Chapter 046: Four Miles in a Radius

Chen Cao didn't get the answer he wanted from Zhang Wenda's mouth in the end, and left with people to go back to the post station to sleep, and at noon the next day, a brocade guard came to look for it.

Chen Cao came to Chengdong Street, where there are few pedestrians, and it can be seen that all the people who live here are rich and noble.

"My lord, this is Gonggong Wei's other courtyard." Xu Kai came to deliver things first and knew the way.

Chen Cao was suddenly brought here, thinking that it must be Wei Zhongxian here, otherwise he would not have let his cronies come to the courtyard alone.

Sure enough, after entering the lobby, the old god Wei Zhongxian was sitting on the main seat, and there were some people sitting on the chairs on both sides, of all ages, Xu Xianchun and Tian Ergeng whom Chen Cao only recognized.

"Xiaguan Chen Cao, I've seen the Duke..."Chen Cao stood in the middle and saluted Wei Zhongxian very respectfully.

Wei Zhongxian smiled: "Okay, Chen Cao, our family has been waiting for you for a long time." ”

"The lower official is late, and I ask the governor to forgive me." Chen Cao saluted again.

Wei Zhongxian was very useful, so he waved his hand to signal Chen Cao to sit down, and as soon as he sat down, Tian Ergeng got up and said: "Brother Chen, junior brother will introduce you to this one," Tian Ergeng pointed to a young man and said: "This is called Wei Liangqing, the head of the Beizhen Fusi Punishment Thousand Households." ”

Chen Cao hadn't heard Wei Liangqing's name anywhere, so he got up and arched his hand: "Wei Qianhu, fortunately." ”

Wei Liangqing didn't hold up in front of Wei Zhongxian at all, stood up and said modestly: "Lord Chen is polite..."

"This," Tian Ergeng said to the young man sitting opposite Chen Cao, "This is the Jinyi Wei Qianhu Keguang Xian." ”

I lost...

Before Chen Cao could get up, Ke Guang got up first and bowed his hand: "I've seen Lord Chen." ”

"Thousands of households are polite," Chen Cao arched his hand: "I didn't expect that everyone here is so heroic, Chen is very honored today, very honored..."

"This is Sun Yunhe, the head of the East Factory." Tian Ergeng pointed to another person.

"I've seen Lord Chen," Sun Yunhe stood up and arched his hand.

Chen Cao returned the salute with a smile, and then there were other civil officials, and most of them were officials.

Wei Zhongxian coughed twice, and then said with a smile: "Our family has the help of you people in our lifetime, and it is not in vain to go through this experience in the world." ”

"The Duke is polite..."

A lot of sycophants sounded, and Chen Cao also arched his hand indiscriminately, not even knowing what he said.

Wei Zhongxian said again: "Now the Donglin Party is becoming more and more distracted from our family, whether it is open or secret, they all say that our family is a eunuch and misleads the country, you all say, our family is a slave of the heavenly family, how can we mislead the country and the people?" Our family only has good for Your Majesty in our hearts, thinking about how to make Your Majesty happy, and these civil officials of Lao Shizi will find some ridiculous things to catch wind and shadows in front of Your Majesty and covet our family, woo......."

Chen Cao used to just imagine what it was like for a eunuch to cry, but now seeing Wei Zhongxian's snot and tears, although it was a little funny, it was still a little touching in his heart, and ordinary people knew that the old guy was too pitiful at a glance.

As soon as Wei Zhongxian cried, there were all kinds of consolations in the hall, those who served tea and water, and stretched out their hands to take out silk handkerchiefs, but Chen Cao didn't move, and there was indeed no place for him to be courteous.

After a cup of tea, Wei Zhongxian finally stopped crying, and then breathed a sigh of relief, and then said slowly: "Our family wants to let those individuals understand that although our family is a eunuch, it can also make contributions to the Ming Dynasty..."

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the hall, including Chen Cao, gasped, how could what the old thief said be a little familiar.

Wei Zhongxian also found that the atmosphere in the hall was wrong, so he said: "What do you think, our family understands in our hearts, Wang Zhen at the time of Yingzong and Liu Jin at the time of Wuzong are a lesson from our family, and our family will not instigate Your Majesty to do anything about the royal conquest." ”

Hi...

Everyone in the hall obviously breathed a sigh of relief, you look at me, I look at you, with a 'lucky' expression.

"Our family knows what we are doing, and we won't do hot-headed things like the two of them," Wei Zhongxian said with a smile: "However, we just said that although our family can't do it, there are all of you handsome..."

was praised by Wei Zhongxian, and everyone in the hall smiled and said something like 'polite', Tian Ergeng even stood up and arched his hand: "My father-in-law is really humble, if it weren't for my father-in-law to wait for me in front of His Majesty, where would I have the opportunity to do things for my father-in-law." ”

"Yes, yes, yes..."

The corners of Chen Cao's mouth twitched, it turned out that Tian Ergeng's rise was really the result of recognizing Wei Zhongxian as his father-in-law.

Wei Zhongxian smiled and nodded: "Although Li'er is like this, I still have to rely on you young people to do things outside... Now that the Donglin Party is pressing on our family step by step, and our family is not vegetarian, do you know what to do? ”

Xu Xianchun hurriedly stood up and arched his hand: "Don't worry, the Governor has already made arrangements." ”

Wei Zhongxian nodded, his eyes finally turned to Chen Cao's face, Chen Cao was agitated, quickly sat up straight, and listened: "It's also rest assured that our family has you in the capital, and Nanzhili will rely on Chen Cao." ”

"The subordinates will definitely manage Nanzhili well for the governor." Chen Cao got up and gave up his hand.

Wei Zhongxian nodded: "Your commander is also a little smaller, and he can't be constrained by Zhang Yanzong, so let's rush Ming'er to the court, and our family will say a few good words in front of His Majesty, and let you be the commander of Nanzhen Fusi..."

Chen Cao raised his eyebrows: "My subordinates Xie Dugong promoted him, and he will definitely do things for the Dugong wholeheartedly." ”

"Well," Wei Zhongxian said again, "Your Majesty has to worry more about the affairs of your majesty's internal affairs." ”

is obviously reminding Lao Tzu about money, and Chen Cao also understands: "The subordinate province will definitely be sent within three months after going back." ”

At this time, Wei Zhongxian showed a happy smile: "Look at it, Chen Cao's work is to be attentive, the internal affairs of our Jingshi will be handled by Xianchun and Ergeng, and the foreign affairs of Nanzhili will be handed over to Chen Cao. ”

"Obey the Governor's Decree..."

...

"Brother Chen," Tian Ergeng had already heard of Chen Cao's lascivious reputation, so after leaving Wei Zhongxian's mansion, he booked a banquet and a private room in Jinxianglou in Bada Hutong: "The old bustard of Jinxianglou will bring their top brand here later, sit down." ”

Chen Cao smiled and patted Tian Ergeng's shoulder, then sat down and said, "Brother, you are too polite, our brothers don't use this set of vain, just do it." ”

"Where can you be casual," Tian Ergeng waved his hand: "Brother Chen must have fun tonight, and our work will come to an end." ”

"Errands?" Chen Cao frowned.

Before anyone came in, Tian Ergeng instructed the Jinyi guards guarding outside the door not to order them not to enter, then closed the door and pulled Chen Cao to the table to sit down, and whispered in his ear: "Today's words of the governor are very clear, the Donglin Party is too bullying, and we lackeys naturally have to worry about the governor, for what?" Isn't it for those powers and women? ”

Chen Cao dislikes the term 'lackey' very much, but this word is a self-righteous example for some people in this era, just like Qi Jiguang also called himself a lackey to Yan Song.

Tian Ergeng said again: "Brother Chen, has Lord Xu told you something?" ”

Chen Cao frowned, Xu Xianchun had said something, but this guy was also a good person, and he learned the habit of saying half and leaving half of the officialdom to make people guess: "I said that I wanted to make the Donglin Party suffer a big loss, but I didn't tell me, what?" But did the Governor instruct Lord Xu? ”

"My father-in-law didn't give orders," Tian Ergeng shook his head: "Now that I know the inside story of this matter, there are only three people, you and me, and Lord Xu, and even my subordinates have not explained." ”

"What's the secret that only the three of us know?" Chen Cao turned his head to react, and his feelings Xu Xianchun meant that Wei Zhongxian didn't know about doing things, and then let Wei Zhongxian come and reap the benefits of the fisherman.

"Does Brother Chen know that Zhong Yuzheng, the secretary of the Ministry of Industry?" Tian Ergeng said mysteriously.

There are only a few people Chen Cao has known in his heart in the past few years, and even the officials of the six departments in Nanjing don't understand it, let alone the officials of the Beijing Division: "I have been in Jinling for a long time, and most of the officials of the Beijing Division are not familiar with it. ”

"Zhong Yu is Ye Xianggao's friend," Tian Ergeng continued, "And Zhong Yuzheng's promotion is all handled by Ye Xianggao. ”

Chen Cao was not stupid, so he immediately asked, "Isn't it that we start with Zhong Yuzheng?" ”

"Yes," Tian Ergeng said and said, "Does Brother Chen know that the Jingshi Firearms Bureau is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industry?" The ambassador of the Firearms Bureau was Zhong Yuzheng's cronies. ”

Chen Cao didn't speak, he felt that he was very thick and should have a big head, and sure enough...

Tian Ergeng stared at Chen Cao after speaking: "There is a large warehouse in Guangcai Hutong, which is the storage place for the fire + medicine and the shells of the Hongyi cannon made by the Jingshi Firearms Bureau, as well as a lot of fierce fire + oil. ”

Chen Cao's heart tightened, there was only one warehouse in Jingshi's firearms...

Tian Ergeng nodded, his voice couldn't be lowered: "Wang Gongchang Firearms Bureau..."

Although it was lively and noisy outside the private room, from Tian Ergeng's words to the present, Chen Cao felt that his body could no longer move, and the temperature in the room was a little low...

Chen Cao smiled and said, "Brother, what's wrong with the Firearms Bureau?" ”

Tian Ergeng said: "Wang Gongchang is only six miles away from the imperial city, once an accident occurs, it is enough to shake the royal relatives and nobles in the palace, Your Majesty can also be frightened, once it happens, Zhong Yuzheng can hardly escape the blame, as his recommender, Ye Xianggao also has to suffer, even if he does not retreat, then the cabinet has to vacate the position, and Lord Feng can officially become the secretary of the Ministry of Industry and enter the cabinet to do things..."

Ooh...

Oh, my God...

Chen Cao felt his heart pounding, Wang Gong's factory explosion was actually related to himself? No, it should be the explosion of this era and yourself may ... Some relationship.

"Brother, this is a big matter, and if it leaks out, you and I are afraid that it will be a big crime to rob the family and exterminate the clan." Chen Cao trembled a little when he spoke.

"Hey..."Tian Ergeng was extremely calm: "So this matter is only known to the three of us, even if we do things tonight, it is just that you and I each bring a henchman, there must not be too many, there are many people, and it is easy to have accidents." ”

Chen Cao took a deep breath, his eyes narrowed, and his heart was mixed: "I want to hear the plan first." ”

Tian Ergeng patted Chen Cao's shoulder unexpectedly: "Brother, don't worry, this matter will never be leaked out, because when the accident happened, you and I were drinking in Jinxianglou." ”

Chen Cao's eyelids jumped: "So, brother, you already have a complete plan?" ”

"Yes..."Tian Ergeng nodded: "This matter was proposed by Lord Xu, and the specific plan was planned by me, and then the two brothers will handle it together." ”

it...

Chen Cao immediately reacted to why Tian Ergeng had to cut off the head of the chicken and burn the yellow paper in the end when he called himself a brother in the court, this guy in front of him was really as insidious and cunning as recorded in the history books, although he could do this kind of thing alone, but it was very risky, if he had more himself, he also pulled a person into the water by the way...

Dog thief...

Chen Cao didn't know how many times he greeted Tian Ergeng's whole family, and then he had to raise a glass with him with a smile and drink.

...

Once the capital is over, it will have to be curfew in the whole city, and it will not be able to act until the five watch drums are beaten, and at 12 o'clock in the middle of the night, those who can walk on the street are either dignitaries or fifty percent of the soldiers and horses who patrol the city.

"Who?" On Dongchengmen Street, the Dongcheng Soldiers and Horses Division who patrolled the street led a small flag officer to stop Chen Cao and Tian Ergeng's carriage.

When the lantern came, I saw Xu Kaixian and another brocade guard standing on the side of the carriage.

Xu Kaixian and another Jinyi guard were both wearing a bright yellow Qianhu Flying Fish suit, and they could only stand by the carriage, thinking that the people in the carriage had a higher status.

The leader of the team Xiaoqi hurriedly saluted and apologized: "The little one doesn't know that it is the adult's car, and I ask the adult to forgive me." ”

"Yang Huan, a thousand households in Fusi, Beizhen Town," Yang Huan took out a token: "Quickly retreat..."

The little flag officer hurriedly saluted: "My lord, go slowly... Slow down..."

Guangcai Hutong in Dongcheng Street, the station of the Jingshi Firearms Bureau, this place is the place where the soldiers who patrol the city come and go the most after the night curfew, of course, the places that can't be reached are limited to the people, like Chen Cao, a brocade guard, even a cavalry dares to walk sideways, not to mention the command of Tongzhi and the pacification envoy.

The parking place is a small alley from the Firearms Bureau, which is equivalent to an aisle between the two walls.

"Two adults, it's time to get there." Yang Huan gave up his hand, and Xu Kaixian observed around.

"Ah Yu," Tian Ergeng stepped out of the carriage: "Act quickly." ”

Yang Huan left with his hand, and Chen Cao, who got off the station, asked curiously: "Brother, what is the name of your henchman?" Ayu? ”

Tian Ergeng said with a smile: "Brother is joking, he is from my house, he has followed me since he was a child, that Ah Yu is just his nickname, he is used to it, his real name is Yang Huan." ”

"Oh..."Chen Cao suddenly realized, Yang Huan, is he one of the five eunuchs...

Entering the courtyard gate, Chen Cao found that the courtyard was not too big, and Tian Ergeng brewed all the tea in the front hall and handed a cup to Chen Cao: "Brother, let's just wait for Ah Yu to come back." ”

Xu Kaixian had been guarding outside the gate and did not come in, Chen Cao felt an illusion of a Hongmen banquet, and after a while, Yang Huan walked into the front hall: "My lord, everything is done." ”

Tian Ergeng put down the teacup and took off his official uniform: "Brother, take off your clothes and come with my little brother." ”

Chen Cao also did the same, and took advantage of the night to walk to the backyard under the leadership of Yang Huan, and a small hole appeared behind a landscape tree.

"What the hell is this a dog hole, right?" Chen Cao couldn't help but blurt out.

Tian Ergeng replied: "Exactly, brother, follow me." ”

After finishing speaking, he got into the head of the bento, Chen Cao second, Yang Huan last, and came out again, it was a strange courtyard, Tian Ergeng extinguished the fire, and took advantage of the moonlight to say: "Brother, this is the fire + medicine warehouse of the Firearms Bureau, and the fire + medicine produced by the Firearms Bureau every day is in the warehouse in front of you, Ah Yu..."

"My lord, the Firearms Bureau is going to rush to work in Liaodong recently, and there are at least more than 1,000 stone of fire + powder today." Yang Huan replied.

A thousand stones...

One stone is one hundred and twenty pounds, more than one thousand stones...

Chen Cao couldn't imagine it in his heart, plus there were still a lot of shells in it, and now this warehouse was a huge artillery battle.

Tian Ergeng hugged his fist towards Chen Cao: "Brother, I'll go in and bury the fireline, brother, you are responsible for igniting it outside." ”

"," Chen Cao couldn't help but burst out: "You and I can't run away from this thing when it burns, and I want to live for a few more years." ”

Tian Ergeng said with a smile: "Brother is worried, you can light the incense after my brother and I come out, and there will be an accident tomorrow." ”

Call...

Chen Cao nodded: "Okay, you go..."

Tian Ergeng went to a tea time before he came back with Yang Huan, and the white underwear on his body also changed color: "Brother, order." ”

Chen Cao wrapped the lead moved by Tian Ergeng around the thick long incense, then inserted it on the ground, opened the fire fold and lit it, and the smell of incense ignited from time to time.

"Let's go..."

Chen Cao and Tian Ergeng returned to the front hall and drank tea for a long time, and Yang Huan came back: "My lord, the entrance to the cave is in order, and there will be an explosion when the time comes, and nothing will be left here, even the masters of Dali Temple will not be able to find out." ”

"Hmm..."Tian Ergeng nodded, and then looked at Chen Cao: "Let's go, let's go back and continue drinking and playing with women..."

Chen Cao left with a frightened heart...

......

On the sixth day of the fifth month of the third year of the Apocalypse, everything is fine...

'Dust swept up in the sky, and thousands of houses turned to ashes'

After Chen Cao, he still remembered that early that morning, he was woken up by a deafening noise, and he was holding a woman beside him...

...

"My lord," Xu Kaixian broke into the room for the first time in such a gaffe: "My lord, something is wrong, Wang Gongchang's side has exploded..."

Chen Cao had already come back to his senses from the earth-shattering explosion just now, he kicked the woman away, and then got up and asked Xu Kai to get dressed first.

Tian Ergeng was in the room next to him, and when Chen Cao stood in his official uniform, Tian Ergeng ran into Chen Cao's room: "Brother Chen? ”

Chen Cao burst out of the air again and again, and said tremblingly: "... You don't have to worry about me... I... I... I'll take a look..."

Half of Jinxiang Building... It's all collapsed...

Chen Cao led the talent to the inner street of Fuchengmen, and saw a depressed scene, all the surrounding houses collapsed, and the buried people were moaning in pain, crying, shouting, and scolding one after another.

A woman curled up on the ground and wailed in pain, followed by a family member who had already been crushed to death by the collapsed house.

The scene was chaotic...

Chen Cao trembled, and insisted on walking in under Xu Kaixian's support, the more he went inside, the more flat ground, the more corpses, and many of them were buried alive.

The captain who was exploring the path ahead had just run to the place where Chen Cao was standing, and he vomited nauseously: "My lord... My lord... Don't go, there's no living person in front, it's all meat sauce... Vomit..."

The lieutenant's words pierced Chen Cao's heart, all of this was actually created by himself...

"My lord..."Xu Kaixian hurriedly shouted.

Chen Cao fainted in a hurry because of emotional reasons.

Tian Ergeng and his people also arrived in a hurry, and when they saw this, they arranged for someone to send Chen Cao back to the Zhenfu Division.

Chen Cao didn't wake up until late at night, and Xu Kaixian was next to him: "My lord, are you awake?" ”

Chen Cao sat up straight and let out a breath: "How long have I been asleep?" ”

"All day..."Xu Kaixian replied, "Do you want to eat?" ”

Chen Cao shook his head: "What's going on outside?" Let's take it personally. ”

Xu Kaixian said: "With Wang Gongchang as the center, within a radius of four miles, all of them were razed to the ground; No one survived in the center, and all the dead became meat sauce, and the death was terrible. ”

Chen Cao lowered his head and was silent, Xu Kaixian said again: "When the subordinates came back, the number of dead counted had reached more than 13,000, and 4,000 were missing. ”

'Poof...'

"Your Excellency..."

Chen Cao gushed out a mouthful of blood, but on the contrary, he felt comfortable: "I'm fine... You go on to say. ”

Xu Kai let out a long breath first, and then said: "Four miles away, many houses have been affected, including Jinxianglou, and Wang Gongchang is only six miles away from the imperial city, and the explosion has affected the imperial city;

Beizhen Fusi went to the palace to rescue the brothers, said that at that time, the emperor was having breakfast in the Qianqing Palace, and listened to the government by the way, the girder of the Qianqing Palace collapsed, killing the imperial history He Qianshu and Pan Yunyi and dozens of eunuchs and palace maids, the emperor fled to the Jianji Palace, but the Jianji Palace was also collapsed, and the accompanying guards all died, and the emperor fled to the Jiaotai Palace to take refuge;

What's even worse is that the crown prince Zhu Cijiong was stoned to death by the collapsed beam. ”

"So much?" Chen Cao couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.

"That's not all, all the 2,000 craftsmen who are repairing the Taihe Hall have been stoned to death." Xu Kaixian continued: "There are many dead, my lord..."

Chen Cao's eyes were a little blank: "Just for some people to ascend to power, just for power, how many innocent people have died?" Old Xu, I am a sinner. ”

"Adults are not sinners," Xu Kaixian said categorically: "My lord has also been deceived, Tian Ergeng is not a good thing." ”

"It turns out that the dog thief is not so kind, no wonder he has to pull me, he knows that so many people will die," Chen Cao muttered: "Lao Tzu will definitely kill him in the future." ”

"My lord, we rely on Wei Zhongxian now, and we can't turn our faces with Tian Ergeng, since everything has been done, please put away your kind heart, those who have achieved great things can't stick to the summary, if so, only adults will suffer big losses."

Xu Kaixian's words are very reasonable, whoever achieves great things, who will drag the mud and water: "Since Tian Ergeng dares to ask me to do this together, I think Xu Xianchun must have told Wei Zhongxian, otherwise this matter is so big, once it is leaked, even Wei Zhongxian will die a hundred times, but maybe even Wei Zhongxian can't imagine that this matter will develop like this, bastard..."

"My lord, you better eat first, and then I'll call the doctor to show you," Xu Kai said before leaving.

Chen Cao looked at the crying candle on the table, and couldn't help wiping his eyes...