The red building is so arrogant

Chapter 496 In the palace [[-]]

[There is another update in the middle of the night...]

Because it was night, after Jiao Shun followed Qiu Shi'an into the Donghua Gate, it was like ten steps, one post, five steps and one sentry. The awe-inspiring feeling was completely different from the feeling of later generations buying tickets to visit the Forbidden City.

After entering the area of ​​the East Sixth Palace from the inner left gate, the scenery and atmosphere along the way changed again. There were not even half of the guards wearing helmets and armor, but there were groups of court ladies and eunuchs, pointing at the corner, Or poke your head behind the door.

Qiu Shi'an explained in a low voice: "This is probably the eyeliner of the various palaces—your name, Mr. Jiao, is probably more resounding in this palace than outside it."

This is indeed a bit exaggerated, relying on the bicycle that swept the harem, Jiao Shun's reputation in the palace is not small, but it is not enough to attract all the palaces to spy on - what really makes the palaces move is actually the test The loud noise of the train.

However, the eyes and ears of all parties have come, and by the way, watching Jiao Shun, the "initiator", is also part of the meaning of the title.

Because the black lights couldn't recognize the facial features clearly, and they didn't dare to get closer to take a closer look, so the last words that spread to the ears of the concubines in the palace were mostly good words like 'tall and heroic' - only the master and the concubine Jia Yuan Chun has always had a grudge, and was replaced by "five big and three rough" by degradation.

For example, at Concubine Rong's...

Not to mention this.

However, when Jiao Shun and Qiu Shi'an entered Jingren Palace, the first thing they saw was the train surrounded by court ladies and eunuchs and craftsmen of the inner palace.

He was about to look away when Qiu Shian pointed at the circle with his whisk and sighed: "Lord Jiao is indeed capable of what others can't. It took three years for the Ordnance Department to build that iron-clad ship, but your lord only took one year." With a month's worth of effort, you have created such a miracle!"

"Actually, there were similar things in Xiyi a few years ago."

Jiao Shun smiled slightly, and said modestly, "Jiao is just picking up people's teeth, it's nothing."

Qiu Shi'an didn't take it seriously: "Isn't it true that Xiyi already had the iron-clad ship? What's more, I heard that Mr. Jiao supervised the creation of Lianhuo..."

Halfway through the talk, he suddenly realized that this was a military secret, and quickly changed his words: "Long Live Lord is still waiting in Yuyun Garden, let's take a few steps."

After going through this little episode, the two of them found the Yuyun Garden where Jia Yuanchun was located without saying much.

When Qiu Shian went in to report, Jiao Shun was searched for the third time—once outside the Donghua Gate, and once when entering the East Sixth Palace through the left inner gate.

The previous two times were guards, but this time they were replaced by two young eunuchs, who were so 'delicate' from head to toe that it made people uncomfortable, so Jiao Shun didn't even bother to tidy up his clothes when he heard the voice from inside greet him. As if escaping, he entered Yuyunyuan.

Because it was the residence of the concubine, Jiao Shun naturally didn't dare to look around as he did along the way, with his hands hanging by his side, he bowed and followed the little eunuch into the living room, without raising his head, he knelt down and shouted long live.

"Ai Qing is free from courtesy."

Emperor Longyuan raised his hand with a smile on his face to support him, seeing that Jiao Shun was still cautious and did not dare to raise his head after getting up, he said again: "Raise your head to answer."

Jiao Shun hesitated for a while, and heard the emperor added "I'm sorry you are not guilty", then raised his head cautiously, and saw a young man in a bright yellow robe sitting on the left side of the Arhat bed.

In terms of age, he should be five or six years older than himself. His body is a bit thin, and his facial features are about the upper middle. He only has a pair of piercing eyes that surpass ordinary people-but it also depends on who he compares with. If he is compared with someone like Jiao Comparing with those fierce eyes, it was quite a bit worse.

While Jiao Shun carefully sized up the emperor, the emperor was naturally giving him a 'face-to-face'.

After looking up and down for a few times, he tilted his head and smiled at Jia Yuanchun who was standing beside him: "Your father and younger brother are both handsome and handsome people, but Jiao Aiqing is more like a queen."

Taking advantage of the emperor's tilt of his head, Jiao Shun secretly scanned Yuan Chun from the corner of his eye, and then couldn't help being slightly taken aback.

This virtuous concubine could vaguely see Mrs. Wang's shadow in her eyebrows and eyes, she was equally gentle, dignified and graceful, but she was less ravaged by the years than her mother.

But that's not the point.

What surprised Jiao Shun was Jia Yuanchun's tight and neat attire. He wore a dark green short mandarin jacket and a pair of moon white satin slim trousers. To be two inches taller, it looks heroic and aggressive.

And at this time she was standing with her back to the candlestick, but there was no trace of 'holy light' leaking out from the middle of her trouser legs.

Could it be that this unconventional outfit was also inherited from Mrs. Wang's lineage?

But Mrs. Wang only innovates inside, how dare she...

Although Jiao Shun didn't dare to look too much and quickly looked away, Jia Yuanchun still keenly caught his gaze at that moment, but Yuan Chun didn't think Jiao Shun was too rude, but was full of shame and helplessness.

A while ago, the Ministry of Industry was ordered to donate another batch of bicycles, and concubines and concubines rode them through the market one after another, almost becoming a scene in the palace.

As a result, it didn't take long for the concubine's skirt to be caught in the chain, and the hem of the skirt was torn in two, and the person fell hard enough.

Therefore, the emperor designed this slim-fit breeches after imitating the pictures of Western ladies riding horses, and ordered the inner government to make a hundred and distribute them to the palaces.

Originally, most concubines were ashamed to wear them.

It wasn't until Concubine Rong set a precedent a few days ago and was favored for three or four days in a row that the concubines followed suit one after another. Nowadays, those who ride bicycles in the palace without wearing slim breeches have become an outlier, even the empress No exception.

Although Jia Yuanchun felt that it was inappropriate, it was not easy to go against the trend.

Just now when Emperor Cai let Xuan Jiaoshun enter the palace, she felt that something was wrong, but Emperor Longyuan turned a deaf ear to his insinuations several times, and kept pulling her to talk, never giving her a chance to enter the room to change clothes.

Therefore, it is not surprising that Jiao Shun will be scrutinized.

Resisting her shame, she lowered her body slightly and replied: "When my concubine was young, my father never missed riding and shooting, but later he made up for the vacancy in the Ministry of Industry, and he was busy with copywriting every day, so he lost practice."

"Ha ha……"

Emperor Longyuan smiled, waved his hands and said: "In the future, riding and archery may not be useful. It doesn't matter if you don't practice or not."

After speaking, he asked Jiao Shun again: "Isn't it time for the first Longyuan model to go into production?"

"Go back to Your Majesty."

Jiao Shun hurriedly cupped his hands: "It has already been trial-produced in small batches. After all, it is named after His Majesty's year name, so there must be some mistakes, so the meaning of the Ministry of Industry is to make improvements while building, one is to try to make up for the lack of range, and the other is to make up for the lack of range. We should also try to reduce the cost as much as possible under the premise of ensuring the quality - when these two things are overcome, we will mass-produce and install them."

In fact, Emperor Longyuan wanted to spread this new gun along with his own reputation immediately, but Jiao Shun said that it was for his own fame, so he immediately nodded and changed his words: "This is an old saying, with your help With the Ordnance Division in charge, I can rest assured."

Then he asked again: "Jiao Aiqing, what do you think of laying a railway track in the Thousand Steps Corridor? Then those rotten scholars can..."

"His Majesty."

Jia Yuanchun interrupted the emperor suddenly, stepped forward to pick up the tea that was already at the emperor's hand, put it in his palm and said: "The tea is getting cold."

Emperor Longyuan gave her an unhappy look, knowing that she didn't want him to denigrate Confucian scholars and civil servants in front of foreign ministers, but Jiao Shun was his confidant and favorite general, and he was in the same situation as civil servants, so there was no point in complaining to him important?

At this time, Jiao Shun replied: "Your Majesty's idea is naturally very good, but this thing is very powerful. If it is to be placed in the Thousand Steps Corridor, I am afraid that we must try to reduce the noise so as not to disturb the office work."

As he said that, he showed embarrassment again: "But if you lose momentum, and you are afraid of bumping into officials and people on the street without noticing for a while, so please ask your Majesty Rong Chen for some time, so that you can think of a way to get the best of both worlds."

Emperor Longyuan proposed to lay railroad tracks in Qianbulang, but it was just a moment of enthusiasm. If Jiao Shun was against the tune, he might really want to go his own way, but Jiao Shun thought it was too troublesome when he heard the difficulties seriously, so he waved his hand and said : "Come on, let's not lay it on the Thousand Steps Corridor—but I don't know where this train should be used between Yi Aiqing?"

Seeing that Emperor Longyuan was still entangled in these issues, Jiao Shun felt helpless. Could it be that he knocked on the palace door at night to chat with the emperor?
But he couldn't take the initiative to remind, so he could only continue to answer patiently and earnestly: "In my humble opinion, it is better to build a railway leading to Xishan outside the city, and transport water, coal, etc. to the city every day."

"Not to mention coal, thanks to His Majesty's blessings these years, the population in the capital has become more and more prosperous, but the problem of draft water in the city has also become more and more serious. According to the investigation of the minister, the monthly cost of draft water for families above the middle class has already exceeded It was two or three times higher during the Taizu dynasty."

"Because the West Mountain already produces coal, if it can be transported by train day and night, it will greatly reduce the burden on the people in the city."

Speaking of this, Jiao Shun saw that although the emperor nodded slightly, there was a vague tangle between his brows, and hurriedly added: "In order to facilitate the avoidance of officials and people along the way, I think that in addition to the roof, we should add a whistle to make it easier for people to escape. The sound of trains crossing the border can be heard for miles, so it's safe."

As soon as the words came out, the emperor suddenly smiled. Although he also had the intention of benefiting the people, he still wanted to show off his achievements. Now that he has the best of both worlds, is there any reason to be unhappy?
Immediately said: "Then Aiqing might as well draw up the cost first when you go back, and then..."

"Long live."

As a result, she was interrupted by Jia Yuanchun just after speaking, and she said solemnly: "I heard that there are thousands of Shuifuzi in the city who rely on this for their livelihood. OK."

"This……"

Although Emperor Longyuan didn't like Jia Yuanchun interrupting him, the issue of competing for profit with the people really needs to be considered. After all, it involves the livelihood of thousands of people. If something happens, I'm afraid he will be chased by those corrupt scholars again Accused.

"Your Majesty's filter is very true."

Jiao Shun hurriedly said: "However, what the water masters are really responsible for is to distribute the water around the city. Whether it is the water transported from outside the city or some deep wells in the city, they are all in the hands of wealthy merchants. Even if the court competes for profit, it is only with these merchants. Competing for profit will not involve the livelihood of thousands of Master Shui."

"What's more, the only ones who can afford good water in the city are middle and upper households. If the imperial court can supply a large amount of cheap drinking water so that ordinary households can afford it, not only will the lower class people benefit from it, but the water masters will also benefit from it." .”

Jia Yuanchun nodded slightly after hearing this, and fell silent again.

It's really rare that she still knows Master Shui.

To be honest, the overall quality of men in Rongguo Mansion is really far worse than that of women. Apart from Yingchun, Jia Xichun, who is not recognized by his relatives, is at least quite accomplished in painting and Buddhism.

But Jia Yuanchun said that although Jia Yuanchun didn't speak anymore, the emperor was aroused by her, but he didn't want to continue discussing this issue. He was about to turn to ask about the latest progress in engineering, when he suddenly remembered that it was Jiao Shun who was not summoned by himself this time. Breaking into the palace at night, claiming to have something urgent to report.

"oops!"

Suddenly, he wanted to slap his forehead with his backhand, but he froze in mid-air again, and immediately slapped the table and said, "I was so happy to see Aiqing, but I forgot that you have something important to report—what is it that is so urgent that you waited so long?" It is not allowed to play the book tomorrow, and Ai Qing will come quickly."

(End of this chapter)