Han Dao world

Page 272

Zhang Lu decided to send people to travel, profess his ministers to the court, and discuss the Tao with the emperor to see how high the emperor's cultivation in Taoism is.

Zhang Xi couldn't ask for more.

Zhang Lu became a minister, and his trip to Yizhou was a success.

Joyfully, Zhang Xi talked about the news about the emperor's visit to Liangzhou, especially the establishment of the women's army.After more than a year of training, although the size of the women's army is small, it has confirmed the emperor's vision.After proper training, women, like men, can also serve in the army.

Since he can join the army, he can naturally do other things.

Zhang Xi regards this as the emperor's act of enshrining Tao and balancing yin and yang.

Although Zhang Ze felt that it was a bit of a joke for women to be officials and soldiers, he was still satisfied with the emperor's step-by-step advancement.This solved at least one of his worries. Although the Son of Heaven was young, he was not reckless, and he was even more patient than many adults.

Zhang Ze accepted Zhang Xi's invitation and decided to accompany Zhang Xi to Chengdu.

Zhang Xi was overjoyed, and immediately wrote a letter to the emperor to show his merits.

Chapter 477

Xun Yu picked up a page that had just been printed, and looked at it carefully against the light.The handwriting is very clear. Although there is still some gap between the handwriting and the handwriting, it does not affect the reading.

The benefits are obvious. Unavoidable corruption during copying can be basically avoided, and the efficiency is not the same. Large-scale duplication is possible, and the more the more, the more cost-effective.

The enlightenment that the emperor thought of had the possibility of large-scale promotion.

"How?" Mrs. Tang asked with a smile, her eyes filled with a sense of accomplishment.

She completed the task entrusted by the emperor in only half a year, much faster than expected.After consulting a few stele rubbing masters and solving the technical problem of ink, woodblock printing is almost a matter of course.

Since then, Wenxiu Paper Factory has expanded its business, and there is no need to worry about the sales of paper.

"Okay, okay." Xun Yu praised twice and put down the page. "How many copies are generally printed, and the cost will be lower than that of copying?"

"Above two hundred copies is enough, the more the more cost-effective. The cost of printing is very low, mainly due to the trouble of engraving. Even the most skilled craftsman needs two days to engrave a block."

Xun Yu made some calculations. "Then Wenxiu Zhifang will take over the documents issued by the whole county from now on."

"Okay, we'll pay the cost price, and we won't make money from you, so that no one can gossip." Madam Tang said, taking a document from the entourage and handing it to Xun Yu. "Please sign it with your seal, Da Yin."

Xun Yu took a look at the document and couldn't help laughing: "Are you even ready for the contract?"

"I know you're busy, so it's rare to come here, so of course I have to get everything ready." Mrs. Tang said, pushing the pen and ink, and took a box of purple clay.

Xun Yu picked up a pen, signed his name, and took out the seal of Hedong Yin, but he didn't know how to use it.Generally speaking, seals are made on ink pads, but the box of purple clay in front of me is very thin, it doesn't seem like it can be sealed on paper.Mrs. Tang took the seal in his hand, dipped it in the purple mud for a while, then pressed Xun Yu's signature, and carefully shook it twice, and when she lifted the seal, there was a shallow seal on the paper.

"What kind of new mud is this?"

"The ink pad suitable for use on paper is still being tested." Mrs. Tang took a piece of cloth, wiped off the ink pad, and returned it to Xun Yu.

Xun Yu picked up the contract, looked at it repeatedly, and nodded in praise.

The large-scale implementation of paper has indeed brought a lot of convenience, but it is not perfect.One of the problems is that printing has become extremely inconvenient.In the past, sealing clay was used, but sealing clay cannot be used directly on paper, and a wooden box must be added to seal the clay, which is very troublesome.

It will be much more convenient if you can use this kind of ink pad that can be used directly on paper.

"Who came up with it?"

"The workshop signs supply contracts with people, and there are contracts to be signed every day. It is always inconvenient to use boxes. Some people use lip gloss instead. I think it is feasible, so I ordered people to try out this new mud."

Xun Yu couldn't help laughing: "It seems that His Majesty is right. Women may not be as strong as men, but they are not inferior in intelligence. Wenxiu Zhifang has launched new products one after another, which probably has something to do with the number of women in your workshop. This new Do you have any more mud? Give me a box."

Mrs. Tang couldn't help laughing, but she still asked someone to take a box and handed it to Xun Yu. "If you want to use new clay, it is best to use Zhu Wenyin, and the surface of the seal should be smoother, or the surface of the seal will be incomplete. Cast seals are better, and chiseled seals should smooth out the burrs."

Seeing Mrs. Tang talking eloquently, Xun Yu was filled with emotion.The Mrs. Tang in front of him was the woman he was familiar with. She was calm, confident and calm, as if nothing could stop her.

Xun Yu looked around. "There is something I want to hear from you."

Mrs. Tang understood, picked up the contract signed by Xun Yu, and asked the maid to put it away.The maids retreated, and the two walked side by side to the corridor. The winter sun illuminated their faces, but it couldn't erase the worry in Xun Yu's eyes.

"I heard from Wen Qian that you often give her things?"

Mrs. Tang nodded slightly. "This paper workshop is my personal property. I can give it to whoever I want."

"But Wenqian is not just from the Xun family, she is first and foremost a noble person in the womb of heaven." Xun Yu said softly: "The emperor dotes on her more than the queen, which is against the rules. Now she is pregnant again, although [-]% Daughter, but what if it's a son?"

Mrs. Tang was about to speak, when Xun Yu said again: "The Son of Heaven intends to worship Gongda as the protector and control the northern border, and ordered the minister to discuss the powers and responsibilities of the protector."

Mrs. Tang was taken aback, and swallowed back the words that came to her lips.

Based on her understanding of the emperor.The emperor did not directly issue an edict, but ordered the ministers to discuss it. It was clearly a temptation.

The biggest target of temptation is naturally Xun Yu.

Xun Yu wholeheartedly wanted to promote the kingly way, but to promote the kingly way, he must have the unreserved support of the emperor.And to get the unreserved support of the emperor, the trust of the emperor is inseparable.Anything that affects this trust is something Xun Yu doesn't want.

"Are you worried that your achievements will overwhelm the Lord?"

Xun Yu turned to look at Madam Tang and shook his head. "The Son of Heaven has both elites in his hands. Whose credit can surpass him? I just don't want to create unnecessary complications and cause some people unnecessary fantasies."

Mrs. Tang was a little surprised: "You don't want Wen Qian to become a queen?"

"I don't want to." Xun Yu said without hesitation: "I just hope she is safe. I have already discussed with Fu Wan, and I will send the queen to go."

If Xun Wenqian gave birth to the prince, it would be a good thing for the emperor to have an offspring.But for him, things got complicated.Whether he wants it or not, others will intentionally or unintentionally regard him as the new representative of the Kanto people, and try their best to push him to the position of a supreme minister.

"The queen can't bear that kind of hardship." Mrs. Tang laughed: "It's not the east of the river, the wind and sand are very strong."

"That's what she deserves."

Madam Tang nodded. "I don't care about the affairs of the court. I know about Wen Qian's affairs. When the queen arrives, these contributions will be sent to the queen, and the queen will distribute them."

"It's best like this." Xun Yu let out a sigh of relief. "The empress will leave in ten days, and she must arrive at Xingzai before the New Year to reunite with her majesty. If you have any contribution to send over, you can send it directly to the empress, so as not to cause trouble."

Mrs. Tang glanced at Xun Yu, nodded helplessly, and was about to speak when Xun Yun rushed in quickly, holding a document in his hand.When Xun Yu saw it, he felt his heart tense. This is an urgent document of six hundred miles, and it must have been sent by Xun Zai. There must be something serious.

Xun Yu didn't want to think too much, took the document, quickly opened it, only took a look, and his face changed drastically.

"What's wrong?" Mrs. Tang also became nervous.

"Wen Qian gave birth." Xun Yu's voice was hoarse. "It's a boy."

Chapter 478

Mrs. Tang and Xun Yun looked at each other, only feeling that God was playing tricks on people.

I'm really worried about what's coming.Xun Yu didn't want Xun Wenqian to give birth to the prince the most, but Xun Wenqian gave birth to the prince, and even Hua Tuo, the genius doctor, was mistaken.

If this is not providence, what is providence?

"You don't have to worry, the Son of Heaven makes his own decision." Mrs. Tang calmed down first, and persuaded in a harmonious voice: "Speaking carefully, this is inevitable. Even if this time the baby is an imperial daughter, how can you know that the next time you will give birth to an imperial daughter? The matter has come to this, it is better to face it calmly.”

Xun Yu turned to look at Mrs. Tang, and smiled helplessly.

He agrees with Madam Tang.Because the emperor was young, the empress Fushou, the nobles Song Du, and Dong Wan were not of childbearing age, and among the women around the emperor, only Xun Wenqian was suitable for childbearing.Even if the first child got his wish and gave birth to a daughter, who can guarantee that the second child will still be a daughter?

Therefore, it is almost inevitable that Xun Wenqian gave birth to the eldest son of the emperor.

Perhaps, the emperor also expected this possibility, so he was obviously very calm.

Xun Yu picked up the emperor's edict and read it again, savoring the meaning between the lines carefully, only seeing a trace of joy, but not any worry.

But he couldn't believe his feelings.

He thought about it, and decided to go back and discuss it with Liu Ba.The only person who can give him advice right now is Liu Ba.

"Within three days, I will send the contribution to the city," Madam Tang said.

Xun Yu nodded and hurried out.Xun Yun didn't even have time to say goodbye to Mrs. Tang, he trotted all the way out the door with Xun Yu, got on his horse, and galloped away.

"Changqian, it's okay for you to escort the queen." Xun Yu said suddenly.

Xun Yun froze for a moment, then nodded. "Here."

Back in Anyi, Xun Yu went straight to Anyi County Court.As soon as he entered the door, he saw Liu Bagao sitting in the hall, scolding the officials.

"The number of mulberry fields is only more than half of the plan. What do you do to persuade the farmers? Don't talk about the lack of labor, so that you can recruit troops to garrison the fields, and explain clearly the commission first." Liu Ba said, and put a The stack of documents fell in front of the miser who persuaded farmers. "I've already checked, and the commission you give is only half of the rated price, and the remaining half is swallowed by you."

The farmer was advised to kneel on the ground, trembling.

"Don't say I won't give you a chance." Seeing Xun Yu and his son come in, Liu Ba raised his hand to signal to wait. "I'll give you five days to spit out the money I swallowed. If you can complete the task before the new year, I will spare your life, otherwise your whole family will go to the funeral on the first day of the new year. Get lost!"

The miser who persuaded the peasants kowtowed as if he was being amnesty, and walked away scrambling.When he was going down the hall, he almost knocked Xun Yu down.

Liu Ba looked around. "Who else wants to report? Before reporting, first think about whether those reasons can convince yourself. If not, go back and think about it, and complete the task first."

"Here." All the officials agreed in unison, and filed down the hall.When they passed by Xun Yu, they saluted one by one, but no one dared to stop.

Xun Yu frowned, watching the officials from Anyi County go out, and then stepped up to the hall.

"Zichu, have you always been so overbearing in governing?"

Liu Ba stood up to meet him, and laughed. "How many of these people do you know?"

Xun Yu thought about it carefully, but he didn't seem to know each other. "Have you changed?"

"Most of them have been changed. These people are all selected from the field soldiers. They are proficient in writing and ink, and are familiar with official affairs, but they have a strong military spirit. If you talk to them well, they will not take it seriously. Only murderous ones will work."

"Soldiers in the field?" Xun Yu was even more surprised.

Many field soldiers were placed around Anyi, which played a key role in the stability of Anyi.But he didn't know that Liu Ba selected officials from the field soldiers. After all, most of the field soldiers were illiterate and could not undertake official duties at all.

Most of the officials in the prefect's mansion and the county court came from several families. In essence, the number of people who could read and write was limited, so they could only be selected from those big families, and there were no more choices.

"There are talented soldiers in the field." Liu Ba smiled proudly. "Many of these soldiers who have experienced many battles are smart people, but they didn't have the opportunity to study before. Nowadays, enlightenment is highly praised by the generals, and the generals are the most active in responding. There are many people who are proficient in literature and ink among the soldiers in the field. If one does not do well, you can change to another at any time One. Unlike those children from rich families who have family support behind them, even if they make mistakes, they cannot be easily punished."

Seeing Liu Ba's beaming eyebrows, Xun Yu couldn't laugh or cry.

He suddenly remembered one thing, the emperor had a handwritten letter before, mentioning one thing, intending to implement an examination system in the army to replace the recommendation system, and do everything possible to recruit talents.At that time, I felt that the emperor's move was a bit radical, but now it seems that the emperor had already made such preparations, and the promotion of enlightenment in the army was a foreshadowing.

After two or three years of enlightenment, it is easy to select hundreds of officials who are proficient in writing and ink among the 10,000+ field soldiers.The more people available, the more room for choice, no need to be controlled by others, and you can no longer be controlled by others.

"Zi Chu, you're quick to respond." Xun Yu half-truthfully praised.

Liu Baneng found that there were a large number of available talents in the Tuntian soldiers, which was naturally closely related to his contact with the Tuntian soldiers.In fact, Liu Ba used to dislike those generals from humble backgrounds, not to mention taking the initiative to make friends with others, even if they came to visit him, they might not be willing to meet them.Now seeing that there are available people in the field soldiers who can help him get rid of the constraints of the Hedong clan, he took the initiative.The speed of turning around is astonishing.

"Gentlemen and leopards change, but the only way is to follow." Liu Ba disagrees. "It's rare for Dayin to come to the door, so he didn't come to make fun of me, did he?"

Xun Yu nodded calmly. "I want to hear your opinion on something."

Liu Ba understood, and waved his hand to signal his followers to retreat, and led Xun Yu to the study beside him, where he served tea.

Xun Yu took out the edict he had just received, put it on the case, and pushed it in front of Liu Ba.Liu Ba took a look, his eyes flashed, and he suddenly smiled. "Your birth is a prince?"

Xun Yu smiled wryly. "Why?"

Liu Ba didn't accept the edict, picked up his teacup, and took a shallow sip. "Are you worried that Zhang Xi's generation will not be willing to give up, and wants to push your father and daughter to the top, so as to make eyes for the people of Kanto?"

Xun Yu nodded and sighed.

"It's indeed a little troublesome, but it's just troublesome." Liu Ba persuaded: "Da Yin, whether to push or not is their business. Whether to approve it is the emperor's business. Even if the emperor agrees, you don't have to accept it." Well. Of course, I don't approve of your refusal."

"Huh?" Xun Yu looked at Liu Ba puzzled.

"The emperor values ​​you and entrusts you with the important task of revitalizing the king's way. This is something that everyone can see. Even if the nobleman does not give birth to the emperor's eldest son, you will be a minister in the future. This is the emperor's trust in you, and it has nothing to do with Xungui , and has nothing to do with the eldest son of the emperor."

"But the disaster of foreign relatives..."

Liu Ba interrupted Xun Yu unceremoniously. "Can you command and cool the elite?"

Xun Yu's eyes flickered, but he hesitated to speak.

Liu Ba smiled. "For relatives who don't hold military power, even if they are threatening, they are limited. If the emperor doesn't even have this confidence, how can he talk about Zhongxing? Dayin, as long as you don't seek military power, you don't have to worry about the emperor's suspicion."

"But Gongda..."

"That's the real hidden danger." Liu Ba sighed.

Chapter 479

From a military point of view, Xun You's surprise attack on Danhan Mountain was a success.From a political point of view, it is not wise enough.

The emperor did not confer rewards for a long time, and in the end, although he intended to set up Youyan Dufu, he handed over the power and responsibility of the Duhufu to the ministers for discussion, which is enough to explain the displeasure of the emperor.

It is God's will for Xun Wenqian to give birth to a prince, but it is the will of Xun You to support Zang Hong deliberately.

God's will cannot be violated, but human will must be guarded against.

Liu Ba was not as introverted as Xun Yu, and he had scruples. He was outspoken about Xun You's performance, denouncing it as stupid.

Originally, this matter was troublesome enough, but now that Xun Wenqian gave birth to a prince, it is even more troublesome.

Even Liu Ba was helpless.