When people cannot explain a phenomenon empirically, they will become afraid and curious about it.
Li Xiaogong's artillery bombing was over, and the school grounds finally became quiet.
And when the emperor looked at the mess on the ground in front of him, Li Shimin finally understood that the mountains and rivers were not a joke.
As long as there are enough of these things, blowing up a mountain isn't a big problem, it's just a matter of using more manpower and material resources.
At this moment, His Majesty is gritting his teeth. This thing is too expensive. One artillery costs five thousand!
Does this guy know how unreasonable the price he offered is?
If I had known now, I should have hanged him in front of Chengtian Gate.
Moreover, this artillery gives people a very cheap feeling, not worth 5,000 guan at all. This is unreasonable.
A soldier hurriedly ran up to the high platform and whispered a few words in His Majesty's ear.
After Li Shimin nodded, the soldiers on the side began to wave their flags.
It was very lively in the eyes of everyone, but Li Xiaogong was in a very embarrassed state in the audience. At this moment, he kept coughing, and his nose was filled with tears and runny nose due to the smoke. At one point, he thought he was going blind.
Li Xiaogong cursed and said, "This thing is really not for human use."
Finally seeing the flag of the troop withdrawal order being waved, Li Xiaogong left on his own, and the ten iron barrel artillery pieces were also pushed and pulled away by the Longwu Army soldiers.
I don't know where they are going to pull this artillery, but this kind of thing has nothing to do with me.
Li Xiaogong didn't want to worry about it. Now he just wanted to jump into the river and take a good wash. His whole body was filled with the smell of gunpowder smoke that stung his nose.
Seeing his father squatting outside the school grounds, coughing and even spitting out a few mouthfuls of saliva, Li Chongyi quickly stepped forward and said, "Dad, what are you..."
Li Xiaogong's voice was hoarse, "Water! Water..."
Hearing this, Li Chongyi looked around, picked up a bucket and ran quickly to the distant river to get a bucket of water.
There were cheers and heavy footsteps from the military formation in the school grounds, and the martial arts performance continued.
Li Chongyi wiped the black ash from his father's face. Seeing him drink some more water, he helped pat his back, "Will this happen after using this thing?"
"That boy Zhang Yang brought this thing out, but I..."
In the middle of speaking, Li Xiaogong coughed violently again and vomited several times. After some spittle came out, he sat on the ground as if he was exhausted, "Chongyi."
"The child is here."
Li Chongyi suddenly stood up straight.
Li Xiaogong looked forward, "Take me to wash up, then go to the river."
Li Chongyi added: "The river water is very cold, and the weather has not warmed up yet."
At this time, his father's body smelled really bad, so Li Chongyi had to help him walk to the river.
"Chongyi, how are you doing in the Ministry of Rites?"
"My child is quite relaxed."
Li Chongyi walked and talked at the same time.
Li Xiaogong nodded heavily, "You have to remember, once Xu Jingzong asks you to do something important, you must not listen to his arrangements."
"Children remember the teachings."
When they reached the river, Li Xiaogong took off his coat, jumped into the river and took a good wash. Then he came ashore shivering with cold, his teeth chattering, "This water is really cold."
Li Chongyi handed over his coat and watched his father leave with heavy steps. He had a lot of thoughts in his heart at the moment.
Li Daozong had his military power and food confiscated because of a small acceptance case. Li Yuanchang cannot leave the fiefdom to this day.
The clan members of Li Tang's lineage must live cautiously.
Li Chongyi looked at the gloomy sky and sighed, then calmed down and walked back to the school grounds with his usual smile to watch the excitement.
The leading guard was very lively at the moment. The military performance in the court went smoothly this time, and His Majesty's intention was very clear. This military performance was not for His Majesty himself.
Instead, it was shown to the envoys from various countries and the dignitaries of the Central Plains. This was a kind of shock and a display of arms.
The artillery drill at the beginning left an indelible impression on many people. This martial arts exercise has not yet ended, and news has been sent out, spreading among the people in Chang'an City, and it will not be long before it spreads out of Guanzhong.
At this moment, there are still some people in Chang'an City who have not gone to see the martial arts performance.
Zhang Daan did not go. He sat alone in his old house and slowly put down the letter in his hand.
A loud cry came from a distance, and an eagle landed in front of the desk.
Zhang Da'an smiled bitterly to himself and handed Hai Dongqing a piece of meat. He held the piece of meat in his beak, stepped on the meat with his paws, and started eating.
This eagle was the Haidongqing that was recovered in Liaodong, and it followed him when he returned to Chang'an.
Zhang Daan was curious that such a creature could follow the crowd and travel thousands of miles away from home.
"You finally didn't fly to Liaodong."
While talking to himself, Zhang Daan's eyes were fixed on a bamboo knot tied above its paws. The letter inside the bamboo knot was to be handed over to Wen Ting.
He stood up and took down a memorial from the bookshelf nearby, looking at it with furrowed brows.
Since serving in the Ministry of Rites, he has many things to worry about. He is worried about whether the Tang Dynasty and Dashi will be at war or in peace. During the Great Court Meeting, the envoy of Dashi advocated seeking peace with the Tang Dynasty, but His Majesty has never given a clear answer.
Another thing that is worrying is that Liaodong sent another memorial, saying that Wen Ting led the Goguryeo people into Baekje and killed many Baekje people.
It is said that the river water was dyed red at one time and countless people were killed.
Perhaps it was because of the death of Mr. Wen that Wen Ting went on such a killing spree. If these memorials were seen by the court, the Ministry of Rites would probably impeach him.
It's just that Wen Ting is not an official in the Ministry of Rites. When I spent half a year with Wen Ting in Liaodong, I always felt that this person was rough and also knew etiquette and sense.
He didn't expect that this man's temperament would change so much after his father passed away.
Looking at Wen Ting's letter, it is clear that he is the only one responsible for doing things. Even if the government wants to impeach or kill someone, it is his business alone and has nothing to do with the Ministry of Rites.
Brother Da'an can then hand this letter to the court, and the Ministry of Rites will have nothing to do with his actions.
Zhang Daan really wanted to persuade him not to go on such a killing spree. After all, he was from the Tang Dynasty, and what the Tang people did was bound to be guessed by envoys from various countries.
His eyes fell on Hai Dongqing again. It ate the meat and then flew away.
Zhang Daan made a simple meal in his old house. After eating, he put on his official uniform and went out with a calm face.
He passed by Zhuque Street and walked all the way to the Foreign Affairs Academy.
Continuing to be busy with today's affairs, Zhang Daan looked at the news sent from all sides. Liang Jianfang had arrived at the Anxi Protectorate and was training his troops to prepare for the western expedition.
A civil servant from the Ministry of Rites came over in a hurry and reported: "Shilang Zhang, Mr. Zheng's son, Mr. Shuyu, is here."
Thinking that he was the son of Wei Zheng, Wei Shuyu was also a relatively low-key person among the powerful children in the court.
It was also because Mr. Zheng was extremely strict with his children.
Zhang Daan nodded and said: "Bring the people here."
"Here."
Before waiting for others to arrive, Zhang Daan tidied up his room, covering all the files and documents.
Wei Shuyu was only seventeen years old, and he was considered a junior among the rich and powerful. He was three years younger than Zhang Daan, who was over twenty.
Zhang Daan sat upright, "We don't have much contact with each other. I wonder why Mr. Shuyu came to visit the Ministry of Etiquette?"
Facing the now calm Zhang Daan, Wei Shuyu was very uncomfortable, "Brother Da'an, I..."
Zhang Daan kept sorting out the thick stack of files with his hands, "If you are here to have fun with me, you can leave on your own."
"No!" Wei Shuyu waved his hand quickly, "I'm here to convey my mother's words."
Wei Shuyu saluted and said, "It's because Zhang Yang, the Minister of Rites, asked my mother about a person named Pei Xingjian. My mother was from the Pei family in Hedong, so she sent letters to inquire about him. Now Pei Xingjian has joined the Ministry of Rites and is far away in Persia. The Pei family in Hedong I wrote several letters saying that Pei Xingjian had gone too far and asked if he could be brought back."
Zhang Daan was silent for a long time.
Wei Shuyu did not dare to look directly at the current Zhang Daan, and saluted: "If Brother Daan feels that he can't help, I will go back first."
Just as he stood up to leave, Zhang Daan said: "Wait a minute."
First, he patted Wei Shuyu on the shoulder, and then Zhang Daan said: "As early as when Liang Jianfang went to the Anxi Governor's Mansion, the court had intended to bring Pei Xingjian and Xue Rengui back. The position of Protector of the Anxi Governor's Mansion needs to be rotated. No surprise. If so, Pei Xingjian should have received the recall document from the DPRK at this moment, and he will be able to come back when Liang Jianfang arrives in Persia."
Wei Shuyu saluted again and said, "Thank you, Brother Da'an, for informing me. I will go and send the message to my mother."
Just as he was about to turn around and leave, Wei Shuyu turned back and said: "Brother Da'an, my father said that Your Majesty will marry Princess Xincheng to me. This matter..."
Realizing that it was useless to talk to him about this matter, Wei Shuyu felt abrupt and wanted to get up and leave. After taking two steps, he came back. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Brother Da'an."
After saluting, he finally left.
This time His Majesty performed the Wu Dynasty, and all the ministries went to see the excitement. The entire Ministry of Rites, including the Minister of Rites, Xu Jingzong, down to the ministers and civil servants, all went to see the excitement.
Among the several ministers of the Ministry of Rites, only Zhang Daan did not go.
Not long after, there was another discussion in front of the Diplomatic Academy. Zhang Daan walked to the window and saw that it was Xu Shangshu who came back with everyone, and many messengers came with him.
Xu Jingzong led everyone into the main hall and took their seats.
Seeing this, Zhang Daan gave up the idea of going to Chongdefang.
In the main hall at this moment, Songtsen Gampo first asked: "Xu Jingzong, what does Tian Khan's martial arts performance mean? Does it mean that Tian Khan also wants to use this weapon against us?"
Among the envoys present, other envoys would respectfully say a word to Shangshu Xu.
But he was not. When Songtsen Gampo was dealing with the Ministry of Rites, Xu Jingzong was just a minister of the Ministry of Rites.
At that time, the real head of the Ministry of Rites was still the monster Zhang Yang.
After so many years, the only opponent in Songtsan Gambo's eyes was Zhang Yang, and Xu Jingzong was not taken seriously at all.
Xu Jingzong sighed: "Messengers, please be patient. Our Datang martial arts performance this time is just to try out the newly made weapons."
The Great Eater did not speak and remained silent.
Zhang Elephant nodded and said, "Everyone, please rest early."
The entrance of the Diplomatic Academy was noisy, and there was also a group of people returning from the martial arts school in Chongde Square.
Changsun Wuji brought Yu Shinan, Changsun Chong and Gao Xingyi to a simple and elegant house.
Everyone sat down, and Changsun Wuji spoke first: "Lishan has become stronger and stronger so far, and I am afraid that its status in the future will be beyond my reach."
The old Yu Shinan narrowed his eyes and whispered: "You, Duke Zhao, have always been at odds with the Ministry of Rites, so naturally you would say these things."
While the two elders were talking, Chang Sun Chong and Gao Xingyi sat still.
Changsun Wuji added: "It's all for the sake of the Tang Dynasty that I am so worried."
Yu Shinan said in a deep voice: "I have never seen the ingenuity of Lishan's creation in my life. I also saw the pendulum clock in the palace. Some Confucian scholars said that this thing is against human governance."
Changsun Wuji was very respectful to this elder who had been highly respected since the Sui Dynasty. He saluted and said: "How do you think the old man can restrain Lishan?"
Yu Shinan let out a long sigh and said with a wry smile: "I'm old, but you still bother me. I have a few words to say about this Lishan old man. Lishan helped a small, poor village become the rich one it is today." place."
"But from the old man's point of view, everything in Lishan is driven by profit. When Zhang Yang cannot control his own temperament, once such a person begins to pursue more interests, all morality and conscience cannot stop him from doing so. The pursuit of profit.”
Changsun Wuji listened to the old gentleman's advice and thought about it for a long time, but when he wanted to ask more questions, the old gentleman closed his eyes and stopped talking, but his breathing was steady as if he was asleep.
At his age, it wouldn't be surprising to see him die anytime.
Changsun Wuji asked: "Take good care of the old gentleman."
"Here."
All dynasties have suppressed businessmen, and so did the Tang Dynasty.
The harm that businessmen amass to the country is self-evident. Mr. Yu Shinan is also a Confucian scholar. Since the Han Dynasty, businessmen have been profit-seeking, and they will abandon human nature for the sake of profit.
Right and wrong have always been very vague. Only with morality can there be right and wrong, and only with conscience can there be nobility.
It was already April, and the weather was suddenly warm and cold. For the next development of Lishan, Zhang Yang was determined to hold a conference.
Li Xiaogong caught a cold when he came back from leading the army guard yesterday, and now he was lying on the bed with a fever.
"Boy Zhang! I don't want to go to the army anymore..."
Zhang Yang nodded repeatedly, "Okay, I won't go there in the future."
"Um……"
Li Xiaogong nodded drowsily, and soon started snoring like thunder.
Li Chongyi stood aside and cooked the decoction on the stove. "Shen Yi said that after taking the decoction, he would come back and take a look in two days."
The affairs of the Ministry of Rites will not be arranged for Li Chongyi. It is more likely that Li Chongyi will give him the position of minister in the Ministry of Rites.
Zhang Yang said a few words and then walked out of the house, preparing to go to the village for a meeting.
Nowadays, there is no serious place for meetings in the village, and the technical backbone of Lishan does not have the concept of meetings yet.
Seeing that the weather was good today, Zhang Yang chose the place for the meeting outside the blacksmith workshop.
The sunshine here is better, everyone brings a small bench to sit around.
This time, all the key members of the village were there, and Li Tai brought a large wooden board and fixed it with a frame.
Zhang Yang hung up three more drawings and said loudly: "First, tell me how you feel these days."
Li Taixian said: "The cotton cloth trade has been progressing very well in the past two years. More and more cotton cloth is needed in various places. The Ministry of War has asked again whether it can provide more cotton cloth to the army. It has been delayed for so many years and has not given a reply. The DPRK and China have already It’s been discussed for a long time.”
I’m updating a chapter for the time being. I’m not in good condition today. I’ll update it normally tomorrow.
