Chen Chao has not been idle these days. Although the matter of Jian Qi Mountain has been negotiated there, in fact the whole matter has not ended yet. At least the swordsmiths from Jian Qi Mountain have not rushed to the divine capital. Chen Chao, as the left The deputy commander of the Wei, although nominally these matters are not under his control, he was the one who negotiated them after all. The Eunuch Li in the palace came to see him a few days ago. Afterwards, the two chatted, and Eunuch Li said The purpose behind the words is to let Chen Chao pay more attention to the future affairs, and he has already said hello to the minister of the Ministry of Industry, and asked Chen Chao to assist him. This made Chen Chao unable to refuse. These days, he can only go to the Yamen of the Ministry of Industry again and again to finalize the matters with the Minister of the Ministry of Industry.
At 1:00 today, the Zuowei Yamen rang the bell, and the Zuowei officials, large and small, nodded in an orderly manner. After Song Lian, who was sitting above, read the roster, he waved his hand and asked them to go about their business. And at the end After a left guard officer left the lobby, Chen Chaocai walked into the lobby with a smile and wrote his name at the end of the roster.
Song Lian glanced at him and pretended to be angry: "Chen Chao, how long have you been coming back to your senses before you get some money? Aren't you afraid that I will deduct your salary?"
Chen Chao put down the pen in his hand, glanced at Song Lian, and said with some confusion: "Sir, has your official received any salary since last year?!"
Song Lian listened to what Chen Chao said, and then a smile appeared on his face, "You can have a salary if you want, it will be paid to you starting next month, and it won't be given to Miss Xie."
"Come on, I don't know how long I can stay in the city of God. It's boring to come and go." Chen Chao sat down aside and waved his hand.
】
Song Lian stood up from his seat, walked a few steps to Chen Chao's side, and laughed in a low voice: "Brother, we are all men, who can I don’t know who it is, why are you so stubborn?”
Chen Chao's face was expressionless, "Sir, people are different. Don't use your humble status to speculate on lower officials."
Song Lian nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes."
Chen Chao snorted coldly.
Song Lian then slapped Chen Chao on the shoulder and said with a sigh, "I've made my brother miss me so much these days!"
Chen Chao pushed Song Lian's hand away in disgust, "How come you already don't like women after such a short period of time? Is it not possible? I have a prescription here, why don't you give it to me to try?"
Song Lian smiled and scolded: "You brat, are you looking for a slap in the face?"
Chen Chao also smiled, and then said: "I was just passing by to see you, sir. These days, the official is not under your control. The Ministry of Works is running around. I wish I could grow two more." Get some legs."
Song Lian also heard about the news from the Ministry of Industry, but he did not inquire carefully. Knowing too much about some things is not a good thing. Therefore, even if Chen Chao took the initiative to mention it at this moment, Song Lian just said calmly: "The more capable you are, the more likely you are." The bigger the job, the bigger the responsibility. If you do your best, you brat, you will have a bright future."
Chen Chao stood up with a smile. He was just stopping by to say hello, but he couldn't stay too long.
"I'm going to leave now. When I have time, I want to try my sister-in-law's craftsmanship."
Song Lian smiled and said, "That's enough."
…
…
The Gongbu Yamen is not far from the Guarding Envoy Yamen, only two roads away. The six other Yamen of the Liang Dynasty are not far away, with the exception of the Gongbu Yamen. But it is reasonable to say that the other five bureaus spend the whole day There are all important matters of state affairs, large and small, so naturally they should be in a more convenient place. After all, there are many officials coming in and out every day, but the Ministry of Industry has a group of officials and craftsmen who are delving into the research and development and improvement of various instruments every day. More quiet is needed.
Therefore, the location of the Ministry of Industry Yamen is somewhat secluded.
Chen Chao came to the door of the yamen and was about to take out the badge from his waist. The two yamen servants at the door, who had long been familiar with Chen Chao, smiled and said, "Commander Chen, come in quickly. Lord Shangshu is waiting in a hurry. "
Chen Chao smiled and nodded, and soon entered the lobby of the Ministry of Industry. There were many officials and craftsmen coming in and out. When they saw Chen Chao, they had no time to pay attention to him. Many craftsmen just looked down at the drawings in their hands, with expressions of embarrassment on their faces. Pay attention to Chen Chao when you have time.
Chen Chao didn't care either. The Ministry of Industry was a place where practical things were done and he was used to the atmosphere here.
Entering the lobby, the gray-haired and thin Minister of the Ministry of Industry stood up quickly, smiled and said: "Commander Chen, come quickly, come quickly, I'm waiting for you."
In addition to the Minister of Works, there are other ministers and officials from the Ministry of Works here, all waiting for Chen Chao.
Chen Chaogong cupped his hands and said with a smile: "I'm late, don't blame me, Lord Shangshu."
"Don't gossip, business is important."
Unlike other officials in the Liang Dynasty, although most of the officials in the Ministry of Industry also came from the imperial examination, I don't know if they have lost the habits of many scholars after working in the Ministry of Industry for many years. This group of people focused on hard work and only I am afraid that if I ask them to write any moral articles, they will not be able to start.
"I have thought and thought, thought and thought... I have drawn up a plan. Commander Chen, will you check if there are any flaws?"
The Minister of the Ministry of Industry handed the booklet in his hand to Chen Chao. After Chen Chao sat down, he took it and looked at it, and soon frowned.
The Minister of Works had been paying attention to Chen Chao's expression and immediately asked: "Commander Chen, does it feel inappropriate?"
Chen Chao put down the booklet, shook his head and said: "There is no problem with the plan. This can indeed maximize ordnance research and development as quickly as possible. I have no experience with these things, so I naturally trust the judgment of Lord Shangshu. However, there is an issue that Lord Shangshu needs to consider carefully. Then Even the swordsmiths from Jianqi Mountain are here as guests. Although they are helping us develop ordnance for Daliang, they are temporarily under our jurisdiction, but don’t we also need to consider their thoughts on these things? If they think that we are only doing research and development of ordnance. And despising them, even if they can stay because of the order of Jianqi Mountain over there, it will definitely have a bad impact in the future. Your Majesty is doing this for the long term, not for the gains and losses of the moment now, Master Shangshu wants to Think about it.”
The Minister of Industry was startled, and then he patted his forehead, "Thank you very much, Commander Chen. I have neglected this point. What suggestions does Commander Chen have?"
Chen Chao thought for a while and said softly: "There will definitely be someone responsible over there. When the two sides negotiate, it doesn't matter how many steps we take back. The main thing is to... Show your sincerity, keep people, and keep your reputation, so that there will be a second and third batch in the future. In addition, the craftsmen who are qualified to study ordnance with them should also be treated well, and their salaries should be raised. Titi, what do you think, Master Shangshu?"
The Minister of Industry laughed loudly, "That's natural. I am not one of my colleagues who regards gold and silver as a scourge."
Chen Chao smiled and said: "The rest of the plan depends on how you discuss it."
The Minister of the Ministry of Industry nodded, glanced at the colleagues present, and suddenly said: "Everyone, please go out first. There are still some things that I want to discuss with Commander Chen."
The other officials looked at each other and immediately stood up silently.
After everyone had left, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry said softly: "Commander Chen, there are many people with mixed ears. I have a question, but I still want to ask. Does your Majesty's sudden move now mean that I, Daliang, will soon be dead?" Are you going to have another battle with the demon clan?"
Less than a year had passed since the First World War in the North, and it was promised that there would be more than ten years of peace. If there was to be another war, he was worried about how many more people would die.
Chen Chao frowned, shook his head with a wry smile, and said, "I really don't know how to answer your Majesty's words. Your Majesty can't tell me all your thoughts. We ministers can't figure out what your Majesty is thinking. But Master Shangshu, please do not fail to do this due to these thoughts."
"The improvement of our weapons in Daliang is not for the present, but for the future generations. There are always two different things between having a sword and not using it, and having no sword to use."
Chen Chao looked at the Minister of the Ministry of Industry and was actually a little worried that the Minister of the Ministry of Industry was being stupid and pedantic like the other scholars.
The Minister of the Ministry of Industry smiled and said: "Commander Chen, you can rest assured. I understand this truth. However, what Commander Chen said is really good. Having a sword and using it are not the same thing."
Chen Chao said softly: "If something like that happens again, many more people will die."
The Minister of the Ministry of Industry nodded and said with a smile: "I am an old man and I estimate that I will never be able to go to the north in this life, but I think if we do these things, the young people there will die less in the future. The people of Daliang are living a more stable life and feel happy from the bottom of their hearts, so I don’t need any instructions from Commander Chen, this matter is in my hands and I must do it well!"
Chen Chao sighed with emotion: "With these words from Lord Shangshu, I think the border troops in the north will be able to wield their swords with a little more strength."
The Minister of Industry sighed and suddenly asked with a smile: "Commander Chen also thinks that most of us scholars are not interesting?"
Chen Chao looked at the Minister of Industry with a smile, "Sir, are you digging a hole for me?"
The Minister of Industry laughed and was speechless.
…
…
After discussing many details with the Minister of Industry, Chen Chao walked out of the lobby of the Ministry of Industry. After only a few steps, a thin middle-aged official was walking forward quickly. The man was anxious to give a file to the Minister. Seeing it in person, I was a little anxious, so I happened to bump into Chen Chao. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
The official spoke hurriedly, but before he even raised his head, Chen Chao smiled and said, "Brother Mi!"
After hearing these three words, the official raised his head and looked at Chen Chao in front of him, and soon said in surprise: "Brother Chen?!"
This person is Mi Ke who was recently transferred to the capital of God!
The two have worked together in Tianqing County for a long time and are already true friends.
What's more, Mi Ke also helped Chen Chao a lot later.
"Congratulations, brother. You have been successful in your official career these past two years. Why don't you come to the capital of the gods and not come to drink with me?"
Chen Chao was filled with emotion when he saw his old friend here.
Mi Ke laughed and said: "Brother Chen is now well-known in Daliang, and he is also a close minister of the emperor. I am not that thick-skinned."
Chen Chao joked: "Brother, I thought it would cost a lot to hold a banquet for another promotion, so why didn't you tell me?"
Mi Ke had a smile on his face. After being transferred to Shendu these days, he came to the capital as a local official. These days, he was ostracized. This made Mi Ke even think that it would be better to be a county governor in the local area. How much is it? Landlord official, how could he be so angry? He was used to being cautious, but now he finally smiled a little when he saw Chen Chao.
"I actually asked about Brother Chen before I came to Shendu, but I heard that Brother Chen was not in Shendu, so I gave it up. I didn't expect that I would come back so soon. When I am free one day, I will be a host and treat me to a supper. night!"
One of the three great blessings in life is meeting an old friend in a foreign country, and that's probably it.
"But not right now. I have some official business and I can't chat with my brother."
Chen Chao nodded and said with a smile: "Brother Mi, I'll be busy first. I'll send someone to tell you when you have time. I must eat this meal."
Mi Ke smiled and nodded, "It's easy to talk about."
——
In Tianqing County, it was still sunny in the morning, but when Zhou Wolfberry was sitting on the doorstep after lunch, bored, the sky in the distance suddenly became dense with dark clouds, and soon there was a heavy downpour. Zhou Wolfberry stared at the unruly sky. , lazily scolded: "God damn it."
The woman in the courtyard was busy cleaning up the things to be dried in the yard. Although she was in a hurry at the moment, she did not ask the man to help.
Zhou Gouqi sat on the threshold and had no intention of getting up.
It was just that the rain was heavy and soon wetted his trousers.
Zhou Gouqi didn't care, he just looked into the distance silently until a wooden bird appeared at the end of his sight.
Zhou Gouqi stood up and looked up at the sky.
Watch the wooden bird finally land on the threshold.
Zhou Wolfberry stretched out his hand and untied the thing from the bird's leg.
Then the wooden bird went away.
"Who the hell can write to me if they have nothing to do?"
Zhou Gouqi glanced at it and saw the words "Chen Chao" on the envelope.
"You brat, you still remember me."
Zhou Gouqi tore open the envelope with a smile and took out the letter paper, but his face soon became serious, and his hands started to tremble slightly.
Zhou Wolfberry's eyes were complicated, filled with longing, regret, and regret.
His legs gave way and he fell onto the threshold.
Zhou Wolfberry took a deep breath, his face darkened.
This man who had given up his position as the dean of the academy and his identity as a scholar long ago was extremely sad at the moment. This sadness was far worse than what happened before.
The woman didn't know when she came behind him and asked with concern: "What's wrong?"
Zhou Wolfberry did not turn around and remained silent.
The woman looked at the letter in Zhou Gouqi's hand and gently put her hand on his shoulder, "If you want to go on a long trip, just go. I'll wait for you at home."
Zhou Gouqi lowered his head, "Who told you that I was going to travel far away?"
The woman just whispered: "I know you have something to do, just do it, I will wait for you."
Zhou Gouqi waved his hand, "Leave me alone for a while."
The woman opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't say anything and just turned around and went back to the house.
Zhou Gouqi then slowly raised his head, looked at the rain curtain in front of him, stretched out his hands, caught a handful of rainwater, and wiped it on his face. The rainwater slowly fell and wet his clothes. Then he raised his head and said softly: " I also want to fly paper kites again."
