Chapter 976 1065 Wenhua Palace

"Lubu, go and call four eunuchs to come in and help me carry things to Wenhua Hall."

Early in the morning, Wei Guangde came to the cabinet, followed by four imperial guards, carrying two large boxes into the room.

The four guards put down the boxes in the duty room, and then bowed and left.

Wei Guangde walked to the desk, picked up a cup of cold tea on it and drank it all.

"Oh, why is it so hot today?"

He sighed and swung his sleeves to fan himself.

It was August, and tomorrow was the birthday of Emperor Wanli Zhu Yijun, also known as the Wanshou Festival.

The Wanshou Festival, which means the emperor's birthday, is a national holiday and an important ceremonial activity in the ancient court.

On the emperor's birthday, the whole country had a three-day holiday, and celebrations were held at the same time, "the court and the people celebrated together".

In the capital, the ministers had to celebrate the emperor's birthday, offer fine wine and various gifts, and the emperor also rewarded the officials according to their ranks.

After the Song and Yuan Dynasties, in the Ming Dynasty, the emperor's birthday, the Wanshou Festival, was called one of the three major festivals along with the "New Year's Day" and the "Winter Solstice", and the same was true in the Qing Dynasty.

For such an important festival, Wei Guangde would naturally prepare for the little emperor Zhu Yijun.

In fact, Wei Guangde had already thought of a gift for the little emperor half a year in advance.

Last year, Wei Guangde gave the little emperor a model of the Fengzhou, which is still on display in the Qianqing Palace. Zhu Yijun would play with it from time to time.

Things that attract children, especially children in their teens like Zhu Yijun, are naturally made very fine. Almost all the components on the model can be rotated, just like a real ship.

This is the biggest attraction of the model to children. Through the model, he can also know the function of each component on the ship. Even if he has never been on a ship, he will have an intuitive impression and know how to use it.

The model this time was, of course, the gunboat model that Yu Dayou arranged for the craftsmen to make carefully. It was a scaled-down version of the real situation. Even the guns on the ship were originally just wooden models, but after seeing them, Yu Dayou asked people to make them with pig iron.

In fact, it is not difficult to make small iron cannons. In a few days, dozens of small cannons have been made.

After loading gunpowder, they can even be released, just like setting off firecrackers.

When the things arrived in Wei Guangde's capital and were sent to Wei Guangde's mansion, he would naturally play with them for a while.

Even Wei Guangde's two sons liked the things very much and wanted them even after making a fuss.

Therefore, in Wei Guangde's reply to Yu Dayou, he asked Yu Dayou for two more gunboat models.

Today, it happened to be Wei Guangde's turn to serve as a lecturer in Wenhua Hall. Thinking of the gifts he presented, in order to avoid being criticized by other officials in the court, he did not plan to present them tomorrow, but gave them to Emperor Wanli in advance.

Soon, four eunuchs were called into the room by Lu Bu, and they were asked to divide into two groups and carry the box to Wenhua Hall.

After all, it was Wenhua Hall, so it was more appropriate to let the eunuchs go in.

When Wei Guangde arrived, it was still early and the little emperor had not arrived yet.

He asked someone to put the box on the desk, and he waited while drinking herbal tea.

He was responsible for explaining "The Great Learning" to the little emperor, because among the Four Books, "The Great Learning" had the fewest words.

"The Great Learning" is said to be a book, but it is actually more like an article, to be precise, it is an essay representing Confucian thought and culture.

Because it is the smallest, it is easier to learn and easier to master, so Zengzi's "The Great Learning" covers everything from knowing how to stop, being calm, and being at peace, to managing the family, governing the country, and pacifying the world.

It elaborated on the basic principles of ordinary people's behavior and work, and the great ideals after growing up.

It is very much like a life plan, so it is very suitable for children to read and establish their own lofty life ideals.

For example, in "The Great Learning", "Things have their roots and branches, and things have their beginnings and ends. If you know what comes first and what comes later, you will be close to the truth."

People understand this truth, and only then can they do things with a beginning and an end, and only then can they succeed more easily.

While waiting, Wei Guangde thought about the teaching plan formulated by Zhang Juzheng, and felt that he seemed to have exceeded the outline of the plan, so he simply didn't give a lecture today, and just chatted with the little emperor casually.

See his understanding of the articles taught before, and his current changes in mentality.

Of course, by the way, send the gift up, and you can play with the model for the last time.

After all, the gift will be sent out, and you won't see it in a short time.

It will take time for Yu Dayou to make a new set and send it to the capital.

When Emperor Wanli arrived, Wei Guangde saluted, and Zhu Yijun sat upright, waiting for Wei Guangde to start the lecture.

However, today, Wei Guangde did not intend to talk about the following content, but directly asked Zhu Yijun about his views on the "Three Principles", namely the so-called "manifesting virtue", "loving the people", and "stopping at the highest good".

Then, there was a question about how to understand the "Eight Items", namely "investigating things", "seeking knowledge", "being sincere", "rectifying the mind", "cultivating oneself", "regulating the family", "governing the country and bringing peace to the world".

These are the things that are discussed at the beginning of "The Great Learning", and are actually the main content of the book.

As for the latter part, it is more about the discussion of the Three Principles and the Eight Items, and the last "there is a great way to make money", he intends to wait until the Ming Dynasty money law is fully implemented, and then explain it to Zhu Yijun in combination with the money law.

He can only talk about something roughly, after all, he is not an economics student, and most of the things in it are half-understood, but after his own logical thinking, he also figured out something.

At that time, I can still teach the little emperor a few lessons.

Of course, although his understanding is also superficial, it is still very advanced in this era. At least such ideas have not yet appeared in the West, and that will only be two or three hundred years later.

"Your Majesty said it is very good. It is the gateway to virtue."

After the little emperor told his understanding and opinions, Wei Guangde sighed in praise.

For children, frequent praise will make it easier for them to build up their self-confidence and make them more eager to learn.

Moreover, the content in the university is actually easy to understand. The main thing is whether it can become the guidance of the little emperor and affect his future.

Hearing Wei Guangde's compliment, Zhu Yijun also had a smile on his face.

"I just hope that in the future, your majesty will always keep in mind morality, kindness to the people and the pursuit of perfection. The so-called righteousness, sincerity, self-cultivation, ordering the family, governing the country and bringing peace to the world are Confucian moral principles. Not only should they be kept in mind, but also Use this to guide your actions.

Only in this way can we truly read the book, instead of just superficially reciting it by mouth without applying it, which is equivalent to learning nothing. "

Wei Guangde said cheerfully.

"Master's teachings, students will never forget."

The little emperor Zhu Yijun saluted with his hands clasped in fists.

When Wei Guangde saw this, he immediately turned sideways to avoid the little emperor's salute.

Although he was an emperor's master, in feudal society, the difference in status was still obvious, and he did not dare to accept the courtesy of the little emperor.

In fact, among the chamberlains in Sakon, you don't even know who are the informants in the palace. If you are a little neglectful, the news will spread to Ciqing Palace.

The two queen mothers' concern for the little emperor was extraordinary.

"Okay, that's it for today's class. Tomorrow is His Majesty's birthday. I would like to congratulate Your Majesty in advance."

With that said, Wei Guangde clasped his hands and saluted the little emperor.

"Master Wei, please come back quickly. This is the Wenhua Hall. There are only teachers and students, not monarchs and ministers."

Zhu Yijun said hurriedly.

Although he said this, the little emperor's eyes were already looking at the two wooden boxes placed on the desk next to him.

The box is not small, it is three feet long, more than a foot wide, and more than a foot high. Obviously the things inside are not small.

Following his gaze, Wei Guangde saw Zhu Yijun's performance and said with a smile: "That is the gift prepared by the old minister for His Majesty."

When he entered the Wenhua Hall before, the little emperor had actually noticed the two boxes, which had not been seen before, so he had some guesses in his mind.

Now hearing Wei Guangde's words, Zhu Yijun immediately became happy. He stood up and walked to the desk, walked around in a circle, and then said to Wei Guangde: "Master, I don't know what kind of gift is inside. Can you open it and take a look?"

After all, tomorrow is his birthday, and Wei Guangde also said it was a birthday gift, so the little emperor did not open the box immediately.

"Of course, since it is delivered today, it is naturally His Majesty's property."

Wei Guangde smiled, walked over, opened the hidden button at the bottom of the box, called the waiter next to him, and lifted the lid of the box.

Immediately, a model of a bird ship appeared in front of them.

This bird ship model can be said to be the same as the bird ship Yu Dayou rode on. The three masts have been hung with sails, and the cannons are fixed on the deck, all placed in their respective gun emplacements.

"Ah, what kind of ship is this? Why is it so low? It's not as good as the model of the lucky ship that Master Wei gave me last time. That one looks more majestic and domineering, and it makes me look like a Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yijun also likes the bird boat model, but compared with the actual seal boat model that Wei Guangde gave to him before, it seems a bit petty.

"Your Majesty, this is the first-generation gunboat model of our Ming Dynasty Nanhai Navy. The ship type is an improvement on the wave-riding ship from Zhejiang. It is called a bird ship in the military.

The ship has low sides, a moderate length-to-width ratio, and is extremely fast at sailing on the sea.

Even on a calm day, you can paddle through the oars on both sides of the ship, so it has excellent maneuverability and is a type of ship that the navy relies on very much.

Your Majesty, you may not think of it as being low, but if you think about it, when you are firing at an enemy ship, the side of the ship is low, and the enemy's artillery may fly over its head, thereby reducing the possibility of being hit.

Compared with the tall ship type of Fuchuan, it actually has obvious advantages in naval battles. "

Speaking of this, Wei Guangde hesitated a little, because he thought that Yu Dayou said in the letter the reason why he selected this ship to be transformed into a gunboat. It was really the navy's helpless choice.

But should I tell the little emperor this?

"Can this still happen?"

Zhu Yijun didn't notice the change in Wei Guangde's expression. After finishing his sentence, he started counting the artillery pieces on the ship.

The bird ship model is indeed different from the previous lucky ship model. Looking at the cannons densely arranged on the deck, the little emperor has already imagined the scene when ten thousand cannons are fired.

"Master Wei, why aren't these cannons placed at the bow? Instead, they are placed on both sides?"

The little emperor noticed that on the model, there was a cannon at the bow and stern of the ship, while twenty smaller cannons were densely placed on both sides of the ship.

"Your Majesty, the latest Hongyi cannons are installed on the bow and stern of the ship. On both sides of the ship are fouji, a slightly lighter artillery."

Since the emperor asked, Wei Guangde planned to simply explain it clearly. It might be beneficial to let him know the gap between the Ming Navy and the Yi Navy.

"The reason why the hair grains are placed on both sides is not because the imperial court does not have red barbarian cannons, but because"

Then, Wei Guangde told the little emperor about the gunboats equipped by the Ming Navy. By the way, he also said that the armed merchant ships used by the Yi people carried more guns than the gunboats of the Ming Navy. The little emperor's eyes widened when he heard this.

"I heard that in the far west, which is the country of the barbarians, their navy, oh, the gunboats used by the navy, can have as many as four or five floors of cannons, and one ship can carry There are over a hundred artillery pieces.”

Wei Guangde finally told the news that Yu Dayou had learned, and felt relieved.

Then, when he felt that the little emperor was feeling lonely, he smiled inwardly, and then asked the servant to open the box next to him.

This time, the bird ship model that appeared in the eyes of the little emperor had obviously changed. It was no longer a one-deck gun ship, but a two-deck gun ship.

"Your Majesty, please take a look."

Wei Guangde pointed to the ship model and explained: "After hearing that the Yi people used decks to stack artillery in an attempt to achieve the maximum firepower of a single ship, Admiral Yu tried to produce this kind of bird ship carrying a large number of artillery. Let people build this kind of gunboat with two decks.”

Wei Guangde pointed to the four gun windows exposed on the lower deck and continued: "In order to keep the warship sailing and firing smoothly, eight of the latest Ming Dynasty Hongyi cannons are loaded on the lower gun positions, which are the same as the bow and stern of the ship. new artillery.

On the upper deck, sixteen doors are arranged.

In this way, the whole ship can carry as many as twenty-six guns.

Although it seems that there are only four more artillery pieces than a single-layer gunship, the difference is still huge, because this kind of gunship carries ten Hongyi cannons. "

On the double-decker gun ship, Yu Dayou made a little thought, that is, increasing the number of artillery guns on the upper deck to make it look more powerful.

But in actual use, it will never be equipped with so many artillery.

Because this will increase the center of gravity of the gunboat, which is actually not conducive to safe navigation.

The first thing he would try is to place ten Hongyi cannons on the lower deck, test their loading conditions, and then adjust the gun positions.

In other words, even if artillery is to be added, it will mainly be concentrated on the lower deck, and the increase may be the number of guns.

He has mobilized the Hong Yi cannon on a bird ship, which used to be a problem in actual use. Judging from the current response in actual use, four or two Hong Yi cannons can actually be added to the lower deck.

However, the single-layer gunboat cannot be directly modified, and the hull needs to be increased by about one foot.

Because we had conducted some experiments with military bird ships before, we directly ordered ten gun ships for the first time, several of which were modified from the original order.

As for the new double-decker gunboats, Yu Dayou has already ordered two from Zhejiang Shipyard, and large-scale construction will have to wait for the new ships to be used.

However, Yu Dayou faced many difficulties in vigorously developing the navy.

With the financial support of Jiangnan provinces, there is no shortage of money. The main shortage now is actually wood for shipbuilding.