As a salted fish, I was forced to become the teacher of all ages

Similarly, this well-made cannon did not crack, which is enough to prove the speed of progress of Xishan smelting.

After repeated tests, the effective firing range of this gun was more than six miles—the blacksmiths did not follow the fixed charge technology of the gunpowder for the first test, but carefully calculated the amount of gunpowder to be filled and reduced it by a considerable amount as appropriate In order not to damage the cannon body, they will follow the method of firecrackers to produce the most powerful ammunition, but before this, they need to go through a lot of tests, but now they are not in a hurry.

But despite this, the six-mile range is already very impressive in this era, and it can be said to be an era ahead of the world.

"Very good, I am very satisfied." Hua Manlou stood beside the cannon, encouraged the two team leaders, and then said: "Today is said to be a test of the cannon, but I am afraid that the two of you still have the intention of competing with each other." ?”

The two blacksmiths looked at each other, and the one from the innovation team said awkwardly: "Actually, it's not a rivalry, it's just... I just feel that some ideas can't be discussed..."

Hua Manlou smiled and said, "I don't mean to blame you guys by saying this. In fact, I think it's good to have this kind of healthy competition. Besides, you two can see each other's strengths and your own weaknesses, right?"

The two nodded quickly, and Hua Manlou continued: "Originally, I wanted to give you a direction to develop, but now it seems that it is unnecessary. , Improve what should be improved, what should be made up for, after the matter is over, I will go to His Majesty to ask everyone for credit."

"Anything else..." Looking at the blacksmiths gathered in the distance to discuss the gun test, Hua Manlou said something that surprised the two of them: "Please hand over the list of all the R&D personnel, today is considered a success, Giving everyone some rewards is also the right thing to do, everyone, let’s make persistent efforts!"

"Yes, thank you benefactor!"

261. The father of artillery

Before time travel, Hua Manlou, who was a social animal, once swore that if one day he became the boss, he would not be too harsh on the employees, at least he would never be so stingy.

Although he is not the boss now, he is the general manager of the Xishan Branch of Xuanwuwei Branch of Dazhao Group, and holds 30.00% of the shares of the branch, so theoretically he should be regarded as a small boss, so he will naturally practice himself. promise.

Although in the eyes of craftsmen, the days when they are not oppressed and bullied and can eat enough are already happiness, but from Hua Manlou's point of view, he really doesn't give much, it's just that he pretended to be too ruthless , I am still far from being neither harsh nor stingy.

It's just that he is only a general manager after all, so he doesn't dare to use Emperor Guangxing's investment to raise the treatment of craftsmen indiscriminately, so finding a reason to reward everyone has become the proper meaning.

Of course, although there is an element of oath in this matter, there is another reason why Huamanlou deliberately rewarded these craftsmen: Linking the research and development with a large bonus will not only encourage these craftsmen to work harder , can also promote more inventions to come out, and spend a lot of money during this period without spending a lot of effort to fish freely. Such a cool thing only needs to spend a small amount of money, so how could he not do it?

So the important thing is the salted fish, not the oath, the primary and secondary points are clear, right?

But even though Hua Manlou had a good idea, he ignored the fact that in the eyes of everyone, the two cannons were cast under his guidance, even the hardworking craftsmen themselves. think.

In other words, no matter whether Huamanlou is willing to admit it or not, the inventor of these two cannons has become himself, so that many years later, history books and related books all think that Huamanlou is the father of modern artillery. Some also believe that Huamanlou ended the era of cold weapons by himself, started the war with hot weapons and carried it forward, and at the same time changed the form of naval warfare...

It's just dreamy.

Of course, this is a story.

At this stage, the research and development of the artillery is more than half successful. The rest is to adjust, improve and update the artillery according to the experimental situation, and at the same time go through a lot of tests to determine the charge of the shell.

In addition, Hua Manlou also mentioned the issue of rifling in passing—if things have come to this point, what else can they not say?

Although today's technology may not be enough to tinker with mature rifling technology and design supporting shells in a short period of time, as long as you develop in this direction, you will always be able to tinker with it. This is also a reward for craftsmen. , because the power of the artillery is bound to be further improved after this thing is tinkered with. This kind of progress is generally worthy of Emperor Guangxing's increasing attention to craftsmen, and then improving their treatment, and may even give them an official position.

You know, Qin Shihuang would give some craftsmen an official position because of their contributions to the country, but now the status of craftsmen is so low that they can't bear to look directly at it. This matter...

Huamanlou was regarded as a reborn parent by these craftsmen, and his father-in-law called him very blushing every day, so he didn't mind doing such a trivial matter, and he must be worthy of their respect, right?

and so……

Do you know why Huamanlou later became the father of modern artillery?

……

Just when Huamanlou felt that he could fish for a while, the flattering Xu Dacheng came to Xishan with a purpose.

"Your Majesty means that Mr. Qian can rely on his status as an imperial envoy to manage the navy in the same way he used to in Shenji Camp. Mr. Qian has the final say on all matters..."

Xu Dacheng smiled happily, and he talked about Mr. Qian in one mouthful. He completely lost the bossiness of calling him by his first name last time. Even after announcing the decree, he carefully analyzed it for Huamanlou: "It is said that according to Mr. Qian No matter what your ability is, you should be given the title of Admiral of the Navy, but His Majesty has far-sightedness, knowing that there are many dirty things in the court, so he thought about giving him the status of an imperial envoy for special affairs, but Tianjin Three Guards commanders will receive His Majesty According to the secret decree, the navy will be built with Mr. Qian as the core."

Hua Manlou resisted in his heart, but it was a foregone conclusion that the navy was caused by his cheap talk earlier, and it was normal for him to become an admiral of the navy.

With a sigh, Hua Manlou said: "I'm too difficult..."

Hua Manlou was worried that he could not be salty fish, but Xu Dacheng was wrong, and he even encouraged Hua Manlou: "Mr. Qian, think about it, will His Majesty entrust you with something that is not difficult? This shows that Mr. Qian has won His Majesty's trust, and who else has Mr. Qian's ability? Mr. Qian doesn't have to worry about it, if you need help, just let us know, it's our duty!"

An eunuch, a Dongchang factory, and the head of the ceremonial supervisor even said that it was their duty to seal, which shows that it is not only Emperor Guangxing who trusts Huamanlou...

After hearing his words, Huamanlou sighed again: "It's already like this, I can't say I don't want to do it, right? That's it, please tell your Majesty when the companion returns, just say Huamanlou... ...Well, it is also incumbent."

After talking about the business and chatting for a while, Xu Dacheng got up to leave.

When Hua Manlou sent him off, he suddenly thought of something: "Wait a minute, why do I vaguely remember that there is something I haven't told Your Majesty yet?"

Xu Dacheng was taken aback for a moment, then quickly turned around and closed the door: "Oh, my Mr. Hua Qian, the matter of kidnapping the magistrate of Tianjin can't be said!"

Hua Manlou waved his hand: "It's not about this matter, don't interrupt... By the way, where did you get this unlucky county magistrate?"

Xu Dacheng was stunned again when he heard his words: "I'm stuffed...to feed the fish in the sea...?"

Hua Manlou opened his mouth, but remained silent for a while.

Although the county magistrate hated it a bit, being an official is also a type of stupid official, but generally he is not guilty of death, but just feeding the fish like this...

I can't blame it, can't I?

Sure enough, political struggles are dirty...

Xu Dacheng saw that Hua Manlou couldn't bear it, so he said, "Mr. Qian has a kind heart, but this man knows that it was Dongchang who tied him up. If he doesn't die, we will be in big trouble!"

Although Xu Dacheng felt that Huamanlou was too kind, it was a good thing for him, after all...

As an ally, who wants to cooperate with a cunning and insidious person?

Hua Manlou pursed his lips. He knew the pros and cons of it, so he didn't say much: "Then let's put this matter aside, but I always feel that there are very important things that I haven't explained to Your Majesty..."

The two stared blankly for a while, then Xu Dacheng slapped his thigh: "By the way, His Majesty hasn't been informed about the shipping yet!"

Hua Manlou followed suit and patted his thigh: "Yes, why did you forget about this! By the way, didn't the companion tell His Majesty about it?"

"...Didn't you tell our family not to tell His Majesty first!"

262. Full of guts?

Persuading Emperor Guangxing to ship by sea was the most important part of Huamanlou's plan, and its importance even surpassed that of Lao Guogong's financing.

The thing about the ancestral instruction is a hurdle, and whether Emperor Guangxing can figure it out is also a hurdle. After all, this move is equivalent to digging his own corners—Da Zhao now doesn’t even have a shipping department, and doing maritime trade is equivalent to For smuggling, you let the emperor engage in smuggling...

Hua Manlou felt that this matter should be carefully fooled.

In the current situation, Huamanlou doesn't care about earning money, and he doesn't care about things like making meritorious service and being promoted to history. The obsession with breaking the road back and forth, after all...

Because of these and other problems, the modern history of the Celestial Dynasty can be described as a century-old history of humiliation. It was not until 2010 that the national self-confidence of the Chinese people was initially established. Before that, I don’t know how many people gave everything for the national rejuvenation.

If we trace everything back to the source, in fact, Guochao is almost like Da Zhao who dug a big hole for himself in this era, so in such an environment, even if the building is full of flowers, how can he be salty, but how can he bear to let the former History repeats itself?

It’s not just talk, for example, he has thought more than once whether he should send someone to the Jianzhou Jurchen Department to find someone with the surname Ai, or drive the entire Jurchen Department to the north of Lake Baikal...

But it's just thinking about it, regardless of whether it's troublesome or not, you can't just judge someone for something they haven't done, right?

But as far as the matter of banning the sea is concerned, Hua Manlou can't help but want to break it apart, even though he doesn't dare to confront the civil servants head-on, but as long as some people see Kai Hai's treatment of Da Zhao The impact made Kaihai earlier than Daming, and that's fine.

You know, the sea ban was only opened in the Qinglong period of the Ming Dynasty, but it was already 1567 at that time. Although the Ming Dynasty accumulated huge wealth after opening the sea and gave its rule a chance to survive, it died before dawn. In the darkness, so that the sprouts that had just emerged in the Central Plains were strangled alive and drove the history to the car-perhaps the difference is just a few decades.

But the current situation in the outside world is hard to say. There is no renaissance in Europe, but Kaihai does not conflict with these. Even if Da Zhao has no interest in colonization, he can't just sit and watch others develop wildly while his own. Still immersed in the old dream of going to heaven, unable to extricate yourself, right?

The Celestial Dynasty had a brilliant culture in the pre-Qin era when a hundred schools of thought contended. At that time, most of the world was estimated to have only monkeys. Even in the Middle Ages, the entire European continent was full of barbarism, backwardness, and ignorance. Chao has always been at the forefront of the times with his wisdom and diligence. At this juncture, as a flower-planting rabbit with red seedlings, he can't watch Da Zhao go the same way as Da Ming?

So Hua Manlou forcibly suppressed Xianyu's dream, and began to plan the work of persuasion.

……

"Brother Ye..."

If he wanted to chat with Emperor Guangxing, Hua Manlou had to learn more about the situation of this era, so that he could design a targeted speech to impress Emperor Guangxing—just like when he said, "You did it for Da Zhao." What to order to make Emperor Guangxing suspect that life is normal, and he needs some dry goods to refresh his mind.

But the problem is that Huamanlou was such a rotten person in his previous life, and he really doesn't know much about this era. Why?

So Huamanlou found Wen Liang who had just moved to Xishan, and planned to get some tricks from her.

From Hua Manlou's point of view, since this Mr. Ye is an excellent apprentice of Mr. Wen Ge, and can even make decisions and sign contracts with him on behalf of Mr. Wen, then Mr. Wen probably gave him everything he had. From him, he should be able to Inquired about a lot of dry goods.

"In your opinion, if people find out that we are secretly doing ocean-going trade, how will the government and the people react?" Hua Manlou did not ask directly, but asked a similar question in a roundabout way. After all, if Emperor Guangxing Speaking of worries, most of the worries are related to this aspect, so if you find a way to calm down this matter, things will probably be settled.

"Reaction..." Wen Liangning frowned for a while and said, "The people probably won't have any reaction, but there will probably be scolding from the court."

"That's it?" Of course, Hua Manlou knew the consequences of taking food from someone's mouth—even though Emperor Guangxing's previous revision weakened the censor, the Yanguan was always a lawless Yanguan. He is bound to impeach himself with the posture of counting new and old hatred together, and he is self-aware of this part.

If it's just impeachment, it might not be strong enough, right?After all, taking money from someone is like killing one's parents, which is considered hatred of exterminating the family, so it shouldn't be just impeachment, right?

"Isn't that enough?" Wen Liang felt that Hua Manlou might be a little flustered because the previous two impeachments failed to hurt her muscles and bones. She explained: "Your Majesty has decreed that impeachment can only be done when there is evidence. Therefore , although this time is not like before, the censor can just find a reason to impeach you, but you need to know that it is easier for them to make reasonable and well-founded accusations when there is evidence. Protecting you like this now..."

Hua Manlou waved his hand and said, "I know this, so what I mean is, besides the ancestral system of Haiban, what other reason would they use to impeach me?"

Wen Liang said knowingly: "As for the reasons, I can think of more than ten reasons alone."

After a pause, Wen Liang calmed down his thoughts, and said slowly: "There are many reasons why the Taizu banned the sea in the past. In addition to the Japanese pirates, the people's livelihood was unstable at the beginning of the founding of the country, so it is natural to use the whole country to open up wasteland. Farming, so things that have nothing to do with agriculture, Taizu must find a way to suppress it, so that people in the world have food to eat, this is fundamental."

Hua Manlou nodded: "In other words, some people are worried that opening the sea will affect agriculture?"

Wen Liang said: "Yes. In addition, smuggling along the coast was very serious during the previous dynasty, and the most important commodity was salt. But the people can't lack salt, and the price will be very expensive if there is less salt. How will the people live if there is no salt?"

"Thus, the Taizu banned private shipping in order to prevent smuggling, but it is by no means a total ban on the sea. The imperial court can still do shipping business. It's just that the local government and the big family have taken this matter into their hands. , They even turned the ancestral system on top of their heads so that others would not be able to get involved in the shipping trade, but the hope that Taizu hoped that the imperial court would do shipping alone to supplement financial and military expenditures failed." Wen Liang sighed: "If Taizu Your Majesty knows that smuggling is prevalent because of the ancestral system, but you don't know what to do and how you feel?"

Hua Manlou was startled when he heard this, and looked around involuntarily—even though he knew that Mr. Ye was telling the truth, these words really felt a bit outrageous, and they were more treasonous than Hua Manlou's original words. In front of Emperor Guangxing, it is even more serious to say that his ancestors returned from the Northern Expedition without success...

So this Mr. Ye...is full of guts?

263. A Genius Is Always Lonely

Although Hua Manlou felt that Mr. Ye was using gallstones in his gallbladder as a bravery, but he could tell that this man regarded him as his own.

Because freedom of speech is not valued these days, if Huamanlou knew that Qiu Jia said something like this, he would surely stab it out gloatingly, and then he could happily watch Dongchang and Xuanwuwei teach him how to behave——Emperor Guangxing’s heart is in his heart It is impossible to let other people count down Taizu, what if the speaker has ulterior motives?

So just by looking at Young Master Ye's performance, it can be seen that he completely trusts Hua ManLou.

Apart from these remarks that seemed to slander the emperor, Hua Manlou deeply felt that it was very good to have someone like Mr. Ye by his side. This person could not only help her with some routine work in Xishan, but also get a lot of important information from him. information, and most of this information comes from Mr. Wen Ge, which is even more rare.

After all, it is naturally impossible for a scholar to get in touch with the deep places of the court, let alone look at Da Zhao from a global perspective, so these things must come from Lao Wen's teachings.

As for Lao Wen, he is the second assistant of the cabinet. How can his vision be comparable to that of ordinary people?

So even though Mr. Ye has moved to Xishan, Hua Manlou still wants him to stay for a long time-talents are hard to find, and this kind of all-round talent is even rarer, so can he let him go when he comes?

Of course, the so-called people have their own aspirations, if he really wants to pursue an official career, Huamanlou will not stand in his way. After all, civil servants are quite valuable these days, and you can't have to pull others as a backing just because you want to be salty. Bar?

This is not fair.

But if he has no intention of career...

This possibility is unlikely, after all, he is Elder Wen Ge's disciple, no matter what, Old Wen wouldn't watch him waste time in Xishan, right?

Looking at the eloquent 'Ye Gucheng', Hua Manlou secretly sighed regretfully, then temporarily put aside the sigh in his heart, and listened to him continue to talk: "Besides pirates, smuggling, and affecting agriculture, there is another very important point. And even those who are in favor of opening the sea may not find too many reasons to refute it."

Hua Manlou asked suspiciously, "Which aspect?"

Wen Liang said slowly: "Overseas countries."

Hua Manlou didn't understand for a while, but Wen Liang quickly explained: "The Taizu listed several surrounding countries as countries that would not be conquered in the past, can Mr. Qian know the meaning?"

Hua Manlou was stunned by this question, he pondered for a while, and squeezed out a few words: "As the suzerain of the country, Dazhao naturally wants to treat Fanbang...well?"

Wen Liang smiled and said: "You are right in saying that, but in fact there is a warning in it."

Hua Manlou scratched his head and said, "What's the point?"

Wen Liang sighed: "Push forward hundreds of years, the Chinese conquered Korea, Japan and even Annan several times, what is the result?"

Hua Manlou smacked his lips, just wanting to complain: I just figured out the history of Da Zhao, what do you mean when you ask me about the previous dynasty?

Fortunately, Wen Liang didn't wait for him to answer, and said directly: "The best result is undefeated, but the changes caused by the conquest caught everyone off guard."

After Hua Manlou suddenly remembered the history of his previous life, he suddenly realized: "So that's how it is."

In fact, there were many foreign wars in the history of the Celestial Dynasty in the previous life. Except for the grassland people, the Sui and Tang Dynasties fought against Goguryeo, and the Yuan Dynasty fought against the Shogunate, but the result...

The Sui Dynasty's three offensives against Goguryeo were quite tragic. In the words of this era, it wiped out the national fortune, which directly led to the outbreak of peasant uprisings at the end of the Sui Dynasty and became a short-lived dynasty.

In the later prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, Goguryeo and Datang had a brief period of friendship. However, during the Zhenguan period, the power minister Quan Gai Suwen usurped the throne after killing Rongliu Wang Gao Jianwu, blocking the trade channel between Datang and Silla, and causing the relationship between Datang and Goguryeo Worse again, and then...

Then His Majesty Li Er became furious: I just became a Khan of the sky and conquered the world, but you guys dare to come out and jump, draw it!

However, despite several conquests of Goguryeo and the Tang Dynasty, it has been winning, but it was not until the Gaozong period that Goguryeo was defeated. You know, this is the Tang Dynasty, not the Song Dynasty, and such a small country has resisted enough. 50 years...

As for the Yuan Dynasty’s conquest of Japan, there is nothing to say. Meng Yuan, who came to Vienna, stumbled in the Wa Kingdom. He didn’t win the battle. Let’s just say that it also indirectly led to the collapse of the Kamakura Shogunate. They are all being harassed by pirates...