Just when Huang Qiong and Zhao Wushu were discussing what to do next, the Tongzhi master finally came back with a stack of books and a few gray-haired old men. Seeing that this colleague finally came back, although he didn't want to get angry, Huang Qiong couldn't suppress the anger in his heart at the moment: "I thought that before the rebels attacked the city, I wouldn't see you. Figure."
"I don't know that the young people in the prison escaped so cleanly, and they were reduced to only a few older people helping to defend the city. Sir Tongzhi, can you be so heartless and let these few people who are older than your father You want older people to help you guard Guancheng? Aren't you afraid of damaging your moral integrity?"
Hearing the displeasure in Huang Qiong's tone, the chubby colleague wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and quickly explained cautiously: "To tell you what the prince is saying, these old men were not brought under lowly positions to help defend the city. . They are all people who have eaten food in the border army and can operate artillery, found among the villagers who were taken into the pass by the rebel generals."
"My lord, it's really disadvantageous to do small things, but we can't find young people locally, so we can only invite these old people. Although they are a little older, they can be useful, which is better than nothing, right? Even this Several people also worked hard to find it for more than an hour, and then found it by every possible means."
It was okay that this guy didn't explain. After hearing his explanation, Huang Qiong was so angry that he almost fainted. He didn't know how this colleague got into this position. If he relied on his family's power to find such a well-off man, he would just have to wait until death to pay for it. If this person is promoted to this position because of his talent, then this person is extremely stupid.
Either he is two hundred and fifty like this guy, or he is a confused fool. Otherwise, he would have received a large amount of money and goods from this guy. After closing down the three thousand garrison troops, I only ordered these two things. He could have simply delegated it to others to find the gunner, but he chose to do it himself.
Another matter of counting materials within the customs, there are clear account books that can be checked. As long as this guy doesn't stretch his hands too far and finds a way to cover it up, it won't take more than an hour, right? Huang Qiong didn't think it was a mistake for him not to stay with her in Guan Guan. Huang Qiong thinks that he is not that noble and must be accompanied by officials when he gets there.
But the war was about to begin, and there were so many things waiting for him, the food and salary supervisor, to discuss. But he ran to do something that could be left to others. He spent more than an hour on two things that could have been done easily. I really don’t know what is going on in this guy’s mind, or what he is thinking about.
However, this guy is not completely confused. Looking at the British king in front of him, his face became a little downcast after hearing his explanation, and he immediately understood that he had done something wrong again. He felt so remorseful that if he hadn't been standing in front of Huang Qiong, he would have given himself a big mouth. In terms of materials, he thought that although he might not have nothing to worry about, he was still able to make it work.
At this point, he is still very confident. But when it came to finding the person who was operating the cannon, I was confused. Things that could have been left to his subordinates to do, but in the end he had to do it himself in order to gain credit in front of the King of England. Looking at the results now, it seems to be a bit self-defeating. The King of England was actually left waiting here for more than an hour.
It's just that it's too late to regret it now. He only hopes that the man he found to handle the cannon can alleviate some of the British King's dissatisfaction with him. He was not worried about the British king, but the Shang Fang sword in his hand really cut him. He is also a child of a noble family, so the King of England would have some scruples, so he probably wouldn't really do something so extraordinary.
What he was more worried about was that if the King of England demoted himself to the people in anger. In that case, he will become a joke to the entire family. I, the man who worked so hard to find an opportunity for me to work outside and find myself in such a lucrative position, why don't I have to kill myself?
Fortunately, Huang Qiong is not the kind of person who cares about everything. In any case, this guy is still the gunner he found. Even if he is a little older, he is still much better than nothing. Besides, I don't need the deputy commander of Hulao Pass. I have Zhao Wusha, the commander, to be responsible for directing the war. I also need this guy to help stabilize the morale of the army.
As long as these cannons can be fully exerted their power and the Hulao Pass is contained before the main force arrives, the certainty will be better. Although Huang Qiong also knew that these cannons, which had never been maintained for more than a hundred years, had little hope of meeting his needs. But as long as it doesn't blow up, even if it only makes a sound, it's better than nothing.
Thinking of this, Huang Qiong decided to let this guy go. Seeing Huang Qiong's face gradually clearing up, the frightened colleague's heart dropped a little. He quickly brought a few gray-haired old men forward and said, "His Royal Highness, these gunners, will you let them try it?"
Seeing this guy leading those old men in front of him, Huang Qiong was dissatisfied, but he couldn't express it in front of these old men. He did not put on any airs of a prince, but was polite and said to the old man who still stood upright in front of him despite his age: "May I ask some old men, how long will they live this year? Will they really be released? These cannons?”
When this colleague found these old men, he did not explain that a prince had come to Guanzhong. When they first met, these old men thought that the young and gentle-looking young man in front of them was just an official. Although Huang Qiong does not seem to be a high official at his age.
But several veterans who have eaten food in the military camp for several years also know the rules in the army. As long as it is a rank difference, even if it is only a seventh-grade official, it is still three levels higher than the official rank. When they saw Lord Tongzhi, who was so arrogant in front of them, acting like a gray grandson in front of this young man, and respectfully calling him the King of England, they realized that there was actually a prince coming to the pass.
At this time, when they heard that Huang Qiong, a polite fellow who was as fat as a pig, was questioning him with a completely different attitude, several veterans quickly knelt down and kowtowed according to the rules of the army: "Young man, I don't know that Prince Ying I'm a bit rude when I arrive, please forgive me, His Royal Highness."
Seeing several old soldiers kneeling and kowtowing to him, Huang Qiong quickly stretched out his hand to help them up and said: "You don't need to be polite. In terms of age, you are all the elders of this king. In terms of seniority, , all of you must be my elders. How can there be any reason in this world for elders to kneel and kowtow to younger ones?"
"This king is just enjoying the glory of some surnames, and has made no contribution to the country or the people. How can I deserve such a big gift from my father-in-law? You are giving such a big gift, which is disgracing me. How many of you? Please get up quickly, my father-in-law, I cannot bear this great gift."
Huang Qiong's words made several old men who had been soldiers almost all their lives feel warm in their hearts. In their entire lives, they have never seen such an unassuming official. What's more, this is not an ordinary official. It was the current prince who was countless levels older than the generals they originally followed. Who is the prince? That is the son of the dragon and the phoenix grandson.
For people like them who have lived at the bottom all their lives, besides the emperor, these princes are the highest in the world. And for such a person to be so humble and polite in the face of people like him who have been leading soldiers all his life, how could he not make these people burst into tears of gratitude. Even though they are old, they already want to serve this prince to the death.
In fact, Huang Qiong did this in front of these father-in-laws, not because he wanted to win over the people. These father-in-laws are all very old, and they are the most lifelong soldiers in the local area. Besides, there was not even a single commoner in Manguan City except for Zhao Wuye, his colleague, and the officers guarding the gate. He wanted to win over him, but no one supported him.
He just felt that at his young age, he felt a little uneasy when several old men who were much older and could be his grandfather knelt down and kowtowed to him. However, Huang Qiong did not expect that in the eyes of the fellow intellectual, his behavior would become an attempt to win over the people. Although these ordinary people are almost worthless in the eyes of this Tongzhi who was born in a noble family.
Even in his mind, these old men were not worth even a penny, except for the fact that they could fire cannons. He really didn't know why the King of England wanted to win over these people? Letting them fire cannons is already a sign of respect for them. However, although he didn't know that Huang Qiong was really just showing respect to the elderly, this guy felt that his chance to restore his image in front of Huang Qiong had come.
He walked up to the elders, clasped his fists with both hands and bowed deeply, saying: "My elders, His Royal Highness is very thirsty for talents. Now Hulao Pass is in a dangerous situation, please give me some advice." God knows, This guy, who is from a noble family, has been so humble to these untouchables in his eyes for the first time since he was born.
It's just that this guy was arrogant and polite, but others didn't pay attention to him. Although these veterans are illiterate, they have been working outside for decades and have fought countless battles. People who are used to seeing life and death have nothing to see through. What's more, how can his little thoughts be hidden from the old man and the old ghost? These people are used to seeing wind and waves?
Seeing that this colleague was a little embarrassed, Huang Qiong could only shake his head helplessly: "You don't want to be here anymore, go and cooperate with Captain Zhao in making defensive arrangements. From now on, I will appoint Captain Zhao." As the acting commander of Hulao Pass, I am fully responsible for the war at Hulao Pass. You and the generals at Hulao Pass must cooperate well with Zhao. If you disobey, I will kill you without mercy."
Having said this, Huang Qiong looked at his colleague and then said: "As for you, if you do not do well, you will be punished with multiple crimes. If other generals do not obey orders, I will only ask you. Don't forget , you are not only the governor of Hulao Pass, but also the supervisor appointed by the imperial court. If there is a problem, I will look for you instead of anyone else."
After hearing what he said, his face quickly turned bitter. He wanted to say something but didn't dare. Huang Qiong ignored him and just looked at him coldly. In fact, if this Tongzhi master knew Huang Qiong's character or was familiar with the people in the British royal family, he should know that it is not a big deal for this young prince to have a cold face.
If he stares at you and smiles, that's really trouble. The bigger the smile, the bigger the problem. If only the corners of the mouth move when smiling, but the eyes are cold, it goes without saying that it is definitely murderous. If you just have a cold face, it means you made a mistake, but the problem is not big. Even if you hit the board, you may not be able to turn.
But the problem is, this guy doesn't understand Huang Qiong's character. Seeing Huang Qiong looking at him with a cold face, he was immediately scared to death and hurriedly dragged Zhao Wushu away. In fact, Zhao Wushu figured out some of Huang Qiong's character. It's just that Zhao Wushu, who also dislikes this guy, certainly won't explain this.
