Then it was the fourth day of August.

Although Jia Mu's birthday is still going on, Jiao Shun doesn't have that much free time to hang around the old lady.

Early that morning, he rushed to the Ministry of Works, where he had been away for many days.

Although Zhou Long's case is not over yet, he has now been assigned the task of establishing an engineering school, so naturally he cannot continue to work in Dali Temple.

Anyway, after this battle, the emperor's strong attitude has been undoubtedly revealed, and the direction of public opinion has also changed considerably. What crime Zhou Long should be convicted of, and who is the mastermind behind him, are actually irrelevant to the overall situation.

In addition, Jiao Shun is in a hurry to return to the Ministry of Works today, and there is another urgent matter that needs to be dealt with - the new musket jointly developed by the Ordnance Department and the Handyman's Office is ready for mass production.

Relying on his existence as a "half-baked prophet", it only took less than a year for this new type of musket to be finalized from establishment to finalization, which can be said to be a rapid progress.

But if Jiao Shun is to judge, this new gun, which is about to be finalized, is still a long way from achieving "gratifying results."

Not counting the bayonet, this new gun is two feet eight inches long [about 93 centimeters] and weighs six pounds and nine taels. It uses a bolt-action magazine with a capacity of five rounds and uses a special magazine for loading.

If you don't pursue shooting accuracy, an elite gunner can fire all five bullets in eight seconds, and a trained ordinary soldier only needs ten to twelve seconds.

Counting the reloading time, elite gunners can fire three rounds of rapid fire in one minute, and ordinary soldiers can easily fire two rounds. If calculated in two minutes, ordinary soldiers can fire five rounds, for a total of twenty-five shots.

Compared with the front-loading muskets of the Ussi, which fire at a rate of three to four rounds per minute and can only be fired from a standing or kneeling position, it is not an exaggeration to say that they are half a century ahead.

Even if the foreigners learned a lesson and quickly mass-produced and installed guns in a short period of time, there would still be a big gap.

But the flaw of this gun is also very obvious, that is, its maximum range is only two hundred meters.

Whether it is the 'Three Styles of Daxia' inherited from the Taizu era, or the standard weapons used by Wuxi's local army [the ones used by overseas legions and servant armies are much different], the maximum range is close to three hundred meters.

This range gap of nearly one hundred meters greatly weakens the innovative advantages brought by the bolt-action magazine.

Therefore, according to Jiao Shun, we should continue to improve the air tightness, adjust the gunpowder ratio, and increase the maximum range to 300 meters before finalizing and mass-producing it.

Unfortunately, when the Ordnance Department was first established, it was urgent to demonstrate the results, so it was strongly required to finalize the mass production first, conduct small-scale field installation tests, and then make subsequent improvements through feedback given by the military.

Some people even said that although this new gun has shortcomings in terms of range, if it is used for urban defense patrols and the like, it might actually be able to effectively avoid accidentally injuring civilians.

Even the officials above had tacitly approved of the Ordnance Department's approach, so naturally Jiao Shun couldn't resist insisting on his own way.

So after an unsatisfactory acceptance, the test data of the new musket and three samples were submitted to the palace.

Emperor Longyuan was quite satisfied with this kind of musket that could be fired continuously. In the afternoon of the same day, he gave instructions for small-scale mass production and named it "Longwu Type 1".

At the same time, the emperor also approved Jiao Shun's petition the day before yesterday, that is, to temporarily release Chen Wansan and Li Qing. As for the promotion of Zhu Tao in the steel factory, although he was not guilty in the slightest, he was still temporarily detained because he was an important witness.

Dali Temple can be summoned at any time.

After receiving the emperor's order, Jiao Shun immediately drove to Dali Temple and released Chen Wansan and Li Qing before Sanya.

Although due to the obstruction of the three presiding judges, Jiao Shun had never had any communication with the two of them in the past month, but after each trial, Jiao Shun ordered people to check for injuries and diseases.

But they all see it.

Now I heard that it was Jiao Shun who had specially requested a special order to release him. He burst into tears of gratitude and cried to the ground on the spot, confessing his guilt.

Jiao Shun helped the two men up, and first solemnly expressed, again and again, that from now on, no matter whether it is Chen, Li, or Lao Shizi's workers' alliance, if they dare to do anything behind his back or the emperor's back, don't blame him.

Jiao is merciless.

When the two of them responded with sincerity, he changed the subject again, implying that after the lawsuit was over, the two of them would probably not stay in the steel plant, but would have other uses.

Anyway...

After ending the official plot that many people would skip.

Jiao Shun drove directly back to his home and saw that the house was already decorated with lights and decorations inside and outside. Although it was not as extravagant as the old lady's birthday, it was even more festive.

The only discordant thing was probably Jiao Da, who was sighing long and short in the corridor.

The old man was originally hoping to have a grandchild first, so as not to end the family life as soon as he closed his eyes. However, he unexpectedly gave birth to a baby girl, so he was full of complaints.

Jiao Shun was too lazy to argue with him, so he chatted for a few words and then went to the south room of the east wing to tease his daughter.

After entering the door, I saw Xing Xiuyan leading Siqi and others to dye the eggs with mashed red yeast rice. There were also large bags and small boxes piled up with a lot of things, most of which were bamboo beds for children.

chair, and a new set of clothes.

After asking, I found out that this was just sent by Xing Xiuyan's mother. According to current rules, the woman's natal family is responsible for taking care of everything needed for the full moon. However, because Xing Xiuyan is only a noble concubine after all, the Xing family's financial resources are relatively limited.

, so they only allowed their family to provide half of the package, and the bulk of the items, such as drinks, were left to the Jiao family to take care of themselves.

Jiao Shun also took a few eggs and smeared them randomly, and then heard Xing Xiuyan say again: "In addition to the full moon wine tomorrow, I want to set up a separate table in private for Sister Lin and Sister Yingchun, but I don't know if it's appropriate or not."

"What's wrong?"

Hearing this, Jiao Shun smiled and said: "According to me, you and I are already in confinement, so you don't have to stay at home. You can just go to the garden and set up a table the day after tomorrow. You can feel free and they can do it cheap. Even if you come here and recite poems and write poems, you won't be afraid."

Someone is disturbing you."

Xing Xiuyan was very excited about this proposal, mainly because if it was a treat at home, Shi Xiangyun would definitely want to avoid suspicion, and besides Lin Daiyu, Xiangyun was the one who cared about her the most, not to mention that she was also the future mistress of the Jiao family...

Hmm~

One of the future matrons.

It would be best if we could get closer to each other, but Xing Xiuyan felt a little worried about her daughter.

Seeing this, Siqi asked Gao Fenyong to stay and take care of his sister and son, saying that with her and the wet nurse there, there would be no accidents, not to mention that his wife was also at home.

Xing Xiuyan nodded in agreement.

Jiao Shun struck while the iron was hot and brought the Four Treasures of the Study, he personally ground the ink and laid the paper, and asked Xing Xiuyan to rush to make the invitations.

As for the place to treat...

Because Xing Xiuyan and Yingchun were nominally cousins, he planned to temporarily borrow her Zhujin Building.

This is not just for convenience, but also to take the opportunity to help welcome the Spring Festival.

"I heard that the eldest gentleman was fined by the old lady, saying that it was used as a dowry for sister Yingchun, so he got angry at her for no reason. He has been deducting her money in every possible way these days - I asked her to be half of the host, how much?

We also subsidize some quietly.”

Jiao Shun waved his hand impatiently and said, "You can make your own decisions about these trivial matters."

As he said that, he stuffed another two hundred taels of silver notes into it: "If it's not enough, you can go to the north room and get it yourself. Anyway, the spare key is here for you."

Because he knew Jia Yingchun's temperament, he would definitely not refuse - of course, expecting her to take the initiative was even more foolish.

Therefore, Xing Xiuyan sent Siqi to Zhujinlou to spread the message, and at the same time he directly spread the hero posters in the name of the two of them.

However, Si Qi found no trace of Yingchun in Zhujin Tower. When he asked, he found out that he was playing cards with his sisters in Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Si Qi went to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion again and invited Yingchun to the corridor alone. He first told Xing Xiuyan that he wanted to use Zhujin Tower to treat guests, and then said straight to the point: "I don't want to hide the truth from the girl. My aunt wants to go to Zhujin Tower."

I’m treating you to a treat, and I heard that the great master deducted your expenses, so I wanted to take the opportunity to help you out.”

When Yingchun heard that Xing Xiuyan was going to Zhujin Tower to serve the full-moon wine, she felt a little unhappy. When Si Qi pointed out Xing Xiuyan's intention without hesitation, he became even more tempered: "I don't need her to support me."

!She is rich and can serve wine wherever she likes. Why does she have to come to my Zhujin Building?!"

"Does the girl know how to lose her temper now?"

Siqi understood her thoughts very well, and immediately sneered: "If I had known this, why did I do it in the first place? I will only mention this matter to the girl. I will take care of it seriously, and I will not be able to subsidize it with money at that time."

Leave them all to her to keep, so that the girl will not be coaxed by anyone again!"

With that said, he ignored Yingchun and took Xiuji back to Jiao's house to listen to Xing Xiuyan's instructions.

Yingchun was sulky for a long time because of this. When Xue Baochai came over and asked her to continue playing cards, she still pretended to be happy and informed everyone that Xing Xiuyan was going to serve wine in Zhujin Tower.

"Siqi said that Sister Xing would send the post when she gets back."

Hearing that Xing Xiuyan was going to serve wine in the yard, Shi Xiangyun was overjoyed for the first time. He clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Maybe I haven't seen Sister Xing for a long time. I always had concerns because she was pregnant. This time I want to go with her."

It’s great to have a few drinks!”

Xue Baoqin raised her hands high and said continuously: "There is still me, there is still me, sisters, please can't leave me alone."

Lin Daiyu pinched her smooth little face and said with a smile: "Just put your heart in your stomach. Sister Xing is the most considerate. Knowing that you live here, how can I miss you?"

?”

Seeing that everyone was excited, Jia Baoyu quickly joined in and said, "Then I won't go out to have a drink at all tomorrow. I'll go to Sister Xing's appointment the day after tomorrow."

Lin Daiyu flipped off the cherry and said with a sneer: "Second Master, it's better to wait and see if there are any posts of his own, so as not to be an uninvited guest and cause trouble!"

Jia Baoyu immediately withered again.

…………

at the same time.

Mei Hanlin also drove back home. After getting off the car, he saw the steward waiting in front of the door, so he raised his eyebrows and asked, "What's the matter?"

"Go back to me, master."

The steward bowed down and reported: "The Xue family sent someone to report early in the morning, saying that they had arrived in the capital."

"Nephew Xue Xian is here?!"

Mei Hanlin was overjoyed when he heard this, and quickly ordered: "Get ready to pay your respects immediately. Let Senbao stand in front of you tomorrow morning. My wife and I will go to Xue Mansion to visit Mrs. Xue in the evening, so as to have an early..."

As he said that, he saw that the steward looked a little strange and couldn't help but asked suspiciously: "What's wrong?"
To be continued...