Chapter 3269: Where Song Shang Goes, Where the Light Goes

After Zhao Xing was promoted, although he was a third rank, he already had the power to dispatch the army, and this power was equivalent to "Tai Lieutenant". The first look at the Guangdong Tiangao Emperor Yuan, Zhao Xing controls the Liangguang area with one hand, and the people have privately called it the "King of Guangzhou", since then, Li Gefei's attitude has also changed, and the proposal for Zhao Xing's marriage is no longer just shirking, but also frequently creating opportunities for the two children to get along.

Li Gefei climbed into Zhao Xing's carriage and vacated his carriage for Zhao Feng and Li Qingzhao to ride, Zhao Feng had a bitter face and slowly climbed into the carriage, while Li Qingzhao turned over and got into the carriage neatly, reaching out to pull Zhao Feng into the carriage. Looking at Li Qingzhao's movements, Li Gefei said with satisfaction: "Zhao Feng, this kid, is very stable, I like it very much." ”

"Then what are you waiting for, I'll go tomorrow to get hired", Zhao Xing sat in the carriage and slapped his thigh excitedly. I was secretly stupid in my heart: "Zhao Tingzhi, I finally pried your corner." Li Qingzhao---- I failed to change the history of the Great Song Dynasty, but I changed your fate. ”

Li Gefei nodded lightly and replied: "My term of office expired last year, and I served as the economic envoy of Guangdong this year, and I plan to return to my hometown to settle down, if the child's marriage can be decided, I don't know if your child will return to Hangzhou or Guangzhou?" ”

"Back!" Zhao Xingsheng was afraid that Li Gefei would regret it: "My manor in Hangzhou should be inherited by my son-in-law, and in the future, that big castle will be tossed by your family...... Speaking of which, it is a feng shui treasure land that can be attacked and defended, and the surrounding villages of the Joy Industry and Cheng villages echo each other, and the Japanese slaves in the fort, the Gurkha slaves, and the Kunlun slaves. Pull it up and you're a soldier. There are also artillery in the castle's warehouses...... When you arrive in Hangzhou, your family can do whatever you want, because all the officials in Hangzhou are personally appointed by me and Po Gong. ”

Li Gefei nodded: "I don't have any big expectations for my career, I'm not like you, I have the brand of the Shu Party on my body, and I can be so strong and domineering, so I have achieved the Guangdong Economic Strategy, which is already the end." When this term of office expires, it is estimated that the money for the second half of his life will be enough. I plan to settle in Suzhou. If you have nothing to do, you can also go to Hangzhou to see your daughter. Leisurely travel, just to spend your old age in peace. ”

Zhao Xing sighed regretfully: "Guangzhou is in the ascendant, it is a period of great development, why does Brother Li want to leave at this time?" Can't you stay a few more years? ”

Li Gefei laughed loudly: "If you stay for a few more years, it is estimated that I will not be able to leave---- your business in Hangzhou is becoming more and more stable, and the court will definitely think about reducing your wings in the next step, and I am among them." If you don't leave at that time, I'm afraid there won't be a good ending, so it's better to leave early. ”

Zhao Xing still wanted to persuade again, but a voice sounded outside the carriage and asked: "Is it Zhao Jingluo's carriage, the lower officials just went with him, can you board the carriage and see it." ”

Zhao Xing knocked on the wall of the carriage, the carriage paused, and Wen Xun lifted the curtain and climbed into the carriage. Say hello to the two people in the car.

Zhao Xing's carriage was a four-wheeled carriage, and there would have been a few maids serving in the carriage, but today it was an official banquet, and the maids followed behind the carriage and did not enter the carriage. So the carriage was spacious. After Wen Xun sat down, he stretched. Chong Zhao Xing arched his hand: "Xia Guan has always wanted to go into the mansion to visit Lord Zhao, but the Lord is busy with his feet and often misses it. ”

Zhao Xing squinted, looking like he was enjoying Wen Xun's compliment, and he replied triumphantly: "Lord Wen's words should be written more in the letter." ”

Zhao Xing said "write more in the letter". It is a hint that Wen Xun will report more to the little emperor.

Moon Hoon immediately replied: "I wrote it---- but we are in the same city." It's not easy to imagine seeing Lord Zhao. I went to Guangzhou to pay a visit to the Yamen. Said that you ran to the Yamen of the Guangzhou Bo Division, and when I chased you to the Yamen of the City Bo Division, I said that you went to the Hong Kong Minting Division...... These three places alone make me run thin legs, not to mention that adults also like to run to Guangxi.

The lower official came this time to resign to my lordship, and I have already been transferred to the Jinghu North Road Inspectorate, and the new man will take office at the end of the year. In addition, I heard that the two visiting envoys from Guangdong and Guangxi will also be transferred to Hedong Road, and there will be a major transfer of Guangdong officialdom next year......"

Zhao Xing and Li Gefei looked at each other, the two were still talking about this just now, and now it seems that Zhang is starting to start.

"Xie Lin Xie Ying, the transfer envoy of Jinghu North Road, just met with me in Yizhang City, Master Wen is going to Jinghu, I can just say hello to him", Zhao Xing replied unceremoniously. Starting

This is a hint that the other side still needs to cooperate in the future. Wen Xun was not polite, he said with a smile: "I heard that the adults want to build the canal leading to Yizhang, and they also need to build the official road, and in the future, I will be on Jinghu North Road, I am afraid that I will inevitably have to deal with the adults." ”

As soon as Wen Xun said this, Li Gefei suddenly remembered, he hurriedly took out a copy of "Maritime News" from under him, shook the newspaper and said: "By the way, the new newspaper published a piece of news, saying that it was Shaozhou, Guangzhou, Jinghu, Chenzhou, and Tanzhou businessmen who funded the establishment of a canal company. ”

Zhao Xing smiled very honestly: "Yes, those businessmen communicated with me, they wanted to pool money to dig a canal, because it was the businessman's own money, it was purely a commercial act, so I didn't report it to the imperial court."

Anyway, the imperial court does not allocate funds, and people just do business on their own. Our magistrates can only do the logistics for them...... It is said that after the canal was dug up, they were going to charge the boats on the river, and then use the money to continue dredging the canal and keep the canal running, and make a small amount of money by the way. ”

Li Gefei smiled meaningfully at Zhao Xing, Wen Xun was not confused, he said in a dull tone: "I'm afraid it's not a little money!" Dongting is rich, my scattered goods in Guangzhou can be transported to Dongting by small boats, and the goods along the Yangtze River, especially the goods of Shu Jinchuan in Chengdu can be transported down the river, and directly transported to Guangzhou without changing ships. ”

Zhao Xing nodded and honestly admitted: "Recently, the Guangnan Navy has arrived at the former black-clothed food and is now in Arab territory. I heard that their horses there were very majestic, each of them was more than a thousand catties, thousands of catties, tall and big, and they ran tirelessly, often running in the desert for more than ten days. Still energetic (in the 18th century, only Arabian horses could complete the entire desert race).

Do you know? Such a majestic horse only needs seven baskets of tea leaves to exchange (Oman port has such a historical record), and the best war horse is only ten baskets of tea, that is, 150 catties of tea, or two Shu brocade...... It's cheap. I am going to exchange Shu brocade and tea for a large number of war horses to Arabia. But the appetite of those Arab merchants has been fed. It has to be a real Shu brocade. That kind of brilliant brocade can induce them to give way---- concession to the land.

An Arabian king promised that if I gave him a certain amount of Shu brocade, he would sell me a piece of sand by the sea, and although it was not producible, I was going to name it Kuwait---- which the locals pronounced it, and then I intended to use it as a foothold. With it as a support, our navy can sail farther away. ”

Wen Xun asked again: "After the adults buy this land, do you want to return it to the Great Song Dynasty?" Zhao Xing nodded: "Of course, I set up the Overseas Affairs Department to prepare for this." Overseas Song merchants are lonely, and without the support of the Great Song Dynasty behind them, they are just a group of lonely ghosts who are oppressed. They have to be officially present to be able to walk on that land with their chests puffed up. ”

Wen Xun nodded silently. No more talking.

When the carriage approached the dock area, Yuan Yeping, who had been waiting there, greeted him, who had just arrived in Hong Kong from Tamna, and showed off his war horse at the dock before he went to Zhao Xingfu to report. And his tall horse is indeed majestic, seeing Zhao Xing's carriage coming. Yuan Yeping immediately came up: "My lord, you see, this is the horse bred by our Tamna Island, according to what the adult said, it is a cross between a Spanish horse and an Arabian horse---- look, this skeleton is thick and strong, the four hooves are like clouds, it walks like a dance, and it is not bumpy when riding on the horse......

Such a horse. In the capital, it was sold for 80,000 yuan. There is still no market. My lord, we now have 3,000 horses on Tamna Island. Counted, it is worth 240 million yuan...... After several years of hard work, I finally saw results. ”

Zhao Xing passed, patted the horse's neck, and the violent war horse kept stepping on the ground, and under Zhao Xing's gentle touch, it gradually quieted down.

Looking at the oily skin of the war horse, Zhao Xing nodded with satisfaction and said: "I remember, not all horses are suitable for war horses, we still have to train, to get used to the sound of guns, but unfortunately, this horse is too expensive...... Li Gefei echoed and said: "I heard that if a war horse wants to go to the battlefield, it must be seven years old, and every qualified war horse is trained, at least three horses must be lost in the training process---- such an expensive war horse is only suitable for rich people to play, ordinary soldiers, who are willing to ride it to the battlefield." ”

Yuan Yeping crossed his hands, bowed, and replied: "Lord Li, however, an excellent war horse is still excellent, this horse is very sensitive to the master's movements, and with a little training, it will react in various ways with the master's small movements, such as stabbing and charging and crossing obstacles." And the colt needs more than ten times longer to train, and it may not be trained. Because those horses are nervously dull, they have to be driven by whipping.

For excellent horses, the whip is just for example, they don't need the whip to fall on the body to understand the meaning of the master---- this war horse is like this, it runs fast and steady, appreciating its running is like appreciating a dance, Master Li, there is time, let's take a good look at the running posture of this horse. ”

Yuan Yeping talked to Li Gefei, Zhao Xing had already turned his gaze to the carriage behind, and on the carriage behind, Li Qingzhao took Zhao Feng's hand and jumped out of the carriage with a smile, and Zhao Feng, the little brother, had a bitter face and looked straight at Zhao Xing for help. Zhao Xing hurriedly twisted his face to the side and pretended to ask Yuan Yeping: "Have you seen Chen Buqun, his fleet entered the port yesterday, saying that he was busy collecting sails and didn't come to my house." It's time to get done. ”

Yuan Yeping replied: "I saw him at the dock, he had already arranged the unloading, and then went to the Guangming Tower by himself. ”

Zhao Xing immediately answered: "Then what are we waiting for, go to that Bright Tower." ”

In front of the Guangming Tower, the relevant officials of Guangzhou are here, and they gather in front of the tower, evaluating this thirteen-level floating tower made of cement and stone.

There are frequent typhoons and torrential rains in Guangzhou. Under this climatic condition, the Indian-style cornices pavilion building has become less suitable for the harsh climate, and the stone tower built by Zhao Xing completely abandons the high cornices, and uses pure stone to build a short eaves similar to the Kaifeng Iron Tower, but the style is closer to the Mediterranean style architecture.

Slightly different from the Kaifeng Tower, this tower is a hexagonal tower. Each of the five sides of the tower, facing the sea, is inlaid with huge glass windows, except for the land-facing side, which is a closed stone wall, and only the topmost layer is inlaid with glass on six sides. Transparent and bright.

Such a tower. In ancient China, it was generally called the "Futu Pagoda".

This tower was built for a total of two years, and when it was just laid ground, Zhao Xing asked Su Shi to inscribe "Bright Tower".

The unveiling ceremony of the stone pagoda in the Song Dynasty was similar to that of modern times, and the official prostitutes of Guangzhou who came to the "point presentation" sang and danced, dedicating a perfect set of "road shows" of the Great Song Dynasty to attract the attention of passers-by. After the singing and dancing performance, Zhao Xing cut the ribbon. He walked into the Tower of Light with the officials and walked up the stairs to the twelfth floor of the tower.

On the twelfth floor, Chen Buqun was holding a telescope and observing the windows with glass on five sides. At this time, the sun gradually set, the sunset was red, and Chen Buqun was also printed and dyed red, in the red light of the sky, Chen Buqun first saluted Zhao Xing, and then put away the binoculars. Silently flashed to the side.

Li Gefei drew a magic candle and lit the torch in Zhao Xing's hand, Zhao Xing was about to use the torch to light the light on the tower, suddenly paused, beckoned Li Qingzhao, and said with a smile: "Today." This honor should be given to the little lady of the Li family, you may not know yet, just now I have made a family appointment with Master Li on the road, and I will go to propose tomorrow, so the honor of lighting the torch today, I am ready to be started by my future daughter-in-law. ”

Zhao Feng's face was bitter and could drip water, but Zhao Xing found that the child's eyes were full of smiles, and the corners of his eyes were curved upward. I can't hide my happiness. Zhao Xing's heart was overjoyed. I couldn't help but stuff the torch into Li Qingzhao's hand, and pointed Li Qingzhao forward. Light the wick with a torch.

The thirteenth floor of this tower is a large oil platform, after the wick is lit, the entire thirteenth floor is illuminated, and after a while, the hot steam produced by baking begins to turn the metal silver cover on the thirteenth floor, and the silver cover makes a rumbling sound.

This silver cover is made of the Song Dynasty marquee technology, stamped into a very thin silver plate, spliced out of a huge rotating lampshade, the hot air after the lampstand burns to the top of the lampshade, the air flow naturally drives the lampshade, like a marquee like a rotating lamp.

The marquee is painted with traditional stories and character paintings, but this lampshade is not a perfect lamp tube, it leaves a gap on one side, silver reflections on all sides, and the light can only pour out of this gap, and once the lampshade rotates, the ships on the sea in the distance will find the light emitted by the lighthouse, and then according to this flash, correct the course. Crew members who know trigonometric functions can even calculate their own speed and the sailing angle between the ship and the reef based on the gap between the flashes...... But that's all the knowledge that an officer needs to have.

After the lights on the thirteenth floor were lit, Zhao Xing led the officials to climb up to the thirteenth floor to watch the scenery, standing by the glass window on the thirteenth floor, observing the rotation of the lampshade, the thin silver plate made of stamping was very bright, when the gap was facing everyone, everyone felt that there was a light in front of them, and the stabbing people couldn't open their eyes.

After seeing the working condition of the lampshade, Zhao Xing turned his head and walked to the glass window, looking down at Hong Kong City, at this time, the people of Hong Kong also lit candles and oil lamps in front of the window in response to the lighthouse. The ships sailing on the sea also responded by lighting up the lighthouse to congratulate the lighthouse, and soon the whole world became a sea of lights. The lights continued on, as if one was shining into the sky.

Zhao Xing turned his head to the silent Chen Buqun and said: "A Westerner once told me that when most cities in the world are dark, the city of the Great Song Dynasty is bright, because my Great Song Dynasty is the only country without curfew in this era---- look at the city of light under our feet." Its lights can shine until the end of the world. ”

Li Gefei clapped his hands: "The word "City of Light---- is very appropriate, and today I finally know why you call this tower the Tower of Light." ”

Chen Buqun nodded silently, and immediately said: "Teacher, but the city of light is not only Hong Kong and Guangzhou, all the cities of my Great Song Dynasty are not curfew, and all our cities are the city of light." ”

"Yes, all the cities in this kingdom are bright, this is a country of light. At the same time, except for my Great Song Dynasty, cities all over the world are dark at night. ”

Chen Buqun shook his head: "Not only that, but now in the Nanyang area, wherever there is a city where my Song merchants gather, it is also bright, as long as there is a place where my Song merchants gather, even if it is late at night, it is full of lights, singing and dancing." ”

Zhao Xing then added: "Yes, this is the spark of civilization, we spread light to the world, and you and I are the ones who ignite the flame of light...... I know that you are very dissatisfied with my handling of you in the Dali incident. But what's the use of those false names?

At the beginning, when I saw a jade city prostrate at my feet, I knew that it was only me who could conquer this city---- no, our master and apprentice. Zhang Tian conquered the city, but everyone knew that he couldn't do it without me.

Zhang Tian was victorious, and he was also transferred. Transferred to the capital to raise up, but I don't want you to be transferred away at that time, our road is still long, the world is in front of us, waiting for us to open the door, light the lights, and bring light---- we have a broader world to conquer, why care about Dali.

The return of the original Xianglin County is a merit. It is not our pursuit to conquer our homeland, but our pursuit is to open up a road facing the sea.

No, you have been to the West with me, you know, the footsteps of my Song merchants have been all over this Western business road, now, my Song merchants have gone to the sea, what is missing is only the official recognition, what is missing is that there is a person who comes forward and twists them into a rope---- this is what I need you to do, I hope that you and I will be engraved in the hearts of the Song people with the name of the ocean pioneer.

No, the official recognition is not worth mentioning, only the monument in the hearts of the people is permanent. ”

Chen Buqun lowered his head, thought for a moment, and pleaded guilty to Zhao Xing: "Teacher, in fact, I have already figured it out when I arrived in Jinlan City. Originally, my Song people were like a lost dog in Nanyang, bullied by others, but now, each of them has a smile on their faces---- which is what the teacher said: a confident smile.

Seeing their smiles, I have understood everything, the teacher's ambition is not on the mainland, but on the sea, my duty is to follow in the footsteps of the teacher, so that the Song people in a foreign land have a pride commensurate with our civilization; Even if you are in a foreign country, you can feel the protection of the imperial court.

The reason why I didn't dare to see the teacher this time was because I didn't have the face to see the teacher. I suffered a big loss in Arabia, and the Arabs burned and sank more than a dozen warships, two of which were of the Giant Ship class...... Teacher, as soon as I close my eyes, I can see the Arabs on the upper body, holding torches and throwing them at us......

This is not the worst, the worst thing is that our African route has been discovered by the Tibetan merchants, when the convoy I escorted passed through the island of Huluna (Sri Lanka Island), some of the Tibetan merchants asked to leave the fleet and go west alone, I didn't care at the time, and when I came back, I found that those merchants had already returned from Africa, waiting for us to go back to Guangzhou together...... Teacher, I should have been more resolute at that time, and resolutely sank those merchants who left the team. ”

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