The pork butcher is smoother than a pig butcher!

On the 27th, I went to the market.

The market is usually exceptionally lively on this day.

People would go to the streets to buy firecrackers, Spring Festival couplets, incense, candles, paper money, various kinds of meat, and festival gifts.

On the official road leading to the capital city.

A convoy of cars was slowly approaching despite the freezing weather.

The large procession attracted the attention of passersby.

Some busybodies couldn't resist chiming in with their acquaintances for a few words.

"It's almost New Year's Eve, which official is coming to the capital to report on his duties? He's carrying so much luggage! My goodness, what kind of car is that? It's as big as a house."

"Never seen it before! Don't know! I only know that the convoy of the Provincial Governor of Bashu a few days ago wasn't as impressive as this one. And the Provincial Governor of Bashu is the consort of the Princess."

"Ah! I know! The cart behind that horse-drawn carriage is pulled by camels! Camels are only found in the Northwest. The family from the Northwest must be the Marquis of Zhongyong! They're not just returning to the capital to report on their duties; I've heard they're already set to become the Minister of War!"

"This title of Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery sounds familiar! Could it be the same Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery from Guanzhong who allowed the Hu people to cede a large area of ​​the Ili River Valley to my Yongtai Dynasty?"

"It's him, it's him!"

"."

The name of the Loyal and Brave Marquis of Kansai was renowned far and wide, and the people near the capital city were once again discussing it enthusiastically.

Arrived at the city gate.

His personal guards stepped forward to greet the soldiers guarding the city.

They were soon allowed into the city.

The Marquis of Zhongyong's Mansion is a grand five-courtyard mansion bestowed by the emperor, located on Zhuque Street at the southern end of the inner city.

We passed through the outer city and entered the inner city.

period.

Looking out the car window at the street scene outside Shangdu, Xiong Zhen frowned from time to time.

The one-eyed bodyguard in the same carriage followed his gaze out the window.

After watching for a while, he still couldn't understand why his master was frowning.

"Master, what's wrong?"

If we don't know what our master is thinking, let's ask.

One-Eyed has always been so straightforward.

Xiong Zhen glared at the guy whose brain development had never been very good, and whispered:
"Haven't you noticed that it's already the 27th of the twelfth lunar month, and the capital city isn't as lively as our Guanzhong market? There aren't many children running around on the streets! And look at the people on the street, their outer robes are even worse than those of the people in Guanzhong! Out of ten people, not two are wearing fur coats! Most of them are wearing cotton-padded clothes, and they don't even look newly made. It seems that life isn't easy for the people in the capital city either!"

One-eyed person is very carefree:
"Perhaps the people of the capital are more low-key; they value substance over appearance? It's different from the customs of the people in Kansai."

What are the local customs and traditions like in the Kansai region?

"Master, haven't you noticed? In our Guanzhong region, women are embarrassed to go out without a few decent pieces of gold jewelry and a set of clothes that are at least 80% new!"

Is that right?

Xiong Zhen was in a daze.

Anyway, the dozen or so women in his carriage, adorned with gold and jade, wouldn't have the chance to stroll around the streets of the capital today.

Being in an unfamiliar place, even a dragon would have to coil up first, let alone a country bear from the Northwest!

Xiong Zhen didn't bother to return to his residence with the women first; instead, he took ten mobile "RVs" and headed straight for the palace.

The morning court session had already ended, and Emperor Qianwu, having received the news, waited for him for quite a while.

After undergoing rigorous checks within the palace, the former partners were finally reunited after four years.

Xiong Zhen knelt down with a thud, his voice excited and high-pitched:
"Your subject Xiong Zhen greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Emperor Qianwu pulled him up from the ground: "Old Xiong, it's only been a few years since we last met, and you've already become so distant from me!"

Xiong Zhen raised his neck and emphasized:

"This is not a sign of distance, but a sign of respect! Now that you are the Emperor, how can I, your subject, be disrespectful?"

Emperor Qianwu said irritably:
"You're getting cocky just because I called you fat! I've worked with you for over twenty years, do you think I don't know what's going on in your head? Stop with your nonsense and tell me, was the journey peaceful?"

Xiong Zhen then resumed his familiar tone:
"Hehehe, very good, very good. General Gan was worried that my mother would be cold all the way, so he specially designed a large carriage with underfloor heating. It is spacious and warm inside, and it is more comfortable to sleep in than in the post stations along the way."

"The old lady is blessed!"

"Your Majesty, would you like to come with me to take a look? I have brought you ten cartloads of Kansai specialties."

Emperor Qianwu became somewhat interested when he saw the smug look on his face when he mentioned the specialties of Guanzhong.

The two chatted as they walked toward where the convoy was parked.

On the way, Emperor Qianwu also subtly inquired:
"You didn't bring me back some Hu women, did you? Let me tell you, I don't like those kinds of women. If you dare to send me any beauties, I'll give you more than twice the number of concubines in return."

Xiong Zhen had a look on his face that said, "How could you think of your subject like that? Don't be so obvious."

He pretended to be angry.

Walk up to a mobile "RV" and open the door.

Head held high, chest puffed out: "Your Majesty, please inspect the national treasures."

Emperor Qianwu looked into the carriage, then looked again, rubbing his eyes to examine it closely.

Suddenly, he shouted an order:
"Guards, guards, bring these two treasures down to me!"

What caused this emperor to lose his composure was none other than two mobile cannons.

The bearded man, accompanied by a dozen or so guards, laboriously carried the two cannons off the RV and then retreated.

As they left, their eyes were filled with reluctance.

Xiong Zhen pointed to the longest gate and solemnly introduced it:

"Your Majesty, this cannon is called the General Cannon! It is five feet long, six inches in caliber, weighs 1,200 catties, and has a range of up to six li. Its features include cannon ears and sights, which allow for range adjustment, making it ideal for sieges."

Emperor Qianwu asked impatiently, "How powerful was it? What was the situation with the barrel exploding?"

Xiong Zhen's face was beaming with smugness:
"Your Majesty, the General's iron bullets can weigh eighteen catties each time, and can easily penetrate wooden or stone fortifications."

The craftsmen used a casting method with an iron core and copper body for the cannon barrel. By strictly controlling the amount of gunpowder loaded, the rate of barrel explosion was reduced by 99% compared to previous cannons.

Emperor Qianwu raised his voice eight octaves: "How much did such a powerful general's cannon cost?"

Xiong Zhen raised his right hand and held up three fingers.

Emperor Qianwu frowned: "Three hundred taels? That's too high a cost!"

Xiong Zhen shook his head, beaming with delight: "It can be kept under thirty taels of silver!"

Emperor Qianwu was so shocked that he took two steps back: "Less than thirty taels? Silver! Who made such a weapon?"

Xiong Zhen revealed a sly smile, "These are the master craftsmen I asked you to bring from the Arsenal!"

Emperor Qianwu clutched his chest and pointed at his nose:

"Your makeshift team? It's outrageous! They're well-fed, well-paid, and have all the good food and drink at the Ordnance Bureau, yet they're useless at everything. But after going to your Kansai region, they've produced this kind of weapon in just one year!!"

Xiong Zhen quickly spoke out in defense of the master craftsmen of the Ordnance Bureau:

"Your Majesty is unaware that we have invested over 100,000 taels of silver in less than a year to upgrade these cannons! My heart bleeds every month when I see the bills. If it weren't for General Gan's firm support for developing firearms, who could withstand such a money-devouring beast?!"

Emperor Qianwu: "Hiss" (End of Chapter)