After the rain, Kunming Pond is as clear as blue. The sun shines on the water surface where the breeze blows. The vast lake surface is like a huge piece of silk, rippling slightly and sparkling.
The ruins of the original foundry bureau on the north bank have long been cleared away. Spacious workshops and huge waterwheels have been erected. Countless craftsmen and civilians shuttled between them. This building carries the highest level of industrial casting in the Tang Empire. The buildings are gradually returning to their former prosperity, and even more so.
Fang Jun arrived in a carriage outside the newly built gate of the Foundry. Before the carriage could stop, several six- or seven-year-old children in the carriage had already poked their heads out of the windows. They were surrounded by curious people and were talking in low voices.
A child with a big head and fair hair turned around, looked at Fang Jun and asked: "Uncle Fang, father said that the most powerful weapons in the Tang Dynasty are produced here. Is this true?"
Fang Jun stretched out his hand to touch his big head, nodded with a smile and said, "That's right."
Another child with thick eyebrows and big eyes also came over and asked: "I heard that you invented firearms, Uncle Fang?"
Fang Jun nodded with a smile.
The last child was chubby, looked a bit honest, and was the youngest at only six years old. He pulled Fang Jun's clothes and raised his little face with bright eyes filled with admiration: "Uncle Fang is so awesome!"
Fang Jun burst out laughing. This is Xue Rengui's son, Xue Ne. It's hard to imagine that Xue Rengui, who is upright and old-fashioned, could give birth to such a son who seems honest and honest, but is actually cunning, clever and good at saying nice things...
The other two, the big ones are Su Dingfang's only son Su Qingjie, and Pei Xingjian's second son Pei Yanxiu. Although he is the second son, Pei Xingjian's eldest son died young, and this child is now Pei Xingjian's eldest son.
Although the generals under his command were powerful in all directions, when the situation was tense, they still took the risk and sent their sons to Chang'an as hostages...
Li Chengqian may not need his ministers to be so cautious, but for his ministers, this is indeed an indispensable attitude.
The current situation is complicated. Even among the civil and military ministers who are now surrendered to the imperial power, who is loyal and who is traitorous? This cannot be entirely expected to be determined by the emperor himself. It is very difficult. As a minister, he must take the initiative to use all means to show his position. The method of "giving a son as a pledge" is very old, but it is very effective.
The newly-established foundry bureau is no less secretive than Taiji Palace. There is a patrol of the East Palace Six Commands on the periphery. Any suspicious person who tries to approach will be immediately arrested. If there is no legitimate reason or is considered suspicious, he will be thrown into the big house after being changed hands. Prison, there will be countless tortures to be entertained.
Inside is the foundry bureau's own security team. Two thousand people have surrounded the entire foundry bureau. There is a post every three steps and a sentry every five steps. Not even a fly can fly in.
At the door, there are three checkpoints to strictly check the identity, position, and belongings of people entering and exiting.
So until now, no one outside knows how much the Foundry Bureau has restored its previous production capacity...
Liu Shi, a doctor in the Ministry of War, got the news and hurriedly led a group of foundry bureau officials to greet him. Fang Jun got out of the car with several children, and Liu Shi stepped forward to greet him.
Fang Jun smiled and waved his hands and said, "No need to be polite. I have nothing to do today. Let's bring a few juniors over here to have some fresh air."
The children all bowed to Liu Shi in a polite manner.
When Liu Shi learned the identities of the children, he did not dare to confide in them. He quickly returned the gift and said with a smile: "These nephews are of good quality and formidable energy. As expected, heroes come from young, and their future achievements will be as great as those of their fathers."
As one of Fang Jun's team members, how could he not know Su Dingfang, Xue Rengui, and Pei Xingjian, Fang Jun's confidants? Moreover, the abilities of these few have long been known to both the government and the public, and their achievements in the future are limitless. Therefore, even if they are facing a few children at this moment, they do not dare to neglect or despise them.
Fang Jun didn't take it seriously. He walked towards the gate and said: "They are all my nephews, why are they so polite? The children are not knowledgeable. Today, I will take them to see the gun workshop so that I can be more friendly to the imperial army in the future." If you understand, you can protect your home and country.”
Liu Shi smiled and said: "If you can be interested in this when you are young, you will be more proficient in it in the future. After all, there are endless firearms, and it requires generations of good men of the Tang Dynasty to work hard and strive for excellence."
The two of them chatted and walked into the gate of the foundry bureau.
The three children followed behind, holding hands. Their curious eyes were simply not enough. They looked here and there, and everything felt new.
Fang Jun walked forward with his hands behind his back, observing the surrounding buildings and asking: "How is the production capacity restored now?"
Liu Shi has been deeply tied to the foundry bureau all his life. He understands that as long as the foundry bureau manages it well, the future will be unlimited, so he has to do everything personally and keep all the data in his heart. Ten gates, seven thousand kilograms of gunpowder, three hundred thunderbolts...the output has not yet reached the previous peak. After all, half of the original craftsmen were unable to continue production due to death, injury, etc., and the various newly built workshops and equipment were also unable to continue production. It needs to be debugged. But Duke Yue can rest assured that when the new batch of craftsmen become proficient and all the equipment is debugged, the production capacity will definitely be better than before."
In the Eastern Expedition and the Guanlong Mutiny, firearms were used on a large scale, and the effects produced were enough to shock the world. Being able to control the largest gunpowder and firearms production workshop in the empire, Liu Shi believed that he would inevitably enter the core of the emperor's power. .
The group came to the drainage channel of Kunming Pool. It was obvious that the drainage channel had been dredged and widened again. Dozens of huge waterwheels stood on both sides of the channel. The water from the pond was released from the water, pushing the flywheels set up in the water to drive various machines, and then rushed downstream. It flows into the Dianchi Lake, and then forms the Dianshui River and flows northward into the Wei River.
The huge waterwheel aroused the amazement of several children. They stepped forward and stood by the canal, looking up at the huge waterwheel with wide-eyed expressions of shock.
Fang Jun was thinking about telling the children how not to stick to the old rules and to follow the development of the times and accept new things. The soldiers who were left outside the door came running quickly: "A servant from the palace is coming. Your Majesty invites Erlang to come to the palace to discuss matters. It's very important." important."
Fang Jun did not dare to delay, and told Liu Shi to take care of several children, and wait until dark before sending someone back to the East Palace. He then followed the soldiers out of the gate, met the chamberlain, listened carefully to the emperor's order, then galloped back to Chang'an City, and returned to Chang'an City. Enter the city from Mingde Gate, go straight to Zhuque Gate along Zhuque Street, then enter Chengtian Gate and go straight to Wude Hall.
…
In the side hall, Li Chengqian had been discussing with Li Ji and Cen Wenwen for a long time. When Fang Jun arrived in a hurry, they had not yet reached a conclusion on Li Daozong's matter.
Fang Jun sat down, and a secretary on the side handed him the recorded meeting minutes, asking him to familiarize himself with what was being discussed and the opinions of the emperor and ministers.
Fang Jun nodded and thanked him, glanced at the young secretary, his heart suddenly moved, and nodded again with a smile. The secretary also greeted with a friendly smile, and then stopped looking at Fang Jun and concentrated on recording the minutes.
Fang Jun looked at the minutes in his hand and realized that Li Xiaogong actually suspected that Li Daozong might rebel and endanger the palace ban...
But his mind stayed on the secretary man for a while.
Doulu Qinwang, his father acted as governor of the state, Doulu Renye. Doulu's original surname is "Murong", a member of the Xianbei royal family. Doulu's ancestor, Doulu Chang, was the commander of Rouxuan Town, one of the "Six Towns of the Northern Wei Dynasty". Later, the family became more powerful among the Six Towns of the Northern Wei Dynasty. To this day, he is still one of the backbones of the Guanlong clan, but although he is powerful, he has always kept a low profile. In recent years, he has been quite at odds with Changsun Wuji, and the conflict is deep.
The Guanlong clan, under the leadership of Yu Wenshiji, attached themselves to Jin Wang Li Zhi and stationed troops in Tongguan to rebel and rebel. As one of the backbone of the Guanlong clan, the Doulu family placed their legitimate son next to Li Chengqian as his secretary. This was an obvious political move. Signal.
The Guanlong clan is on the verge of splitting under the control of Yuwen Shiji, and the day of disintegration is not far away...
After reading the minutes in his hand, Li Chengqian looked at him and asked, "In your opinion, how should this matter be handled?"
Fang Jun pondered for a while and said cautiously: "After all, it's just the Hejian County King who has suspicions. If he goes into war because of this, the consequences will be really serious."
Since Zhenguan, Li Xiaogong has gradually been removed from the highest power class. If the Anxi Protectorate had not been invaded by foreign enemies and was in danger, His Majesty Li Er had to use Li Xiaogong to go out to the Western Regions. He might have been living a luxurious life in the mansion until he died.
The person who replaced Li Xiaogong was Li Daozong, who had followed His Majesty Li Er since childhood and obeyed His Majesty Li Er's words and was loyal.
Within the clan, Li Daozong far surpasses the great Zong Zhenghan King Li Yuanjia in terms of status, power, influence, strength, etc., and is considered the first person in the clan under the emperor.
Even in the military, Li Daozong's prestige and influence are definitely not low.
It is absolutely impossible to convict such a person on "unfounded" charges. It is even difficult to transfer him. This will inevitably trigger a strong reaction from the clan and the army. Yuchi Gong also led tens of thousands of elite soldiers under his command to dominate the east of the river. Well, if he accidentally breaks through the water defense line and rushes to Chang'an City, it will be an earth-shaking disaster.
Li Ji nodded and said: "Erlang's words are exactly the truth. Without conclusive evidence, the Prince of Jiangxia County cannot act without permission."
Obviously, he and Fang Jun had the same opinions and considered the same things.
Cen Wenwen frowned: "But if the Hejian County Prince's speculation is true, will Jiangxia County Prince be allowed to control the important territory of Xuanwu Gate and suddenly rise up and invade the palace in the future?"
The strategic position of Xuanwu Gate is too important to take any risks. Once Li Daozong really relies on the King of Jin to start an uprising at Xuanwu Gate, his soldiers and horses can rush into Taiji Palace in an instant, taking advantage of the terrain to swoop down from the top of the palace. Even if there were twice as many central guards, they would not be able to withstand it.
It's still the same situation as before Fang Jun came, with a dilemma and a dilemma.
Fang Jun thought about it carefully and suggested: "If you send someone to Xuanwu Gate to serve as deputy general, does your Majesty think it is feasible?"
Li Ji's eyes lit up, he glanced at Fang Jun, and said to Li Chengqian: "Sending someone to monitor directly is feasible."
Openly sending a lieutenant to Xuanwu Gate clearly told Li Daozong: The court has doubts about you, and no matter what you think, you should restrain yourself.
Therefore, no matter what Li Daozong's position was, it was impossible to refuse such a deputy general to serve in Xuanwu Gate, otherwise the intention of rebellion would be obvious.
With such a nail nailed into the Xuanwu Gate, Li Daozong would know immediately if there was any disturbance, notify the palace in time, and take response.
This is a very clever conspiracy, a clever move that is both direct and avoids conflicts in the current situation. Young people are not simple...
