Muchuan: "Mo Zhu, do you know how long it takes for mice to reproduce?"
"This... subordinate doesn't know."
"Just one month."
The growth period of mice is about thirty to forty-five days, including the reproduction of their parents.
In other words, two months would be enough for a large-scale plague outbreak.
Although rats are rarely seen in various cities in Gyeonggi Province, it does not mean that the plague will not occur, because the breeding speed and growth scale of rats are beyond human imagination, especially after two months, the climate is very suitable for rat breeding.
"Then considering the living habits of rats...the main habitat of rats is not inside the city, but outside the city."
Unlike modern mice, humans had not yet carried out high-level urbanization and industrialization more than a thousand years ago, and the main activities of mice were outdoors.
It is precisely based on this characteristic that once a rat plague breaks out, rats outside the city are likely to gather in large numbers in the city. This is why rats are rarely seen in the city.
After hearing this, Mo Zhu nodded silently: "So we can't take the lack of sight of mice as a basis..."
"Exactly."
"Then, sir, you should explain this matter to others! If you say this, I'm afraid others will be convinced!"
Ouyang Yifan spoke on behalf of Muchuan: "Even if you say that, others will not be convinced. Some people in the court are just dissatisfied with Lord Muchuan. If they want to find excuses, it will cause more trouble."
There's no need to blame anyone, it's precisely because of this that Muchuan didn't explain it any further.
In short, Muchuan was passionately loyal and patriotic. If Li Shimin could not understand his intentions, I am afraid that the situation in the Tang Dynasty would be like this.
What's more, although Muchuan cares about the people, as a "traveler", he has interfered too much in the affairs of the Tang Dynasty.
According to the progress of the official history of the Tang Dynasty, the plague is bound to happen. Muchuan does not think that he is powerful enough to change his destiny and intervene in natural and man-made disasters. For this reason, he does not insist on preventing the plague from happening. What he can do is probably
When the plague occurs, we will do our best to reduce the impact of the disaster.
Muchuan had more important things to say than the plague. Ouyang Yifan and Mo Zhu happened to be here, so he spoke directly: "Actually, you also know...I am not married until now, right?"
?”
Just now, a group of them were discussing the plague, and Muchuan suddenly mentioned such a personal topic, which shocked Ouyang Yifan and Mo Zhu.
Ouyang Yifan laughed and said: "Yes, among the three of us, we are the only ones who are not married yet."
Mo Zhu: "Why did you mention this matter? Is it because you want to get married?"
Muchuan did not hide this. After all, it was very common in ancient times to get married at the age of fourteen or fifteen. It is very strange that a successful official like Muchuan has not gotten married until now.
For this reason, rumors often circulated in the court, saying that Muchuan was as good as Longyang.
Some local county magistrates and governors even sent handsome servants to wait on Muchuan, which made him particularly embarrassed.
The boy was about to get married, and the girl was about to get married. Muchuan was nearly 20 years old, and the time was almost up, so he mentioned that he was going to propose marriage to Xin'er.
In fact, the marriage proposal should have been carried out much earlier, and if it had not been for the plague, it would not have been delayed until now.
On the other hand, after Muchuan said he wanted to propose marriage to Xiner, Ouyang Yifan and Mo Zhu were so shocked that their eyes popped out.
Ouyang Yifan said excitedly: "Mr. Muchuan, you have finally enlightened your mind. I thought you would never marry or marry until you grow old alone!"
Mo Zhu: "This is a good thing, adults should have done this long ago!"
The two of them rushed to celebrate, but Muchuan didn't want to hear their words of celebration, he wanted to know what he had to do to propose marriage!
After all, Muchuan is a modern person, and he knows that marriage proposal in ancient times was a very formal matter, with all kinds of red tape. These things alone can make people have headaches.
After Muchuan said his request, Ouyang Yifan and Mo Zhu both laughed. They thought Muchuan was worried about something, but it turned out that he was worried about these things.
Mo Zhu patted his chest and said, "I'm afraid we won't be able to help you with other matters, but Bufan and I have experience in this matter. Please listen to what we have to say to you!"
The sun was high in the sky, and at noon, Muchuan was chatting and laughing with Ouyang Yifan and Mo Zhu in the official residence of the Ministry of Revenue.
But on the other side, on a thousand kilometers of rugged mountain roads northeast of Gyeonggi Province, a team was winding its way.
There were about five hundred people in the team. They were all soldiers, wearing brass armor and iron helmets.
In the center of the queue is a tiger-headed carriage driving forward. Inside the carriage sits a handsome man, about thirty years old, with a face like a crown jade and wearing colorful water-patterned silk clothes. This man is Wang Yue, an important minister of Goguryeo.
Big congratulations!
"How long does it take to reach Chang'an City?"
When Mochizuki Dagong asked this question, a man in black robe walked in from outside the carriage.
The man in black robe said: "Sir, there are still four days."
"Four days... it's really a long time. The king actually asked me to come all the way to Chang'an for peace talks. Don't you know that I hate this long journey the most?"
Wangyue Dagong said with self-pity.
Just saying that, he was also looking forward to Chang'an City in his heart.
According to the information gathered by the pioneer scouts, Chang'an City is very prosperous. There are various delicacies on the streets, there are many entertainment activities, the people live a prosperous life, and the culture is prosperous.
Knowing such a prosperous scene naturally made Mochizuki Dagong curious. After all, he had never been to the capital of the Tang Dynasty! This time, he must broaden his horizons!
"Right, right..." While Wangyue Dagong was thinking, he seemed to have thought of something else, so he asked, "How is the investigation going on the matter of Muchuan, the Minister of Household Affairs?"
Wangyue Dagong was well-informed and had already known that there was someone behind the Tang Dynasty's army sending troops to capture one-fifth of the territory of Goguryeo in one fell swoop!
In name, the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty was personally conducting the expedition, but in reality it was an official named Muchuan who was strategizing behind the scenes.
In addition, I heard that during the exchange activities of the Goguryeo Kingdom, Muchuan used civil and military methods to defeat the civil servants and military generals of the Goguryeo Kingdom. This deepened Mochizuki Dagong's interest in Muchuan.
Now Mochizuki Dagong is listening to the report from his servants, thus learning more details about Muchuan's deeds.
"Is that so?
This Muchuan actually has the power of predicting the future, he is really powerful!"
Mochizuki Dagong laughed and solidified an idea in his heart.
Before going to Chang'an City to meet the emperor Li Shimin, he had to pay a visit to Muchuan first. He might be the biggest opponent in this trip to the Tang Dynasty.
