Li Bao was delayed for a long time, and by the time he arrived in Tokyo, it was almost winter.

Zhu Ming didn't wait, he met several officials of the Ministry of Industry through Min Zishun. From time to time, please come out for a few drinks, saying that your relatives want to open an iron smelting yard and help inquire about the relevant situation.

Speaking of the lack of blacksmiths, the officials of the Ministry of Industry immediately recruited Zhu Ming to go directly to Xuzhou to recruit.

Xuzhou is conducive to the state supervision, and there are a total of 36 large-scale private iron-smelting plants. Their products are mainly sold to Hebei, but the competition is too fierce, there is a large circle of iron-smelting bases around Hebei, and the imperial court has repeatedly banned the sale of Xuzhou ironware to Hebei.

Su Shi once went to the court, saying that recently, the imperial court did not allow Xuzhou Iron to go north, and all smelters were worried about unemployment. Those iron-smelting households, the hungry and cold outlaws and powerful forbearance people, it is very dangerous to continue like this. Either Xuzhou Iron is allowed to be sold to Hebei, or those iron smelting households are reorganized, otherwise something will happen sooner or later if this continues.

As a result, the imperial court unified the management of the private smelters in Xuzhou, and temporarily allowed them to sell goods to Hebei.

But with the changing situation, it is forbidden and sometimes released. In recent years, it has been banned again, and the situation of Xuzhou Iron is very embarrassing, there is an iron-smelting base in its north, and there is also an iron-smelting base in its south, and it has been squeezed out wherever it is sold.

The 36 private iron-smelting plants in Xuzhou are gradually reducing their production capacity, and unemployed workers are living in poverty, and some have even turned into thieves.

Zhu Ming called Shi Yuangong: "I plan to smelt iron in Jinzhou, but Jinzhou is closed and the population is sparse, and the households go to mine gold and grow tea, and the iron-smelting industry is not prosperous." Many blacksmiths in Xuzhou are unemployed, and you take gold and silver to Xuzhou to recruit smelters. Would you like to take a trip? ”

"I will not be dishonored!"

Shi Yuangong was very happy, he finally had something to do, and couldn't help asking: "Xianggong smelts iron, but he wants to build a ...... What are those things? ”

"Don't ask too much," Zhu Ming said, "I asked Deng Chun to accompany you to Xuzhou, and when recruiting blacksmiths, it is best to recruit those who bring their families and take their families with them." ”

"Yes!" Shi Yuangong gave up his hand to receive the order.

This can be regarded as a test of Shi Yuangong's skills, if things are done beautifully, they can be reused more in the future. If you can't recruit people well, then use them as ordinary clerks.

Zhu Ming invited the officials of the Ministry of Industry to drink again, and got an official document for Shi Yuangong to carry. It is said that the imperial court intends to develop the iron smelting industry in Jinzhou, and sends the official Shi Yuangong to Xuzhou on a business trip, and the official delivery shops along the way must cooperate, and the Xuzhou side must also cooperate.

Shi Yuangong carried official documents, and Deng Chun carried gold and silver. The four male sumo wrestlers married by the Zheng family also accompanied them to protect their safety.

In late autumn, Shi Yuangong set off by boat.

This guy has a big heart, Zhu Ming asked him to recruit at least twenty households, but he wanted to recruit forty households. Only by exceeding the task can you show your ability.

Shi Yuangong was very sure, Zhu Ming definitely wanted to build weapons, otherwise why would he smelt iron inexplicably?

Shi Yuangong left Beijing for a few days, and Li Bao finally came.

After this guy went home, he actually became a relative by the way and set off with his new wife. He is the third in line, and there are two older brothers in the family, and his parents can hand over the filial piety to his brothers.

Li Bao also brought a follower and introduced: "Xianggong, this is Liu Kui, my little brother in the village, and my brother-in-law (brother-in-law), I have to travel with me to see the world." ”

Liu Kui is only fifteen years old this year, very immature, and he was quite excited to see Zhu Ming, and immediately bowed: "Kui to meet Zhu Xianggong!" I have already heard what my brother said about Xianggong's deeds in Puzhou, and I am willing to follow Xianggong to do great things! ”

Zhu Ming asked, "You are still young, can the elders in the family agree to go far away?" ”

Liu Kui said: "My family has four brothers, and my parents are taken care of. I don't succeed in studying, I like to play with guns and sticks, this time I came to follow Xianggong, and the elders also agreed. ”

"Then let's go on the road together." Zhu Ming is willing to accept it, although it is useless to use it for the time being.

When I left Beijing, I bought a few horses by the way.

In the early middle and early Northern Song Dynasty, there was a serious shortage of horses, not only war horses, but also folk horses. Before Wang Anshi's reform, the people of Tokyo mostly rode donkey carts, and even officials often rode donkeys.

After the introduction of the Horse Protection Law, although there were still not enough war horses, ordinary horses were sufficient. In particular, when Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty succeeded to the throne, Ma Zheng continued to change, frantically exploited horse breeders, and inferior horses were rampant in Tokyo, and horse-drawn carriages gradually replaced donkey carts.

Zhu Mingxin bought several inferior horses, all of which were used to carry graphite.

He was afraid that Hanzhong and Jinzhou would not be able to buy this heat-resistant material, so he simply purchased it in Tokyo.

Graphite, also known as stone dai and thrush stone in ancient times, was used to make eyebrow pencils used by women.

Friends sent each other off and set off for the west.

Passing by the Guanzhong area again, Zhu Ming found that the situation here was even worse. The imperial court continued to fight against the Western Xia, which seriously affected the livelihood of the people in Shaanxi, especially when it came to Qinfeng Road, where the situation was even more obvious.

By the time they entered the slope, it was already the tenth month of the lunar calendar.

In previous years, snow should have fallen a long time ago, but this year it has not been moved.

Zhang said: "There may be a drought and locust disaster next year. ”

"You still know how to predict the climate?" Zhu Ming said with a smile.

Zhang Bo replied: "I have read the book of soldiers and said that as a general, you should know astronomy and geography. There will be no snow this winter, and there will be a major drought in the coming year. ”

"I hope there won't be another big drought." Zhu Ming sighed.

In the past ten years, there have been many droughts in Shanxi, although not as severe as in the late Ming Dynasty, but also caused widespread crop failures. The upper reaches of the Yellow River have been raining little year after year, and some sections of the lower reaches of the river have even become clear, and there are auspicious reports of "the Yellow River is clear" in various places.

When I arrived at Yuchuan Town, I heard that Zhu Ming was passing by, and the guard Jia Zhongfu and the tax collector Cao Shu hurriedly greeted him.

"Jia Zhongfu (Cao Shu) meets the little official!" The two bowed their heads and bowed.

Zhu Ming smiled: "How do you call me a petty official?" ”

Cao Shu said: "Ling Zun is a big official, and Lang Jun is a small official. ”

Zhu Ming asked, "Do you know my father?" ”

Jia Zhongfu said: "We were blackmailed by eunuchs, and Zhu Daguan not only tied up the eunuchs, but also returned all the money they extorted. I have seen countless officials, but I have never seen such a clean official as Zhu Daguan. The official family reuses Zhu Daguan, and the people of the world will be blessed. ”

"Hahaha, you can talk." Zhu Ming laughed.

Jia Zhongfu said: "What I say below is sincere. ”

Zhu Ming encouraged: "Good students guard Guancheng, don't let the villains go over." ”

Jia Zhongfu said: "I must do my best. ”

Zhu Ming said: "Since you are here, let's stay and eat." ”

Jia Zhongfu and Cao Shu were overjoyed, they knew that the Zhu family's father and son were in Zhenglong, and maybe they could be promoted if they got married. This shabby place, located in the deep valley of the mountains, although you can get some oil and water, but it is too remote.

Between eating and drinking, Zhu Ming was kind to them, and said a few words of encouragement from time to time.

It's not to solicit, but to pave the way for the future.

When the time comes, send some people to trap directly, and without much effort, you will be able to capture the gate and firmly occupy the exit of the Bao Chuan Road.

Continue along the slope and enter the 11th lunar month in a blink of an eye.

The sky has only been sleet for two days, and this year it seems that there is really no snow at all, and the weather seems to be quite unusual.

Next year, there will be a severe drought not only in Shanxi but also in Western Xia, causing a shortage of food on both sides of the war. Hebei, Shandong, and Henan in the Great Song Dynasty were dry for several months, and in the summer, it suddenly continued to rain, and the Yellow River flooded and drowned millions of people!

Even the city of Tokyo is in a precarious position, and if you don't pay attention, you will be flooded in the city.

Before Layue, Zhu Ming finally arrived at Xingyuan Mansion (Hanzhong).

The prefect of Xingyuan has changed his name again, and his name is Li Youwen. This old man is Zheng Dang, who was personally recommended by Zheng Juzhong, and has also left a few strokes in the history books.

When Fang La raised troops, Li Youwen was demoted to Ningbo, Zhejiang. In the face of the crazy rebel army, the first reaction of this goods was to worship the gods, and to worship the lake god of Dongqian Lake, but he really carried the rebel army - in fact, it was the imperial army to conquest, and the main force of the rebel army was fighting against Tong Guan, and it was just a remnant army that killed Ningbo.

But Li Youwen was lucky, he was promoted to a court official because of his merits, and he was straightened to the Dragon Pavilion.

Hearing that Zhu Ming lived in a post house outside the city, Li Youwen called all the officials at the prefecture and county levels, and went out of the city to meet him with great fanfare.

Now Cai Jing is the big boss, and the other officials, although they are not openly united, but secretly cooperate with each other. Zheng Juzhong vigorously wooed the Zhu family's father and son, and Li Youwen naturally followed suit.

"Xingyuan prefect Li Youwen, bring the officials to meet Tanhualang!" Li Youwen's posture was very low, as if Zhu Ming was his boss.

Zhu Ming hurriedly pulled the other party's hands: "Why is Mr. so polite?" Jun is the prefect, I am the prefect; Jun is old, I am young. It's reasonable for me to go to the meeting. ”

Li Youwen said: "The one who reaches the first place, Tanhualang has a good belly and loves the people like a son, and the contemptible people have long admired him." When I saw it today, it really lived up to its reputation, and the contemptible people also planned to ask for advice on how to govern the people. ”

"Don't dare to be." Zhu Ming smiled.

Li Youwen said: "Please Tanhualang go to the hotel to rest." ”

Zhu Ming did not refuse, and followed Li Youwen into the city. He has to show his face more in Xingyuan Mansion to deter the officials at the prefecture and county levels, and it will be more convenient for him to do things in the future.

When the people of the city heard the commotion, they went to the streets to inquire about the situation.

Knowing that it was Tanhualang who came, even the eldest girl and the little daughter-in-law stood on the side of the road to watch the excitement.

The Hanzhong area has not been out of Jinshi for many years, and last year it was difficult to pass the three of them. Bai Chongyan and Min Zishun have no news, only Zhu Ming is the most prominent, not to mention Yangzhou, even Xingyuan Mansion has various legends.

In particular, Zhu Guoxiang was conquered by the emperor many times, and he was also escorted to the eunuch on the road, and it was rumored that he had obtained a 10,000-year-old Ganoderma lucidum. Coupled with immortal grains such as corn and sweet potatoes, it is rumored that it is extremely strange, and it is even said that Zhu Guoxiang is a god.

Only when the gods descend to earth can they do so many things, and they can give birth to a son who was admitted to Tanhua at a young age.

"Tanhualang!"

A prostitute shouted excitedly and threw the fruit over, and the others immediately laughed.

The atmosphere is even more enthusiastic, this is the local Tanhualang in Hanzhong (the Song Dynasty already had the concept of Hanzhong).

Zhu Ming rode on the cornucopia, arched his hands to both sides of the street, and still said the same sentence, appearing in advance to let the people remember him.

Li Bao's brother-in-law, Liu Kui, where have you seen such a scene? The cheers of the people all over the city, hearing in his ears, seemed to welcome his own family, and he felt that he had followed the right person this time.

Zhang Bo also rode a horse, straightened his waist, and longed for himself to be admitted to Tanhua one day, and he could also get the support of the villagers when he returned to his hometown.

(End of chapter)