Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 176 The gimmick of "Assassin's Creed"
"If it's just to build a fortress, I don't think this plan is feasible. But if it can really build a railway as you said, it is indeed a perfect solution. Although it will cost a lot at the beginning, as long as this plan is feasible , then the pattern will be different. When the railway still has a fortress, it will be able to choke the Mongols hard and put them in a dilemma." Li Rusong thought for a while before saying.

"Yes. This is a sure-fire way to win. With this method, even Genghis Khan can be dealt with when he is in power." Zhang Xiao explained.

"Mr. Zhang, I heard that my incompetent second brother is going to take Shuerhaqi's daughter as his concubine. Is this true?"

"It is indeed true. When we were passing through Liaodong, Shuerhaqi met us in Liaoyang and mentioned it specifically. At that time, General Zizhen mentioned that he would write a letter to report to his parents, but he left it alone for now."

"It actually happened. My second brother went out to North Korea this time, and it seems he was also targeted."

"This is also a sign from the Jianzhou Ministry. After all, the Jianzhou Ministry is also afraid that the imperial court will deal with them."

"Yes, Nurhaci has had a lot of dealings with my Liaodong Army. He has a good judgment on the capabilities of the Liaodong Army. Although the Liaodong Army's military strength has been weakened, there is still no problem in destroying the Jurchen tribe."

"Now the Jurchen tribes are competing for hegemony. As long as these Jurchen tribes are not stupid, they will not become enemies of the Ming Dynasty, otherwise their own tribe will be the first to be eliminated. But if the Jurchen tribes continue to fight among themselves, it will not be a good thing for the court. There are always wins and losses in wars. If the imperial court fails, the winning side will definitely not be convinced, and the losing side may completely turn to the imperial court. However, if the imperial court does not make any substantial intervention, the weaker side will also be defeated. Slowly encroaching. After the death of the Jurchen overlord Wangtai, the once powerful Hada tribe became the puppet of the Yehe tribe. Therefore, if any Jurchen tribe really became stronger, it could not change the situation despite the repeated intervention of the court. , then the imperial court’s rebuke alone cannot stop the expansion of this tribe.”

"So according to what you think, Mr. Zhang, if the Jurchen civil war continues, there will be fewer and fewer Jurchen tribes, and eventually there will be one Jurchen tribe that will unify all the Jurchen tribes? Mr. Zhang, you think so highly of Nurhachi, it should be because you judge that the Jianzhou Ministry has this It’s powerful.”

"Yes, after all, the Yehe tribe had already brought in all the allies it could pull over last time, but still failed to defeat the Jianzhou tribe. Back then, Zhamuhe gathered the Thirteen Wings coalition, but they were able to defeat Temujin. The nine coalition forces gathered by the Ye He tribe were defeated miserably, which shows the huge gap in strength. If Nurhachi could not control his temper after the war and became an enemy of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty could unite the Ye He tribes and jointly attack Jianzhou. But now Nurhachi is more respectful than before, and he is paying tribute to the capital and sending protons. No matter what, the Ming Dynasty cannot use troops against the vassal for no reason, not to mention that Yang Yinglong is still causing trouble in the southwest. "

"Ah? What compensation?"

"I also chatted with General Zizhen several times and told him the importance of garrisoning troops in North Korea. Although Yang Yinglong is making such a big fuss now, looking at his pattern, he is just a self-defense thief. The foreign troubles of the imperial court are still in the north. Mongolia and the Jurchens. By garrisoning troops in Korea, they can keep an eye on both the Japanese and the Jurchens. If the Jurchen tribe wants to strive for hegemony, they must seek expansion. They dare not go eastward, and there is nothing big to gain from going eastward. The only way is to take a boat to rob the Japanese country and invade the Japanese invaders, which is not feasible at the moment, so the most likely expansion is to North Korea. As long as North Korea can defend itself, the Jurchen tribe wants to expand. It’s very difficult.”

"Zhang Zhan didn't know anything about it. The treasury is currently tight. His Majesty has issued an internal decree to send several capable father-in-laws in the palace to go out to collect mineral taxes. Gao was selected to Liaodong. Originally, it was said that it would be collected together with North Korea. Later, I still feel that North Korea is under new war, so I won’t go to North Korea yet. Although it is to collect mineral taxes, since our family is going on a long trip, we cannot just think about enjoying ourselves without bringing some good things to His Majesty, so this is not the case. I would like to ask Zhang Zhan what specialties there are in North Korea so that I can honor His Majesty."

"So what are the specialties of North Korea? I heard that North Korea's ginseng is also good."

"What are the specialties of Liaodong? Horses, furs, ginseng, there are so many of them that I haven't thought of yet. Eunuch Gao can go to Liaodong to supervise the mining, which is also an important task. However, Liaodong has not yet been established as a province. In theory, the people in Liaodong are military households, so If Eunuch Gao goes to Liaodong, he must establish good relations with the generals and commanders of the Liaodong Army. In fact, there are still many mines in Liaodong, whether they are gold mines, iron mines, or coal mines, with a lot of output. Being able to supervise the opening of several mines is also a great achievement.”

"There is indeed this hidden danger. When North Korea was at its peak, they could still drive the Jurchens north to expand their territory. However, after this defeat, the Jurchen tribe may have underestimated North Korea. Even if they did not want to invade North Korea and simply sent a large army to invade and plunder, North Korea will be greatly devastated.”

"Eunuch Gao, this assassination was carried out by the Japanese state. The Korean monarchs and ministers were also present at the time, and they were also frightened a lot. The Korean state suffered a new military disaster. Now the Korean king eats less pickles every day. Treat me. It’s not easy to have several sumptuous banquets, so I didn’t care about it.”

"Oh? Zhang Zhanshi, are you really shocked? North Korea didn't send any gifts or beautiful women?"

"Eunuch Gao, this is a big trip for you. I will leave for Beijing immediately and wait for your Majesty's summons."

"Why does Eunuch Gao think so much about specialties?"

"North Korean ginseng is actually produced in the northern part of North Korea bordering Liaodong, so North Korean ginseng and Liaoning ginseng are actually the same. Korean ginseng is indeed a specialty, but at the banquet, I was still drinking ginseng chicken soup. The assassin suddenly took action, so Zhang didn't want to see ginseng now, otherwise he would bring some to Eunuch Gao. Now Zhang didn't bring back any Korean specialties, but some gold and silver common things. I don't know what Eunuch Gao is. Not willing to accept it.”

"Hey, how dare Mr. Gao accept Zhang Zhanshi's money? This will ruin Gao's life. Zhang Zhanshi, what are the specialties of Liaodong?"

"There's no rush, no hurry. His Majesty asked me to announce the decree because he wanted to see how Zhang Zhan is doing with you now. Your Majesty is also very concerned about your assassination, so he first asked Zhang Zhan to see you back."

Zhang Xiao didn't know how to answer for a while. It seemed that this person had the same name and surname not by chance, but was indeed the Gao Huai in history.

"I would like to thank Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Zhang Xiao and Li Rusong chatted for a long time and watched the New Army drill before coming out of the military camp. But just after he came out, it was said that the emperor had sent someone to declare an order for Zhang Xiao to return to Tianjin city quickly.

"Zhang Zhan, you suffered this accident in North Korea this time. Did North Korea provide any compensation?"

"North Korea is also a big country? Does the king just eat pickles?"

"Eunuch Gao, it's like this. The territory of North Korea looks big. In fact, many places are mountainous. There is no land for farming and there are a lot of people. Therefore, the food of the common people is very poor. The nobles can only have enough to eat. No matter how good they are. uncertain."

"Speaking of Yang Yinglong, my second brother had always wanted to be the commander-in-chief of Guizhou and make military exploits in the southwest. However, the imperial court issued an edict and transferred him to North Korea. Mr. Zhang, my second brother did not What are you complaining about? If there is anything wrong with what he said, please forgive Mr. Zhang."

In the government office, Zhang Xiao respectfully listened to the announcement.

"Thank you Zhang Zhan for the reminder. Gao will discuss it with Uncle Ning Yuan before leaving for Liaodong."

Zhang Xiao wanted to say something more, but in the end he didn't. After all, I don't know Gao very well. He is going to Liaodong now with the purpose of making a fortune. If I say anything else, I am afraid it will arouse Gao Huai's resentment. After all, they are also people close to the leader, so they won’t offend if they can.

Although Gao Huai said he didn't want Zhang Xiao's money, Zhang Xiao stuffed Gao Huai with a handful of banknotes before leaving, and Gao Huai happily accepted them.

Although the order was for Zhang Xiao to rest before going to Beijing to be on call, Zhang Xiao did not dare to be so polite when the leader was so polite. So after a day of rest, Zhang Xiao hurriedly set off towards the capital early the next morning. Back home, Li Zhizao was already waiting at home.

"Zhenzhi, why don't you study in the Imperial College? The imperial examination is getting closer." Zhang Xiao asked.

"The student couldn't sleep at night when he heard the news that the teacher had encountered an accident in North Korea. Later, he heard that the teacher had landed in Tianjin, so he asked for leave from the Imperial College and was waiting for the teacher to come back." Li Zhizao explained.

"The Master of the Imperial College didn't say anything, did he?"

"I told me the reason for my leave, and the Imperial College approved the leave quickly."

"That's good. You haven't slacked off in your studies these days, right?"

"Teacher, please rest assured that students will not forget to recite the saint's classics in one day."

"With this determination, I believe that Zhenzhi you will definitely shine in this year's imperial examination."

"Thank you for your kind words, teacher. In the past few days, shopkeeper Ding from Dingjia Bookstore has personally come to deliver greeting cards. I said, teacher, you haven't come back yet. Shopkeeper Ding said that he will wait for you to arrive in Beijing..." Li Zhizao He quickly stopped talking because he saw shopkeeper Ding appear from behind Zhang Xiao at some point.

"When I came back, I saw shopkeeper Ding at the door of my house. I asked him to come in with me, but he still tidied outside the door for a long time before coming in." Zhang Xiao explained.

"Master Zhang, Ding has been waiting for several days, and finally you are back." Shopkeeper Ding said.

"Shopkeeper Ding, please sit down. In fact, if Zhang has anything to do, he will come to you. You are busy with business here, so you don't have to wait in front of my house." Zhang Xiao said.

"The money Ding earns is also earned by helping Mr. Zhang. When Mr. Zhang returns to Beijing, Ding will naturally follow Mr. Zhang's orders."

"There's no need to be so outspoken, Shopkeeper Ding, please sit down together. Since you're here, Zhang also has some things to discuss with you."

"Master Zhang, please tell me."

"Shopkeeper Ding, how is the business of the bookstore these days when I'm away? And the textbooks from Tongwen Library, are the engraving and printing going well?"

"Mr. Zhang, let me talk about this textbook first. I have engraved the Chinese and French textbooks here, and other textbooks such as mathematics and physics. The formulas on them are all engraved by the craftsmen in the bookstore. The work was not very good. Ding was afraid that he would engrave it wrongly and pass on your knowledge to Master Zhang, so he did not order it to be engraved again. Now the Chinese textbook and the Fo Langji text have been printed in a sample book. Please take a look at it, Master Zhang. "Boss Ding said as he handed over two textbooks.

Zhang Xiao took it and flipped through it. He found that the carvings were still decent. Although the letters inside were a bit awkward in shape, they were all engraved correctly. This shows that a lot of effort was put into it.

"Shopkeeper Ding has worked hard, so let's print these two books first. How to print the math and physics textbooks better? I will also discuss with you at that time to see how to make it better. Shopkeeper Ding, you first Do not worry."

"Ding, don't worry. With Mr. Zhang's guidance, the shop's engraving and printing skills will surely reach a higher level in the future."

"So how's the bookstore business going?"

Shopkeeper Ding heard Zhang Xiao's question, but hesitated for a while. The atmosphere suddenly became a little subtle.

"But it doesn't matter."

"Mr. Zhang, I just told you the truth, don't be angry. At that time, the news of your assassination in North Korea came, and everyone rushed to the store and bought all the books. The books in stock were not enough to grab, especially Mr. Zhang, the book "Assassin's Creed" you wrote has been selling the fastest. A few days ago, a bookseller asked me if I could reprint "Assassin's Creed" and said..."

"What is it?"

"Mr. Zhang, you wrote this book this time. You suffered a big disaster and survived it safely. You must be very lucky. Buy a copy. Even if you don't read it, it can be used to ward off evil spirits."

"These are all weird talks." Zhang Xiao couldn't help but feel a little happy.

"Mr. Zhang, this merchant doesn't know etiquette. Otherwise, I'll reject this deal right now." Shopkeeper Ding said after a moment, he made up his mind.

"No, no, no, this merchant is quite honest. I have no dissatisfaction with him. Since we are doing business, we are willing to buy and sell. If people want to buy, we will sell. But you can talk to this bookseller later. the arrival."

"Mr. Zhang, why does it have to arrive later? Is there any special emphasis on good times and auspicious days? Or what needs to be done to eliminate bad luck?"

"Oh? Is there such a custom? Shopkeeper Ding, please tell me about it in detail later. Let's talk about business first. I have the second half of "Assassin's Creed" here. Since I have the second half, naturally It is to be put up with the bookseller. But if the merchant is pressed for time, you can also give them the first half of the book and sell the second half to them later." Zhang Xiao explained while giving his own. The manuscript was handed to shopkeeper Ding.

"Oh? Mr. Zhang is so busy going to North Korea, but he still has time to write a novel with so many words? Ding is really impressed." Shopkeeper Ding sighed.

(End of this chapter)