Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 117 Fish Hook
Another morning of cicadas singing and birds singing.

Xue Bai left the small wooden house where he was temporarily staying, still carrying the girlish aura left by Qing Lan when he was sleeping with her arms around him.

This is already the fifth day he has been in prison in Fenggu, he only feels that the life in the mountain is too simple and boring.

Only Wang Wei is the most adaptable, and will pick some dewy tea before dawn.

This kind of thing is very cumbersome, and it is inconvenient in the mountains. I only cook a pot of tea for a whole day.

Xue Bai also tasted it, it was not good, it was not good at all.

"Mr. Mojie won't be bitten by mosquitoes?"

"When the mind is calm, mosquitoes will avoid them."

"Sir, I'm afraid the sandalwood has been infused into the scent, so the mosquitoes don't bite."

Wang Wei stopped talking, and sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, twirling the beads in his hand.

Xue Bai thought for a while, and said, "What's the matter with living in the mountains? Brewing wine with pine flowers, brewing tea with spring water."

"A good artistic conception also has a rhythm." Wang Wei asked, "New Ci Pai?"

Xue Bai only knew one sentence, so he stopped talking at this time, and sat there watching the progress of the cannon-making in the distance.Amberbo is rebuilding a larger boulder cannon, as big as a tower.

Wang Wei chatted together and couldn't help asking: "Is it right for the poem?"

"No, in old age, I only want to be quiet and don't care about everything."

"This is a good poem, but is there a follow-up?"

"No, Mr. Mojie just called me a 'poet of broken sentences'."

There was a sudden clatter of horseshoes on the other side of the mountain road.

Xue Bai stood up and greeted him.

When they came, everyone dismounted for the last part of the road, because the mountain road was rugged and steep.

But the person who came today was able to ride the horse galloping, with such equestrian skills, Xue Bai had already guessed who it was.

"Bah!"

With a neigh, the steed came rushing forward, raised its front hooves, and stopped under a boulder cannon.

The man on the horse was in his 40s, tall and magnificent, full of dust.

He didn't wear armor, but he wore a fur head and a robe, but people could tell at a glance that he was a general, because he had a murderous aura all over his body.

But if you look carefully, you can't really understand where his murderous aura comes from. His eyes and expression are not fierce at all, even very gentle.

This is Wang Zhongsi.

He sat astride the horse, raised his head, and silently looked at the tall boulder cannon, lost in thought, like a statue.

"I met General Wang."

"You are Xue Bai?"

"Exactly."

"Can you let me see the power of this boulder cannon?"

"Okay, the more breakthrough one hasn't been built yet, the general can take a look at this one first."

"Please."

Wang Zhongsi didn't talk much, he got off his horse, patted Xue Bai on the shoulder, and strode towards the boulder cannon.

The craftsmen and laborers around him didn't know who he was, but they couldn't help but stand aside obediently, even Uncle Anbo, who stopped the sledgehammer in his hand and didn't speak.

It's like when a goat meets a beast, it can naturally feel that kind of aura.

"How to throw stones?" Wang Zhongsi said, "Can I do it?"

"It needs to be moved together. There is a huge boulder weighing more than 200 kilograms, which needs to be put in a net bag."

Wang Zhongsi beckoned, and one of his personal guards stepped forward to move the boulder with him.

Xue Bai continued to point, saying: "Fix this end with a hook rope first, and then put the weight in the weight basket..."

Wang Zhongsi didn't talk much, he just kept his head down to work, and he landed conveniently to fill up the counterweight basket in a short while.

"Unlock the hook."

"Oh!"

The sound shook the world.

The boulder weighing more than 200 kilograms was thrown high and disappeared from sight.

"Go and see how far."

"Here."

Immediately, a soldier got on his horse and ran into the woods.

Wang Zhongsi took out a map from his arms, spread it out on the sandy ground, squatted down, and said, "Come, take a look."

This map is already very broken, with handwriting written by different people on it.

"Shibao City is called 'Tieren City'. The city was built on the east mountain. Although the mountain is only ninety feet high, the east, west, and south sides are cliffs. Only a small path in the north can lead to the top."

"There are two city towers on the top, the small city tower in the north, with a length and width of more than [-] steps; the big city tower in the south, with a length of more than [-] steps and a width of more than ten steps. The station can observe the movement of our army..."

Wang Zhongsi knew the terrain well, so he said it casually.

He talked for a while, and the soldiers he sent out rode back and said: "General, the boulder was thrown 250 steps, and it hit the ground seven feet!"

"Far more than I expected."

Wang Zhongsi nodded first, and then praised Xue Bai.

In his army, the catapults can only throw 200-jin stone bullets at [-] steps; the seven-tip cannon can only fire [-]-jin stone bullets at [-] steps with [-] men on the rope... This is indeed a huge gap.

But then, he picked up a branch, drew a picture on the sand, and said: "The mountain of Shibao City is ninety feet high...that is, more than two hundred steps, and there is nowhere to place artillery carts on the trail to the north to attack the mountain. If you put a boulder cannon at the foot of the mountain..."

"It can't be thrown so high," Xue Bai said.

Throwing a distance of 250 steps and throwing a height of [-] steps are completely two concepts.

He had just listened to Wang Zhongsi's explanation of the terrain, and he already understood the danger of the terrain of Shibao City. Even with the boulder cannon, attacking this dangerous level would still require huge casualties.

"unless……"

Wang Zhongsi also frowned, looked at Xue Bai, and said in unison with him.

"Without throwing boulders?"

"good."

"Try it." Xue Bai said: "You shouldn't make it bigger. Instead, you should adjust the angle of the pole to see if you can throw it obliquely to a high place; or make it smaller and put it on a mountain climbing trail."

"Time is running out, may I ask if it can be done as soon as possible?"

"I'll give it a try."

"it is good!"

Wang Zhongsi was very straightforward, he stood up after finishing his business, touched his arms, and found nothing else, so he untied his saber and handed it to Xue Bai.

"Xue Lang gave Helong such a heavy weapon, and I only give it back with this saber, so as to show that I will not forget today."

"Thank you."

Xue Bai didn't refuse, and took it with both hands.

Wang Zhongsi nodded to him again, said no more, got on his horse and left.

~~
The next day, the right minister's mansion.

Behind the screen of the conference hall, Li Linfu paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.

A group of officials are reporting to him.

"Your Prime Minister, I have found out everything. Mrs. Guo Guo has not been in the palace recently, and the saint has not read Xue Bai's story for several days."

"The lower officials have confirmed that the Ministry of Industry has not received any documents to supervise the manufacture of military weapons. This matter is Li Hua's arrogance."

"The same goes for the Ministry of War."

"..."

"Right Prime Minister, this matter is very clear. As long as Xue Bai is proved to be Li Ying's remnant party, he will not be able to escape the charges of privately manufacturing military weapons and handing over to the side generals."

Li Linfu waved his hand.

It is not difficult to find out that Xue Bai wants to offer military weapons.

Wang Zhongsi's actions were also being watched all the time.

Because of this, Li Linfu wondered why Xue Bai made such a mistake?
It is very simple to donate military weapons, but instead of reporting to the saints, without going through Yousi, and making friends with Wang Zhongsi through Wang Yunxiu, do you really think it can be concealed?Or is it daring?

Or repeat the old trick.

Last time, Xue Bai used dominoes and stories to make the sage happy, and at the same time used "Han Yu" to attract him to attack, but in the end he lost the sage's trust.

Having suffered a big loss once, Li Linfu had a premonition that this matter would not be easy, so he did not dare to take it lightly.

Just thinking about it, if I just sit back and watch it, it would be inappropriate for that kid to offer arms, make meritorious deeds, and secretly assist Wang Zhongsi.

While hesitating.

"Ah Lang, Juro is here, there is something urgent."

"Let him in..."

"Grandpa!" Li Xiu hastily entered the hall, and said, "But Grandpa ordered Bo Xiaofang, the supervisor, to sue Xue Bai for privately manufacturing weapons and handing over them to the side generals? My child didn't know about this beforehand, but now everyone How to deal with public inquiries?"

"What did you say?"

"Kids don't know how to deal with it."

"I ask you who sued Xue Bai?!"

"Xiao Fangzhi is the younger brother of Jing Zhao Yin and Xiao Jiong's clan."

Li Linfu was stunned for a moment, then raised his head with puzzled eyes.

He quickly summoned his party members to inquire.

……

"what happened?!"

"Back to the right minister, after Xiao Fangzhi's complaint, many censors thought it was the right minister who acted, and even impeached Wang Zhongsi... the memorial was prepared long ago."

"Everyone impeached Wang Zhongsi?" Li Linfu was a little surprised, "At this time?"

"Yes, Princess Xianyi and her son-in-law have also entered the palace."

"Do they still dare?"

Li Linfu rolled his eyes, wondering why the situation had come to this point suddenly.

Xiao Fangzhi was indeed his, but he only let Xiao Fangzhi marry the Xue family, and did not arrange for him to report the matter.

Is it a coincidence?Xiao Fangzhi was eager to make meritorious deeds, and found an opportunity to get rid of Wang Zhongsi and Xue Bai, so he did it without his will?
Or someone pushed, for example, Wang Chi failed to hold his breath?
Yu Shitai was ready to attack Wang Zhongsi, like an arrow on the string, but at this moment, something happened suddenly, like a trumpet sounded unexpectedly, and all arrows could only be fired at once.

Taking advantage of Wang Zhongsi's absence from the army, he was demoted directly, and then looked for an opportunity to kill him.

~~
Jingzhao Mansion Prison.

In the crowded cell, someone was chatting.

"I have never been to the Prison of the Ministry of Justice, but this is the second time I have come to Jingzhao Mansion Prison. However, the last time I was in the prison for repeat offenders, do you understand? That kind of big treason case..."

"Which one is Du Pain? Come out."

Du Wulang was a little surprised, stood up and asked, "The case is not closed yet, so let me go out?"

But a small official brought the jailer to release him, saying: "The Xiao family has regretted their marriage, there is no need to try this case."

"real?!"

Du Wulang was overjoyed, and when he left Jingzhao Mansion, he saw a group of people waiting for him outside the door.

The first time he saw Xue Sanniang, she shyly dodged her eyes, but she looked at him secretly, which made him feel embarrassed.

My heart was throbbing, but I saw a person wearing a green robe, blocking his Xue Sanniang.

Looking up, it was Du Youlin with a stern face.

"Ah! Grandpa?"

"..."

On the way back, Du Wulang couldn't help asking Du Youlin, "Grandpa, how did you let the Xiao family divorce?"

"I don't know."

There was also some doubt in Du Youlin's eyes, as if he couldn't figure it out.

He knew some of Xue Bai's plans.

Xue Bai and Wang Zhongsi, who are on the cusp of the storm, will inevitably be framed by the Youxiangfu.Originally planned to withdraw from the marriage with the Xiao family when she was framed.

Strangely, the Xiao family retired first instead.

"Why?"

~~
"Xiao Fangzhi, who will be the supervisor, has met the minister, the doctor, and the minister."

"Xiao Fangzhi, what are you suing?"

"The lower officials discovered a big case. Seven days ago, someone transferred more than a dozen master craftsmen who were building the Qingliang Palace for the saints from the general supervisor, but the lower officials checked the documents and found that they were only allowed out of prison for one day. After careful investigation, it was discovered that someone privately asked them to supervise the manufacture of weapons in Fenggu, the weapons are huge, the sound is like thunder, and the power is extraordinary."

Sitting at the top were Dali Temple Qing Li Daoxi, Yushi Dafu Pei Kuan, and Minister of Criminal Justice Xiao Yinzhi, the three of them had different expressions.

Xiao Fangzhi continued: "The lower official went to the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of War to inquire again, and learned that there was no supervision of the manufacture of military weapons. This matter is very suspicious. Therefore, the lower official made people watch the road to Fenggu Supervisor, and finally It was discovered that... Wang Zhongsi did it."

The three high-ranking officials at the top walked away from time to time, but it didn't take too long before they sat back again.

Finally, Pei Kuan said: "Wang Zhongsi is the Jiedu envoy of the four towns, and it is normal to supervise the manufacture of new weapons. Why do you call it a major case?"

"The lower officials heard that the sage ordered Wang Zhongsi to attack Shibao City, but Wang Zhongsi did not move and returned to Beijing instead, feeling uneasy."

Speaking of this, Xiao Fangzhi felt a little uneasy in his heart, and said slowly: "Princess Xianyi's son-in-law Yang Hui said that he suspected that Xue Bai was Xue Pingzhao, the son of the traitor Xue Ruo. It is really suspicious to build weapons privately together."

"Is that so?" Pei Kuan murmured.

Li Daosui and Xiao Yinzhi didn't speak.

Xiao Fangzhi felt that this reaction was a bit dull, different from what had been discussed, so he looked up at Xiao Yinzhi.

Xiao Yinzhi met his gaze before reacting, stroked his beard and said, "Do you have evidence?"

"Yes." Xiao Fangzhi said: "Princess Xianyi has a body deed in her hand. In addition, Xue Bai's life experience must be false. You only need to find Xue Ling to prove it. These people colluded with each other, falsely claiming to prophecy, there are all of them. There are traces to follow..."

At this moment, a small official walked by, Xiao Yinzhi got up again and left, listening to what the small official said.

"This matter is not arranged by the right minister. Ask Xiao Fangzhi why he did this, and then follow the trend to get rid of Wang Zhongsi..."

~~
Fenggu Supervisor.

A large group of imperial guards led their horses up the mountain road.

"Xue playing cards!"

"General Chen actually came in person?"

Chen Xuanli was not very happy walking in this mountain forest, he looked down at the mud on the deerskin boots, and shouted: "If you are willing to make less trouble, can I come?!"

Xue Bai was not surprised, but asked instead, "What trouble have I caused?"

Chen Xuanli raised his finger, almost pointing to the tip of his nose, and said, "Don't pretend I don't know, you deliberately tricked the right minister over and over again, and you still don't know how to repent?!"

"Indeed." Xue Bai replied, "I just have a personal enmity with Prime Minister Right, so I want to give him some flair if I have nothing to do."

"what."

Chen Xuanli laughed angrily.

But it is one thing to know that Xue Bai hides this thought, but it cannot be used as a punishment.

"If it wasn't for the sake of your real ability, you would die eight hundred times with these small thoughts."

"That's because I didn't hide my intention to frame the right minister from the saint. And he really wanted to kill me, so he did it again this time?"

Chen Xuanli gave a heavy "Yes", and was indeed somewhat dissatisfied with Li Linfu.

Knowing that the sage likes Xue playing poker, it is bad to still play again and again; it is stupid to not even be able to see that Xue Bai is playing cards.

The governor of a country is jealous of the virtuous and capable, to such an extent.

"The saint ordered me to take a look. What does that great weapon look like? Will it really help in the attack on Stone Castle?"

Xue Bai said: "I just make it, how to use it is the business of General Wang."

"Let's go."

"General please."

Chen Xuanli waved the mosquito in front of him, but he saw Wang Wei and Li Hua standing aside and saluting. He laughed loudly, pointed at Wang Wei and said, "Mr. Mojie, this time I have enlightened."

……

"Oh!"

Amidst the loud noise, a boulder fell down from the sky again and hit the forest heavily, causing the vegetation to tremble.

~~
The memorial to the impeachment of Wang Zhongsi was handed over to Taiwan Province like a snowflake.

Li Linfu always felt that there was something wrong with the whole thing.

He suspected Xue Bai's old tricks to set him up again, but privately manufacturing weapons is a taboo, and this matter will anger the saint no matter what.

suddenly.

"Your Prime Minister, someone from the Ministry of War said that it was..."

"Say!"

"The military weapon was not made privately. Wang Wei, a member of the treasury department, once told Princess Yuzhen about it in private. It was ordered by the sage to make them..."

"What? Wang Wei?"

Li Linfu was actually not surprised, but angry.

He knew that Xue Bai couldn't make such a mistake, not to mention Yan Zhenqing's suggestion, how could it be possible to make weapons with Wang Zhongsi instead of asking the sage first?

Xue Bai was protecting Wang Zhongsi, deliberately leading Wang Zhongsi to make a mistake, leading him to do something, and then proving that the matter was false, so that the sage did not even believe other accusations against Wang Zhongsi...

Xiao Fangzhi was taken advantage of.

"Go quickly, let Dali Temple and the Ministry of Criminal Justice severely examine Xiao Bingzhi! Who made him sue!"

"Here."

"The right minister, the sage ordered the right minister to have an audience..."

Li Linfu was a little busy at the moment.

He knew that the matter was not simple, and there was more than one force protecting the king's loyal heir.

In the end, Xue Bai just dropped a small fishhook by the way when he was building the weapon, and someone forced the right-handed fish onto it.

"who?"

~~
Chen Xuanli walked to the edge of a big pit and looked down, only to see that the two to three hundred catties boulder had sunk deeply into the ground.

He couldn't help frowning.

It wasn't that he was dissatisfied with the power of this boulder cannon, but that with this thing, the pressure on Huaqing Palace to protect the saints would increase greatly.

No wonder Li Linfu wanted to use this as an excuse to impeach Wang Zhongsi.

"Let's go." Chen Xuanli turned his head and said, "Back to Chang'an, I will reward you all."

"Thank you, General Chen." Xue Bai responded.

Although the craftsmen behind him were pleasantly surprised, they were so overwhelmed by the aura of the general of the Longwu Army that they dared not speak.

"Also, have you written the monkey story yet?" Chen Xuanli asked suddenly.

"Wrote some."

"Give it to me, and take it back together."

Xue Bai nodded.

It suddenly occurred to him that since the saint didn't ask him for stories recently, he could tell that the saint knew that he was building weapons.

Therefore, brother slaves generally would not take the bait.

Anyway, he didn't care, the credit for offering the military weapon could not be lost, it was just to see if he could help Wang Zhongsi by the way.

If Pei Mian doesn't know how to push the boat along with the flow, it would be too useless.

The next key is, who will Wang Zhongsi remember this favor...

(End of this chapter)