Zhuo Qihua

Back in Fengtian Garden, Emperor Yong'an and Zhuo Ji changed into pajamas and went to bed for a lunch break.Because Zhuo Ji had to cook lunch for Emperor Yong'an every day, he woke up earlier than before, and he was really sleepy after walking.Emperor Yong'an couldn't sleep well, turned his head to see that Zhuo Ji was about to sleep with his eyes closed, but Emperor Yong'an rolled over on Zhuo Ji's body, and Zhuo Ji opened his eyes.

Emperor Yong'an touched Zhuo Ji's face with one hand: "You really don't blame me? Don't you think I'm too heartless?"

Zhuo Ji chuckled, he put his arms around Emperor Yong'an's neck, and with a force, Emperor Yong'an lay on his body.Emperor Yong'an hastened to support his body so as not to hurt Zhuo Ji.Zhuo Ji bit Emperor Yong'an's neck: "Your Majesty is indeed too ruthless. If you say sleep, you will sleep. If you don't take the initiative, your Majesty will not move."

Emperor Yong'an immediately turned against the guest and bit Zhuo Ji's ear when he turned his head.

A passionate voice suddenly came from inside the room. After Zhang Xian and Chang Jing were stunned for a moment, they immediately backed away.Chang Jing: "Little one, go prepare hot water!" After saying that, he ran away.Zhang Xian let out a long breath, it must be all right.

Having done it heartily at noon, Emperor Yong'an felt refreshed and Zhuo Ji slept well.The two slept for a full two hours, and the Emperor Yong'an who woke up only felt satisfied physically and mentally.After the two got up, Zhuo Ji wrote another letter to Concubine Xi Gui in front of Emperor Yong'an, and called Wang Bao again, asking him to find someone to send him back to the palace quickly.Emperor Yong'an didn't ask Zhuo Ji what he replied in the last letter, and Zhuo Ji didn't say anything, and both of them tacitly stopped mentioning the twins.

In Tanji City, buckets of urine were sent to a special courtyard.Several artisans proficient in gunpowder in the Firearms Battalion put urine and sand together and boiled them at high temperature.Lin Xieshan and Lin Yi wore masks to direct the sidelines.When something paraffin-like appeared in the cauldron emitting a disgusting smell, the craftsmen were more careful in their actions.

Bottles of this pewter-like stuff were packed into dark glass or dark porcelain jars, tightly sealed.Lin Xieshan said: "White phosphorus is poisonous, you must be careful not to get it on your body. All bottles must be checked one by one, white phosphorus can spontaneously ignite once it encounters oxygen."

"Little one understands! Don't worry, Duke!"

The leader of the craftsman responsible for refining white phosphorus said solemnly.

After confirming that the craftsmen were skilled and that the whole process was in accordance with the norms, Lin Xieshan and Lin Yi left the yard.The father and son walked in front, and Lin Xieshan's attendants followed far behind. Lin Yi said: "With this white phosphorous bomb, our army from the Mata country can cross the Han River, and the city of Mydoro is within sight."

Lin Xieshan: "Now we just have to wait for the ship to be built. We must take down Mythora City before the snow season. The Firearms Camp and the Xiangkong Camp must fight hard to live up to His Majesty's expectations. For my father, I want to go back to Beigu to accompany His Majesty back to the capital. The burden on your shoulders is heavy, and it is also a good thing for you."

Lin Yi: "My son knows it. My son will definitely live up to His Majesty's expectations." Taking down Mythora City means that the Talkin Department will no longer exist.Lin Yi then asked in a low voice: "Father, is it true that Your Majesty wants Tarkin's Ministry to grow food?"

Lin Xieshan: "According to your Majesty, the Talkin Department should be a fertile land. It's just that it will take another year to see if the rice can be planted. The North Valley frontier army is retreating forests to reclaim wasteland, and some places are hurrying to plant vegetables. It’s good to be able to collect a batch of vegetables before, but it’s too late to grow grain. But my father can’t figure out why there are white flowers in the sea, and the sea is just some fish and shrimp. But since your majesty said that there are white flowers in the sea The silver, there must be some."

Lin Yi looked up at the sky: "My child also wants to go to the sky this time."

Lin Xieshan: "You go to the sky, what about the Musketeers?"

Lin Yi remained silent, Lin Xieshan: "His Majesty the Firearms Camp will definitely be handed over to you. You have to work hard. Xiaohu's performance this time is not bad, and he didn't embarrass my Lin family man."

However, Lin Yi said: "These are all the credits of Chu Chu, but they can't be known by others. The kind deeds of Chu Chu in the first aid station can't be widely publicized. Sometimes children will think, is Chu Chu really willing? Why doesn't your majesty Immediately seal her as the empress."

Lin Xieshan: "Swallows know the ambitions of great swans, how do you and me mortals know what is in your heart?"

Lin Yi: "The Zhuo family is short-sighted, but a talented person like Zuo is sent to the palace as a servant. Your Majesty's cold treatment of the Zhuo family is really gratifying."

Lin Xieshan: "Zhuo family, I'm afraid it won't be long."

■

In Fengtianyuan, Zhuo Ji handed over the map to Emperor Yong'an, and said, "Your Majesty, I checked the local annals of the counties of the Talkin Department that they collected. These places are what I think Your Majesty should keep."

Emperor Yong'an became interested when he heard it: "What's so special about these places?"

Zhuo Ji: "It goes without saying that the land with fertile land is a grain-producing area. The land with dense forests is a mountain treasure-producing area. The most important thing is that these forest areas are rare tree species and building material forests, and cannot be handed over to Others have ruined it. These few places," Zhuo Ji gestured on the map with his fingers, "are the places where I think the mines are most likely to be mined. Usually as a mining area, there are some indicator plants, and some land is very barren. In my time, the Northeast was rich in oil fields and various minerals, including gold mines. It’s just that the development and utilization rate was not high. What we need to do now is to hold the main mining areas in our hands as much as possible. There are also horse farms The Talkin people are good at raising horses and fighting horses. They not only need to recruit their horse breeders, but also use them for me. Mata country must have the best horses and the best cavalry. There is another thing that your Majesty needs to prepare in advance. That's rare earths."

Emperor Yong'an: "Rare earth?"

Zhuo Ji: "Rare earth is the general term for more than a dozen metal elements. It is industrial gold. Among other things, rare earth plays a very important role in the military. From now on, all rare earth mines in Mata country can only be controlled by the emperor. , it is absolutely not allowed to export to the outside world, or personal trafficking, once discovered, it is a felony."

Zhuo Ji said so seriously, Emperor Yong'an immediately paid attention to it: "Okay. You write down what rare earths are, and I will hand them over to the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Industry for investigation. All the rare earth mines that have been detected will be owned by me. Mata State The emperor in the future will also do the same."

Zhuo Ji nodded heavily: "After the Military Industry Research Institute is on the right track, it will start research on rare earths."

"it is good."

Zhuo Ji went on to say: "The fertile land cannot all fall into the hands of big landlords, gentry and local forces. Such fertile black land is the guarantee of the country's grain production. We must find a way to control as many grain production areas as possible under your Majesty's hands." Too much land is privately owned by individuals, which is not beneficial to the country. We must find a way to reduce the price and value of the land so that the gentry are willing to sell the land. The more land in the hands of His Majesty, the more things can be done conveniently Do."

Emperor Yong'an nodded cautiously, Zhuo Ji: "The reason why Wang Mang failed was because he was too impatient. We have to cut the cake of land slowly, and let them willingly let us cut it. Of course, the premise is that we must have a way Increase food production, or find new crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn that can replace food. Only when food production is guaranteed can we make a fuss about the land.”

Emperor Yong'an: "It is imperative to go to sea, the most urgent thing is money, it's up to you."

Zhuo Ji patted his chest: "Your Majesty said so, I can't even be a little money-making expert."

Emperor Yong'an smiled.

Emperor Yong'an remarked the places Zhuo Ji wanted to leave on another map.After returning to Beijing, this map will be handed over to the household department, and after the household department registers it, these places will become the private property of Emperor Yong'an in the future.Emperor Yong'an will send people to take over these places.These places are said to be the private property of Emperor Yong'an, but Emperor Yong'an decided to hand them over to Zhuo Ji.

On June 27th, with the sound of "Long live", Emperor Yong'an took his favorite servant Shunxi to board the Dalu and returned to the capital.In the ranks of the common people who lined the road to send off, the wounded soldiers who had recovered from various places watched with tears in their eyes as their savior followed His Majesty on board the gate and left.These people really wanted to shout "忍俍千寿", but they were ordered to silence them, but they could only shout "Gongsong Zuji Qiantui" over and over again in their hearts.Zhuo Ji is just "傛", he can't be called a thousand years old at all, but in the hearts of these people, he is a thousand years old who is second only to Wansui.

Qin Su, Qin Zhongyi, and Lin Xieshan, who were riding back from the front line on horseback, naturally saw these people and the tears in their eyes staring at Da Ren.People who saw this scene and knew it well had different emotions.But Zhuo Ji, who is the protagonist, just doesn't know that there are such people in the crowd who came to see him off on a special trip.

As soon as Zhuo Ji got into the car, he took off his hood and went to the back room to write.Emperor Yong'an was checking the homework of King Qin and King Qi. It was rare for Emperor Yong'an to have time to check the homework of the two princes for a long time.Emperor Yong'an was very satisfied with King Qin and King Qi's performance in Beigu this time. It can be said that the performance of the two children even exceeded his expectations.In Emperor Yong'an's view, the reason why the two children performed so well was because of Zhuo Ji's education and influence on them.Emperor Yong'an thought, to avoid "ten sons seizing the heir" in the future, or more sons seizing the heir, the princes had to get in touch with Zhuo Ji more, but Zhuo Ji was already very busy, let him educate the prince... Emperor Yong'an thought I still think so.

After checking the two children's homework, Emperor Yong'an let them go back to their respective cars.Asking Zhang Xian to change his clothes, Emperor Yong'an went to the back room, Zhuo Ji looked up at Emperor Yong'an, lowered his head and asked, "How does Your Majesty feel about the academic performance of King Qin and King Qi?"

Emperor Yong'an knelt down beside Zhuo's family and said: "Although I didn't praise them just now, they did learn well, and it's all thanks to you."

Zhuo Ji laughed and said, "Why is it 'all' my credit? I only taught them these few months."

Emperor Yong'an: "Of course it is your credit. Don't underestimate the past few months. They have learned far more from you than they have learned from the prince's years of study. Some things are even more powerful and powerful." No chance to learn."

Zhuo Ji put down his pen and turned his head: "Since Your Majesty has such a high opinion of me, there should be a reward, right?"

Emperor Yong'an was already numb to the fact that Zhuo Ji was always going to give rewards, and he said directly: "As long as the city of Mythora is captured, you will pick the spoils captured from the Talkin royal family first, and after you finish picking, I will reward you. "

Zhuo Ji hugged Emperor Yong'an and gnawed on his face: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhuo Ji was writing something important, Emperor Yong'an didn't bother him, went to the front, and called for someone to accompany him to fight the Three Kingdoms Killer.

■

In Danyang Palace, the worried Concubine Xigui finally expected Zhuo Ji's reply.There are only four words in Zhuo Ji's letter - "Nursing a baby with peace of mind."Seeing these four words, Concubine Xi burst into tears.She knew that her request was to embarrass Zhuo Ji, but if she wanted to keep her child, she could only find Zhuo Ji.As long as she can keep the baby in her womb, she is willing to trade her life for her!

Within two days, Concubine Xi received another letter from Zhuo Ji, in which Zhuo Ji told her that His Majesty knew about it.The matter of the twins will be kept secret for the time being, and Zhuo Ji will personally deliver the baby for her at that time.If there are two princes, maybe the two children cannot be raised in the palace, but Zhuo Ji will definitely keep the other child safe for life.

Concubine Xi wiped away her tears, she knew that if she was pregnant with two princes, not only would she die, but only one of the two children would live.Zhuo Ji can do this for her, she already owes Zhuo Ji a great kindness.Concubine Xi touched her swollen belly, hoping that the two children in her womb would not both be princes.

When Concubine Xi received Zhuo Ji's letter, Hu Pengju also received Shun Yu's personal letter.The person who found out that Concubine Xi was pregnant with twins was Hu Pengju. In the letter, Zhuo Ji asked Hu Pengju to take care of the concubine for a good life, and everything will be said after he returns to the palace.When Hu Pengju read this letter, he understood that the concubine would definitely keep the imperial concubine and the child in the empress' womb.It's just that Hu Pengju was more worried that his move would provoke criticism from interested people.In Hu Pengju's heart, nothing could compare to the safety of Shunqiu, even the imperial concubine and the two unborn children.

On July 12th of the 24th year of Yong'an, Emperor Yong'an, who was personally conquered for the first time since he ascended the throne, brought his pet servant Shun Xing back to the capital Dongluo City smoothly.The people in the capital lined the road to welcome His Majesty's triumphant return.Unlike when he went out, Zhuo Ji was in a much calmer mood when he came back.The purpose of Emperor Yong'an's personal conquest this time was to test the results. In a war supported by cannons and flintlock guns, how could the results that Emperor Yong'an wanted to test be unsatisfactory?

Baiguan and the officials who returned to the capital first greeted Shengjia at the gate of Tianshou Palace.Emperor Yong'an returned to Danyang Palace after meeting all the officials briefly.The noble lords of the harem headed by the Queen Mother have also been waiting outside the Jiaohui Gate for a long time.Concubine Xi Gui, who was pregnant, was also among them.Seeing the emperor's elephant, the corners of the empress dowager's eyes immediately became moist, and she immediately took a few steps forward.Xiang Ren stopped, Feng Xi quickly set up the footstool, Zhang Xian lifted the curtain, and Emperor Yong'an got out of the car, with Zhuo Ji behind him.

Emperor Yong'an got off the elephant, took Zhuo Ji and strode quickly to the Empress Dowager, lifted his hem and knelt down: "Mother, the son has been away for many days, and the mother is worried about it."

Zhuo Ji knelt down: "Soon, please pay respects to the Empress Dowager Chisui."

"Chen Shi (Servant body)/Chen Qie (Concubine body) welcomes Your Majesty—"

"The servant/concubine respectfully welcomes you——"

The concubines saluted one after another.

The Queen Mother bent down to help her son up, and said, "Get up, get up."

Chang Jing and Xiaohui helped their master up, and the queen mother firmly held the emperor's hand, saying, "The emperor has returned victorious from this expedition. This is the blessing of the ancestors. The emperor has worked hard all the way, so go back and rest quickly." After speaking, the queen mother looked at After the emperor's death, "It's hard work for me to accompany you this time."

Zhuo Ji: "It's a blessing to be able to accompany you on the expedition, so why bother?"

The Empress Dowager smiled and said: "Is it true that you have worked so hard, you are exhausted all the way, go back to the palace to wash up, and have a good rest." Emperor Yong'an is fine, but Zhuo Ji has lost weight obviously.The Queen Mother also knew what Zhuo Ji had done in Beigu.

Emperor Yong'an: "Queen Mother, I will go back and change clothes first, and then go to pay my respects to Queen Mother."

Zhuo Ji: "Your Majesty has prepared a lot of gifts for the Queen Mother."

When the queen mother heard this, she did not insist on letting the emperor go back to rest, and said: "In this case, the emperor and Shunxi will have dinner at the old man's Shoukang Palace tonight."

Emperor Yong'an: "My son also has this intention."

Zhuo Ji: "Serve me and thank the Queen Mother."

Without getting on the elephant, Emperor Yong'an supported his mother and entered the Jiaohui Gate, and then Emperor Yong'an got on the walking chariot, and other noble lords with guards of honor got on their own chariots one after another, and those without guards of honor could only walk back to their own. residence.Zhuo Ji was going to follow Emperor Yong'an to Fengtian Hall first, when the chariot was lifted up, he turned his head and gave Concubine Xi Gui behind him a smile, then turned his head and left behind Emperor Yong'an.Seeing his smile, Concubine Xi suppressed her tears and got on the chariot with a smile on her face.This scene was naturally noticed by some people, and the queen mother who got on the chariot said: "Your Highness, the concubines and servants of the palaces have not seen the emperor for many months, you can take them to the Shoukang Palace to greet the emperor later." .”

"Yes, Queen Mother."

The queen mother left, and the imperial concubine got on the chariot and ordered: "Your concubine, noble concubine, Mingyu, Jinyan, Zhaoyi, Chunyan, Xiaofei, Wenfei, Qiongfei, Jingfei and Zhuangbi go with the palace. Shoukang Palace, the rest of you will go there in an hour."

"Yes--"

The low-ranking concubines watched enviously the lords who had the status of the main palace got on the chariot, followed the imperial concubine to the Shoukang Palace and waited to meet His Majesty. I can only go back on foot, and it will take some time before I can go to Shoukang Palace to see His Majesty.Liu Xizhu, Zuo Cangnan and the others watched Tong Yifeng and Qi Yiguo sit on the chariot and were carried away by the eunuch, trying to hide the hatred in their eyes.In terms of their own conditions, they may not be as good as Tong Yifeng, but what is that idiot Qi Yiguo?Not only did Shun Rong take the son by caesarean section for him personally, saving his life, but he also valued the son for his mother, jumped over the dragon gate, and became the lord of a palace who could trample them under his feet.As long as they can give birth to dragon heirs, what is Qi Yiguo worth!

But no matter how dissatisfied they are, they can't show it, and they can only walk back to their residence with other people.Among the crowd, there were also concubines who felt dissatisfied.Zheng Yingzhi, who was thrown into the cold palace in disguise before entering the palace a few times, walked lonely at the end.As a person whose harem has fallen out of favor and her family has been imprisoned, Zheng Yingzhi's life in Danyang Palace is not as good as that of a palace man with real power.But no one will sympathize with her.There was a distance of four or five meters between Zheng Yingzhi, who was walking at the end, and the person in front.She lowered her head and couldn't help sobbing softly.