There is no doubt that Zhu Yuanzhang is a hero.
Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty, eager to bring peace to this land.
But looking around, Ming Dynasty is still surrounded. There are enemies in the southwest, northwest, north, northeast, and even on the sea. Because of excessive cavalry losses, Ming Dynasty was forced to switch from offense to defense, which also meant that the siege situation would continue.
Beside the couch, no one was sleeping soundly, but snoring was loud.
Zhu Yuanzhang was a light sleeper and didn't like the sound of snoring.
Since Gu Zhengchen came up with a new method, he naturally wanted to try it.
It’s not like I have never used firearms to fight cavalry. I have killed many cavalry on the city wall with a blunderbuss. If the firearm can really form a continuous shooting ability, it doesn’t take many, just three times, it will definitely destroy Beiyuan’s cavalry. pioneer!
If the cavalry loses their speed and agility, the infantry with spears can still kill them!
Zhu Yuanzhang looked deeply at Gu Zhengchen and said solemnly: "I will fully support you, but I will only give you two years. If you can't do it within two years..."
Gu Zhengchen calculated it and said seriously: "Fifty gunpowder craftsmen, one hundred smelting craftsmen, fifty craftsmen proficient in firearms manufacturing, and five thousand kilograms of iron per month. In addition, I need one more person."
"who?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked.
Gu Zhengchen said in a deep voice: "Wanhu!"
Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Gu Zhengchen and asked majestically: "Do you know Tao Chengdao?"
Gu Zhengchen nodded slightly: "I have heard about it."
Tao Chengdao, the first person to think of using rockets to fly into space, is called the "real ancestor of aerospace."
This man joined the Yellow Turban Army when Zhu Yuanzhang was still King of Wu and provided firearms for Zhu Yuanzhang's battles. It is said that the gunpowder that burned Chen Youliang's ship on Poyang Lake was prepared by Tao Chengdao.
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, nodded and said: "I am beginning to believe that you can accomplish this. However, Tao Chengdao retired after his success and returned to Wucheng. He is now in Jinhua Mansion. If you want him to come out of the mountain, you need to see I tried to persuade you to retain your ability, but I couldn’t keep it.”
Gu Zhengchen smiled and said: "If I write a letter, he will definitely come."
"Oh, how are you going to write it?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was very interested.
Gu Zhengchen said calmly: "Tao Chengdao was originally a person who cultivated alchemy, but later turned to firearms due to an accident. Chen guessed that the reason why he is obsessed with firearms is probably because firearms can send things flying. Maybe he also desires the ability of firearms. Send yourself to the sky. If you use flying as a guide, there is no reason why he can't come."
"Feitian? Haha, this lie is not easy to round out."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled.
Gu Zhengchen disagreed: "Practice golden elixirs, fly to immortality in the daytime, and Taoist sect's lies can be fulfilled. I am just talking about an assumption..."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly: "Okay, as long as you can invite him, I have no objection. If you need anything else, I'll tell you in one breath."
Gu Zhengchen smiled and said: "Your Majesty, in addition to the basic money and food, I also need more silver, at least two thousand guan every month."
The corner of Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth moved, and he said unwillingly: "What do you want with so much money? Isn't it enough to have people and not starve them?"
Two thousand dollars a month, you really can talk.
If it takes you two years to do this, wouldn't it cost nearly 50,000 yuan? This does not include the basic money and food, the cost of the guard sergeant...
Gu Zhengchen looked at the stingy Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "If your Majesty gives me six years, I don't need this money. But your Majesty only gives me two years. In order to let them work with all their heart and without worries, I need some money." To motivate.”
Zhu Yuanzhang knew that it was easier to do things if he had money. In critical moments, he opened the warehouse, moved out the money and treasures, and told the soldiers to kill the enemy to get the money, so that the soldiers could kill the enemy regardless of their own safety.
Since Gu Zhengchen wants to use this method, then give it to him!
"Okay, I agreed, is there anything else?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a deep voice.
Gu Zhengchen thought for a while, shook his head and said, "No more for now, just your Majesty, gunpowder materials, smelting materials..."
"The imperial court will be responsible, and I will arrange for someone to send it directly to Jurong."
Zhu Yuanzhang was patient.
Gu Zhengchen thought for a moment and found no other needs, so he said: "Your Majesty, the establishment of a firearms workshop in Jurong is of great importance and should be kept top secret. Not too many people should be informed. Since I am responsible for this matter, I will follow it. Manage the firearms workshop in your own way. Even important officials of the imperial court will not allow anyone to enter the firearms workshop without His Majesty's permission!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied with Gu Zhengchen's performance: "I don't ask about your methods, nor will I interfere with your management of Jurong Guard. I only look at the results after two years."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Gu Zhengchen saluted.
Zhu Yuanzhang opened a document and said calmly: "You are familiar with Zhao Hailou and Wang Liang, the two thousand households of Shence Guard. Let them serve as the thousand households of Jurong Guard. As for site selection, warehouse construction, etc. Should you arrange the matters yourself, or should I send someone from the Ministry of Works?"
"I will make arrangements."
Gu Zhengchen thought about it and decided that it would be better to design the drawings himself.
Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head and glanced at Gu Zhengchen: "Since I promised to give you an extra month of rest, then stay in Jinling and spend the New Year's Day with me. On New Year's Day, all the officials will congratulate you, and you will come too."
"I accept the decree."
Gu Zhengchen couldn't refuse.
Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang gave no further instructions, Gu Zhengchen bowed and left the hall.
Mao Xiang appeared out of nowhere, cupped his hands and said, "A couple of men from the county are very happy. Mao didn't come because he was on errands, so I'm here to congratulate you."
Gu Zhengchen looked at Mao Xiang and saw that the left side of his face was a little swollen, so he couldn't help but ask: "Are you - swollen by the north wind?"
Mao Xiang chuckled and looked behind Gu Zhengchen: "I fought with him and got a slap on the back, so it's okay."
Gu Zhengchen turned around and saw Zhou Zong, the swordsman from the East Palace, arriving.
Zhou Zong clasped his fists at Gu Zhengchen: "The prince is waiting for Mr. Gu in the East Palace."
Gu Zhengchen looked at Zhou Zong and then at Mao Xiang. It seemed that Mao Xiang's force was not worth it. He couldn't even defeat Zhou Zong. Mao Xiang yelled, Zhou Zong was originally a guard of the emperor, and he took the initiative to go to the East Palace to teach the prince martial arts and protect the prince...
Zhu Biao did not have as much leisure as Gu Zhengchen. As the new year was approaching, there were a lot more things to do in the East Palace. The most tedious thing was running around with a group of younger brothers, including the ancestral temple, Empress Ma, and the imperial concubines. Go ask hi.
It was rare that I had some free time today. When I heard that Gu Zhengchen had been summoned to the palace, I arranged for Zhou Zong to come and invite him.
Zhu Biaoping stepped back and walked with Gu Zhengchen in the long corridor: "I heard Wei Guogong talk about firearms with my father. It was Wei Guogong who suggested that your Majesty set up a Jurong Guard, and he only gave you the official position of Guard, Town and Fu. , the official position is a bit low, but it’s just right for you.”
Gu Zhengchen followed Zhu Biao to the right and said slowly: "It doesn't matter how high the official position is, as long as the salary is given. Your Majesty also said that I will be appointed as a doctor in the Ministry of Industry concurrently. Will the Ministry of Household Affairs also give me this part of the salary?"
Zhu Biao laughed and said: "If you want a salary, you still need to ask the emperor for it, but I can't give it to you. I trust you about the firearms, so I won't ask any more questions. It's almost New Year's Day, and after the Lantern Festival, Gu Thinking of taking the Crown Princess on a trip, do you think I should go south or north?"
Gu Zhengchen looked at Zhu Biao who had stopped and said seriously: "When the prince is traveling, is there an option to go south?"
Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment, then nodded heavily.
There is no option to go south, so you can only go north.
Where to go south, Suzhou and Hangzhou, there is an intoxicating place, a place where people are lazy.
As a prince, state affairs were always the top priority at that time. Even if he took the princess out for a trip, he had to show his identity as a prince and not really indulge in sightseeing.
"It seems that we still need to go to Fengyang."
Zhu Biao sighed.
Gu Zhengchen smiled and said: "Your Highness, traveling north may not be without good scenery. The reason for this trip is not about which direction we are going, but because this is the first time the Crown Prince and Crown Princess have traveled a long distance."
Zhu Biao's originally gloomy eyes suddenly lit up.
Yes, it doesn’t matter where you go, what matters is who is with you.
Gu Zhengchen left the East Palace and when he arrived outside Chengtian Gate, he saw a notice posted on the wall and many people were watching.
Looking closer, Gu Zhengchen lost interest and turned to leave.
Tianjie Temple.
Ruqi was filled with sorrow and sighed: "The emperor issued a decree forbidding women to become nuns. He also said that Buddhism and Lao Er sect worshiped too much. As the number of disciples grew, they sat and ate. They foolishly wasted money on the people, and even gave the local government a lot of money." The document requires counties, states, and prefectures to leave only one large temple..."
When the abbot Zong Lai heard this, his face turned a little pale: "When Gu Zhengchen mentioned it a few days ago, I didn't think so, but who could have imagined that the change happened so quickly!"
Ruqi felt a little sad when she thought of Gu Zhengchen's words.
If he had followed Gu Zhengchen's advice and taken the initiative to cut off his arm, reduce the number of people, and keep a low profile, today's disaster would have been inevitable!
Now that the notice has been issued and the edict spread to all directions, there is nothing anyone can do.
The imperial court tightened the rules on issuing ultimatums, and those who were not proficient in the classics were not allowed to issue ultimatums. This also meant that the uncontrolled expansion of Buddhism was completely ended, and even a group of people who submitted to Buddhism had to leave Tianjie Temple!
It's too late to regret!
Zong Li closed his eyes.
Ruqi recited the Buddha's name, remained silent for a long time, and then said, "Abbott, should we contact Gu Zhengchen and inquire about future strategies. This man is quite insightful and wise, and he may have strategies for the prosperity of Buddhism."
Zong Lai flipped his prayer beads and said, "You have some friendship with him, and it's okay to walk around. But don't have too many thoughts. His Majesty said these eight words, 'Sitting and eating, foolishly waste money on the people', which means that the imperial court has begun to control Buddhism." .”
Ruqi nodded.
Gu Zhengchen stayed in his study, examining the map of Jurong.
The firearms workshop needs to choose a suitable place. This place must be very close to the county seat. Because I am the county magistrate, it is too far to run around. It also needs to occupy high ground to facilitate defense, blockade, management, and storage, and it must not be far away. It is close to residential areas, and gunpowder will explode if handled improperly.
Besides, firearms need to be tested after they are fired. How can they be tested when there are ordinary people nearby?
"Minghe Mountain!"
Gu Zhengchen remembered that the hill he climbed on September 9th was just west of Jurong City, and there were very few people living near Minghe Mountain, so it would not be difficult to move a few households.
The most important thing is that the southern slope of Whooping Crane Mountain is flat and can be used as a test range.
But in this way, Minghe Mountain has become the stationed place of Jurong Guards. If you want to climb high and look far in the future during the Double Ninth Festival, you will have to find another place...
