Chapter 046 Four Miles in Radius
In the end, Chen Cao couldn't get the answer he wanted from Zhang Wenda, so he left with the people and went back to the inn to sleep. At noon the next day, Jin Yiwei came to look for him.
Chen Cao came to Chengdong Street. There were fewer pedestrians here. It could be seen that the people living here were wealthy families.
"Sir, this is Eunuch Wei's other courtyard." Xu Kai came here to deliver things before and knew the way.
Chen Cao was suddenly brought here. It must be that Wei Zhongxian was here, otherwise he, a close confidant, would not be allowed to come to the other courtyard alone.
Sure enough, after entering the lobby, the old man Wei Zhongxian was sitting in the main seat. There were some people of all ages sitting on the chairs on both sides. Chen Cao only recognized Xu Xianchun and Tian Ergen.
"Your Majesty, Chen Cao, have met the Governor..." Chen Cao stood in the middle and saluted Wei Zhongxian respectfully.
Wei Zhongxian said with a smile: "Okay, Chen Cao, our family has been waiting for you for a long time."
"I am late, please forgive me." Chen Cao bowed again.
Wei Zhongxian was very impressed and waved to Chen Cao to sit down. As soon as he sat down, Tian Ergen stood up and said: "Brother Chen, let me introduce you to this person." Tian Ergen pointed to a young man and said: " This is Wei Liangqing, the chief of Fusi in Beizhen, who punishes thousands of households."
Chen Cao had never heard of Wei Liangqing's name, so he stood up and held his hands in his hands: "Wei Qianhu, nice to meet you."
Wei Liangqing did not show any confidence in front of Wei Zhongxian. He stood up and said modestly: "Master Chen, you are so polite..."
"This," Tian Ergeng said about the young man sitting opposite Chen Cao: "This is Guangxian, a guest of Qianhu, Jinyiwei."
I lost...
Before Chen Cao could stand up, Ke Guang stood up and handed over his hands: "I've met Mr. Chen."
"Customers are very polite," Chen Cao handed over his hand: "I didn't expect that everyone here is such a hero. Chen is very honored today, very honored..."
"This is Sun Yunhe, the person in charge of the Thousand Households of Dongchang." Tian Ergen pointed at another person.
"I've met Mr. Chen," Sun Yunhe stood up and held his hands.
Chen Cao smiled and returned the courtesy, followed by other civil servants, mostly speaking officials.
Wei Zhongxian coughed twice, and then said with a smile: "With people like you to help our family in our lifetime, this life in this world will not be in vain."
"The Governor is welcome..."
There was a lot of flattery, and Chen Cao also bowed his hand in vain, without even knowing what he was saying.
Wei Zhongxian added: "Now the Donglin Party is paying less and less attention to our family. Whether overtly or secretly, they say that our family is an eunuch who is harming the country. You all tell me, how can a slave of the Tian family harm the country?" Misleading the people? Our family only has good intentions for His Majesty in our hearts, and we are thinking about how to make His Majesty happy. These fussy civil servants will find some ridiculous and groundless things to harm our family in front of His Majesty, ugh..."
Chen Cao used to just imagine what it was like for an eunuch to cry, but now he saw Wei Zhongxian crying with snot and tears. Although it was a bit funny, it still touched his heart. Ordinary people would know at a glance that the old guy was too pitiful.
As soon as Wei Zhongxian cried, various people came to comfort him in the hall, including those who brought tea and water, and those who reached out to take out silk handkerchiefs. Only Chen Cao did not move, and indeed there was no place for him to show his courtesy.
After a cup of tea, Wei Zhongxian finally stopped crying, took a deep breath, and said slowly: "Our family wants those individuals to understand that although we are eunuchs, we can still make contributions to the Ming Dynasty..."
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the hall, including Chen Cao, took a breath. Why did the old thief's words seem familiar.
Wei Zhongxian also noticed that the atmosphere in the hall was not right, so he said secretly: "What are you thinking? We know in our hearts that Wang Zhen during the Yingzong period and Liu Jin during the Wuzong period are our past mistakes. Our family will not encourage His Majesty to engage in any personal conquest." .”
Hi...
Everyone in the hall obviously breathed a sigh of relief. You looked at me and I looked at you with a "lucky" expression.
"We know what we are worth, and we won't do anything hot-headed like the two of them," Wei Zhongxian said with a smile: "However, we just said that although our family can't do it, with you All the heroes are here..."
Being praised by Wei Zhongxian, everyone in the hall smiled and said, "You're welcome." Tian Ergen even stood up and handed over his hands: "My foster father is really humble. If my foster father hadn't spoken kind words for me in front of His Majesty, I would have Waiting for the chance to do something for my adoptive father."
"Yes, yes..." Everyone agreed.
Chen Cao's mouth twitched. It turned out that Tian Ergeng's rise was really the result of accepting Wei Zhongxian as his adoptive father.
Wei Zhongxian smiled and nodded: "Although Li'er is like this, we still have to rely on you young people to do things outside... Now the Donglin Party is pressing on our family step by step, and our family is not a vegetarian. You know how? Got something done?"
Xu Xianchun quickly stood up and handed over his hands: "Don't worry, Governor, the arrangements have been made."
Wei Zhongxian nodded, and his eyes finally turned to Chen Cao's face. Chen Cao was excited for a while, and he quickly sat up straight and said: "Our family can rest assured that you can handle things in the capital. Southern Zhili depends entirely on Chen Cao. "
"I will definitely manage Nanzhili well for the Governor." Chen Cao stood up and handed over his hands.
Wei Zhongxian nodded: "Your officer who is the commander of Tongzhi is also a little young, so Zhang Yanzong must not be constrained by it. Let's go to court tomorrow. Let's go to His Majesty and put in a few nice words to make you the commander of Nanzhen Fusi." It made..."
Chen Cao raised his eyebrows and said, "I thank the Governor for his promotion. I will definitely serve the Governor wholeheartedly."
"Well," Wei Zhongxian added, "You have to worry more about your Majesty's internal funds."
It was obviously reminding me about the money, and Chen Cao also understood: "I will send it to you within three months after I return."
At this moment, Wei Zhongxian showed a happy smile: "Look, Chen Cao is careful when doing things. Let Xianchun and Ergen handle the internal affairs of our capital, and leave all the foreign affairs of Nanzhili to Chen Cao. You are colleagues now, so you must do your best."
"I will obey the governor's order..."
...
"Brother Chen," Tian Ergen had long heard of Chen Cao's lustful reputation, so after leaving Wei Zhongxian's house, he booked a banquet and a private room at Jinxiang House in Bada Hutong: "Old Madam of Jinxiang House I'll bring their top guy here later, sit down quickly."
Chen Cao smiled and patted Tian Ergen's shoulder, then sat down and said, "Brother, you are too polite. We brothers don't need to be so vain. Just be casual."
"No matter how casual you are," Tian Ergen waved his hand: "Brother Chen must have fun tonight, so that our work will have an end."
"Doing business?" Chen Cao frowned.
Before anyone came in, Tian Ergen ordered the Jinyi guards guarding the door not to enter without orders, then closed the door and pulled Chen Cao to sit down at the table. He whispered in his ear: "What the Governor said today is very clear. , the Donglin Party has gone too far to bully others, and those of us who are lackeys will naturally have to worry about the Governor, for what? Isn’t it just for those powers and women?"
Chen Cao disliked the term 'running dog' very much, but in this era, this term was a self-righteous example for some people, just like Qi Jiguang also called himself a running dog under his sect to Yan Song.
Tian Ergen said again: "Brother Chen, has Mr. Xu told you the matter?"
Chen Cao frowned. Xu Xianchun had said something, but this guy was also a good man. He had learned the official habit of telling half of a point and leaving the other half guessing: "I said I would make the Donglin Party suffer a big loss, but I didn't tell him." Me, what? But the Governor gave orders to Lord Xu?"
"The foster father did not give instructions," Tian Ergen shook his head: "Now only you, me and Mr. Xu know the inside story about this matter, and even my subordinates have not explained it."
"What secret event is only known to the three of us?" Chen Cao turned around and realized what Xu Xianchun meant was that Wei Zhongxian would do things without Wei Zhongxian knowing about it, and then let Wei Zhongxian reap the benefits.
"Brother Chen, does he know Zhong Yuzheng, the minister of the Ministry of Industry?" Tian Ergeng said mysteriously.
Chen Cao has only known a few people in recent years and remembered them in his heart. Even the officials of the six ministries in Nanjing can't understand them, let alone the officials in the capital: "I have been in Jinling for a long time, and most of the officials in the capital are not familiar with them."
"Zhong Yu is Ye Xianggao's good friend," Tian Ergeng continued, "and Zhong Yuzheng's promotion was handled by Ye Xianggao's top leader."
Chen Cao was not stupid, so he immediately asked: "Should we start with Zhong Yuzheng?"
"Of course..." Tian Ergeng said and added: "Brother Chen, does he know that the Capital Firearms Bureau is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industry? The Firearms Bureau ambassador is Zhong Yuzheng's confidant."
Chen Cao didn't say anything. He thought it was very thick and had a big head. Sure enough...
After Tian Ergeng finished speaking, he stared at Chen Cao: "There is a large warehouse in Guangcai Hutong, which is where the gunpowder and Hongyi cannon shells manufactured by the Capital Firearms Bureau are stored. There is also a lot of fire and oil."
Chen Cao felt nervous, there was only one warehouse in the Capital Firearms...
Tian Ergen nodded, his voice could not be lowered: "Wang Gong Factory Firearms Bureau..."
Although there was a lot of hustle and bustle outside the private room, from the moment Tian Ergeng finished speaking to now, Chen Cao felt that his body could no longer move, and the temperature in the room was a little low...
Chen Cao forced a smile and said, "Brother, what happened to the Firearms Bureau?"
Tian Ergeng said: "Wang Gongchang is only six miles away from the imperial city. Once an accident occurs, it will be enough to shock the royal family and nobles in the palace, and your majesty will also be frightened. Once something happens, Zhong Yuzheng will be blamed. As a His recommender, Ye Xianggao, will also suffer. Even if he does not retire, a position in the cabinet will be vacated, and Mr. Feng can officially become the Minister of the Ministry of Industry and serve in the cabinet..."
Oops...
Oh My God...
Chen Cao felt frightened. Is the explosion in Wang Gong Factory related to him? No, it should be that the explosion of this era has something to do with me.
"Brother, this is a serious matter. If it is leaked out, you and I may be guilty of confiscating our families and annihilating our clans." Chen Cao was trembling as he spoke.
"Hi..." Tian Ergeng acted extremely calmly: "So only the three of us know about this matter. Even if we do things tonight, it's just you and I each bringing one confidant. We can't have too many people. It's easy for people to talk a lot. Something happened."
Chen Cao took a deep breath, narrowed his eyes, and had mixed feelings in his heart: "I want to hear the plan first."
Tian Ergeng unexpectedly patted Chen Cao on the shoulder: "Brother, don't worry, this matter will never be leaked, because when the accident happened, you and I were still drinking in Jinxiang Tower."
Chen Cao's eyelids twitched: "So, brother, you already have a complete plan?"
"Of course..." Tian Ergen nodded: "Master Xu proposed this matter. I will plan the details, and then we two brothers will handle it together."
Damn...
Chen Cao immediately realized why Tian Ergen, who was his brother in court, had to cut off the chicken head and burn the yellow paper in the end. The guy in front of him was really as cunning and cunning as recorded in the history books. He could do this kind of thing alone. Although it is possible, the risk is very high. If there is more of him, he will also drag someone into the water...
Dog thief...
Chen Cao had already greeted Tian Ergeng's family countless times in his heart, and then had to raise a toast with him and drink with him with a smile.
...
Once midnight passes in the capital, there will be a city-wide curfew, and no action can be taken until the fifth watch drum sounds. The only people who can walk on the streets at twelve o'clock in the middle of the night are either high-ranking officials or 50% of the troops patrolling the city.
"Who is it?" On Dongchengmen Street, the patrolling Dongcheng Soldiers and Horses Division led a team of small flag officers to stop the carriages of Chen Cao and Tian Ergen.
When the lantern came over, Xu Kaixian and another Jin Yiwei were standing beside the carriage.
Xu Kaixian and another Jin Yiwei were both wearing bright yellow Qianhu Feiyu uniforms, and they could only stand beside the carriage, thinking that the people in the carriage had a higher status.
Xiaoqi, who was leading the team, quickly saluted and apologized: "I didn't know that this was your adult's car. Please forgive me."
"I am Yang Huan, a thousand households in Fusi, North Town." Yang Huan took out his token: "Retreat quickly..."
The flag officer quickly saluted: "Sir, go slowly...go slowly..."
Guangcai Hutong in Dongcheng Street, where the Capital Firearms Bureau is stationed. This place is where the most patrols come and go after the night ban. Of course, the inaccessible places are limited to ordinary people. Even a Tiqiu dared to walk sideways like Chen Cao, a Jinyi guard. , not to mention the arrival of the commanding officer and the governor.
The parking place is a small alley away from the Firearms Bureau, which is equivalent to an aisle between two walls.
"Two adults, we've arrived." Yang Huan handed over his hand, while Xu Kaixian observed the surroundings.
"Ah Shai," Tian Ergen walked out of the carriage: "Act quickly."
Yang Huan handed over his hands and left. Chen Cao, who was about to get off the station, asked curiously: "Brother, what's the name of your confidant? Ah Shai?"
Tian Ergeng said with a smile: "Brother, I am joking. He is from my family and has followed me since he was a child. Ah Shai is just his nickname. I am used to it. His real name is Yang Huan."
"Oh..." Chen Cao suddenly realized that Yang Huan was one of the five eunuchs...
After entering the courtyard, Chen Cao realized that the courtyard was not too big. Tian Ergeng had made tea in the front hall and handed a cup to Chen Cao: "Brother, let's just wait for Ah Shai to come back."
Xu Kaixian had been standing guard outside the gate before he came in. Chen Cao felt like he was having a banquet at Hongmen. Not long after, Yang Huan walked into the front hall: "My lord, everything is done."
Tian Ergen put down his tea cup and took off his official uniform: "Brother, take off your clothes and come with me."
Chen Cao followed suit and walked to the backyard under the leadership of Yang Huan at night. A small hole appeared behind a landscape tree.
"Is this a dog hole for him?" Chen Cao couldn't help blurting out.
Tian Ergen replied: "That's right, brother, come with me."
After saying that, he ducked in first, followed by Chen Cao and Yang Huan last. When he came out, he was in an unfamiliar courtyard. Tian Ergen put out the fire and said under the moonlight: "Brother, this is the Firearms Bureau's fire + The medicine warehouse, the warehouse in front contains all the gunpowder produced by the Firearms Bureau every day, Ah Shai..."
"Sir, the Firearms Bureau has been rushing work for Liaodong recently. Today there will be at least one thousand dan of gun + powder." Yang Huan replied.
One thousand stones...
One stone weighs one hundred and twenty kilograms, one thousand stone or more...
Chen Cao couldn't imagine it in his heart. In addition, there were many artillery shells inside, and now the warehouse was like a huge firecracker.
Tian Ergeng clasped his fists towards Chen Cao: "Brother, I will go in and bury the fire line. Brother, you will be responsible for igniting the fire outside."
"F*ck," Chen Cao couldn't help but burst out: "You and I can't run away if this thing ignites. I still want to live for a few more years."
Tian Ergen said with a smile: "Brother, you are too worried. Just light the incense after I come out, and nothing will happen tomorrow."
call...
Chen Cao nodded: "Okay, go ahead..."
Tian Ergeng went for a cup of tea before returning with Yang Huan. The white underwear on his body also changed color: "Brother, order it."
Chen Cao wrapped the lead brought by Tian Ergen around the thick long incense stick, then inserted it into the ground, opened the fire stick and lit it, and the smell of incense ignited from time to time.
"Let's go..."
Chen Cao and Tian Ergeng returned to the front hall and drank tea for a long time before Yang Huan came back: "Sir, the entrance to the cave is ready. If an explosion occurs, nothing will be left here, and even the experts from Dali Temple will not be able to detect it."
"Well..." Tian Ergen nodded, then looked at Chen Cao: "Let's go back, let's continue drinking and playing with women..."
Chen Cao left with fear...
...
On the sixth day of the fifth month of the third year of Apocalypse, everything will be fine...
'The sky is filled with dust and dust is pouring into Zhili, and thousands of houses are turned into ashes'
Afterwards, Chen Cao still remembered that in the early morning of that day, he was woken up by a deafening sound, and he was holding a woman next to him...
...
"Sir," Xu Kaixian barged into the room in such a rude manner for the first time: "Sir, something big happened. There was an explosion at Wang Gongchang..."
Chen Cao had already recovered from the earth-shattering explosion. He kicked the woman away, then stood up and asked Xu Kai to get dressed first.
Tian Ergen was in the next room. When Chen Cao was standing to put on his official uniform, Tian Ergen ran into Chen Cao's room: "Brother Chen?"
Chen Cao kept getting louder and said tremblingly: "...You don't need to worry about me...I...I...I'll go take a look..."
Half of the Jinxiang Building...has completely collapsed...
Chen Cao led the talents to the inner street of Fuchengmen, and saw a depressing scene. All the houses around him had collapsed, and the buried people were groaning in pain, and there were cries, shouts, and curses coming from one another. Volt.
A woman was naked and curled up on the ground, wailing in pain. The servants following her had already been killed by the collapsed house.
The scene was chaotic...
Chen Cao was shaking all over, but with the support of Xu Kaixian, he insisted on walking in. The further he walked in, the more flat ground there was and the more corpses, many of which were buried alive.
The captain who was scouting the road ahead just ran to where Chen Cao was standing and started vomiting in disgust: "Sir...Sir...don't go, there are no living people in front, it's all meat paste...vomit..."
The captain's words hurt Chen Cao's heart. All of this was actually his own creation...
"Sir..." Xu Kaixian shouted hurriedly.
Chen Cao became so angry that he fainted due to emotional reasons.
Tian Ergen and his people also arrived quickly. Upon seeing this, they arranged for Chen Cao to be sent back to Zhenfu Division.
Chen Cao didn't wake up until late at night. Xu Kaixian was beside him: "Sir, are you awake?"
Chen Cao sat up straight and took a breath: "How long have I slept?"
"The whole day..." Xu Kaixian replied: "Do you want to eat, sir?"
Chen Cao shook his head: "What's going on outside? Tell me carefully."
Xu Kaixian said: "With Wang Gongchang as the center, everything within a radius of four miles was razed to the ground; no one survived in the center, and all the dead became meat paste. The death was so brutal and brutal."
Chen Cao lowered his head and remained silent. Xu Kaixian added: "When my subordinates came back, the number of dead people counted had reached more than 13,000, and 4,000 people were missing. I thought these 4,000 people should be the center of the explosion. The number of people who were blown to pieces was still increasing when my subordinates left, I believe there are more than this."
'puff...'
"grown ups..."
Chen Cao spurted out a mouthful of blood, but in return he felt comfortable all over his body: "I'm fine...just go on."
Xu Kaixian let out a long breath and then said: "Four miles away, many houses were affected, including Jinxiang Tower, and Wang Gongchang was only six miles away from the Imperial City, so the explosion affected the Imperial City;
Brothers from Beizhen Fusi who went to the palace to rescue said that the emperor was having breakfast in the Qianqing Palace when the explosion occurred, and he was listening to the government. The beams of the Qianqing Palace collapsed, killing the censors He Qianshu and Pan Yunyi, as well as dozens of eunuchs and maids. The emperor fled to Jianji. As a result, the Jianji Palace was also collapsed, and all the accompanying guards died. The emperor fled to the Jiaotai Palace alone.
To make matters worse, the crown prince Zhu Cijiong was killed by a collapsed beam. "
"So many?" Chen Cao felt uncomfortable.
"Not to mention, all the two thousand craftsmen who were repairing the Hall of Supreme Harmony were smashed to death." Xu Kaixian continued: "There are many dead, sir..."
Chen Cao's eyes were a little dull: "Just for some people to rise to power, just for power, how many innocent people have died? Old Xu, I am a sinner."
"My lord is not a sinner," Xu Kaixian said decisively: "My lord has also been deceived. That guy Tian Ergen is not a good person."
"It turns out, I told you that the thief didn't have such good intentions. No wonder he had to drag me along. He knew so many people would die," Chen Cao murmured, "I will definitely kill him in the future."
"Sir, we are relying on Wei Zhongxian now and cannot fall out with Tian Ergeng. Since everything has been done, please put aside your kind heart. Those who achieve great things cannot stick to small sums. If so, the only one who will suffer a big loss is you. you."
Xu Kaixian's words are very reasonable. Who would drag their feet when accomplishing great things? "Since Tian Ergeng dared to ask me to do this thing together, Xu Xianchun must have told Wei Zhongxian. Otherwise, if this matter is so big, once it is leaked, even Wei Zhongxian will do it." I will die a hundred times, but even Wei Zhongxian may not have thought that this matter would develop like this, bastard..."
"Sir, you'd better eat first, and then I'll call the doctor to show you," Xu Kaixian said and left.
Chen Cao looked at the crying candle on the table and couldn't help wiping his eyes...
