Chapter 561 The First Step Towards the Sea of Stars
Yan Song and his son were both there, Yan Shifan was a little further back, and behind him was Zhao Wenhua.
Zhao Wenhua whispered, "Lan Zhen mentioned this matter at this moment, just to give Jiang Qingzhi a blow. He wants to kill the limelight he has created in Suzhou Prefecture."
Yan Shifan shook his head, "This is not just to kill his limelight, but to force him to abdicate."
Zhao Wenhua was stunned for a moment, then he understood. "The Mohist master is untrustworthy...hiss!" He took a breath, "This is going to make Jiang Qingzhi's reputation stinking for miles!"
At this time, trust and confidence are the foundation of a person's life.
Those who do not keep their promises will be despised by the world. And the great Mohist masters who do not keep their promises will make the world look down on Mohism.
"Lan Zhen has completely surrendered to those people!" Zhao Wenhua said gritting his teeth. For the first time, he stood on Jiang Qingzhi's side and hated Lan Zhen to the core.
After Jiang Qingzhi went south to Suzhou Prefecture, the lost literati turned their attention to the Yan Party.
The Tongzhengshisi served as a gate and filter, and Zhao Wenhua was the first to bear the brunt of it. The number of times he was impeached was so many that it could not be compared with that in the first half of his life combined.
Yan Shifan nodded, "There have been fewer memorials impeaching you in recent days."
Zhao Wenhua nodded, "With Jiang Qingzhi's return, our lives have become much better."
"To be honest, this guy... I really can't hate him!" Yan Shifan looked at Jiang Qingzhi slowly walking out, and couldn't help but feel a little complicated. "Your Majesty used us to build a wall in front of the officials, but Jiang Qingzhi is now standing in front of us..."
Yan Dang and Jiang Qingzhi, who once fought each other and were irreconcilable, have recently had an increasingly warm relationship.
This also confirms a saying: There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.
Seeing Jiang Qingzhi coming out, Lan Zhen moved aside. On the one hand, he wanted to give Jiang Qingzhi a place to talk, and on the other hand, he was worried that this guy might get angry and start violence.
If Jiang Qingzhi takes action, what will His Majesty do... Lan Zhen subconsciously glanced at the Taoist priest and found that the Taoist priest's expression... How to say it! Different from his usual indifferent expression, it seems that there is more pity?
Lan Zhen felt that he should be annoyed.
Yes, I have forced Jiang Qingzhi into a desperate situation, and I think Your Majesty is secretly angry.
But Lan Zhen had no choice at this moment. Either he came out to provoke and force Jiang Qingzhi, or he waited to be abandoned by those people.
Once those people abandoned him, Lan Zhen would never have a chance to be promoted again in his life. What was even worse was that Lan Zhen had offended Jiang Qingzhi in the early stage, and if Jiang Qingzhi found an opportunity, he would definitely beat him to death.
He was also involved in the Suzhou incident this time. Once the matter is leaked, Jiang Qingzhi will kill him!
Thinking of this, Lan Zhen's eyes were firm and he smiled and said, "I forgot that Chang Wei Bo just returned from Suzhou Prefecture. I guess the treasure is not ready yet?"
But it’s almost the end of the year, and a gentleman’s word is as good as gold!
Jiang Qingzhi glanced at Lan Zhen and asked, "Are the craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry ready?"
Lan Zhen subconsciously glanced at Jiang Hua. The good old man Jiang Hua was looking at him coldly.
He had forgotten that once he was abandoned by those people, Jiang Hua would definitely take ruthless action against him.
There has been only one road to Huashan since ancient times!
Lan Zhen threw away all his worries and said, "If Lord Chang Wei can come up with treasures that benefit the country and the people, the Ministry of Industry will naturally not be stingy with some craftsmen."
Jiang Qingzhi said: "There is still more than a month left until the end of the year, which is perfect for wrapping up this year and making a good start for next year."
"Chang Wei's intention..." Lan Zhen forced him to give a clear date.
"Before the end of the year, Minister Lan will definitely see that treasure!"
Jiang Qingzhi looked at the ministers and saw Yan Shifan's complicated expression. Zhao Wenhua was actually sneering at Lan Zhen. Yan Song... How did Old Yan lose so much weight?
The old playboy stared at Lan Zhen with his fists clenched.
Jiang Qingzhi said slowly: "That must be an undoubted treasure!"
After the court was dismissed, Jiang Qingzhi and Zhu Xizhong walked out side by side.
"Long Wilbur."
Jiang Qingzhi turned around and saw that it was Yan Shifan.
"Yan Siqing."
His father-in-law was waiting for him not far away, looking worried.
Yan Shifan came closer and whispered, "If you have any difficulties, just speak up."
Jiang Qingzhi nodded, "I appreciate it."
Jiang Qingzhi declined politely. Yan Shifan looked at him deeply and said, "No matter what, you are... a trustworthy person!"
Jiang Qingzhi couldn't help but smile as he didn't expect Yan Shifan to have such an evaluation of him. Then he went to his father-in-law.
"Are you sure about this?" Li Huan asked.
"Don't worry, father-in-law." Jiang Qingzhi said calmly, "By the way, my wife said that father-in-law has been feeling unwell recently, so she consulted the imperial physician. The imperial physician gave me a prescription and asked someone to send it over later."
"There's no rush for this." Li Huan whispered, "Lan Zhen is so aggressive this time. There must be someone behind the scenes instigating him. If you don't agree, just claim to be sick. If anyone dares to force you, I will..."
A fierce light flashed in the father-in-law's eyes, "I will naturally talk to him about the reason."
Jiang Qingzhi said with a smile: "Thank you, father-in-law."
He felt that his father-in-law was comforting him.
He bowed and left. Not long after, someone approached Li Huan and said, "When your son-in-law built the Jingguan in Datong, he seemed majestic, but he also committed a sin of killing. The gods are merciful and will definitely not tolerate it. This time, your son-in-law committed another sin of killing in Suzhou Prefecture. Some people say... it will have a great impact on your descendants."
These words may seem caring, but in fact they are a vicious curse.
——Your son-in-law killed countless people in Datong, and even brought out the ancient Jingguan again, so he has no children since his marriage. This time he committed boundless murder in Suzhou Prefecture, and his offspring will definitely be punished.
Old Li, I'm afraid your daughter will be left with nothing.
Just wait for the extinction of your family line!
Several officials nearby couldn't help but look sideways when they heard this. Li Huan was a decent man who didn't cause trouble. For many years, he had always been a good person.
So, everyone was ready to watch him show how to swallow his pride.
Li Huan looked at the man sideways.
The official smiled, bracing himself for a rebuttal.
Li Huan raised his hand.
Everyone was shocked and Li Huan stopped.
This is in line with the character of a good person!
Everyone laughed.
Then Li Huan raised his leg and kicked hard.
"Ow!"
Jiang Qingzhi turned around when he heard the voice and saw an official kneeling in front of his father-in-law, with his legs together, looking up and pointing at Li Huan, his face as red as pig liver...
"Li Huan..."
Snapped!
Li Huan slapped him and cursed, "You cursed me, I won't bother with you. But you cursed my daughter and son-in-law. Fuck you! If I don't show my power, do you really think I'm a sick cat?"
As he spoke, Li Huan kicked the official again, knocking him down, and then looked around with a sharp gaze. When he saw Jiang Qingzhi, Li Huan was stunned for a moment, then forced out a kind smile...
Jiang Qingzhi was stunned...
Is this my kind father-in-law?
Is this the father-in-law that the wife-in-law talked about, the one who never had a quarrel with his wife, never had a fight with the neighbors, and never had a conflict with his colleagues?
Li Huan hit someone.
When the news reached the Taoist, he asked the reason and said, "Even rabbits bite when they are angry, let alone humans. I thought Li Huan was too weak, so I let Yan Shifan take the post of Minister of the Ministry of Rites to suppress those officials. I didn't expect Li Huan to have such power. After some experience, he can be used later."
Before Li Huan knew that he had turned a disaster into a blessing, Daoye received "bad news."
"Your Majesty, Long Wilbur has taken a cart of good food from the palace."
The Taoist was startled, and the man said, "I am guilty of my own fault for interfering with you."
Huang Jin coughed dryly, "This matter... Your Majesty, the bacon smells quite strong this year."
This is a matter of reciprocity!
"Your Majesty, Long Wilbur requests to see you."
The Taoist priest had a cold face. He waited for Jiang Qingzhi to come in and salute, then said, "That flintlock rifle is incredibly powerful. Why don't you take it out now?"
Jiang Qingzhi said: "Your Majesty, the flintlock rifle is not about one or two, but..." He imagined the scene.
"Rows of soldiers marched forward, fired their guns at the command, and in the air filled with smoke, the targets ahead were riddled with bullet holes... Your Majesty, I also want to take out my flintlock rifle today and hit those people in the face, but what will happen next?"
Daoye thought of his previous judgment, "Are you trying to intimidate others by this?"
"Yes." Jiang Qingzhi said, "Martial arts will continue to cultivate talented generals for the Ming Dynasty, and those original people, military merits, generals... they will not be willing to withdraw. The conflicts in the future will surely become more and more numerous and more and more intense. They will cry out in grief and anger, saying that they have talents but are not reused.
The emergence of the flintlock rifle was a revolution, rendering their so-called family-inherited military tactics useless!"
"You mean, the flintlock rifle will bring about a revolution in military tactics?" asked the Taoist priest.
"It is a complete change." Jiang Qingzhi said: "Swords, spears and cavalry will not be eliminated, but they will gradually give way to firearms. No one has ever experienced a battle method dominated by firearms, so how can we be confident that our own military tactics can control such a battle method?"
"You can do it?" Dao Ye smiled, "This flintlock rifle is also the first to be seen..."
"I am a genius!" Jiang Qingzhi said shamelessly.
The Taoist frowned and looked at him. Jiang Qingzhi said seriously, "Don't worry, I know what's going on."
Daoye nodded, "So...how long will it take?"
"I need at least one hundred musketeers. In other words, I must forge one hundred flintlock rifles as soon as possible. I can train the Tiger Guards first, but it will take some time to master the flintlock rifles. Therefore, I ask Your Majesty to agree to let the Armory Bureau intervene..."
There were many craftsmen and many old masters in the Armory Bureau, and Jiang Qingzhi had coveted them for a long time. However, that was the emperor's sphere of influence, so he was very self-aware and turned to the Ministry of Works to ask for craftsmen.
"Yes!" The Taoist asked someone to go to the Armory Bureau to pass on the message, "If Qingzhi has any request, just agree to it."
"Yes." Huang Jin went out.
"Is it in time before the end of the year?" asked the Taoist priest.
"There's still time!" Jiang Qingzhi was confident that he could form a small firearms army before the end of the year.
"Before the end of the year, I will definitely give those people a big surprise!" Jiang Qingzhi said, "Please test it first in Huben Zuowei."
The Taoist was silent for a moment.
Just when Jiang Qingzhi thought he would object, Daoye nodded and said, "Do it well."
Jiang Qingzhi felt relaxed all over.
After leaving Xiyuan, he said to Xu Wei: "The Ming Dynasty is about to change."
"My Lord, what do you mean by that?"
"I once said that the Mohist's journey is to the sea of stars, and now, this is the first step towards the sea of stars..."
(End of this chapter)
