After getting in the car, Yang Dong realized that his idea was still a little hasty.
Although the interior decoration of the carriage is not extravagant, it is definitely far from simple.
There is a thick Persian carpet under your feet, as if you are stepping on clouds. The inner wall is covered with soft leather. Even if you accidentally bump it, you will not feel pain. The space is large, and seven or eight people can stay there at the same time. It felt too crowded.
The seat was soft and soft, as if it was about to sink you in. Yang Dong was not used to it, but he still felt very comfortable.
"Teacher, the ride is bumpy, so you can relax in your sitting posture. It will also help you recharge your batteries."
When Zhao Mengqi saw Yang Dong sitting up straight, he reminded him with a smile, and then opened the thick curtains.
The light inside the car suddenly became much brighter. Yang Dong looked at the transparent objects on the windows and said in surprise, "Is this glass!? Is it too extravagant to use it as a window?"
China has been making colored glaze for a long time, and it is said that it can be traced back to the Western Zhou Dynasty. However, the raw materials required are relatively special and the process is very complicated and cumbersome. Therefore, it has always been a jewelry-level item, used to make some jewelry and curios.
The windows on this carriage are one foot square and require a lot of materials. According to the price of glass on the market, they are probably several hundred pieces.
"To be honest, teacher, although it may be called glass to the public, this should be called glass."
Yang Dong was puzzled, "Glass?"
"This is produced using a new process, the raw materials are low, the cost has been greatly reduced, and the output will be much higher. It is still being researched and improved. In the future, it will definitely enter the homes of ordinary people and bring more to people's lives. convenient."
Glass has a wide range of uses and is not too high-tech, so Zhao Mengqi will naturally not let it go.
It's just that although magnets are used now, the iron in the raw materials is still not completely removed, so it is impossible to produce completely colorless glass, so it is simply used as a luxury product.
And because we couldn't make large slabs, we had to make the two-inch squares like today.
After hearing this explanation, Yang Dong nodded silently.
At this time, Huang Gou brought a silver pot to make tea for the teacher and student. He was surprised again, "There was no fire source in the carriage, and there was no smoke, but the water was obviously boiling... By the way, this Why is it so warm inside?"
"There is an iron coal stove at the bottom of the car, which is completely isolated from the carriage. Pipes made of iron sheets are cleverly arranged on the wall of the carriage. The hot air flows through it and then passes into the carriage. The kettle is placed directly above the stove. , heating it through an iron plate, it may be a little slow to boil water, but it is still no problem to maintain the water temperature..."
Zhao Mengqi introduced some of the facilities in the car as if chatting.
Yang Dong praised, "It's just a carriage, but a lot of ingenuity has been used. No wonder I haven't felt any bumps until now, and I don't have to suffer from the cold when traveling in the middle of winter. Although it costs a lot of money, as His Highness, it's not a big deal." It’s not extravagant either.”
"The student also prepared a car for the teacher and will have it delivered to his house later." Zhao Mengqi smiled.
Yang Dong waved his hands hurriedly, "You can't do this! You absolutely can't do it! Your Highness's wishes are understood, but how can I accept this carriage?"
Zhao Mengqi immediately said sincerely, "What's the matter? It's natural for students to respect their teachers. Teachers should not refuse. There is no need for teachers to worry about matters such as coachmen and horses. Everything has been arranged."
Yang Dong smiled bitterly, "Even if I dare to show off and am not afraid of rumors, these horses are used by the military and the state. If they are used for me to travel, it is not overkill and underutilized, not to mention that our government is so seriously short of horses!"
"Teacher, please listen to my explanation first..."
Just like how he deceived Old Zhao, Zhao Mengqi explained the fallacies of the luxury economy and the marketization of horses.
"In this way, the money from the rich can flow into the market and be used to prosper the economy. It can also increase the number of horses in our country and promote horse breeding. It can also cultivate talents who are familiar with horse nature. It has many benefits. "
"This?" Yang Dong always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't find any logical loopholes in it.
"This is a strategy that the students have worked hard to come up with. Teacher, you should support it more." Zhao Mengqi showed a tired look again.
Think of Yan
Wang had made many unexpected moves in the past, but they were very effective. Yang Dong no longer insisted, "Okay, then I will do this so-called advertisement for His Highness."
We chatted about carriages for a while, as a prelude, and then the conversation turned to business.
Although Zhao Mengqi has not been in Lin'an for half a year, he has not relaxed his attention to the court. The Imperial City Department will regularly send relevant information to him, and the people left behind in Prince Yan's Mansion also maintain close contact with him.
However, many things cannot just be seen on the surface. There are some deep inner things that only a few people in the court can touch. Therefore, it is necessary to listen to Yang Dong's views on the situation.
"Teacher, when the students came back this time, I always felt that the atmosphere was a bit strange. What is the situation in the court now?"
Yang Dong's expression calmed down, a little heavy and serious, "It's calm, everything is peaceful, everything is fine."
"Huh?" Zhao Mengqi couldn't help but sit up straight, his eyes became serious, "Teacher, please elaborate."
Yang Dong was delighted when he saw his reaction, "Your Highness has not lost his keenness. Even if I don't talk too much, I can quickly detect the abnormality."
"The teacher deserves a compliment. The student only relied on intuition and didn't know why. He still needed the teacher's guidance." Zhao Mengqi's attitude was modest.
Yang Dong nodded, "Actually, I haven't found anything conclusive. Everything is just speculation. Let me share my thoughts for your Highness's reference."
"Originally, since His Highness moved away from home, he no longer appeared in court, so the courtiers seldom paid attention to His Highness. In fact, I also agree with His Highness's approach of keeping a low profile and biding his time. As long as we quietly lay a solid foundation and successfully succeed to the throne, it will be natural when the time comes. You can spread the cloth widely."
Having said this, Yang Dong couldn't help but smile bitterly, "Unexpectedly, when I heard the news about His Highness again, His Highness was already in Wujiang and was in danger. It was also from this time on that the criticisms against His Highness began to increase."
Zhao Mengqi said sarcastically, "This...student can't help himself. It's unexpected."
"Whether it was an accident or not, His Highness's subsequent performance is obvious to all. He handled natural disasters and military disasters very well. I am very grateful." Yang Dong said sincerely.
Zhao Mengqi touched his nose and said, "Luck, luck..."
Yang Dong continued, "If we only went here, everything would be fine. But when the courtiers learned that His Highness was quietly re-establishing the Jingjie in Pingjiang, they exploded. Memorials criticizing His Highness were sent to the palace every day. What kind of There are all these baseless accusations, and in their mouths, His Highness is simply a heinous sinner."
"But fortunately, the political officials still understand the righteousness. Although Prime Minister Dong is a little softer, he has clearly expressed his support on this matter. Prime Minister Cheng and Prime Minister Ma also stepped forward to suppress many criticisms. The most important thing is However, officials rarely expressed their attitude and reprimanded and punished many impeachers."
"Subsequently, those people saw that they could not stop the Jingjie through the court, so they went to the local area to conspire... I have to say that His Highness's response was simply brilliant. Not only did they destroy their conspiracy, but they also suffered a huge loss. , and the subsequent series of measures have also opened up a good situation for the comprehensive economic development in the future. "
"However, this also made some people even more panicked. In their most ferocious ways, they resorted to any means to kill His Highness. Fortunately, when the news reached Lin'an, they also learned that His Highness was fine, otherwise..."
"Although it is difficult to find the so-called real culprit in this kind of thing, the officials still found other excuses to deal with many people, so that all officials knew His Highness's status in the hearts of the officials."
"From then on, although there were still impeachments and criticisms in the economic circles, no one dared to directly target His Highness. After all, although the officials are getting older, they are even more protective of their calves."
Hearing this, Zhao Mengqi nodded silently. He naturally knew that if he could be so successful in the local area, there must be some people protecting him.
Yang Dong glanced at him and said, "Later on, His Highness lured him with huge profits and won over more and more gentry to support him, so the court became a little quieter. Then, the frequent changes of the Mongols on the border reached the court, and basically No one mentioned the matter of the Sutra Realm anymore, as if they had accepted their fate. Then yesterday at the court meeting, the officials casually mentioned the idea of establishing a prince early, and it passed smoothly. So with today's edict, everyone seems to have recognized His Highness. .”
Zhao Mengqi
He sneered, "Some people know the current affairs, and some people are stubborn. Even if I offer other benefits, they don't want to exchange them, but want them all. They are just dormant when the momentum is unfavorable. We are just waiting for the opportunity to make a comeback one day. This kind of thing has happened a lot in history. Wasn’t the reform during Shenzong’s time completely lost in this kind of repetition? The vested interest groups are still the winners, and all the losses are passed on. It was given to the people and the country's foundation was shaken, so that the Jin people could easily attack Kaifeng."
"Vested interest groups... this term is quite appropriate." Yang Dong sighed, feeling helpless, "But to a certain extent, these people are the pillars of the Song Dynasty. Without them, the Song Dynasty would collapse."
"Indeed, in fact, those standing in the court, including me, all belong to vested interest groups. However, some people still have consciences and common people in their hearts, while some people only have themselves. Even after the death of the Song Dynasty, they have changed. He turned into a loyal minister and filial son of the Yuan and Qing Dynasties, and continued to eat meat and drink blood for a thousand years."
Zhao Mengqi couldn't help but feel a little angry as he spoke.
Yang Dong's face darkened. He knew what King Yan said was true, but he still felt it was harsh and couldn't help but change the topic.
"Now that Your Highness knows they are not admitting defeat, how do you think they will behave?"
Zhao Mengqi frowned and thought for a while, thinking about Wang Anshi's reform, Fan Zhongyan's Qingli New Deal, Han Yuzhou's Kaixi Northern Expedition, Duanping's entry into Luo, and later Jia Sidao's Gongtian Law and the defeat of Dingjiazhou. There is a hazy concept in my mind.
Then he slowly said, "Zheng Zhuang Ke Duan? Killing someone with a borrowed knife? Sowing discord? Killing him with support?"
Yang Dong was both surprised and happy, "Any specific plan is possible. In short, if His Highness makes a mistake and falls out of favor, and sends His Highness to the battlefield, as long as they can endure it, they will sooner or later find His Highness's flaw."
Zhao Mengqi was convinced, "In that case, the opportunities they think are now are: first, the official family has another son, and he is a biological son; second, the Mongols are brewing a war; third, what I do has a big impact. question."
"There may be more, such as making His Highness the Crown Prince or even the Regent as soon as possible! At that time, they can take the initiative to request the border, go to places to mess around, arouse the anger of the people, and finally throw the blame on His Highness... In short, they have many methods Yes, every step His Highness takes next must be extremely careful, especially the relationship between officials and families must be handled with caution."
What Yang Dong didn't say was that if Zhao Mengqi really got involved in government affairs directly, it would be extremely easy for him to have conflicts with Lao Zhao. After all, one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers.
Zhao Mengqi thought for a while, "Teacher, do you think my father is willing to save money now?"
"Probably not." Yang Dong shook his head and organized his words, "Although officials always like to do stupid things, he actually knows very well in his heart. Even though emotionally, he wants the little prince to succeed to the throne, but intellectually, he Absolutely not. Unless he can wait until the young prince reaches adulthood, the suspicion of the young prince will only harm the young prince and the Song Dynasty. What's more, although His Highness is not the official's biological son, there is not much difference in blood. More importantly, His Highness has shown ability, so I feel that what the officials are worried about now is just whether His Highness has the heart to tolerate others."
reason?
What if Lao Zhao loses his mind?
What if the wind from his pillow knocked him out?
What if the little guy knows how to please him?
They say that the youngest son and the oldest grandson are the lifeblood of the old man. There is nothing rational about this thing.
Zhao Mengqi couldn't help but murmur in his heart, "Teacher, do you mean that my father is actually testing me?"
"According to the rules, this edict is still too sloppy. It should have been announced to His Highness by the Prime Minister, but in the end it still fell on the shoulders of the ministers, which shows that the officials also saw the intentions of the ministers, and in his heart , I still trust His Highness."
Yang Dong said it cautiously, but when Zhao Mengqi thought about it carefully, it made sense. Old Zhao just liked to be friendly.
"Then, teacher, did the student resolutely reject the position of crown prince and even put off getting married, so as to give his father a sense of security?"
Hearing what Zhao Mengqi said so straightforwardly, Yang Dong couldn't laugh or cry, "That's roughly it. My suggestion is to maintain the status quo and maintain cooperation with the DPRK.
The distance between the hall and the business world should not be rushed, but proceed steadily. If other state affairs can be left untouched, leave them alone for the time being and continue to hide one's capabilities and bide one's time. "
"Well, I don't plan to start in the court anyway. Hehe, if those people are deliberately pampering me now, then there won't be any restrictions on whatever I want to do, right?"
Zhao Mengqi's smile seemed a bit mean.
Yang Dong was inexplicably panicked. He didn't know what tricks his student was planning to play. "Your Highness, we promised to be cautious!"
"Yeah, be careful!"
While he was dealing with it with his mouth, Zhao Mengqi was thinking about Xiao Jiujiu in his heart.
