao Xu said softly: "Get rid of all its disadvantages and use its advantages!"
"With this, the world's cultural context will be prosperous, and schools will be spread throughout the local prefectures and counties... so that our Song Dynasty court can have a steady stream of literary scholars from all over the world!"
"This is what my father has told me to do!"
Shen Kuo seemed to be struck by a bolt of lightning and immediately stood stunned on the spot.
"Yeah...why haven't I thought about...improving this movable type to make it as clear as the engraving?"
Just thinking about this, Shen Kuo couldn't help but tremble.
This is a great cause for a prosperous cultural context!
If this happens, it is inevitable that his name as Shen Cunzhong will last forever.
Immediately, Shen Kuo immediately patted his chest and promised: "Your Majesty's great ambition is truly a blessing to all the people in the world!"
"I swear to the death to accomplish this great cause for Your Majesty!"
The ordinary movable type in his hand now turned into a golden future in Shen Kuo's heart.
As an official fan, Shen Kuo knew very well that if he succeeded in this matter.
What will be waiting for him?
The books that are constantly printed and sold all over the world will automatically become his popularity and reputation in his life.
In three to five years, the scholar-bureaucrats in the world will carry Shen Cunzhong into the three provinces and two governments!
"Good!" Zhao Xu nodded and said, "You must do your best and be perfect!"
"I obey your Majesty's will!"
At this moment, Shen Kuo wished he could fly to the Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau immediately, summon all the skilled craftsmen in the bureau, and then work together to improve the movable type.
He surpassed the art of engraving and promoted it throughout the world, achieving his reputation as Shen Cunzhong.
Zhao Xu looked at Shen Kuo and didn't say much.
Although he knew that copper movable type was the best choice under current technical conditions.
But, what about the ink? What about the accumulation of related technologies? What about the talents and industrial chain?
Zhao Xu can't conjure these things.
It can only appear and develop slowly in practice, through continuous improvement and use.
So, get things done and set goals.
The rest are things that Shen Kuo needs to think about and have a headache about.
"Besides the movable type, I have something else I need Shen Qing to do..." Zhao Xu waited for a while, and when Shen Kuo's expression calmed down, he continued.
"Please give me your Majesty's instructions..." Shen Kuo bowed and listened.
In this short face-to-face communication of less than a quarter of an hour, Shen Kuo already knew that although the young master in the palace was young.
But he's really smart.
Speak clearly, speak in an organized manner, and behave logically.
This means that even though he is only eight years old.
But you must not treat them like children.
Otherwise, he, Shen Kuo and Shen Cunzhong, will definitely suffer!
"I miss the common people in the world. The bitter cold in winter is unbearable..." Zhao Xu said softly: "So I want to build the cloth of Jibei... I have ordered two relatives to go to Xihe to try to grow kapok... This will protect the world from the bitter cold. The wise men will save the old, weak, women and children from the suffering of being alone and cold in winter!"
"Your Majesty, your benevolent and sage..." Shen Kuo immediately bowed and said, "I am a blessing to all the people in the world!"
Jibeibu, Shen Kuo naturally knows what it is?
During the winter in Suizhou, he was even covered with a heavy quilt made of Jibei cloth!
It is indeed very comfortable and a good thing to keep out the cold in winter.
It’s just expensive!
A heavy quilt requires at least two pieces of Jibei cloth.
On the market in Suizhou, the market price is about sixty or seventy guan.
Not to mention the common people, the scholar-bureaucrats also had great difficulty in spending money.
Zhao Xu continued: "However, there are still two things that need to be done now..."
"First, among the kapok wadding, there are cotton seeds that are hard to get..."
"This minister should try to solve the problem!"
Shen Kuo immediately lowered his head and asked: "Your Majesty, I don't know what kapok looks like..."
"I will order people to purchase kapok in the capital and send it to your office..." Zhao Xu said: "In the future, I will also order Lingnan Department to transport kapok to Bianjing for verification..."
"So, I have no objection!" Shen Kuo listened and was even more shocked by the young master's clear thinking and logic.
He has actually thought everything through!
As a result, he even felt a little trembling in front of this young master.
Zhao Xu continued to Shen Kuo: "The second thing is the loom... Kapok is different from silk and linen. Its cotton batting is short and light..."
"If you want to weave it, you must use good craftsmen to make the weaving utensils..."
"And it needs to be fast to weave and easy to use..."
"In this way, I can use the cloth of Jibei to protect the world from the bitter cold!"
Of course, the price of cotton fabric will be high initially.
But as time goes by, its price will definitely come down, eventually reaching the same level as silk cloth.
That is, a piece of Jibei cloth, the market price is about 2-3 pieces.
If this can be achieved, Zhao Xu knows very well what it means?
Money! Countless money!
Even just this industrial chain can create national income that far exceeds the increase in Wang Anshi's reform in more than ten years.
Shen Kuo didn't know this, but he knew that Zhao Xu valued him.
So I nodded seriously: "I will do my best!"
"It's not about trying your best, but trying your best!" Zhao Xu emphasized: "We must make this happen no matter the cost!"
Zhao Xu looked at Shen Kuo and said seriously and affectionately: "Although I am in the deep palace, whenever I think about the people in the world, there are still people who do not have enough to eat, and women, children, old and young are still shivering in the cold winter and cannot sleep..."
"It's hard for me to sleep peacefully in Funing Palace!"
This is the most profound thing that Zhao Xu remembers in the modern era of studying abroad.
Those wealthy people who are worth billions and are as rich as the country are still trying every possible means to avoid paying their own income tax.
The industries they own are trying every possible means to take money out of other people's pockets.
But in front of the public, they say: I want to make it easy to do business in the world, or Mars is my home.
Therefore, personality is very important!
So, Zhao Xu bowed his hands to Shen Kuo and said, "Therefore, I beg you to love me!"
"We should take the welfare of the world as our own responsibility!"
"This must be done well! Done!"
"Everything you need can be submitted to me. As long as I can do it, I will accept it!"
The emperor salutes and entrusts the welfare of the world?
Shen Kuo immediately knelt down and said: "I will die ten thousand times to help your majesty achieve this great cause!"
Not to mention whether Jibeibu can protect the world from the bitter cold.
Shen Kuo only knows now that in this matter, he must use all his talents and skills to never let the emperor down!
"Ai Qing, please get up!" Zhao Xu clapped his hands.
Song Yongchen in the palace stepped forward to help Shen Kuo up.
Zhao Xu clapped his hands again.
On one side of the hall, Yan Cheng, who had been instructed by Zhao Xu long ago, had already led Yu Longzhi and lined up from the pilasters in the hall to the walls on all sides of the hall, standing across the wall from Yu Longzhi who was guarding outside.
In this way, even if someone is dying, it is impossible to sneak in.
Song Yongchen and Shi Deyi also retreated ten steps away.
Seeing this scene, Shen Kuo's heart started beating loudly.
He probably guessed that what happened next might be because the Xiaoguan family personally summoned him here to meet him alone!
He held his breath and watched the little official's family slowly walk down the imperial steps.
Walking about three steps away from him, Xiao Guanjia sat on the imperial steps and looked into his eyes across the imperial railing.
"Do you know anything about firearms?" Xiao Guanjia asked.
Shen Kuo lowered his head and replied: "In the second, third, fourth, and fifth years of Yuanfeng, Emperor Daxing all gave rockets and fire beads to his ministers to defend against the enemy..."
"Good!" Xiao Guanjia pressed his hand down, signaling Shen Kuo to speak softer.
"What do you think of firearms?"
"I am stupid and think that firearms may have great potential!"
Xiao Guanjia laughed and still said softly: "I feel the same way! My father also feels the same way!"
"That's why we have a specialized arms manufacturing bureau!"
"Two thousand skilled craftsmen and thousands of hired workers... working hard day and night, all working on firearms!"
"However..." Zhao Xu said: "Since the Tang Dynasty, the power of firearms has stagnated. Their power is not as powerful as crossbows, let alone slings..."
"Probably it can only be used to disturb and frighten... or to dig into the ground with a defensive barbican..."
Shen Kuo also nodded after hearing this.
"My father and I both believe that there are more firearms than this!"
"The power of firearms is enough to reverse the situation and change the situation of offense and defense!"
"Now the tool is not in good condition. Perhaps the craftsman failed to achieve his purpose, or perhaps there is something wrong with the gunpowder formula..."
"My father said: Shen Qing is a talented man. He used to be in the Military Armory Supervision, and he did thirty-one good deeds, which greatly benefited the military and the country. Later, he established the God's Arm Bow Division, and made ten thousand God's Arm Bows every year..."
"Although I am young, I have longed for it for a long time!"
"I thought Shen Qing would be my loyal minister!"
Shen Kuo is a scholar-bureaucrat!
His title of great scientist was given to him by later generations.
Since he is a scholar-bureaucrat, there will be no shortage of shortcomings and problems that a scholar-bureaucrat should have, and some may even be better than others!
Therefore, of course Zhao Xu couldn't tell him directly - I only value you because of your talents in science and technology.
After Shen Kuo heard this, his blood pressure would immediately rise!
But it is different to put it another way.
You are a talented person in the military country and a great minister. I value you very much!
In the three provinces and two governments, there must be a place for your beloved.
Once this cake is drawn, Shen Kuo will not resist.
In this way, plus the previous foreshadowing.
Improvements in movable type and Jibeib, who protected the world from the bitter cold.
Shen Kuo probably wouldn't refuse, and Zhao Xu asked him to improve the gunpowder formula.
Sure enough, after Zhao Xu finished speaking, tears welled up in Shen Kuo's eyes.
"His Majesty was attacked by a humble minister, and the emperor believed in his love..." He leaned in front of the king and said: "It is hard to repay the death of a minister!"
"I will serve your Majesty until I die!"
"Good!" Zhao Xu nodded with satisfaction, and then said to Shen Kuo: "I'll leave it to Aiqing to deal with gunpowder and firearms..."
"I remember my father said..."
"In the matter of gunpowder, saltpeter is the king, and the rest are his ministers..."
"Please remember this!"
Just like movable type, Zhao Xu could of course tell Shen Kuo directly that the correct formula was saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal.
Zhao Xu could even tell him that this was actually a chemical reaction process.
Sulfur and charcoal are both used to provide enough oxygen for the burning of saltpeter.
But in this case, what will happen to the related processes and industrial chains?
Moreover, what Zhao Xu wanted was not simply black powder.
Instead, it has actual combat capabilities and can be directly used as gunpowder as propellant.
In this case, gunpowder must be granulated.
This involves a lot of craftsmanship and technology.
Therefore, let Shen Kuo experiment, let the craftsmen take turns to verify, and find the right path after repeated failures.
Gain relevant experience through matching each time.
That’s the kingly way!
Cultivating and building a gunpowder industry talent team from scratch is what Zhao Xu really wants.
Of course, this process may be full of setbacks and failures, and it will also require a lot of time to verify and improve.
But what Zhao Xu lacks most now is time.
Use time to precipitate technology, and also use time to build a moat for gunpowder technology.
Then slowly, other related industrial technologies will be improved together.
In this way, the situation of one Han fighting Wuhu in the Han Dynasty can be reproduced.
…
Watching Shen Kuo off, he slowly and respectfully exited the hall.
Zhao Xu waved gently to Shi Deyi.
The latter came to him and squatted down.
"Everyone..." Shi Deyi looked at Zhao Xu.
"Send some people to protect Shen Cunzhong day and night. Don't let him fail!" Zhao Xu said.
"I obey your will!"
"In addition..." Zhao Xu said to Shi De: "Today in Chongzheng Hall, I and Shen Kuo talked about movable type..."
"The government and the public should be informed of this!"
Shi De was stunned for a moment, then bowed: "I understand!"
He was ordered to leak secrets. He had done similar things countless times in the past.
Zhao Xu nodded, stood up, waved to Feng Jing, and said: "It's over here. Come to Kunning Hall, I'm going to talk to my mother..."
Movable type printing was not only a practical need of Zhao Xu, but also a smoke bomb for the courtiers and the two palaces.
