The rise of the prince

Chapter 245 An Unexpected Success + The Difficulty of Princess Qing'an
"I was a little annoyed at first." The emperor sat down at the stone table in the small pavilion, and tasted the tea cake made by Concubine Tian.

Concubine Tian followed and sat down. She was indeed shocked, but more curious. The Tian family has a big business, but they are more involved in business, buying and selling land, and less involved in disputes between the court and China. Concubine Tian herself has a calm personality and is not interested in power struggles. .

Therefore, rather than being shocked, she was more curious about why Li Xingzhou had such a bad reputation, and people scolded him everywhere in Beijing, why there were so many big figures supporting him, not to mention a small prince, even a prince.

The emperor went on to say: "I thought that Wang Yue was doing favoritism for his own benefit. After all, Xingzhou will be his grandson-in-law in the future."

"That's good. Isn't Your Majesty worried about this? Xingzhou was lonely and lonely since he was a child, and he has no one to take care of him. Wouldn't it be nice if Wang Xiang is willing to take care of him now." Concubine Tian said while pouring tea for the emperor.

The emperor shook his head: "You are pure in heart, less polluted by the world, and don't know the sinister heart. I am afraid that Wang Yue will use the name of Xingzhou to seek personal gain for himself. It is true."

"How come, Wang Xiang has always been loyal to the emperor and the country. He is the pillar of the country, the humerus of the country, and the ministers of the common people said so." Concubine Tian interrupted while pouring tea for herself. Knowing how to avoid taboo and cover up, many times she would say the wrong thing, but after a long time, the emperor liked her even more, and also granted her the position of the fourth concubine in the palace.

The four concubines in the palace are noble, graceful, virtuous, and virtuous, but they are second only to the empress, so many people can't get it.

The emperor shook his head: "You think too simply, you can't believe what others say. But this time Wang Yue admitted it quickly, and directly said that he was favoritism, which means that he may really be thinking about Xingzhou."

"As for He Zhao, he has always been upright and stubborn. Since he said that Xingzhou is talented and able to do things in his Kaiyuan mansion, it is likely to be it." The emperor said, took the tea in Tian Fei's hand, took a sip, and then go on.

"Actually, I should have thought that those who achieve success don't care about small things, cherish their own wings, and they can't let go of their hands and feet for fame and reputation. It is difficult to achieve great things. The prince made such a big mistake this time because he valued credit and reputation too much. Thinking about military exploits , an aggressive so that so!
But although Xingzhou has a stubborn temper, he likes to fight, he does things in an eclectic manner, and he doesn't care about gain or loss of reputation, so it's not the quality that a successful person should possess.It's just that I have been his child before, and I haven't thought about many things, so I never thought of it. "

Concubine Tian seemed to understand, but still nodded: "Your Majesty may be right."

"Even Chen Yu recommended him." Speaking of Chen Yu, the emperor also laughed: "Xingzhou almost killed him at the beginning, but if Mr. Chen spoke up, there are nine out of ten mistakes. He said Xingzhou's character Although it is not good, but it has the qualifications to make things happen, and it is a material that can be made. Since he said so, then Xingzhou must not be ordinary."

"Where is Lord Lu Jie, the envoy of salt and iron? Why did he recommend it?" Concubine Tian asked curiously.

The emperor waved his hand: "It's all clichés. I guess he felt guilty for wronging Xingzhou's private purchase of iron and stone last time. It's a favor."

"Then the Ministry of Households envoy Tang Zhou as an adult?"

"He!" As soon as Tang Zhouwei was mentioned, the emperor couldn't help shaking his head and laughing: "It's just playing with the wind."

The emperor said and stood up: "In the past two years, I have been defeated in successive battles. I have realized how many problems there are in the military system, but the resistance in the court is not small. Now is an opportunity. Yang Hongzhao is in the south, and Tong Guan and Zhao Guanghua have rare opinions. Unification. Once the crown prince is defeated, the royal family loses all face, and the majesty of the Tian family falls, and it is unpopular. It is time for someone to revive the royal Tianwei, but I don’t know whether it is right or wrong to choose Xingzhou this time.”

"What are you worried about, Your Majesty? So many ministers say that the son is talented, so there must be one." Concubine Tian said.

"Don't worry about his talents. Because Xingzhou is young and has little experience in the world, I am afraid that he will not be stable enough." The emperor supported the fence of the small pavilion and looked towards the sky: "You say, it is better to give Xingzhou as many soldiers as possible."

"The emperor asked me why, I don't understand military affairs." Concubine Tian shook her head.

"Because you don't understand, you won't play favoritism."

Concubine Tian didn't think too much, she raised her head and thought about it: "Five thousand?"

"The grass on the wall." Degong put down his wine glass. It was already afternoon, and there were only him and Li Xingzhou in the small courtyard of the Wangfu, except for a pot of good wine, and a few side dishes that Li Xingzhou cooked himself: "Tang Zhou is an old man who doesn't know yet. , He saw that there were too many people talking, so he quickly stood up and joined in the fun, as long as you know it, you must remember his kindness in your heart."

Li Xingzhou pointed out that things were indeed beyond his expectations. After all, he only invited Degong and He Zhao to help, and the matter of the Ministry of Industry and Judgment also happened to catch up later. He did not expect so many people to stand up in the court all at once.

"Speaking of which, Mao Luan was sentenced by the Ministry of Industry, how did you bribe him?" Degong asked curiously.

Li Xingzhou was speechless: "What is bribery? It's mutual benefit. I saved his life." He told the story of Mao Luan's visit to the palace that day. Coincidentally, he didn't expect such a thing to happen in the palace. big thing.

The empress dowager is dying, and the mausoleum has not been repaired. It is a great crime of unfilial piety falling on the emperor.

When Mao Luan came to the palace that day, he saw Qiu'er's pulley block and two men easily pull up the thousand-jin water wheel.

This was a life-saving straw, so I hurried to the door to ask for a pulley block.

In fact, the pulley block is not a product that is difficult to produce or has a high technical content, but in Mao Luan's eyes, it is like a fairy treasure. Two men can lift a thousand catties. He has never heard of it or seen it in most of his life.
Most importantly, this thing could save his life!
Apart from Mao Luan, there was also Baoyuan monk who came that day. It turned out that Baoyuan monk was Mao Luan’s younger brother. When they were young, they studied under a famous Confucianist on Jingxi Road. , so as to speak to the Deputy Prime Minister Yu Chengan at the judging table, so as to save the life of the senior brother.

I didn't expect that his words were really good, but when he met Li Xingzhou, his plan fell through. Mao Luan was completely desperate, and finally asked to come to the palace.

After listening to it, Li Xingzhou couldn't help feeling that his fate was wonderful. He wrote the poem at the Shangyuan Poetry Conference because Li Huan was in a difficult situation, and he didn't want to trouble him later, but unexpectedly, he helped him. If Monk Baoyuan and Yu Cheng An had spoken, now he might not have a chance.

Degong was stunned for a while after hearing this, then shook his head and said, "I don't know about this yet."

Li Xingzhou was not surprised by this. The so-called family ugliness should not be publicized. This is considered a royal scandal. The emperor would not talk nonsense, and Mao Luan did not dare to spread it.

"Hehe, but in the final analysis, your boy was saved once by his maid." Degong laughed at him with a side dish.

Li Xingzhou spread his hands and didn't care, Qiu'er is not a maid in his heart: "But I don't understand why Chen Yu wants to help me"

Speaking of this, De Gong laughed: "Do you know what Chen Yu said above the court?"

"what?"

"Yueweng said that your character is not good, but you are qualified for success, so I recommend you." He laughed out loud after speaking.

"Puff, cough, cough." Li Xingzhou almost choked himself to death, and couldn't help pointing his nose and said, "My character is bad!"

"Otherwise, you should ask yourself." De Gong knocked on the stone table.

"I think it's okay, cough cough, let's not talk about character, how will the emperor decide in the end?"

Dezheng sat down and put away his smile: "What else can I do? The people who speak for you are almost half the imperial court. Although His Majesty said to think about it, in fact, he has already made up his mind. You are going to make preparations in the near future. Presumably, the imperial decree will arrive in a few days. But this military restructuring is not a trivial matter, and the handover from the Sanya to the Privy Council is not so fast, so you don't have to worry."

Li Xingzhou nodded, of course he understands this, more than 2 people, power transfer, change of establishment, big changes from top to bottom.

This is not a simple matter, and it is not something that can be solved with just a few words. If you encounter something that is unfavorable, it may be delayed for ten days and a half months, or even several months and half a year. Fortunately, Zhong Daoyu is in charge of this matter.

Zhong Daoyu, as far as the present is concerned, although he has a grudge against him, he cannot turn his back on him. It is most efficient for him to take charge of this matter.

"Speaking of which, why did Lu Jie help you?" Degong asked after taking a sip of his wine and suddenly remembered something.

"Salt Iron Envoy Lu Festival?"

Duke nodded.

"Probably because of fear." Li Xingzhou said.

"Fear?"

"He went to the emperor to say that I hid the iron and stone, implying that the plot was wrong, and later found out that it was a misunderstanding. But even so, he must have thought that the beam with me has been formed, and seeing so many of you speak for me, he must be flustered , also stand up quickly, take it as a flattery." Li Xingzhou laughed.

After hearing this, De Gong was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head and laughed.

Sometimes things are so coincidental, Li Xingzhou doesn't know why Chen Yu speaks for him, but Degong, He Zhao, and Ji Chunsheng will definitely speak for him. I said it.

As a result, at the critical moment, Tang Zhou couldn't stand up because of the crowd, so he also stood up to help.

It's okay for him to help, but Lu Jie was afraid of being hated because he made a small report about Li Xingzhou in front of the emperor. One is to show kindness, and the other is to apologize.

But this time he stopped, among other things, the second mansion and the third division of the Jing Dynasty jointly governed state affairs. up.

Five accounts for three out of three, and the weight can be imagined.

In this case, not to mention that Zhong Daoyu couldn't control him, even the emperor had to seriously consider it.

Li Xingzhou really didn't think that things would happen in this way. Tang Zhou played a decisive role at the critical moment for this fool. It was unexpected.

"It seems that there will be more people to thank in the future." Li Xingzhou stretched his waist.

Degong nodded: "Of course I want to thank you, but don't be in a hurry, don't be too deliberate, deliberate is not good, especially that Tang Zhouwei, thank you, don't worry about his benefits, this person is unreliable; and Lu Jie, this man is a craftsman, he can do things, but he has no brains; as for Zhong Daoyu, you should hate him, but you can't offend him at this time."

De Gong babbled, of course he knew much more about these people in the court than himself, Li Xingzhou also listened patiently, and then remembered it in his heart, probably only De Gong could tell him these things.

The next day, Li Xingzhou got up early and went out to exercise as usual. Qiu'er and Yue'er sent him to the door as usual, but this time there was an extra Gillian.

In the past few days, because Mr. De was not at home, she has been living in the small courtyard of the palace. At first, she lowered her head shyly and dared not see people. Now she is used to it, even if someone calls her madam, she will nod in response.

"You should get some more sleep." Li Xingzhou said while putting on his legs.

Gillian shook her head: "I am with Shizi, Qiu'er and Yue'er can get up early, and so can I."

"Sister A-Jiao, we are used to it. You didn't get up so early in the mansion, did you?" Yue'er covered her ears bouncingly and said, although it was spring, it was still cold in the morning.

Gillian nodded: "But I will get up with you in the future."

"That's so embarrassing." Yue'er said, "You can't even sleep well."

"It's okay." Gillian smiled.

Then the three girls whispered again, Li Xingzhou has already started morning exercises here, running, shaking the big gun, leaning against the iron mountain, and then riding a horse. He is very familiar with this routine.

This is how each day begins.

In the morning, he first took a look at the production room of the Suifa gun. Because of Guan Zhong's improvement and the continuous completion of the Shuiluo forging hammer, the palace can now produce about ten Suifa guns every day. The stock, as well as the surplus, are piled up in the warehouse.

Li Xingzhou would not have dared to think of this situation before.

The annual production is expected to be [-]. If the production line can continue to be expanded in the future, the output can be increased. If the emperor can give him [-] imperial troops to train for two or three months, Li Xingzhou will even have the courage to go south.

Of course, there is another big event in the pipeline.

In the afternoon, he personally went to the kiln area of ​​Houshan to find Zhu Rong. Zhu Rong’s family has been cutting the wrought iron into small pieces according to his instructions. Although wrought iron is soft and low in strength, it is still iron. In the absence of tool steel Cutting is still difficult.

Seeing him coming, Zhu Rong excitedly took him to the thatched shed next to him. The loess mound outside was full of men, women and children, some of them were using guillotine knives, some were using blunt hatchets, and they were chipping away at wrought iron pieces bit by bit. , all of them were dusty and sloppy, and in the temporary thatched shed, Zhu Rong showed him the fruits of these days' labor.

The two large baskets have been cut into small strips of wrought iron, covered with sackcloth to prevent dust and moisture, and they add up to four to five hundred catties.

"My lord, how are these!" Zhu Rong said proudly.

Li Xingzhou nodded. With these, it is enough to refine the first wave of tool steel.

Qidong's skin was flushed all over, and he walked around in the hall. There were sixteen braziers lit in the four corners of the hall, and they were carefully placed.

The two young maidservants were naked, with fine beads of sweat on their foreheads, but they were fanning the fire while adding things to the alchemy furnace, which was more than half a meter high. The black olive core below was ignited, and the fire was light blue, very coquettish and charming.

But the hall was already sweltering and hot, and now the black olives were being burned and the smoke suddenly filled the air, making the eyes smoky and choking. He didn't dare to make a sound at all.

I just added some unknown black, gray, and white powders into the alchemy furnace one by one according to the instructions.

A Taoist priest once told Qidong that the reason why the fire is light green is that Wulan is a fairy fruit from heaven, left behind in the world, its core gathers the essence of heaven and earth, ignites into green, different from ordinary fire, it is the only one used for alchemy choice.

Qidong took it for granted, and from then on, he bought a large amount of black olives from Jiannan Road every year.

After a while, Qi Fang, who was fully armed and travel-stained, hurriedly opened the door and came in. When he opened the door, he was immediately taken back two steps by the heat wave inside, but he didn't say anything.

"close the door!"

As soon as he entered the building, he ordered.

Qifang had no choice but to turn around and close the door, and the hot hall was immediately covered tightly again.

"Why did father call me in such a hurry?" Qi Fang asked.

Qidong asked anxiously: "Su Ban'an wrote me a letter asking me to kill Princess Qing'an's family!"

Xue Fang was suffocated by the steaming heat in the hall, and she was drowsy. When she heard these words, she became alert, and her mind suddenly woke up: "What!"

"Su Ban'an is uneasy and kind," Qidong said and handed a letter on the desk to Qifang, who took it and looked at it.

"Princess Qing'an has been married to Luzhou for many years. I have always been respectful and respectful. She is the daughter of the Empress Dowager. If you touch her, you will be completely against the imperial court. No matter what the reason is, the imperial court will never let me go in Luzhou!" Qi Dong Walking anxiously.

"Su Ban'an, a cowardly and ambitious man, he understands this, so he forced me to do it." Qidong's skin was flushed, but he didn't shed a single drop of sweat, and Qifang, who was sweating profusely just after entering for a while, , and the two drenched maidservants are in stark contrast.

"He wants to kill me!" Qidong gritted his teeth.

After reading the letter, Qifang wiped the sweat from his forehead, and his expression became solemn, Princess Qing'an, I don't know what a joke, Ansu Mansion has already rebelled, so naturally Princess Qing'an cannot be tolerated, they are trying to force Luzhou to At the end of the road, forcing them to stand aside.

"What is Father going to do?" Qifang also felt dizzy. The letter was written with awe-inspiring righteousness and harsh words, saying that Princess Li Nianqiu of Qing'an is a remnant of the puppet dynasty.

If they agree to Su Banan's proposal to kill Princess Qing'an, they will completely become enemies of the imperial court, and there will be no turning back from then on; if they do not agree to Su Banan's proposal, protecting Princess Qing'an will be an enemy of Ansu Mansion.

Now Su Ban'an is stationed at the border of Luzhou, not to mention, behind him is the [-] troops of Ansu Mansion!

Qidong was also in a state of desperation: "I have asked your two brothers to hold Su Ban'an back. Anyway, he is in a border area, and he will be out of reach in a short time. You should go to Princess Qing'an's mansion immediately. Come and go quickly and secretly. The princess hastily drafted a letter from her family and sent it to the capital to ask for help! Princess Qing'an is the queen's daughter, and the imperial court probably won't just sit idly by."

"What if the imperial court really sits idly by?" Qi Fang raised his head and asked.

Qidong's eyes gradually became sharper: "Then you can't blame me."

(End of this chapter)