Seeing the emperor walking around the desk, Qi Tai could feel his depression and anxiety even if he didn't speak.

He should attach great importance to the term technology that Zhu Gaoxu mentioned many times. At this time, Qi Tai could not deny the relationship. Perhaps Qi Tai could find a large number of reasonable evidence from the classics, and use the principle of virtue, the great way, the hearts of the people, etc. to describe the success or failure of great cause; but he did not do so.

During the decisive battle of Huguang and the Battle of Zhili, the Han King's cannons roared, tearing apart the enemy's military formations, which was more convincing than any reason.

The reason why Qi Tai didn't say anything was because he didn't understand the drawings of the mechanisms.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly stopped pacing and said, "Since Qian Youzhao, Maobaihu and I have no choice but to rely on people with talent in this regard."

Qian Xun bent down and asked, "I respectfully ask the emperor, who is a talented person?"

Zhu Gaoxu said: "The Ming Dynasty had hundreds of trillions of subjects, and there were always some people with talent. Give those people access, opportunities, and not limited to craftsmanship. If the court's kindness covers 100,000 people, as long as one person is a genius and has achieved technological innovation, then all costs can be earned back.

We used the imperial examination to select many talents to govern the country, so the Central Plains dynasty ruled thousands of miles of territory and could often last for hundreds of years. However, the court never invested in other aspects except for paying attention to farming technology, and only relied on time and luck to develop slowly. We can change the rules."

Qian Xun turned his head and looked at Qi Tai quietly. Qi Tai didn't have much thought about such remarks, so the two looked at each other.

Zhu Gaoxu hesitated a little and said, "The reform has reached a bottleneck, it is time to take action fundamentally."

Qian Xun asked curiously: "The emperor clearly said, what is the fundamental?"

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Education."

After he said that, he walked to the bookshelf in the northwest corner, took a wooden stool and looked for something on it. Qi Tai, Qian Xun, Mao Kaishan and others hurriedly stepped forward to protect Zhu Gaoxu. After a while, Zhu Gaoxu found a wooden box and took out a booklet from it.

Zhu Gaoxu looked through the booklet and Qi Tai saw that there were a lot of sloppy words written on it. Zhu Gaoxu found a few pages and tore them straight off.

"You can start with children from craftsmen, and then promote them to the whole country, and the funds are allocated specifically by the national treasury." Zhu Gaoxu handed the paper to Qi Tai. "Because the content of the teaching is different from that of private schools and elementary schools, I call it a 'primary school'. People from craftsmen, whether poor or rich, can study for free, mainly teaching basic literacy and arithmetic; and some ideas of loyalty, filial piety and righteousness can be integrated into simple literacy articles."

While looking at the things written on it, Qi Tai asked, "Master, how much money does this cost per year?"

Zhu Gaoxu said: "I haven't calculated it yet."

But he quickly said, "There is a king in the distance who said something, which I think makes sense. He said he has never heard of it. He can make a country poor (German Emperor)."

After reading it for a while, Qi Tai still didn't rush to hand it to Qian Xun beside him. Because the things recorded on it were really novel, he couldn't understand it for a while.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu invited several people to return to the desk, pointed to the things on the paper and said, "A few years ago, I was collecting some simpler teaching methods. Compared with elementary school, there are four changes in total.

This is an Indian number, used in arithmetic. Indians are very accomplished in mathematics. After the Hui and Islamic sects who went to Persia conquered India, they also captured their mathematicians to teach their own people, so many people thought that these were Arabic numerals.

In order to adapt to the writing methods of arithmetic and formulas, the new articles have been changed to the habit of reading from left to right, and mainly use horizontal texts. Official documents, letters, calligraphy, etc. remain unchanged.

This kind of symbol is a pinyin letter, divided into vowels and consonants; any pronunciation can be spelled out by using two letters and adding four phonetic symbols. I also marked the pronunciation of letters with Chinese characters with the same pronunciation. This method can make literacy easier and more quickly promoted to illiteracy. There are also symbols for breaking sentences, which are also to make reading and literacy easier. Text changes to practical aspects, and the original writing method can still be used in literature and art."

At this time, Qian Xun said: "If this method is implemented, the master's achievements will be comparable to that of the First Emperor."

Mao Kaishan, who was a craftsman, immediately agreed without hesitation.

Qi Tai just nodded slightly, without rashly making a clear statement, and he had not had time to think deeply.

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu seemed to be inspired: "After I call the ministers to discuss, I will arrange a specific implementation strategy."

Qi Tai finally spoke, "The Master clearly understands that this method may be useful, but it must not be a one-day effort, but it will be a long-term strategy. This matter may not have any effect on the current southern expedition of the court."

Zhu Gaoxu immediately responded: "What Qibutang said is very true. But if you don't do these things now, you will not be able to develop technology in the future."

Qi Tai said again: "I don't know how many troops can be mobilized for war in Zhenla, Siam, Mantaga, Java and other countries."

Zhu Gaoxu thought for a while and said, "Referring to the number of mobilized Annan when the first expedition of Annan, I believe that Zhenla, which has a larger territory, can mobilize troops, may not exceed 100,000. Because Annan has been learning the ruling system of the Central Plains, and its mobilization ability is likely to be stronger than the southern countries..."

When Zhu Gaoxu said this, he looked at Qi Tai and stopped talking. Even if a country mobilized its troops, it could not exceed 100,000, and the enemy's troops were far beyond the limit of the Ming army's expedition.

"But I think that those foreign countries may not gather their main forces and fight head-on. They will find ways to rely on the terrain and climate to deal with the official army." Zhu Gaoxu said.

Qi Tai said: "If this is the case, the court does not have to worry too much. Our dynasty's strategy is not to occupy the countries, but to gain a foothold in the port."

Zhu Gaoxu nodded and said, "Qibutang's words are reasonable."

He walked back to the chair above and sat down, saying, "Qibutang can collect more suggestions so that when the court discusses, he can persuade the ministers."

Qi Tai bowed and said, "I will receive the order."

Qian Xun put away the iron factory's files, and the three of them gave a big gift together and thanked him for his gratitude and gave him a leave.

The next day, Qi Tai went to the palace to participate in the morning court and other rituals, and did not return to the office. He took some entourage to Longjiang Port to inspect the navy. The Ming naval soldiers and most of the sea boats were stationed in Liujiagang in Taicang, located east of the capital. Qi Tai did not go to Liujiagang because it was too far away.

The dock in Longjiang Port is very noisy, and the air is covered with the sound of "ding ding clattering" and a faint fishy smell coming from the riverside.

The officials here knew that Qi Tai was coming, so they led the crowd to greet him. Then the group took Qi Tai around the dock. Almost all the people here were craftsmen, busy repairing the ships and replacing some old sailing ropes and other items.

Qi Tai listened with great interest, and the small officials in the dock explained everything. Although Qi Tai did not know much about sea ships and navigation, as the Minister of War, it was necessary for him to understand some specific matters of sea ships in a situation where the navy was becoming increasingly high.

After inspecting the dock, Qi Tai had just walked on the main road when he met Tang Jing, the military officer of the Governor's Office of the Five Army and the commander of the Navy.

Tang Jing was wearing a red robe. If it weren't for the beast's patch on his belly, it seemed that the dress of this person and the civil servant was very small. Before Qi Tai got on the carriage, he stood next to the carriage and greeted Tang Jing.

The ranks of military officers of the Ming Dynasty were generally very high, and there were too many third-rank military officers in the capital. Qi Tai was able to know Tang Jing because Tang Jing was a general in the navy and had participated in the two discussions at the Donghunting Pavilion.

Tang Jing claimed that he was working in Longjiang Port just now, and when he heard that the Minister of War had arrived, he came to receive the reception.

After the two of them made some polite words, Tang Jing took the initiative to invite him, claiming that there was a winery south of Lion Mountain, with dishes and wine storage, and asked Qi Tai to go to eat meat and drink.

Qi Tai had to politely decline: "Today is the time for the time being. If we go to drink and have fun, we are afraid that our colleagues from the Censorate will hear the news and have something to say."

Tang Jing said angrily: "Qibutang does not want to give him a favor, and the last general will not force him."

Qi Tai still smiled: "The Longjiang Temple above Longjiang Port is an acquaintance with me. After noon, we will use some vegetarian meals together, and no one will say anything."

Tang Jing clasped his fists and said, "It's great. It's better to obey your orders than to be respectful. It's still early, where does Qibutang want to go?"

Qi Tai looked at the bustling pier in front of him and said, "How about we just walk by the river?"

Tang Jing nodded, and after a while he asked directly: "So, the court decided to go south by sea?"

Qi Tai felt that this sounded a little strange. He didn't say anything. However, there was no need to hide this from the general. Qi Tai said: "Because the matter is almost always separated from one another, and we have to wait for the court to discuss it before we can decide."

The two talked for a while, and Tang Jing suddenly asked: "I have met Liu Ming twice recently. Should Qibutang know about Liu Tiju?"

Qi Tai said in a daze: "Liu Tiju is in the Ministry of Justice. I am an official of the Ministry of War. Why should I know about him?"

Tang Jing smiled, and it seemed to have some meaning.

Qi Tai was not considered a "new party" in the court. Many colleagues' views on him were that he was caught between the old officials of the Han Palace and the old ministers, and was equivalent to a peacemaker. But this general seemed to have already classified Qi Tai as a new party.

For a moment, Qi Tai didn't know whether Tang Jing was smart or reckless.

Tang Jing turned to look at the silent Qi Tai: "I really don't know about Qibutang?"

Qi Tai shook his head and said, "Liu Ming really didn't tell me what General Tang was referring to?"

Tang Jing seemed to be recalling. Qi Tai also looked back at him, facing a strong wind blowing from the river. Qi Tai felt a little suffocating under the pressure of the wind. Suddenly, he felt that even the river was so wide and vast.
Chapter completed!