The person who came was Zeng Jian, the Minister of Works.

This trip came to ask for rewards from the craftsmen of the Firearms Bureau for what he had promised Zhao Ce before.

Zeng Jian was holding a wooden box in his hand, inside which was the flintlock rifle they developed.

After entering the palace to pay tribute, Zeng Jian said: "Your Majesty, this is the flintlock rifle that I have submitted a memorial before, the Firearms Bureau has newly developed."

Emperor Hongzhi was quite interested and asked someone to take it up, took out the gun inside and looked at it.

He has received Zeng Jian’s memorial in the past two days, but because he is not in a hurry, he has not yet responded to it.

Looking at the flintlock rifle in his hand, Emperor Hongzhi asked curiously: "This is what my dear said. There is no need to ignite the trigger. Just pull the trigger to ignite the fired musket?"

Zeng Jian nodded and said, "Go back to Your Majesty, that's right."

When Zhao Ce talked about the concept of flintlock rifle, Emperor Hongzhi was also on the scene.

Emperor Hongzhi was also very happy to see what Zhao Ce said, and he was really smeared by the Firearm Bureau.

However, he asked: "What do you think of this musket? Is it more powerful than our previous musket?"

Zeng Jian thought about it for a while before saying, "The power is just as similar to the muskets we have been using."

"But it is absolutely a great guess that the fire gun can be fired without a fire lead, and it will lead our firearms to a new process!"

Zeng Jian did not name a name, but every sentence affirmed Zhao Ce’s original thoughts.

Emperor Hongzhi smiled and said, "Since that's the case, let the craftsmen of the Firearms Bureau hurry up and develop it."

"Abide by the order."

Speaking of craftsmen, Zeng Jian took the opportunity to say: "Your Majesty, I have submitted a memorial to reward these craftsmen who developed flintlock rifles. I wonder what Your Majesty wants?"

The closest servant on the side took out the memorial, and Emperor Hongzhi took it and opened it.

"I feel like I want to discuss the reward with you."

"It is understandable to make contributions to the court."

"It's just that my dear reported not long ago that he wanted to streamline the number of craftsmen and control the expenses of the Ministry of Works to open up the source."

"Is it wrong to give such a big reward not long after this matter?"

Some time ago, the imperial treasury was tense.

The bigwigs from various departments have proposed many solutions to save money.

Zeng Jian reduced the number of craftsmen in the court to this end.

I just said I had no money not long ago, but now I have to reward so many people at once, which really makes people feel something is inappropriate.

Moreover, Liu Daxia often reported to Emperor Hongzhi to control the expenses of rewards.

You can no longer give rewards to the people below like before.

However, Emperor Hongzhi said these words, but it was not unreasonable for Zeng Jian to mean.

Just ask as usual.

Zeng Jian pondered: "I don't think it's inappropriate to streamline this move."

"I have submitted a comment to streamline the number of people before because there are many passive and lazy people in the craftsmen."

"But the people whom Your Majesty rewarded this time are because they have made contributions to the country and can explain them even to the outside world."

Emperor Hongzhi nodded and said, "In this way, I will follow what you said."

This matter is not surprising. Since Zeng Jian spoke, it was not a big deal, so the emperor would naturally agree.

I came here for another thing.

He also said: "I also want the Firearms Bureau to set up a reward and punishment system in the same way as the Dingxi Hou's scientific research institute."

"The punishment is of course not to be said, but if someone can give a good opinion or suggestion, once it is adopted, I think the Firearms Bureau can praise these craftsmen in its own name."

"In this way, there is no need to bother Your Majesty with these trivial matters in the future."

This is to stimulate the enthusiasm of craftsmen and let them participate more in the improvement of firearms.

Although the Firearms Bureau is under the name of the Ministry of Works, it is directly under the management of the emperor.

Of course, the Ministry of Revenue can issue these rewards.

But it is all small rewards, so it is better to pay the emperor's treasury.

Zeng Jian's plan was quite good.

Not only did he put forward his own ideas, he didn't have to ask for money from the Ministry of Revenue.

Anyway, after the emperor agreed to this matter, the emperor would worry about it from now on.

And he is only responsible for urging the emperor to give money.

However, Emperor Hongzhi used to do construction and spent a lot of money, and almost all the money he left behind was ruined.

Zeng Jian considered that the reward could not be raised too high.

Otherwise Your Majesty will not be happy.

But if it is too low, you have to waste some thoughts and add a little bit of great achievements to mobilize the enthusiasm of the people below.

Who knows that what Emperor Hongzhi considered was not a matter of money.

Instead, it has been considered the possible impact of this move.

"If such a system is established in the Firearms Bureau, what should other departments do?"

"If other departments are established, wouldn't it add a lot of money to the court?"

If the craftsmen had rewarded that little money, Emperor Hongzhi would probably have been a little stingy before.

However, in the past two years, he has made a lot of money in the treasury, and it is still sufficient to reward the people below.

When Zeng Jian just said this, Emperor Hongzhi had already understood his idea.

But as the emperor, he would definitely not mention it himself.

What I am worried about now is what people from other departments will think once this method is implemented.

You will naturally have to reward meritoriously, but the rewards of the Firearm Bureau are different.

The conjectures raised are often not realized immediately.

One idea can earn rewards, and this approach is like having big loopholes.

Even civil officials could get rewards from the court without saying a few words.

Zeng Jian smiled and said, "I should bear the worries of my lord."

"Even if Your Majesty does not reward this, I should devote all my efforts to your Majesty."

"But if Your Majesty uses the expenditure of the treasury, why should you explain to your ministers and others?"

"Your Majesty is the king and father. It is naturally your Majesty's decision to use the treasury and how to reward the people below."

After a slap, Emperor Hongzhi couldn't help but laugh.

really.

This old fox is trying to attack his treasury.

I originally thought this approach was a bit aggressive, but what Zeng Jian said was the same.

As long as he uses his treasury to reward him, just like the close servants and Jinyiwei in the inner court, there is nothing to say about people from other departments.

This move may quickly improve the status of those craftsmen.

Emperor Hongzhi thought for a while and said, "I can agree to the reward."

"Things of the reward and punishment system must be put on hold for the time being, and we have to discuss it again."

Emperor Hongzhi still needs to consider the possible impact at this time.

Zeng Jian didn't ask him to reply immediately. Anyway, if you continue to take this reward, it's almost done.

After the matter was discussed, Emperor Hongzhi did not let Zeng Jian leave immediately.

After greeting him, he allowed him to leave.

Zeng Jian bowed and said, "The old minister first."

Turn around and walk out of the hall gate.

When they were approaching, they saw several eunuchs walking quickly.

When they saw Zeng Jian, they had no time to bow quickly and left quickly.

Zeng Jian frowned slightly: "What urgent reports are there?"

Sure enough, a sound of spreading came from over there.

"Your Majesty, Duke Bao sent an urgent report!"

Zeng Jian had just left, and another urgent report came.

Emperor Hongzhi couldn't remember to see his son for a moment.

He quickly said, "Come in quickly."

After the visitor came in, he knelt on the ground with a "thump".

Such a huge reaction made Emperor Hongzhi subconsciously feel excited.

"But the border war report?"
Chapter completed!