After getting together with Tang He and others, Han Du returned to his usual leisurely days.
After more than a month, the Ordnance Bureau finally built the blast furnace. Heizi completed ten sets of molds and began to officially cast revolvers and bullets. Everything was on the right track, and Han Du became the hands-off shopkeeper again. Just waiting for the Ordnance Bureau to complete the production of the first batch of revolvers.
In the Fengtian Palace, the old eunuch hurriedly came to report.
"Your Majesty, Qin Tianjian would like to see you."
"What happened?" Lao Zhu suddenly had a bad premonition in his heart, and his voice couldn't help but become lower.
The old eunuch's heart trembled, and he replied cautiously: "Qin Tianjian came to report that there may be a drought this year."
"Drought?" With Lao Zhu's world-dominating spirit, he couldn't help but be moved after hearing this.
It's not that Lao Zhu hasn't seen big scenes, it's actually drought that can be said to be the dynasty's number one enemy.
When food supply is very tight, a drought may cause a massive reduction in food production. If there is not enough food, it is very likely that people all over the world will starve. Even ending a dynasty is not impossible.
For example, the Tang Dynasty died at its peak. In addition to the factors of rebel rebellion, successive years of drought in the late Tang Dynasty led to a reduction in food production, which was also an important reason.
If the people have no food to eat, it will naturally cause chaos in the world.
"What's going on?" Lao Zhu's face suddenly turned gloomy.
The old eunuch's expression also changed at the same time, and he was about to break out in cold sweat. He couldn't answer the emperor's question.
"Forget it, tell the supervisor quickly."
"I pay my respects to the emperor, long live my emperor..."
Before the prisoner could finish his salute, Lao Zhu stood up impatiently and walked to him.
He asked sharply: "There will be a drought this year? What is going on? Why didn't you report it as soon as possible?"
Jian Zheng was asked three questions in a row and was immediately overwhelmed.
After a pause, he replied: "Back to the Emperor, according to the predictions of the ministers, there will indeed be a drought this year. Last winter, there was a lot of frost and no snow, and there has been no rain since the beginning of spring this year. I'm afraid the drought is a foregone conclusion."
As the saying goes, auspicious snow heralds a good year. On the contrary, of course, without snow, there will be no good harvest next year. Plus in the spring, not even a drop of rain falls.
You know, spring rain is as precious as oil. There is no snow in the winter, which freezes insects and other things to death. In the spring, when the crops need moisture, there is no rain. Under such circumstances, even if there is no drought in the future, a reduction in food production is inevitable.
Therefore, Qin Tian Jian had to come. Now that he is here, the most he can do is to be reprimanded by the emperor, and the worst he can do is lose his official position. If he really loses his official position, it may not be a bad thing for him.
If you don't speak up now, something will really go wrong later. There is no doubt that he will definitely lose his head.
"The drought is a foregone conclusion? This is your answer to me. Why didn't you report it earlier?" Lao Zhu waved his sleeve angrily.
It’s already a foregone conclusion, so I just came to report, why did you go there earlier?
When Jian Zheng saw that the emperor was angry, he was naturally frightened. He quickly defended: "Your Majesty, there is no snow in winter. It happens from time to time. As long as the rain can fall in the spring next year, it will not have any impact on the crops. It's just because there is no rain in the spring this year and the signs of drought are obvious. I have already It was time to report."
There are quite a few snowless winters in Jinling City. You can't always report that there may be a drought this year, right? It would be fine if it really existed, but most of the time it doesn't. If, as the supervisor of Qintian Prison, he often sends out wrong messages, then how can he have the dignity to sit in the position of supervisor?
Therefore, without complete certainty, it is impossible for the supervisor to report to Lao Zhu.
Lao Zhu calmed down and understood that Jian Zheng was not to blame for this matter.
I had no choice but to ask angrily: "Then do you know how extensive the drought will be this year?"
The prisoner looked troubled. He was not a god. How could he know how extensive the drought was?
But when faced with the emperor's questions, he had to answer. He had no choice but to lower his head and reply: "This is God's will and cannot be predicted by ordinary people like Wei Chen."
What a waste. He doesn't know anything about anything.
Lao Zhu sighed helplessly and waved Jian Zheng to get out.
When Jian Zheng walked out of the Fengtian Palace, he still couldn't believe that he had escaped like this just now. Not even daring to look back at Fengtian Temple, he quickly left. I was afraid that if I walked too slowly, I would be called back by the emperor.
"Pass an edict to summon Xu Da, Tang He, and Li Shanchang to the palace to discuss matters."
"According to the order."
Lao Zhu met the three of them in the imperial study room and just sat down.
Xu Da saw that Lao Zhu had a bad look on his face and looked worried. I couldn't help but ask: "Why are the ministers waiting for you to come in such a hurry? What's the important thing?"
Tang He and Li Shanchang looked at Lao Zhu together without saying a word, quietly waiting for Lao Zhu's words.
Lao Zhu sat down, pondered for a while, and then said: "Qin Tianjian came to report that there will be a drought this year."
drought!
The three people's hearts suddenly sank, and they finally understood why the superior was sighing.
"Is it serious?" Xu Da asked immediately. Although Xu Da knew that it would not be a trivial matter to make his superiors so moved and even hurriedly bring the three of them to discuss. But when it came to the drought, he couldn't help but ask.
Things like drought, although sometimes are not very serious. But no one dares to gamble. It's like putting a bullet in a revolver, knowing that there is only a one-sixth chance of death. But let me ask you, do you dare to bet one-sixth?
Lao Zhu thought about it and said, "I'm afraid it's not small, otherwise the Qintian Prison wouldn't take the risk to come and report to me."
The three of them suddenly fell silent again.
Lao Zhu ignored them, and just sighed alone: "Originally, I wanted to make another Northern Expedition this year and complete the victory in one battle. I didn't expect that God would not bless us, and we would encounter drought, which would let the remaining Yuan survive for a few more years."
After saying that, he looked at Xu Da with a disappointed expression.
Xu Da thought for a moment, then comforted him: "Your Majesty, since things are already like this, what if we let them linger for a few years? In a few years, when my Ming Dynasty recovers, I will naturally be able to give them a thunderous blow, and I will definitely be able to completely defeat them." Eliminate them. On the contrary, the court must prepare for the drought in advance. If the drought is severe and leads to a serious food shortage, this will be a major event that can shake the country."
Xu Da, as the number one person in the military, whether he was preparing for the Northern Expedition or canceling it. Lao Zhu had to discuss it with him first and let him know.
Xu Da was also sensible and had no intention of forcing the emperor to go to the north under such circumstances.
