The banquet was set up in an inconspicuous wine shop on the edge of the East Market.

Shang Cheng has been to this place once. Last year, one by one, it should be said that it was the year before last; When he first entered Beijing in the winter of the previous year, he was near here and lost a copy of the authentic handwriting of Mrs. Wei, a great calligrapher of the Jin Dynasty. I remember that he also met Tian Xiu here at that time, and she wanted to invite him to express her gratitude. It's a pity that he didn't know that she was Tian Qingshan at that time, so he casually refused; Otherwise, I wouldn't have to run from Xicheng to Dongcheng to eat and drink this meal today.

Tian Xiu had already arrived. She asked for an accord in the wine shop, ordered wine and food, and waited for the guest of honor at tonight's banquet.

As soon as Shang Cheng entered the Accord, she thanked Shang Cheng with a big gift, and then took out a book and gave it to Shang Cheng. This book is, of course, her book "Qingshan Manuscript". She heard Chen Pu say that Shang Cheng liked this book very much, and he had bought one in Yanzhou two or three years earlier, but he accidentally stole it by a thief, and he still hates it when he thinks about it; Later, the reason why I asked everywhere about "Mr. Aoyama" was because of this book. Therefore, she specially asked for this book from Chen Pu as a thank you.

Shang Cheng looked embarrassed and said two words of apology. He couldn't explain much about this, and the more he talked about it, the more embarrassed Tian Xiu became. Hey, if he had known that Tian Qingshan was Tian Xiu, how could he have asked her whereabouts everywhere? So he apologized in a few words, and sat down on the seat with Li Mu's pull.

He opened the "Qingshan Manuscript" in his hand. On the title page of the book are written two columns:

"Congratulations to the businessman of Yi County.

Lu Youtian Ping. ”

The font is dignified, clean and neat, and at a glance, you can know that it is Tian Xiu's handwriting; The strokes are distinct, the beginning and the end are powerful, and the stops and stops are constantly straight but not stiff and unyielding, just as she will leave the impression at first glance that the contours of her face are too clear and distinct, and at first glance she is a resolute and unyielding figure; The fourteen characters are all mellow on the outside and strong on the inside, just against these two columns of words, they are all sharp and not exposed, one by one, he has never seen someone to ask others to advise the axe, but on the inscription of half of the humble and respectful person......

When he flipped through the book and read it casually, the guy in the wine shop was serving wine and brewing cloth dishes, and when the guy was busy and retreated, Tian Xiu picked up the cup and toasted him.

Shang Cheng drank this liquor, then returned the salute, and then drank it with Li Mu, and said, "I don't dare to drink the liquor anymore." He touched his face and explained with a wry smile, "At today's court meeting, I suffered a big loss and was beaten up. ”

In fact, Li Mu and Tian Xiu had already seen a bruise on his left cheek, a large black mass on his left eye socket, and a short bloody wound on his cheekbone, and they had been wondering for a long time. It's just that Shang Cheng didn't say it, they couldn't lose face to him, so it was inconvenient to ask. Now that he took the initiative to mention this matter, Li Mu asked curiously: "You are the Shangzhu Kingdom, and you are the actual Ying County Uncle, who dares to touch your tiger whiskers?" What's more, the Zhengdan Dynasty is the head of the three major courts, and the Son of Heaven is driving in front of him, who dares to do it indiscriminately. ”

Shang Cheng brought out his embarrassing affair, originally wanting to pick out a topic that everyone could talk about, so he didn't hide it, so he told him in detail about the big fight between himself and Yang Du on the Zichen Palace. However, the reason for fighting for a singer is really difficult to export, and it is not enough for outsiders, so he used Spring and Autumn brushwork to cover up the past.

Tian Xiu heard about him competing with Yang Du for a singer from Chen Pu, so he smiled and lowered his head without speaking. Li Mu didn't know the reason for the matter, so he inquired vigorously. In the end, Shang Cheng had no choice but to tell the truth: "It's just for an orchid." Yang Du said that he took a fancy to him first, but I took it away first, and he was angry with me for ruining his good deeds, so he spread small words and ruined my reputation. He didn't even ask, is my Yixian Shang monk a good bully? I didn't say anything, so I had to let him know that the pot was made of iron! ”

Li Mu and Shang Cheng have only known each other for a few days, but they have known each other for many years, knowing that Shang Cheng has a bold and uninhibited temperament, he smiled and said: "You have eaten so many fists and feet, so why is Yang Liehuo unharmed?" ”

Shang Cheng put on an angry look, slammed the lamp in his hand on the table, and said, "Gu Poyang dares to pull his hand, I have written down this hatred." Sooner or later, call him good-looking! ”

"Yang Du and Gu Poyang are so good that they can wear a pair of pants, can you pick them single-handedly?" Li Mu shook his head and sighed, "I think it's difficult." According to me......"

As he was talking, he heard the bells ringing in all directions outside, and the gongs rang loudly. The three people in the Accord were stunned, and they all stopped talking and listened attentively. I heard the gong between the loud shouts: "...... Bohai Red Riding Victory! The founding marquis Guo Biao went deep into the desert, leveled the poor mountains, broke through the ancestral court of the Turbulent Ci, captured the Yuan Tent of the Exhaustion of the White Horse Carved Flag, and won a triumphant victory! The Son of Heaven passed on the rule of the world, hundreds of officials were closed for five days, and all state capitals and counties were equal, and fireworks were set off for ten days to celebrate! The Son of Heaven passed on the system again, and on the occasion of the third birthday of the second month of February in the 22nd year of the Eastern Common Era, the two Wei towns of Bohai and Yanshan offered prisoners! ”

I also heard someone read out the battle report aloud: "...... On the 24th of August, after the 3,000 cavalry led by his subordinates, he fought a fierce battle with the enemy for half a day. On August 29, they arrived near the Bohai Sea ......"

Hearing that there was another great victory, the guests in the wine shop, the stove workers, and the cooks could still sit still, so they all left what they were doing and ran out to see the excitement. In the blink of an eye, there was only one person left in the wine shop. He had even read Guo Biao's battle report, and he had no freshness or curiosity about this great victory, so he poured himself a glass of wine and took a sip, buried his head and looked at the "Qingshan Manuscript" that Tian Xiu gave him.

He read this book two or three years ago, and there were only five articles, "Persuading Farmers", "Persuading Learning", "Persuading Workers", "Persuading Merchants" and "Zhao Feng". "Zhao Feng" is a travelogue, which records the scenic spots in various places where Tian Xiu went, which can be skipped; But the remaining four are all refreshing and good articles. He has read all four articles on agriculture and business, but now that he reads it again, he has some new insights and experiences. When he first saw this book three years ago, he was only an officer with the rank of Seven Ranks, and he had only been a soldier for three or four months, so although a few articles could make his eyes shine, the more reason was that he was amazed that the authors of these articles were able to jump out of the limitations of the times, to observe and think about the changes in the whole society from a higher perspective, and even to make some forward-looking predictions. In fact, he wanted to get acquainted with Tian Qingshan at that time, more out of curiosity. In addition, at that time, he was at the lowest point in his life, and he was desperate to find someone who could have a lot of common topics and understand each other as friends; This was probably the biggest reason why he asked Tian Qingshan everywhere later. However, when he unexpectedly became the false governor of Yanshan, he found that many truths in the "Qingshan Manuscript" were not lost. For example, in "Persuading Farmers", "so that the people have a basis to hold and have a basis to understand the people's livelihood", it was difficult for him to understand what "holding on to evidence" referred to at the beginning. But now he understands that the people have their own land in their hands, and this is the people's holding; The people have enough rations to survive the spring famine, which is the people's situation; In the event of a serious natural disaster, the government can provide timely relief and let the people have something to rely on, which is the people's basis; There is a basis for holding and standing up, which is the compassion and maintenance of the people's fathers and elders, and "the people's livelihood" one by one. In "Persuading Farmers", "keeping the four seasons is more open, not hurting its roots", that is, let the government not send troops to recruit soldiers when the farmers are busy, and not to hurt the people's roots in order to earn a little more political achievements. What is the root of the people? Isn't it just a little food that sweat and strength are exchanged for in the land?

He was holding the book and reading it intently, completely ignoring that the bustle on the street had gradually faded away, and he didn't notice that Li Mu and Tian Xiu had returned to the Accord.

Li Mu glanced at Tian Xiu: Look, how attentive your registered disciple is!

Tian Xiu glared at him fiercely: You are a character of the elder generation, you have to have the demeanor of an elder, how can you make such a joke?

Li Mu didn't care, so he said to Shang Cheng: "Zida, wake up." ”

Shang Cheng raised his head at this time, smiled to himself and said, "I'm fascinated by reading." What's the matter, you're back after watching the excitement? ”

"I'm done. Ten days of fireworks, Guo Fengyi has won a big prize this time! Li Mu said. He asked Shang Cheng again, "I heard Qingshan say that Guo Fengyi served under you before this expedition?" ”

Shang Cheng glanced at Tian Xiu. Tian Xiu and Chen Pu Nanyang are both childhood friends, and it is not surprising that they know about Guo Biao; Just say, "Count yourself as one of my subordinates." However, he was the deputy commander of the army during the nineteenth year of the Northern Expedition, and I was his subordinate at that time. "As long as the general who does not hold real power in the army, he will often be transferred from place to place by the military department as needed. Just like him and Xiao Jian, both of them are in the Shangzhu Kingdom, and their titles are exactly the same, it stands to reason that they can't tell the difference between up and down, and they don't need to look at Xiao Jian's face and eyes when they speak and do things. But if the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of War had emphasized him to go to Jiazhou as the deputy head of the camp, then he would have become Xiao Jian's subordinate. At that time, if Xiao Jian didn't want him to sit, he had to stand, Xiao Jian told him to tell him something with a straight face, he had to salute before he could speak, even if Xiao Jian was in a bad mood and wanted to whip him a few times, he had to be beaten before he rubbed his ass and shouted injustice to the military department......

Li Mu and Tian Xiu were both amused by his words. Tian Xiu teased him and said: "You shout grievances at the military department, the military department can help you, and also whip the old general Xiao a few times?" ”

Shang Cheng smiled: "I'm just making an analogy. was really whipped by General Xiao, where did he dare to complain to the military department? The result of the complaint must be that he will be whipped by General Xiao again! ”

Tian Xiu smiled.

Li Mu didn't understand, so he asked: "Old General Xiao is obviously unfair, and the military department doesn't give a famous warning, why do you want to punish you?" ”

Shang Cheng smiled and said nothing. It seems that Li Mu really doesn't know anything about things in the military; And Tian Xiu really deserves to be a superb miscellaneous student, and he is even very familiar with these doors.

Tian Xiu explained Li Mu's confusion and said: "In this situation, in order to maintain the majesty of the army of the general in front, the imperial court will not care whether the old general Xiao is right or wrong, but will only send Uncle Ying's grievance paper back to the army for the old general to dispose of by himself." is also to maintain his own majesty, the old general must not admit his mistake, he must be punished again and again, who let him disobey the order? After speaking, he added, "Of course, it is definitely impossible for Old General Xiao to drag a Shangzhu State to the marching method because of some discouragement." ”

Shang Cheng laughed. He really admired Tian Xiu a little. Many brigade commanders and generals who have been in the military for many years may not be able to understand this truth, and they can't imagine that she can actually know. This person is indeed very skilled!

He suddenly remembered something, so he said to Li Mu: "Your Taishi Bureau wants to make the matter of the Heavenly Observatory, which is a bit eyebrow-raising. ”

"How?" Li Mu's eyes immediately lit up.

"The military department didn't agree......"

The light in Li Mu's eyes immediately dimmed.

“…… The Ministry of Industry is willing to pay. Shang Cheng said, "The Ministry of Industry promised to pay 5,000 yuan first, and then set aside two large kilns to burn glass in the workshop of Luoheyi, so that you can try to fire glass." Luo Shangshu and Chang Wenshi both said that if 5,000 yuan is not enough, they can add some more. As long as the total cost does not exceed 20,000 yuan, the Ministry of Industry can bear ......"

Li Mu rubbed his hands happily. Throwing away the money and all kinds of materials that should be paid, the entire Taishi Bureau's usual annual expenditure is only about 13,000 yuan, who knows that the Ministry of Industry has a mouth, and is willing to take out 20,000 yuan? The Ministry of Industry is indeed wealthy, and Shang Yanshan is really powerful! Without saying a word, he stood up and saluted respectfully, picked up the wine bottle and poured it for Shang Cheng to pour a full lamp, poured it himself full, and said, "Zida, you and I have a deep relationship, and I won't say anything extra to thank you." Come on, let's do this first! ”

Shang Cheng drank the wine and said, "...... However, Luo Shangshu and Chang Wenshi also said that the money of the Ministry of Industry was not paid for nothing. People have another request......"

"You say you say, you say you are!" Li Mu, who had not sat in the position of Shaoqing of the Taishi Bureau for a long time, was in a good mood, and while helping Shang Cheng pour wine, he said in a big way, "As long as you can cast the Heavenly Observatory, not to mention that the Ministry of Industry only mentions one condition, that is, ten hundred, so what's the matter?" ”

Shang Cheng only thought that his position had been implemented back to the Taishi Bureau, so he said with a smile: "Where do you need a hundred and ten conditions." Luo Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry said that since the Ministry of Industry paid for it this time, most of the process and technology of firing glass should be owned by the Ministry of Industry. ”

"If you want, give it to them." Li Mu said without hesitation, "It's all for them, we just need to observe the Heavenly Instrument!" ”

Shang Cheng smiled and was speechless. The generosity of the Taishi Bureau and Li Mu was in his expectation. There is no doubt that Li Dingyi is a gentleman; Since he is a gentleman, of course, he can't compare with others. And although Chang Wenshi is an article master, can't he be regarded as a gentleman, haven't he even seen that he can even take out his own fat words in exchange for money? He even had a rare literary talent, and came up with a couplet to describe these two diametrically opposed people: the gentleman is not close to Kongfang, but the fat word is coppery; Horizontal batches deserve to suffer one by one!

But Li Mu is generous, but his best friend is not ambiguous at all. Tian Xiu, who had been speechless for a long time, frowned and suddenly said, "Brother Su, that's not what you said. This is the Taishi Bureau and the Ministry of Industry jointly made the celestial instrument, with the result, of course, the political achievements are that everyone is divided into their own tables, and the firing of glaze...... The process of firing glass, of course, is also shared by the Taishi Bureau and the Ministry of Industry. At most, it depends on the Ministry of Industry to pay for the sake of people, so that the Ministry of Industry can take the lion's share. What's more, they themselves only said that they wanted to occupy the craftsmanship and ......" She looked up at Shang Cheng. Shang Cheng stared at her and grinned, "It's craftsmanship and technology. ”

"Yes, craftsmanship and technology! The Ministry of Industry itself said that it only accounts for most of the shares in the process and technology of firing glass. ”

Li Mu calmed down immediately. Obviously, Tian Xiu has a lot of weight in his mind, so he attaches great importance to her words. He was silent for a while and asked, "Then you see, how to divide the shares?" ”

"Thirty-seven." Tian Xiu said without hesitation, "Seventy percent of the Ministry of Industry, thirty percent of the Taishi Bureau." ”

Li Mu was a little embarrassed. Because he ptrained Shang Cheng to do this. In fact, it is very likely that he will not return to the Taishi Bureau when he returns to Shangjing this time, but will serve in the household department, and find Shang Cheng to help the Taishi Bureau cast the Guantianyi, but he just wants to help his old colleagues earn some political achievements. Moreover, one of the real contributors in this matter is Shang Cheng and the other is Tian Xiu, and the Taishi Bureau can get thirty percent of the shares without half of his strength, which is really unreasonable.

Shang Cheng immediately stated that he did not need a stake in the glass process. To be able to sit in this Accord and eat, he is already very satisfied. Before, he didn't realize what kind of big hole he had poked out of his momentary drunken gaffe, so he was still a little impatient with Li Mu's entanglement. But he now sees very clearly what he's done. Yes, glass is not easy to fire until the recipe is figured out. However, once it succeeds, no one can underestimate its impact. Before large-scale industrial production, it may only be an embellishment of the lives of a small number of people, and it may bring more or less changes to others, but the most important thing is that it will affect the course of history! Think about it, Li Mu and the Taishi Bureau will use glass to build the celestial sphere, through the two pieces of polished glass, what will they see? They will see a series of things that will change their perception of celestial phenomena: the moon has craters, Jupiter has moons, Saturn has rings, and the sun has sunspots......

All of this, what do they portend?

What two pieces of glass bring is certainly one of the milestones in the history of science; They will also be one of the greatest achievements in the history of human thought!

Now, he doesn't care about how to distribute the equity proposed by Tian Xiu. He was glad that he was in this Accord. The people who ate at the same table with him were the great astronomer Li Mu and the great inventor Tian Xiu. And he, under the name of "friend of the two scientists", appeared in various books and articles related to this meal, and then was mentioned again and again by posterity......