Early the next morning, Qian Jin struggled to get up from the bed. I drank a whole pot of wine last night and my head hurt slightly.

He washed up, looked at the door, and saw that the snow had stopped. There were already some pedestrians on the road, and the snow on the ground was already showing some signs of melting.

Qian Jin got dressed and prepared to go out on the street to eat something.

Along the way, although some shops have opened, there are few customers, and the whole street seems a little deserted. What is somewhat abrupt is that a white lantern hangs at the door of all the shops, inns, restaurants, and people's houses. In the country of Chen, hanging a white lantern means that someone is getting old.

Qian Jin grabbed a pedestrian and asked, "What happened?" ”

"The first emperor has died......"

"When?"

"The messenger only arrived at Guanhai City last night, and it is said that it was more than half a month ago." With that, the pedestrian hurried away.

Qian stationed in the foot of silence.

It stands to reason that it is sad for someone to pass away, but the one who passed away is like a god's house, only seeing its light, but not seeing its appearance. Qian Jin neither heard of his great achievements, nor did he see any goodwill deeds. The only thing he is known for is that he has more than 100 ministers in court and imprisoned his grandfather for eight years.

Do you need to grieve? Qian Jin shook his head, raised his feet and walked towards Xifeng Building.

Today, the business of Xifeng Building is unprecedentedly deserted. Qian Jin swaggered up to the second floor, swaggered down on the window seat that was usually very tight, and ordered a bowl of porridge and two steamed buns, plus a small plate of pickles. After two mouthfuls of porridge, my burning stomach felt a little more comfortable.

At this time, there were two tables of people on the second floor, and there were two people sitting not far away, looking like businessmen who were traveling from south to north, and at this moment the two of them were talking quietly.

One of them said: "I heard that the first emperor only ascended the throne at the age of thirty-six, and he reigned for twenty-six years, and lived for sixty-two years, which is already considered a long life." ”

"Shh......h How can you talk about the first emperor? Be careful to get you to jail. Another merchant hurriedly reminded him not to talk nonsense.

Qian Jin ate it unhurriedly. Before leaving, he walked to the next table and clenched his fists and asked, "Two brothers, which emperor is on the throne now?" ”

The two merchants glanced at him vigilantly, and when they saw that it was a scholar, they hugged the north and said, "The first emperor only had one heir, and now it is Emperor Renwu who is on the throne. ”

Qian Jin thanked him and walked out of Xifeng Building.

He walked around the street casually, picking on the snow that had not been soiled, and before he knew it, he was outside the inn. He grinned, and said in his heart that he missed his sister.

Push the door and enter, there are two snowmen piled up in the courtyard of the post house, each wearing a hat, which looks vivid. Hearing the sound of Boa and Emily playing upstairs, the corners of Qian Jin's lips curled inadvertently.

After going upstairs, Qian Jin knocked lightly on the door a few times. There was a thud of feet on the floor. Just as he was wondering who would open the door this time, the door creaked open, and Jenny's warm smile grew.

"Brother......

"Brother Jin......"

Two happy elves ran out of the house, and they almost knocked them down without getting the money in. Since Boa and Emily got acquainted, they have become friends who talk about everything. Emily Aiwu and Wu call Qian Jin her brother.

"You're here." Swald looked up and said hello, then began to look at the thick book with a hard paper cover in his hand.

After some pleasantries, Qian Jin asked Jenny, "How are Emily and Boa?" ”

The two of them had nothing to say. Boa has learned a lot of everyday English, and Emily speaks Mandarin a lot better. ”

Qian Jin was very satisfied when he heard it.

At this time, Shi Huade had already closed his thick book that he had read for an unknown number of times, took off his glasses and put them on the table, and asked, "Emperor Hongzhi of your country has passed away, do you know?" ”

Qian Jin said "um", which was an answer.

Schward sighed: "It's too hard to be an emperor, and it's even harder to be a responsible emperor." I have to get up very early every day, go to court, and make a lot of twists and turns. There are so many rules in the palace, and being an emperor is actually not happy. ”

"Even so, there are still many people who want to be emperors, and they like the feeling of being in power." Qian Jin retorted.

Swald was a missionary, and in his view all people were the Lord's people, and even the most wicked were just lost lambs who would always return to the Lord's arms. He drew a cross on his chest and said, "May he rest in heaven, if there are not so many twists and turns......

Qian Jin didn't want to talk to him about the emperor. He pulled out a musket and handed it to Sward, asking, "Mr. Sward, do you still have gunpowder?" ”

Ever since Qian Jin salvaged two muskets from a sunken ship, he likes to pin one on his lap every time he goes out. Without gunpowder, this musket can only be used to scare people, and it can also be used as a mallet to smash people.

Sward took the musket and played with it, asking, "This was salvaged from the Dutch battleship?" ”

"Not bad...... It's just that there is no gunpowder, and I have never used it yet. ”

"You're in luck. This is a flintlock pistol, which is much more convenient to use. With that, Sward pulled the trigger, only to see the flint on the musket spark on the fire door.

Qian Jin has also played with this musket, and he is also very clear about its structure. Listening to Sward's meaning, the flintlock pistol was still a scarce commodity, and he could be regarded as having found a treasure, so he asked: "Has the flintlock pistol been used on a large scale in your country?" ”

"Probably not yet. Our warships will also anchor in Guanhai City several times a year to make some deals with your country. As far as I know, those sailors are still using arquebuses at the moment. ”

Schward handed the musket back to Qian Jin. He got up and went back to his room, and after a while came out with a leather bag and a wooden box.

"I don't have much gunpowder here. The bag contained gunpowder fired about a dozen times, as well as a dozen buckshots. You can take it and use it first. ”

Qian Jin thanked him and asked, "Mr. Schward, you just said that your country's warships will often come to Guanhai City?" ”

"Yes. Every time they landed, Jenny and I would send some letters back home through them. ”

Qian Jin's mind turned and he asked, "Mr. Swald, can you do me a favor, can you help me buy some gunpowder with your fleet?" ”

"What do you want so much gunpowder for?" Schward was suspicious: "Gunpowder is a strategic material, and it is very dangerous for ordinary people. ”

"Last time I salvaged the Dutch warship, I got some muskets and artillery, and I plan to use them in the defense of Guanhai City. It's just that if you can't get gunpowder, these firearms are just decorations. "Qian Jin told the truth.

Schward pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, the formula for gunpowder was first invented by your country, why don't you try to make some yourself?" In addition, there should be gunpowder in your army. ”

Qian Jinxin said that he hadn't thought about making it himself, but charcoal and sulfur were easy to get, but saltpeter was hard to find. Besides, those shelves of Zimu guns are not a little bit of a star, which is in response to the sentence, "When the cannon sounds, the gold is ten thousand taels". He also thought about letting the old money get some out of the guard, but considering that Wang Xing was not a fuel-efficient lamp, he could only forget it.

Eventually, Sward agreed to help negotiate with the English officers.

…………

After coming out of Shi Huade, Qian Jin went to Wang Xiucai again. Every year when the winter solstice is approaching, Lao Qian will lead him out early in the morning to worship the festival. Now the old money is still in Jiangxi, so this year's winter solstice money can only go to the festival alone.

When he arrived at the private school, Wang Xiucai was still teaching. Today he wore a thick gray-white gown, a white scarf tied around his head, and a straw rope wrapped around his waist. The emperor's new funeral, up to the three princes and nine kings, down to Xiucai, all have to wear linen and filial piety.

Seeing that his proud protégé came to the door, Wang Xiucai asked the students of the private school to review their homework by themselves, and he himself took the money into the hall. After sitting down, I only heard him ask: "The first emperor died, and officials of all sizes in the country must observe filial piety for nine hundred and eighty-one days." Since you have a good reputation, why do you not understand the rules so much? ”

"I got the news after I went out this morning, and I haven't had time to prepare yet." Qian Jin hurriedly explained.

Wang Xiucai nodded, and asked again: "How are the preparations for next year's autumn festival?" ”

"So-so......"

"Don't be careless, if you don't win this time, you will have to wait for another three years."

"The students know that they have not slackened."

When he resigned, Qian Jin handed over five taels of silver, which was regarded as a gift of worship.