The matter became bigger and bigger, and just an hour later, the news had spread throughout the capital.

Everyone already knew about the matter of kneeling in Xiyuan, and also knew that at the gate of Xiyuan, the emperor's attitude was very resolute.

As a result, under such circumstances, public opinion began to show a variety of trends.

For Zhu Youxiao, he had expected such a situation a long time ago, so he found Chen Hong in front of him.

After glancing at Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao said, "There is one thing for you to do." ”

"Yes, Emperor." Chen Hong hurriedly said.

Looking at Chen Hong, who had a respectful attitude, Zhu Youxiao was a little helpless. Obviously, his actions this time have made many people realize one thing, that is, he is an emperor who can do it.

In this way, there are advantages and disadvantages.

The good thing is that it makes them fear themselves more. The so-called authority is the right and then the authority. Now that the emperor's authority has been established, he only uses violent means.

As for the downside, it can only make them more alienated from themselves. It's not something they can do if they want to, it's a knee-jerk reaction.

When faced with a dangerous thing, people will subconsciously want to stay away. And I am this dangerous thing now.

Glancing at Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao said: "Arrange people, go to Beijing to find out the news." In addition, some news was also disseminated, saying that these people forced the palace and lost their duty as courtiers. ”

"Whatever they think or what they think, they shouldn't do it that way. They should go through the normal way, on the script, or on the morning admonishment. ”

Zhu Youxiao's practice has a very well-known name in later generations, which is called control and evaluation.

This is what Zhu Youxiao wants to do, to direct public opinion to the side that is favorable to him. Although the effect may not be very good, if you don't do it, you will definitely let public opinion develop to the side that is unfavorable to you.

Therefore, no matter what the effect of public opinion guidance is, it must be done.

Chen Hong hurriedly said: "Yes, Emperor, the slave will arrange people immediately." ”

This matter is not particularly difficult for Chen Hong, because before this matter, it was not the first time he had done this kind of thing, and Jinyiwei had already had such manpower.

Among the Jingshi, there are also a lot of people, big and small. So it's a no-brainer.

Chen Hong turned around and went out on an errand.

After Chen Hong left, Zhu Youxiao leaned back in his chair, looked at the lake in the distance, and suddenly felt a little cold.

It looks like it's really going to be autumn. That's right, it's almost September.

Speaking of which, more than half a year has passed in a blink of an eye, and I have done a lot of things.

Autumn is coming, this is the harvest season, and I can be regarded as having a harvest.

When Zhu Youxiao was a little sad and sad, the atmosphere in the cabinet was a little depressed, and even brought a bit of slaughter in autumn.

After the four cabinet scholars returned from the gate of Xiyuan, the atmosphere of the cabinet became even more strange.

Everyone knew that this time the matter was big, and the four cabinet elders were afraid that they would be under a lot of criticism.

No one dared to say anything at this time, for fear of angering one of them, and then they would do it.

However, unlike the caution of others, the atmosphere among the four cabinet members was peaceful. The reason is also very simple, they are now grasshoppers on a rope.

Although there is a lot of dirt between them, each of them has different ideas, and there are a group of people representing different interests standing behind them, but this time they have the same purpose.

After the four of them entered the duty room, they each sat down, and tea and snacks were also put on the table.

After the four of them drank a few sips of tea, Han Yi was the first to speak. He swept his gaze over the other three people and said, "Let the people below do the work, it's not good to always look lively." ”

The other three nodded, and then said, "I'll explain when I go back." ”

The meaning is obvious, let their subordinates start to come forward and impeach those who make trouble, to put it bluntly, they are bringing rhythm.

In this way, the pressure on the cabinet can be reduced, and it will also pave the way for the cabinet to do things in the future.

"In addition, Zhang Juzheng's matter should be sorted out as soon as possible, so as not to make any omissions." Han Yi said again.

The three nodded again.

This is an agreement they have reached a long time ago, and there is naturally no problem in implementing it.

Today, the ministers made such a fuss in front of His Majesty, and His Majesty said those words to the four of them, and reform is imperative.

This is equivalent to the four of them making a promise in front of His Majesty that if they don't do it, there will be no good fruit to eat.

"Don't pay too much attention to other things, just go your own way." In the end, Han Yi said such a sentence and made a qualitative characterization of this matter, which can be regarded as a complete cut.

By the afternoon, public opinion was beginning to turn.

Among the Jingshi, countless people began to spread the news that Xiyuan beat everyone with a stick, and there were also fights because of differences of opinion.

All of a sudden, public opinion was in a mess.

However, above the court, the direction is very uniform. Everyone is condemning the way those people do things, criticizing them for this is forcing the palace.

At the same time, some people also put up a notebook and demanded that those people be severely punished, among which the one who jumped the most fiercely was Cui Chengxiu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

Compared with the four elders, Cui Chengxiu has fewer scruples, and at the same time, he dares to speak more.

However, everyone can understand that although these people are jumping harder and public opinion is more chaotic, things will have a result after all.

And this result is most likely not what everyone wanted.

In the West Garden.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Wei Zhongxian, who was kneeling on the ground, waved his hand and said, "Okay, get up." ”

Wei Zhongxian stood up and stood respectfully aside, waiting for his emperor's question.

"How many people have been arrested?" Zhu Youxiao asked in a light tone.

"Back to the emperor, a total of twenty-three people were arrested. The rest were all dispersed. Wei Zhongxian hurriedly said.

At this time, Wei Zhongxian's mood was very worried, and he wanted to know what the emperor wanted to do with these people. If you handle it gently, I'm afraid you'll suffer.

Putting down the teacup in his hand, Zhu Youxiao said expressionlessly: "Interrogate them well and see if they have a tandem." If anyone confesses, they will all be arrested. ”

"In addition, check how they are officials on weekdays, and whether they are corrupt. If there is a case of corruption, then deal with it as it should be, with dim sum. ”

"If there is no case of corruption. Let's just put it all back. By the way, all the people in the series are also written down. ”

"Yes, Emperor." Wei Zhongxian agreed, his tone full of excitement.

This is a good thing for him, a thing to expand his power, so Wei Zhongxian likes to do it.

Seeing Zhu Youxiao waving his hand, Wei Zhongxian hurriedly bowed and retreated.

After waiting for Wei Zhongxian to leave, Zhu Youxiao took another sip of tea.

Although I also want to deal with these people, I can't just deal with them, I need to do it step by step.

Let Wei Zhongxian interrogate and grasp it first, and when the results come out, dispose of it at one time.

Just as Zhu Youxiao was about to take a break, Chen Hong walked in from outside again.

He came to Zhu Youxiao's face, bowed down and said, "Emperor, Xu Ge Lao asks to see you." ”

Zhu Youxiao didn't expect Xu Guangqi to come at this time, so he nodded and said, "Let him come in." ”

"Yes, Emperor." After Chen Hong agreed, he turned around and went out to pick up someone.

Soon Xu Guangqi walked in under the guidance of Chen Hong.

After seeing Zhu Youxiao, Xu Guangqi saluted and said, "Minister Xu Guangqi, see Your Majesty." ”

"Alright, excuse me." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

After Xu Guangqi stood up, Zhu Youxiao asked calmly, "Aiqing is here, but what's the matter?" ”

"Back to Your Majesty, there are indeed some things I want to report to Your Majesty." Xu Guangqi said.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Then let's say it." ”

"The recent progress of the Baigong Academy is very good, originally the minister wanted to report to His Majesty in the past few days, but he didn't expect such a thing to happen."

"After all, I still have to talk to Your Majesty. The prototype of the flintlock pistol, which has already been carried out. Xu Guangqi said.

After hearing Xu Guangqi's words, Zhu Youxiao suddenly became energetic, and hurriedly sat up straight and said, "Tell me in detail." ”

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xu Guangqi nodded and continued: "After the efforts of the Hundred Craftsmen Institute, all the process problems in the production of flintlock pistols have been overcome, so there is no problem in production. ”

"The prototype gun has also been designed, and after His Majesty has seen it, it will be ready for mass production. The first batch of 1,000 pieces will be trial-produced, let's see the effect first. If the effect is good, production will start later. ”

"In addition, progress has been made in the rifling of artillery. The Baigongyuan side was already able to carve rifling in the barrel of the bronze cannon. ”

"However, there are still some problems with the development of steel cannons, but the progress is still going well, and the proportion of copper has begun to be gradually reduced. Chen believes that it will not be long before the all-steel cannon can be realized. ”

After hearing Xu Guangqi's words, Zhu Youxiao immediately became excited.

This is rare good news for a while, and I can make myself happy.

If the flintlock pistol is completed, it represents that the firearms of the Ming Dynasty have entered a new stage.

In addition, if the gun can depict rifling, then it means that it can accurately hit the target, which is very important for the increase of the power of the gun.

In addition, the production of steel cannons is also on the right track, although it is not possible to achieve all-steel cannons for the time being, but it is already very good.

Steel cannons replace copper cannons, which is the inevitability of historical development. Although copper is more malleable, it has a low yield and a high cost.

Steel does not have this disadvantage, and at the same time, the steel cannon can achieve lighter weight and larger caliber, which is also the advantage of the steel cannon.

So after hearing these two news, Zhu Youxiao was so excited.

"Very good, I'll go to the Baigong Academy tomorrow." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

I really didn't expect the progress of the Baigong Institute to be so fast, and it seems that those people also worked hard.

However, Zhu Youxiao also knew that Xu Guangqi was asking for credit for them when he said this to himself.

However, this credit must be given, and it cannot be cooled. So it's necessary to go there tomorrow by yourself.

Complimenting them and giving them some rewards to make them more motivated is what an emperor should do.

"In addition to the Hundred Works, there are also results on the Huangzhuang side." Xu Guangqi said again.

"At the beginning of the year, the minister opened up a field on the Huangzhuang side and began to try to grow new crops, some of which were better, but some were less satisfactory."

"However, the sweet potatoes have already borne fruit, and they should be growing well, and they are all ripe. The minister thought about digging it all out and seeing what the result was. ”

Xu Guangqi said with a smile on his face: "If it is suitable, you can try to promote it next year." ”

In fact, in the matter of planting sweet potatoes, Xu Guangqi is very concerned.

The reason is also very simple, as a knowledgeable and capable official, he certainly knows what food means in this era.

Only when you can eat enough can you talk about other issues.

Zhu Youxiao also knew this very well, so he said with a smile: "This is really a good thing, I want to go and see it for myself." ”

Compared with Xu Guangqi, Zhu Youxiao knows better what these grains represent.

The Ming Dynasty is becoming more and more unpeaceful, and there are more and more natural disasters in various places, and at the same time, there are also man-made disasters, which makes the lives of the people more difficult.

If you don't solve this problem yourself, Daming will still be full of smoke. This is what I don't want to see.

It's just that man-made disasters can still be controlled, but natural disasters really have no choice. The earth is not stable, and you can't let the earth settle down. Therefore, solving the problem of food will always come first.

Don't panic if you have food in your pocket, whether it's the people or the emperor, this principle is the same.

Even just planting potatoes can help a lot.

Although later generations did not regard potatoes as a staple food, in the era of the Ming Dynasty, potatoes were better than not eating at all.

Besides, it is not for nothing that there are countries that use potatoes as a staple food, and there is nothing that cannot be eaten. Try something else, like making hash browns, or something else.

Zhu Youxiao doesn't know much about this, but he can let the people get it themselves. After all, the wisdom of the people is infinite, and they themselves will find out how to eat and how to eat deliciously.

I just don't know if I will fart if I eat too many potatoes? Will it have a bad stomach?

Shaking his head and throwing out this messy idea, Zhu Youxiao thought that it was possible to study and get some noodles out, and then make them into cold noodles, or hot and sour noodles, and become high-end aristocratic food.

Let the people make it and sell it, which can be regarded as an income.

Xu Guangqi looked at Zhu Youxiao who was in a daze and didn't bother him.

The reason is very simple, this is not the first time I have talked to His Majesty, His Majesty has wandered.

He is used to it, and naturally he will not disturb His Majesty at this time, and waiting quietly is the king.

After a while, Zhu Youxiao finally retracted from his divergent thinking.

Glancing at Xu Guangqi, who looked indifferent, Zhu Youxiao said, "I will go with you tomorrow." Oh, not tomorrow, I'm going to Baigongyuan tomorrow. ”

"Then the day after tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, I will go to Huangzhuang with you to have a look and see the results of Aiqing's busy work for almost a year. ”