Chapter 550 The situation suddenly changes

Chapter 550 The situation suddenly changes

Chapter 550 The situation suddenly changes
The group returned to the capital in a mighty procession.
At first, Fu Youde only discussed with some military generals.
But then, he held Lu Yunyi tightly and asked him questions about every detail.

Lu Yunyi is like a docile quail.

Under the gaze of the crowd, he answered the questions honestly and respectfully.

During this period, he often had heated debates with the generals.

For example, the assistant of the Right Military Governor's Office discovered that

In tricycles and bicycles, the most expensive and complex component is the gear shifter.

So he thought about removing the gear shift plate.

Lu Yunyi took great pains to explain it to him.
The speed disc is the key to saving effort in pedaling and is also the core component of the entire tool.

For example, the cost of wheels is quite high.

The deputy commander of the former military governor's office asked Lu Yunyi if he could add two large baskets on both sides of the bicycle for carrying firewood.

This way, you can save the cost of a wheel.

Lu Yunyi spent a lot of effort to explain to him,
The three-wheel structure can provide more supporting surface, making the tricycle more stable and balanced.

In short, during this journey,
Lu Yunyi transformed himself into a "question and answer expert" and kept answering various questions.

This situation became more and more obvious especially after Ying Duke Fu Youde expressed his attitude.

This made Lu Yunyi secretly amazed.
If he remembered correctly, those who had previously been reserved about tricycles and bicycles,

Now that big brother Fu Youde has returned and expressed his views,

The enthusiasm he displayed was no less than that of the other deputies who had already agreed with the proposal.

When we entered Yingtian City, the sky was already hazy and dark.

However, soldiers holding torches were lined up on both sides of the street to light the way for the troops.

After entering the city, Lu Yunyi was finally able to take a short rest.

As I hadn't slept for two days and was exhausted from traveling,
He just felt dizzy and his head kept nodding involuntarily.

At this moment, Xu Huizu, who had been following silently, came closer and reminded in a low voice:
"There has been some unusual news in the Beijing army in the past two days. You must pay more attention."

Lu Yunyi was instantly alert, and his eyes showed a bit of vigilance:
"Duke Wei, what's the news?"

Xu Huizu did not expose Lu Yunyi's pretense of stupidity, but just smiled lightly:
"Pay more attention to the rumors in Beijing.

If necessary, the Governor's Office can work together with the Beijing Government to arrest more people."

Hearing what he said, Lu Yunyi immediately understood and nodded slightly:

"Thank you, Duke Wei, for reminding me. I understand."

Xu Huizu took a deep breath and looked sideways at Lu Yunyi.

During the period since Lu Yunyi returned to Beijing, he no longer stood out from the crowd like before.

Xu Huizu was quite grateful for this.

After all, it is a fact that he rose to a high position by relying on the honor of his father.

Even if he has real talent and knowledge, he doesn't want people to talk about his age all day long.

Xu Huizu pursed his lips and continued
"It was my decision to keep Yun Gong in Yingtian. I hope you don't mind."

Lu Yunyi was slightly stunned and said:

"Duke Wei, this is the decision of the Governor's Office. Why would I mind?"

Xu Huizu did not argue with him, but said slowly:

"In recent discussions at the Metropolitan Government,
It has been determined that musketeers are the future development trend of the Ming army.

Nowadays, there are many people in Ming Dynasty who know about firearms.
But he could put firearms on a par with cavalry on the battlefield,

Not many people use firearms as the main attack and primary means of annihilating the enemy.

You are one of them, and there is another young man in Xi'an."

"Is there anyone else?" Lu Yunyi raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Don't get me wrong, the battle in Shanxi was just a skirmish involving more than a hundred people.

The number of enemies killed by the muskets was only thirty, which is nothing compared to the battlefield you have experienced."

Lu Yunyi suddenly realized and nodded:

“Duke Wei, muskets are easy to carry.

If the Governor's Office and the Ministry of Industry could develop more efficient rapid-fire firearms,

So, whether it is a large-scale battlefield or a small-scale battle,

Muskets can exert tremendous power, and the combat capability of individual soldiers will be greatly improved.

After all, it is much easier to train with a musket than with a crossbow."

Xu Huizu looked at Lu Yunyi with some surprise.

He knew that Lu Yunyi was a famous sharpshooter in the army.

Usually, after a person has achieved outstanding results in a certain field and established himself,
Will unconsciously maintain authority in the field, such as the longbow.

But Lu Yunyi's frank attitude surprised him.

After a pause, Xu Huizu said in a deep voice:
"The Governor's Office is already researching this.

Some workshops in the Ministry of Industry are carrying out related work, and I believe you are aware of it.

Since the musket will become the mainstay of the future army,

Therefore, it is necessary for the court to leave someone who is proficient in using muskets in the capital.

I asked Guo Quan, he didn't want to stay in the capital.

He said he wanted to go out and make his own way, and win honors with his own abilities.

So, this task fell on Yun Gong.

In the future, the Governor's Office will rely on him for firearms training and tactics."

After hearing these words, Lu Yunyi understood the reason:
"Duke Wei, the front scouts in Yunnan only made a preliminary attempt.

Regarding the specific operating methods and refined improvements, further in-depth research is needed.

We are not the authority, Yun Gong stayed in the capital,
It is to enable the staff of the Governor's Office to break the existing authority.

If we limit ourselves to the experience gained on the Yunnan battlefield, the development of muskets will be restricted.

Military progress depends on the next generation's courage to challenge the authority of the previous generation and to break free from its constraints.
Only in this way can real progress be achieved.”

These words not only stunned Xu Huizu, but also Li Jinglong who was not far away turned around.

Even Fu Youde, who was sitting in front of the prince's carriage, turned his head.
There was a fiery light flashing in his eyes and his fists were unconsciously clenched tightly.

Fu Youde had a deep understanding of Lu Yunyi's words.

Now it is the twenty-second year of Hongwu, and Fu Youde is already sixty-four years old.

However, he still had to lead the army in person, which was certainly due to the infighting in the court.
But more importantly, in mountain warfare,

There are very few talents available in the court.
There is no one who can surpass him and definitely win the battle.

As a commander, he was very happy to have an outstanding general take over his position so that he could take a break.

But traveling across the country, without the environment of years of war, it is very difficult to produce such generals.

Lu Yunyi's words caused the entire convoy to come to a brief halt.

After a while, Duke of Wei Xu Huizu came back to his senses and sighed with emotion:

"You are right. If we are complacent and limit ourselves in the development of firearms,

I will never be able to surpass the achievements of the Luchuan battlefield. I will remember this."

Li Jinglong in front widened his eyes, his face full of envy.

He found that Lu Yunyi was always like this, doing things calmly and according to plan.

However, once you talk to some big names,

He always says something thought-provoking and shocking, and his words are radical without making people angry.

Li Jinglong couldn't help but think to himself:

“When will I become this kind of person?”

After the Duke of Ying returned with his army from the southern expedition, the atmosphere in the entire capital suddenly changed.

Even some vendors and ordinary people clearly felt that

The atmosphere became much more harmonious and no longer as depressing as before.

The officials in the court felt it even more deeply.

The fierce quarrels in the past seemed to disappear in an instant.
Many controversies regarding the Governor's Office and the army also seemed to disappear.

Especially on the issue of ownership of tricycles and bicycles,
Some big businessmen and powerful people no longer dared to step forward easily, and the storm subsided almost in an instant.

What surprised Lu Yunyi even more was that
The Ministry of Revenue actually took the initiative to invite the Ministry of Works to send someone there.
Discussions were held on next year's budget and water control.

In the past, this situation would never have happened, but now it is actually happening.

Later, Lu Yunyi learned from Li Zhigang that
After Duke Ying came back, Fu Youwen, the right assistant minister who had always been unknown in the Ministry of Revenue, suddenly became tough.

He had several heated arguments with the Minister of Revenue Yang Jing in the yamen, but the specific results are unknown.

But one thing is certain, the funds needed by the Ministry of Industry and Water Conservancy Bureau for water control have been approved.

Moreover, the plan set by the prince was not adopted this time.

Yingtian Commercial Bank no longer had to pay money at the end of the year, and the Ministry of Revenue completed the relevant silver settlement neatly.

At this time, five days had passed since the Duke of Ying returned to the capital. Qin Kui, the Minister of Works, Ji Yuchen, the Left Vice Minister, and Lu Yunyi, the Right Vice Minister,
The three of them gathered in front of a silver depository of the Ministry of Revenue in the capital.

They looked at the banknotes densely packed on the shelves in the warehouse, feeling filled with emotion.

Qin Kui's face, which was usually stern, showed a rare smile at this moment.

Ji Yuchen had a complicated expression, revealing a hint of loss.

Lu Yunyi has sunken eye sockets and sallow skin.

In order to deal with the affairs of road construction and workshop construction, he did not sleep for two consecutive nights.

But at this moment, he felt an excitement as if he had just joined the army and met his general.

For the first time, he truly felt the deterrent power of the Big Brother in the military, and this feeling made him yearn for it.

Lu Yunyi could hardly imagine what the scene would be like when Duke Song Feng Sheng appeared in the capital.

In terms of time, Feng Sheng was granted the title of Duke fourteen years earlier than Fu Youde, making him a true founding hero.

He could not imagine that when Xu Da was alive,

How great is the deterrent effect on the military and the capital?

No wonder at that time, the court could do whatever it wanted, and no one dared to stop it.
There would never be a situation like today where some people collude with each other and oppose the court.

However, after the excitement wore off, a deep chill followed.

The Duke of Ying already had such a powerful influence.

So what kind of waves will be caused when Li Shanchang, the Duke of Korea and the leader among all the gentlemen, comes to the capital?
Lu Yunyi couldn't imagine it.

Although he had already entered the center of the court and became a senior official,
But in front of these people, he was like a small boat swaying in the wind and rain, which could be overturned by the waves at any time.

Looking at the silver in front of him, Lu Yunyi made up his mind secretly.

The capital city is not a place to stay for long. There are many hidden talents here. It is better to leave as soon as possible.

I would rather make a chicken head than a phoenix tail.

At this moment, a scream interrupted Lu Yunyi's thoughts.

Qin Kui, who usually had a gloomy face, rushed into the warehouse in a hurry.
He let out a howl of excitement that was inconsistent with his status.

He was as happy as a child, jumping around in the warehouse and touching things left and right.

Normally, officials from the Ministry of Works were not allowed to enter the Ministry of Revenue’s silver depository.

But the situation is different because the official from the Ministry of Revenue who came with him today is Fu Youwen.

Thanks to Lu Yunyi's face, the group was able to enter the warehouse for a visit.

Lu Yunyi was also quite amazed at the Ministry of Revenue’s warehouse.

However, his attention was not focused on the silver, but on the surrounding walls.

He discovered that the walls were made neither of mud nor of clay.
It is made of a huge stone.

After careful polishing, it was built into the shape of a wall and stands here.

Fu Youwen noticed his actions, walked over and explained with a smile:

"How about it? The Ministry of Revenue's warehouse is much better than your Ministry of Works, right?"

Lu Yunyi nodded in agreement.

Judging from the structure of the warehouse and its design of being buried deep underground, its cost must be very high.

Moreover, such a huge stone wall,
The possibility of someone entering the warehouse by manually digging a passage is almost eliminated.

Fu Youwen sighed and said:

"Although Yang Jing and the Ministry of Industry have some conflicts,
But the Ministry of Revenue has decided to use your Ministry of Works' concrete,
A new structure was built underground to store silver and newly issued banknotes.

I helped you this time, and you have to help me in this matter too.

Don’t use excuses like “there’s not enough concrete” to fool the Ministry of Revenue. ”

Lu Yunyi was stunned. He didn't expect that the people in the Ministry of Household Affairs had such a sharp vision and would set their sights on concrete so quickly.

He smiled and nodded:

“The money for flood control was approved so quickly this time, thanks to Master Fu’s hard work.

Don't worry about the concrete. I will write the documents as soon as I get back and ask the workshop to supply it with all its strength.

By the way, do you need some artisan support from the workshop? "

"That's not necessary. The Ministry of Revenue will ask the Palace's Armory Bureau to be responsible for the specific design and construction.

By doing so, the palace will feel more at ease.”

Lu Yunyi nodded, understanding the Ministry of Revenue’s concerns.

The silver deposits here are important assets of the imperial court and also serve as the guarantee for the treasure notes.

If these money were lost inexplicably, the entire Ming Dynasty court would suffer a heavy blow.

The Ministry of Industry has always been a department with serious corruption problems.
No one can guarantee that there will be no information leaks, so it is not enough to reassure people.

At this point, Fu Youwen reminded in a low voice:
“I already know your Ministry of Industry’s plan.

However, the Ministry of Revenue has no right to interfere in how the Du Shui Si manages water, nor can it take over its duties.

But, at least on the surface, both sides are getting by.

We are all officials in the imperial city, so there is no need to make things too awkward.

The Ministry of Industry has the upper hand this time, but it may not be the case next time."

Lu Yunyi knew that he was referring to the use of concrete to build the dam, and nodded slightly:
"Master Fu, please rest assured. I don't know how the Du Shui Division specifically manages water.
Let them follow their own plan.”

Fu Youwen was stunned, then laughed:

"Lord Lu is indeed very shrewd.

I was going to remind you today not to engage in any shady accounting or schemes.

Even though things are going smoothly now, it doesn't mean that there won't be trouble later.

But since Lord Lu is so cautious, I feel relieved.

No wonder my brother is full of praise for you."

Lu Yunyi lowered his head and smiled meaningfully.

When doing this kind of thing, you must not leave any evidence behind, otherwise it will become a disaster in the future.

"Thank you for your reminder, Master Fu. The Ministry of Works will arrange for people to transport all the silver away."

"Once you leave here, you will spend money like water. Remember to go to the Treasury to exchange banknotes."

After hearing this, Lu Yunyi's expression suddenly tensed up and his brows furrowed slightly.

Fu Youwen laughed when he saw him like this:
"My trip today was not in vain."

"Master Fu, please give me some advice."

Fu Youwen walked out of the warehouse with him.

After watching the clerks load the silver onto the tricycle, the two men walked some distance away.

Fu Youwen reminded:

"Now the people are using treasure notes everywhere, and the salaries paid by the court to officials are also in the form of treasure notes.

However, in many construction projects, cash is used.

In the past, when this happened, the people would not report it and the officials would not investigate.

But now it’s different. This money can be said to have been robbed from the Ministry of Revenue, which can easily arouse resentment.

It’s better to act cautiously.”

After hearing these words, Lu Yunyi realized the seriousness of the matter.

Soon, a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes.

This huge capital city may seem prosperous and spacious, but in fact, it is full of hidden traps.

"Thank you, Master Fu, for telling me. I almost fell into a trap."

"Hahaha, you'll understand if you think about it more."

Fu Youwen waved his hand and said:

"Okay, now that I've got the money and explained everything I need to do, I have to get back to work.

I hope Lord Lu will take more care of the flood control issue.

As dignitaries in the imperial court, working for the imperial court is like working for ourselves.

Only when the place is stable can we enjoy our lives with peace of mind."

"Thank you for your teachings, Master Fu. I will keep them in mind."

The change in address made Fu Youwen even happier. He waved his hand and left quickly.

At this time, Feng Yunfang hurried over and whispered beside Lu Yunyi:
"Sir, General Liu is here to see you. He said there is a result regarding the recipe."

Lu Yunyi frowned immediately:
"Is there a problem?"

Feng Yunfang shook his head:
“My Lord, it is still unclear at the moment.

But judging from Hu Xiaowu's expression, the matter seems to be somewhat serious."

Lu Yunyi suddenly laughed and nodded:

"I see. Yingtian is really full of traps."

(End of this chapter)