PDLP Chapter 580
Chapter 580
Wen Zhengming looked at Xu Wei and liked him very much. Who wouldn't want a student like him?
Tang Bohu did not refute Wen Zhengming's words. After all, in the Ming Dynasty, when it came to calligraphy, Wen Zhengming considered himself second to none.
Wen Zhengming became a towering figure in the literary world of the Ming Dynasty solely based on his calligraphy. His calligraphy was not just the best, but almost unmatched.
Even Tang Bohu's calligraphy was far inferior to Wen Zhengming's.
"Come here and kowtow to your teacher. You haven't formally become his disciple yet."
Tang Bohu waved to Xu Wei.
When they adopted Xu Wei, the two jokingly said that when Xu Wei grew up, Wen Zhengming would teach him calligraphy and Tang Bohu would teach him painting. Now, they have fulfilled their promise.
On the other hand, the cabinet received an imperial edict from Emperor Jiajing to build a railway, but after studying it for a long time, they still didn't know what a railway was.
"What is this railway? Why is His Majesty undertaking such a large-scale construction project?"
Yang Yiqing stared at the railway blueprints for a long time but couldn't figure them out.
Yang Shen was also completely bewildered.
"I wonder what insightful opinion Elder Xia has?"
Yang Shen did not answer directly, but instead posed the question to Xia Yan.
Xia Yan thought to herself, "If none of you know, how could I possibly know?"
"I've never seen such strange blueprints before. Why don't we go to the palace together and ask His Majesty? He shouldn't be making baseless accusations."
Xia Yan pondered for a moment and then spoke.
"There's no need for us to go to the palace together. It would only disturb His Majesty if so many people went together. Let this old man go by himself."
As Yang Yiqing spoke, he grabbed the railway blueprints and left Wenyuan Pavilion.
Neither Yang Shen nor Xia Yan refuted Yang Yiqing's words.
Because Yang Yiqing is right, if all the cabinet members go to the palace together, are they trying to force the emperor to change his decree?
Soon, Yang Yiqing arrived at the palace and went to the imperial study.
"Shi Cong, have you come about the railway?"
Jiajing had anticipated Yang Yiqing's arrival. He himself was completely bewildered when he first saw the railway blueprints, let alone the rest of the cabinet.
"Your Majesty's command, we truly cannot see the purpose of this railway. Such a large-scale construction project must be approached with caution."
Yang Yiqing bowed and said.
"This matter is complicated in some ways, and simple in others. You'll find out when you go back and ask your grandson."
Emperor Jiajing deliberately acted mysteriously.
Upon hearing this, Yang Yiqing recalled that his grandson, Yang Shengzhai, had only returned home a handful of times in the past two years, spending the rest of his time in a village outside the capital, doing who-knows-what.
Could the construction of this railway be related to this kid?
The thought of this possibility filled Yang Yiqing with immense joy.
Although he was unclear about the railway's specific purpose, judging from Jiajing's imperial edict, this would be a massive project impacting the entire Ming Dynasty. If such a project concerned his grandson, then his grandson's future...
Yang Yiqing became increasingly excited and, unable to contain himself, bid farewell to Jiajing, left the palace, and went straight home.
Where is Shengzhai now?
Yang Yiqing looked at his son, Yang Zhian, and asked.
"This kid has been staying at the Southern Garrison Command lately and hasn't been home."
Yang Zhian said with a face full of dissatisfaction.
Upon hearing this, Yang Yiqing glanced at his son.
“You’re still not satisfied? Do you know that this kid has recently done something important for the court? If you can be as successful as your son in the future, I’ll be laughing in my sleep.”
Yang Zhian was filled with shame at Yang Yiqing's words.
"Go and call this kid back. Tell him I have something important to ask him."
Yang Yiqing got angry just looking at his son and waved his hand impatiently.
Upon hearing this, Yang Zhian felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He hurriedly left the Yang residence and headed straight for the Southern Garrison Command.
Soon, Yang Shengzhai was reluctantly taken back to the Yang residence by Yang Zhian.
"Grandpa, what's wrong? Ask quickly, our research has reached a critical moment."
Yang Shengzhai felt like his backside was on fire; he couldn't sit still and wished he could return to the Southern Garrison Command immediately.
What kind of research are you doing?
Yang Yiqing looked at his grandson with great satisfaction and asked softly.
"This matter must be kept secret and cannot be told to outsiders."
Yang Shengzhai said.
"Are you trying to rebel, kid? You even dare to keep it from your grandfather?"
As Yang Zhian spoke, he reached for a stick to teach his son a lesson.
In the past two years, Yang Zhian has found himself increasingly inferior to his son, and his fatherly authority has vanished, which he finds hard to accept. Now that he has finally found an opportunity, he must re-establish rules for his son.
"What are you doing? Do you have any right to interrupt?"
Yang Yiqing looked at his good-for-nothing son and scolded him angrily.
Upon hearing Yang Yiqing's words, Yang Zhian immediately became obedient.
"His Majesty asked me to ask you this. His Majesty ordered the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds to build a railway, but we don't understand what the railway is for."
Yang Yiqing looked at his grandson, and his originally serious expression softened instantly.
Upon hearing this, Yang Shengzhai suddenly understood.
"I see. In that case, there's nothing we can't say. What we're researching is called a train. It's a vehicle made of steel. Once it's built, it will run on railways. Ordinary roads can't withstand the pressure of a train."
Yang Shengzhai explained.
Yang Shengzhai's explanation only confused Yang Yiqing more.
"What is a train? How does a steel-cast vehicle run? How many horses would it take to pull it?"
Yang Yiqing asked, puzzled.
"No horses are needed; we use a steam engine. We've been researching steam engines for the past two years. It's hard to explain, but Grandpa, you'll understand once you come with me to the Southern Garrison."
Yang Shengzhai really didn't know how to explain what a steam engine was to his grandfather, so he simply took him to the Southern Garrison Command and he would understand once he saw the real thing.
"Okay, I'll go with you."
Yang Yiqing smiled.