A rain came at the right time and took away a lot of the heat.
The morning light shines into the room, it is comfortable and comfortable, the air is fresh, and watching it all gives people hope and warmth.
Birds were chirping on the branches outside. Zhao Hong stopped his meditation and glanced at the pile of memorials in front of him, frowning slightly.
Military affairs, political affairs, floods, natural and man-made disasters, and trivial matters in the harem, etc. As the emperor, it seems that there will always be endless government affairs to deal with.
Zhao Hong picked up a memorial and opened it, his eyes falling on the words "Reform of Official Administration".
Establish a township-level government system, written examination, interview, combined with resume, "civil service examination" on Jiangnan East Road...
This is also one of the new policies implemented on Jiangnan East Road. To change the situation where imperial power does not go to the countryside, it is not just about sending a few officials. Regardless of whether it is a prefecture, state, military or county, officials must pass the assessment, and their experience and virtue can withstand scrutiny.
Of course, it is difficult to eradicate corruption, but at least we must give people hope, instead of the world being as dark as crows.
Zhao Hong smiled slightly and opened another memorial.
"...a monorail gun mount, a cannon weighing 500-600 kilograms, a front sight, a rear sight, and a musket ruler are all available, making it suitable for field battles.
...The Zhentianlei warhead is wrapped in a round oil paper slightly larger than the warhead, and then tightened with an iron cover to prevent moisture and humidity...
...The sides of the chariot are equipped with thick plates and arrow windows are opened on top. It can transport grain and grass for baggage vehicles, charge into battle when attacking, and serve as a defensive barrier when retreating. When setting up camp, it can be connected end to end as a wall, which can enhance defense capabilities and is particularly effective against cavalry attacks. At this time, the chariots are connected end to end, and the artillery fires in unison. Even if the enemy cavalry comes from all directions, there is no need to worry..."
On the drawings attached to the memorial, the drawings of the monorail gun mount and the chariot are lifelike, with clear size markings, obviously drawn by pencil.
This is science! This is professionalism!
Zhao Hong smiled proudly.
The rapid development of firearms and weapons also has its own share of credit.
The artillery carries a tank weight of 500 kilograms. The shooting width of the main and sub-cannons can reach about 60 meters. Coupled with the rapid shooting, no matter how fierce and mobile the opponent's cavalry is, under the circular attack of the main and sub-cannons, I am afraid that No chance either.
This kind of chariot can be manufactured in large quantities and used in the military. Especially on the plains, there were not a large number of chariots, so they could not protect the soldiers, nor could they cope with the maneuvering Northland cavalry.
The monorail gun mount is highly maneuverable and can be said to be ahead of its time.
Of course, this is also due to his own words pointing the way.
"...Currently, the iron factory produces 100 general cannons per month, 150 medium-sized cannons, 200 small cannons, and 1,000 thunderbolts. In half a year, the number of firearms produced can at least double..."
The memorial from Zheng Tu, the head of the Jiangnan Weapons Manufacturing Department under the jurisdiction of the Ordnance Institute, made Zhao Hong slightly nod.
A mature industrial system requires thousands of mature industrial workers, not a few craftsmen with unique skills.
This takes years, even decades, of accumulation.
Fortunately, he still has some time.
Turning his eyes to the memorial of the gunfire, the smile on Zhao Hong's face disappeared.
From beginning to end, he never considered the matchlock gun. Compared with the "rain of arrows" from the Mongolian army, this thing is asking for death. Furthermore, he was not enthusiastic enough about shooting complex self-propelled guns.
There are a large number of crossbow archers in the Song Army, with long range and rapid shooting. This is one of the reasons why the Song Army infantry can compete with the Northern Cavalry. With the addition of artillery and thunder, fire blunderbuss seems to be dispensable.
However, firearms replaced cold weapons. This was a historical trend and he had to try it.
Handguns, a weapon for close combat, may be developed as a priority.
"Your Majesty, Instructor Tian, student Meng Gong, and Ordnance Director Zheng Tu are outside asking for a meeting."
The guard's report made the pensive Zhao Hong stunned for a moment, and then he came to his senses.
Today is a holiday. No wonder these people had nothing to do and came to see him together early in the morning.
It seems that the students all enjoyed his symposium. He talks nonsense, goes to heaven and earth, and can eat, drink, and use the air conditioner. Even Zheng Tu and Tian Yi have learned bad things.
"Zheng Tu, I plan to go to Lizhou, Sichuan to build an arms manufacturing branch of the same size as the Jiangnan Arms Manufacturing Division, including a gunpowder factory. How long will it take?"
Zhao Hong spoke frankly and mentioned Sichuan defense.
Lizhou was Guangyuan in later generations. To the north of Jiange, it was the choke point into Sichuan and the northern barrier of Sichuan. There must be no trouble.
When building an arsenal, it cannot be too far from the border fortress. Lizhou is more than 300 miles away from Lizhou's east and west roads, which is pretty good. What's more, he also plans to set up a large camp to train troops here.
"Sichuan, Lizhou?"
Zheng Tu was in a daze, and Meng Gong on the side picked up the topic.
"Principal, there are iron mines, charcoal, and iron mills in Lizhou. The charcoal, sulfur, saltpeter and other materials needed for gunpowder are available in Chengdu. The only thing missing is craftsmen. The principal wants to activate the northwest defense, and there is not enough ammunition. To launch an attack, only passive defense is not enough."
Offense is the best defense. This is a famous saying by the principal emperor, which Meng Gong quoted as a wise saying.
"Tian Yi, Zheng Tu, do you understand what I mean now?"
Zhao Hong nodded and glanced over. Tian Yi thought for a moment before speaking.
"Your Majesty, the gunpowder factory will take about two months. If there are enough manpower, it will take at least more than a month."
No need to ask, the emperor is planning to establish a presence in Sichuan.
"Your Majesty, if it is to build an iron plant, it will take about three to four months to half a year. If it is just to renovate the iron plant, it can be completed in one or two months just like in Shaoxing. If you want to go to Sichuan, I'm afraid you have to hurry and try to be there. Before winter comes.”
Zheng Tu suddenly understood and spoke.
"Lizhou is a border area of Sichuan. It has gunpowder factories and iron factories. It just needs to be transformed."
Zhao Hong felt relieved and made an instant decision.
"Tian Yi, together with you Zheng Tu, take some elite soldiers to Lizhou, take over the iron factory and gunpowder factory there, and renovate and expand them. You will stay in Sichuan for the past half year. I will be of great use."
It’s better to be prepared sooner rather than later than to be in a hurry when the time comes.
"Your Majesty, don't worry, I will live up to your Majesty's trust!"
Tian Yi quickly expressed his stance.
Since he was still the prince, Zhao Hong has talked about the affairs in the northwest. No need to ask, this is an old matter again.
"Your Majesty, I will fulfill my mission!"
Of course Zheng Tu was not far behind.
It was just a renovation. He and the craftsmen already had experience and were familiar with the work. What's more, the emperor's fate is difficult, and the construction of the iron factory and manufacturing department is a state matter. If you do a good job, I'm afraid the sky will be high again.
"Is Your Majesty going to send troops to the northwest?"
Meng Gong asked softly, thoughtfully.
When Cao You heard that Yu Jie and others were going to the northwest frontier, everyone's thoughts were moved.
"I want to send troops to the northwest to prepare for a rainy day, isn't it okay?"
Zhao Hong laughed, noncommittal, pretending to be a ghost.
The defense of Shukou is related to the foundation of the Song Dynasty. Cao Youwen and Yu Jie were reorganizing the border troops and organizing and training the new army. They couldn't move artillery thunder and artillery carts all the way from Jinling.
The future war with Genghis Khan and Ogedai must be planned early and all aspects must be taken into consideration.
He is just a teacher, and he can teach students well. He has no experience in facing the enemy on the battlefield. Who is Genghis Khan? He is like a god in using troops, and his subordinates are all elite soldiers and strong generals. To put it bluntly, these students are the ones who kill the enemy on the battlefield. What he can provide is to give them the greatest support, money, food and weapons, so that they can fight the Mongolian cavalry without any distractions.
Zhao Hong thought for a moment and suddenly changed the topic.
"Meng Gong, I heard that there are 20,000 loyal and shun soldiers under your command. How many soldiers are there?"
As the king of a country, there are too many things to consider in all aspects.
"Your Majesty, there are only 30% fighting troops and 70% farming."
Meng Gong was honest and didn't hide anything.
"How effective is the farming?"
"My father built Pinglu Weir eighteen miles west of Zaoyang City, but it has not yet been completed. Now it can irrigate 50,000 hectares of farmland. Ten villages and three jurisdictions have been established, divided into villages by sergeants and households. That year, the grain harvest was 70,000 shi; at the same time, every sergeant Horses are raised at home, and the government provides feed and grain. If the water conservancy construction is completed, 100,000 hectares of farmland can be irrigated, twice as much as now."
Meng Gong's answer was very neat.
"You and your son are loyal and brave. They shed blood and sacrificed their lives for our Song Dynasty. They are truly loyal ministers of our Song Dynasty. I did not misjudge you."
Zhao Hong was full of praise and patted Meng Gong's thick shoulder affectionately to show his concern.
Famous generals are famous generals, and history has proven that they are not in vain.
"Your Majesty has been so kind to you. I can't repay you with my body broken to pieces!"
Meng Gong's heart felt hot and he knelt down on one knee, his eyes turning red unconsciously.
"Serving the country with loyalty and serving the country and the people is what a man should do. Let us, the monarchs and ministers, be united and work together to wash away the humiliation of the Han Dynasty!"
Zhao Hong helped Meng Gong up and spoke seriously.
"I will obey His Majesty's teachings!"
Meng Gong bowed solemnly, his heart awe-inspiring.
As long as the emperor is ambitious, he has nothing to fear, he can just go ahead and do it, no matter what nonsense the Book of Changes is.
Zhao Hong nodded and was about to speak when he suddenly remembered something and asked Zheng Tu next to him:
"Zheng Tu, have the daggers I asked for been cast?"
It turned out that at the Zheng's Iron Works in Kuaiji Mountain, Zhao Hong asked Tian Yi to make some daggers because of the good molten iron produced. However, due to the "coup", they were shelved.
"Song King Sword" plus "Dagger", he not only imitated Qin Shihuang, the emperor of the ages, but even Bald Jiang had to learn from it.
"Your Majesty, the dagger has been finished. It only takes these two days to engrave the inscription and install the handle, and then it can be presented to Your Majesty."
Zheng Tu has a strong figure and the fat on his face has almost disappeared.
"Zheng Tu, you are doing well now. Don't be too fat, it is not good for your health."
Zhao Hong smiled. As long as the dagger can make it in time for the graduation ceremony, there is no need to rush it.
Sometimes he felt that he was too impatient and made everyone below him nervous.
This is bad! Can a group of workaholics still be a housewife?
The guard came in and reported that a large group of students from the Jiangwu Hall were outside seeking to see him.
"Let them all come in! Prepare tea and bring in a dozen big melons! Quick!"
Zhao Hong made arrangements immediately.
There was only one day off, but the students still had no rest, which showed how energetic they were.
"A dozen big melons!"
The guard couldn't help but be startled and opened his eyes wide.
"Go quickly! These guys train every day, and they are like wolves and tigers. Don't underestimate their fighting power!"
Zhao Hong waved his hand and the guard ran away quickly.
The emperor's principal likes this kind of "symposium" the most, drinking tea and chatting with the students, and talking freely.
The students in the martial arts hall are spoiled by the emperor!
