Yu Chigong came full of anger. He originally thought that Zhang Xingcheng deliberately made things difficult for him by distributing the firearms produced by the Foundry Bureau to other troops, making it difficult for his side to practice in time and replenish their combat power. However, seeing Zhang Xingcheng's words at this moment, he discovered that this guy was doing something wrong.
Could it be that the Minister of the Ministry of War is still unable to control the Ministry of War and has been ignored by his subordinate officials?
This kind of thing happens all the time in official circles, but Zhang Xingcheng has the support of the entire Shandong family, and Cui Dunli, the most powerful person in the Ministry of War, is a descendant of the Boling Cui family. The two are connected by blood, but they don't want to fall into such an embarrassing situation...
But he came here today to solve the problem, so naturally he would not be overly sympathetic.
Immediately with a black face, he roared: "You are the Minister of the Ministry of War, and you are naturally in charge of the affairs of the Ministry of War. Who can blame you for your own incompetence? Don't use these trivial excuses to stall me. I only want firearms when I come today, don't
You're talking nonsense to me! If you dare to make noise again, do you really think I don't dare to teach you a lesson?"
This is not what he said to scare people. Now the entire Guanlong clan has pinned their future hopes on him. He himself also wants to take advantage of the current turmoil in Yichu to grab more profits. However, his troops have suffered heavy losses in successive battles. If they cannot make up for it in time,
, when the time comes to face the well-equipped troops with firearms, will you take the lead and fight with them?
The army is not only his lifeblood, but also his future. He will never allow anyone to delay the distribution of firearms and affect the combat effectiveness of the army.
Zhang Xingcheng was not a vegetarian. Although he was afraid that Yuchi Gong would really beat him up in public, he could accept such a face-to-face humiliation, so he simply said: "If you want firearms, I don't have them. Either you, Duke of E, cast them yourself."
I have no choice but to ask for it from the bureau or go directly to your Majesty to file a lawsuit."
Faced with Zhang Xingcheng's toughness, Yuchi Gong was a little helpless. Could it be that he was really going to beat him up in the Ministry of War Yamen?
He is not a fool.
Although he was angry at that time, he was also involved in a lawsuit. His Majesty is currently ill and has a bad temper. He said that he would not be severely punished.
However, he came with a fierce momentum, so naturally he couldn't leave in such a disgraceful manner. He said with a gloomy face: "Where is Liu Shi? He is in charge of the foundry bureau. Let him come over. I would like to ask him why he insulted me like this?"
"
Seeing that Zhang Xingcheng was difficult to deal with, he turned his attention to Liu Shi...
Zhang Xingcheng didn't talk nonsense. He had deeply hated Liu Shi for following Cui Dunli's advice for a long time, so naturally he would not protect him. He said to the clerk outside the door: "Go and invite Mr. Liu here. Duke E Guo is slippery and wants to ask."
"Here."
The scribe hurriedly left.
Not long after, Liu Shi, who was dressed in an official robe, walked in, greeted each other, then sat down on a chair aside, took the tea from the clerk, and asked with a smile: "The Duke of E is here, and everyone in the Ministry of War is in full bloom.
Shenghui, but I don’t know what the instructions are for calling the officials here?”
The children of the aristocratic family pay attention to a person who is as gentle as jade, and Liu Shi himself is also very good-looking. With such a warm smile and a humble demeanor, he is indeed rich and handsome.
But the two people in the seats were staring at him more and more dazzlingly...
Liu Shi didn't realize it at all. He slowly took a sip of tea and raised his eyes to look at Yuchi Gong, whose face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. However, this man always had a dark face, so for a while he couldn't tell his mood from his face...
Yuchi Gong had a stern look on his face and said in a bad tone: "The Foundry Bureau has resumed work for many days, but my commander has not yet received any firearms, which has caused serious delays in army training, and there are complaints from all over the army. I came here today to ask Liu Langzhong, what happened?
When can we replenish Youhou Wei’s firearms?”
He was holding his breath, but he didn't want to be too rude in front of Liu Shi.
Although the doctor of the Ministry of War is only a minor official with some real power, he does not care about it. However, the Liu family in Hedong is a powerful family in Hedong, with a prosperous cultural background and many old stories in the court. He is also the uncle of the Princess of Jin, and has entanglements with the Prince of Jin.
Quite deeply, if the King of Jin becomes the new heir in the future, Liu Shi will inevitably rise to great heights.
With Yu Chigong's status, it's true that he won't be able to make people famous and blame others, but he doesn't want to make enemies for nothing. If we can discuss it carefully, it's not a bad idea to endure it for a while...
Hearing this, Liu Shi showed a look of astonishment. He first looked at Zhang Xingcheng who was expressionless on the side, then looked at Yuchi Gong, and said in astonishment: "How to distribute ordnance and which troops should be given priority? This is the matter of the Ministry of War. How can I be a lower official?
Can a mere doctor make the decision? You should discuss it with Zhang Shangshu."
Zhang Xingcheng snorted coldly and discussed with me?
When you controlled the affairs of the Ministry of War and pushed me, the Minister of War, out of the door, why didn't you discuss it with me?
However, he would not cause "internal strife" in front of Yu Chigong, so he just snorted and ignored it...
Yuchi Gong looked at Zhang Xingcheng, who was silent, and completely believed that this man had been ignored by the officials of the Ministry of War. He then said to Liu Shi: "I won't make it difficult for you. I will put aside the issue of firearms and ordnance distribution for the time being. I just want to ask you to cast it now."
How many firearms does the bureau produce every day?”
Even if we can't fully equip them, we can always give them less, right? The Ministry of War first inspected the Ministry of War through His Royal Highness the King of Jin, and then Zhang Xingcheng was appointed as the Minister. However, it is still under the control of Fang Jun's gang members. It is definitely impossible to force it.
Not only was Fang Jun deprived of his position as Minister of War, but he was also forced to hand over the Youtun Guards he had reorganized. He must be simmering in anger, and His Majesty must also feel apologetic for this, in case Fang Jun spreads this evil fire.
In his own case, His Majesty would probably just turn a blind eye and just give a few casual instructions...
Therefore, officials from the Ministry of War should not be provoked. They should retreat appropriately and only need to be given some firearms and equipment. They should not be forced too much to avoid getting into trouble.
Liu Shi spread his hands and said, "The foundry bureau was previously destroyed by the Guanlong rebels. Even the warehouse was blown up, and all kinds of machinery and equipment were completely damaged. To resume work, at least hundreds of thousands of dollars would be needed."
, where does the Ministry of War have so much money now? Therefore, although the craftsmen are stationed temporarily, they are only repairing equipment. But since you, Duke of E, are eager to equip the troops with firearms, you should go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to urge them to allocate funds quickly, otherwise
I'm afraid I can't even make a musket."
Yuchi Gong's eyes widened, I have already given in so far, you are not only shameless, but you want me to go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs for you to ask for money?
He stood up with a bang and slapped the case. He looked at Zhang Xingcheng angrily and said, "This is simply unreasonable! I don't care so much. Your Ministry of War is responsible for ordnance manufacturing. If you can't receive at least a thousand muskets in three days, I will never end it with you."
!”
After saying that, he angrily walked away.
He finally understood that the Ministry of War was now controlled by Fang Jun, and Zhang Xingcheng's mallet was completely useless.
Although he was very angry, how could he fall out with Liu Shi on the spot? That would play into Zhang Xingcheng's way. Now Zhang Xingcheng was counting on someone to make a fuss and pry a gap out of the iron-clad military department to break the situation.
…
…
Watching Yuchi Gong leave angrily, Liu Shi looked helpless and complained to Zhang Xingcheng: "Xiaguan is in charge of the Foundry Bureau. In the past few days, he has been forced by the generals from the DPRK and China to ask for firearms and equipment for the troops, but the Foundry Bureau has not yet done so.
If we can start the work, where can I find the firearms? I also ask the Minister to urge the Ministry of Civil Affairs to allocate funds, otherwise our Ministry of War will be ruined by these gangsters sooner or later."
Zhang Xingcheng said angrily: "I hold the title of Minister of the Ministry of War for nothing, but God has given you the blame. Who should I complain to? Okay, okay, everyone understands this. Don't talk nonsense anymore."
"
"Hey, look what you said, you are the Minister of the Ministry of War and our superior officer. Since you are the only one who obeys your orders, you should be responsible. There is no good thing in the world that can only eat meat without getting beaten, right?"
Liu Shi drank tea slowly, with an expression on his face that said, "You deserve to take the blame."
Zhang Xingcheng laughed angrily and nodded repeatedly: "I have finally seen what it means to be shameless. If you continue to make trouble like this, you will suffer the consequences sooner or later."
After saying that, he didn't care that it was duty time, so he simply got up and strode out of the duty room, took his trusted servants out of the Yamen and returned home.
…
Liu Shi returned to the room where the Minister of War was on duty and sat opposite Cui Dunli. He worriedly said: "Always prevaricating like this is not the answer. The foundry is working overtime and sooner or later outsiders will know about it. How will we explain where the produced firearms go?"
Not only are we unable to communicate, but the East Palace is also in trouble."
Although the troops drawn from all over the world have returned to their places of origin one after another, the number of troops in Hedgehog Pass is still nearly 200,000. These troops first experienced the Eastern Expedition, and then the Guanlong Mutiny. It can be said that there were successive fierce battles and losses.
Unfortunately, now that they have seen the power of firearms, they are waiting to equip them so that they can practice and develop combat effectiveness as soon as possible.
Everyone's eyes are fixed on the Foundry Bureau, in case the outside world knows. Now seventy-eight percent of the firearms produced by the Foundry Bureau every day flow into the East Palace Six Rates, while Zuowuwei, Youhouwei and other powerful armies can only
Dozens of shots were allocated, not even one of Zhentianlei, etc. How could it be a disaster?
The whole world knows that His Majesty Yi Chu is here, but at this time, the Sixth Army of the East Palace is expanding aggressively. What is his intention?
This kind of thing can be big or small. Once someone catches you and refuses to let go, it might be a crime of beheading...
Cui Dunli sat upright, with a calm face, and said in a deep voice: "Our ambition is to support Zhengshuo and maintain justice. What we do is not for personal gain, but to ensure the integrity of the Prince of the East Palace... This heart can be learned from heaven and earth, and it is absolutely
If there is no conspiracy, what is there to fear?"
Liu Shi smiled bitterly and said: "I'm not timid, it's just that each of these guys is more difficult to deal with. Zhang Shangshu is not easy to fool. If this delay continues, things will inevitably change."
Cui Dunli held the pot and filled the two teacups on the table with tea. Then he picked up a cup and took a sip. He smacked his lips to taste the tea and said slowly: "Don't worry, the situation has evolved to this point. Maybe the situation will change during this period."
, and wait patiently until the time comes when our names will go down in history.”
It is not difficult for His Majesty to decide whether to abolish the reserve.
But how to preserve the crown prince after he is deposed is something that even His Majesty cannot control. Even if he is preserved today, what will happen one year from now, ten years from now, or a hundred years from now?
You can't have your cake and eat it too.
If you want to get the best of both worlds, you cannot follow the ordinary trajectory, you must take an unusual path.
That's when the situation changed.
Your Majesty will wait a little longer, the East Palace will wait a little longer, the whole government and the public are actually waiting...