Chapter 557 The Taoist Master with Unstable Heart
For a craftsman, being able to escape from slavery is his greatest wish in life.
After realizing this wish, Feng Yuan felt so relaxed that he seemed like he could float up at any time.
He looked at his family in a daze, Liu Hu was shocked and couldn't help but recall the previous scene.
"I want to renounce my citizenship."
The rigidity and strictness of the Ming Dynasty's household registration system is beyond human imagination.
Can you imagine how difficult it is for a craftsman to get rid of his registered permanent residence and become a normal civilian?
From Muramasa to county magistrate, to prefect, to governor, to minister of the Ministry of Revenue, to prime minister...even Yan Song, who had all the power in the court, could not help you escape from the status of a citizen.
Only the emperor has this qualification.
So when the emperor nodded slightly, at that moment, Feng Yuan was willing to die for Jiang Qingzhi.
He knew who had brought all this upon himself.
The flintlock rifle seemed to be created by him, but from the creative invention to the several major problems that were solved along the way, it was all done by Jiang Qingzhi himself.
And Feng Yuan just made some moves.
Feng Yuan knew that there were at least several hundred craftsmen in the capital who could make flintlock rifles, if not tens of thousands.
But Jiang Qingzhi chose him from among hundreds of people. It was fate and even more a favor.
Liu Hu was shocked and opened the bag in a panic. He looked at the silver ingots and raised his head in disbelief. In front of him was a document. He couldn't read...
"The head of the household is Feng Yuan." Feng Yuan held up the document, tears in his old eyes.
The old wife rushed over frantically, then stretched out her hand cautiously, as if the document would shatter if she used a little more force.
She took the document tremblingly and looked greedily at the few words she recognized on it.
"Feng Yuan."
"Yes, it's my husband!"
Feng Yuan looked at his son and daughter-in-law proudly.
"Those people say that artisans have no future, they can only live in the lower class all their lives, and their children and grandchildren can only carry hammers. Take good care of your wife. If the children have the ability to study in the future, let them study."
One hundred taels of silver is enough to cover the expenses of a child from elementary school to the imperial examination.
"father!"
The surprise came so unexpectedly that Feng Jian fell to his knees in front of him, hugged his legs and burst into tears.
As long as Feng Yuan was there, Feng Jian was free. Once Feng Yuan left, he would have to report to the Armory Bureau, take over Feng Yuan's sledgehammer, and from then on become a craftsman in the Armory Bureau or some government-run workshop.
His wife was virtuous and pregnant. He was paid well for his current job, and his life was getting better and better. But a shadow always loomed over this small family.
You are a craftsman!
What this curse means is that you have to work for free for ten days every month.
An even greater disaster was that his descendants and grandchildren would not be able to take the imperial examinations, which meant that his descendants, generation after generation, would be artisans, a lowly class looked down upon by the common people.
The father-in-law is dissatisfied, but the wife seems satisfied... But for Feng Jian, a man, a husband, and a father who is about to become a father, the pressure is enormous.
At this moment he felt all the pressure disappear, and he cried in disbelief.
"My dear in-laws!" Liu Hu held Feng Yuan's arm enthusiastically, "I'll prepare some wine and food at home, and we can have a good drink together." Turning back, he scolded his daughter, "Hurry up and fetch some water to wash your father-in-law's face."
Liu went to fetch water with tears in her eyes. She walked to the kitchen, lowered her head and touched her belly, and said softly, "My dear, your grandfather has deregistered you. We are...free."
Freedom is the dream of countless people, but from birth, human beings live in various cages that they create for themselves.
Even emperors are no exception.
Having just witnessed the sharpness of the flintlock rifle, the Taoist priest was so ecstatic that he wanted to try it himself.
But someone came from the palace.
"His Royal Highness Prince Jing and Mr. Jing had an argument and even came to blows."
It’s okay for the prince and the teacher to quarrel, but it can’t be taken too seriously, for example, violating the principle of respecting teachers and valuing education.
The nature of the action changes. It is not only disrespectful to the gentleman, but also...
"Sir, you said King Jing is violent!"
Are you trying to destroy people?
Jiang Qingzhi asked: "Do you know why?"
The eunuch said, “I don’t know.”
The Taoist held up a flintlock rifle and said, "Qingzhi, go and deal with it."
"Your Majesty!" Jiang Qingzhi said dissatisfiedly: "I just returned from the south, and I am exhausted both physically and mentally."
The Taoist stroked the barrel of the gun, as if he was stroking a magic weapon, "Remember I asked you to discipline the two boys, but not only did you not care, you indulged them. Changle looked lonely and helpless, and you never thought of a solution..."
You are trying to pass the buck... Jiang Qingzhi had no choice but to go to the palace, but the Taoist priest refused to leave.
"I want to take a closer look." The Taoist held the flintlock rifle tightly and refused to let go.
Jiang Qingzhi gave some instructions, such as not moving the bed, not starting a fire, and not reloading. He didn't want to hear the news that Huang Jin was shot.
"Just go!"
The Taoist said impatiently.
The only thing left is to get him out.
But this is my home!
Jiang Qingzhi left in anger.
As soon as he left, the Taoist asked, "Did you see it clearly before?"
Huang Jin nodded, "I see it clearly."
Daoye clumsily picked up a handmade fixed bullet and thought for a moment, "Should I put it at the back first?"
"Your Majesty, I remember it was in front." Huang Jin said.
"No, it's at the back." Daoye imitated Jiang Qingzhi and bit open the paper bag, first shaking some gunpowder at the fire door at the back. Then he thought about it and glanced at Huang Jin.
Huang Jin scratched his head, "It seems..."
"It's useless to ask you." The Taoist frowned, and suddenly remembered, "It's shaking inside." He poured all the remaining gunpowder into the barrel, picked up a piece of paper, wrapped the lead bullet and stuffed it into the muzzle, picked up the cleaning rod, and poked it in hard. After poking it a bit, he felt it was not enough, so he continued...
After stabbing him more than ten times, the Taoist felt that it was enough.
"Your Majesty, we need to move this place." Huang Jin finally thought of a step.
"I know." The Taoist moved the hammer.
"It seems to be done? How come I remember that there is something else I need to do?" Huang Jin pondered.
The Taoist shook his head, raised his gun, and imitated Jiang Qingzhi in aiming at the target in front of him.
"What did that kid mumble before?" The Taoist took a long breath.
Huang Jin said, "It seems like he is praying or something. Does this flintlock rifle require a prayer to God for every shot?"
What should I read? Daoye thought for a moment and said, "I guess it's unnecessary."
He held his breath and put his index finger on the trigger.
Huang Jin prayed devoutly: "May all the gods and Buddhas protect your majesty...I will hit you with one strike!"
Bang!
Smoke rushed out from the muzzle of the gun. Dao Ye narrowed his eyes and said, "Go and take a look."
Huang Jin trotted over and saw a hole on the shoulder of the target. He turned back happily and shouted, "Your Majesty, you hit it! Your Majesty, you hit it!"
"This thing..." Dao Ye looked at the gun in his hand and closed his eyes. "If the Ming army was equipped with such a flintlock rifle, a thousand, ten thousand, a hundred thousand... countless people would attack together, with iron cavalry and thick armor..."
Huang Jin was happy, but he didn't know that the Taoist's thinking had already moved away from the flintlock rifle.
"The original generals only knew how to fight with bows and horses, so they were definitely not suitable. So..." Daoye opened his eyes, "Martial arts is the key!"
He thought of Jiang Qingzhi's original suggestion to rebuild the martial arts, and couldn't help but laugh, "That kid really prepared for a rainy day. When he rebuilt the martial arts, he was thinking of this moment!
Those military heroes who are not familiar with firearms and tactics will inevitably be eliminated. No, the smart ones will bow to me.
Let martial arts students serve as generals to lead the Ming army... Will those scholars and officials be scared when I hold the swords and guns in my hands? Hahahaha!"
The emperor was laughing.
Amidst the laughter, he seemed to see rows of Ming Dynasty soldiers holding flintlock rifles, marching forward in an orderly manner and opening fire in response to the shouts of their generals.
In the air filled with smoke, enemy soldiers fell one after another.
"I can't wait any longer." The Taoist felt the long-lost heat of blood, and his heart was a little unstable.
"One more shot!" The Taoist picked up a loaded bullet.
Bang!
Gunshots were heard from time to time in the small courtyard.
"His Majesty is still here." Huang Yan'er ran into the room, looking surprised.
"Just stay here!" This was more than once or twice that the Taoist came to the Earl's Mansion, and Li Tian was numb to it.
"Master Bo hurried into the palace, saying that he had something urgent to do." Huang Yan'er said, "The cook was in front with a rolling pin, saying that he would fight with anyone who dared to confiscate the bacon today."
Not long after, someone in the front yard brought news, "His Majesty has returned to the palace. Before leaving, Eunuch Huang went to the kitchen. The cook was so ungrateful that he gave him most of the bacon..."
Jiang Qingzhi hurried to the palace. Before he even reached King Jing's study, he heard someone inside say sternly, "Respecting teachers is a truth that has never changed. Your Highness attacked the king's tutor, which shows that you have disregarded the dignity of teachers..."
Isn't this destroying people?
Jiang Qingzhi walked out of the door and saw an official scolding King Jing, while another official stood on the side, covering his face with a look of grief and anger.
King Jing sat there, his head slightly tilted upward, with the arrogance and disdain in his eyes that Jiang Qingzhi was familiar with.
"Your Highness is so violent..."
"Who said he was violent?"
The two officials turned around.
"Long Wilbur?"
There was a cold look in the official's eyes. "Your subordinate Chen Xuan greets Chief Wei Bo."
The official who was beaten bowed and said, "Your subordinate Wang Bo greets Chief Wilbur."
Jiang Qingzhi walked in. "Why are you arguing?"
He did not mention the beating, but asked why they were arguing, in order to resolve the matter at the source.
Even though King Jing didn't say anything, Jiang Qingzhi knew there was something unspeakable going on.
Idiot... Jiang Qingzhi glanced at him, but King Jing shook his head slightly, implying that he didn't need to care about this matter.
I will take care of my own business... Jiang Qingzhi couldn't help but slap him in the face. King Jing covered the back of his head and lowered his head.
"Speak." Jiang Qingzhi turned around and looked at Wang Bo.
"Why does Chang Wei Bo care about this matter?" Wang Bo said coldly.
"Your Majesty, please ask Lord Chang Wei to discipline the two princes and the princess!" Chen Yan came in from outside. She squatted in front of Jiang Qingzhi and said, "The Queen learned about this and asked me to come and ask. Fortunately, Lord Chang Wei is here, otherwise..."
These words put the two officials in a position to bully King Jing.
Wang Bo said, "I was explaining the article to King Jing, and King Jing started to refute it. After a few words, King Jing suddenly became furious..." He pointed to his face, "and started to fight."
"Why argue?" Jiang Qingzhi asked.
Wang Bo remained silent.
"Old Four!" Jiang Qingzhi looked at King Jing, "If you don't speak up, I'll put you under house arrest for a month!"
He had never exercised the power to punish, but when it was really necessary, Jiang Qingzhi didn't mind teaching this proud boy a lesson.
King Jing raised his head, "Wang Bo... tempted me to seize the throne!"
"When has it ever been..."
"Shut up!"
Jiang Qingzhi shouted. Then he said, "Continue."
"I took that as nonsense and didn't take it seriously. But he said that my cousin prefers the lonely third brother, just because..." King Jing said softly, "Just because the third brother is easier to control!"
This is fucking saying that I, Jiang Qingzhi, want to be a powerful official!
"When did I ever say that..." Wang Bo took a step forward and was about to argue when Jiang Qingzhi suddenly turned around and slapped him in the face.
Snapped!
(End of this chapter)
