Fenghou

When Chen Qing came to the guest hall, he saw Zhou Kuan sitting in the hall drinking tea. Although today was a day off, there was no day off for a senior official of Zhou Kuan's level.

"Which gust of wind brought Duke Zhou here today?" Chen Qing walked up to the hall with a smile and asked.

Zhou Kuan hurriedly got up and saluted and said with a smile, "Excuse Your Highness for a rest!"

Chen Qing invited him to sit down, and asked the maid to serve tea again. Zhou Kuan bowed his body and said, "There is a news from Sichuan that the governors of thirteen states are going to jointly submit letters of loyalty to His Highness."

This news is good, Chen Qing quickly asked: "Did the news come from Lu Qingshan?"

Zhou Kuan shook his head, "Your Highness, if it's the news about Lu Qingshan, it's an official report. What I'm talking about is gossip. I have been on Sichuan Road for many years and have some contacts, so I can get some news. The news is from Zizhou. It was revealed that Tang Jingshui, a big grain merchant in Zizhou, had a close relationship with Beizhi. The news is that he sent someone to give it to me. The current governor of Zizhou, Yang Anxiu, is his nephew. This Yang Anxiu is the leader of the 13 people. There will be official news."

Chen Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "Did this Yang Anxiu only contact 12 other people? Or contacted many people, but only 12 people responded?"

"It should be the former. These 13 people have one thing in common. They are all officials from Sichuan. I feel that they are a small group and they are in frequent contact with each other."

"Possibly, but I don't like corporations."

Zhou Kuan said with a chuckle: "Their group should not be the kind of alliance that marries each other and forms an alliance of interests. I feel that it is more of a kind of fellowship, a kind of grouping for warmth. Once the environment improves, their group will It will dissolve, of course, there will also be a few people who will form in-laws or real alliances of interests, that will be another story."

"Zhou Gong really thinks so?" Chen Qing asked lightly.

Zhou Kuan understood what Chen Qing was referring to, and said solemnly: "Your Highness, a humble position has no selfish motives!"

Chen Qing asked again: "If these 13 people formally pledge their allegiance to us, will there be a role model effect?"

Zhou Kuan bowed slightly and said: "This is the point that I want to talk about. Once the 13-member group joins us, it will inevitably cause an uproar in the official circles on Sichuan Road. As far as I know, many officials are very desperate for the future. Officials will be emptied, no one is willing to replace them, they can only stay here forever, judging from the various situations in the hands of humble officials, once someone takes the lead, there will definitely be a large number of officials to follow suit."

Chen Qing took a few steps with his hands behind his back and said, "I remember last year I said that the Ministry of Officials should pay attention to the assessment of these officials sent by the court. We can't accept all of them. We must go to the chaff and save the chaff, and leave the real talents to serve us. We use."

"Please rest assured, Your Highness!"

Zhou Kuan got up and said with a smile: "The humble staff deployed officials from the Ministry of Officials to start the investigation last year. It's almost done, and the report will be completed as soon as possible."

Chapter 936 Plan

In the living room on the second floor of Xiaohonglou, the chubby girl Chen Xue stood in the corner with tears in her eyes. Zhao Qiaoyun put her arms around her and asked a few questions, but she just turned her shoulders and refused to answer.

"Sister, what's wrong with Axue?" Zhao Qiaoyun asked with a smile.

Lu Xiu was also angry. She glared at her daughter and said, "I ran to my study and took Zhongyi Qianqiu out to play, but I lost it. How many times have I told her that she can play if she wants to, but if she wants to tell me, she won't." Listen, and ignore what I say."

"It's the red-skinned suet jade that looks like a general on horseback, the one worth three thousand guan?"

"It's that one. I kept it on the table, but now this little girl has taken it away, and she forgot where she left it."

Chen Xue sobbed and began to cry, "I think that piece of red skin looks like Daddy holding a weapon, I want to show it to my brother, I didn't throw it away on purpose, woo-woo-"

"Mother was angry not because you took the jade away, but because I told you that no matter who's things you take, you must get the owner's consent, especially your father's study, and you are not allowed to take anything out. Mother will ask you again." , do you remember!"

Chen Xue nodded while wiping away tears.

Zhao Qiaoyun smiled and said, "Hurry up and tell Steward Wen, and ask her to mobilize the maids of the inner palace to look for it. I think we should be able to find it."

Lu Xiu sighed, "I told Steward Wen, hey! My two children have completely opposite personalities. Ji'er never let me worry about it, but this little girl makes troubles and troubles all day long, which makes me feel broken." Heart."

"Xue'er is just a little naughty, it's not too much, Xue'er, let's go and play with my sister, she is picking out last year's lantern!"

Hearing about choosing lanterns, Chen Xue's eyes lit up, and she glanced timidly at her mother, Lu Xiu nodded, "Go! Don't bully my sister, or I'll see how I deal with you."

Chen Xue turned around and ran away. When her daughter ran away, Lu Xiu said angrily, "It's because her father spoiled her. Last time she took the wooden city in the sand table on Hebei Road back to her room to play, her father didn't scold her." She, playing with her, has no principles at all!"

"It's fine to be under the control of the eldest sister, and her father, let it be whatever you want!"

At this time, Chen Xue ran in timidly again, and handed a piece of jade the size of a goose egg to her mother, which was the sheep fat jade she had lost.

Lu Xiu took the jade and asked, "Where did you find it?"

"In my room, I went to look for last year's lantern and found it on the bed."

"Did you drop it on the bed when you were looking for a gift for your brother?"

"Yes!"

"Let me tell you again, no matter whose room it is, you must get the consent of the owner to take things, remember?"

Xue'er lowered her head, "Remember!"

"Go!"

Xueer turned around and ran away.

Lu Xiu looked at her back and shook her head, "Forget about everything, why is it the same as when I was a child?"

Zhao Qiaoyun talked with Lu Xiu for a while, mainly talking about the youngest child, Chen Yang. Under Dr. Liu's careful treatment, Chen Yang has gotten rid of the threat of death, but he is relatively thin, which may affect his life.

At this time, a maid said at the door: "Second Madam, my lord invites you to come over."

Zhao Qiaoyun explained to Lu Xiu with a smile: "I sorted out the staff's suggestions and was about to tell the officials. Counselor Zhou came, so I went back and continued to tell the officials."

Lu Xiu nodded, "You go! I'm going to see the two little guys, I'm really worried!"

……

On the plate in the study room are the annual strategic plans written by several staff members for Chen Qing. Among the five staff members, the oldest one is called Lu Cunyi. He used to be a doctor of Taixue from Bianliang. The newly established Taixue Teacher, also a doctor, was hired as Chen Qing's staff the year before last, and the other four were also hired as staff last year or the year before, basically teaching in Taixue and Fuxue.

Although the five are Chen Qing's staff, most of the time they don't serve Chen Qing. They mainly advise Princess Lu Xiu when Chen Qing leaves Jingzhao. Although Zhao Qiaoyun has a clear mind and can grasp the essence of the problem, she still She lacks knowledge, has not experienced many things, has not been to many places, and she does not know many things that happened in history.

At this time, professional people are needed to help them make suggestions, and when Zhao Qiaoyun is still undecided, Lu Xiu will send someone to send the question to the five staff, and then she and Zhao Qiaoyun will make a decision based on the opinions of the five people.

Last year, when Chen Qing wrote the annual plan, he also asked everyone to write a copy for himself. This year is the same, everyone has written tens of thousands of words eloquently.

Chen Qing was overwhelmed, so he simply handed it over to Zhao Qiaoyun, asking her to sort it out for him.

Zhao Qiaoyun lived up to his expectations. In two days, he sorted out the reports of the five staff members and refined them into a short report of less than a thousand words.

"All five people have the same suggestion, that is to attack the Central Plains, but the five people have differences in details. Lu Cunyi and Zhao Shicheng suggested to take two steps. They suggested to take the west of Kaifeng Mansion first this year, and consider the east of Kaifeng Mansion next year. , the other three all advocated that as long as conditions permit, they should go to Dengzhou in one go, and of course, each of them wrote a few thousand words of reasons."

Chen Qing's idea is to go in two steps, or even three steps, first capture Henan Mansion and then look at the situation. The opponent in the Central Plains is Wanyan Wushu's 20 troops. The Central Plains is not Sichuan and Shaanxi, it is Wanyan Wushu's home field. You must never underestimate the enemy.

But one thing is certain, attacking the Central Plains is the primary strategic task of this year, the people of the Central Plains want it, and the time is ripe.

"and then?"

Chen Qing asked again with a smile: "Any other suggestions?"

"There are still more than a dozen suggestions. Zhang Mao reminds the officials to be careful that the imperial court takes the opportunity to attack the Jingnan Road. After all, Yue Fei's [-] troops are hoarding in Xiangyang and Jiangxia. Zhang Mao believes that the imperial court is likely to use us to start a war with Jin soldiers. If there is an opportunity, order Yue Fei to lead the army to take the Jingnan Road, and may even attack the Sichuan Road, the Western Army must be prepared."

Chen Qing was also worried that the imperial court would order Yue Fei to take back Jingnan Road, which was actually controlled by him. The Song Dynasty and the Kingdom of Jin signed a five-year armistice agreement, and Yue Fei's army happened to be fine.

"It makes sense, I will consider it, what else?"

"There is also internal affairs. Four people mentioned it. They all think that our bureaucracy is too loose, and we have sacrificed too much for stability. We must increase supervision.

Liu Yandong and Li Zheng specially went to Hedong Road and Sichuan Road for three months to investigate. They thought the problem was serious. The problem with Hedong Road was that Prince Yong’s Mansion granted tax exemption for one year, but many counties still levied taxes in different ways to fill their own pockets. .

The problem with Sichuan Road is that it is tossing. If it cannot be separated from the court, it will cause chaos. If there is chaos, some people will take advantage of the opportunity to fish in troubled waters. Liu Yandong and Li Zheng suggest that the officials should break up with the court as soon as possible, drive the court out of Sichuan Road, and restore normalcy. "

Chen Qing frowned, "What do they mean by taking advantage of troubled waters?"

"They said that because the state has no control over the counties, and the Sichuan Road Shangshuxingtai has just been established and there is insufficient supervision, some counties have seized the opportunity to increase temporary taxes for farmers, impose heavy taxes on businessmen, and so on."

Chen Qing quickly ordered, "You write a note and send it to the two of them, saying that I asked them to write a detailed investigation report."

"Officials, they should be writing a report, and I will send someone to urge them."

Chen Qing looked at the [-] plans for this year that Zhao Qiaoyun sorted out, and it was indeed thoughtful, including everything he thought.

He pointed to the last plan and said with a smile: "What do you mean food, intelligence and public opinion go first before the soldiers and horses are moved?"

Zhao Qiaoyun smiled and said: "That's my suggestion. Officials must prepare for war, but the Central Plains is different from other places. We can't only consider the needs of soldiers' supplies, but also the needs of millions of people. Only the hungry people There will be hundreds of thousands of people coming, so it is necessary to prepare all kinds of food reserves and relief personnel, the more sufficient the better.

Needless to say intelligence, the officials must have been deployed, but what about public opinion?Let the people of the Central Plains know that we are coming to rescue them. Wherever the Sichuan-Shanxi Army arrives, the people of the Central Plains will definitely greet them with food and milk. Spread the news and let the people wait and see. "

"Doesn't this tell Wanyan Wushu that I want to attack the Central Plains?"

Zhao Qiaoyun smiled slightly and said: "The western army is preparing for battle, do you think they can hide Wanyan Wushu?"

Chapter 937

Early the next morning, as soon as Chen Qing arrived at the official room, Chao Qing stepped forward and said, "His Royal Highness, the Third Xianyang Weaving Workshop sent two bolts of cloth yesterday and put them next to His Highness's table."

"I see, what else?"

"And Xie Ying, the manager of the Firearms Bureau, came before dawn and has been waiting for His Highness to arrive."

"I see, you invite him over!"

When Chen Qing came to his official room, there were two pieces of paper-wrapped cloth beside the table. They were wooden cotton cloth. They sent one piece more than ten days ago, but Chen Qing was not satisfied. Not enough, let them go back and improve, and it was delivered after only half a month.

At this time, Chao Qing brought Xie Ying in, Xie Ying put a wooden box at the door, Chen Qing walked over and asked with a smile, "Did you make it?"

Xie Ying quickly opened the lid of the box and said with a smile: "According to His Highness's request, we made a hedgehog without a fuse."

Chao Qing retreated and closed the door softly. Chen Qing called him back, "Someone go and find Lu Wei, the military commander, and Wang Hao, the inner guard!"

"Let's go right away!" Chao Qing promised, and left in a hurry.

Chen Qing squatted down to study Tiehuolei for a while, and it was exactly the same on the outside. He asked with some concern: "Can the other party imitate Tiehuolei through researching it?"

Xie Ying smiled slightly and said, "Your Highness, we are afraid that they won't study it."

"why?"

"We kept failing at the beginning, mainly because we recognized that the finer the gunpowder particles, the better. In the end, they were all ground into powder, but it was still wrong. We turned to think that it was a problem with the formula and the iron shell, and later changed the pig iron into mature iron and copper. Hundreds of plans have been proposed and repeated for many years.

Later we discovered that the gunpowder was first ground into powder, and then condensed into particles from the powder, the burning speed was faster. The more carbon it contains, the easier it is to break. If you combine these experiences and try thousands of times, you will succeed. "

"So what about this iron fire mine?"

"So this iron fire mine is our wrong path. The finer the powder particles, the better, the more uniform the iron shell, and the purer the pig iron. If they get this iron fire mine, they will definitely embark on wrong research, etc. It has been three or four years since they found out that this road is not feasible, but I can guarantee that if no one leaks it, Jin Bing will not be able to develop the Iron Fire Thunder.”

"But Tokyo Bianliang was also successfully developed in the past."

Xie Ying smiled wryly and said: "Your Highness, we have also discussed this issue. At that time, the idea was that the finer the gunpowder, the better. It has not yet reached the turning point from thin to thick, let alone making the iron shell brittle. It is absolutely impossible to create iron fire mines with firearms technology, and we have never seen the real thing, the craftsmen who made it have all died, and the drawings have not remained, so we suspect that there is a big misunderstanding.”

"What misunderstanding?"

"We all believed that the Zhentianlei at that time was actually a box-type wooden shell fire mine, just like our [-]-jin box-type fire mine. It was called Zhentianlei with sufficient quantity in exchange for power, but no one ever I said it was an iron shell fire mine, but we took it for granted that it was an iron shell fire mine."

Chen Qing nodded, "If Zhentianlei is understood as a box-type fire mine of five hundred catties, then all doubts will be solved."

"Yes! With the technology at that time, wooden box fire mines were easy to make, and we also easily made box-type fire mines. This is the real reason why the second siege didn't continue to use thunderbolts, probably because The gunpowder has been used up during the first siege, so how much can we have in stock for an explosion of five hundred catties?"

Chen Qing said with a smile: "I understand, this Iron Fire Thunder is made according to the original idea, so it will never succeed."

"That's right, and we have also slightly modified the gunpowder formula. A small change has a huge impact."

……

Xie Ying said goodbye and left, not long after, Lu Wei and Wang Hao rushed over.

The two bowed together and saluted, "See Your Highness!"

Chen Qing glanced at Chao Qing, who immediately went out and closed the door behind him.

"Something is here!"

Chen Qing pointed to the box on the ground, the two were overjoyed, and they squatted down to check Tie Huolei.

Chen Qing asked Lu Wei again, "Are they still looking for you?"

"We had two meals together, and Lu Tang came to ask me about the situation yesterday afternoon, and I said I would let him know if there was any news."

"How is Lu Xian doing in the granary?"

Lu Wei smiled wryly and shook his head, "If it wasn't for His Highness's instructions, I would have fired him. The Military Food Administration ordered me to report that he has been the head of the grain depot for almost half a month, but the time spent in the grain depot adds up. In less than three hours, he almost disappeared after showing up in the morning, and then showed up in the afternoon when things were about to end, and he was arranged to be on duty during the Chinese New Year, but he was not dared to arrange for him, so everyone was very dissatisfied with him."

"His situation is quite special, so let's persevere!"

Chen Qing asked Wang Hao again, "Has Chong Huan reported to you? The situation of those two people."

"It was also reported to the humble job yesterday. These two people are very active in Jingzhao. They don't stop all day. They go out every day, either to ask the market price, or to check the situation of the city and the moat, or to go to the surrounding areas, Guangba to the military camp. I went there three times nearby."

"Have you not been in contact with anyone?" Chen Qing asked again.

"Zong Huan said that he didn't find it!"

Chen Qing nodded, "There is another thing, about the protection of firearms craftsmen, once Jin Guo can't research it, they will definitely attack them. The inner guards must strengthen the protection of their families to prevent Jin Guo people from jumping over the wall in a hurry. Insufficient manpower, we can expand the number of recruits.”

Wang Hao bowed and said: "The number of internal guards in the third district of Xianyang has reached 500, and the number of low-ranking members has increased to 1000. Everyone must have an ID card when entering and leaving the third district. The identity of each family is confidential. There is no problem with living security.”

Wang Hao said that the third district of Luoyang is the residential area of ​​the craftsmen of the Ordnance Department. It is located in the northwest of Xianyang County. It consists of more than 1000 households and occupies 130% of Xianyang County. It is surrounded by walls and is a city within a city. The internal guards are responsible for security , the security is tight, and the people living inside are all protected secret craftsmen. The [-] craftsmen of the Firearms Department all live in the third district, including the manager Xie Ying just now.

"You all go back! I will send someone to send the Iron Fire Thunder to the Department of the Military Department. It will show up to Lu Tanglu in two days. The inner guards should also take action to monitor how they transport the Iron Fire Thunder out."