Chapter two hundred and eighty first gunpowder store theft
The snow was not enough. The sudden arrival of hail forced Fang Jue and his troops to postpone their march.
Hailstones as big as pearls are quite powerful. If they hit the vital parts of the head intensively, it will be fatal.
The key point is that the war horses are not willing to run fast in such weather.
"It has been raining for two days, how long do we have to wait..."
Lin Bei was a little impatient. He wanted to return to Beijing early, because he had no military achievements along the way, so he naturally wanted to return home.
On the Ningzhou side, they also have to seize time. They may not be able to start a fight, but they have to seize the opportunity.
Once King Ning is allowed to take the lead in lighting the beacon, he will be passive.
"God's will." Fang Jue stood under the eaves, looking at the scene outside Hanzhou, and said with a smile.
Originally, I wanted to rush back to Suzhou and then go to Ningzhou, but now it seems that I don't have enough time.
"General, if we want to go to Ningzhou this time, we will have to take a detour to Suzhou, and we can't afford to delay it." Wei Feng came to the eaves and expressed his thoughts.
Several generals also gathered in a large courtyard outside Hanzhou Camp, sitting under the eaves and warming themselves over the fire and eating hot pot.
"You are right, most people can no longer go to Suzhou, but I am still worried that Qin Shiyi will cause trouble in Suzhou."
Fang Jue said: "Send a cavalry from the Qianhu Camp to Suzhou. It will be enough to scare everyone. Who is willing to lead the team?"
Fang Jue doesn't have to go there in person in Suzhou. As long as someone supports Qin Shiyi, this iron-headed boy will do better than Fang Jue.
More thoroughly.
"Well……"
Upon hearing this mission, the generals present looked at each other in shock, but no one accepted it.
Fang Jue glanced at Cheng Jie, Lin Bei, Wei Ran and others one by one. They all avoided eye contact.
Everyone knows that there is military merit to be gained in Ningzhou, so who would want to live in Suzhou?
"How about I go to Suzhou?" Ye Hongyi recommended herself.
"Anyway, it won't be of much use if I go to Ningzhou. It's better to go to Suzhou."
Ye Hongyi's idea was that if there was going to be a real war against Prince Ning, she would not be able to command the battlefield. At most, she would only serve as a guard for Fang Jue.
And with the guard battalion led by Noriichi, Ye Hongyi does not have to play the role of a guard. She can be completely freed to do other things.
"Okay, when the hail stops, you can lead the team to Suzhou, and we will go straight to Ningzhou... I have already sent a letter to Beijing, and Bai Qing's letter of report and request for help has also arrived. We are going to Ningzhou now because we have a famous teacher."
.”
Fang Jue told everyone that he had completed all the procedures and there was no need to worry about the consequences of using troops without authorization.
Surprisingly, after finishing the hot pot meal, the hail really stopped in the afternoon.
"Get out!" Fang Jue immediately ordered.
…
"Commander, Your Majesty has written a letter saying that the Young Division will cooperate with us in Ningzhou."
On the trail, a group of cavalry in black dragon armor passed one after another. Mo Yuan sat on the back of a black dragon and watched in the direction of the capital.
A hundred households of Black Dragon Riders came to report and handed over a secret letter.
After looking at it, Mo Yuan said seriously: "There is no need to cover up your whereabouts. Prince Ning has made up his mind to rebel. We must rush to Ningzhou as soon as possible and take the official route!"
The original plan was to make a long-distance attack on Ningzhou, but King Ning was already on alert and might raise troops at any time. Under such circumstances, secrecy was not important.
Because His Majesty's original intention is to kill King Ning before he raises his troops.
This thing can be done near the capital, but King Ning can run fast and has returned to his fiefdom long ago.
Mo Yuancai had no choice but to take a Black Dragon Rider from the Thousand House Camp to attack Ningzhou!
When there is no need to cover up one's whereabouts, the fastest way to march is of course the official road.
…
Jinling Palace, Nuan Pavilion of Yangju Palace.
As soon as Yan Lanfeng came in, he felt a hot wind, which was in sharp contrast with the ice and snow outside.
Outside the south gate, beggars have already frozen to death, but this does not affect the temperature in the thermal pavilion that can make people sweat.
"His Majesty."
"Yan Aiqing is here? Come and give me a seat."
Yan Lanfeng sat down unceremoniously. The winter court clothes were a bit thick, so he had to tidy up before he sat down to look presentable.
You must not lose your courtesy before you. Yan Lanfeng straightened the folds and then said:
"Your Majesty, I came today to report something."
Xiao Pingsi put down the memorial in his hand and asked with a smile: "Ai Qing, do you want to report the year-end settlement of this year's household department?"
"Uh... Your Majesty, the year-end settlement is still over a month away, so don't worry..."
Every year before the annual holiday, the Ministry of Accounts must compile a statement and submit it to the Cabinet, or directly forward it to His Majesty and then forward it to the Cabinet for filing.
List the details of each year's treasury expenditures and compare them with all treasury revenue records such as salt administration, tea industry, taxation, etc.
If there is a discrepancy between the numbers, someone will be in trouble.
There are always a few unlucky people every year, and Xiao Pingsi is also a little curious about who will get stabbed at the end of the year this year.
Seeing each minister reveal his true colors was one of Xiao Pingsi's rare pleasures as an emperor.
"Then what does Aiqing come to report?" Xiao Pingsi asked doubtfully.
At this time of the year, officials were reluctant to enter the palace. It was too cold all the way, and they had to wait outside the door for the announcement.
It is usually not necessary, and he is not willing to go to the palace to report at this time. Xiao Pingsi has rarely been chased into the Nuan Pavilion by ministers recently.
"Your Majesty, something happened over there at the fireworks factory." Yan Lanfeng did not hide anything and got straight to the point.
"What happened?" Xiao Pingsi frowned.
Yan Lanfeng: "A warehouse exploded just yesterday."
"Are there any casualties or civilian casualties?" Xiao Pingsi became serious, "Didn't the Young Master tell you to be careful? These things can easily cause trouble. Is the Ministry of Revenue slacking off?"
Faced with this accountability, Yan Lanfeng did not panic, but said:
"It was not a warehouse where finished fireworks were stored, but a warehouse where gunpowder was stored. One of the warehouses caught fire."
"Gunpowder?" Xiao Pingsi narrowed his eyes, paying more attention to this matter.
That was one of the warehouses for fireworks and musket ammunition.
It is even more carefully managed than the finished product warehouse at a fireworks factory. There is absolutely no chance of a fire, because the use of fire is not allowed.
"Fortunately, it was built in a remote place. The young master had warned us about the consequences, so I chose to build it in a deserted place. Only a few guards died in the line of duty."
No common people were affected because it was too secretive and was hidden outside the remote capital city.
The surrounding area is guarded by the Forbidden Army and the Xuanjian Division, and the warehouse is managed by the Ministry of Revenue and the Xuanjian Division.
It's very secretive and safe, so nothing should happen.
"I know this, and I will compensate those who deserve it."
Yan Lanfeng said: "Your Majesty, there is still a follow-up."
"What follow-up?"
"That gunpowder magazine stores a large amount of gunpowder. It stands to reason that the consequences of an explosion would be more serious than yesterday's... but it was not surprising. Not many people in the city even paid attention to it, thinking it was just a winter thunder."
"Yan Aiqing, what do you want to say?" Xiao Ping was worried.
Yan Lanfeng said seriously: "I suspect that before the gunpowder magazine was detonated, someone was guarding and stealing it, or that the gunpowder magazine was blown up to cover up the lost gunpowder."
"What?" Xiao Pingsi stood up. This chapter has been completed!