Chapter 628 Rules for Selection of the Crown Prince of the Song Dynasty
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."
"Since we are choosing the future crown prince of the Song Dynasty, King Yan and King Yong can compete. The other 4126 are also relatives of His Majesty, and the descendants of Xuanzu (Zhao Kuangyin's father) should also allow interested people to participate."
Today's hand can't help but tremble, "hiss", there are a few extra white whiskers in the hand...
Sheng Hong, who was kneeling on the ground, was dumbfounded!
Why does it feel like choosing an oiran in a brothel...
What a child's play!
Wang Lidong would definitely sneer at his idea if he knew it.
This plan is a bit ridiculous, and if it is really done, the consequences will be very serious, but the emperor cannot stand it and he likes it.
The official glanced at Sheng Hong and said, "What do Shanda people think of Heng'er's proposal?"
Sheng Hong glanced at Wang Lidong secretly and whispered: "Wei Chen has little knowledge and needs to go back and read the history books... Wei Chen is worried that if there are too many clans involved, he may not be able to select a suitable prince in a short time. ..."
Seeing the emperor looking at him, Wang Lidong felt Chen Zhudao in his chest,
"Your Majesty, if there are too many people participating, just follow the imperial examination method for selection.
The first step is article selection.
As a prince, his talent does not need to be as high as that of a Jinshi, but the level of scholar is still needed, otherwise the memorial will not be understandable... In this way, almost half of the clan can be conquered.
Then comes the martial arts selection.
It is not necessary to be good at fighting, but at least to have the ability to talk on paper. When discussing military affairs with ministers in the future, you will not be led by the nose... Each person will enter the military camp for half a year to practice, and then undergo relevant assessments... ..
Third, the county government monitors politics
Most of the clan members have never dealt with government affairs, so they need to hone their ability to handle political affairs. The clan members who pass the military election are arranged to go to various county offices near Gyeonggi to observe government... One year later, the assessment will be conducted, and those who pass will receive the rewards assigned by His Majesty. As for the task, when the specified deadline is reached, His Majesty will give scores to the assessors, and the one with the highest score will be the Crown Prince of the Song Dynasty."
The emperor looked hesitant, "According to Heng'er's idea, it will take at least two or three years until the final round of assessment is completed, which is a bit long."
Change source app]
Wang Lidong pouted, "You really think it's too long, why are your legs shaking so happily!"
"During this period, His Majesty also needs to arrange supervision and assessment officials to prevent the clan members from cheating..."
My eyes are brightening now!
This is good.
In the future, if any minister dares to force him to become a prince, he will be thrown into the job of evaluator. Doesn’t he want to be a prince? Among these people are the future princes...
After getting what they wanted, Guan Jia and Wang Lidong chatted for a while, then waved to him and Sheng Hong...
Sheng Hong followed Wang Lidong for a tea break and arrived outside the palace. He saw his carriage parked not far away, and then looked at the young prince in front of him. He opened his mouth several times to explain, but the words stuck. I swallowed it again...
Wang Lidong didn't worry about Sheng Hong's confusion at all.
Since he dares to say it in public, he is not afraid that officials will know...
Moreover, the men of the Sheng family are all egoists. Whenever something happens, they will consider the best solution for themselves. As for whether other people are in dire straits, they will not care. Not to mention Wang Lidong, a distant relative, is his biological father. Mom gave up in the same way.
Sheng Hong is like this, Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng are even better than the blue.
Sheng Changbai and Haishi had just gotten married. When Haishi served tea to her mother-in-law Wang Ruofu, Wang gave him a few words of reprimand. Although it was a bit staged, it was not difficult, but Sheng Changbai immediately took over and supported Haishi.
When Wang Ruofu saw that his daughter-in-law, Hai Shi, was living a comfortable life, he gave him two girls who were married to each other on the grounds that his son was working hard at school.
Sheng Changbai changed hands and gave the two girls to his father. The reason was that his father had a harder time making money to support the family and needed more care.
Heidegger must have shed tears of gratitude.
There are few such good husbands in the world!
But Wang's face was thrown to the ground by her son and stepped on again and again!
As for the reasons, firstly, Sheng Changbai needed the support of Hai family in the officialdom.
Haishi, known as "One School and Five Imperial Colleges", is a famous noble family with hairpins. Haishi's father and brother were both officials in the court, and the family has produced many Jinshi and others.
On the other hand, Mrs. Wang's natal family, Mrs. Wang, had been dead for many years, and the mainstay of the family, Wang's brother, was a low-ranking official. The Wang family was in decline and could not help his career at all.
In addition, he is the only son of the Wang family. If he is offended, he will be offended. How can he be tolerated?!
Those female viewers who praised Sheng Changbai as a peerless good man, if one day their biological sons gave their men a second wife and a third wife, I wonder if they would still give a thumbs up...