Thanks to [Billybilly] for the reward of 20,000 coins~
————The following text————
After dinner that day, Zhao Zhen and Zhao Yang continued to play chess and chat.
Coinciding with the Huaning Palace affairs, Dongtou enshrinement officer Huang Zhao sent a box of snacks, including candied fruits, hawthorns, chestnuts, pastries, etc., on the order of Concubine Zhang.
After he left, Zhao Yang teased the official in a low voice: "Is this a thank you gift for recommending people?"
Zhao Zhen glared at him angrily: "Can't these food stop your mouth?"
Zhao Yang pretended to sigh softly: "The candied fruit is sweet, but it's hard to resist the pain of being blocked by others."
"Hey." Zhao Zhen was happy, picked up a candied fruit and put it into his mouth, pretending not to hear Zhao Yang's complaint.
A moment later, after once again defeating Zhao Yang in the chess game, Zhao Zhen moved to Huaning Palace with satisfaction, leaving Zhao Yang speechless.
Knowing that he is not good at chess, you still drag him to play chess. The key is that you still don't let go, and you are also an adult who is not upright.
That night in the Hua Ning Palace, Concubine Zhang tried her best to repay the favor of the officials, and made them fascinated by her.
When the matter was over, the beauty lay on the official's chest and said softly: "My concubine's request for the official's favor will not embarrass the official, right?"
"Ai Qing, do you still know?" Zhao Zhen said softly. When he saw the aggrieved look on the face of the beauty in his arms, he felt distressed and said: "It's okay, it's okay. If someone comes to remonstrate from the stage, I'll ask that boy Zhao Yang to block it." ”
Concubine Zhang blinked her beautiful eyes and said: "That young man is really smart. I heard that even the learned admonishers in the court could not defend him. If I could give birth to such a smart prince for the official family, I, my concubine, will have no regrets in this life.”
Zhao Zhen felt mixed after hearing this, and held the beauty in his arms.
The next day, the 22nd of the first lunar month, Zhao Yang finished his breakfast in Funing Palace as usual, and then led Wang Zhongzheng and his party out of the palace.
Today he is going to the military camp in front of the temple. After all, he has promised to hold a sumo wrestling event for the five hundred imperial troops under his command. This will not only provide entertainment, but also select team generals and captains. Considering that the technical department will become more and more busy in the future, Naturally, he didn't want to drag this out any longer.
Before going to the military camp, Zhao Yang first went to the Si Yamen in front of the palace to say hello to Cao Yi, the Marquis of Duyu. After all, when he was playing chess with the officials, he learned that Cao Yi had recently been impeached by the DPRK and Taiwan.
It was Zhao Yang's "Who said it?" that caused the trouble. The remonstrances of Liu Shi, Wu Shi, Yang Wei and others in the court were refuted by Zhao Yang, and he lost all face. He turned around to find trouble with Cao Yi and impeached Cao Yi as Du Yu. However, he did nothing and allowed some "violating remarks" to spread in the army. To put it bluntly, he was just venting his anger and looking for trouble. Fortunately, the officials also knew what was right and wrong and did not comment on it. Otherwise, Cao Yi would have suffered an unreasonable disaster.
When Zhao Yang apologized to Cao Yi for this matter, Cao Yi smiled and waved his hands and said: "Is this Zhao Zhengyan's fault? It's no wonder that the Chao Zhongtai remonstrated. If not, it's the chaos in the late Tang Dynasty that was too shocking. "
Zhao Yang couldn't laugh or cry and said: "Uncle Guo is too cautious in his words and deeds. People have bullied him to the point of being bullied. Why does Uncle Guo still speak for others?"
Cao Yi shook his head in silence, seemingly unwilling to continue talking about the matter, and changed the topic: "By the way, there is something that Zhao Zhengyan should know. Erlang Zhongcun and Sanlang Zhongzong of the Zhongshiheng family have no way to see them. Zhao Zhengyan came to the yamen in front of my palace yesterday morning and asked me to ask Zhao Zhengyan if he still wanted them. If so, they would be willing to abandon their posts and join Zhao Zhengyan."
"Oh?" Zhao Yang was greatly surprised, and then he thought about the reason and said with a smile: "It seems that those words are worth it."
Cao Yi chuckled and shook his head, then sighed: "That is to say, Zhao Zhengyan is deeply favored by the officials. If it had been anyone else, it might not have ended like this."
After saying that, he sent officials from the government to ask for a diagnosis and consultation.
While waiting, Zhao Yang casually chatted with Cao Yi about military affairs. Only then did he learn that Cao Yi's brother and nephew were in charge of Zhending Mansion on the Song and Liao front lines. It is a pity that after Cao Bin, the famous founding general of the country, it was determined that the Cao family only had the power to control the army. However, he had to consult Xia Song, who was in charge of Daming Mansion, for the deployment and deployment of troops, and Xia Song would then report to the central court.
With this level of reporting, once Song and Liao went to war, the results could be imagined.
After chatting about this matter for about an hour, Zhong Clinic and Zhong Consultation came in a hurry. When they saw Zhao Yang, they bowed their hands and bowed: "Thanks to Zhao Zhengyan for never giving up, my brother is willing to join Zhengyan."
Finally, Zhong Shiheng's three sons were recruited under his command. Zhao Yang was overjoyed and hurriedly took Zhong Xian and Zhong Consultation into the military camp to see Zhong E.
After seeing Zhong E, Zhong E was not surprised by this. After all, he had already learned about it yesterday, but he could not rashly recruit his two brothers into the army without Zhao Yang's approval.
On that day, Zhao Yang convened 500 forbidden troops under his command to hold a sumo wrestling match to determine the positions of general and captain of the army squadron. After hearing the news, the forbidden troops from other regiments in the camp also rushed to the school grounds to watch the excitement.
Zhao Yang very fairly adopted a competition method that combined elimination and challenge. He first selected five people from the five hundred forbidden soldiers, and then called on five people who were dissatisfied with the challengers, until he won ten people in a row.
It must be said that Zhong E was really brave. He won the first place in the knockout round and then defeated thirteen people in a row. The five hundred forbidden troops under Zhao Yang were also convinced by him.
However, Zhong'e did not take up the position of deputy commander himself, but was willing to be the first head of the capital and gave up the position of deputy commander to his second brother Zhong'e.
Although Zhong Sheng was not among the five winners, the Five Hundred Forbidden Army heard that Zhong Sheng had become his father Zhong Shiheng's right-hand man at the age of sixteen, and this time he gave up his post as Supervisor to join their ranks. The First Battalion of the Fifth Army, coupled with Zhong E's bravery, was quite convinced of Zhong Di.
As for the consultant, he was purely a civilian. Although he had some martial arts skills, he basically couldn't beat the first level of a company general, so Zhao Yang appointed him as a grain depot clerk, responsible for logistics and military depots.
It was already approaching dusk, and Zhao Yang fulfilled his promise and prepared meat and vegetables to reward the five hundred forbidden troops.
He had mentioned this matter to Cao Yi in advance and asked the Palace Secretary to purchase it on his behalf. As for the expenditure, it was naturally from the official's inner treasury.
So Cao Yi prepared three sheep and five pigs for Zhao Yang.
"Is there something missing?" Zhao Yang asked Cao Yan.
Cao Yi shook his head repeatedly and said: "It's quite a lot, including bones and meat. Three sheep are about one hundred and fifty kilograms, and five pigs are about five or six hundred kilograms. The meat and soup are enough to feed five hundred people."
Although Zhao Yang still felt that it was a little lacking, it was too late to think of a solution at this time, so he ordered his imperial guards to set up a pot to cook the meat.
To his surprise, the Forbidden Army under his command was very excited when they saw the three sheep and five pigs.
Seeing this, Zhao Yang beckoned Zhong E to his side and asked, "How is the food for the forbidden army?"
"Uh..." Zhong E hesitated for a moment, then Fu'er said a few words to Zhao Yang.
At this time, Zhao Yang realized how bad the food of the Forbidden Army was. Even for the Fourth Army, every meal was rarely meaty. There was no fish or meat. They only had pickled vegetables with their meals all day long. Even the rice they ate was old rice that had been aged for many years. .
Cao Yan looked strange and said: "The military has always been difficult, and besides... this is also to prevent the Imperial Army from developing arrogant and extravagant habits..."
Zhao Yang said angrily: "Eating pickles and old rice all day long, it's hard to see the fishy smell. How can a sergeant have fighting spirit?"
Cao Yi smiled bitterly and said nothing.
Zhao Yang, who came to his senses, quickly apologized: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it to Uncle Guo..."
Cao Ji shook his head and said: "No, Zhao Zhengyan is right in his accusation. However, even though I am the Marquis of Duyu, I have no authority to govern this matter..."
It is true that this matter is under the jurisdiction of the Privy Council, but strictly speaking, even the Privy Council has no right to make arbitrary decisions, because the treatment of the imperial guards of the Song Dynasty was jointly decided by the officials, the Political Affairs Hall, the Privy Council, and the Sansi Yamen. After all, this matter A huge expense.
After thinking about it, Zhao Yang decided to find an opportunity to talk to the officials about the matter.
But to be honest, he was not sure whether the food treatment of the Imperial Guards could be improved. After all, it involved millions of Imperial Guards, and the amount involved was too large. Unless he could come up with a way to make money, he could convince the Political Hall, the Privy Council and the Sansi Yamen .
Sure enough, in the evening Zhao Yang informed Zhao Zhen of the matter. Although Zhao Zhen looked solemn, he just nodded and said "I know it."
Nothing but the amount of money involved.
Seeing this, Zhao Yang couldn't help but have the idea of setting up a breeding farm, but he immediately gave it up. Firstly, the floor he spread was too big and he had no time to handle it. Secondly, the base of the forbidden army was too large. Even a piece of meat could be enlarged to nearly a hundred. Even the Ten Thousand Imperial Guards are in trouble.
This matter can only be solved slowly in the future. The only thing Zhao Yang can do is to improve the food of the forbidden troops under his command, which is to take the official's internal treasury anyway.
The next day, the 23rd of the first lunar month, Zhao Yang brought people to the Yamen of the Ministry of Industry early to ask about the improvement progress of ironwork, carpentry, and masonry.
Although the land for the workshop of his Technology Department has not yet been purchased, this does not mean that the craftsmen working in the various projects within the department are idle. In fact, the current projects of the Technology Department have already been hung up in the Yamen of the Ministry of Industry. , a total of more than 60 craftsmen spent all day studying in their respective temporary rooms how to improve crossbows, smelting, firearms and other processes.
Among them, the three cases of carpentry, masonry and gunpowder are easy to handle. After all, the current task of the carpentry case is to improve the military crossbow, and the finished products are available in the warehouse of the Yamen of the Ministry of Industry. The masonry case is a little more troublesome. With the help of the materials case of the Ministry of Industry, Next, they are working on trying to prepare the cement that Zhao Yang mentioned; the gunpowder case is even more troublesome. Ever since the gunpowder for making firecrackers was purchased from a private workshop, there has been no peace in the entire case room.
The most troublesome thing is the ironwork case. Zhao Yang is going to take them to the workshop of the Salt and Iron Case Office under the Sansi Yamen to learn the iron smelting skills there.
Yes, the Salt and Iron Case Office under the Third Si Yamen has an iron smelting workshop, and it is an important area, which is difficult for idlers to approach. Fortunately, Zhao Yang has an official charter and has a good relationship with the Third Si Envoy Ye Qingchen. Ye Qingchen gave He issued a permit, and Zhao Yangcai packed a dozen craftsmen from his Iron Works Case into the workshop of the Salt and Iron Works Office. Firstly, he wanted to steal the work, and secondly, he wanted to see if he could abduct a few craftsmen. .
Some people may ask, since the Third Division Salt and Iron Case already has a smelting workshop, why did Zhao Yang set up an iron smelting workshop under the Technology Department? The reason is very simple, because the Sansi Salt and Iron Case was only responsible for smelting and casting iron for the imperial court. Unless someone like Bi Sheng appeared, it would be difficult to improve the iron smelting technology. However, the Technical Department Iron Work Case established by Zhao Yang was Specifically responsible for the refinement of iron smelting, the two have different positions.
And if the iron smelting technology is not up to standard, firearms will be just talk.
When Zhao Yang returned to the Yamen of the Ministry of Industry again, he unexpectedly saw Fan Chunren, Lu Dafang and the Shen brothers standing in the courtyard.
Shen Tuo was the first to apologize with a smile: "I heard that Brother Zhao was working in the main office of the Ministry of Industry, presiding over the Technology Department, and appointing Yao Fu as the strategic envoy. I was curious, so I forced Yao Fu to take me with me to increase our knowledge. Please ask Brother Zhao to be accommodating."
Zhao Yang naturally wouldn't be surprised and said with a smile: "I already got a new cousin name yesterday. Brother Wentong can just call me Jingxing."
"Jing Xing?" Shen Tuo thought about it carefully, with a surprised look on his face: "Could it be taken from 'Jing Xing stops and rises in all directions'?"
Seeing Zhao Yang nodding in agreement, he praised again: "This is a good word. I wonder who picked it up?"
Zhao Yang thought for a while and said, "It's Wang Zhi of Zhijian Yuan, Wang Zhijian."
Shen Tuo was surprised and enlightened, nodded and said: "Wang Zhijian is knowledgeable."
Fan Chunren and Lu Dafang also nodded in agreement.
Afterwards, Zhao Yang took several people to visit the various case rooms in the Yamen of the Ministry of Industry, including the three cases of carpentry, masonry, and gunpowder where his technical department was temporarily located.
Anyway, his technology department is just a start-up at present, and there is no secret at all. In addition, Zhao Yang also wants to recruit Lu Dafang and Shen Yu, so it would be a good idea to pay a visit, and maybe he can also kidnap two future Jinshis. Where's the right arm?
Shen Tuo was particularly interested in firearms and couldn't help but said: "As for firearms, I have previously obtained a copy of "Martial Classics General Essentials" compiled by two bachelors, Ding Du and Zeng Gongliang. Of course, it was only a privately carved fragment. Among them, firearms Chapters include fireballs, fireballs, tribulus fireballs, thunderbolt fireballs, smoke balls, poison smoke balls, iron-billed fire harriers, bamboo fire harriers, rockets, etc..."
Did Zeng Gongliang also edit this book?
Zhao Yang couldn't help but be a little surprised.
Fan Chunren, who was watching from the side, said in astonishment: "This should be a book carved for an official. Why is it in the public eye? Where did Wentong get it?"
"Don't go into details." Shen Yu smiled and waved his hand.
Zhao Yang didn't take it seriously, because he also understood the current level of firearms in the Song Dynasty. The current "gun" shape was far inferior to that of fire blunderbuss. It was difficult for projectiles to penetrate the infantry heavy armor worn by the Forbidden Army within ten steps, and the power was far inferior. The crossbow can only deal with some unarmored ones at best. In comparison, the "cannon" is still somewhat powerful.
Of course, the cannon mentioned here is not the artillery in the impression of later generations. To be precise, it is the "ball" thrown by a catapult, such as the fireball, fireball, tribulus fireball, thunderbolt fireball, smoke ball, and poison smoke mentioned by Shen Dun before. Balls, etc., among which the most powerful one is the Tribulus Fireball. Its killing range can be two to three feet in radius and can hurt several people, but that's all.
According to his understanding, Xixia and Liao were roughly at this level.
A few people walked around and chatted, waiting to see the various cases in the government office. Zhao Yang led a few people to Yang Yi's office, but Yang Yi was not there. He was still in charge of purchasing land in the outer city.
Just as Zhao Yang was greeting several people to sit down, Lu Dafang saw a roster dropped next to the desk, so he stepped forward to pick it up. He glanced at the names on the roster and wondered: "What is this book for?" ?Why are the names above all called Shen Kuo?"
"Huh?" The Shen brothers subconsciously turned their heads.
Zhao Yang smiled and explained: "It's like this. I once heard that there was an official named Shen Kuo who was very proficient in craftsmanship, so I asked someone to inquire. Unfortunately, they all just had the same name..."
After saying that, he turned around and happened to see the Shen brothers looking different. He was also stunned: Are these two brothers named Shen? Could it be...
As if guessing what Zhao Yang was thinking, Shen Tuo shook his head and said with a smile: "My brother has an uncle named Shen Kuo, but he is younger than me. He is only eighteen years old this year, so he should not be the person Jing Xing is looking for. "
Zhao Yang was surprised and happy, and asked tentatively: "What's his name?"
"The word is stored in the center."
ah……
Zhao Yang opened his mouth. He vaguely remembered that Shen Kuo's cousin was Cunzhong...
have to! After searching for a long time, I found out that this Northern Song Dynasty scientist has not grown up yet.
Then there is no need to invite him to Bianjing immediately, lest he ruin his life trajectory, encourage his efforts, and destroy a rare talent.
"Indeed not." Zhao Yang shook his head with pretense of regret, and then looked at Shen Yu with even more enthusiasm.
At this time, he realized belatedly that brothers Shen Yu and Shen Liao were most likely the nephews who collected Bi Sheng clay movable type mentioned by Shen Kuo in the future.
Fan Chunren saw Zhao Yang's eyes from the side and misunderstood, and said with a smile: "Is it possible that Jing Xing also sees Brother Chinese Tong's talent and wants him to take a position in the Technology Department?"
Zhao Yang's eyes lit up, and he made a mistake and said: "I have my wish, but I don't dare to ask for help. ...I wonder if Brother Wentong is willing to take up a position in our technology department?"
Fan Chunren from the side also helped: "Brother Guan Wentong is very interested in the cases of the Technology Department. Why don't you take up a position so that you can be my companion."
Shen Tuo hesitated and said: "It's okay to ask me to write and paint, but I don't know anything about improving military crossbows and firearms."
Zhao Yang said hurriedly: "No one knows it from birth. The key lies in whether Brother Wentong is interested in it. Furthermore, Brother Wentong is good at painting and is suitable for drawing drawings..."
Shen Yan himself was interested in the gunpowder case of the Technology Department, and after the persuasion of Zhao Yang and Fan Chunren, he finally nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Lu Dafang couldn't help but said: "What can I do?"
Fan Chunren was the most familiar with Lu Dafang and joked with a smile: "You can only eat and sleep. It is very rare to be able to sleep for two or three hours during the afternoon nap."
Lu Dafang was not annoyed, scratched his head and hesitated: "My father said that being able to eat and sleep is a blessing..."
Everyone laughed, including Zhao Yang.
In the end, Zhao Yang also invited Lu Dafang to take a position in his technology department. It didn't matter what he did, the key was that he had the talent to be a Jinshi, and that was enough.
As for Lu Dafang and Shen Yun, if they find a better place in the future, Zhao Yang is also willing to congratulate them on their future.
But in his personal opinion, there will be no more important government agency at the same level than his Technology Department in the future, and he has this confidence.
Zhao Yang was also quite excited to have found two Jinshi talents in succession, and suggested: "To congratulate Brother Wentong and Brother Da Fang for joining our technology department, I will be the host today at Fan's Restaurant in Xiaotianshui Lane. Let's have a drink together." How about a meal? Please help me, brother."
"Gongfu? Are you relying on me?" Shen Yan looked at Fan Chunren with a strange expression.
"What?" Zhao Yang looked confused.
Fan Chunren shook his head and considered: "He... may not be available. Anyway, I will try to invite him."
Zhao Yang, who had heard some clues, stopped asking, nodded and said: "Not only Brother Gongfu, but if you have any acquaintances, you can also invite them too. As Brother Dafang said, it will be lively when there are many people."
"That's right, that's right." Lu Dafang agreed.
So a few people took a carriage to Fan's Restaurant in Xiaotianshui Lane. Lu Dafang accompanied Zhao Yang to wait in the private room, while Fan Chunren and Shen Tuo invited Qian Gongfu and other good friends of the same year.
Of course, Fan Chunren and Shen Yu both have a sense of proportion, and naturally they will not invite everyone they meet. The person they choose must be familiar with each other, and must be broad-minded and talented. To put it bluntly, they will not care about Zhao Yangyin's status as an official. , so as not to cause everyone to break up unhappy because of someone's jealousy.
In addition, the number of people should not be too large, only two or three people at most.
For this purpose, in addition to Qian Gongfu, Fan Chunren only invited brothers Huang Qi and Huang Xu from Fenning County, while Shen Tao invited a fellow from Yanting County, Zizhou who also loved painting.
