The thirty-eight years of Zhichang seem to be slower than every previous year, and they are full of abnormal situations. It can be said that there are unexpected things every day.
The impact of the War Preparedness Act on civilian life has begun to show. For example, the price curve of luxury goods climbed rapidly and then stabilized at twice the previous price.
Of course, those gadgets are insignificant to ordinary people. The main thing that makes them unhappy is that the prices of various aluminum products have increased a lot. Aluminum steamers, aluminum kettles, aluminum lunch boxes and other items have been levied an additional 35% "aluminum rate" ".
For people in the Ming Dynasty, the word "pay" is very familiar-the imperial court would do this every time it raised military expenses. For example, during the Chongzhen period, there were Liao rates, Lian rates, and Suppression rates. In the decades after the Ming Dynasty, during the decades of targeting the Junggar Khanate, "Western rates" were temporarily assigned many times. This West refers to the west of Jiayuguan.
At the same time, the government has been putting up posters on the streets and alleys to promote the importance of aluminum and recommend using iron or steel products instead.
Even if it is just a very low-level and backward industrial country, there will definitely be no shortage of ordinary steel for civilian use - steel production can easily reach millions or tens of millions of tons, which is not at the same level as aluminum production of only tens of thousands of tons.
"Damn! Finally...it's done!"
The satisfied Zhou Changfeng sighed loudly after returning home. From the beginning of the month to September 22nd, he went back and forth and communicated in the Ordnance Bureau, Army Department, and Navy Department of the Ministry of War, and finally settled the matter. .
Representatives from the Ordnance Bureau and the Army Department expressed disgust on the spot when they saw the crude submachine gun. Some even thought that it would fall apart after just a few shots.
As we all know, if a person has a preconceived judgment about something, it is very difficult to change his judgment.
For more than half a month, Zhou Changfeng has been doing this troublesome and troublesome thing.
Fortunately, hard work paid off, and the busy work has finally been completed.
After the actual evaluation, the Ordnance Bureau approved this seemingly crude and unreliable design, and initially decided to modify it in accordance with the standard specifications, and then finalize it to replace the existing Type 3 and Type 4. Official arsenals across the country immediately suspended the formation of Type 3 and Type 4. Submachine gun production line.
The performance is similar, with no obvious disadvantages, but the production cost and purchase price are three-quarters lower...
There is no choice but to choose it. The men in the Arms Bureau are very smart.
The Army has been arguing from the beginning. Some people think it is indeed feasible and cost-effective; others insist on opposing it and do not trust such crudely crafted weapons.
But in this regard, the Ordnance Bureau still has the final say, unless the Army is willing to jointly and strongly oppose it and make the matter bigger.
So after many twists and turns, the expensive milling process submachine gun will finally temporarily fade out of the stage of history.
Only when the war is over and they need to strive for excellence will they have room to play again.
Then, the Army considered reducing the purchase of Type 36 semi-automatic rifles because its price/performance ratio was too low.
The Navy agreed to Zhou Changfeng's request. Like the Air Force's paratrooper units, the Marine Corps will also purchase automatic rifles that fire intermediate-power bullets.
In addition to the existing semi-automatic short rifles, the tender for automatic rifles and light machine guns has also been initially clarified - this will be the future team light weapons combination of the Ming Army's paratroopers and marines.
The riflemen are all equipped with automatic rifles and a light machine gun. They uniformly use 7.36×40mm short bullets to ensure universal ammunition.
Zhou Changfeng kept struggling for more than half a month, reasoning and saying nice things, using both soft and hard tactics, and even treating the guests to five or six meals. Only then did he successfully push the result to a better situation.
However, as soon as he returned home today, he learned that he had been given the official title of "Military Plane Awaiting Order" on a piece of paper. He was originally satisfied, but he was immediately upset after hearing the news.
"Sir...are you okay?" Xia Xiaoshi looked worriedly at Zhou Changfeng, who looked regretful in front of her.
"That's outrageous, all the hard work was in vain..." Zhou Changfeng smiled bitterly, "Well, it's not like all the hard work was in vain."
Since the establishment of the cabinet system during the Yongle period, the cabinet has been the highest advisory body of the Ming Dynasty. In theory, it does not have any decision-making power, and the cabinet's votes are invalid without the emperor's seal.
Unless the chief minister of the cabinet can collude with the eunuch who holds the seal, and the emperor or empress dowager does not interfere, this was the case when Zhang Juzheng was in power.
But today's cabinet is no longer the former cabinet. After the constitutional government, it transformed into the highest administrative organ of the Ming Dynasty and was the head of the imperial court.
As the head of state, the emperor still needs to have advisers at any time to consult on professional issues, just like the president of the United States has personal teams such as economic advisers and security advisers.
As a result, the post of Dai Zhao was taken out again and he acted as an advisor to the current Emperor of Ming Dynasty.
As the name suggests, "waiting for the imperial edict" means waiting for the imperial edict. In the earliest days, it was actually a consultant - "In the early Tang Dynasty, the Hanlin Academy was established. All scholars of literary classics and medical divination and other experts were waiting for the imperial edict to be on duty at the Imperial Academy to give advice. Use grain and rice to wait for the edict."
However, by the Ming Dynasty, Taizhao had evolved into a low-level official position in the Hanlin Academy. From the ninth rank, he was responsible for proofreading documents.
Now that it has returned to its original use thousands of years ago, it can be considered a return to its original nature.
After all, he was a person close to the emperor and had a lot of influence, so Zhou Changfeng was very depressed. If this book-making process had been completed earlier, why would he have to be busy?
Although it is indeed something within my ability, it is really tiring to have to do everything like this.
At this time, Xia Xiaoshi suddenly thought of something, "By the way, sir, when the book was delivered earlier, the Pedestrian Department asked us to prepare to move. We have to live near the imperial city in the future. The residence is on Liren Street... It is said that it is already being tidied up. , you can move in directly in two days.”
"Moving?" Zhou Changfeng, who was drinking water, put down his cup when he heard this. "Okay, then hurry up and pack up. Just bring some clothes and shoes. I think there are other things over there."
"Also, they said that Lin Xi is a foreigner and suggested that he terminate the contract and be fired. If he is to be retained, he must be handed over to Jinyiwei for review."
"Normal. Then...does she agree to be tried?"
"of course."
The Forbidden City, the "home" of the Chinese emperor, is a mysterious and unpredictable place to ordinary people.
From ancient times to the present, ordinary people have had various imaginations about it. The more classic one is that the emperor gets up in the morning and drinks porridge from a golden bowl, and then goes to farm with a golden hoe. The empress of the East Palace bakes big cakes, and the Empress of the West Palace peels green onions.
In the late Ming Dynasty, the government was in chaos and palace restrictions were relaxed. Many strange things happened in such a mysterious and solemn place, such as someone breaking in and committing suicide with a knife, someone sneaking into the palace carrying a human head, someone sneaking into the palace and setting off firecrackers... and Ming Dynasty. One of the last three major cases of assault.
The Forbidden City in the north was like this, and the Forbidden City in the south was no less generous. When Emperor Suzong was in power, a few people sneaked in in a group to dig floor tiles with the intention of transporting them out for sale, but they were caught by the Jin Yiwei. Later, two people sneaked in together. He intended to rape the palace maid, but was captured alive by the Jingjun (eunuch army).
This so-called world is so vast that it contains all kinds of wonders.
On the 24th, on this day, because an imperial meeting was to be held, the ministers who were waiting for the imperial edict naturally had to accompany the emperor to attend. After straightening his clothes and hat in front of the mirror, Zhou Changfeng left the house.
Previously, due to Zhu Shiyan's physical condition, he was unable to manage politics for nearly half a month. After he recovered a little, he could only work intermittently for a few hours. At the same time, Zhu Lizhen's death also left a considerable number of official documents undisposed.
In this way, in order to maintain the normal operation of the country, many backlogged matters will naturally be decided directly by the cabinet.
After Zhu Lingjing came to the throne, she quickly snatched away these things and had to work overtime to manage politics. She worked an average of fifteen hours a day, and the hair she lost could be tied into a small bundle.
At this moment, she was busy writing in Zhaoren Hall. Su Yiyi knocked on the door and came in, announcing: "Your Majesty, Zhou Kexing has arrived."
With an expressionless face, Zhu Lingjing raised her hand and glanced at her watch, and said calmly: "Well, tell him to come in."
He had only entered the imperial city twice before, but today was Zhou Zhangfeng's first time entering the palace city.
After entering Xihua Gate, the next journey was not short. It would take about ten minutes on foot, so he took the shuttle bus directly.
In fact, the current Forbidden City is the product of two reconstructions.
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Forbidden City in Nanjing was in dilapidated condition due to lack of repairs for a long time, and Emperor Shizu had to rebuild it. After that, it was tinkered with and used until more than ten years ago. Then because it was so old and unsightly, it was simply demolished and rebuilt.
After getting off the ferry, you enter the Inner Dynasty through Qianqing Gate. Qianqing Palace is right in front, and the side halls on the left and right are Hongde Hall and Zhaoren Hall respectively.
The one who impressed Zhou Changfeng the most along the way was actually the Jin Yiwei. The Jin Yiwei sergeants who were on guard and patrolling here completely ignored anyone's presence and were very aloof.
Not to mention everyone holding their chests and saluting, they didn't even salute with two sentries holding their guns.
I don't know if that's the case too. 【Deleted】
Zhu Lingjing did not continue working in Hongde Hall, but started a new business. Zhaoren Hall was originally used to store books, but because of the ample space, it has been simply converted into a place where she manages daily affairs.
After crossing the threshold and entering, Zhou Changfeng came to the secondary room on the right, raised his hand and knocked on the door.
"Come in." The familiar voice floated in from inside.
For some reason, Zhou Changfeng had some unusual expectations this time.
He took a shallow breath, then pushed the door open and saw that the imperial desk in front was placed diagonally towards the large window, so that the sunlight could shine at a suitable angle.
Zhu Lingjing, who was dressed in black and red, was sitting upright reviewing files. She wore a dark black cross-collar gown on the upper body, a bright red Baidu skirt on the lower body, and her hair was tied high in a bun.
The black and red color scheme, coupled with the tall and big bun, gives people a unique and noble look, which suits their status very well.
"Your Highness... er, no, see your Majesty." Zhou Changfeng couldn't help but feel a little nervous when he was in a strange environment for the first time.
Now I can more or less understand Qin Wuyang's feelings. When a lower-ranking person meets a higher-ranking person, no matter how confident he is, he will eventually feel a little restrained and nervous.
"Have you read the outline of the proceedings? Are you ready?" After saying that, Zhu Lingjing raised her head and glanced at him.
"Everything is ready."
"Yeah." Zhu Lingjing put down her pen, picked up the teacup and took a sip, then looked at him and smiled: "There is the door behind you, why are you standing so far away?"
So Zhou Changfeng, who was slightly embarrassed, had to take a few steps forward.
"Your Majesty, the meeting will begin soon."
"There are still two quarters of an hour. Don't rush. Let me read the summary of the British military deployment in the Malay Peninsula first."
Therefore, Zhou Changfeng gave a brief summary of the deployment of the British army in the Malay Peninsula while recalling it - these were the latest summaries of the Intelligence Office of the Metropolitan Government.
Zhu Lingjing, on the other hand, was doing two things at once, listening and looking at the files on the table.
"...There is also a brigade of combat vehicle units, which are in good condition..."
"Beast."
Aha?
When Zhou Changfeng was about to finish speaking, Zhu Lingjing suddenly whispered "beast", which immediately confused him.
The latter picked up his pen and made a tick, and commented a few words sharply, and then asked strangely: "Say it, why don't you say it?"
Even though Zhou Changfeng is usually quite alert, he was at a loss at this moment, "Your Majesty, you... what you just said..."
With an expressionless face, Zhu Lingjing said "Oh" and replied calmly: "It has nothing to do with you, I'm just trying to figure it out."
According to convention, the government usually executes the prisoners on death row that year during the Beginning of Autumn. This is the "Autumn Queen's Questioning and Execution". It is the same now. After the entire Ming Dynasty, all the prisoners on death row who need to be executed are submitted to the emperor for final execution after being reviewed by Dali Temple.
This is the same in form as in ancient times, but now it's actually just a formality. Basically, you just have to check it all with your eyes closed. Unless the emperor wants to use the power of amnesty, then the name will be circled.
Zhu Lingjing was simply too bored now, so busy that she was bald, so she simply looked through the list of death row prisoners and cases this year as a pastime.
She explained nonchalantly: "This guy's crime is extremely heinous. Jining Prefecture ordered him to be shot in the first instance. The Dali Temple review found that it was not correct. It is better to hang him instead."
It is also the death penalty. In ancient times, hanging was lighter than beheading. After all, a whole body could be preserved.
But now beheading has been changed to shooting, and hanging has become more serious than shooting, because hanging is more painful, and during shooting, the bullet hits the heart, and death takes only a few seconds.
Zhou Changfeng was shocked by what she did. He looked like "You're kidding me" and said, "Can it still be like this?"
"Why not? Why don't you see what he did?" Zhu Lingjing glanced sideways at him and said coldly: "It's a pity. If only there were beheadings now, France still has guillotine beheadings."
After a few seconds, she added, "It's simply conniving for some people not to lose their heads."
Zhou Changfeng: "..."
Speechless, he turned his head slightly and looked at the clock on the wall. Seeing that it was already 9:41, he reminded him: "Your Majesty, it's less than twenty minutes. Should we go?"
"After half a month of shirk, it's time to finalize the final strategy."
Zhu Lingjing, who looked as usual, picked up the fine brush and marked all the remaining two pages of the death row list. Then she put the pen into the pen washer and rinsed it.
At this time, a team of attendants headed by Su Yiyi and Fang Shujun were already waiting outside Zhaoren Hall, and the imperial meeting that had not happened for a long time was about to begin.
"On the 27th of April in the seventh year of Wanli, at Renyin, someone committed suicide at Duanmen, and a strict order was issued. Soon, another offender, Zhang Du, entered the forbidden area without permission and wiped himself with a knife."
"On the twenty-eighth day of the first lunar month in the twenty-fourth year of Wanli, the imperial horse supervisor Liu Can reported to the emperor that the treacherous men Li Ming and Shi Wen secretly sneaked into the forbidden area with their heads for ulterior motives."
(End of chapter)
