The rise of the prince

Chapter 242 Begging for Help + Last Chance
"Take your hands away."

"Don't take it." Li Xingzhou moved forward lazily, the warm touch in his hand made him reluctant to let go.

Shiyu was helpless, but she didn't break free. This is the small courtyard of the Wangfu. She had been stalked by Li Xingzhou for the past few nights and had to stay in the Wangfu. The sky was bright outside, but he was reluctant to get up.

"Have you been in trouble recently?" Shiyu suddenly asked in a low voice.

"Ha, who did you listen to?" Li Xingzhou hugged the soft body in his arms, and then asked lazily.

Shiyu shrunk her neck in his arms, and lightly pressed the top of her head against his chin: "You don't need to hear it, this girl can tell it naturally."

"Hahaha, not bad, I have learned to guess my husband's mind." Li Xingzhou teased in a low voice.

Shiyu gently pressed his head against his chin: "You still have a smile, I think you have been absent-minded these two days, is it a big deal?"

Li Xingzhou smiled: "Do you know you care about your husband?"

"Say it!" Shiyu was shy and anxious, and pinched his dishonest hand under the bed.

Li Xingzhou grinned in pain: "Actually, it's not a big deal, don't worry."

"You lie, I've never seen you so absent-minded." Shiyu didn't believe it.

Li Xingzhou grabbed her little hand under the quilt, played with it, and said: "That old fellow Zhong Daoyu broke the contract."

"Break the contract?"

He nodded, this is not a top-secret matter: "I made a deal with him to help him solve some troublesome things. He won a military position in the Imperial Army for me, so I can have military power."

"As a result, he breached the contract after finishing the matter?"

Li Xingzhou nodded. He was too anxious to gain military power, so he naively believed in Zhong Daoyu. Maybe he should have thought about it earlier. The established plan goes.

Degong helped him to a large extent because of Gillian's relationship, after all, the two families were destined to be relatives by marriage.

"What do you want the Imperial Guard to do?"

Li Xingzhou grinned: "How can I protect you without military power, my wife is so beautiful."

"I don't need your protection. If it weren't for you, a big bastard, no one would be able to do anything to me." Shi said in a humming tone.

He smiled awkwardly, and hugged him even tighter, the beast was just a beast anyway, he had already done it and never regretted it.

Seeing that he was shameless, Shiyu pinched his big hand in puzzlement: "Then you can still laugh now." Of course she can understand what it means to be a great general.

Li Xingzhou was helpless: "If I don't laugh, will I cry?"

"Keke is not like you." Shiyu rolled her head and rolled her eyes.

"It's up to man to make things happen. It's just bad luck. There will always be a way." Li Xingzhou seemed to be talking to himself. Most things in the world are like this, and no one can fully control them.

This time he was really in a miserable situation. He had planned for so long, helped Zhong Daoyu so much, and spent a lot of time and energy, but he didn't expect to be put together in the end.

This was the best opportunity, but Yang Hongzhao was not here, and neither was the crown prince, so something went wrong.He also took Yan Shen and a large number of nurses to the General's Mansion in person yesterday, but they were turned away. The door of the General's Mansion was closed and they would not open it at all.

But as the saying goes, there is no unparalleled road, and he still has a road to go, a more difficult road.

Thinking about it, Li Xingzhou got up gently, and then covered Shiyu with a quilt: "I'm sleeping for a while."

It's time for morning exercise, and he can't sleep anymore. Willpower is a tight filament, fragile and lonely, as long as it breaks at one point, it will loosen and collapse across the board.

Shiyu didn't speak, just silently watched his back leave, and said in a low voice: "There is always a way. It sounds nice, you deserve it, you just try to be brave."

The completion of the third water drop forging hammer workshop has increased the production speed of Suifa guns again.

Because of previous experience, the fourth and fifth water wheels are also being built rapidly. The quaint and unique palace, because of the hydraulic forging workshop on the river bank, and several tall water wheels arranged in a row, looks tougher and more comfortable. Very industrial.

In addition to the wine distilling room and perfume making room in the backyard of the Wangfu; the saltpeter and gunpowder workshop, the grenade workshop, the graphite grinding workshop in the back mountain, and the earthen kiln for firing crucibles; The mansion is out of place, and it seems to be distinguished, like a new walled city, full of industrial atmosphere.

Because of the production noise, many high-ranking officials and dignitaries around have approached the palace to reason and express their dissatisfaction.

This was the palace's fault, but Li Xingzhou knew that he must not compromise on this matter, otherwise he would be in constant trouble.

Whether he is unreasonable or domineering and harming others, he must persevere to the end. Once he admits his mistakes and compromises, the conflict will only intensify.

I am a hooligan who am I afraid of?

Li Xingzhou has a tough attitude and directly dismisses all protests. If he is really dissatisfied, he directly asks Yan Shen to block the door of the house with a nursing home. When the man in the family comes out, he goes forward and fights. They are brave men who followed King Xiao in the north and south. who.

Soon, the neighbors around were also afraid amidst a lot of abuse, and several families have gradually moved away from the vicinity of the palace.
On the other side, the several thousand catties of pig iron he bought from Jiangzhou has gradually arrived along the waterway, and they are all piled up in the warehouse of the Wangfu.

Pig iron is used to produce grenades, but Li Xingzhou buys wrought iron, but who cares?He is now the junior supervisor of the Military Weapons Supervision, as long as any sale of ironware is reasonable, it can be legally reported to the Yantie Division.

The pig iron has been gradually put in place, and the graphite crucible is also ready.
"Are you really thinking about it?" Degong stared at him seriously, the tea in hand had been cold for a long time, and there was no heat.

Li Xingzhou nodded. This is the Prime Minister's Mansion. Usually, few people can come in. It is not the first time he has come, but it is the first time he has asked Mr. De for help.

De Gong didn't say much, just snorted, stroked his gray beard and said, "I was slapped by Zhong Daoyu, I'll start to remember this old man."

Li Xingzhou took a sip of tea: "Hahaha, Mr. De has always treated me well, and I am also very helpless. I didn't expect Zhong Daoyu to be so shameless."

Degong chuckled: "Slick tongue, it's rare to see you as a kid who will suffer. If Zhong Daoyu wants to face, how can he fight? Since you rarely speak, the old man can't refuse, but you can remember the favor you owe me. "

"I know, I know, can't you say it tactfully, so straightforward that you won't be afraid of people poking your back." Li Xingzhou put down the teacup in his hand and said.

"Hmph, tactful, I think so, but talking to you is not about writing poems, you will be tactful with the old man, and finally came to my palace without even a single polite word, and came up to ask for my help." De Gong blows his beard. road.

Li Xingzhou laughed: "Didn't I tell you this, it's a waste of time to pretend to be hypocritical."

De Gong was dissatisfied: "It's not big or small, you don't even have to put in the effort to pretend, it can be seen that you don't take this old man seriously."

That being said, Degong didn't mean to be really angry at all. He took a break from his busy schedule to see him. Li Xingzhou was moved by this alone. A friend in adversity is probably like this.

"But you have to think about it, the old man alone can't control you." De Gong warned in a low voice.

Li Xingzhou nodded: "I know that."

"It's good that you know. With your intelligence, you should have thought of these things a long time ago. If you talk too much, the old man will be too wordy." De Gong asked someone to change a cup of tea, and then continued: "Also, the empress recently came to see me. You said that you urged me to let Gillian and you get married early, and now the palace is up to you, what do you think?"

"Okay, anyway, Gillian is in the palace." Li Xingzhou said casually.

De Gong is not at home these few days, he is afraid that A-Jiao will be alone, so he takes her to live in the palace. Everyone in the mansion knows A-Jiao's identity and is very familiar with her. Because A-Jiao often goes to the palace, most of them treat her very well. Respectfully.With Qiu'er and Yue'er playing with her, she won't be lonely.

"Pfft..." De Gong spit out a sip of tea, and pointed at him with his index finger in bewilderment, "What are you talking about, you took Gillian to live in the palace!"

Li Xingzhou nodded: "Well, how boring she is at home alone."

De Gong pointed at him for a long time before saying: "Do you know that this is not in accordance with the etiquette, if people know that you are going to gossip, it will ruin your reputation with Gillian!"

"No way, it's so serious?" Li Xingzhou was a little dumbfounded.

Degong blew his beard and stared: "Why not!"

But in the end, I still restrained myself from yelling: "Forget it, you old man should have expected it."

Then I thought for a while, and said: "When you go home, let Yan Yan in your house arrange, hire a matchmaker, write a letter of engagement, prepare to accept Cai, and ask for his name. As for the gift of accepting Cai, you don't have to prepare carefully. If there is no shortage, let’s go through the motions, but the geese must not be missing, and the others are casual, so let someone send them over quickly.

If there is anything you don't understand, just ask the matchmaker or Yan Yan in your house, this matter will be dealt with quickly, and the old man will finish it within two days! " De Gong said with a serious face.

Seeing him so serious, Li Xingzhou didn't dare to take him lightly.

I didn't expect that it would be so troublesome to bring a girl home in ancient times, and there were so many procedures to go through, but it was related to Gillian's reputation, and the little girl was more traditional, so he couldn't neglect it.As for Li Xingzhou's reputation.

"Do you want to send Gillian back to the prime minister's residence?"

"Once the letter of appointment is [-]% and the ceremony of Na Cai's name inquiry is over, then of course there is no need for it. It is justified. The only thing missing is an auspicious day and a big gift. Those can be done slowly, so the old man told you to do it quickly." De Gong glared at him. , and then drink tea to moisten the dry throat.

Then he seemed to think of something, and waved his hand again: "Forget it, I see that you have been busy and disturbed recently. As a man, starting a business and construction work is the first priority, and the etiquette and laws must be followed. However, the situation forces things to be kept simple for now. It’s half done to talk to Yan Yan, so you can concentrate on your own affairs.”

Li Xingzhou's heart warmed, he was really busy these days, and he didn't expect to cause such a big trouble by taking Gillian to live in the palace out of kindness.

Wang Guanhe is Gillian's second uncle. He hasn't left Beijing since the Meiyuan Poetry Society returned to his residence. He is a scholar and understands etiquette. Of course, he can't go wrong if he presides over this matter.

But obviously he married his own wife, but he wanted to make the Prime Minister's House work hard, as if the Prime Minister's House couldn't wait to marry A-Jiao to him. He would be inferior to others for no reason, and the reputation of the Prime Minister's House would definitely be bad in the future, but Degong still did it.

No matter how thick-skinned Li Xingzhou was, he felt a little guilty in his heart, bowing his head and saying, "Mr. De, I owe you this time."

"Hmph, what nonsense are you talking about." De Gong said with a straight face: "You can also put away those little thoughts of yours. I am not a person who covets fame, so don't think too much, and you must care about it. But don't think that you can take advantage of it, and treat it well in the future Gillian. Also, Guanhe will handle matters of etiquette, but Na Caili still needs your palace to come out."

"I know, I know, tell Uncle Wang that he can take whatever he wants, and I'll give him the keys to all the doors of the palace, you're welcome." Li Xingzhou laughed.

Li Xingzhou was extremely busy today. He had just left the Prime Minister's Mansion and then went to the Kaiyuan Mansion to make the same request to He Zhao.

To be honest, he felt that his friendship with He Zhao could not reach that level, but at the moment he could only put on a thick-skinned face, after all, there are not many people who have deep friendship.

After hearing what he said, He Zhao didn't refute. Instead, he thought for a long time, and then asked the same thing as De Gong: "Have you thought about it?"

Li Xingzhou nodded: "I don't have much right now, icing on the cake is worse than giving charcoal in the snow. If Mr. He believes in my ability, please help me this time. I will be grateful in the future."

He Zhao snorted: "I don't care about thanking you or not, but I have always been upright and upright. I did lose the bet with you back then, and I owe you something. I have been worrying about it for a long time, but I didn't think about it." You didn't say a word, so it can be seen that you are not a treacherous person, you may not remember, but I remember clearly."

Li Xingzhou was taken aback for a moment, and then he suddenly remembered that he had bet with He Zhao on the speed of the falling stone at Yuanmendu.

For a while, I couldn't laugh or cry.

He was just joking with He Zhao, but he never thought about it, but he always remembered it.After thinking about it, he understood that he subconsciously used his own three views and experience to speculate on the people of this era.

This era pays attention to the demeanor of a gentleman. A gentleman's words are hard to follow, and the spirit of keeping an oath is integrated into his bones and blood, which cannot be washed away. Not everyone is in trouble.

He Zhao then said solemnly: "In that case, you don't have to owe me anything, but from now on, you and I will be clean and we will not owe each other."

Li Xingzhou nodded, really did not expect things to develop like this, and bowed to him solemnly, He Zhaolao was reluctant, but still stood up and returned the salute standardly.

A gentleman's oath is fulfilled in rituals, practiced in deeds, and when the rituals are completed, it means that they will not owe each other.

Li Xingzhou never expected that one day he would become a gentleman.

Old He is really stubborn and cute.
After finishing everything, it was already afternoon. Li Xingzhou was exhausted physically and mentally after a day of running around, but he also breathed a sigh of relief. He rode across the city with Yan Shen and rushed back to the palace. The hustle and bustle was gradually forgotten.

The palace is still bustling, Yueer, Shiyu and Gillian are playing cards in the small courtyard, Qiuer is quietly improving her ship blueprints, stopping to count from time to time.
Li Xingzhou also laughed, most of his body was exhausted.

Zhong Daoyu was ruthless and straightforward, but he forgot that Li Xingzhou still had a chance, a chance given by God.

The road to heaven and earth is probably like this, the chance is that the south is defeated, and everything is because of the prince!

The emperor spared no effort to protect the prince, but the prince was still banned from the East Palace and could not set foot in the court.

Why did Li Xingzhou choose this opportunity in the first place, because neither Yang Hongzhao nor the crown prince was in the capital.

Although the prince is going to come back now, it doesn't matter if he comes back or not.

In the final analysis, the current crown prince is no different from not being in the capital.Zhong Daoyu was cruel and ruthless, but he never had a thorough understanding of the situation. He didn't fully understand what roles Li Xingzhou, Zhong Daoyu, Yang Hongzhao and the prince played in this matter.

Yang Hongzhao is the resistance, the prince is the obstacle, and Zhong Daoyu is the powerful helper.

The resistance is not in the capital, the obstacles dig their own corners, and the road is already smooth.He just lost the help now, but Zhong Daoyu doesn't have to be the helper, it's just that Zhong Daoyu is the best.

Li Xingzhou took a sip of the tea offered by Qiu'er, feeling refreshed, and now he could only look at his face.The importance of De Gong and He Zhao is great, but it has never been so big as to make a final decision, because Zhong Daoyu is mainly in charge of the new army, and the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of War, and the Assistant Supervisor of Military Weapons.Degong and He Zhao are very important in the court, but they are just outsiders.

He sat down and taught Yue'er how to play cards for a while, and helped Qiu'er do some calculations. At this time, Yan Shen hurriedly knocked on the door of the small courtyard, "My lord, someone is asking to see you!", and then handed him a delicate card. On the greeting post, the words "Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Industry, Mao Luan" are written in gilt characters on a red background.

Li Xingzhou was taken aback, who is Mao Luan?But then I looked at the prefix in front of it, and the Ministry of Industry judged the matter!

(End of this chapter)