Paper Maker: This is the end of the Ming Dynasty in Liaozhai

Chapter 229 Steamboat!The world began to change!
As Tang Xiangjin and Luo Yi left Jinan Fucheng with their troops, the atmosphere in the whole Fucheng became dull for a while. The people living in Fucheng knew that the peace talks between Daqi and Ming were only five years away. At last, Tang Xiangjin and Luo Yi, the two left governors, led the army to leave again. It was obvious that the war was coming.

Regarding this war, most people in Fucheng are pessimistic. The Ming Dynasty has ruled the world for more than 200 years. ?
But no one wants Daqi to be wiped out. Although Daqi’s taxes are not light, Daqi’s taxes are much better than those of Ming Dynasty. They only collect land mu tax. The county magistrate has no right to levy any exorbitant taxes, and the corvee is also very light. , only half a month of corvee a year.

If Da Qi was defeated, then when Da Ming came back, the previous exorbitant taxes would also come back. Only a few years of good life passed, and no one wanted to go back to the old days.

What's more, Daqi recruited 40 soldiers in Shandong, and no family had any relatives to join the Qi army. Once Daqi was defeated, how could their relatives come back safe and sound.

.........

Not to mention the worries of the people in Jinan Fucheng, the Ming Dynasty Hall had already exploded at this time, because Daqi blocked the canal first.

"Zhuzi doesn't believe what he says!"

Zhou Yanru's face was cold. They thought that before Da Ming took the initiative to act, Da Qi would not cut off the water transportation for the sake of reputation, and they could take this opportunity to transport more grain to Beijing. They didn't expect Su Hao to be so shady that he was in the river. Dozens of large ships filled with sand and gravel were scuttled and blocked the river to death.

What's more, the blocked place is still in Shandong, they can't send people to clear the river, they can only wait for Su Hao to send people to clear it, but it's impossible to get it with his toes.

Hearing Zhou Yanru's words, Wen Tiren, Wu Zongda and others shook their heads imperceptibly. To be honest, Da Qi was already benevolent. If Da Qi had stabbed him in the back when the Jurchen entered the customs, Da Ming would have It's dangerous.

Now that Da Ming and Da Qi will have a battle, it is reasonable for Da Qi to block the canal. After all, if it is not blocked, Da Ming can take the opportunity to store more food, which is even more unfavorable to Da Qi.

"Brother Zhou, Your Majesty asked us to recommend candidates for this conquest against the Puppet Qi. Who do you think is competent?"

At this time, Wen Tiren asked.

Hearing Wen Tiren's words, Zhou Yanru frowned and pondered. This battle can be said to be a life-and-death battle for Ming. If the canal cannot be controlled before the capital runs out of food, then the capital will be controlled by Daqi again, so they recommended People must have real talents and practical learning, otherwise, if something goes wrong, Zhu Youjian will definitely not let them go.

"Why don't you call Sun Chengzong back?"

After thinking for a while, Zhou Yanru said that although the cities of Shenyang and Liaoyang were taken away by Daqi, Sun Chengzong was not guilty of the crime, so Sun Chengzong and the others were not punished, but let Sun Chengzong stay in Liaodong to guard against the Qi army.

Now to find a candidate who can be in command, then Sun Chengzong is the best candidate. After all, there are not many civil servants like Sun Chengzong who have been in battle for a long time in the entire Ming Dynasty.

"inappropriate."

Wu Zongda on the side shook his head: "Brother Zhou, Liaodong is equally important. If Liaodong falls, the Qi army will go straight to Shanhaiguan, and the capital will be in danger then!"

The Qi army was no better than the Jurchens back then. The Jurchens' cavalry were formidable, but the lack of siege ability was the Jurchens' fatal flaw. Without the siege ability, it would be difficult for the Jurchens to threaten the capital.

But Daqi is different, the other party has a strong ability to attack the city, once Liaodong falls, the Qi army in Liaodong and Shandong can pinch the capital, and by then, Daming will be over.

"Then who do you think should be recommended?"

Hearing this, Zhou Yanru also sighed. If Sun Chengzong doesn't move, there will not be many people in the court who can be in command.

"I think Hong Chengchou is competent."

After thinking for a while, Wen Tiren said, "In the past two years, Hong Chengchou has also been quite effective in countering the rebellion in Shaanxi."

In fact, Yuan Chonghuan is also a good candidate, but Yuan Chonghuan was dismissed by Zhu Youjian himself. If he is recommended, it will undoubtedly be a slap in the face of Zhu Youjian.

"I think Chen Qiyu can do it too."

At this time, Wu Zongda also spoke.

"Let's draw up a list first and hand it over."

Zhou Yanru said calmly, although he can also recommend his own people, but this matter is too important, if there is any mistake, he can't bear it, there is really no need to take this risk.

...

Time passed day by day, and as the soldiers and horses in Daming capital were rectified, the smell of gunpowder became more and more intense.

.........

Jinan Fucheng.

Zichen Palace.

Looking at the mountain of notebooks, Su Hao couldn't help but frown. As the time of the war drew closer, there were more and more miscellaneous things.

After a while, Su Hao controlled the four natal paper figurines and began to deal with government affairs. Although there were many government affairs, they still did not affect his practice. With the secret art of distraction, he could multi-purpose.

It's just that after finishing the memorandum, Su Hao's face did not show a relaxed expression, but became extremely gloomy. In recent days, I don't know if it is because the war between Da Ming and Da Qi is coming soon, those evil spirits think that Now Daqi must not be able to deploy manpower to deal with them, so he is always wandering around Shandong, killing them from time to time.

"My lord, Commander Ding is seeking an audience outside."

At this time, a servant came up and bowed.

Su Hao waved his hands and said, "Let him come up."

After a while, Ding Zimo went upstairs led by the servant.

"Master."

Ding Zimo bowed and saluted.

Su Hao said indifferently: "What's the matter?"

"Master, a message has been sent back from Zhenmensi. Now it seems that many heretic warlocks have suddenly appeared in various parts of the Central Plains."

Ding Zimo said with a worried face: "The Zhenmagic learned from some heretic warlocks who committed crimes that there are many more heretic warlocks appearing in ghost markets in various places recently than before, and there are all kinds of factions. The prices of cultivation materials are rising sharply."

"Have you found out why?"

Su Hao frowned slightly. Although there are quite a few heretic warlocks in the Central Plains, the number is always limited to a certain limit. Apart from the reason that the law is not taught lightly, the main reason is that most heretic warlocks are worried that too many people will learn compete for resources.

Because heretic warlocks and Taoist priests practice relatively rare materials, no matter whether they are Taoist priests or heretic warlocks, they will not wantonly recruit disciples.

"I checked."

Ding Zimo said solemnly: "Tuer led people to catch a few heretic warlocks who appeared suddenly. After interrogation, they found that most of their practice methods came from some wild temples or abandoned god statues. Tuer also went to those places. Look, there is no magic at all, it seems that someone is deliberately spreading the exercises."

"You lead people to investigate strictly."

Hearing Ding Zimo's words, Su Hao said solemnly: "Be sure to find out who is behind the scenes!"

It is not a good thing that there are too many heresy warlocks suddenly appearing. It is fine for some people to pretend to be gods and ghosts. More importantly, there are so many heresy warlocks suddenly, which means that the normal training materials will definitely not be enough.

In this way, it is inevitable that some people will practice evil ways. For example, they are papermakers. In addition to the bark of demon trees, according to the travel notes of the ancestors of the Su family, they can also use human skin to make paper people, especially those who are more resentful. The skin, the stronger the paper man is, and the soul of the more resentful person after death is also an excellent practice material, which can be used to control the paper man.

Although this kind of evil method has rarely appeared under the suppression of past dynasties, since someone deliberately spreads the cultivation method, it is hard to say that person will not spread this kind of evil method.

"The disciple understands."

Hearing Su Hao's words, Ding Zimo bowed in response.

...

After Ding Zimo withdrew, Su Hao fell into deep thought. He didn't understand why the other party spent so much time in spreading the cultivation skills. Moreover, there are all kinds of skills. There are not many people with this kind of background. .

Now there are only a handful of forces in the whole Central Plains with this kind of background, and there are many holy places of Taoism and Buddhism. It has been passed down for more than 1000 years and must have collected a lot.

In addition to the three religions of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, there is also the White Lotus Sect, but the inheritance of the White Lotus Sect is quite strict. In addition, there are only so many inheritances of heretical warlocks in the Ming court.

It's just that he can't figure out which side is spreading the techniques of the left-way warlocks. After all, this kind of thing is not good for any side. After all, so many left-way warlocks will definitely squeeze the survival of all parties. Space, few people are willing to have so many more competitors for no reason.

"My lord, Mr. Hou Ge is asking to see you outside."

At this moment, the servant came up again.

"Let him come up."

Hearing Hou Yuangao begging to see him, Su Hao withdrew his thoughts and said calmly.

After a while, Hou Yuangao went upstairs led by the servant.

"I see you, Your Majesty."

Hou Yuangao knelt down on the ground, kowtowed three times and bowed nine times.

"What's the meaning of this, love?"

Seeing Hou Yuangao performing such a great ceremony, Su Hao couldn't help frowning. According to Daqi's laws, the ceremony of kneeling three times and prostrating nine times is only used during major festivals or great sacrifices. Normally, he just bows and bows. That's all.

"My lord is guilty!"

After Hou Yuangao kowtowed his head, he said: "Please punish the crime, Your Majesty!"

"Get up and talk."

Su Hao waved his hands calmly and said, the black ice platform didn't find anything wrong with Hou Yuangao, even if something happened, it's not a big deal.

Hearing Su Hao's words, Hou Yuangao stood up, bowed and said, "I have no way to teach my son, which caused me to disobey His Majesty's will and come into contact with the steam engine in the scientific research institute."

"What did he do?"

Hearing this, Su Hao frowned slightly. At the beginning, he recruited many Mohist disciples, established a scientific research institute, and created the prototype of the steam engine, but later he discovered that the steam engine might cause a big change.

So he ordered the technology of the steam engine to be sealed up, and at the same time prohibited those Mohists from continuing to study it. Unexpectedly, Hou Yuangao's son would take the initiative to contact the steam engine.

"Returning to Your Majesty, with the help of that steam engine, this son of a minister has built a boat that can move forward without relying on manpower and water flow, and even sailed to Daming Lake."

Hou Yuangao said with a bitter face, their Hou family inherited Mohism mechanism art, and his son Hou Xun is also a genius in learning mechanism art, he learned the Hou family's mechanism art thoroughly at a young age, and later he became Minister of the Ministry of Industry of Daqi , became the leader of the Mohist school, and his son was also sought after by many Mohist children.

Later, for some reason, Hou Xun actually knew about the steam engine and learned how to make it. He fiddled with a boat that could move forward without relying on manpower and water flow. He was usually busy and rarely cared about Hou Xun. He didn't know that Hou Xun had caused such a big disaster until he heard the servants at home say.

Steamboat?

Hearing Hou Yuangao's words, Su Hao raised his eyebrows slightly. No one knows the development potential of the steam engine better than him. The only ship that can move forward without relying on manpower and water flow is the steam engine ship.

"Bring it to me to have a look, and bring your son along the way."

After thinking for a while, Su Hao opened his mouth and said.

"The minister obeys the order."

Hou Yuangao bowed his hands in response.

...

An hour later, by the Zhuoying Lake in the palace, Hou Yuangao, Hou Xun and his son stood by the lake, and there was a wooden boat about two feet long in the lake.

"You are Hou Xun?"

Su Hao took a look at Hou Xun, the other party's age was about the same as him, but after he practiced Human Immortal Martial Arts, his muscles, bones and skin were tempered, making him look younger, while Hou Xun looked more mature.

"Back to Your Majesty, the subject is Hou Xun."

Hearing Su Hao's question, Hou Xun hurriedly knelt down to salute, because Hou Yuangao is the minister of the Ministry of Industry, and he was also given the official title of sixth rank by Enyin. Although he has not formally stepped into the officialdom, he can call himself a minister.

"I remember that I have ordered to seal up the technology of the steam engine before. Why do you deliberately disobey my will?"

Su Hao's eyes narrowed slightly. To be honest, he didn't think that his prestige was not enough, nor did he think that Hou Xun had the courage to ignore his will, including those Mohists who told Hou Xun the news about the steam engine were also weird.

Obviously he had already made the decree, but those Mohists dared to tell Hou Xun and taught Hou Xun how to make it. This kind of thing is undoubtedly taking the lives of his family on the grave. It is light to copy and chop all over the house.

Besides, the technology of the steam engine is not inherited by the Mohists. It is worth their lives to pass it on. What's more, Hou Xun even learned it, but he even built it, made a boat, and sailed to Daming Lake Deser, this is not something a normal person can do at all. You must know that this is a major event of ransacking the family.

"Back to Your Majesty, I don't know."

Hearing the words "Anti-Zhi", Hou Xun repeatedly kowtowed and said, "I don't know what's going on. Ever since I learned about the steam engine, I've been wanting to learn it by accident."

"Didn't those Mohists who taught you how to make steam engines tell you?"

Hearing this, Su Hao said indifferently: "And I have asked the scientific research institute to seal up the steam engine, how did you come into contact with it?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, Huang Xiang and others from the Academy of Sciences taught me, and they also took me to see the steam engine."

Hou Xun kowtowed again and again.

"Go and start that ship and show me."

Su Hao waved his hand, he was naturally aware of this matter, the Black Ice Terrace was not a decoration, Liao Qing had already checked everything out half an hour ago.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Hearing Su Hao's words, Hou Xun quickly got up and walked towards the steam engine ship.

Looking at Hou Xun's figure, suddenly, Su Hao had a premonition in his mind, the world seemed to have changed.

(End of this chapter)