At night, beside the official road.
After leaving Yingtian Mansion, Su Jing and the other three continued to go north without deliberately looking for a nearby town to rest.
Because we have to hurry, Shandong already belongs to the north. When the snow falls in the cold winter, it will be impossible to find graphite mines.
Therefore, on the night of the first day of departure, there is no need to go to the nearest town to rest and replenish supplies.
Just find a place to deal with it for one night.
Next to the carriage, a bonfire burned, driving away the coldness of the night.
Su Jing and the three of them were sitting around the campfire, and a small stove made of tree branches was placed on a simple shelf to boil water.
Drink hot water!
Even in the Ming Dynasty, when there was no pollution from modern industrialization, Su Jing still insisted on drinking boiled water.
Parasitic diseases will not give them preferential treatment just because this is the Ming Dynasty.
With fire, steamed buns and beef are naturally more comfortable to eat hot.
"If it's cold, go to the carriage, Niu Yi."
Su Jing said to Zhu Biao, it was late at night, and Zhu Biao was still too young after all.
"Yes, Master Su."
Zhu Biao nodded. He really felt the cold. After speaking, he turned around and returned to the carriage.
This made Mu Ying on the side a little surprised. Her brother Zhu Biao didn't seem to be such an rude person.
Teacher Su Jing is still sitting outside. Why did he get on the carriage first?
Yes, even if Zhu Biao is the prince, Mu Ying still thinks that Su Jing, the teacher, is more worthy of respect.
Because of firearms!
Su Jing's improved firearms were of great significance to the Ming Dynasty.
Not to mention the news about Su Jing that he heard from everywhere in the Dudu Mansion these days.
The more she knew, the more Mu Ying respected Su Jing.
Such a person is a blessing to the Ming Dynasty.
Su Jing saw Mu Ying's expression and asked, "What's wrong, are you tired from traveling all day? Why don't you go into the carriage and have a rest, and I'll stay with you for half the night."
When Su Jing thought about it, it was quite tiring for Muying to work as a coachman for a day.
"No need, Mr. Su, Wenying has been in the army since she was a child, so this doesn't mean anything."
Mu Ying said immediately.
It's just a journey in a carriage, which is far different from a long-distance march.
"and you……"
Su Jing was stunned for a moment, then reacted and said with a smile: "Do you think it's not good that Niu Yi went in after I asked him to rest?"
These people always have some inexplicable red tape.
"I don't mean that."
Mu Ying immediately said: "If my brother does anything wrong, please don't mind Mr. Su."
"Mu Wenying, right?"
Su Jing looked at Mu Yingdao.
"Well, what's the matter, Mr. Su?"
Mu Ying replied, looking very serious.
At this time, the water on the shelf boiled.
Su Jing immediately hooked the kettle off, and then said: "Just like the water in this kettle has to be taken out immediately when it boils, some things should be done as long as they are done. Thinking so much will only waste time and life."
"Niu Yi did nothing wrong. He should rest when he is tired. If he is forced to stay here with me and feels unwell, it will be a drag on us as a whole in the end. What do you think?"
Listening to Su Jing's words, Mu Ying cupped her hands and said, "Wenying is taught."
Su Jing waved her hand and said: "What kind of teachings did you receive? You are not my student, and what I said is not a big deal. Can you just relax a little? Don't be tired if you are tired from the journey and your body and mind are tired."
Listening to Su Jing's straightforward words, Mu Ying felt that Su Jing's personality was quite to her liking.
When he was at Su Jing's house before, he didn't have much feeling because he was intoxicated with Lang Xian and Yuanyang Formation.
"Mr. Su is really a willful person. It's Wenying's fault. Wenying respects Mr. Su."
After saying that, Mu Ying took out the wine bottle from her waist and took a sip directly towards Su Jing.
During this season, warming up with wine is a routine practice.
"now it's right."
Su Jing smiled, but he didn't drink. He just took out a wooden teacup and made a cup of tea with freshly boiled hot water.
It's late at night, drinking tea can help you feel more energetic.
The bonfire kept burning, getting brighter and brighter as the night got darker.
"Mr. Su, have you ever traveled far alone before?"
Mu Ying asked Su Jing.
Su Jing added a piece of firewood and said, "That's natural. I have a lot of property in Lishui County, but as a businessman, it's necessary to travel all over the country."
"Compared to that time, the Ming Dynasty is much more stable now. I remember that I didn't go far out of Lishui County when I encountered a group of bandits."
Hearing this, Mu Ying immediately asked curiously: "Rogue bandits? How did Mr. Su escape? How did the caravan escape?"
For Mu Ying, he was fighting against rogue bandits. When he saw rogue bandits, it was like a cat catching a mouse.
But for ordinary people, rogue bandits are a big disaster.
"There is no caravan. When I go out to do business, I always do it alone. It's mainly to open up channels."
Su Jing smiled and said: "When I encounter bandits, I always have one way to deal with them, and that is to run. Fortunately, I run fast enough and I can escape safely every time."
Su Jing has never adopted the method of surrendering or handing over all the property in his hands.
Because of this method, the outcome basically depends on the mood of the bandit.
"Haha, Mr. Su is interesting, but running is indeed the best way."
Mu Ying laughed. He thought Su Jing had some unique method, but he didn't expect it to be as simple as running away.
"That's the good thing about being alone. If you have something to do, you only have to take care of yourself. It's convenient."
Su Jing said lightly, not feeling any shame because of Mu Ying's laughter.
"Mr. Su seems to have a lot of experience, but on this trip, Mr. Su can rest assured that there will definitely be no problems."
Mu Ying assured Su Jing.
It would be a big joke if one of his dignified generals couldn't even protect Su Jing.
"I'm relieved. After all, Niu Yi can follow me, so I have nothing to worry about."
Su Jing said lightly: "I just hope that I can find what I'm looking for smoothly and don't go all the way in vain."
Whatever Zhu Biao's identity is, it all comes with him.
Safety issues are not something Su Jing considers.
"Mr. Su, what are you looking for?"
Mu Ying asked.
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't say much to him. He really didn't know what it was about.
"graphite."
Su Jing replied.
"Graphite? Is it black fat?"
Mu Ying asked curiously.
"What, you know?"
After hearing Mu Ying's words, Su Jing suddenly became interested.
This graphite is the standard name, but the other name does include black stone resin.
Mu Ying replied: "I know, this black stone resin is a raw material for the production of inkstones. It is very precious. Does Mr. Su want to use it to make inkstones?"
Su Jing was stunned when she heard Mu Ying's answer.
That’s right!
Isn’t graphite just ink?
Why should I go to such great lengths to find graphite mine? Graphite mine itself is an important mineral that everyone is paying close attention to.
Just buy it directly.
"Mr. Su, what's wrong with you?"
Seeing Su Jing's expression, Mu Ying couldn't help but ask, "Did Wenying say something wrong?"
"It has nothing to do with you, it's my problem."
Su Jing replied immediately, but what he was thinking about was the graphite mine.
Zhu Biao knew he was looking for graphite ore, and Zhu Yuanzhang most likely knew it too.
Then why didn't they remind themselves?
What is going on?
Su Jing's mood is a little chaotic now.
He even wanted to run to the car now and ask Zhu Biao properly.
But Zhu Biao really can't be blamed for this.
Because Zhu Biao has actually said that he can find a way to use his family's power regarding the graphite mine.
But Su Jing refused at the time and insisted on doing it herself.
"Forget it, we've already set off anyway, so it won't hurt to go there."
Su Jing shook her head and smiled.
Normally, it would be enough for Su Jing to buy some inkstones to make graphite clay crucibles.
Not a lot of steel is needed to make a new fire gun.
But if you make a lot, or make some large-scale firearms, then buying an inkstone will be a huge cost.
Paper, ink and pen.
But anything that comes from scholars is not cheap.
Moreover, this improvement of cast steel can not only be used to make firearms, but can also be used to make other things.
So thinking about it this way, this trip is still necessary.
Firearms are just an excuse, it doesn't mean that we can only make firearms.
"Mr. Su, you seem to have thought of something else?"
Mu Ying asked Su Jing. He was very concerned about Su Jing's changes.
After all, this was what Zhu Yuanzhang wanted him to observe.
Su Jing nodded and said: "Yes, thanks to your reminder. Otherwise, it might have been a joke."
"I wish I could help Mr. Su."
Mu Ying said immediately, with a happy look on her face.
"It's my own fault. It's dark under the light."
Su Jing said: "I have made too many messy and big things recently, and my mind is a little confused."
Mess?
Mu Ying asked curiously: "What Mr. Su said, couldn't it be something like a firecracker?"
Mu Ying was deeply impressed by the power of the new fire gun.
Su Jing's discovery of the Wolf Constitution was enough to shock him, and the improved firecracker directly enshrined Mu Ying in his heart.
"No, the fire gun is just like that. I guess that's all I can make in this life."
Su Jing said lightly.
As Su Jing, who has experienced various advanced thermal weapons, the current fire gun is no matter how advanced it is. In his eyes, it is just an ordinary thing.
This is no longer restricted by design principles, but by the level of industrialization.
Let's put it this way, in the past life, those homemade guns that bought some steel pipe spark plugs and other materials were more advanced than the current firearms of the Ming Dynasty.
This is the gap in industrialization levels.
"Mr. Su is so humble."
Mu Ying immediately said: "With Mr. Su's ability, he can definitely make extremely powerful firearms."
Su Jing looked at Mu Ying who looked serious and wanted to refute, but after thinking about it, she decided not to.
Some things are really hard to say.
Dongfeng Express must achieve its mission.
Can he understand?
I definitely can’t understand it.
As for Muying knowing about her improved firearms, Su Jing was not surprised.
Zhu Biao's father is Mu Ying's adopted son, and this relationship is not ordinary.
In ancient times, family ties were the strongest.
"Okay, you go and have a rest first. I'll be here to watch you in the first half of the night."
Su Jing said to Mu Ying.
"Okay, Mr. Su, I'm going to rest first."
Mu Ying nodded without being pretentious.
…
Ying Tianfu.
Since the first issue of this new type of people's newspaper came out, the response among the people has immediately increased several times.
Originally a civilian newspaper that was only popular among scholars, many people now buy it.
Of course, you can’t buy too much.
Most of the people are just fooling around.
Others will read and comment, and they will just listen.
As long as you can do it for free, then you will definitely do it for free until the end.
But compared with before, it is still very different, because before, people were not even interested in free prostitution.
"Shock! A strange fire appeared in the county office at night! 》
"Why do bad news often come out of Liu Da's chicken shed?" This is the reason! 》
"Are all girls born in Daohua Village?" Guanyin Bodhisattva did this! 》
"Weird fragrances often come out of people's homes!" It was actually done by a court official! 》
…
These extremely impactful titles attracted everyone's attention the moment they appeared.
Not just ordinary people, no matter who sees or hears it, they have to find a way to find out.
Using the UC shock body to promote the ancients is simply a dimensionality reduction attack.
Nothing more.
In this way, there are also some different voices.
"It's simply insulting to politeness!"
"Why would this court produce such a thing!"
"Aren't these things outright deception?"
"The people's newspaper will be ruined if they do this!"
…
Scholars, especially older scholars, have very strong opinions.
In the past, the people's newspapers only talked about state affairs and only exaggerated the truth.
In their opinion, it's pretty good.
Today's public newspapers have all kinds of bells and whistles, especially headline-grabbing ones.
It completely lost the serious feeling before, more like some storytellers.
No, it’s even worse than a storyteller!
Such people's newspapers have become the object of ridicule by many scholars.
These sounds naturally reached Zhu Yuanzhang's ears.
In the Fengxian Hall.
Li Shanchang and Cui Liang stood in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, respectfully.
"I heard that many scholars have criticized the new issue of Minbao!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly.
Although the folk scholars scolded him fiercely, he didn't seem to be very angry.
Li Shanchang took a slight step forward and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty is just a part of the people. Now the influence of Minbao among the people has become more and more profound."
“Other state governments are already in the process of organizing people’s newspapers.”
The criticism of scholars?
Li Shanchang knew about it when it was implemented, but he was not worried because the specific content was written by the Ministry of Rites.
Anyway, he should say whatever he wants. If there is a question, Cui Liang will answer it.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the people's newspaper is a major matter of the country and represents the majesty of the country. It is normal for scholars to have some resistance. The people's newspaper needs to return to its previous content."
Cui Liang spoke, but he and Li Shanchang had completely different opinions.
As the Minister of Rites, he had already anticipated this result when he saw Zhu Yuanzhang's execution plan for the first time.
But Zhu Yuanzhang was firm at that time and he did not dare to get into trouble.
Now, the time has come.
(End of chapter)
