After being exiled, I led my whole family to rebel.

Chapter 299 Interpretation of Drawings
Just then, a soldier galloped past on horseback. As soon as he saw them, he immediately stopped, clasped his fists and half-kneeled and said to Zhou Heng: "Your Highness, urgent battle report eight hundred miles ahead!"

Zhou Heng's expression changed slightly, and then he took the bloody battle report.

Fang Ruyu obviously saw his downcast look, so she hurriedly asked: "Your Highness, what happened on the front line?"

There was a hint of suppressed anger in Zhou Heng's voice, "Xiangzhou Mansion was occupied by Jiang Yongkang."

Fang Ruyu didn't dare to speak and could only look at him with her clear eyes that were ignorant of the world.

Zhou Heng quickly comforted her: "I don't blame you, it will happen sooner or later. Since the Jinzhou government already knows that the firearm blueprints have been stolen, they will definitely capture the city before we can make the firearms. Not to mention Xiangzhou, I'm afraid Ezhou will also I can’t keep it, but... I expected this.”

This also shows that the drawings brought back by Fang Ruyu are real!
Otherwise Xu Zhenying would not be so angry.

But the speed of losing the city was too fast!

Now Zhou Heng really wants to see with his own eyes what that firearm looks like and why it is so powerful!
Fang Ruyu immediately said anxiously: "Then what are we waiting for? Hurry up and order the craftsmen to study the firearms drawings!"

Zhou Heng stared at Fang Ruyu with a guilty look on his face: "In this case, I will have to work hard for you again."

"Speak of hard work, hurry up, gather all the craftsmen, we will study firearms immediately!"

So soon, in Zhou Heng's palace, all the civil servants, military generals and craftsmen gathered together. Firearms were of great importance, so people who could enter and narrate the story were naturally chosen again and again.

The family members of those craftsmen were all detained in cells, and naturally they were not afraid of them leaking the news.

They were guarding the next room at the moment, and Master Meng had already sent the drawings over for them to study.

The only men in the room were Zhou Ying and Fang Ruyu.

Of these two women, one is from Jinzhou Prefecture and is familiar with the situation in Jinzhou Prefecture.

As for Zhou Ying, as Zhou Heng's sister, she has a distinguished status, and since she was successful in stealing the pictures this time, she naturally has a place in the world.

Everyone could not help but look at Fang Ruyu.

She looked a little pale and looked a little tired. Her eyes were like black beads. She had a beautiful appearance and a dignified manner. She was indeed the eldest daughter of the Fang family.

Although women in the harem are not allowed to participate in politics, Fang Ruyu, on the one hand, has a valuable status, and on the other hand, she knows the situation of Jinzhou Mansion, so even though her seat is only half an inch behind His Highness Prince Ming, the generals still turn a blind eye to her. Close one eye.

After all, the manufacturing of firearms depends on her.

Zhou Heng didn't seem to pay attention to the facial expressions of his subordinates, and only said: "Latest battle report, Xiangzhou has been lost."

Everyone in the room was silent.

Only General Ma said: "This is expected."

But I didn’t expect it to be so fast! This king has an army of fifty thousand! Forty thousand people surrendered! Ten thousand people fled! "

Zhou Heng was not angry but powerful, and everyone in the room was trembling.

Zhou Heng suppressed his anger: "Where are the firearms blueprints?"

Master Meng immediately said: "It has been sent to the next room for the craftsmen to study."

"Okay, give them three days, if they can't figure it out, I'll kill them!"

Fang Ruyu, who was sitting behind King Ming, had her eyelids twitching and felt the murderous intent in Zhou Heng's words coming overwhelmingly.

This made her think of Xu Zhenying again.

Xu Zhenying would never say anything like taking someone's life!
Even when she is angry, she never loses her reason, never gets angry at others, and never engages in tandem.

She makes people respect her, but never fears her.

Master Meng then said: "Your Highness, didn't we let the generals capture some civilians and block them under the city wall? Even so, did the people from Jinzhou Mansion still fire on our people? The man from Jinzhou Mansion always pays attention to reputation, and he is known as If you are a teacher of benevolence and righteousness, how can you be considered a teacher of benevolence and righteousness if you use firearms on ordinary people who have no strength to bind a chicken?"

Zhou Heng's face became even more angry. He threw the general report at Master Meng and said angrily: "See for yourself!"

Master Meng opened it and took a look, and then his face turned ugly and he said angrily: "These unruly people!"

The general next to him also stepped forward to take a look, "This is unreasonable! These unscrupulous people actually voted for Jiang Yongkang one after another!"

Zhou Ying remained silent.

But I'm thinking in my heart: You were afraid of Jiang Yongkang's use of firearms, so you forced the people in the city to build a human wall. No wonder the people wanted to alienate you!
Fang Ruyu said quietly: "If this is true, then Xu Zhenying will probably have to publicize it again. Creating public opinion has always been her strength."

Master Meng wanted to scold Fang Ruyu, but Zhou Heng had already asked: "What kind of public opinion offensive?"

Fang Ruyu pursed her lips, "Does Your Highness know the newspaper?"

"What is that?"

"The freshest thing in Jinzhou Prefecture is still Xu Zhenying's idea, and it is implemented by the Propaganda Department. It is currently issued once a month. It's just a piece of paper -" Fang Ruyu made a rough gesture, "It is densely written on it. What you see in various places within a month, including the latest policies, battle reports from the front line, and major events happening in various places——"

Master Meng pursed his lips, "So what?"

Zhou Ying immediately grasped the key point, "Are there many newspapers?"

Fang Ruyu glanced at her, "Fifty thousand copies were published last month! Twenty thousand of them were sent to places outside the boundaries of Jinzhou Prefecture——"

Zhou Heng's expression changed instantly!
But Fang Ruyu continued: "I just don't know if there is anyone here in Qiongzhou -"

And one of the chief clerks in charge of military resources immediately said: "Yes! Is it called the Prefecture Monthly Report?!"

Fang Ruyu nodded.

And everyone in the room instantly looked at the person who just spoke!
The man immediately replied with fear and fear: "Your Highness, it was last month! Some bookstores were selling monthly newspapers last month. I saw that they were all about local customs and the prevention and control of smallpox, so... pay more attention A few glances.”

Naturally, the chief clerk did not dare to say that he had collected it.

What if he is labeled as a rebel?
Master Meng immediately asked: "What's written on it? Can I still buy it now?"

"Some students may still have collections at home——"

"Master Wang, you are so brave, you dare to touch something sent from Jinzhou Mansion!"

The chief clerk immediately defended himself, "General Yan, that's not what you said. Who among you here has never touched anything from Jinzhou Mansion? Haven't you touched that soap? Haven't you touched that pencil?"

Now I have to touch other people’s firearms!
Of course, the chief clerk didn't have the guts to say this.

"Okay." Zhou Heng scolded lightly, "You said that newspaper has spread to our Qiongzhou?"

The chief secretary immediately said respectfully: "Yes, I'm afraid there are quite a few among us scholars who collect newspapers."

Zhou Heng had mixed feelings in his heart, "Ayu, you are right, the guy from Jinzhou Prefecture is really good at creating public opinion."

Fang Ruyu smiled lightly and said, "His Royal Highness King Zhao has always been like this. I think the news conveyed by the newspaper was false. Promoting Jinzhou Prefecture to the whole world, and even letting other places surrender without a fight, was the reason for her to launch a public opinion offensive."

Master Meng was startled, "Miss Fang, don't be alarmist! Isn't it just a newspaper? How is it different from other books and sundries?"

"Master, most books are worth at least one tael of silver each, and most of the contents are spread through copying, so there is no atmosphere at all." Fang Ruyu spoke slowly and calmly, "But this newspaper... no the same."

Zhou Heng said: "How to do it differently?"

"The research institute has come up with a new papermaking method. Three or four months ago, the price of paper in Jinzhou Prefecture dropped more than tenfold. Not to mention the improved movable type printing method, which does not require people to copy with their hands. You just need to send it to the Propaganda Department, where there is a large machine with ink. Only a few people are needed to operate it, and it can print thousands of copies a day. Do you know how much this newspaper sells for in Jinzhou Prefecture?"

Zhou Ying looked gloomy.

Seeing everyone looking at her, Fang Ruyu hid her inner sarcasm, then curled her lips and smiled, "A newspaper only costs ten cents!"

"What, Shiwen?!"

"This is impossible! If you include the money for paper, pen and ink, it will cost at least dozens of yuan! Miss Fang, don't just rely on the fact that you are from Jinzhou Prefecture and just lie here to confuse people! What movable type printing method! What? Improved paper! This is nonsense!”

Fang Ruyu shook her head gently, "Yes or no, you will know by asking the people who escorted the princess to Jinzhou Mansion before."

Everyone looked at the princess pleadingly, and even Zhou Heng looked at her with a slight frown.

Zhou Ying nodded with difficulty, "There are indeed a lot of new items over there."

At this moment, everyone's confidence seemed to be shattered.

First firearms, then printing, then this newspaper—

What exactly is Xu Zhenying going to do?
"I just want to remind you that the occupation of Xiangzhou will be published in the newspaper soon. Maybe the details will be revealed, including the fact that you let unarmed people serve as human walls."

Master Meng's eyelids twitched.

If this happens, won't it be infamy for thousands of years?

Although it is a bit inhumane to use the lives of civilians to block firearms, in these troubled times, there is no way to care so much.

There were people who came to the city to slaughter the city before, King Li. But after all is said and done, if it is actually printed in the newspaper, it will really be a shameful thing for thousands of years.

What's more, even though it was Prince Ming who brought this matter up, the monarch could not take the blame. He would definitely be the one scolded in the end.

So Master Meng quickly raised his hands and said: "Your Highness, we have to be careful about newspapers. They are full of Xu Zhenying's misleading rumors, which are most likely to sway the readers. We must list them as banned books. Anyone who dares to spread or read them, Anyone who dares to collect or buy will be regarded as a traitor to the enemy!"

"Accurate." Zhou Heng said without hesitation, "That female queen really does everything she can to promote her Jinzhou Mansion. It's really abominable! I have elite soldiers and generals, can't I create that? What newspaper?”

Someone immediately said: "Newspapers are simple, but we can't control costs."

Zhou Ying also said: "Yes, the reason why the Jinzhou Prefecture newspaper can spread so far is simply because they have been improving the treatment of craftsmen and making them proficient in strange skills. This time, I also brought many Jinzhou Prefecture Brother, I can ask the craftsmen to dismantle the new gadgets over there and imitate them. We can learn from Jinzhou Prefecture and sell these novelty items throughout the Zhou Dynasty, which will fill our treasury."

Zhou Heng frowned slightly, and an aide immediately said: "In this case, won't we all take turns to be merchants? This is inappropriate... His Highness has a noble status and pure blood, how can he interfere in the affairs of merchants? I think it is better to train a few emperors Shang, just let them start this matter.”

Zhou Ying said anxiously: "Xu Zhenying has a Ministry of Commerce that specializes in helping the Jinzhou government make money. The person in charge of the Ministry of Commerce is equivalent to the position of Minister!"

Unexpectedly, the people below shook their heads, "How can a scholar be tainted by the smell of copper? Doing such speculative things really tarnishes the status of a scholar!"

"That's right, just let the businessmen below do it. Businessmen value profit over morality, so how can we promise them high positions and generous salaries? This is simply going against the will of God!"

"That's right, if a businessman is given status, he may be looking for opportunities to make money."

Zhou Ying fell down in anger.

She just felt that when she came back from Jinzhou Mansion, she was so anxious that she was suddenly trampled to pieces.

Even Zhou Heng said in a tone that left no room for doubt: "We will discuss this business matter later. The most important thing now is to make firearms as soon as possible. Otherwise, if we wait another month or two, Jiang Yongkang will probably come to our door!" "

After a few words, Zhou Ying was naturally unable to argue.

Fang Ruyu said: "The firearms drawings use the Jinzhou Prefecture's painting method. I'm afraid the craftsmen may not understand it. I'll go over and have a look."

When Zhou Heng saw Fang Ruyu getting up, he immediately followed him. Even though he was anxious, he didn't show any signs of it in front of Fang Ruyu.

Zhou Ying sent a letter in advance to remind her, saying that if she acted too anxiously, it would make Fang Ruyu think that this time she went to Jinzhou Mansion specifically for the firearms, not for her.

Fang Ruyu still has value, and Zhou Heng naturally understands the principle of slowly trying to figure it out.

As a woman, a few sweet words of greetings will naturally make you confused.

What's more, he was trying to manipulate a boudoir woman like Fang Ruyu who was inexperienced in the world.

Zhou Heng showed a concerned expression at the right time, "I'll let you go and have a look."

Naturally, everyone could only keep up.

Over there, a dozen craftsmen were detained in a small room. They were scratching their heads over the drawings. When they saw Zhou Heng coming in, they immediately fell to their knees and couldn't help trembling.

As soon as King Ming saw this scene, he knew that the situation was unfavorable, and his voice naturally became a little colder, "Half an hour has passed, what progress have you made?"

The leader seemed to be frightened and cried, and said hurriedly: "Your Highness, please forgive me! This firearm drawing is really... unimaginable. Little people have never seen such a drawing. Ordinary drawings only indicate length, width and height, but they all The characters used, young people really...can't understand--"

King Ming immediately became furious and kicked the person who spoke in the face, "Trash! You are still known as the best craftsman in Qiongzhou Mansion, but you can't even understand a blueprint. Why do I keep you here?!"

The man was kicked and fell to the ground, coughing out blood, but he did not forget to beg for mercy, "Your Highness, it is true that the blueprints over there in Jinzhou Mansion are different from ours -"

Seeing this, Fang Ruyu hurriedly said: "Brother, don't worry, open the drawings. I have taken the course in Jinzhou Prefecture, and I can understand the drawings somewhat. The drawings in Jinzhou Prefecture are detailed and like to use characters. Marking, and their own measurement tools are basically two systems, and it’s normal if you don’t understand them.”

Everyone listened to the words "measurement" and "system" that kept popping up from Fang Ruyu's mouth, and secretly thought that it was coming from Jinzhou Mansion again.

Zhou Heng immediately said: "Hurry up and put out the drawings!"

Zhou Heng said apologetically to Fang Ruyu: "You still have to work hard, Ayu."

Fang Ruyu smiled lightly but said nothing.

Zhou Heng smiled reluctantly. Somehow, he felt that Fang Ruyu who came back this time seemed to have changed a lot.

Although her appearance has basically been finalized, she seems to have gained some weight and is no longer as slender and frail as before. Especially those eyes, which were a little cold, making him feel hot and cold, and even a hundred claws scratching his heart.

If it were in the past, just saying "Ayu" would make her cheeks turn red.

This woman seems to be no longer as easy to control as before.

Is it because as she grows older, Fang Ruyu becomes more stable than before?
But it's better this way, as it makes him more capable of being his right-hand man.

The craftsman shiveringly pulled the drawing apart, spread it flat on the table, and then stepped aside respectfully.

Fang Ruyu motioned for them to come forward, but the craftsmen only looked at Zhou Heng's face. Seeing that Zhou Heng's face looked the same, they moved a little closer.

On the other hand, Zhou Heng's men rushed forward and stuck their heads out to take a look.

"Is this the blueprint for a firearm?"

"Don't mention it, the people in Jinzhou Mansion are really unique in their work. Looking at the drawings they drew, they are very strict, which is quite easy to understand."

"Didn't you see those ghostly symbols marked below?"

"I know, these seem to be French characters. What are the Arabic numerals called?"

"It's Arabic numerals." Fang Ruyu's voice sounded faintly, "It is said that there is a small country continuing westward in the direction of Loulan. They invented a simple way to write numbers, and then they were introduced to our Central Plains. Therefore, they are called Arabic numerals."

Someone nodded, "No wonder, don't tell me, such numbers are much easier to write!"

Fang Ruyu pointed to the notes in the lower right corner of the drawing and said to the horrified craftsmen: "If you want to understand this drawing, you must first recognize these Arabic numerals. I can teach you these. Secondly, their measurements are different from ours. Da Zhou The imperial court is accustomed to using dimensions such as feet, inches, and centimeters, but Jinzhou Prefecture is accustomed to using dimensions such as centimeters, decimeters, meters, and kilometers. And they have a special ruler. Brother, please bring me the ruler. come over."

Perhaps when they saw that Fang Ruyu was a girl and spoke softly and softly, people were not so afraid of her. One of the craftsmen Zhu boldly said: "Girl... what is the dimension?"

"How many trees, how many grains of rice, how many meters of road? These trees, grains, and meters are dimensions. In the same way, centimeters, decimeters, feet, and inches are also dimensions."

The craftsmen nodded frequently, "I understand, little man."

"Look here again." Fang Ruyu pointed, "This is the scale. What is marked on it is one to ten, which means that the length, width and height of the drawing and the real object are reduced ten times at the same time. The forty centimeters marked on the drawing are the same as those of the actual object. That’s four meters.”

The ruler was handed over, Fang Ruyu's white wrist pressed on it, and he pointed to a straight line on the drawing and said: "This line is marked forty centimeters. You take the length of this ruler and divide it into forty parts, one A portion is one centimeter, so we have the measurement method of Jinzhou Prefecture.”

The leading craftsman's surname was Jin, and he boldly said at this moment: "Girl... In addition to the size of this drawing, there are also the numbers of steel, gunpowder, anti-shock rings, Tianyuan beads, etc. written on it. Little people have never heard of it. I don't know what it is." What."

Another person also said: "We have only heard of bronze and iron wares in the entire Zhou Dynasty, but we have never heard of what steel is."

"I don't blame you for this. These things are all new items developed by the Jinzhou Prefecture Research Institute. I'm afraid they don't exist anywhere else in the entire Zhou Dynasty except for Jinzhou Prefecture."

What he said shocked everyone, and Master Meng was even more alarmed: "Then, wouldn't this drawing be useless?!"

Zhou Heng was more direct, "Is there any way to buy other materials?"

Fang Ruyu shook his head, "These things are controlled items in Jinzhou Prefecture, and ordinary people may not be able to do anything about it. Let's just say that gunpowder is the most critical thing in the entire firearm. Without gunpowder, there is no way to ignite or explode. In fact, in the final analysis , The blueprint is important, but the raw materials are more important. The gunpowder used in it and the steel used in the outer body must be obtained in some way. "

Zhou Ying asked: "That Tianyuan Pearl...is it something round and shaped like transparent glass?"

Fang Ruyu nodded, "Yes, there aren't many in Jinzhou Mansion, but there should be some on the market. It's just that the price is sky-high."

"Yes, at least 50,000 taels a piece." Seeing everyone looking at her, Zhou Yingcai smiled bitterly and said, "Fortunately, I met the magistrate's wife at a banquet. It is said that Yuanzhu was an extremely rare thing that day, and only large ones were available. It may have been found in the harem of the Zhou Dynasty or in the homes of extremely wealthy families."

The whole room fell into silence.

No one seemed to expect that there was so much knowledge in this firearm.

He thought that if he could steal the blueprints, he could make firearms, but he didn't know that this was just the first step in a thousand-mile journey.

Listening to Fang Ruyu talk about the Tianyuan Pearl, it seems that this firearm is expensive to make.

"Firearms are not that easy to imitate. This is the technical barrier that His Highness King Zhao often mentioned."

Immediately a general below said angrily: "Since Miss Fang has arrived in our Qiongzhou Mansion, how can she still keep claiming that the female rebel is her Highness? Does it mean that Miss Fang still has nostalgia for Jinzhou Mansion? In our Qiongzhou Mansion, there is only one His Highness , that is His Highness Prince Ming!”

Zhou Heng was about to speak, but Fang Ruyu replied with all her might: "Xu Zhenying is a terrible enemy. I respect her, but that doesn't stop me from leaving my family and coming to Qiongzhou Mansion. But everyone, if you still don't understand Xu Zhenying correctly, what will happen on the battlefield in the future?" You will definitely suffer a big loss!”

Zhou Heng said: "Yes, you can get a glimpse of the leopard from just one item of firearms. The development of Jinzhou Mansion must be beyond our imagination. Even I have to admit that Xu Zhenying is a generational hero. We cannot treat her just because she is a female. Look down on her. Not to mention that in the past six months or so, we have suffered countless defeats. It is said that heroes cherish each other, and she can also be my opponent, Zhou Heng!"

When Zhou Heng spoke, others naturally had nothing to say.

"Speaking of these raw materials, is there any way to get them?"

Fang Ruyu said: "When I was in Jinzhou Mansion before, I accidentally overheard my cousin discussing something with Ningmo. He said that someone was secretly selling rare items from Jinzhou Mansion to other places. His Highness King Zhao kept banning them, and he didn't even know the source. Found it. You can see if there is such a channel in Qiongzhou Prefecture. If you can get gunpowder and Tianyuan Pearl, it would be the best."

Another hundred chapters. Are you little cuties tired of chasing books?
Don't be anxious about Miss Fang's plot, watch it slowly.

She's going to get a big one.