Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

Just as Ju Ming and Zhong Xiang were fighting, Wang Fu finally became an official again, this time as the person in charge of scientific projects.

He did not accomplish anything else, but he invented the world's first mechanical clock with hands based on the water-borne instrument platform.

Of course Wang Fu doesn't know how to do this. The main executors are Qin Tianjian and a Taoist priest named Wang.

About 140 years ago, Zhang Sixun invented the Taiping Armillary Sphere, a mercury-driven demonstrator of the Earth's rotation period.

Immediately afterwards, Su Song, Shen Kuo, Han Gonglian and others collaborated to build the Water Transport Instrument Observatory, which was the world's earliest astronomical clock, integrating astronomical observation, astronomical demonstration and time reporting system. This thing is driven by water power and is extremely large. One unit consumes 20,000 kilograms of copper. And it cannot be used in winter because the water will freeze.

The mechanical clock with hands built by Wang Fu is still driven by water power and is equivalent to an upgraded version of the water-borne instrument platform. It also becomes more durable, and the core components are replaced with hardwood, which solves the problem of stagnation caused by long-term exposure of metal components to water.

The so-called core component is the escapement of the mechanical clock!

The mechanical clock was not lost in the Song Dynasty, but was acquired by the Mongols. In the Yuan Dynasty, a mechanical clock driven by elastic force was born.

The real time of disappearance was at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. Anyway, it suddenly disappeared in the Ming Dynasty.

Because of this technological invention, Wang Fu regained his official position in the Ministry of Rites.

Song Huizong thus established the "Jiheng Institute", with Wang Fu as the chief officer and Liang Shicheng as the adjutant of the Jiheng Institute.

On the grasslands further north, Emperor Tianzuo, the Lord of Liao, became more aggressive again. Taking advantage of Wanyan Zonghan's return to Beijing for a meeting, he led 50,000 Liao troops out of Jiashan. His plan is rather ridiculous. He wants to penetrate the occupied areas of the Jin Kingdom, break through Yanshan and regain Yanyun.

Encountered an ambush by Jin soldiers on the way, and all 50,000 Liao soldiers were wiped out...

The last combatable troops of the Liao Kingdom were lost by Emperor Tianzuo. The Jin people only sent partial troops to pursue them, and turned their attention to the Song Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Jin first ordered Xixia troops to attack Wuzhou and Shuozhou in the Northern Song Dynasty. Song general Li Siben led the border army to defend the city. The Xixia army could not attack for a long time and then besieged the city.

"The official family, the official family, it's not good..." Eunuch Li Yan rushed in.

Song Huizong was observing the mechanical clock in person. When he heard these words, he felt bad and turned around and asked, "What's wrong?"

Li Yan said: "The Kingdom of Jin complained about Pharmacist Guo for accepting Zhang Zhen, and also complained about Tan Zhen for not providing food, so he sent Jin soldiers to attack Yuzhou and killed the defender Chen Yi. It also trapped Feihu and Lingqiu counties and expelled the defenders of Yingzhou. Su Jing and others."

Zhang Yao was a Liao general who surrendered to the Jin Kingdom and rebelled against him. He caused the Jin Kingdom a huge headache, but the Song Dynasty court and Pharmacist Guo accepted him.

As for food, that was what the Song envoy secretly deceived the Jin people when they were negotiating to redeem Yanjing. He promised to spend money to buy Yanjing and give the Kingdom of Jin as much food as he wanted, but he failed to honor the debt afterwards.

Now, Jin Guoxing's troops are coming to investigate.

Wang Fu, who was demonstrating the mechanical clock, immediately said after hearing this: "Tan Zhen really has no ability to lead the army, and Tong Guanxiang is a veteran general in the army. Now that there are not many thieves left in Shandong, Tong Guan can be recruited back to the capital to succeed Tan Zhen in announcing and controlling Yanshan. Mansion."

"How to calm down the Jin man's anger?" Song Huizong asked.

Wang Fu said: "Don't worry about it. The Kingdom of Jin is short of food and there are thieves everywhere. We are busy suppressing thieves everywhere."

Song Huizong was still a little worried, but there was really nothing else he could do.

Zhang Yao, like Guo Yaoshi, was a Liao general who took the initiative to surrender. Song Huizong must treat him favorably and could not give it to the Jin people in vain.

Food is even more nonsense. There are hundreds of thousands of stones, which the Song Dynasty cannot afford at all.

Immediately, Tong Guan was urgently recalled to Tokyo, and "Liao and Jin experts" also came for a meeting.

In spite of this, Song Huizong was still desperate to save face, and a group of favored ministers also took the opportunity to make bad ideas.

Tong Guan and Cai You teamed up to exclude Tan Zhen, and Song Huizong directly dismissed Tan Zhen from office.

Then, Tong Guan took over the post of envoy to the Privy Council and replaced Tan Zhen in announcing the northern border. He ran straight to Taiyuan and went to the border to meet Emperor Tianzuo.

However, the Song Dynasty heard that Emperor Tianzuo was on the run and sent a monk to secretly contact Emperor Tianzuo. The content of the emperor's letter he brought was as follows: If Emperor Tianzuo is willing to submit to the Song Dynasty, Song Huizong is willing to treat him as the emperor's younger brother and give him a title. Only under the princes, will I be given a thousand houses and three hundred female musicians.

Emperor Tianzuo was worried that he had nowhere to go, so he was overjoyed to receive the letter and quickly went south with his bodyguard.

Unfortunately, halfway through, Emperor Tianzuo felt that Song Huizong was unreliable, so he returned to Jiashan again to fight guerrillas with the Jin soldiers.

This pair of Crouching Dragon and Phoenix chicks just missed each other.

Ma Kuo was a real expert in the Liao and Jin Dynasties. He was sent to negotiate with the Jin people. When he came back, he reported to Tong Guan: "The Jin people are training Han soldiers in Feihu and Lingqiu. They have evil intentions and will go south sooner or later. Please ask the Grand Master to quickly rectify the border areas." Be prepared!”

Tong Guan just pretended that he didn't hear anything because he couldn't make money or food.

The Kingdom of Jin was completely angered. They just wanted the Song Dynasty to hand over Zhang Yao and fulfill the food promised. As a result, the monarchs and ministers of the Song Dynasty turned a deaf ear and must be taught a lesson!

Prince Lu's Mansion.

After listening to a series of reports, Cai Jing narrowed his eyes and said, "The Jin people are really training northern Han people to become rural soldiers?"

"Ma Kuo did say that." Cai Chi replied.

Cai Jing took a chance and said, "Maybe it's to wipe out the bandits of the Jin Kingdom, but it's not really about going south."

This is pure self-deception. How could neighboring countries train troops on the border to quell civil strife?

Cai Jing muttered: "Why do these red thieves and bell thieves have a truce after just one fight?"

Cai Wei said: "Can we create a separation?"

Cai Jing shook his head: "Lien Liang can only give high-ranking officials generous salaries. One of them has already proclaimed himself emperor, and the other claims to be generalissimo. How else can we reward them?"

Cai Chi said: "Sir, we don't have enough money and food. We spend too much on suppressing bandits in Hebei and Shandong."

Cai Jing didn't speak again. He really wanted to melt the pointer mechanical clock. It took several years to make that thing, which cost nearly 20,000 kilograms of copper. Wang Fu also secretly received many kickbacks.

"By the way, Li Bangyan has returned to Tokyo." Cai Ji added.

Cai Jing commented: "This person is nothing to worry about, so don't worry about him."

Li Bangyan entertained guests as soon as he returned to Beijing, regardless of the fact that he was still in mourning.

The people he hosted at the banquet were all noble ministers who had risen to the top but had no deep roots.

For example, Qin Hui is currently working as a scholar in Zhongshu.

Fan Tower is still so luxurious. Qin Hui drinks wine from a silver cup and watches the singing and dancing performances with a smile.

He could not afford to spend much money from his father-in-law, and his father-in-law's salary was not high, and there was no room for corruption.

"Congratulations to the Song Dynasty, and congratulations to the officials!" Li Bangyan suddenly raised his glass.

Everyone responded quickly and raised their wine cups.

The song and dance performance was still going on. Li Bangyan was very happy to return to the capital. He drank until he was so drunk that he even took off his clothes, revealing his tattoos all over his body and asked Xiao Sang: "How do I feel about my tattoos?"

"It really amazes the slave family." Xiao Chang immediately flattered her and reached out to touch it.

Li Bangyan opened his hazy drunken eyes and pointed at Xiao Chang's waist: "I have only been away from Tokyo for three or four months, why are you all wearing goose-yellow silk scarves around your waist?"

Xiao Chang smiled and explained: "The name of this thing is waist yellow, which is quite new recently."

Li Bangyan looked at it carefully and praised: "It's really good-looking and quite novel. I'll wear yellow around my waist when I get home."

In an instant, an official presented his yellow girdle and said, "My lord, why do you have to wait to go home? The girdle I have is newly made today. You can use it if you like it."

Li Bangyan laughed loudly, took the girdle and tied it on himself, and asked someone to bring a mirror to look at him.

Li Gang shook his head and turned to Qin Hui, who was standing next to him, and said, "The current situation is difficult. The prime minister is like a prodigal. What good will he do to the country?"

Qin Hui said in a low voice: "Among the several prime ministers and assistants, this Mr. Li is the most humane. We must rely on him to do anything we want to do."

"This was an awkward drink!" Li Gang said angrily.

At this time, Qin Hui had a good relationship with Li Gang. They were both upright and honest people, and they had an excellent reputation among the new generation of noble officials.

Especially since Li Gang drew a clear line with his father-in-law, Li's protégés and former officials took the opportunity to spread the word, and his reputation gradually increased.

While others were not paying attention, Qin Hui said: "Your brother-in-law recently defeated Zhong Xiang and captured Jiangling."

"I heard that he is really a serious problem for the imperial court," Li Gang sighed. "If he doesn't rebel, he will become the Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty from now on!"

Qin Hui said: "He has accepted the emperor's concubine, and he has spoken uprightly for the prince. For the current plan, the only way is to support the prince on the throne. Maybe he can recruit the father and son of the Zhu family."

Li Gang rolled his eyes and said: "Occupying the Sichuan Gorge is already a separate state. How can we recruit troops?"

"You have to give a try to a dead horse," Qin Hui said. "Today's officers and soldiers, even in Shandong and Hebei, can still fight against the incompetent bandits. Zhu Chenggong was both civil and military, allowing him to occupy the Sichuan Gorge for two or three years. I’m afraid I can train a hundred thousand tiger and wolf masters.”

The two of them chatted without a word. Li Bangyan left the venue drunk, and many guests also dispersed.

"Brother Bo Ji, please get in my car!"

Li Bangyan grabbed Li Gang and dragged him into the carriage to talk alone.

This guy was really drunk. He was hooking up with Li Gang and actually said, "One day Mr. Zhu will conquer the world. Brother Bo Ji will give me a nice word."

Li Gang was shocked: "Why did the prime minister say this?"

Li Bangyan said with a smile: "Your Excellency and Zhu Chenggong are brothers-in-law. The severance of the relationship between father-in-law and father-in-law the day before yesterday was nothing more than hedging his bets. From what I see, the Zhu family will definitely win the world, and Brother Bo Ji will also be a relative of the emperor from now on."

"You thief, you are unworthy of being the Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty, you actually said such words!" Li Gang was furious, pushed Li Bangyan away, and jumped out of the carriage.

Li Bangyan chased him out, but was blown away by the wind on the street. Thinking about his mistake just now, he was so frightened that he almost woke up from alcohol.

Before Fan Lou, many dignitaries wore yellow waistbands.

This kind of strange popular dress is called "fuyao" by conservative people. The poor outside the city are starving, but the rich are still innovating in clothing, and any new style can become popular quickly.

Li Gang looked at the brightly dressed crowd and recalled Li Bangyan's drunken words, feeling infinite sadness in his heart.

Li Bangyan returned home, took a good sleep, and began to write a secret letter to Ju Ming.

A "Selected Collection of Tang Poems" is their single-line communication codebook, and the method was taught to Li Bangyan by Ju Ming.

The content of this letter is nothing more than that Wang Fu is an official in the Ministry of Rites again, the Jin people are training troops at the border, etc. It even includes the fact that the price of food in the capital has increased.

This letter was sent by horse and ship, using the Song Dynasty's official postal system.

Shaanxi's postal service system finally brought the Zhong family's daughter and the Zhe family's daughter, and the Zhe family's daughter went south in the name of visiting relatives.

(I was busy during the day, so I forgot to say something. Sorry, fellow book friends.)