Neon Clothes and Iron Clothes

Chapter 823 Departure
"Confucius? Mozi? Laozi?" Sutuo was stunned. He grew up in a warrior education on the island. In fact, he did not have the same god-like feelings for the three people Chongjing mentioned in his mouth as the later Chinese people at that time, but he also Without going into details, I picked up my pen and continued writing silently. Chongjing also twirled his beard and thought carefully while watching, his eyebrows almost twisted into a rope.

After a while, Sutuo finally let out a long breath, put down the brush, and Chongjing asked: "Master, have you finished writing silently?"

"Well, that's all I remember!" Sutuo said with a bitter smile: "I can't help it, Aye said too much today, and the most I can remember is only seventy-seven or eighty-eight! I don't know how much I have forgotten. !”

"It's amazing that the young master can remember so much!" Chongjing comforted him while staring at the paper in his hand, fearing that he would miss a word.

"Taoist Priest, there is one more thing that I want you to look into in detail for me!" Sutuo asked.

"Yes!" Chongjing reluctantly put down the paper in his hand: "Master, please speak!"

"That's what happened!" Sutuo recounted the previous incident where Wang Wenzuo asked him and Yuan Bao to choose two errands and Yuan Bao's strange attitude toward him afterwards. Finally, he said: "My brother doesn't know what's going on. He speaks in a weird way. Yes, it seems that I have harmed him today, but he is clearly the governor of Cangzhou, how can he blame me? Taoist priest, tell me what I should do?"

"Master!" Chongjing sighed: "Did the general really say that he would give you half of his private treasury in front of Master Yuanbao?"

"Yes!"

"Young master, you can observe quietly for a few days first!" Chongjing said: "If Mrs. Cui's attitude towards you changes significantly, then you should be wary of Mr. Yuanbao!"

"Does the Taoist mean that Yuan Bao will use Aunt Cui to harm me?" Sutuo's expression changed drastically.

"Yes!" Chong Ding nodded: "If it is according to what the young master said, only you and your son were present at what happened at that time. The general will definitely not tell outsiders, and neither will you. If there are outsiders who know about it, it is probably Mr. Yuanbao did it. In fact, it doesn't matter what Mr. Yuanbao said at that time. After all, he was only sixteen or seventeen years old, and it was human nature to say something excessive when he encountered a big change. But if he leaked it to others after he returned. Mrs. Cui, that was intentional!”

"Yes!" Sutuo nodded. Of course he knew that his father's current wife already had a child, but she was still young. Although Aunt Cui is quite polite to herself and Yuan Bao on the surface, she is not unwary in her heart. After all, Wang Wenzuo does not engage in the eldest son inheritance system. The more she and Yuan Bao get, the more her children will get when they grow up. The less. If Yanliang inherited the maternal lineage and Huliang was equal to joining his wife's family, then she would suddenly receive half of her father's private treasury. How could Aunt Cui tolerate it if she knew about it?

"Taoist Master! If that's really the case, what do you think I should do?" Sutuo asked.

"The general has a sharp eye and is not the kind of person who listens to women. And from what you have said, he attaches great importance to this voyage. As long as you complete this mission, you don't need to worry about other things. "

"I understand! Thank you, Taoist Priest, for reminding me!"

————————————————————————————

The General's Mansion.

"This is a method of calculating latitude using the angle between direct sunlight and sea level at noon! Xutuo, do you remember it?" Wang Wenzuo put down the quill in his hand and asked, pointing to the series of numbers and figures he just listed.

"This -" Sutuo said with a bitter look on his face: "Father, please forgive me for being stupid, I don't understand very well yet!"

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand. You can think about it slowly after you go back tonight. I'll tell it again when I come tomorrow!" Wang Wenzuo was very patient. He knew that although he had given simple geometry lessons to the sons on the island, It is estimated that they may not have learned it well at that time, and they would definitely not be able to apply it after hearing such a profound practical method. Besides, the discovery of the New World by sailing expedition is not something that can be achieved overnight. In the first few years, it would be good to expand the route to close to the Bering Strait and establish a few more seasonal bases. My own lectures can help my son broaden his horizons. The goal was achieved.

"Father, I have something to report to you!" Suta said carefully.

"what's up?"

"What you explained to me last time about the big ball under our feet, I told another person!"

"Oh? Just say it! It will be announced sooner or later anyway!" Wang Wenzuo didn't care. After all, if the Chinese want to develop long-distance navigation in the future, they cannot do without the knowledge that the earth is round. Sooner or later it will become popular, at least among people engaged in ocean trade and colonization. Anyway, now I am not afraid of being impeached. It doesn't matter even if these things are leaked.

"Thank you, father!" Sutuo breathed a sigh of relief, and he asked cautiously: "As for the expedition fleet, I want to know about it in advance, as well as the required expenses-"

"The latest clipper is at the shipyard in Cangzhou and is still under construction. You can go at any time, but I suggest you concentrate on listening to what I'm talking about before going! As for the cost-" Wang Wenzuo After a slight pause: "You can go directly to Sanqiu. I have already mentioned it to him. You can use it directly if it is less than 5,000 guan. If it exceeds 5,000 guan, you have to repay me. How about it?"

"Thank you, father!" Sutuo was overjoyed when he heard this. He had heard his father promise to give him half of his private treasury. Although he was happy, it was one thing to say it, and another thing to actually take the money. With the prices at that time The cost of raising an army per person for a year is only more than 20 guan, and 5,000 guan can raise more than 200 soldiers. This is far beyond his expectation.

"Well, you go back first!"

Sutuo happily walked out of the door and bumped into Cui Yunying walking towards him. He quickly retreated to the edge of the corridor, bowed and saluted: "Sutuo has met my aunt!" "Huh!" Cui Yunying glanced at Sutuo and suddenly asked Said: "Sutuo, did you invite an old Taoist priest to your family a few days ago?"

Sutuo's heart skipped a beat, and he carefully replied: "Yes, I heard that the old Taoist was worshiped in the house before, and he had some skills, so he asked him to stay at home and asked him for advice morning and night. He never reported it to the aunt. , please forgive me!"

"Sutuo, you are going to be the governor of a state. Why do you have a Taoist priest at home to report to me?" Cui Yunying said with a smile: "It's just that the origin of this Taoist priest is unknown. You should be careful and don't make any mistakes." , it’s too late to regret it!”

"Auntie taught me a lesson! Sutuo will remember it!"

"Also, although you and Yuanbao are not my biological flesh and blood, since I am your father's official wife, you are also my children in terms of etiquette and law, no different from Asheng. Yanliang and Huliang are both very good now. He is the leader of the Japanese country and has become your father's right-hand man. The other is the emperor's sister-in-law. He led the troops to defeat the bandits in Jiannan. Both of them have gained a lot of face for your father. You two should also be careful and behave accordingly. Come on, try to be a good person for Ah Sheng and the other brothers and sisters. You must not be like those dandy boys who ruin the family and go out of your way. Otherwise, even if your father doesn’t tell you, I, the mistress, I will also punish you with family law, do you understand?”

"Yes, Sotuo should follow the teachings of his aunt!" Sotuo could only bow his head and obey orders.

"Get up!" Cui Yunying suddenly smiled: "I was just saying what I said just now. You are a smart person, Suda, and I believe you will not do such a stupid thing."

"Thank you, ma'am!" Xu Tuo stood up and bowed as Cui Yunying's back disappeared at the end of the corridor. He straightened his back and his face was covered with frost.

In this way, Sutuo went to the General's Mansion to study for half a day every day for about three months. He had just finished listening to the basic geometry, astronomy, and geography taught by Wang Wenzuo. Of course, only God knows how much he could understand. It was already approaching summer, so Sutuo received the departure fee of 100,000 guan from Sancho, and went to Cangzhou with more than 50 followers, intending to go to the port first to see the expedition ship he was about to command. Team.

The distance from Fanyang to Cangzhou is less than two hundred miles. After Wang Wenzuo settled here, he invested a lot of manpower and material resources in the official road and canal. He not only widened and deepened the canal, but also planted willows along both sides of the canal. This is great news for travelers on the road in hot weather. Sutuo and his party chose three flat-bottomed awning boats. The weather was sultry, the sky was low, and dark clouds were rolling. Although the wind direction was favorable, it was not enough to drive the boats. The main power to drive the boats was the large oar at the stern.

Sutuo only wore a single suit and stood on the bow deck of the ship, looking at the scenery on the canal. There were many ships on the water. Judging from the draft, many of the ships were loaded with various goods, the most common of which were salt ships. This kind of ship is easy to identify. It is usually only two or three feet long and five or six feet wide. The deck is piled with salt bags made of reeds, covered with oilcloth or reed mats. Seven or eight are connected in a string, at the front and The company's flag was hoisted on the mast of the ship at the very end. After arriving in Fanyang, these salt ships were then sold through the canal to the states and counties in Hebei and Shandong on both sides of the canal. Thanks to the advanced windmills to lift water and the use of sunlight to dry it to save manpower and fuel, Cangzhou's reputation for high quality and low price salt has gradually spread. Come. Not only are all the states and counties in Hebei and Shandong already eating Cangzhou salt, but even some states and counties on the other side of the Yellow River are beginning to have Cangzhou salt on the market.

"It seems that Yuanbao has really not been idle these past few months!" Sutuo looked at the endless stream of salt boats on the river with great interest. He had heard that his brother, who was the governor of Cangzhou and the salt supervisor, had He went out on inspection tours and did not live in the yamen for more than a few days in the first two months after taking office. He devoted himself entirely to the salt matter. Most likely he was stimulated at the time and wanted to make some achievements for Wang Wenzuo to see.

"Master Sutuo!"

"Taoist Master!" Sutuo turned around and said, "It's too hot. There's a bit of wind on the river. Come and sit down together!"

"Thank you, sir!" Chongjing smiled and sat next to Sotuo. He looked at the scenery on the canal and said with a smile: "Sir, the scenery on the river is just like this, the scenery on the sea must be even more outstanding!"

"Yes!" Sutuo nodded: "Father said that the expedition fleet's ship is ready, but it will definitely not go directly there. I plan to take a trip along the route of Shuliu, Chikushi, and Nambazu first. After getting familiar with people and boats, go further north, this year as far as Zhenbeibao (probably located at the estuary of the Heilongjiang River, near modern Nikolayevsk-on-Amur, across the sea from Sakhalin Island, also at that time The northernmost immigrant settlement controlled by Wang Wenzuo is enough. First increase the household registration there to 1,000 households, and complete the ship repair yard and warehouse, and then consider continuing to the north next year!"

"It's best if the young master can think so thoughtfully!" Chongjing said with a smile.

"By the way, Taoist Master, are you really going to go to sea with me?" Sutuo smiled and said, "I heard Pushan say that the purpose of your trip is to preach the Dharma, but the north is full of woods and swamps, and there are bears. There are more people than there, so what kind of Dharma and teaching are you preaching there?”

"Young master, you don't have to worry about poor Taoism!" Chongjing said with a smile: "Young master is not only going to Zhenbeibao this time, but also going to the Japanese country? There are many people there! Besides, even if you fail to preach the Dharma, you can broaden your horizons. It’s not a bad thing for Pindao!”

"Broaden your horizons?" Sutuo laughed: "Well, if it's for this, your trip will definitely not be in vain. Even if I can't reach the other side of the sea and find another world, I will definitely be able to see a lot of things. There are many things that the Tang Dynasty cannot see!”

While the two were talking, seven or eight boats were shouting slogans and caught up from behind. Their long oars splashed with waves, causing a lot of yelling and cursing on the river. Sutuo curiously asked the boatman on the side: "What are these boats for? Why are they in such a hurry?"

The boatman took one look at the incoming boat and said with a smile: "They are all wool boats, no wonder!"

"Wool boat, what do you mean?" Sutuo asked in confusion.

"It's just a boat loaded with wool!" the boatman laughed.

"Wool's boat?" Sutuo asked in confusion: "Why are you going to Cangzhou?"

The boatman was a talkative person, and seeing that Sutuo was not the type to overwhelm others with his status, he explained with a smile: "Sir, have you ever heard that salt is dried in the summer and alkali is harvested in the winter?"

"Salt in the summer and alkali in the winter? What does this mean?"

The boatman explained with a smile that it turned out that drying sea salt in ancient times took advantage of the principle that high temperatures make water evaporate quickly and salt easily crystallizes. Therefore, unless you are in the south like Hainan Island and Guangdong, usually seaside salt farms only have less than half a year to dry sea salt. In addition to sodium chloride (table salt), seawater also contains a considerable amount of positive carbonate ions. The solubility of sodium carbonate (soda ash) is greatly affected by the temperature. When the temperature decreases, the solubility of sodium carbonate will be greatly reduced. A large amount of soda ash will crystallize out. After the working people in ancient my country discovered this phenomenon, there was a proverb of "drying salt in summer and fishing for soda ash in winter." Sea salt drying grounds can also produce large amounts of soda ash.