Xinye, Yinjiazhuang, Wubao Assembly Hall.
Yin Xi is nearly seventy years old, and his white hair and childish face are still energetic, but his hearing is not as strong as before. His voice has become louder, and the whole hall is buzzing.
Yang Anxuan sat to the left of Yin Xi. Opposite him, Deng Jing and Cen Na looked at him with envy as Governor Yang poured tea for Yin Xi as a junior. Yin Huaqing, the concubine of Yin Xi, stood aside with a smile and made tea for the two of them. .
Yin Xi has five sons, the eldest son Yin Youqi, the second son Yin Youchang has passed away, the third son Yin Wei has branched out to Luoyang, the fourth son Yin Chenghuai and the fifth son Yin Huaqing are taking care of the affairs of the clan.
Yinyou Qiyuan was in Jiankang, and his five sons were scattered around to serve as officials. Yinxi originally intended to keep his fourth grandson Yin Zong at home, but there was no one around Yinyouqi, so he had to let him go to the capital.
As the Yin family grew in power, Yin Huaqing often came out to socialize for the Yin family, and became more sophisticated in dealing with people. Yin Xi asked him to take care of the family affairs, and asked Yin Chenghuai to manage the business.
Deng Jing looked at Yang Anxuan and sighed with emotion. Back then, Yang Quanqi and his three sons came to Yinjiazhuang to ask for food. He promised to be smart in choosing the eldest son of Yang, but it turned out that the most incompetent among the three sons of the Yang family was Yang Anshen. It was not too late to make amends. When Yang Anxuan got married, he brought his eldest son Deng Xian with him and was appointed as Cangcao.
Xian'er lived up to his expectations and worked hard, which won the appreciation of Governor Yang. This year, he was appointed by Wang Biehe to be the chief registrar of Dongping County, Yanzhou. After Governor Yang became the governor of Yanzhou, he did not replace a large number of county magistrates, but he appointed many county magistrates and county magistrates. Everyone knows that the administrative power of the county is really in the hands of the magistrate.
Glancing at Cen Na beside him, he saw that after Yang Siping was appointed as the governor of Liangzhou by the imperial court, Cen Minghu took over as the prefect of Nanyang. During the Chinese New Year, he brought two hundred Qingqi back home in fine clothes. He Hao, the prefect of Xinye, visited Cenjiazhuang in person. The excitement made Deng Jing My eyes are burning.
Yin Huizhen's matter couldn't be hidden from them, and both of them secretly sighed that Yin Xi had a good life. That "indescribable" thing had actually come true twice that year, and this time the "indescribable" thing probably happened to Governor Yang.
Thinking about the four words "indescribably precious" in his mind, Deng Jing's heart became eager. Jin had lost its deer, and all the heroes were chasing it. Governor Yang might one day ascend to the high throne.
This time Governor Yang made it clear that he came to Yinjiazhuang with his carriage and horses, and it was definitely not just to see Yin Huizhen. Yin Xi summoned himself and Cen Na, and there must be something important to discuss. The three families could only help each other with money and food, so Deng Jing made up his mind that no matter how much money Governor Yang asked for, he would give his full support.
After drinking a cup of tea, Yin Huaqing cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Two uncles, Governor Yang came to Yinjiazhuang this time to ask for a favor. I hope that my two uncles can help me."
Cen Nahao said in a loud voice: "Thanks to the support of the governor today, the Cen family will take away the Cen family's property. It would be foolish to ask the governor for his orders. The Cen family has nothing to say."
Deng Jing cursed in his heart that Cen Laosan, who looked like a rough man but was very good at flattering, actually took the lead from him. Not to be outdone, he handed over his hand and said: "President Yang, the three families of Yin, Deng and Cen share weal and woe. The Deng family will follow Yin closely." After my death, I will do my best for the governor."
Yang Anxuan smiled and said: "Thank you both for your help. Yu didn't come here to ask for money or food, but there is a secret matter that the three families should work together to handle."
Ce Na was stunned for a moment, somewhat unexpectedly. Deng Jing stopped wiping his beard and felt joy in his heart. The confidential information showed that Yang Anxuan began to include the Deng family as his confidants.
Deng Jing held his hands before Cena could get to him and said, "Please don't worry, governor. If you keep secrets, you will lose your identity. As the governor said today, a foolish general should not reveal a single word, otherwise he will die without a burial place."
Yang Anxuan smiled and said: "Deng Gong's words are serious, so it's not like this. Have you ever heard that Yu has an army forging ground in Tangxi, Xiping, Runan?"
Deng Jing and Cen Na looked at each other. Yang Anxuan took control of the Tangxi Iron Mine Casting Army in Runan with the help of the Ying family. They knew that Cen Minghu gave the family five good knives when he returned home. Deng Jing was envious after seeing it.
The governor wanted to move the Tangxi Military Foundry to Xinye. Deng Jing was suspicious, so Cena said: "Tangxi Cast Iron has existed since ancient times. If it is moved to Xinye, the gains may outweigh the losses."
Yang Anxuan said: "Cen Gong is right. Yu used the Ying family to control the casting of soldiers in Runan. However, Ying Hong, the minister of Zhongshu, took the opportunity of returning home to visit relatives to take away the craftsmen of casting weapons, which caused the secret of the art of casting soldiers to be leaked. It is a pity that very."
Deng Jing and Cen Na remained silent. Since the method was leaked, it was almost impossible to keep it a secret.
Yin Huaqing smiled and said: "Two uncles, Governor Yang is not here to forge soldiers, but has other confidential matters to entrust us with. Therefore, this matter is as important as the method of forging soldiers, so he chose the three of us to handle it."
Zenna patted his chest and said: "Don't worry, the governor, we three families can definitely be trusted. If the secret is leaked, the governor will behead the fool's head."
Yang Anxuan nodded and said: "The cavalry armies of Qin and Wei were in great trouble. I have developed a weapon to target them, and I have to rely on the production of the three families."
The words "Tiangong opens things" flashed through the minds of Yin Xi and others. Recently, Xiangyang bookstores have been selling a large number of rubbings of books, which are cheap and good. Many Xinye scholars heard about the news and made a special trip to buy them.
Several people have witnessed the magic brought by Yang Jiali, Bichun tea, Yunjie paper and other objects, and are full of expectations for the wonders Yang Anxuan mentioned.
"This thing is called gunpowder. It is extremely dangerous, flammable and explosive," Yang Anxuan said solemnly, "If you are not careful when making it, it will kill people."
Deng Jing's heart trembled, but Cen Na said nonchalantly: "It can't be more dangerous than the soldiers fighting on the battlefield. Even if the governor says it, the Cen family doesn't care if there are some casualties."
Yang Anxuan smiled and said: "This thing was developed by the Taoist priest of the Song Dynasty who gave me the book "Tiangong Kaiwu". According to him, he got it by chance when he was practicing alchemy. This thing is extremely dangerous. It has exploded the alchemy furnace many times and caused casualties. There are a few Taoist boys guarding the furnace."
Hearing Yang Anxuan mention Taoist priests from the Song Dynasty, Yin Xi asked with interest: "What kind of elixir did this Song Immortal master refine? Could it extend his life?"
As Yin Xi grew older, he was inevitably afraid of death. He began to believe in Buddhism and Taoism, and he was even more thirsty for elixirs. Fortunately, he also knew that these pills were likely to be harmful to the body and did not dare to take them easily.
When Yang Anxuan got married, Kou Qianzhi sent him twelve elixirs. When Yang Anxuan went to Xinye County to wait for the birth, he brought six of them as gifts to Yin Xi. According to Yin Xi, after taking them, he felt energetic and energetic, just like returning to his prime. hour.
Yang Anxuan advised Yin Xi to take more of this medicine to harm his health. After taking two pills, Yin Xi kept the remaining four pills like treasures. He accidentally mentioned the efficacy to Cen Na and Deng Jing, which made them jealous. Cen Na I even tried to get one for twenty gold but couldn't get it.
After hearing that this thing was obtained from elixir refining, both Cen Na and Deng Jing put aside the dangers mentioned by Yang Anxuan and asked about the efficacy of the elixir with great interest.
Yang Anxuan smiled bitterly and said: "Taoist Song told Yu that this thing is extremely dangerous and is a calamity. It's better for you not to think about it, otherwise it will be a disaster."
After a warning, several people gave up the idea of refining the elixir. Yin Xi still said: "An Xuan, you and Immortal Kou are good friends. Can you ask him for some elixirs?"
Seeing that the topic was gradually deviating, Yang Anxuan coughed lightly and said, "When it comes to elixirs, they are illusory. From ancient times to the present, several people have achieved enlightenment and become immortals. It's better not to ask for it."
Among the people present, only Yin Huaqing was the most sober. He secretly paid attention to Yang Anxuan's expression. Seeing that Yang Anxuan had no intention of talking about alchemy training, he smiled and said, "Uncles, you'd better listen to what Yang Governor said about gunpowder."
Yin Xi came to his senses and smiled, saying, "The older I get, the more afraid I am of death. I'm really getting old. Don't blame An Xuan."
Yang Anxuan said: "The development and production of gunpowder must be done deep in the mountains. Yuhui will send troops to garrison and no idlers are allowed to enter. Yuhui wants to build a Taoist temple in the name of refining elixirs to hide it from others."
The three families of Yin, Deng, and Cen have expanded rapidly in recent years. An area of tens of miles has become privately owned by the three families. More than a thousand hectares of farmland, more than ten mountains and forests, and several rivers are all in the three manors. There are countless clansmen, tribes, and servants. Counting thousands of people, they are not inferior to the Diao family in Jingkou.
In addition to growing wheat, millet, and beans, the manor also grows bamboo trees, tea gardens, various fruit trees, and grazing cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks and other poultry in the mountains. It also engages in wine making, textiles, tea making, paper making, pottery making, carpentry, There are blacksmiths, masons, etc., so you can be completely self-sufficient.
"Making gunpowder requires a large amount of saltpeter, sulfur, and burning charcoal. It needs to be purchased externally. To the outside world, it is said that the elixir is ready, and the required expenses are reported to the state government for appropriation."
Yang Anxuan remembers that the best formula for black powder is 70% saltpeter, 10% sulfur and 15% charcoal. It seems that different proportions of the three will produce different effects. Iron powder, copper powder and the like can also be added to it. , you can find brightly colored light when burned.
Yang Anxuan remembers two methods of making black gunpowder. One is to mix saltpeter and sulfur and burn them. After getting the liquid form, add carbon powder and stir evenly; the other is to grind the three into fine powder, add water to form a cake, and then grind it with a stone. Grind it into the size of corn and sift it to obtain black gunpowder with uniform particles. 33
Regarding how to make it specifically, Yang Anxuan planned to ask the Yin family to recruit craftsmen or Taoists to study it. He believed that with his own methods, the gunpowder he wanted could be produced soon.
The next day, Yin Huaqing accompanied Yang Anxuan to select a site. Yang Anxuan chose a hillside far away from the manor. There were not many trees on the mountain. The river passed under the mountain, so boats could be sailed. The produced gunpowder could be loaded on ships from the foot of the mountain and transported directly to various places.
The mountain is not high, but the area is large enough. Yang Anxuan plans to build a warehouse at the foot of the mountain to store raw materials, and the factory building in the back mountain in a ventilated and shaded area to avoid accidents as much as possible.
Returning to Meizhuang in the evening, Yang Qiu and Yin Huizhen were teasing Yang Yi, talking and laughing. Yang Yi was already fourteen months old and could run around all over the floor.
Yang Yi was not familiar with his father. When they first met, Yang Anxuan reached out to hug him, which made him cry "Wow!" Fortunately, Yang Anxuan had experience. After teasing Yang Yi for a while, he started to get intimate with him.
Yang Qiu brought a lot of toys to his nephew. Yang Yi liked this aunt very much and kept yelling "dudu", which made Yang Qiu very happy.
Seeing the third brother coming in, Yang Qiu stood up and said to Yang Yi: "Yi'er, aunt will take you out to play."
Yang Yi happily opened his hands and let Yang Qiu pick him up, dancing and saying: "Flowers, flowers, fish..."
The maid quietly left and closed the door, leaving only the husband and wife in the room. Yin Huizhen handed the tea, stood gently behind Yang Anxuan, rubbed his shoulders, and asked softly: "Can Lang Xuan find a place to build a factory?"
Yang Anxuan reached out and held the small hand on his shoulder, pulled Yin Huizhen to sit beside him with a little force, looked into Yin Huizhen's eyes and said, "Huizhen, do you want to go back to Xiangyang with Yu?"
Yin Huizhen smiled and said: "Qiu'er also mentioned it to Nu, saying that her mother-in-law intended to let Nu go to Xiangyang. However, Nu's identity is too sensitive. If anyone finds out, Xuan Lang will be harmed."
Yang Anxuan rubbed Yin Huizhen's little hand and sighed softly: "I have wronged you. When stupidity calms down the world, I will surely welcome you through the door with splendor."
A bright smile appeared on the corner of Yin Huizhen's mouth, she leaned against Yang Anxuan's body and murmured: "Xuanlang, God is not kind to me. I can give you wings to me. I am extremely grateful."
His eyes stopped on the secret box inside the couch. There was a bag of arsenic on the bottom floor. If the news was leaked, he would drink the poison and commit suicide. He must not harm Xuan Lang.
The black gunpowder that was the first to be tested was put in a paper bag and ignited. It burned violently and exploded. Red light burst out, loud noises were made, sand and rocks flew, and thick smoke billowed. The heat wave could still be felt from several feet away. Coming at you.
Everyone standing behind the stone barrier changed their expressions, and then they had a preliminary impression of the Danjie Yang Anxuan mentioned. This thing caught on fire, and the person who lit it exploded within two steps of running away. A slight mistake could lead to death.
Yang Anxuan repeatedly told Yin Huaqing, Deng Jing and others: "To make gunpowder, you must choose experienced and prudent people, and they must be trustworthy. After the product is made, it must be packed in oil paper and protected from moisture as Yu said. The person who made the gunpowder must be safe at any time." If you are not guaranteed, you might as well give more money..."
After living in Yinjiazhuang for a month, the Taoist temple was being built, and gunpowder-making manpower was also recruited from three companies. As for production, it will take some time. As the governor, Yang Anxuan could not stay in Xinye for a long time. It was time to return to Xiangyang City.
Behind him, Yang Yi's heart-rending cry came, and Yang Qiu said with tears in his eyes: "Brother, are you really not going back to Xiangyang with Yi'er?"
Yang Anxuan remained silent, with the image of Yin Huizhen crying last night in his mind. Yang Anxuan galloped forward with his whip raised, and the strong wind blew into his chest. Yang Anxuan stood upright, turned around and shouted to the mother and son who were seeing them off behind him: "In ten years, I will come to greet you mother and son."
Yin Huizhen hugged her son, looked at her husband on the horse, smiled with tears in her eyes, and waved.
Some people died, but not completely...
