"Aha, joke, joke." Xu Liang sneered.

Xu Guangqi and Hong Chengchou also laughed awkwardly when they heard this.

Xu Guangqi looked at Xu Liang with interest, and asked inquiringly: "This official heard in the capital that Lord Xu fled more than two months ago with dozens of new artillery. It's just that the things recorded in the Di newspaper are not very clear, and today the official arrived in Shaanxi, and he really wanted to see the new artillery in Lord Xu's army. Uh, it looks like it's called a flying eagle cannon, right? ”

The last sentence was asked by Shaanxi Governor Hong Chengchou.

Governor Hong nodded with a smile and said, "Lord Xu has a really good memory. Governor Hong said to Xu Liang: "Guozhong, Lord Xu is not only a teacher of the Son of Heaven, but also an academic Confucian, especially interested in firearms, gunpowder, and new weapons. It's rare for Lord Xu to come to Pingliang, find time, you can arrange it and demonstrate the power of the Flying Eagle Cannon to Lord Xu. ”

Xu Guangqi nodded again and again as he listened, looking at Xu Liang's eyes eagerly and expectantly.

Xu Liang was slightly stunned, Xu Guangqi, the old man, is very good at mathematics, physics and chemistry, and has translated the original geometry, Xu Liang knows this, judging from Xu Liang's impression, Xu Shilang should be regarded as an academic official.

In general, such officials have a good spirit of study and maintain a strong curiosity about new things.

It's just that the Flying Eagle Cannon is the top secret of the Liang Army, if Xu Guangqi just wants to see the power of the Flying Eagle Cannon, find a mountain where no one is around, and there is no problem with a few empty cannons, I am afraid that Xu Guangqi will be more serious, so I have to ask to the end and figure out the construction principle of the Flying Eagle Cannon. That's more troublesome.

Xu Liang groaned, nodded slowly, and said, "It's rare that Lord Xu will also be interested in the Flying Eagle Cannon. Then let the officials prepare, and invite Lord Xu and Lord Hong to watch it on a later day. ”

Xu Guangqi rubbed his hands, his face was full of impatience, and said: "Hey, Lord Xu, this official is very curious about Liang Jun's flying eagle cannon, and I don't think there is any need to choose a day." It's still early today, so I'll think it's just today. ”

"This ......" Xu Liang was embarrassed. Now that you have to see it, Xu Liang is not mentally prepared at all.

Governor Hong was embarrassed when he saw Xu Liang. Then he frowned and said, "Lord Xu, I'm afraid I won't be able to do it today." You have forgotten that your whereabouts have been very much watched by Lord Yang, the governor of the three sides. When Lord Xu arrived in Pingliang, if he didn't go to visit Governor Yang. I'm afraid it's not appropriate. ”

Xu Guangqi frowned. After thinking about it, he nodded helplessly and said: "Governor Yang is a Shangguan, and this official can't be rude when he arrives at Governor Yang's territory." In this way, Lord Xu, you prepare first, and after this official visits Governor Yang, you will watch the Flying Eagle Cannon fire. ”

"Yes." Xu Liang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Respectfully authentic.

Xu Guangqi nodded to Xu Liang gently, and talked to Governor Hong about official business. He was ready to leave for Guwon State.

Xu Liang felt that there was nothing to do with him, so he wanted to send Xu Guangqi out of the city and then go back to Xu's mansion. Unexpectedly, before Governor Hong set off, he called Xu Liang into the second hall of the mansion, stared at Xu Liang, and said undoubtedly: "Guozhong, Lord Xu is going to Guyuan Prefecture to meet Yang He, the governor of the three sides, and you will accompany you throughout the process." ”

Xu Liang glared and said, "There's no need for this, right?" Xu Shilang went to meet Yang He, the governor of the three sides, and the senior officials of the ministry and the local governor met face-to-face, and I followed a small Pingliang prefect, and my identity was not suitable. ”

Governor Hong looked at Xu Liang, slightly annoyed, and said, "Guozhong, Lord Xu is extremely important in the court and in the emperor's heart. And Master Xu is a decent person, and it is very good for you to make friends with him. In the eyes of those adults in Jingshi, your foundation is too shallow, and there has been no adult support. I can see that Lord Xu is very concerned about the Flying Eagle Cannon, if you can take advantage of this to climb up to Lord Xu, in the future, Lord Xu will take care of you in Beijing, and your official career will be much smoother. ”

Saying that, Governor Hong sighed helplessly: "The matter of repairing the dam was originally a great achievement, but after I reported it for you, it has sunk like a stone in the sea, why?" It's because you and I don't have adults in the court to speak for us! Well, Elder Cao Ge seems to have a deep prejudice against you......"

It's Cao Yubian again! This cabinet scholar and the imperial history of the left capital seems to be deliberately against himself. Xu Liang immediately thought of several adults in Beijing, Qiao Yunsheng, the secretary of the Criminal Department, and Zhang Nianyun, the imperial history of the capital...... These people are very unfriendly to themselves. Xu Liang thought about it, and suddenly felt a little headache.

Governor Hong sighed: "Therefore, Guozhong, if you want to develop upward, it is extremely important to find a strong backer. And this Lord Xu Guangqi is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate at the moment. Lord Xu was born in Shujishi, and now he is the left attendant of the Ministry of Rites, and he is still the teacher of the current emperor, with this kind of identity, I estimate that in a few years, Xu Guangqi will definitely enter the cabinet as a scholar. Guozhong, this opportunity is rare, not to be missed! ”

After being analyzed by Governor Hong, Xu Liang suddenly felt that Xu Guangqi was a potential stock worth investing in. He immediately nodded in a deep voice and said, "Lord Hong is right, Xu Guangqi is a person who is very worthy of befriending." ”

Governor Hong suddenly showed a smile of relief, and it took so much effort to ask Xu Liang to change his consciousness and realize the importance of the upper-level line.

"It's just...... On what grounds should I follow Guyuan? Xu Liang was in trouble again, "Lord Xu went to Guyuan to see Governor Yang, he didn't mean to ask me to go with him?" Do you want me to follow with a shy face? ”

Xu Liang's embarrassed appearance made Governor Hong feel a sense of powerlessness, and the anger in his heart rose, glaring at Xu Liang and shouting: "You are the prefect of Pingliang, an authentic local official, the left attendant of the Ministry of Rites has arrived in your jurisdiction, out of politeness and distancing, shouldn't you accompany him personally?" ”

"Besides, in order to make friends with Xu Guangqi, even if Lord Xu doesn't let you go, you have to follow with a shy face!" Governor Hong shouted.

"Uh...... Wouldn't that be too shameless? Xu Liang said in surprise.

Governor Hong glared and scolded: "In order to seize the opportunity, the old man can not even want his life, do you still want face?!" ”

Belch? Xu Liang looked at Governor Hong in surprise, he didn't expect Governor Hong to be ruthless and so staked.

So, Xu Liang, the prefect of Pingliang, who was in the period of recuperation, immediately ordered all the manpower. followed Xu Guangqi's convoy out of the city, and with the tail of the convoy, he also followed him to Guyuan Prefecture.

On the way, Xu Shilang learned that Xu Liang was also going to Guyuan Prefecture with him. Slightly surprised, but didn't say much, and nodded gently to Xu Liang.

However, it was Sun Yuanhua, the staff of the Ministry of War, who saw Xu Liang with a kind expression on his face. After greeting Xu Liang, he got Xu Liang's consent and naturally got into Xu Liang's carriage.

"Tsk." Sun Yuanhua looked at the comfort and brilliance in the carriage, and couldn't help but say, "Lord Xu, it's better for you magistrates." Holding real power, the oil and water are enough. Unlike me, when it comes to being a Beijing official, he has a good reputation. All year round, I live by that little money. Life is very poor. ”

Xu Liang chuckled, for this Sun Yuanhua, Xu Liang still has a good impression after dealing with him a few times. Speaking of which, he is somewhat similar to his teacher Xu Guangqi, they are both academic officials, and they will not have any bad intentions when dealing with him.

An official like Sun Yuanhua must have a strong professional ability. It's just that most of it is due to too much academic study. Therefore, the other skills are worse, and the pace of promotion is very slow.

For example, Xu Guangqi, a jinshi in the thirty-third year of the Apocalypse, is still a Jishi, but he is more than sixty years old this year, and he is only a left waiter in the Ministry of Rites, and he has not even mixed up with the books of the Ministry of Rites.

Xu Liang estimated that if Xu Guangqi hadn't been Emperor Cai Chongzhen's teacher, I'm afraid Xu Guangqi wouldn't even be able to be a left waiter.

Although this is the truth, Xu Liang still has to take into account Sun Yuanhua's feelings, so he said euphemistically: "Lord Sun is laughing, Lord Sun has followed someone like Lord Xu as a teacher, I bet that the day of Lord Sun's promotion is not far off." ”

Sun Yuanhua listened, not only did he look excited, but his eyes showed a trace of bitterness, and he waved his hand and said, "Teacher, this person ...... Alas, no more. ”

As he spoke, Sun Yuanhua sighed lightly, and his eyes were a little resentful.

Xu Liang's expression moved, looking at Sun Yuanhua's expression, he seemed to be a little dissatisfied with Xu Guangqi? Didn't Xu Guangqi cover Xiao Sun?

Naturally, this matter is inconvenient to ask. Xu Liang diverted the topic, took out the warm tea that had been prepared on the carriage, and poured a cup for Sun Yuanhua. He took out a small plate of pastries, put them on the small table in front of the two of them, and said, "The pastries made by the chef in the house here in the morning, Master Sun, taste them quickly, they taste good." ”

Sun Yuanhua couldn't help but feel envious again, and he was not polite, so he immediately pinched a piece and ate it.

After walking for a while, Sun Yuanhua and Xu Liang basically ate the small plate of pastries, Sun Yuanhua came to Xu Liang with a satisfied expression, and said softly: "Lord Xu, it can be seen that you treat my Sun as a friend." ”

Xu Liang smiled gently, patted Sun Yuanhua's shoulder, and said, "Brother Sun said this to make Xu Liang sad too much. If I didn't treat Brother Sun as a friend, how could I let Master Sun get into the carriage and invite him to tea and pastries? Hehe, although I Xu Liang is not a big official of the first or second rank of the dynasty, but I am also a dignified prefect of Pingliang, and my Xu Liang's carriage is not something that anyone who wants to come up can come up. ”

Sun Yuanhua showed a touched look when he landed, and said with a red face and shame: "Thanks to Lord Xu, I am abrupt." Lord Xu ......"

"Hey, it's too much for Brother Sun to call me Lord Xu again." Xu Liang said.

"Ah, then, then, Brother Xu," Sun Yuanhua's face turned even redder, and he arched his hand towards Xu Liang Zhengse and said, "There is something I have to tell Brother Xu quietly." ”

Xu Liang's expression moved, and seeing Sun Yuanhua's solemn face, he thought that there must be important news to be reported, so he also sat up straight and asked, "What does Brother Sun want to tell me?" ”

Sun Yuanhua's voice suddenly lowered, but Xu Liang could still hear it clearly.

"Actually, when the teacher came to the northwest this time, he naturally said that he was entrusted by the emperor to come to Shaanxi to inspect the progress of Governor Yang's rectification of the rebellious army in the northwest. In fact, it was just a disguise, and the teacher's real intention was to inspect the Flying Eagle Cannon. ”

“…… It's true? Xu Liang shouted in his heart: Sure enough, Xu Guangqi, the left waiter of the Ministry of Rites, suddenly came to Pingliang Mansion, because the sinner did not mean to drink. His target turned out to be the Flying Eagle Cannon, which Xu Liang regarded as the top secret of the Liang Army.

"Not bad." Sun Yuanhua said, "Two months ago, Brother Xu, you reported to the court that you defeated more than 100,000 people's troops with flying eagle cannons outside Pingliang City. At that time, the teacher proposed to the saint to investigate the power of the flying eagle cannon, and if the power was enough, it was recommended that the Ming border officials should be equipped with a large number of equipment. However, due to various reasons, this did not work out at the time. ”

"A month ago, the war in Liaodong was tense, and the Houjin soldiers invaded Liaodong and killed many people. The saint was furious, and the teacher brought up the matter of inspecting the flying eagle cannon again. This time, the saint also gave permission, and ordered the teacher to inspect the flying eagle cannon in the name of inspection. ”

Xu Liangden was shocked into a cold sweat, and asked Sun Yuanhua with difficulty: "Brother Sun, listen to what you mean, if Lord Xu is very satisfied with the Flying Eagle Cannon, then do you want me to sacrifice the manufacturing method of the Flying Eagle Cannon, and then the court will equip it on a large scale?" ”

Sun Yuanhua was stunned, Xu Liang asked about what had not happened later, Sun Yuanhua couldn't help it, and said to Xu Liang: "If the teacher is satisfied...... It should, probably, maybe so? ”

Grass! Xu Liang almost burst into foul language, although Sun Yuanhua was hesitant and not sure about the possibility of this matter, but Xu Liang was sure that if Xu Guangqi was satisfied with the inspection of the Flying Eagle Cannon, the next thing should be as Xu Liang expected.

The Flying Eagle Cannon is extremely important to Xu Liang and the entire Liang army, and it is Xu Liang's greatest reliance on his life, and he is regarded as a forbidden person by Xu Liang, and he wants Xu Liang to take it out and share it with others, but Xu Liang has not yet been selfless to this kind of place. Even if the object of sending it out is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, that will not work!

Xu Liang was restless and perfunctory with Sun Yuanhua, and when Sun Yuanhua got out of the carriage, he walked back to his carriage. Xu Liang immediately beckoned to the two Tsing Yi guards, and ordered in a deep voice: "Go back to Pingliang immediately and tell the people at the Tsing Yi Guards Arms Department to immediately fabricate a drawing of the Flying Eagle Cannon, which should be fake, but not too fake!" ”

The two Tsing Yi guards didn't say much, clasped their fists, and turned around to leave.

"Hey, come back!"

When the two Qingyi guards heard this, they stood respectfully in front of Xu Liang and said, "What else do you have to say?" ”

Xu Liang pondered, raised his head and ordered: "In addition to the fake drawings, let the people in the munitions department prepare a list of the costs of making flying eagle cannons and shells, and change the ratio, well, the cost will be tripled!" Also, let people go to the camp of Jitou Mountain and tell Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang that they should hide the molds for casting artillery and shells! ”

"Yes!" The two Qingyi guards received the order, this time they were not in a hurry to leave, and when they saw that Xu Liang had retracted into the carriage, they knew that Xu Liang had finally finished ordering, so they turned over and got on the horse and headed towards Pingliang City.

Guwonju arrived.

Under the city gate, Lu Chengyuan, the governor of Guyuan, led more than a dozen officials who were stretching their necks and waiting for the arrival of Governor Hong and Xu Shilang's convoy. After Xu Shilang got out of the carriage, Lu Zhizhou led more than a dozen officials, with a humble smile on his face, and greeted him.

"Xiaguan Guyuan Zhizhou Lu Chengyuan greets Lord Hong, Lord Xu! Governor Yang had prepared a banquet at the governor's yamen and ordered his officials to wait for the two lords here. ”

Lu Zhizhou said, and suddenly saw Xu Liang, who was dressed in a crimson official robe, also jumped down from a carriage, Lu Zhizhou boarded in with a look of surprise, and said from afar: "It turns out that Lord Futai is also here, and the next official greets Lord Futai!" (To be continued......)