Five Dynasties River Mountains Fengyue

Shi Congyun asked him to waive the courtesy, but he had other plans in mind. The so-called bargaining is generally the same in politics. Now that they have given a lot of benefits, they should make concessions later, and he never cared about the face and reputation. , the real benefits are what he wants.

After thanking him, Feng Yanlu tidied up his clothes and continued: "The new lord has come to the throne for the third time. I hope to maintain the previous relationship with the great powers in the Central Plains. All the tributes and court meetings will not be missing. I will continue to regard China as the suzerain Zhengshuo.

I only hope that the big country can keep its promise and maintain the original peaceful situation between the two countries. The great army of the big country will not cross the river, and the two countries will go to war without laboring. In this way, we will respectfully pay homage to the north. The descendants will never be cut off. "

After Feng Yanlu finished speaking, he looked at the king above.

This time, Emperor Shi Congyun didn't agree immediately, but said slowly, "Well, I'm also thinking about these things you said, we are also a reasonable big country in the Central Plains, so naturally we won't attack you unreasonably.

But the succession of the new lord is a great joy, and your former lord has also restored the title of emperor. Now that the country's level has risen, it is unreasonable to follow the original standard. I think the annual tribute will increase by [-]% every year. "

"This..." Feng Yanlu was stunned and hesitated.

Shi Congyun was not happy, and pretended to be angry and said: "Why, I can give your lord enough face, restore your ancestor's title of emperor, let him be worthy of the Li family's ancestors in the spring, and fulfill your ancestor's reputation for filial piety , do you know how much concession I made!

Now I let you come here to make a small request and you don't agree. After all, you are the suzerain, or I, Daqin, are the suzerain! "

The few words were very harsh, and Feng Yanlu was taken aback. There was no reason to refute for a while, sweat dripped from the forehead, so he could only say yes repeatedly: "The emperor is angry, what your majesty said is reasonable, it is true that we are negligent, Qin is the suzerain big country , without a doubt."

Shi Congyun was not going to let the vague old man go, and continued to ask: "It's good to know that you are negligent, and I didn't mean to make things difficult for you, the benefits and status have already been given to you.

Furthermore, this year, the Puppet Han Dynasty was wiped out, the Liao Kingdom was defeated, and several military towns were expanded to the north. I plan to expand the army by [-], and I need to spend more money.

As the suzerain of our country, the expansion of the army is to protect you who belong to the country, and it is reasonable for you to pay more money..."

Feng Yanlu forced a smile on his face, with a constipated expression on his face: "Your Majesty's words are justified, what he said is justified..."

Shi Congyun did not continue to embarrass him. A weak country has no diplomacy. This matter has nothing to do with his own ability. With such national strength, as a Shichen, he has no capital to be tough.

"The annual tribute is [-]%, and since you are a vassal, although your lord can mint coins by himself, you must use the style of the suzerain, which is the same as the suzerain country." The Southern Tang Dynasty had its own independent currency.

"This..." Feng Yanlu hesitated: "Our country has already lost the title of emperor, enshrined the Central Plains as Zhengshuo, and counted years with the reign title of the suzerain. This coin..."

"Then I don't care. When you go to the north to pay tribute, the copper coins you send will have to be re-melted and minted outside Daliang City. Let’s go to Jinling and take another look.” Shi Congyun found a plausible reason.

Feng Yanlu couldn't refute, so he had to agree again.

Seeing that the main goals were achieved, Shi Congyun stopped embarrassing Feng Yanlu, his tone softened, and he said a few words of comfort: "I tell you, my lord, as long as Jiangnan is obedient, I will not add weapons at will. Jiangnan is a vassal. Well, the people in the south of the Yangtze River are also the people of the Son of Heaven, and I can't bear to let them suffer from the sword.

Your lord complained about Wu Yue's threats in your letter. Go back and tell him that the king of Wu Yue is a loyal minister of the court and has always been obedient and loyal. I will tell him not to harass you at will, but you also must not use troops against Wu Yue, otherwise my suzerain will not sit idly by. "

"Yes, the old minister will keep this in mind, and will definitely tell the king."

Shi Congyun nodded: "If there is anything else, let's talk about it. I have a lot of opportunities every day, and I don't have much time."

........

An hour later, Feng Yanlu was lured back by the officials of Honglu Temple, and the next thing was actually nothing serious, everything that needs to be said has been said.

As soon as Li Jing died, Jiangnan entered the era of Li Yu. I don't know how well he writes poems now, and he is still melancholy about the youth of literature and art from time to time, but Jiang Shan and his wife, Shi Congyun is ready to snatch them all for him.

This is the established policy and strategy of the Qin State, and it has no honor with personal grievances, and of course it has no honor with the big and small Zhou Hou. Shi Congyun thought for a moment, um, Xiao Zhouhou...

In the afternoon, in the Political Affairs Hall, Shi Congyun curiously asked about Li Jing, who had just passed away in the Southern Tang Dynasty, and asked all the ministers what kind of person he should be, and what appellation was appropriate for him.

All the ministers didn't think highly of it, and some people even laughed and said, "A hundred Li Jings are not as good as the officials." Shi Congyun was very happy to know that he was telling the truth.

At that time, Shi Congyun had just been invited out of his home and followed him to get acquainted with the environment. Liu Renshan, a former Southern Tang general who was a Zuo Jianyi doctor, said something with emotion: "In the second year of Baoda (Southern Tang Year No.), the ruler of the country spent extravagantly and built pavilions and high-rise buildings in the palace, which cost a lot and required a lot of labor.

After it was completed, a group of ministers were called to watch it, and everyone admired and praised it.Xiao Yan, the secretary of the Dali Temple and the Minister of the Ministry, was upright, upright, clear in his judgments, and as clean as water. At that time, he sneered and said, "I only regret that there is no well repaired downstairs." '

The king asked him why.The answer was: "It's one less than Jingyang!" (Jingyang refers to the Jingyang Tower of Chen Houzhu, and satirizes Li Jing with Chen Houzhu. The king was angry and demoted him to Shuzhou. "

After talking about this matter, Liu Renshan did not express any opinions, but the people present felt a lot, even Shi Congyun had some feelings in his heart.

The next day, Shi Congyun issued an edict, allowing the dead Li Jing to restore the title of emperor, and added "Emperor Ming Dao Chongde Wenxuan Xiao Emperor" and the temple name Yuanzong.

Since then, Jiangnan has completely entered the era of Li Yu.

Chapter 368, Moisture-proof Problem

"Emperor Ming Dao, Chongde, Wenxuan and Filial Piety", the honorary title given to Li Jing by the Imperial Academy after discussion in accordance with the holy will.

Shi Congyun didn't think much of it, and immediately agreed, he didn't care about things like face.

However, Feng Yanlu, the envoy of the Southern Tang Dynasty, was very happy. When he met the saint again the next day, he thanked the emperor for his great kindness.Shi Congyun just reminded him not to forget what he said yesterday.

.......

At the end of July, the expansion of the Shenhuo Army had begun in full swing, but Shi Congyun didn't intervene much, and only inspected occasionally, and most of them were handed over to Wang Zhong, the Privy Council, and many officials from the Ministry of War.

In autumn, Shi Congyun rode a tall horse and took his little yellow flower to Bianshui to play.

Due to Emperor Shi's conscientiousness, taking care of everything and working hard every day, a few months after returning to Beijing, Mrs. Huarui Fei and Empress Fu Liumei were pregnant.

But the most considerate and well-behaved one is the little yellow flower, he likes to take it with him wherever he goes.

The little girl wore a bunt and neat palace dress, and she looked very heroic.

Shi Congyun taught her how to ride a horse and put her in his arms.

The military attache of the accompanying imperial army behind him took no notice of it, and left the queue far away to protect Sheng Jia.

Autumn is coming along the banks of the Bian River, and the golden sky and earth in the distance are rolling up a lot of waves in the wind, and they are moving away in waves. There are people walking through the fields, and people are looking here from a distance.

While teasing the little yellow flower in his arms, Shi Congyun rode his horse across a small hillside, and the rumbling iron cavalry followed immediately.

There is a pond and a stream on the hillside. There is a tall willow tree beside the pond, and a thatched hut with a hay roof above it.

Soon, a few soldiers came down from the thatched hut, hurried over to this side, and respectfully said: "I have seen the official family!"

Shi Congyun nodded, this small thatched hut was the place where the sentries were stationed, and looking down from here, the Bian River at the foot of the gentle mountain was already close in front of him, with a panoramic view, like a silver ribbon, and many boats on the river came and went in an endless stream.

After being dredged and treated by Chen Chengzhao, the Bian River has directly become an important waterway, connecting Daliang, Huaihe River and Yangtze River.

Coupled with the successive victories in foreign wars in the past few years, the country was stable, and after Shi Congyun threatened the Jiangnan ruler to open the trading ports, trade exchanges became more frequent. The main waterway was along the Yangtze River Canal north to the Huaihe River, and along the Bian River to Daliang.

Even if the lord of Jiangnan is unwilling, he can't stop the general trend. Qin's political situation is stable, there is no security threat, and it is protected by strong force. No matter who is willing to come to Qin to do business, because Qin's strong force can effectively protect their wealth. .

In Southern Tang, Southern Han and other places, who knows if the northern army will fight over one day, and the wealth that I have worked so hard to save will not be guaranteed, and no one wants to be afraid.

So now many people want to go to Qin State, especially near Daliang, because Qin State's powerful force can protect them to live and work in peace and contentment.

This is also an important reason why the size of Daliang City has expanded several times over the years.

Along the Bian River at the foot of the mountain, there is a tidy tile-roofed house, neatly arranged like fish scales on the flat ground by the river. Walking down the dirt road on the hillside, a muddy road five or six steps wide has just been filled with gravel.

Before others could tell, at the end of the road below, there were already more than a dozen officials waiting eagerly.

When Shi Congyun got off his horse, many officials from the Confidential Department surrounded him, "Your servants welcome the officials!"

Shi Congyun got off his horse, and then signaled everyone to be excused. This building area by the Bian River is the new industrial area built by Qin State at a cost of 30 yuan after Shi Congyun ordered it. It has been under construction for three months. Feng Jisheng is fully responsible.

On the edge of Bian River, it is convenient to get water, life is convenient, and production is also convenient.

Crossing the avenue and entering the middle of the tile-roofed houses on both sides, the smell of sulfur and steel is everywhere, and some civil and military soldiers behind them cover their noses. The craftsmen here have long been used to it.

Shi Congyun noticed that Feng Jisheng was wearing his third-rank purple official uniform on the outside, with a dirty lining on the inside, and the corner of the clothes was exposed on the neck. He must have been working just now, and he only wore it when he heard that he was here. I hurried over to greet you.

Shi Congyun came to inspect this trip without prior notice, and they only saw it when the chariot was driven to the top of the mountain, so it was inevitable to be in a hurry.

Many officials surrounded Shi Congyun and entered. Many people looked around curiously. The sound of tinkling irons and noise was very loud and noisy. Feng Jisheng asked the workers to stop first, so as not to disturb the audience.Shi Congyun objected, "It's business as usual."

Along the way, the houses on both sides are all made of bricks and stones, with tiles on the roof. They are all designed for fire prevention, which is very different from ordinary houses.

Everyone was busy everywhere, introducing Feng Jisheng as he walked.

"Officials, it is convenient to serve by the Bian River. The iron and stone for cannons and the saltpeter for gunpowder are mostly produced in Hanzhong and Guanzhong. Now they come directly by waterway and unload by the river, which can save a lot of manpower and material resources every year.

And there is no need to go through land and weeks, and it saves escorts. The amount of gunpowder produced this year will be at least [-]% more than last year. If the weather is better in summer and autumn, with less rain, and production will not be delayed, more can be produced.

The output of iron cannons can also increase. The canal in Hebei was dredged by Han Tongcai a few years ago. Although it is still very difficult to supply the army with food, it is much easier to transport the iron and stone from the north to Daliang.

The government has added engineering to the imperial examination, and in the past two years they have also recruited many skilled craftsmen. They are very good at forging iron and making cannons. If the government orders, at least 120 iron cannons can be made this year. "Feng Jisheng made an oath, and now he speaks with full confidence, and his waist is straight, because he is also a secret envoy, and he has risen from a third-rank purple-robed official.

Shi Congyun laughed, Feng Jisheng was thinking of an engineering man, "If you dare to say this in the court, I don't know how many people will impeach you. Less rain is really good for work, but what about the world's grain harvest?"

Feng Jisheng was taken aback: "The official forgives the crime."

Shi Congyun waved his hand, "I understand your feelings, everyone can see the power of the artillery, I wish you could make a thousand guns a year, but things can't be simply thought of in this way.

The quality of the cannon, whether it will explode and hurt your own people, whether the production of gunpowder can keep up, whether the ammunition is sufficient, whether there are enough soldiers who can use the cannon, whether the training can keep up, whether the military salary is sufficient , These things have to be considered one by one. If there is any part that can’t be done well, it will be futile to produce too much food. "

"Thank you for your teaching!" Feng Jisheng said repeatedly.

Going forward, the houses on both sides are scattered, noisy, jingling beating and chanting are incessant, people in the distance can't notice the emperor's driving at all, and even when Shi Congyun passes by, many of them cover their heads. The men who worked did not know that the emperor was coming.

"It's not easy for the workers to work, and the wages cannot be owed." Shi Congyun ordered as he walked.

"Yes!"

"Safety is the most important thing in gunpowder production, and fire prevention is the top priority. In case of water leakage, it is not comparable to other places." Shi Congyun reminded.

"The official reminded me." Feng Jisheng cupped his hands, and then continued: "The last Battle of Hedong, and the previous Battle of Guanbei, the soldiers also gradually discovered a problem. In rainy weather, the gunpowder is easy to get wet, and the cannons can't fire. , It will even explode and hurt your own people.

This matter has also been reported to the Privy Council. The craftsmen of our Confidentiality Department have been trying to find ways to solve this problem, and recently they finally have some clues. "

Shi Congyun was curious and excited, and asked, "What's the clue?" You must know that the problem of waterproofing gunpowder has always been one of the main reasons for limiting the combat effectiveness of the Shenhuo Army. It won't be so smooth. Now that the craftsmen actually said that they have a solution, he is naturally happy and excited.

Feng Jisheng took a few steps forward, beckoning someone to give some instructions.

After a while, several green-robed officials came over respectfully with a small bowl of black particles in a pottery bowl.

Shi Congyun didn't see it clearly at first, but when they got closer, he realized that it was actually gunpowder, because it smelled very similar, but it was particles like mouse droppings, which were larger than ordinary gunpowder.

He grabbed a few, rubbed them on his fingertips, and smelled them again, "Is this waterproof?"

"Reporting to the official family, it is impossible to achieve complete waterproofing. When it is rainy and wet, we are not afraid at all. We have tried it, and even if it is soaked in water, it can start about [-]% of the time. And after making it into this granular shape , the power seems to be stronger, and it is not easy to loose and scattered during transportation, which is more convenient.

It is not completely waterproof at the moment, but it can be used in rainy weather. "

Feng Jisheng said excitedly, and then grabbed a few gunpowder grains and explained: "Guan, this thing is not complicated. The main thing is to use egg white to stir the gunpowder powder into a paste, shape it, and dry it."

Shi Congyun nodded, "Eggs are not cheap, but they are much cheaper than the lives of soldiers. Later, you will take me to see your experiment. If it really works, the imperial court can allocate money. The cost is worth it." .”

"Yes, I would never dare to lie to the officials!" Feng Jisheng said solemnly.

Soon, surrounded by many Imperial Army soldiers and officials, a team of more than a hundred people passed through the long and noisy workshop area. The road behind was a bit muddy due to the light rain just the day before yesterday. Shi Congyun directly put on men's clothes Many people stared wide-eyed, but the soldiers who followed Shi Congyun every day were not surprised.

Behind the workshop area is a wasteland, guarded by soldiers on the outside, and inside is the testing ground of the Confidentiality Division. There are four battalions of imperial troops stationed in this area, mainly responsible for protecting the safety of the workshop area and its surroundings.

On the testing ground, Feng Jisheng, together with officials and craftsmen of several confidential departments, demonstrated to Shi Congyun the waterproof performance of the new large-grained gunpowder, which was indeed much better than the previous powdered gunpowder.

Shi Congyun was very happy, and with a wave of his hand, he directly allocated funds to the Confidentiality Department for the waterproof treatment of gunpowder. Although it was not completely waterproof, the effect was indeed very obvious.

In the afternoon of the same day, Shi Congyun checked several important ferries in the workshop area. He drove back to the city with satisfaction until it was getting dark. Before leaving, he also set a goal for the confidentiality department. A high-quality cannon comes out, and next year he will come to Bianshui to shoot cannons in person, but he has to do it well......

Chapter 369: Convinced by My Wisdom and Power

When returning from Bianshui, the emperor's army was at Chenqiao post station. The team did not go through Fengqiu Gate in the north as usual, but went through Shuimen. Shi Congyun wanted to see the real life of the people in Daliang.

The night before, because the sky was getting dark and it was too late to return to Beijing, Sheng Jia stayed at Chengqiao Station. Shi Congyun walked around the station casually, probably because of the famous name, he suddenly thought of Zhao Kuangyin who had been left idle.

When it comes to Chenqiaoyi, it's hard not to think of the Chenqiao Mutiny, and when it comes to the Chenqiao Mutiny, it's hard not to think of Zhao Kuangyin.

At the edge of a pond behind the post station, Shi Congyun beckoned to Wang Zhong, who was in charge of patrolling the capital, and casually asked about the recent situation of the Zhao family.

"Their family sold a lot of their belongings, and their life is not as rich as before." Wang Zhong immediately replied, he is the inspector of the capital, and he also controls the military power in the capital when he goes out to fight. He is the most well-informed about the news in the capital.

"Zhao Kuangyin was a favored minister in the previous dynasty. Not to mention his salary, he didn't know how much he was rewarded by the previous emperor. Now it is different. The officials gave him a false position. He had a salary but no favor and reward. Zhao Kuangyi was dismissed from office. How could there still be the scenery of the past.

All of this is his own fault. The government gave him such a good opportunity, but he didn't know what to do and followed Zhang Yongde. Who can blame him for this. "Wang Zhong said without hesitation, "That's still the benevolence of the officials, and I want to say less about sending him to dig out the bird's nest. "

Shi Congyun also laughed, and then said: "But I have always been a capable person. It is a waste to be idle like this. Now the limelight has passed, and the court has stabilized. The various envoys can't make any waves. I was so worried before.

Many people can pick it up and use it again..."

"Then Zhao Kuangyin is really good at fighting." Wang Zhong curled his lips, "But he is too good at talking, even better at fighting than him, so he doesn't look like an honest man."

Shi Congyun nodded. Wang Zhong was right, so he stopped thinking about it and didn't take it to heart: "Let's see and talk about it."

"How are Li Chongjin and Zhang Yongde doing when I'm not around?" The question was serious, and Wang Zhong didn't dare to smile and became serious.

If Zhao Kuangyin was just an unlucky general who stood in the wrong team in everyone's mind, then Li Chongjin and Zhang Yongde were relatives of the former emperor and leading generals. Their status and identity were very sensitive, and the emperor mainly guarded against them.

Wang Zhong thought for a while, and then said: "The two of them are very honest in the capital, and the officials have also given them official salaries, and there are also many rewards. Zhang Yongde and Li Chongjin hardly move around in the capital, living their wealthy life .

In contrast, Li Chongjin also likes to lead his entourage to hunt, but he rarely communicates with other people. "

Shi Congyun nodded, and had some judgments in his heart, "Li Chongjin is a man who can fight, it's a pity..."

"The officials think it's a pity to bring him here to fight, but he can't do it anyway." Wang Zhong said carelessly.

Shi Congyun shook his head: "You know what, his identity is there, it's very troublesome."