Xing nodded: "Let me do this, there are some people coming and going to the sea in the Hosu Pavilion now.7 I asked the Japanese people to play the role of pirates, sink them one by one, let all their existing ships sink into the sea, and then choke their throats, so that they can't make new ships, so that their future sea transactions can only be completed through the Song ship." \

Hou Meng interjected: "I heard that you are going to Japan to inspect next-although Japan is under the jurisdiction of the Beiyang Affairs Bureau, you are going to inspect Japanese manors, which I can't control." ”

Hou Meng opened his mouth to Zhao Xing, and at the same time vaguely reminded Zhao Xing to hurry up. The two of them talked about the conspiracy against the Jin people without scruples in front of Dazai Zheng Juzhong, but Zheng Juzhong, the maintainer of royal interests, listened very happily, and he said casually: "The Jurchens are useless now, Liu Anfu is going to Shaanxi, if I can recapture the Qingtang Dynasty, my Great Song Dynasty has a horse breeding base, plus the war horses imported by the Taiwei from Tamluo Island, and the good horses smuggled by the Bohai people behind their backs, my Emperor Song is no longer worried about horses."

Now, the useless Jurchens can weaken the Liao State for us now, if they can't weaken the Liao State, wait a few more years, we can weaken the Liao State alone, so in the long run, after we regain Youyan, the Jurchens will become my frontal enemy. It is appropriate for the lieutenant to be a subordinate now. ”

Zhao Xing glanced at Zheng Juzhong and did not say anything.

Zheng Juzhong's words just now show that the mentality of the ministers of the Great Song Dynasty has changed, in the past they were worried that they would not be able to defeat the Khitans, but now with the conquest of Nanyang, they already have an equal mentality when facing the Liao, and they think that with Zhao Xing's planning, the advantages of the Great Song Dynasty are becoming more and more obvious, and one day, the Great Song Dynasty will be able to easily recover Youyan.

Zhao Xing pondered for a moment, and replied in his heart: "The Bohai Kingdom cannot be in the hands of the Jin, that fertile Liaohe Plain will provide a large amount of food for people to use in war, and it can also train the most fierce warriors - Farmers with family property have always been the most determined warriors."

This is not terrible, what is terrible is that since the Three Kingdoms era, every time there is a war in the Central Plains, there are always a large number of people fleeing into the Liaohe Plain, where there is a mature iron-smelting industry, textile industry, leather industry, these things cannot fall into the hands of the Jin people......"

After a pause, Zhao Xing finally revealed his tone: "I started to make trouble in the Bohai Kingdom, just hoping to mess up that land, but now that the Hosu Pavilion has been thrown into the Jurchens, there is no need for the Liaohe Plain to exist, and we must hurry up and turn that land into ruins......"

Zheng Juzhong was taken aback, Hou Meng seemed to have expected it, he took a leisurely sip of tea, and reminded casually: "Taishi, the affairs of the Bohai Kingdom cannot be preached in public. ”

Zhao Xing clapped his hands: "Out of my mouth, into your ears, no longer to outsiders." ”

"Out of my mouth. into your ears" is what Wang Anshi said. He said that the object of the land was Su Dongpo. After Wang Anshi was demoted. Su Dongpo cleared the "Wutai Poetry Case" and was unjustly imprisoned. Start over. He made a special detour to the place where Wang Anshi lived in seclusion. Ask to see the leader of the New Party, who had persecuted him. Su Dongpo tried his best to state to Wang Anshi that the new law had caused land ills. At this time. Re-engaged with the folk land king Anshi already knew that he was wrong. He admitted his mistake to Su Dongpo. Then Su Dongpo, an incorrigible optimist, naively expected Wang Anshi to come out and admit his mistake to the members of the New Party. Wang An's answer was these eight words.

What he means is: It's okay for me to admit my mistakes to you in private. But I must not admit my mistake in public. If I admit it, don't say it again......

Wang Anshi forgot. Su Dongpo is not only an incorrigibly optimistic person. Or an incorrigibly loud mouth. He preached Wang Anshi's confession of mistakes, and all mankind knew about it. But it didn't work. The New Party does not admit it.

In fact, Zhao Xing's request today has not been implemented. Hou Meng is better. He will soon succeed the Northern Affairs Bureau. The Nanyang Affairs Bureau and the Beiyang Affairs Bureau were specially set up by Song Huizong for overseas institutions. Later generations once commented that the absurd emperor Song Huizong set up many unprecedented offices. Most of these institutions are set up in error. Only the two major bureaus are doing it right.

Under the influence of Zhao Xingdi. The Great Song Dynasty was a gentleman's politics internally. Pay attention to humility and courtesy; Foreign. Under the leadership of the two major secretariats. All sorts of intrigues and tricks go into battle together. These people are afraid that they will not be vicious enough when they devise the plot. Not insidious enough.

Hou Meng was in this environment. Zhao Xing's various means against the Bohai Sea are silently supported. At this time, the Beiyang Affairs Bureau was in the ascendant. Unlike the Nanyang Affairs Bureau, which has deep pockets. So Hou Meng adopted a tolerant attitude. Behind the scenes, he silently supported Zhao Xingdi's Nanyang Affairs Bureau to get involved in northern affairs - of course. He also made a lot of money from this tolerant attitude. It is precisely from this attitude that the Beiyang Affairs Bureau has continuously received a large amount of ordnance support. And then it grows.

Zheng Juzhong is different, he left the capital for more than half a year this time, away from the power of the capital, in addition to pulling Zhao Xing into the ranks of the imperial family, he also had to show the court officials that his days were not wasted, so Zhao Xing's various conspiracies against foreign countries were laid out by him one by one, and said that he had contributed to his own merits, and tried his best to confess that he had participated in the planning of these events......

Fortunately, the uncle and nephew have never returned to the territory of the Great Song Dynasty since this incident set foot in the Great 6, and the Jin people, who were busy fighting at both ends, only wanted to clean up the affairs in front of them, but they had no intention of exploring the affairs in the Great Song Dynasty.

In July, after Zhao Xing and the royal family confirmed the marriage, it seemed that they had settled down a lot, and the second son Zhao Yun accepted the position of the royal cloud cavalry captain and the imperial city envoy, and agreed with the imperial court to enter the capital after the wedding, and serve as the idle position of the palace gatekeeper, the Zhao family finally breathed a sigh of relief, and countless people fell asleep peacefully this night.

The Song Dynasty was a patriarchal society, no matter how important the royal affairs were, they must abide by the patriarchal law, Zhao Xing's family law stipulates that men are not twenty years old. Therefore, although the royal family is very anxious to recruit Zhao Yun into Beijing, so as to pinch Zhao Xing with a handle in his hand, since Zhao Xing said that his family has a family law, and he himself abides by this family law, Su Dongpo, Huang Tingjian and others are the witnesses of his own wedding.

Hao made concessions and allowed Emperor Ji Changguo to live in his fiefdom, and only officially got married when he was married at the age of marriage

Since the prospective daughter-in-law Changguo lives in Changguo, Zhao Xing decided to build a gorgeous manor for the emperor, so that the emperor can not be lonely when he is married, he made a lot of noise, and in the same month, the latest issue of the "Maritime News" suddenly announced that Zhao Xing offered a reward to recruit engineers.

In this issue of Maritime News, he talked about the statue of Rhodes Island in the first issue of Maritime News, claiming that since the inhabitants of Rhodes could build a huge statue of the god in ancient times, then I could also complete this work in the prosperous Great Song Dynasty.

Zhao Xing talked about the physics course being taught at the Guangnan School of Affairs, and mentioned that after several years, many people have figured out the imbalance in the center of gravity of the so-called Rhode Island statues, as well as other reasons, for which he offered a reward of 1 million yuan, asking all those who love physics to design a huge building that is no less than the statue of the Rhode Island god. The building will be a lighthouse, its interior is hollow enough to be inhabited by the lighthouse guards, and at night, the gas lights on the statue will show the way home for the Song merchants returning from overseas, and also allow the pilgrims of the vassal kingdoms to see the statue and know the creativity of the people of the Great Song Dynasty......

King Lu, or King Jian saw the news from the newspaper, Zhao Xing did not discuss this matter with him in advance, King Jian saw the "Maritime News", first opened his mouth in surprise, and later, he came to his senses and scolded: "Zhao Liren has a lot of money and nowhere to spend, a million yuan, just for a design drawing?!" No matter how magnificent this statue is, can it cost a million to build it? No, this is a well-known matter, and it is not appropriate. ”

Changguo, as a woman, was very interested in this kind of ostentatious proposal, she sat on the stool, dangled her calves, flipped through the newspaper with a bright face, and smiled at the corner of her mouth, but tried her best to maintain a light expression, and interjected: "Brother, what's wrong." The tide of Qiantang makes Hangzhou wharf can not be used all year round, and the unloading of goods is not a matter of one or two days. This dock was built in my sister's fiefdom, and it was also a royal affair, since the dock was built, there must be a lighthouse, what the lighthouse was built, it was my sister's own business, and my brother didn't need to say much. ”

King Lu glanced at the smug Changguo, and reminded coldly: "I heard that the junior of the Zhao family is prieing the family again, this time he took twenty Gurkha guards south to Guangzhou, I heard that he brought 100,000 yuan with him, and he plans not to spend all the money and not go home, isn't my sister worried at all?" ”

Chang Guo dangled her legs, goose yellow embroidered shoes came in and out from the corners of her skirt from time to time, like a flickering little butterfly, she said disapprerovantly: "Since Ah Weng doesn't care, why should I talk too much - brother, according to you, with Ah Weng's means, if he doesn't nod, will Xiao San have a chance to get out of the Amachi Garden?" ”

King Lu thought about it, sighed and replied: "I don't know what Zhao Liren thinks, this child is stubborn, in my opinion, maybe it is the second Wang Xu, but Zhao Liren is very doting." Xiao San is stubborn like this, but Zhao Liren publicizes this marriage to everyone, if there is a change, we will not become a laughing stock. ”

Changguo shook his head: "The official family needs to publicize it like this, and the ministers of the court also need to let the world know about this marriage, Ah Weng did this, which is in line with the appetite of the civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty, but I don't know why my brother said it was inappropriate, are you afraid that others will know about your army in Changguo?" ”

King Lu was startled, he stood up with a swish, but immediately sat down slowly, and said slowly: "Changguo expanded the dock, Zhao Liren recruited 130,000 craftsmen, and he also trained a team of attendants for me, but it was also the army of the Great Song Dynasty, less than 10,000 soldiers scattered among the 130,000 craftsmen, my sister didn't say it, who would pay attention?" ”

Changguo shook his head and reminded with a delicate euphemism unique to girls: "Brother Wang, Huang Xiang is a straight person, although he and Ah Weng are like brothers, when he was in danger, Ah Weng also sheltered him, but Huang Xiang's heart to guard against Ah Weng is also on the bright side, and the world knows everything - do you think Ah Weng doesn't know how Liu Zhongwu and Gao Yongnian were placed in Huaixi?"

Ah Weng calmly faced Huang Xiang's precautionary heart, that is his show to the world, such a person, how much do you think he will help you? ”

In fact, Zhao Xing was of great help to King Lü, he helped King Lü form an exclusive fleet, and also recruited retired veterans and idle utility for him to form a musketeer of 3,000 men. When Changguo says "help" here, he actually means that Zhao Xing will not help King Lu ascend to the throne of the emperor. It's a pity that she couldn't listen to her vague persuasion, he shook his head with a smile, and said to himself: "There are many people, and private cargo ships transport stones and timber, and they come and go to Changguo, they will inevitably see something strange...... Forget it, he Zhao is not afraid of others, what am I afraid of? ”

In the study, Wan Qianyong was also holding the "Maritime News" to talk about Zhao Xing's behavior, and there were Chen Yiyi and Cheng Azhu in the room at the same time, these two had been persuaded just now, but they couldn't talk about Zhao Xing at all. Wan Qiyong came to persuade them, and the two of them stopped to watch, hoping to persuade Zhao Xing to change his mind.

"Millions, just to design a drawing, it's not worth it! Leaving people, since ancient times, wealth has not been exposed, you have money, everyone in the Great Song Dynasty knows about it, but if you spend millions like this, you will inevitably be targeted by people with intentions in the future, which is inappropriate. ”

Cheng Azhu continued: "Yes, I persuaded you just now." No matter what Ah Yun says, he is just a second son, you are so aggressive, where is the eldest son, Qingzhao's family can't help but complain, their marriage will overshadow the second son, and the family's financial resources are not allowed, don't you make them embarrassed? ”

Zhao Xing shook his head: "In my opinion, it is really cheap to implement a discipline for one million. I'm going to call this project the 'Changkook Project' and invite people who love physics to study it. In this way, the whole Song Dynasty will pay attention to this science. People have curiosity, and under curiosity, they can't help but explore what kind of principle this lighthouse still stands majestically

It's no longer a sideshow.

You can rest assured that all the research is useful, the study of how a huge lighthouse can be erected, which involves many aspects, and the calculation of its mechanical principles is a system engineering, after which the study of its physics will form a whole system of disciplines, and in the future, we will have to refer to the principles of dams, fortresses, and even ships.

In addition, there is aesthetics, how a huge statue can make people look pleasing to the eye, which involves a lot of aesthetic principles, because people look at large statues on the ground, which is different from the usual viewing of small statuettes, as far as I know, the proportions of large statues are not as uniform as those of small statuettes, because the change of sunlight will make some parts look like shadows, and in order to eliminate the distortion caused by shadows, the large statues also have to distort the statues themselves, so the large statues are reduced to see, but they are ugly, and the proportions are inappropriate, and study these clearly, It will allow us to make a preliminary exploration of the principles of optics.

All of this is creation, it is an in-depth excavation of a discipline, and the use of the knowledge of this discipline to create, you can imagine, as soon as this issue of the newspaper came out, the whole Song Dynasty has never paid so much attention to physics as it is now, originally I had to tell them one by one that there are some physical principles in each project, and tell them that perfect projects are mathematically calculated, and then measured with a ruler, but now that they don't need to, the whole Song Dynasty knows that 'everything makes sense, this is physics'. ”

After a pause, Zhao Xing added: "Spend a million guan to let the entire Great Song Dynasty pay attention to one subject, so that the Great Song Dynasty can understand a truth, how cheap it is." The gathering of the most talented people in the Great Song Dynasty to participate in this great project is tantamount to invisibly cultivating a group of scholars who are proficient in the principles of physics for our Nanyang Affairs Bureau. Now, the official family has sent the princes out of Beijing, and the Great Song Dynasty will build countless castles in Nanyang in the future. ”

Wan Qiyong pondered for a moment to say this, but it sounded decent, but who understood that Lord Taiwei was out of a public heart, and others couldn't help but think that Taiwei was showing off his wealth, which was not good. Besides, the worries of the two ladies just now are also reasonable, the marriage of the second son is so extravagant, what will Li Gefei think? ”

Zhao Xing diverted the topic and said it's time to come back, I'm going to send some natives who are completely different from the Song people to Bohai Kingdom, you inform him to come back as soon as possible, and I will take him with me when I go to Japan. ”

Wan Qianyong glanced at Zhao Xing in surprise and replied: "Shuai Zilian has withdrawn to Tamluo Island last month, and is currently sorting out the spoils of war on Tamluo Island and treating the wounded - he can't help but withdraw, since last month, the Liao people and the Jin people have been organizing people and horses, hoping to capture a piece of evidence to negotiate with the Great Song Dynasty, his soldiers have been in danger repeatedly, and they have to withdraw from the Bohai Sea to avoid danger...... You know that, too. ”

After a pause, Wan Qianyong immediately said: "I thought that it was not necessary for the adults to go to Japan this time, the Japanese people are not respectful to us now, you want to hit him on the left cheek, he also put the right cheek up after you beat him, in this case, the adults led the troops to Japan, I guess it must not be able to fight, this army moves, how much food is consumed, and the adults run empty, but why?" ”

Wan Qianyong began to talk about business with Zhao Xing, Cheng Azhu and Chen Yiyi had no choice but to retire, and Cheng Azhu continued to work hard when he said goodbye: "Since Xianggong has decided, the slave family is not good to say anything, but the Li family is there, Xianggong has to explain in person." ”

Zhao Xing nodded: "I heard that Li Gefei is currently playing in Huzhou, I will immediately send a letter to explain to him, you can rest assured, Li Gefei is not a careful person." ”

Chen Yiyi said worriedly before leaving: "After this incident, it is inevitable to add some guards to the castle to prevent a little peep ......"

After the two ladies said goodbye, Wan Qianyong continued to explain the official business: "Leaving people, I think this time the handsome man even went to Liaodong, but the gains outweighed the losses, the army was dispatched for eight months, and millions of money and food were consumed, and a lot of ammunition was consumed, I originally wanted to act in secret, but now the Liao people and the Jin people know who this army is, and they only hide it from the official family, is it useful?" ”

Zhao Xing replied: "Yes, we have tested the practicability of the new weapon through six months of actual combat, and this weapon will become the main force of war in the next few hundred years, and we will use six months to finalize it, which is really cheap."

What if the Liao people and the Jin people know, the Jin people are now fighting with the Liao people in full swing, and they are now temporarily truce, because both sides want to expend their forces in order to fight again, there is no possibility of reconciliation between them, this is a life-and-death battle, and one side must fall to stop. So the Khitans can't take care of us now.

It's a pity that we are not well prepared for arms now, and it just so happens that the Liao people and the Khitans are also temporarily truce, so we have no chance to start, wait, what we need to do now is to prepare materials, and wait until the war between the two sides is re-gassed, that is our chance to act. ”

Wan Qianyong questioned: "When you read the Liaodong Military Newspaper last month, didn't you say a sentence: I wanted to let Shuai Zilian practice the tactics of dealing with cavalry, but I didn't expect that the Liaojin and Jin sides did not dispatch large-scale cavalry after all. In this way, the purpose of our military training will not be in vain. You said you have to wait, how long? If the two sides fight again, won't the soldiers we are training now already grow old? ”

Zhao Xing frowned, and said with annoyance: "After the imperial court transferred Liu Zhongwu back and transferred him to Shaanxi, the Tibetan side should be pacified soon, and at that time, it is estimated that the time for change will come." ”

Zhao Xing talked about Liu Zhongwu, who was watching the tactical drills of the young students at the staff headquarters at this time.

According to his account, the students had already reenacted the Battle of Huaixi on the sand table, and pointed out the shortcomings of this battle one by one in the demonstration, and also deduced countless ways to win, which made Liu Zhongwu amazed: "Originally, the Taiwei reminded me to come here to have a look, but the official still had a little contempt in his heart, thinking that it was just talking on paper, but Erer, I didn't expect that this repetition would have so many problems. ”

Zhe Kebao's Zhe Kebao also responded with deep sympathy: "I originally thought it was a musketeer

There is no big difference between soldiers, is it a war, it is the main general who strategizes + fights with muskets, and there are so many truths, this trip to Hangzhou to study can be regarded as worthwhile. ”

Guo Guangsheng, who is also from Shaanxi, replied: "Fighting in the mountains, I heard that the demon soldiers are very good. He should order a squad to climb the mountain beams and bombard the possible hiding points of the mountain bandits with small artillery with the army, and then order the dragoons to attack and drive the mountain bandits to the preset positions of the infantry...... It's a pity that except for the Nanyang Affairs Bureau, it seems that there is no such a complete range of troops in other places. ”

Liu Zhongwu turned his head and asked: "I heard that the small cannon is very powerful, Brother Guo just said, with this kind of small cannon, from now on, the fortress of Shaanxi Wubi is really so powerful?" ”

Guo Guangsheng nodded: "I once watched the test firing of the small cannon with my own eyes......"

Speaking of this, Guo Guangsheng looked around and lowered his voice and continued: "I heard a rumor - of course, that is, it is rumored that Shuaizi even used this kind of small cannon in Liaoxi, and there was no earth enclosure that could not be blown up, and even the stone fort could not be stopped. It is said that the soldiers of a capital, equipped with such a small cannon, can guard a simple mountain village, and although the Khitans sent a large army of cavalry, they were helpless against them.

The person who told me the news should be credible, he was originally a son of Shaanxi, and he once sighed to me: If there is such a small cannon in the mountain village of my hometown, the Xixia people will come and bombard his mother. No matter how thick the armor of the iron harrier is, it can be blown to pieces, so that even if the village is guarded by twenty or thirty people, it can be impregnable. ”

After all, Zhe Kebao is a child of Shaanxi, he kindly reminded: "Liu Anfu went to Qin Feng, you might as well bring a few small cannons, the cottage that was laid down does not need too many people to guard, a soldier plus a cannon, the Tubo people can only take a long-term difficult strategy, as long as there is a guard in the village, stick to it for ten days and a half months, before the shells are not exhausted, it is futile to let thousands of troops and horses come to attack." ”

Liu Zhongwu solemnly arched his hand, thanked him and said: "Two, this is to teach me the strategy in the future, thank you." ”

Guo Guangsheng stared at the sand table, and said intentionally or unintentionally: "Tubo is vast and sparsely populated, and the terrain is flat, but now since the imperial court is not worried about war horses, it might as well arm a cavalry team like the Nanyang Affairs Bureau, and the army only carries enough ammunition and small cannons, and captures the stockade and is garrisoned by infantry, and the main force is interspersed with reincarnation, blooming everywhere, attacking everywhere, and it will make the Qingtang people unable to hold their homes and put horses......

Liu Zhongwu stared at the sand table and nodded in praise: "In this way, with a small amount of ordnance in the imperial court, I can force the Qingtang people to surrender again within two years!" ”

The seed of the family Mingwu didn't speak just now, and at the moment he interjected idly: "I think Master Taishi doesn't need them to surrender, this group of people surrendered and rebelled, rebelled and surrendered, and it was inconclusive, and the imperial court requisitioned and transferred the army several times, and how much food was spent." Lord Liu is going, you might as well discuss it with Taiwei, I think Taiwei is a slave, and Nanyang is short of slave labor......"

Zhe Kebao smiled innocently and reminded: "When the Western Xia people talk about Zhao Laohu, they grit their teeth with hatred, it is the strategy of reducing the number of horses implemented by Taiwei in Huanqing, which has the effect of going deep into the Xia realm and plundering the herdsmen, so that the Xia people still dare not go out to graze alone, in addition, there is also the strategy of selling horses and slave workers to discount military spending.

Lord Liu is going to Qin Feng, you might as well follow the old policy of Huanqing, where the benefits are, everyone will compete for the first. The soldiers were not highly motivated to fight, so they knew that there was a harvest in the war, and the captured herdsmen and the robbed war horses were handed over to the Huanqing merchants for purchase, so that the soldiers would inevitably work hard. After this battle, Qingtang will be uninhabited. ”

mouth, everyone knows what everyone talked about just now, and he heard it word for word: "It's not proper, Qingtang is a fertile land for horse grazing, this foreign race, a chicken regains and a chicken crows, eliminating Zhao Huaide, Zhao Huaiyu and Zhao Huaishi will rise up, and the land of Qingtang is empty, there will be countless tribes who will forcibly migrate, after all, it is a big harm." ”

Liu Zhongwu frowned, and replied thoughtfully: "You mean to sell the occupied land to others like Master Taishi did...... But I heard that the Beiyang Affairs Bureau hit Goryeo, and no one wanted the land that was plundered, and even a few Song merchants who sold copper plates at a low price were unwilling to go, that land was cold and vicious, and foreign races kept harassing it, how could anyone be willing to buy it? ”

Liu Zhongwu asked again: "You mean to find a few grassland people to contribute money - but where do they have money, I guess their entire tribe can get together and be rich if they can make up ten copper plates." ”

Yes, if you want to occupy that piece of land, who will change it! ”

Liu Zhongwu's eyes lit up: "You mean to lure foreign races to help in the war, let them charge in front, and promise to give them land afterwards...... But this is related to the law of the imperial court, Qingtang is the henchman of the imperial court, which tribes should be distributed to, I am afraid that the imperial court has its own plans. ”

Zhongwu's rank was bigger than him, he patted Liu Zhongwu on the shoulder, and shouted: "You are stupid, appeasing the original Qingtang people is also appeasement, and appeasing other tribes is also appeasement, you have been fighting in Shaanxi for many years, don't you know a few friendly tribes on the territory adjacent to Western Xia, let them fight, allow them to move to Qingtang afterwards, and then the land they vacated in Western Xia will be distributed to the people of Qin Feng, this in and out, the court will only think that it is a great achievement, you don't say that those tribes moved from Western Xia, who knows in the court?" ”

Liu Zhongwu suddenly realized, he stomped his feet again and again, and nodded frequently in his heart: "That's right, that's right, over there in Huanqing, the neighboring herdsmen and can't stay anymore, and many tribes on the left and right flatter the Great Song Dynasty, without it, they just ask us not to harass ...... Not bad, yes, why didn't I think of it earlier! "To be continued, if you want to know what will happen next, please log on to 6m, more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!