Yuan Zonggao and Tang Yin called Zhu Hao to the courtyard. It seemed they had something important to discuss.
"Zhu Hao, let's get straight to the point. It's about the one you made... yes, it's still called gunpowder, right? Its power is really amazing!" Yuan Zonggao rarely spoke without beating around the bush, and he went straight to the point, "I'm talking to you, sir."
I’ve learned that that thing doesn’t seem to be easy to manufacture and transport, and any link is prone to accidents, right?”
Zhu Hao nodded heavily: "That's right. It must be made and used immediately, and it is extremely powerful. Once an accident occurs in the manufacturing workshop, storage warehouse or during transportation, many innocent people will be affected."
Yuan Zonggao nodded slightly, seeming to be deep in thought.
Zhu Hao said: "Please also ask Yuan Changshi not to report its effectiveness to the court. My mother and I don't want to get into trouble."
Yuan Zonggao smiled. For him, it was a dream not to hand over the manufacturing of military supplies for the imperial court to Zhu Niang and her son. For example, the previous manufacturing of telescopes gave Zhang Zuo a free advantage and brought some trouble to Prince Xing's palace.
At the same time, the royal palace chief Shi Si was put under the control of others.
"In that case, I discussed with Prince Xing and said in my memorial that this time they used wooden coffins to carry gunpowder to attack the bandit camp at night. The amount of gunpowder used was dozens of times more than your heavy gunpowder. What do you think?"
Yuan Zonggao wanted to discuss something with Zhu Hao.
Zhu Hao probably understood that Prince Xing's Mansion was afraid that Zhu Hao would spill the beans and spread the matter. When the court found out that the report to Prince Xing's Mansion was unclear, although there may not be any serious consequences, it might still cause unnecessary trouble.
.
"Students know what to do." Zhu Hao saluted.
Yuan Zonggao smiled, turned his head and said to Tang Yin: "Bohu, I have long said that this child is extremely smart. From the first day he entered the palace, he was just like a little adult. In the past, I only saw loyalty from him.
Now I have even shown my courage, my talent is even more outstanding, and my future is limitless.”
Tang Yin thought to himself, I still need you to remind me who this guy is?
My realization is not more painful than yours?
"Okay Zhu Hao, I know you have to prepare for the government examination recently. Even though the government examination is more of a formality for you, there are a lot of criticisms about your talents and learning from outside. You still have to show yourself well so that you can be convinced.
Everyone."
After Yuan Zonggao finished speaking, he smiled at Zhu Hao with appreciative eyes, and then left accompanied by Tang Yin.
…
…
Zhu Hao was very worried that the use of nitroglycerin would make his family a designated supplier to the imperial court and be ordered to mass-produce this extremely unstable and powerful explosive.
Xing Wangfu did not want to report it to the court. Even Zhang Zuo had no intention of insisting on this. Yuan Zonggao had enough reasons to ask Zhu Youji not to report to the court... It was just a person with unstable performance who might be harmful to his own personnel.
If manufacturing and transportation personnel are killed or injured, Prince Xing's Mansion must carefully consider the consequences.
This is not a telescope after all. If it is damaged, just replace it with a new one and send it up. If something goes wrong with the explosive, it will cause heavy casualties. The Xingwang Mansion has no credit for it, but it is based on the facts and is prone to backlash.
The campaign to suppress the bandits has come to an end.
In terms of rewards, Zhu Hao's achievements are by no means inferior to those of Tang Yin. Although Jiang Lun replaced Zhu Hao in military merit rewards, Zhu Hao still received a large amount of loot and additional rewards from the palace.
There were enough large and small boxes of things to fill a carriage, including a lot of gold and silver jewelry and antique calligraphy and paintings, which were the favorite things for thieves to plunder, and now they were cheaper for Zhu Hao.
On the ninth day of the Lunar New Year, Lu Song personally accompanied Zhu Hao home and sent back Zhu Hao's share of the spoils and rewards from the palace.
"Master Zhu, these are the wishes of the palace... I know that the credit that should belong to you has been taken away by Mr. Jiang, and you feel uncomfortable, but I think the palace is doing this to protect you and prevent you from getting involved in court disputes prematurely.
." Lu Song continued to speak for the palace.
Zhu Hao smiled and asked: "What about your contribution, Lu Dianzhan?"
Lu Song scratched his head in shame: "Quite a few."
In fact, there is no need for Lu Song to tell him. Zhu Hao just asked Lu Bing in the past two days to know that the Lu family has moved back a lot of large and small boxes of things in the past two days. Similar to Zhu Hao, there are trophies brought directly back from the battlefield by the soldiers.
In addition to valuable things as rewards, there are also more direct rewards from the palace, such as silver and cloth.
The Xing Palace obviously did not want to gain any economic benefits from this kind of war against bandits. Zhu Youqian was a good person. He had an easy-going personality and could distinguish right from wrong. He knew that his soldiers fought bloody battles at the risk of losing their lives. If he did not make good compensation afterwards,
Then who will be willing to serve Prince Xing’s Mansion in the future?
This time, the Xingwang Mansion had no profit, but instead gave out a large amount of wealth as a reward in addition to military merit.
As for the evaluation of military merit for military promotion...this has to be reported to the court and then approved by the emperor. Prince Xing's Mansion cannot promote officers or nobles in advance.
Zhu Hao and Lu Song took a carriage home together. On the way, Zhu Hao asked about Lian Sheng's situation and learned that Lian Sheng's family papers had been properly settled and the palace had given him many rewards. This made him feel relieved.
At this time, Lu Song suddenly mentioned: "...the Zhu family performed bravely in this battle. There were so many gentry around the county, and only the Zhu family made military achievements. However, the Zhu family itself is a family of thousands of royal guards, and has the responsibility to guard the peace of the area.
Although Prince Xing’s Mansion did not mention it in the memorial, the prefectural government will report the Zhu family’s contribution as usual.”
When he said this, Lu Song was also observing Zhu Hao's reaction. He was afraid that Zhu Hao would be displeased.
But Zhu Hao was in a peaceful mood.
Regardless of whether the Zhu family has made meritorious service, it has nothing to do with him. If the Zhu family has a reward, will they share it with him? Logically speaking, if the Zhu family is guilty of "collaborating with bandits" or escaping from battle, it will be implicated.
he.
From this point of view, Zhu Hao only needs to ensure that there are not too many conflicts of interest with the Zhu family. The Zhu family is in trouble, which will do him no good.
But if he waits until he really becomes famous...
I don’t care whether the Zhu family lives or lives!
Are you waiting for me to "repay the favor" then?
If I don’t take revenge, I’ll be worthy of you!
"One more thing. I heard that King Xing gave Mr. Tang two pretty maids in this discussion of merit and reward. Guess what? Haha, Mr. Tang withdrew overnight, saying that he didn't need it... In the end, the palace specially asked for it.
He is a woman in her forties, and she is usually responsible for washing his clothes, cleaning, etc... Before, an old servant next to him would occasionally come into the palace to do these chores for him..."
As if telling a joke, Lu Song told Tang Yin's embarrassing story.
Zhu Hao really didn't know about this matter. Tang Yin didn't say anything about it, and Zhu Hao didn't go to the place where Tang Yin lived in person. It was normal for him not to know.
Zhu Youjia gave the maid to Tang Yin, probably because he was an old widower, had many inconveniences in life, and had physical needs, so he considered it carefully...
As for why Tang Yin refused to accept it and had to go back...
He didn't know what this old boy was thinking.
You don't have to spend money to support me, and you have your own salary from the palace. Why don't you accept this kind of good thing calmly?
Excuse me?
Or should I say that my heart belongs to someone else...
Or is it to show his integrity as a scholar?
Or is it simply that he refuses because he is embarrassed?
"Lu Dianzhan, I heard that Your Highness also gave a maid as a gift?"
Zhu Hao suddenly said with a smile.
Lu Song's face instantly turned red, but he didn't say he fell out on the spot. He just smiled awkwardly and said, "Xiao Bing must have told you, right? The palace may be worried that my wife and I are not at home, and my wife is pregnant now.
I am in trouble, so... I may need someone to take care of me..."
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "It should be so."
Lu Song and his wife Fan are a model of a loving couple. They respect each other as guests. One important reason for this is that Fan has a high status in the palace and is the prince's nanny. However, Lu Song is not the type to control his wife. Historically,
There are rumors that Lu Song has two concubines...
It seems that, at least until now, Lu Song only has one wife, Fan, and Lu Bing's half-brother Lu Wei has not yet been born.
"First of all, congratulations." Zhu Hao smiled.
Lu Song shook his head and sighed.
It seems that having another child is not something he should be happy about. The main reason is that as a military household, he does not have a high social status. In addition, he was blackmailed by Jin Yiwei and has been acting as a double-faced man in Prince Xing's Mansion. He does not want to
More responsibilities are passed on to children.
…
…
In the blink of an eye, it’s March 12th.
There were only four days left before the government examination. It was approaching noon. Zhu Hao was sitting in the classroom, staring at the drizzle outside the window in a daze. Tang Yin walked in with an umbrella.
Several children were not in the mood to study, after all, it was almost time to finish class.
"Everyone, go back. We have a holiday this afternoon, so you don't have to come to class."
Tang Yin brings news.
Zhu San, Zhu Si and Lu Bing all stared wide-eyed. As for Jinghong and Yuan Rulin, they didn't think this was good news. Anyway, they would continue to immerse themselves in their studies without rest. Before they achieved fame, this was a scholar.
Zi’s daily life.
Tang Yin put his umbrella into Zhu Si's hand: "You go back with it."
"One umbrella is not enough."
Zhu San smiled and said, "Otherwise, I will go back with an umbrella first, and then ask someone to bring an umbrella to you."
Zhu Si curled his lips: "I just want to do something good, why didn't I go back first? It's not raining very much outside..."
Zhu San said: "Don't get wet and sick. Your father and mother are very concerned about you. You'd better wait here... Abing, let's go first."
Zhu Si was not in a hurry to go back. He wanted to know what Tang Yin wanted to say to Zhu Hao when he came to the classroom, so he moved his seat to Zhu Hao's desk.
Zhu San saw that his brother was not fighting with him, but felt that it was not interesting, so he left in no hurry and looked back at Zhu Hao.
"Zhu Hao, it's like this. Wang Zhongcheng's letter has arrived in Anlu. It is said that in three days, that is, the day before you take the imperial examination, he will arrive in Anlu..."
Tang Yin stood in front of Zhu Hao's desk and said.
Zhu Si curiously asked: "Who is Wang Zhongcheng?"
Tang Yin introduced with a smile: "He is Wang Shouren, the governor of southern Jiangxi. He and Zhu Haokou have a close relationship..."
Zhu Hao said quickly: "Mr. Tang, please don't talk nonsense. How can we say that Wang Zhongcheng and I have a deep connection all our lives? He comes as soon as he comes, what does it have to do with me?"
Tang Yin said: "I hope you will come with me to meet him. There are many things on the battlefield that I cannot explain clearly. It is easier to talk with you here. Even if you don't know him, meet him and let him know.
Your existence will also be helpful to your reputation among scholars."
That's what he said, but Zhu Hao felt that Tang Yin wanted to test his relationship with Wang Shouren, and then... Tang Yin didn't have the face to meet Wang Shouren alone, who had achieved a little success now, so he wanted to take someone as a companion, so he should be emboldened.