Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Mr. Xu, you are out of touch when you say this. What do you mean by impure motives? These things are not worth much money, and you didn't even ask me for them? I told you, this is to congratulate you on your promotion.
. How can anyone come to congratulate me empty-handed? Besides, I won’t hide it from you. You were promoted during the last relief effort, and I also received a commendation from the emperor and will soon take up a new position. If you hadn’t helped me, how could I have received it?
The emperor's praise? The relief work will not be done so perfectly. These things can be regarded as an expression of my gratitude. If you don't accept it, don't you mean that I, Zhang Yanling, don't understand human kindness?"
Xu Gao was clumsy and didn't know how to refute for a while. He just felt that this matter was really inappropriate. On the other hand, Mrs. Xu knew her husband well and what kind of person he was. So she saluted and said: "Master Zhang, you are a benevolent and righteous person."
, the head of my family has praised and admired Mr. Hou from time to time since he started doing charity work. However, the head of my family has his own insistence on how he behaves and refuses to take advantage of others. If you say congratulations, we are naturally very grateful. So, this is
We accept the cloth because we can't live up to the Marquis's wishes. But we can't accept the money."
Xu Gao nodded when he heard this and said: "Yes, yes, the cloth, clothes and lunch boxes were given to the subordinates by the Marquis. You must never ask for the silver."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Master Xu, Mrs. Xu, let me tell you, you don't have to accept the cloth, clothes and hats, but you must accept the money. Because this money is not given to you, this money is a reward."
Xu Gao said in astonishment: "Remuneration? What reward?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Today I am here to pay homage to Mr. Xu. In addition to paying a visit among friends and congratulating Mr. Xu on his promotion, I also want to ask Mr. Xu to do something for me. These three hundred taels of silver are for Mr. Xu.
The first payment for doing something for me.”
The three members of the Xu family looked at Zhang Yanling blankly, not knowing what he meant.
Xu Gao frowned and said, "What can I do to help Mr. Hou?"
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Don't worry, Mr. Xu, I know what you are thinking. You will definitely be able to help me with this, and I don't want Mr. Xu to do anything shameful and shameful for me. That's how it was last time with me.
Lord Xu had a brief chat outside the city, and I felt that Lord Xu had some insights and ideas on the improvement of firearms, and I happen to be very interested in this. No, I would like to trouble Lord Xu to give some guidance this time."
As Zhang Yanling spoke, he stretched out his hand to bring in another small wooden box. There were a bunch of scrolls about a foot long placed in the alley. The full box was full of paper scrolls, carefully tied neatly with strings.
.
Zhang Yanling reached out and took out a scroll, untied the rope and unfolded it. It was a piece of white paper about a foot square, with strange graphics drawn on it with charcoal and various data marked on it. It looked like a painting but not a painting.
Most people would be confused when seeing something like this. However, for an expert like Xu Gao, although Zhang Yanling's drawing method was a bit unfamiliar, he immediately realized that it was the shape and size of some kind of component.
"This is the drawing of the modification of the fire gun that I have been studying. This one is the rear boring... This is the ignition trigger... This is the medicine bag... This is..." Zhang Yanling opened the drawings one by one and copied the drawings he had made some time ago.
All the previous ideas about the transformation of the fire gun, the reasonable and unreasonable ideas that combined the structure of the fire gun here and the muskets of later generations were taken out one by one and unfolded on the millstone.
Xu Gao was extremely surprised. This was the first time he saw someone studying the method of making fire guns so carefully, and it didn't look like nonsense. Some graphics could be seen at a glance as a new and reasonable structure.
Xu Youtang also looked at these drawings with wide eyes. He took a drawing and looked at it carefully with an expression of surprise. On an ordinary structural diagram, Zhang Yanling marked various data and drew several graphics in various directions.
Comparing it, it can be seen that it is very thoughtful.
"Where did Mr. Hou get these...?" Xu Gao couldn't believe that Zhang Yanling did this and asked.
"I drew them all by myself when I was free. You may not understand this kind of graphics. Let me explain, this is called a view, which is a cross-section and longitudinal section from different angles to fully display the structure and graphics of the part. This way
It can be meticulous and understand all the structures and dimensions." Zhang Yanling said.
"No need to explain, I can understand it. I can understand it completely, because that's what I do, but it's just not as standard as your drawings. I mean, how could Lord Marquis understand these? How could he think of drawing these?"
"Xu Gao said.
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "It's just out of interest. I like firearms, but my big open fire gun is not very powerful, so I just like to study it. After I talked with Mr. Xu last time, I felt that there is much room for improvement in firearms. But
Naturally, my ability in this area is not as good as Mr. Xu's, so I brought these drawings and improvement plans that I had thought up for Mr. Xu to identify and correct. Maybe some are not feasible at all, or some are feasible. In short, experts
Only by correcting me can we make progress in this matter. Otherwise, I will not be able to do this because I am blind and do not know what is going on."
Xu Gao was a little dazed. The interest of this Marquis was really strange. It was rare to be so interested in firearms.
"Does the Marquis mean to ask your subordinates to help you improve your firearms?" Xu Gao said.
Zhang Yanling said: "Exactly. Mr. Xu is proficient in smelting. I can only ask Mr. Xu for this matter. To tell you the truth, I also found someone to improve some firearms myself, but the effect was not good. Last time I talked to Mr. Xu
After talking about it, I feel that only Mr. Xu can help me."
Xu Gao thought for a while and said in a deep voice: "Master Hou, I'm sorry. I may not be able to help you with this matter."
Zhang Yanling was stunned and asked: "Why is that?"
Xu Gao pondered and said: "Master Hou, you should know that firearms and the like are weapons, and making weapons privately is a serious crime. I work in the Yu Heng Qing Li Department of the Ministry of Industry, so I know this. I can't know the law and break the law. I may not be able to help with this matter.
You are really sorry. Although I want to help Mr. Hou, I can't do it."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "This is not a privately made weapon. I just hope to improve the power of the fire gun. This will also be good for the court."
Xu Gao shook his head and said: "If the Marquis is ordered to modify firearms, the imperial court will have its own decree, and the officials will be responsible for this matter. Naturally, they will do their best without the Marquis's instructions. But I am afraid that the Marquis cannot come up with the imperial decree.
I’m sorry that it’s difficult for me to help you with this matter.”
Zhang Yanling smiled bitterly and was speechless. He originally thought that Xu Gao would help him. After all, he and Xu Gao had formed a friendship during the relief work. But who would have expected that this would be the result, and he couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"That being the case, I can't force it. Let's just let this matter go." Zhang Yanling sighed and slowly collected and hid the scrolls one by one.
Xu Gao was also a little uneasy, and he kept apologizing, but he did not relent. It was not that Xu Gao didn't want to help Mr. Zhang's request, but he really couldn't do such a thing. He was charged with making firearms privately.
It's not a joke, it's going to make you lose your head. He doesn't know what Zhang Yanling's purpose is. He can't risk his wife, children and his own life. Even if he feels very guilty if he does this, he can't be shaken.
"Well, that's the case, I won't bother you anymore. Mr. Xu, once again congratulate you on your promotion. You will do more for the people in the future. Yanling takes leave." After Zhang Yanling put the scroll into the wooden box, he cupped his hands and said with a smile.
Xu Gao looked apologetic. He wanted to say something but couldn't. Mrs. Xu said: "Master Zhang, please eat before leaving. Why don't you need to eat?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Thank you very much. I won't eat anymore. I have some things to do, so I will take my leave. Sorry for bothering you."
Zhang Yanling cupped his hands, picked up the small wooden box, turned around and walked out the door. His entourage rushed out and pulled the horse to the doorstep. Zhang Yanling got on the horse, urged the horse and headed towards the entrance of the alley.
After walking for dozens of steps, I suddenly heard a call from behind.
"Master Zhang, please stay!"
Zhang Yanling reined in her horse and turned around, only to see Xu Youtang quickly chasing after her. Zhang Yanling was overjoyed and said, "What? Miss Xu, your father has changed his mind?"