When the two of them parted, one was a close confidant, with a high position and high self-confidence, while the other was mentally tortured and in a state of embarrassment because he could not bear to witness the massacre of Xuzhou.
Now two years have passed, and Jia Lu no longer has the confidence and energy he once had.
The hard life in the Japanese country made him look increasingly haggard, as if he were ten years older, while Jia Ban was radiant and energetic, as if he were ten years younger.
At this moment, Jia Lu suddenly realized that he was foolishly loyal to a foreign race and harmed his compatriots. Although he was prosperous for a while, he could not escape his tragic end.
With a little bit of conscience in his heart, Jia Ban resolutely parted ways with him. Now he is serving the Han government openly, and finally he is like a fish in water and regained his life.
Jia Lu felt despair and secretly made up his mind that even if he died in Jiangdu, he would never return to Japan with Liu Ju.
Zhang Yangquan was unaware of the great change in his heart, and smiled at him and said: "Jia Gong, you are not young anymore. Life in Japan is difficult. Why not stay in Jiangdu and live with your younger brother?"
Before Jia Lu could speak, Liu Ju said anxiously: "Your Highness the King of Chu, Mr. Jia is now working for me. Please allow him to return to Japan with me!"
Zhang Yangquan looked cold and said: What are you doing with me back to Japan? Developing artillery and dedicating it to the Japanese?
Liu Ju secretly said: "Our artillery does not have improved gunpowder like yours, so its power is greatly reduced. Besides, your enemies are in the Central Plains. What do you care about these things?"
Naturally, he did not dare to say this clearly, and said with a smile: "Even if Mr. Jia builds artillery, it will be similar to Yuan Ting's artillery, and he will never be your opponent!"
Zhang Yangquan said: "You don't have to say anything, even the manufacturing technology of old artillery cannot fall into the hands of the Japanese!"
Liu Ju was so anxious that he knelt down on one knee and said: "Your Highness King Chu, without Jia Gong's artillery, the Emperor of Japan would definitely not spare me, and I would not be able to serve as a guardian!"
Zhang Yangquan said calmly: "This is your problem, you have to find a way to solve it yourself. If it doesn't work, you don't have to go back to Japan and settle in Jiangdu Prefecture!"
Liu Ju hurriedly winked at Jia Lu, and Jia Lu cupped his hands and said, "Thank you so much, Your Highness, King of Chu. I actually don't plan to return to Japan!"
Liu Ju was shocked and angry, staring at Jia Lu.
Jia Ban said solemnly: "Liu Ju, do you still want to threaten my brother?"
Liu Ju gritted his teeth and said in a low voice: "I don't dare."
Jia Lu glanced at Liu Ju, feeling slightly apologetic, and said to him: "General Liu, the Japanese don't know much about artillery. All you need to do is order the blacksmith to make an iron pipe. The Japanese are pretty good at making iron, so they should be able to make it.
”
Liu Ju snorted and didn't answer.
Zhang Yangquan suddenly said: "Mr. Jia, do you think the level of iron-making in Japan is good?"
Jia Lu cupped his hands and said: "Yes, the Japanese learned many advanced iron-making techniques from the Tang Dynasty. Later, during the Ten Kingdoms period, most of the Tang Dynasty's techniques were lost, but the Japanese preserved them!"
Zhang Yangquan frowned and said: "Is the current smelting technology not as good as that of the Tang Dynasty?"
Jia Lu said: "Most craftsmanship has naturally improved compared with the past, but some craftsmanship is not as good as before because it has been lost."
Jia Ban followed: "Brother is right, especially Tang Dynasty's Tangxi sword, Modao and other craftsmanship. It is a pity that they were lost..."
Zhang Yangquan pondered for a long time and said: "Does Japan have a method for making Mo Dao?"
Jia Lu said: "No, they only obtained the smelting technology of the horizontal sword at first. Later, according to local needs, the blade and handle were lengthened, and the blade was narrowed, which became the current Japanese sword!"
Zhang Yangquan nodded and said: "You said Japanese craftsmen can also make artillery?"
Jia Lu said: "Exactly, since the Japanese country sent Tang envoys to comprehensively study the culture of the Tang Dynasty, they also set up specialized craftsmen's households like the Tang Dynasty. They were called iron-casting craftsmen in the Japanese country, and they continue to this day. Their iron-making methods
It has always been passed down and has great merit!"
Zhang Yangquan's eyes flashed brightly, and he suddenly said to Liu Ju: "General Liu, are you willing to serve me?"
Liu Ju was stunned at first, and then he was overjoyed: "I am willing to serve in the Palace of the King of Chu, ah no, I am willing to serve the king!"
If he had the Jiangdu Army as his backer, there would be no need for artillery at all. He, the Hizen guardian, would be equally reliable, and there would be no need to look at the face of the Japanese Emperor.
Zhang Yangquan nodded and said: "Very good, sooner or later I will send troops to the Japanese country. When the Japanese country is conquered, I promise to let you manage the area there!"
Liu Ju knelt down on one knee and said happily: "Thank you so much, Your Majesty!"
Zhang Yangquan added: "This time when you return to the Japanese country, I will ask some blacksmiths to accompany you. You have only one task, cooperate with them and let them learn the Japanese iron-making technology!"
Liu Ju hurriedly said: "The last general takes orders!"
Zhang Yangquan looked at Jia Ban and said: "Jia Jiancheng, you and General Liu go down and discuss this matter!"
Jiaban hesitated for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, can you let my brother also join the Ordnance Bureau? His mind is much more flexible than the minister. As long as he puts his mind on the smelting technology, it will definitely be beneficial to the development of new artillery!"<
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Zhang Yangquan glanced at Jia Lu and said, "I'm afraid that Mr. Jia won't want to serve in our army!"
Jia Lu took a deep breath, cupped his hands and said: "I know that I have committed many sins, but I have just woken up now. As long as the king does not give up, Jia Lu is willing to devote the rest of his life to the development of artillery!"
Zhang Yangquan said happily: "That's very good. Mr. Jia will first take a post as a general manager in the Ordnance Bureau. After you have made great contributions, I will give you a reward!"
Jia Lu thanked him and left together with Jia Ban and Liu Ju.
Zhang Yangquan leaned back on the chair, showing a slight hesitation.
He knew that Qin Lingjun's father was killed because of Jia Lu's river control, and he didn't know if she would be angry after learning that he used Jia Lu.
While I was thinking, I suddenly heard the sound of footsteps and a person walked straight in from outside.
The only ones who could enter the study without announcing were the Qin sisters, and the person who came was none other than Qin Lingjun.
Seeing her serious expression, Zhang Yangquan thought she had heard about Jia Lu, so he stood up quickly and explained: "Madam, listen to me..."
Qin Lingjun was stunned for a moment and asked curiously: "What are you going to say?"
Zhang Yangquan stared at her for a while, and seeing that she didn't look like she was going to accuse him, he asked tentatively: "Why did you come here to see me in such a hurry?"
Qin Lingjun's expression became condensed and she said: "Husband, Liu Futong has captured Bianliang!"
Zhang Yangquan's face did not change and he said calmly: "I know he will defeat him sooner or later, there is nothing to worry about!"
Qin Lingjun tilted his head slightly and said: "Liu Futong and Mao Gui's soldiers are fierce and have suppressed the Yuan army in Henan. Are you really not worried at all?"
"What are you worried about?"
Qin Lingjun shook his head and said with a smile: "If you can ask such a question, it seems that you are really confident. Forget it, just go ahead and do your business, I won't disturb you anymore."
Zhang Yangquan hesitated for a moment and finally spoke.
"Madam, I let Jia Lu enter the Ordnance Bureau!"
Qin Lingjun was stunned for a long time, then asked: "Is he very useful to you?"
"If our army wants to continue to strengthen its firearms, it needs more craftsmen and talents!"
Qin Lingjun nodded: "I understand."
Zhang Yangquan smiled and said: "You won't be angry, will you?"
Qin Lingjun smiled slightly and said: "Am I a woman who doesn't care about the overall situation? In fact, when I met Lin Hai that day, I thought clearly. I don't blame anyone for my father's death. Even if you bring Tuotuo to me now, I won't bother to kill him.
Him!"
Zhang Yangquan gave a thumbs up: "Madam's broad mind is admirable!"
Qin Lingjun glanced at him, turned around and left.
Not long after, the personal guards came to report, Guo Niansheng asked to see him, and Zhang Yangquan ordered him to come in.
"Your Majesty, this is the status of new rice sowing in various places, as well as the evaluation of all officials." Guo Niansheng handed over an official document.
Zhang Yangquan reached out and took it, looked at it silently for a while, and found that the closer to Jiangdu, the higher the new rice planting rate.
The only exception is Wuxian County, which is quite far from Jiangdu, but the planting rate has reached more than 90%. For this reason, Wuxian County Magistrate Lu Yiming received an "A" evaluation.
Zhang Yangquan read it carefully, looked up and asked: "Have you made plans for the promotion of outstanding officials?"
Guo Niansheng hurriedly said: "Prime Minister Lu said that one evaluation cannot fully explain the problem. According to the old system, it takes three years for officials to be promoted before they can be transferred. Even if we are faster, it should be limited to at least one year!"
Zhang Yangquan said dissatisfied: "We have just started a business, why should we follow the old system? You guys draw up a promotion list as soon as possible and bring it to me within three days!"
"In addition, Lu Yiming will be promoted to Pingjiang Road Tongzhi."
Guo Niansheng said hurriedly: "Yes."
After a pause, he said: "Your Majesty, the spring plowing has passed, and the second batch of scholars will be sent to various places. I wonder what will be the benchmark for the next official assessment?"
Zhang Yangquan thought for a while and said: "Focusing on business taxation and people's livelihood, we must not only attract businessmen, promote business prosperity, and increase business taxation. We must also build more bridges and roads and improve infrastructure."
Guo Niansheng cupped his hands and said, "I understand."