The Ming Dynasty 1626 Enlightenment

Chapter 21 The Imperial Science and Technology Administration of the Ming Dynasty

Zhu Ming glanced at him but didn't say anything.

This young man is Wu Quchen, a descendant of the Wu family ink workshop in Huizhou. His family has been making ink for three generations and his craftsmanship is superb.

Zhu Ming specifically recruited him from Shexian County in order to overcome the most difficult hurdle: color-changing ink.

Gravure printing, white cotton paper, and color-changing ink are all indispensable.

The first two things have been completed, but there has been no progress on the third.

Zhu Ming remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was filled with unease.

wrong.

He remembered clearly that the low-level expert had given him an idea for color-changing ink six months ago, and the raw materials were readily available.

As previously reported, a simple photochromic ink was made using materials such as comfrey root, but its stability was relatively poor and it was easily reverted.

Now, he has already sent Wang Tiqian to Southeast Asia to bring back a lot of mineral research. Among them is a grayish-black cobalt ore. After repeated roasting, leaching, and sedimentation, it was finally purified into cobalt chloride hexahydrate by the joint efforts of Song Yingxing, Xu Guangqi and several old Taoist priests.

This mineral has extremely stable and sensitive color-changing properties, making it the best raw material for color-changing inks.

Furthermore, the ink technology of the Ming Dynasty was already highly advanced. The precise proportions of pine soot, tung oil, borneol, and adhesive, along with the fine grinding, produced ink that was dark, glossy, and would not fade for centuries.

We had the raw materials, the technology, and even the gravure printing press!

So how could they not have been able to solve this color-changing ink problem?

Several thoughts raced through Zhu Ming's mind.

Either the person isn't skilled enough, or they can't make it even if given the materials.

Or...

His gaze lowered slightly, landing on Wu Quchen's frightened face.

"Still not done?" Zhu Ming's tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger. "Wu Quchen, you come from a Huizhou ink workshop, and I trust your skills. But with so much stuff piled up in front of you, you're telling me you still haven't finished?"

Wu Quchen trembled, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"...Your Majesty! I dare to ask that Your Majesty move to this room," Wu Quchen said, pointing to the innermost room of the workshop, which was the place that Zhu Ming had assigned to Wu Quchen for his office work and research on color-changing inks.

Zhu Ming glanced at him, asked no further questions, and walked away.

Wang Tiqian followed closely behind.

The three of them walked through the workshop and went inside.

Only a group of somewhat fearful and apprehensive craftsmen remained, whispering amongst themselves.

"What's wrong with Xiao Wu? The ink has already been..." Song Yingxing was originally waiting for Zhu Ming's next instructions, but now he could only watch them leave.

"Engineer Song, this color-changing ink is extremely important, even more important than your design and manufacturing of the printing press and our improved white cotton paper," Hu Zhengyan replied after a moment's thought. "This technology must... and can only be mastered by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty."

Indeed, as a craftsman from Huizhou, he knew all too well the importance of a secret recipe, especially in the newly established Daming Science and Technology Research Institute.

Nowadays, artisans come from various families, both large and small, and it's impossible to guarantee that everyone will keep their techniques secret.

Even though Zhu Ming had repeatedly emphasized that the achievements of the Ming Dynasty Science and Technology Research Institute must be kept secret, otherwise it would be a disaster.

However, with a 30% profit, people will take risks; with a 100% profit, they will trample on human conscience; with a 300% profit, they will risk being hanged.

Not to mention something as valuable as currency.

Knowing this, Wu Quchen conducted his research on color-changing ink in complete isolation, with his laboratory being guarded by dedicated personnel.

When Zhu Ming inquired about the progress of the color-changing ink, this was the only way to get his attention.

After all, Zhu Ming is too busy now, so busy that he only gives instructions and verifies results, completely ignoring the research process.

If he were in his family, he could trust people, but in this Daming Technology Research Institute, he had to be extremely cautious.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty," Wu Quchen raised his head, a hint of determination in his eyes. "I produced several kinds of color-changing ink three months ago. Of course, the mineral-based color-changing ink that Your Majesty sent a few days ago has the best and most stable effect."

"?, I understand!" Zhu Ming breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Wu Quchen had encountered some technical bottleneck and needed him to make a decision.

But he only vaguely remembered that those minerals could change color, and he knew nothing about the synthesis of inks, so how could he make a decision?

Therefore, it is correct to let professionals handle professional matters.

"The ore bestowed by Your Majesty, after being refined, is indeed a top-quality color-changing material. I pondered it day and night, and even borrowed the ink formula, and in less than two months, I produced the first version," Wu Quchen continued, hearing that Zhu Ming did not intend to blame him.

"The ink, when printed on paper, changes color when exposed to light. I saw it with my own eyes and was amazed by its divine quality."

Zhu Ming simply gave a soft "hmm," his face expressionless.

That's color-changing ink, transcending the barriers of time, and now it's officially appearing during the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty. How could we not be shocked?

"It's not that I can't make it, it's that I dare not hand it over. For the past three months, I've been thinking about how to lock this process into a small space, so that the craftsmen only know one part and not the other, and that each step is done and managed separately, so that no one can make a complete ink by themselves."

Hearing Zhu Ming's approving nod, Wu Quchen dared not be negligent and said, word by word, "But I am also afraid."

"I fear that if I report this too early, the process will be leaked and someone with the motive will learn it. I would not regret dying for Your Majesty's grand plan, but Your Majesty's great cause will be jeopardized. Therefore..."

Wu Quchen paused, unsure how to continue. After all, the manufacturing process of the world-renowned Huizhou ink could only be controlled by the person in charge, and the formula for this color-changing ink should also be the same.

"So," Zhu Ming said, looking at Wu Quchen's cautious yet nervous demeanor, feeling immensely gratified, "you didn't fail to secure the ink; you were worried about maintaining secrecy for me?"

Unexpectedly, Wu Quchen had already thought of the process breakdown and mutual checks and balances from the very beginning.

This isn't about hiding things; it's about genuine caution.

Wu Quchen dared not respond, and instead lowered his head even further.

Zhu Ming turned around and glanced at Wang Tiqian.

"Wang Daban!"

"Your subject is here!"

"Take the things out!"

Wang Tiqian was slightly taken aback, then immediately pulled out a large, golden-yellow cloth-covered notebook from his sleeve and handed it over with both hands.

The book is a bit thick, and the cover reads "Regulations of the Imperial Science and Technology Administration of the Ming Dynasty".

Wu Quchen reached out and took the notebook, glanced at its contents, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

The list above contains dozens of detailed rules:

Article 1: All core technologies belonging to the Royal Academy of Science and Technology are classified as "Top Secret" and may not be disclosed without the personal approval of the Emperor.

Article 7: Core technology processes must be broken down into several stages, each handled by different craftsmen who are unaware of each other's work and are not subordinate to one another.

Article 13: Those who master top-secret technologies shall be granted the rank of "Craftsman", receive an annual salary of 200 taels of silver and 120 shi of rice, and be granted the privilege of having one son admitted to the Imperial Academy.

Article 18: Anyone who leaks top-secret technology shall be charged with treason and his entire family shall be exterminated.

……

Scrolling further down, you'll find the "Regulations on Technology Awards," the "Rules for Granting Patents," the "Measures for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Achievements," and so on...

A thick stack of papers, meticulously analyzed, with annotations in vermilion ink and imperial markings.

It was clearly not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather something that had been prepared in advance.

Wu Quchen trembled all over as he watched; he was trembling with excitement.

He raised his head, looked at Zhu Ming, and after trembling for a long time, finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty has long ago..."

Zhu Ming stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "Do you think I only think about printing a few Ming Dynasty banknotes?"

When he thought about printing money and then seizing control of the Ming Dynasty's economic lifeline, he also thought about things like secrecy and rewards.

After that, the set of regulations and rules was drafted by Dong Kewei two months ago by Zhu Ming. After repeated deliberation, it was only brought out now.

On the one hand, he was simply too busy to spare the time.

On the other hand, the color-changing ink technology helped the artisans understand the importance of secrecy.

The so-called combination of kindness and severity means that it is important to seize the right moment in order to achieve the best results.

Otherwise, if rewards are mentioned from the beginning, many people will resort to tricks. Moreover, most artisans still have the mindset of small families and find it difficult to be tied to the development of Ming Dynasty technology.

Now, with this set of reward, punishment, and confidentiality regulations, the ship of Daming Technology Development can truly sail onto the vast ocean of industrial civilization...

"What you've thought of, I've thought of. What you haven't thought of, I've also thought of."

Zhu Ming's voice wasn't loud, but every word struck Wu Quchen's heart.

"From this day forward, you will be the head ink maker of the Royal Academy of Science and Technology. My new Ming Dynasty banknotes will depend on you!"

Wu Quchen kowtowed sharply, his forehead hitting the blue bricks with a thud.

"Your Majesty, I kowtow in gratitude for Your Majesty's divine grace! I will certainly serve you to the death!"

Zhu Ming reached out and pulled him up.

When Wu Quchen looked up, his face was already covered in tears.

Wang Tiqian, who was standing to the side, was also deeply shaken.

Having followed Zhu Ming for a year, he thought he had gotten used to the emperor's many unexpected moves, but this time, he was still shocked.

At the time, he was puzzled as to why His Majesty suddenly wanted to establish a "Science and Technology Administration Bureau".

Now he understands everything.

Your Majesty's strategy is never about looking one step ahead.

This is the next step; let's look at ten steps ahead.