More than an hour later, Wang Lidong looked at the data compiled in his hand. The rate of fire, accuracy, lethality...the various indicators were very close to the data of the Gaul Chicken M1928 artillery.

Nice!

With a wave of his hand, let’s not reward the artillery project team.

On the way back to the city, Wang Lidong said to Buwei, "Initiate the Goryeo Plan. In half a month, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd escort regiments, and the 1st to 8th fleets will gather on South Changdao."

Half a year ago, he planned to find a force to train the more than 20,000 firearms troops he had formed.

After looking around at all the forces surrounding the Song Dynasty, I selected... Goryeo.

This small country, on the surface, is very respectful to the Central Plains dynasty, but in fact, it has always wanted to spy on the Central Plains' common ruler.

When it was strong, it didn't dare to be cautious. Once the Central Plains dynasty declined, it would secretly encroach on the Liaodong region.

Unfortunately, wanting to be the master of the planet and the strongest in the universe cannot be achieved by just daydreaming. In the end, it all depends on whose fist is stronger.

The capital of Goryeo was Kae Kyung (today's Kaesong, North Korea), which was not far from Feng. It only took a little more than 2 days and less than 3 days to travel by water. It was only half a day's journey from the Namjangdo Maritime Base of Sihai Trading Company.

Goryeo is very rich in mineral resources. According to previous data, there are 500 billion tons of iron ore, 2,000 tons of gold, 2.9 million tons of copper, 6 billion tons of magnesite, 4.5 billion tons of anthracite...etc.

Moreover, the combat effectiveness of the Bangzi Army has always been low, so it is perfect as a whetstone for rookies...

However, after Wang Lidong read the information about the capital of Goryeo, he felt a bit toothache.

There are three rings of walls in the entire royal city. The outermost wall is 5 to 6 meters thick and 10 to 12 meters high. With more than a hundred small mortars in his hand, it is estimated that even if he bombed it for a week, it would not be able to blow it up.

Collapse of such a thick city wall...

How afraid of death must the King of Goryeo be that he turned the capital into a tortoise shell!

But with the small steel cannon as a big killer, it's just a matter of firing a few more shots.

"Okay, young master!" Buwei said, "Will the young master go with you when the time comes?"

Wang Lidong said, "This is the first large-scale battle involving more than ten thousand people since the establishment of our trading company. I will personally lead the team."

Buweidao said: "The proficiency test is about to take place. Is your Majesty not going to agree to the Young Master traveling far away?"

"It's not like we want to capture the whole of Goryeo. For a small place like the capital, it shouldn't take more than a week." Wang Lidong looked at him with disbelief, "Will you stay in the capital this time or follow me to Goryeo?"

Not for the Tao, "I will go wherever the young master goes."

"Have you thought clearly? You only have one life. On the battlefield, life or death is not up to you?"

Buwei nodded.

Wang Lidong thought to himself that now he no longer had to worry about choosing the governor of Goryeo.

"Young Master, your Young Master." When the carriage returned to the Duke's Mansion, a familiar voice sounded outside the carriage.

Wang Lidong opened the curtains and saw Rulan's maid, Big Magpie, standing on the roadside with an anxious look on her face.

Not being busy, he opened the car door and let the big magpie enter the car.

"The magpie has seen the young father-in-law."

Wang Lidong motioned her to sit down and said, "What happened?"

The big magpie wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Something happened to my mistress. After the court today, he was called away by the palace officials and has not been released from the palace yet. The eldest lady is running around anxiously. She wants the young father-in-law to help. Let’s find out why.”

Wang Lidong thought for a moment and then said, "You follow me into the mansion. I'll ask my father first. He also attended the court meeting today."

Entering the palace, he found Qi's father and told him about Sheng Hong's situation.

Qi's father thought about today's court meeting and said: "There is nothing involving Xiu Jin (Sheng Hong) today, and His Majesty has not mentioned his name. During the court, I was pulled by your grandfather to talk about something, so I didn't pay attention. It’s time to go to Xiujin. How about I take a trip?”

There was no need for him to take action in such a trivial matter, so Wang Lidong immediately arranged a trip to the palace...

...........

Jiying Lane Shengfu

Mrs. Wang took her youngest daughter Rulan and knelt in front of the three portraits of Confucius, Sanqing Tathagata, taking turns to burn incense and worship, wishing Sheng Hong a safe return.

"Lan'er, kowtow quickly. This will make you appear sincere."

Under Wang's glaring eyes, Ru Lan reluctantly kowtowed nine times, "Mother, didn't the second brother say, Kong Sheng said, Zi silently has strange power and confuses the spirit! It really has to be useful. , Why are you studying so hard? Just kowtow three times in front of the portrait, how relaxing it will be."

"Don't mention this heartless second brother to me!" Wang's face immediately darkened. "Every year on Confucius's birthday, he never forgets to go to the Confucian Temple to burn incense and pay homage! It's his turn to be his own father, so he thinks of it. That’s it!”

Rulan glanced at the living room and found that her second brother hadn't come back yet. Otherwise, if she had heard what she just said, her face would have been very exciting, "Mom, please speak softly. If Lin Xiaoniang's people listen to it, she will definitely tell her father. Daddy likes the third brother even more."

Wang took two deep breaths.

"Madam, the big magpie is back." One of Wang's personal maids trotted into the side hall.

Rulan jumped up, supported her mother, and went to the living room next door together. When she saw the big magpie, she hurriedly asked, "Why have you been here for so long? Did Brother Heng find out anything?"

The big magpie said to the Wang family and the old lady of the Sheng family, "Girl, the young man went out early this morning and just returned home half an hour ago. The young man first asked Qi Guogong about his morning visit and learned that everything was normal. Later, I sent Buwei to the palace to inquire about it."

Wang asked anxiously: "Have you found any information about the officials?"

The big magpie nodded and said: "The master is now locked up in the side hall of Wende Hall. It is the official's intention."

What does official mean?

Mrs. Wang immediately panicked and cried, "Mother, a disaster is coming! If an official is sentenced to punishment, will his home be confiscated?..."

"Why are you panicking? You don't panic at all when you see the big magpie. Something big is going to happen to Hong'er. How can she be so calm!" After scolding her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Sheng said to the big magpie, "Some people say why the officials want to protect Hong'er. ?”

The big magpie said: "Back to the old lady, she said that someone in the Sheng family made nonsense about establishing a heir, which reached His Majesty's ears, which made the officials very unhappy, so they had the Lord locked up."

Old Mrs. Sheng asked in a cold voice: "Who is talking nonsense?"

The big magpie shook his head and said, "It's not because I didn't find out."

Seeing Mrs. Sheng looking at her, Wang quickly waved her hands and said, "Mother, I never said that."

Ru Lan also waved her hand: "Grandma, it's not me either."

Mrs. Sheng said, "I didn't mention you two. Only the two brothers at home would be interested in this kind of court affairs."

"It can't be Changbai. He will take the proficiency test in two months. He hasn't been out these days. He is busy reviewing his homework all day long. He has no time to talk nonsense..." As Wang said this, suddenly something happened in front of him.

As soon as he lit up, he said: "Mom, it must be Chang Feng. He doesn't need to take the proficiency test. He usually likes to make friends and drink wine together..."

Seeing her daughter-in-law getting up to go out, Mrs. Sheng shouted to stop her, "Where are you going?"

Mrs. Wang said with a murderous look on her face, "Chang Feng's evil deed has caused this official to suffer such a serious crime. I will go and tie him up and enforce the family law."

Old Mrs. Sheng couldn't help but raise her forehead. Why did she choose such a fool to be her daughter-in-law? She always did inappropriate things at critical moments. No wonder she was suppressed by a concubine. "Hong'er was imprisoned."

The news in the palace must have spread throughout the family. It was a time of panic.

What you, a real lady, should do now is to stabilize the morale of the army and ensure that the Sheng family is not in chaos. Instead of tying up someone. I think the family is not chaotic enough."

Wang was unwilling to accept it and said: "Why don't we lock the person up first? After the official comes back, he can deal with it immediately."

"There is no evidence or proof, it's all your guess. The truth will come to light after Hong'er returns home." Mrs. Sheng asked the big magpie, "Did you say when Hong'er will be able to leave the palace?"

The big magpie said: "The internal officials don't know when the official family will release the master. But the young master said..."

"What did the young master say?"

"The young master said that the old lady and the eldest lady don't need to worry too much. No one has ever talked about the matter of establishing a heir apparent. It's just that His Majesty has not been in a good mood recently, and he happened to be at gunpoint. According to the official's temper, he can at best close the door.

Two or three days, then a few words of reprimand in person, and a fine of several months' salary."

Wang asked in confusion: "The young master really said that? How did he know so clearly?"

Old Mrs. Sheng said: "My young master often comes to the palace and knows His Majesty's temper better than we do. Since I said so, I should be inseparable."

Mrs. Wang was still a little worried, "What if it was the young father-in-law who said comforting words?"

Mrs. Sheng glared at Mr. Wang, "Can't you think about the good things, is it possible that your official will be relieved after he is dismissed from office?!"

Mrs. Wang hurriedly waved her hands, but her brain was not broken. Sheng Hong was really dismissed from office, and she would have to live a hard life. The two of them were like grasshoppers on a rope.

This stupid daughter-in-law.

Old Mrs. Sheng waved her hand and asked Mr. Wang to quickly tie up the fence at home to avoid being drilled...

Early the next morning, when Wang Lidong was about to go out, he was intercepted by an internal official sent by the emperor, "Young Master, I have an invitation from the official family."

Ten minutes later, he followed the internal official to the right side of the Wende Hall. He glanced at Sheng Hong who was kneeling on the ground and saluted Jin Jin, "Student Qi Heng pays homage to the official."

The emperor pointed at Sheng Hong, "Do you know Heng'er who is kneeling on the ground?"

Wang Lidong nodded and said, "I know him. He is the student's uncle." After saying this, he also bowed to Sheng Hong.

Sheng Hong nodded slightly awkwardly.

Today's official said, "Ren Shanda just mentioned to me a method for selecting a prince, which is to 'choose a worthy person and establish him'. Allocate tasks to the two princes, and whoever completes them well will be appointed as the prince. I heard him say that this is your choice." An idea you came up with?”

Looking at Sheng Hong who was hanging his head and pretending to be dead, Wang Lidong nodded and said, "The students said that."

The emperor said:

"Oh...! What Shanda said is a bit general, does Heng'er have a detailed plan?"

Wang Lidong asked: "Your Majesty, how many clans are there in the Song Dynasty now?"

"I read the booklet in the first half of the year. With the addition of Taizu Taizong and King Fuling (the younger brother of Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin and Song Taizong Zhao Guangyi), there are currently 4128 clan members recorded in the book. I think there have been many more in the past few months."
To be continued...