Chapter 251 Accidental collision

Li Ke was stranded in Beijing and did not return, so Qin Mubai had to take on the military and political affairs of Xiangzhou alone. The emperor attached so much importance to the Xiangzhou sacrifice, and also sent Xiao Yu, a prime minister who specializes in picking bones in eggs and advocating "perfectionism" to be a supervisor. Qin Mubai secretly complained.

For two days in a row, Qin Mubai brought together the large and small officials under the rule of Xiangzhou to discuss and arrange various tasks. In general, there are three major events:

First, arrange the travel between the prince and the king of Jiangxia in advance. Since it is a great festival of the imperial court, there must be many officials who will come at that time. At least, many people will come to the East Palace and Jiangxia Palace. Therefore, the Xingyuan Mansion should not be too small. According to Xiao Yu, it is to "build a new house", but how can two mansions be temporarily built in just three months? And they just stay a little bit and then leave, which is enough to kill and waste money. Qin Mubai is a local parent official. At that time, the abandoned human and material resources can be "own". Therefore, he thought of countermeasures and requisitioned the mansions of Ouyang Jun and Duan Rongji, the two giants of Xiangzhou who were previously arrested and arrested, to repair and appropriately transform them. There was no problem to use it as the mansion of the prince and the king of Jiangxia.

In fact, Qin Mubai was not worried about the prince and the king of Jiangxia. The only thing that worried him was whether Xiao Yu, a critical old man, would agree. Therefore, it is necessary to convince him in advance.

The second major event is the major civil engineering project at the tomb of Emperor Yang. Qin Mubai asked Xiao Yu's opinion. Xiao Yu said that he would transform the swamp and water port of the West River into a royal mausoleum suitable for the entry and exit of carriages and horses. On the stone slope where the mausoleum underground palace is located, the "Ming Hall" (a palace that exposes the surface of the surface) should be built to display some cultural relics and inscriptions of the former Sui. Yang Guang's coffin can be placed in the underground palace, but the body must be treated with spices for antiseptic treatment, put on gold clothes, and put on jade coffins...

These requirements made Qin Mubai listen to Qin Mubai's head. Just talking about transforming the West River Trough - a water depression with a radius of dozens of miles. If you want to change it into land, isn't it moving mountains and reclaiming the sea? If you don't use tens of thousands of people's labor, how can you do it?

In fact, to put it bluntly, the so-called sacrifice to Yang Guang is just a political show of the emperor, and it is not at all possible to make people's lives and money. But there is nothing we can do. Xiao Yu is such a real person, and he especially likes to hold chicken feathers as an arrow. After being demoted several times, he has not been reused, and he must be depressed. I was finally entrusted with an "heavy responsibility" this time. I must want to do something better to show my "ability".

But Qin Mubai really wanted to scold this old man. It didn't hurt to stand and talk. First, labor and money is not the usual style of the Zhenguan Tang Dynasty. Second, how can he meet his requirements in just three months? Not to mention three months, even three years is not necessarily possible!

There's nothing we can do. We have to find Qin Mubai to bargain with Xiao Yu. If the standard is not lowered, this job can't be done.

The remaining third major event is to properly place Xiao Yu and his entourage. Xiao Yu went south. In addition to bringing more than a thousand imperial soldiers to prepare for the tomb of Emperor Yang, there were also hundreds of craftsmen and tens of thousands of stones of all kinds of building materials, grain and grass, silver money and other materials. Among them, there are many valuable items such as gold and mercury. This matter can only fall on the military. Therefore, Qin Mubai asked Pang Fei to be responsible and let the soldiers of Xiangzhou Military Mansion temporarily build a large military village to settle these animals and materials brought by Xiao Yu.

It's easy to say, but it's really tedious and complicated. Ten days passed in a flash. Xiao Yu saw that Xiangzhou was in a mess, but he didn't see the house he wanted, and the Xihe Cao project had not started, so the boss was not happy. He even sent someone to urge him. Finally, he couldn't calm down and asked Qin Mubai to go to Guanyi to see him.

Qin Mubai was so busy that he was holding his stomach full of fire. He couldn't wait to go to the restaurant to meet him for a while.

It's midsummer, the weather is hot and humid, and there are many mosquitoes. Xiao Yu, who came to the wet land of Jingxiang from the northern pass, was extremely uncomfortable with the water and soil. With rising anger and bad business, his temper became more and more strange and violent. When Qin Mubai came to Guanyi, he could almost smell the smell of gunpowder from his body.

"Qin Mubai, you came just in time!" Before Qin Mubai entered the door and sat down, Xiao Yu rushed up and even lost his temper. "Why don't you follow the instructions of this cabinet? Where is the official you built? Why is it too late to start the construction of the West River Trough?

"Xiao Ge Lao!!!" Qin Mubai was ignited by anger by him and shouted loudly. He flicked Xiao Yu all over in horror, and his eyes turned over and almost flew out of the sky.

Seeing Xiao Yu's stunned expression as if he had lost his soul, Qin Mubai was angry and funny.

"Please listen to a humble word!" Qin Mubai said, "Your request is beyond the reach of human resources."

Xiao Yu originally felt that his heart was full of anger, but he was extinguished by Qin Mubai's powerful voice, but seeing that Qin Mubai was more angry than him, he swallowed a mouthful of saliva and whispered, "Is it really so serious?"

"Xiao Ge Lao, I don't think you are at home. I don't know that firewood, rice, oil and salt are expensive." Qin Mubai was not polite and said bluntly, "In three months, you asked me to drain dozens of miles of water and fill the marsh and build a Ming Hall. Is it possible? Not to mention three months, even three years! Why don't you board the boat tomorrow and go to the West River Trough with me? It's connected to the Han River. Didn't you let me move mountains and seas? As for the line between the prince and the king of Jiangxia, I have chosen it. The decoration and renovation of the two luxury houses will definitely satisfy the prince and the king of Jiangxia. If there is anything wrong, it's not your turn, Xiao Ge, to stand up. Qin will take his head to see them!"

"Uh! ..." Xiao Yu was shocked and said hurriedly, "It doesn't have to be like this, it doesn't have to be like this. General Qin, if you have something to say, why be angry?"

Qin Mubai breathed a sigh of calm anger and said, "The humble position has nothing to say. Please forgive me. However, a small place in Xiangzhou really can't make things perfect in a short time and meet the requirements of Xiao Ge Lao. The project of Xihe Cao can be discussed after Ge Lao has seen the terrain. It's just that these two places insist on choosing old houses for renovation in any case, rather than building them.

"But... the prince is the crown prince of the country. He left Beijing and went south, and he could not walk? If it is rumored that he will live in someone else's old house, wouldn't it damage the royal majesty? Xiao Yu still said unrewd.

"Of course not." Qin Mubai said, "Not only will it not damage the majesty of the royal family, but it will also let the world know that my Tang prince Keqin and thrift can set an example for the world. Hasn't His Majesty always advocated thrift? Isn't this just right?"

"Uh... all right, all right, it's up to you." Xiao Yu even waved his hand, which was a little lost.

"Thank you very much. In this way, the inferior position was dismissed first. Tomorrow, the humble post will send people to the post hall to pick up the elders and go to the West River together. Qin Mubai arched his hand and strode away, so he didn't want to talk nonsense to Xiao Yu.

"Uh-huh..." Xiao Yu looked at Qin Mubai's figure and didn't come to his senses for a long time. He muttered, "Bad boy, how can you be so fierce? It's simply unreasonable to bully the old man!"

Walking out of the post hall, Qin Mubai was happy and funny. He said to himself: There is no reason to talk to a sour old man like Xiao Yu. If you give him three points of color, he will definitely open a dyeing chain store. It's clear that he is just a supervisor and a symbolic figure. I'll do everything, and I can't listen to him. From then on, I will do whatever I want. I will do everything cheaply. I can't be afraid that he will go to the emperor to sue me for these things, let alone offend him.

There are so many things that Qin Mubai didn't want to stay longer. When he came out of the post hall and was waiting to get on the horse, he suddenly heard a voice behind him calling him, "Well, isn't this General Qin?"

Qin Mubai looked back and saw that a middle-aged man was very familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him for a moment.

"You are so familiar with him, but Qin has an old acquaintance?" Qin Mubai stopped by the horse and asked.

"Haha, General Qin is really forgetful." The man came forward and arched his hand and said with a smile, "Can the general and your father's tiger-headed golden gun still be used?"

"Oh, I remember!" Qin Mubai patted his forehead and smiled, "It turned out to be the Tu Shiling Order of the Left School Office. Look at my memory. It's really bad."

"It doesn't matter. It's normal for a big man like a general to occasionally remember a small role like a villain. Tu ordered to say with a smile.

"It's out of sight to say so. Why did you also follow Xiao Yu to the south and come to Xiangzhou? Qin Mubai asked.

"Yes! Half of the craftsmen in our left school office are here. Tu Deling sighed and whispered, "When we get here, the water and soil do not match. We live in the temporary military village. It's hard to eat tea and rice. There are many mosquitoes that can't sleep at night, which makes us miserable. If you say it, it's all Xiao Yu's fault. In fact, the emperor just said casually, asking him to be responsible for some sacrifices. Fortunately, he had to make the sacrifice of the former Sui emperor more solemn than the sacrifice to the former emperor. After getting the oracle, he took the initiative to ask the emperor to say that for such a major sacrifice, the court must send royal nobles to show his sincerity. The emperor's golden mouth had been opened, so he had to bravely agree to Xiao Yu's many rude requests and sent the prince and the king of Jiangxia to Xiangzhou to preside over the ceremony with the king of Wu. Well, even the prince has been moved by Xiao Yu. Can he not stir up the public? So... The thousand and hundreds of us all followed him south. Oh, what bad luck!"

Qin Mubai laughed and led the horse to greet him. As he walked, he said, "You are fine. It's hard here in Xiangzhou. Well, let's not talk about that. Did you come to Guanyi to look for Xiao Yu?

"Yes!" Tu Deling said, "Several officers of our colleagues are not used to the life in the military village. Many people have vomited and stomachs, and their whole body has been bitten by mosquitoes without an inch of refreshing skin. So I want to move back to Guanyi together. I just came here to ask Xiao Yu for a Jun order.

"Forget it, you don't have to go to him. He is full of resentment now. He will definitely catch whoever he will scold. Since you are my old acquaintance, I will help you by the way. Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Take the left school officials who are familiar with you and live in Xiangyang County. I will be responsible for renting a comfortable inn for you. But remember, don't disturb too many people."

"So, I really thank General Qin!" Tu Deling was overjoyed to hear the words and hurriedly bent down to bow and bow. It's like sleeping in the wild, living in a simple tent, eating army food cooked in a big pot, and suddenly living in a free five-star hotel. Can he not be happy?

"It's just a matter of hand, there is no need to thank you." Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "Maybe in the future, I will be bothered to help me build weapons and armor. Just don't refuse at that time."

"Haha, that's definitely not going to happen. General Qin has orders, just say it. Anyway, Tu also gets the salary of the court. Who do you work for? Why don't you help General Qin? Tu ordered to be cheerful and laughed.

Qin Mubai couldn't help but light up and said, "Don't mention it. At present, I really have a tricky job and need the help of a master craftsman. I don't know what to do with you..."

"But if there is an order, I will not resign!" The coat order is in full color.

Qin Mubai calculated for a moment, patted him on the shoulder and smiled, "Tue Shiling, how about we do a business?"

"What kind of business?"

"If you help me make this artifact, I will not only give you 100,000 yuan in private, but also guarantee you to come to Xiangzhou Assassin's Office to be a Cao Zheng official, how about that?" Qin Mubai said.

"Ah?" Hearing this, Tu's order was stunned!

100,000 yuan is not a small amount, that's all. The most attractive thing is the official Cao Zheng of Xiangzhou Assassin's Mansion. Although he will be the director of the Zuo School Office and is also an official of six or seven grades, to put it bluntly, he is just a craftsman and artist. He is one of the four social classes of agriculture, industry and commerce. Although he has a title, he does not have any social and political status.

But Cao Zheng's officials in Xiangzhou Local Assassin's Office are different. They are the "ministers" with real power in their hands. If the official position is changed, then his surname Tu is actually to complete the class transformation from "worker" to "official". This may be a "innovation" that he can't accomplish in his life.

"General Qin, are you serious about this?" Of course, Tu Order can't believe it.

"Do you think I'm a joking person?" Qin Mubai said seriously.

"Good! The humble job will take over this job! I dare not accept 100,000 yuan. As long as General Qin fulfills his promise and transfer his humble position to Xiangzhou Assassin's Office to pay for his errands, the humble job will be regarded as selling to the general!" Tu Shiling made a vow.

"Extremely good. Now, just follow me and get on the horse!"

The two of them rode together and went to the "scientific research institute" outside Xiangyang City. Since Qin Mubai picked up the four masters and apprentices of Niu Wuzhi, it has been repaired here many times, and now it has become a quiet and peaceful place. All kinds of tools, materials and equipment are very complete. The three old men, Da Lei Erlei and San Lei, are busy studying the cannon here day and night. There are also people to take care of food, clothing, housing and transportation. Anyway, they will never be treated badly.

Qin Mubai put the sea collar in and introduced each other to the three old men. When the old men heard that this was a "master caster" invited by Qin Mubai from Chang'an, they all respect Tu Youhai.

Qin Mubai asked Tu Youhai to see the drawings of the cannon and asked him if he was sure.

Tu Youhai smiled relaxedly: "General Qin, this is much better than that piano!" That is to say, Fan Zhu's polishing is a little difficult, but it's just a hard work. The key is to control the temperature when the molten iron comes out, so that the pipe wall of the gun tube can withstand high temperature and heavy pressure.

"A master is a master!" Qin Mubai raised his thumb to praise him, "Then I'll leave it to you!"

"Wh, wait! I definitely can't do it alone. Three teachers, please forgive me for being rude. Every time I Fan cast a line, there must be a few people who can cooperate from the side. If it's a strange person, it will definitely not work. I also came to Xiangzhou with a few apprentices, just as my deputy. Tu Youhai said to Qin Mubai, "Wait for the humble position to call them, and you can start casting cannons for General Qin!"

"Okay, great!" Qin Mubai laughed happily and said to the three old men, "Three teachers, you don't want to be idle. Master Tu casts cannons. You make five-finger thunder, and you have your own division of labor. You can't miss one!"

"Old and old people should obey!"

Qin Mubai was secretly happy in his heart and thought: If Tu Youhai can really succeed in casting cannons, it will be great. What's worse than destroying the city? In addition, if such a cannon is loaded on a warship like the Shenyu Flying Ship, no matter the water battle or the sea battle, who else can beat the Tang navy?

Thinking about it, Qin Mubai wanted to laugh again: It seems that Xiao Yu, the old man, has done some good things by mistake! If it hadn't been for his extra efforts with chicken feathers as an arrow, how could Tu Youhai have appeared in Xiangzhou?!

Haha!