In April, at dusk, Shaoxing Prefecture, at the foot of Kuaiji Mountain.
There is a grassland in the "Zheng's Iron House", next to a stream, with gurgling water, shady trees and mountains, which makes people feel like "after being in a cage for a long time, I can return to nature".
A table was set up by the stream, with several side dishes on it, including chicken, duck and fish, several jars of rice wine, and complete dishes. Zhao Hong, Tian Yi, and Xu Liang sat around the table, laughing and cursing, talking about the past and the present.
The iron smelting has been completed, and the gunpowder has almost been developed. Now we just need to make the final sprint and granulate the gunpowder. Everyone met together for a small celebration.
Li Tang, Xu Sheng, Hu Datou and other guards were at another table outside the house, eating vegetables but not drinking. Everyone acted as a vigilant to ensure Zhao Hong's personal safety, and of course they could not cause trouble by drinking.
Although they are not allowed to drink, it cannot stop their curiosity and the burning fire of gossip in their hearts.
"Have you noticed that His Highness seems to be different from before?"
Hu Datou whispered while eating the food, his eyes not forgetting to glance in the direction of Zhao Hong and others.
"It's different? It's not just different, he's a completely different person! The one before was not bad, but he's still good now. When you treat someone dear to you, you feel comfortable in your heart!"
Another guard, Zhang Hong, nodded repeatedly.
Although he was aloof in the past, he did not bully the subordinates.
"I have never seen His Highness ride a horse before. Why is it that he rides like a horse and is not much worse than us?"
Guard Wang Ying looked at Zhao Hong and the others in the distance, frowned and shook his head.
How did he know that Zhao Hong's riding skills were developed when he was teaching in the northwest. Although he still doesn't know how to ride and shoot, he obviously has good riding skills and is not a scholar without the power to tie a chicken.
"Perhaps His Highness could do it before, but we didn't know it. Just like His Highness can write poems, none of us knew about it. Don't forget that His Highness used to be the heir of King Yi. Isn't it easy to ride a horse?"
Xu Sheng's words made all the guards nod.
Most of the rich and powerful children in Lin'an City have horses in their houses, so being able to ride a horse is nothing new. Not to mention, Zhao Hong's status is noble and he is not comparable to ordinary Lin'an dudes.
"To be honest, I originally planned to quit and go sailing with my cousin. But His Highness suddenly changed his mind. Not only did his salary double, but he also trusted me. I had no shame to leave His Highness!"
Everyone agreed with Hu Datou's words.
Now Zhao Hong is approachable and takes good care of them. His salary is so high that he can't be driven away.
"I heard that His Highness is going to publish a collection of poems, but I don't know if it's true or not?"
"Who did you hear that from?"
Hu Datou's words surprised Li Tang.
Zhao Hong has published a collection of poems, which is a great thing.
It seems that His Highness is trying to build momentum for himself.
"It has been published in the tabloids, saying that His Highness, everyone in the country, will publish an anthology of poems within a few days."
Sure enough, Hu Datou took out a tabloid and handed it to Li Tang.
Li Tang looked at it and nodded slightly.
As expected, the tabloid was ambiguous, but this matter may not be groundless.
"His Highness doesn't seem to pay much attention to Xu Ji. Is there someone outside?"
Zhang Hong asked curiously. The eyes of gossip men are always inseparable from the erotic love between men and women.
"Miss Yan, who sells grain, is pretty good. She is a good match for His Highness. She also gave His Highness some good horses. It seems that His Highness likes her very much!"
Hu Datou nodded and expressed his appreciation for Zhang Hong's words.
"What is a good match? That Yan Chun is vulgar, doesn't know a few words, is full of arrogance, and relies on a good skin. Your Highness is not suitable for her. Don't make wild guesses!"
Li Tang retorted to Hu Datou angrily.
The last time Yan Chun wanted to break into the iron workshop, he didn't let him go, and Zhao Hong praised him afterwards. It seems that Zhao Hong is not very relieved about Yang Yi.
He didn't mean to make things difficult for Yan Chun. Iron smelting is kept secret and no outsiders are allowed to enter. This is his code of conduct.
"How about that Yang Yi? I heard that she is the niece of Queen Yang, and her husband is dead. She is beautiful and has a good temper."
Guard Wang Ying asked curiously.
Yang Yi has been to the house several times, and the guards have already known Yang Yi's identity. Such a seductive noblewoman could not escape the eyes of the guards.
"Yang Yi is several years older than His Highness. He is also a widow. He is pampered and spends all his time in pleasure and drunkenness. He is not suitable for His Highness!"
Hu Datou shook his head and rejected Wang Ying's proposal.
It doesn't matter if a man is older than a woman, but if a woman is older than a man and is a widow, it doesn't look right no matter how you look at it.
"Datou, what you said is wrong. If His Highness marries Yang Yi, the relationship with Queen Yang will improve. Think about it, if His Highness wants to be the prince, does it require Queen Yang's nod?"
Zhang Hong thought for a moment, but he had a different view.
"It's useless to say all this! Have you forgotten that my wife is still here, but she has not returned home."
Xu Sheng's words made all the guards stunned, and they all shook their heads.
Madam is the great-nephew of Empress Yang. With Madam still here, no matter who Your Highness marries, it may not be that easy.
"Second brother, His Highness is very kind to you and Xu Sheng, and asked you to teach him boxing and kicking. You guys want to stand out!"
Zhang Hong said enviously.
Li Tang and Xu Sheng were very skilled and careful in their work, so they were highly valued by Zhao Hong.
"Your boy is also a strong man and is good at swordsmanship. But you often go to Wase to hang out. Who do you think you blame? Hu Datou is younger than you, but he is practical and practical. Your Highness still respects him?"
Li Tang had a black face and scolded Zhang Honglai.
"Zhang Hong, and Wang Ying, please take note of yourselves. His Highness is the prince and is destined to do great things in the future. We servants will follow and work hard. Your Highness will not treat us badly!"
Xu Sheng also reminded seriously.
"Okay, okay, remember. General Xu!"
Zhang Hong, Wang Ying and others all laughed awkwardly. Zhang Hong shook his head again, worried.
"Just be afraid, that old guy Shi Miyuan is going to stumble His Highness."
"You don't have to worry about this. No matter how arrogant Shi Miyuan is, he is just a minister of the Song Dynasty. In the future, His Highness will definitely become the emperor!"
Li Tang acted seriously to reassure everyone.
"Of course!"
"That's the best!"
The guards were all smiling.
Hu Datou glanced at Zhao Hong and others who were eating and drinking, looked away, and asked Li Tang in a low voice.
"Second brother, have you seen the gunpowder Tian Dalang made? I heard that it can even blow down walls. Is that true?"
Several other guards looked at Li Tang together.
"An earth wall is nothing, iron can explode!"
Li Tang put down his chopsticks and took out a few scraps of iron from under the table with jagged edges that looked like dogs had chewed them, as well as a round bullet casing, and placed them on the table.
Everyone was astonished. Li Tang pointed at the iron pieces and bullet casings and said proudly:
"Did you see it? This is called thunder. Gunpowder is put in and ignited, and the shell explodes into several pieces. His Highness said that the gunpowder will continue to be tested, and the iron sheet is still a little thick. It will not be considered until the iron sheet is exploded into more than a dozen pieces. almost!"
"Li Tang is right! The gunpowder is ignited and the iron shell is blown open, which is scary. If the iron piece pierces a person's body, his flesh and blood will be bloody, how miserable it will be!"
Xu Sheng followed Li Tang and said.
"Tian Dalang is really amazing, he can create such scary things! No wonder His Highness uses him so much!"
Hu Datou shook his head and said with emotion.
"awesome!"
"I didn't expect that Tian Dalang, in addition to a Liuhe gun, could also make gunpowder. It's not easy!"
Zhang Hong and several other guards were impressed.
"That's awesome! His Highness came up with the gunpowder formula. Tian Dalang just made some slight changes. No matter how great the iron smelter is, it's nothing without gunpowder! When those thunders are built, we all have to practice hard. Remember Are you staying?"
Xu Sheng reminded everyone seriously.
"In addition to the sky-shaking thunder, we will also build artillery later. His Highness also made it. That is the big killer! Brothers, you must practice hard and don't embarrass Your Highness!"
Li Tang followed, his face always serious.
"Firearms are the magic weapon for Your Highness to live and work in peace and stability. No one can leak it to anyone, and no one can say a word about it. After training, even if His Highness is seriously injured, he will reuse the brothers. But if anyone breaks the rules, don't blame me for being rude!"
"Second brother, don't worry. Brothers all listen to you!"
"Second brother, His Highness treats the brothers well, and the brothers will never betray His Highness!"
Several guards rushed to swear to Li Tang.
"Second brother is right. Let me add one more thing."
Xu Sheng looked at the red-faced guards with cold eyes.
"Brothers all know that His Highness and Shi Miyuan will not deal with each other. If any of you wants to leave, we will not stop us. We are still brothers. But if any of you dare to betray His Highness and seek refuge with Shi Miyuan, I will kill him together with my second brother. life!"
Xu Sheng looked serious, and all the guards nodded heavily.
Those who eat Zhao Hong and those who drink Zhao Hong will be punished if the seller seeks glory.
Shi Miyuan was so powerful that when Zhao Hong came to the throne, he would not be his minister obediently.
"Second brother, brothers, His Highness treats us brothers very well and treats us as human beings. If anyone dares to betray His Highness, I, Hu Datou, will be the first to spare him!"
Hu Datou blushed and looked at everyone coldly.
"The conscience of heaven and earth, brothers, don't worry!"
"Whoever dares to betray His Highness will be punished by heaven and earth!"
The guards were impassioned and swore one after another.
"Brothers, we share life and death, share blessings, and share hardships! Let's drink tea instead of wine today, let's do it!"
After Li Tang finished speaking, he raised his tea cup.
"We share blessings and share hardships! Let's do it!"
Several guards raised their teacups together and clinked them together.
"Datou, go to His Highness and bring me a watermelon!"
Xu Sheng urged Hu Datou.
"Why don't you go?"
Hu Datou said dissatisfied.
"You are honest, His Highness likes you. I am glib, and His Highness is annoyed by it!"
Xu Sheng said with a dark face.
"Okay, I'll get it!"
Hu Datou stood up, sullenly, walked to the table where Zhao Hong and others were sitting, picked up a watermelon from the bucket, smiled, and left straight away.
Sure enough, as Xu Sheng said, Zhao Hong didn't even raise his head and continued drinking and chatting with Tian Yi.
Hu Datou regretted a little. If he had known better, he would have hugged an extra watermelon.
