That night, Zhao Hongrun and the other ladies stayed with Concubine Shen Shu in Ningxiang Palace until very late.
After all, Concubine Shen Shu was very concerned about Zhao Hongrun's food and accommodation situation during the expedition. However, after Zhao Hongrun repeatedly said that he had good food and lived well outside, Concubine Shen Shu began to worry about her youngest son Zhao Hongxuan.
Although Concubine Shen Shu favored Zhao Hongrun in the past, it was because she had a good relationship with Zhao Hongrun's biological mother during her lifetime. Therefore, she not only regarded her as her own, but also gave her extra love and care. When she was young, Zhao Hongxuan always expressed jealously that her mother preferred his brother.
.
But after all, Zhao Hongxuan is Shen Shufei's biological son after all. How can any mother not worry about her biological son?
Fortunately, Zhao Hongrun knew something about the situation in Northern Xinjiang, and knew that although the Wei army in Northern Xinjiang was at a disadvantage when facing the Korean army, it would not be defeated.
After all, it is normal for wars between countries like this to last for one or two years or even three to five years.
Take the battle between the Qi, Lu, Wei and Yue allied forces to conquer the Chu Kingdom not long ago. If Chu King Xiong Xu hadn't deliberately asked Xiang Yan to release water during the Battle of Shoying, how could the Wei army have invaded the city so quickly?
You must know that King Lu Xi of Qi once led the allied forces of Qi, Lu, and Song to jointly attack the Kingdom of Chu. They besieged Shouying for several months, but in the end they still failed to capture the capital of Chu. It is conceivable that conquering the capital of a country is difficult.
How difficult that is.
Therefore, even if the war in Northern Xinjiang continues for several years, Zhao Hongrun will not be surprised at all.
During this period, the maid Xiao Tao saw that Concubine Shen Shu was so worried about Zhao Hongxuan, so she couldn't help but interjected: "Your Highness, how about you lead troops to help your Highness?... I have heard that your Highness conquered the Chu Kingdom and won."
Come back and take advantage of this enthusiasm to defeat the Korean army."
After hearing this, Zhao Hongrun couldn't help but smile bitterly. He thought to himself: What does it mean to take advantage of this enthusiasm? The Korean ** team is not a freshly baked bun.
After hearing this, Concubine Shen Shu immediately interrupted: "Don't talk nonsense, Run'er just came back and hasn't rested for a few days!"
But even though she said that, Zhao Hongrun could somewhat tell that Shen Shufei also hoped that he could come forward to help her younger brother, but due to certain factors, she couldn't say it directly.
In order to dispel the grudge and worry in the mother's heart, Zhao Hongrun explained: "Mom, it's not that I don't want to help Xiao Xuan. First of all, I just finished a battle, and I have hundreds of thousands more Chu soldiers under my command.
It is said that there are more than a million more citizens of Chu State. Now these people have moved to Shang Dynasty en masse.
Shui County, I have to clean up this mess... Secondly, the war in Northern Xinjiang is not only a battlefield between the Wei Dynasty and South Korea, but also a battlefield between the East Palace and King Yong, not to mention the four princes (Yan Wang Hongjiang) among them.
) Now, if I rashly intervene in it, it will only make the three parties unhappy."
Having said this, he comforted Concubine Shen Shu and said: "But don't worry, mother, although Donggong lacks talents, he is not stupid. Otherwise, he would not have let Xiao Xuan serve as the deputy governor of Northern Xinjiang to mediate between him and the four brothers.
The contradiction... Donggong will protect Xiao Xuan as much as he protects himself, because he knows very well that if anything happens to Xiao Xuan, the child will definitely not be able to spare him."
After listening to Zhao Hongrun's explanation and explanation, Concubine Shen Shu gradually let go of her worries about her youngest son.
She said with some embarrassment: "It's not that Mom is partial. Run'er, you have led troops on many expeditions and come back with great victories every time. Mom feels more at ease in her heart. She is just worried that you won't have good food and housing outside. But.
Your brother has no experience in this..."
Seeing Concubine Shen Shu nervously trying to explain, Zhao Hongrun smiled nonchalantly. After all, after so many years, how could he not know which son the foster mother in front of him treated better?
He smiled and comforted: "Don't worry, mother. From my point of view, the war in Northern Xinjiang has reached a stalemate. Although South Korea's cavalry is strong, our infantry in Wei Dynasty is not weak either. I have seen the battle report in Northern Xinjiang."
, whether it is Shanyang where Brother Si Wang is, or Hedong where Xiao Xuan and the others are, they are very smart in fighting the ground and never have a head-on confrontation with the Korean cavalry in the plains..."
At this point, he saw Concubine Shen Shu's expression of confusion, and knew that the concubine did not understand military affairs, so he said simply and clearly: "In short, Xiao Xuan will be fine. It's better to let him hone his skills in Northern Xinjiang.
Didn’t you always say that Xiao Xuan was timid in the past? Maybe when Xiao Xuan comes back, he will already be a strong man."
"That's good." Concubine Shen Shu was speechless by Zhao Hongrun.
After all, in her opinion, the eldest son is already mature and does not need her to worry too much. If the younger son can also achieve the same achievements as his brother, then as a mother, her lifelong wish will be fulfilled.
All that's left is to arrange the marriages of his two sons.
Thinking of this matter, Concubine Shen Shu began to test Zhao Hongrun in a subtle way. Zhao Hongrun had no choice but to escape because it was getting late.
Seeing that her eldest son was cheating and trying to escape, Concubine Shen Shu had no choice but to let him go after making Zhao Hongrun promise to come to Ningxiang Palace for dinner tomorrow.
However, all the daughters, including Mi Jiang, were kept by Concubine Shen Shu. I think this future mother-in-law would have endless things to say to these daughters-in-law.
In this regard, Zhao Hongrun also breathed a sigh of relief. After all, if Concubine Shen Shu didn't let the girls stay overnight, it would be really difficult for him to deal with a problem: Who would she sleep with tonight?
Miss Su? Oona? Or Mi Jiang, who is likely to be forcibly pulled over by her stupid sister?
After returning to Prince Su's Mansion, Zhao Hongrun took a comfortable bath and then rested early.
After all, he traveled all the way from Qufu, the capital of Lu State, across the territory of Wei State and back to Daliang without much rest, and he was extremely exhausted.
In the early morning of the next day, Wei Jiao, the Zongwei chief, woke Zhao Hongrun up early.
After having breakfast in the palace, Zhao Hongrun took Wei Jiao, Lu Mu and other five clan guards to the Smelting Bureau.
At this time, the Smelting Bureau has moved its workshops outside the city one after another. In fact, the Smelting Bureau in Daliang City is only an empty shell. After all, unlike outside the city, there is not enough land for the expansion of the Smelting Bureau.
Workshop, furnace and other facilities.
Arriving at the Metallurgical Bureau, Zhao Hongrun unexpectedly discovered that the plaque outside the door of the Metallurgical Bureau had been replaced by the General Administration of Metallurgy.
Zhao Hongrun was really stunned by this, because the General Administration is the main department, which is the title of the six ministerial departments, such as the main department of the Ministry of Justice, the main department of the Ministry of Industry, etc.
As one of the twenty-four departments, the Metallurgical and Manufacturing Bureau cannot reasonably be called the General Administration.
Just as Zhao Hongrun was looking at the plaque with a strange expression, Wang Fu, the Chief of the Metallurgical Bureau, hurriedly ran out of the house and bowed in awe to His Highness Prince Su in front of him: "Your Highness Prince Su.
, I am late to greet you, I hope you will forgive me."
Zhao Hongrun didn't care about this false courtesy at all, and waved his hand casually to show that he didn't care. Then, he pursed his lips toward the plaque and asked, "Wang Fu, what's going on?"
After hearing this, Wang Fu said with a blush on his face: "That's it, Your Highness, when you were not in Daliang, our Metallurgical Bureau followed your advice and developed quite rapidly. At the beginning of this year, Meng, the new minister of the Ministry of Industry,
Mr. Wei felt that our Metallurgical Bureau had exceeded the size of the department, but the establishment was still the old one, which was not conducive to the development of the Metallurgical Bureau. Therefore, Mr. Meng Wei petitioned Your Majesty to change our Metallurgical Bureau from 20 to 20.
The General Administration of Metallurgy and Manufacturing was established out of the four departments."
After hearing this, Zongwei Chief Wei Jiao smiled and said: "Your Highness, it seems that the new Minister of the Ministry of Industry is trying to show his kindness to Your Highness."
Speaking of which, the Zongwei had a good relationship with the officials of the Ministry of Industry. Before Zhao Hongrun came out of the cabinet, he often asked the Zongwei to find craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry to build some weird things.
Later, Zhao Hongrun led troops on his first expedition. Meng Kai, who was the left minister of the Ministry of Industry at that time, also followed with a large group of craftsmen. Therefore, they were friends with each other.
But the problem is that because they are friends, Zhao Hongrun knows very well that Meng Kai's stubborn mind cannot think of such a watertight way to show his kindness to outsiders.
Most likely it was the instruction of the former Minister of Industry, Mr. Cao Zhicao...
Zhao Hongrun had already guessed something about it.
Obviously, Meng Wei had just taken over the position of Minister of Industry. Cao Zhi, the former Minister of Industry, was worried that the successor would not be able to control the situation, so he came up with this method to get the Smelting Bureau and a certain person behind the Smelting Bureau.
His Royal Highness’s support.
"Mu Qing, buy me a gift for Mr. Cao. I'm going to visit Mr. Cao in two days." Zhao Hongrun turned around and said to Mu Qing.
"Yes, I'll go right away." Mu Qing clasped his fists, turned around and left.
Seeing this, Zhao Hongrun was greeted by Wang Fu and walked into the Smelting Bureau.
The situation in the mansion was quite satisfactory, at least it was still the same as it was when Zhao Hongrun left. Wang Fu did not build any unnecessary new buildings.
At the same time, Wang Fu said as he walked: "Your Highness, now that our Smelting Bureau has been promoted to the General Smelting Administration, I think we should set up several departments and offices to make detailed plans to facilitate the deployment of manpower and material resources.
Coordinating..."
Of course, Zhao Hongrun understood the necessity and benefits of this. He nodded and said: "Later, you can draft a cursive script and show it to me."
"Yes." Wang Fu's face was full of joy.
As he walked, Zhao Hongrun saw a group of officials and craftsmen from the Smelting Bureau in front of him. He stepped forward and took a look, only to find that those people were surrounding more than 20 carriages. Their faces were full of excitement and fanaticism, and they looked like they wanted to tear down the carriage.
He didn't dare to dismantle it.
Zhao Hongrun smiled slightly. Of course he recognized these carriages. After all, these carriages were exactly the carriages he ordered King Su's guards to bring back from the State of Lu. The carriages contained rubbings of "The Secret Record of Lu Gong", a summary of the craftsmanship of the State of Lu.
"Your Highness is here."
"His Royal Highness Su is here."
Noticing the arrival of Zhao Hongrun and his party, the officials and craftsmen of the Zhongye Manufacturing Bureau quickly pushed aside to clear the way for Zhao Hongrun.
I saw these people looking at Zhao Hongrun intently, with eager expressions on their faces.
This is not surprising. After all, for officials and craftsmen who are keen on technology and crafts, the seemingly inconspicuous bamboo albums on the more than 20 carriages in front of them are definitely thousands of times more precious than gold, silver, jewelry, and emerald agate.
of treasures.
At this time, Wang Fu said cautiously from the side: "These twenty-odd carriages were brought by the guards of King Su yesterday... I heard that they were rubbings of "The Secret Records of Lu Gong", and everyone wanted to take a look...
…”
"Then what are you waiting for?" Zhao Hongrun said with a smile.
As soon as he finished speaking, the officials and craftsmen present cheered and swarmed towards the carriages. Wang Fu was so frightened that he immediately chased after them and kept shouting: "Be careful, be careful!"
Looking at the surging crowd in front of him, Zhao Hongrun felt hot in his heart.
He had a hunch that after obtaining Lu's top craftsmanship, Wei's technology would advance by leaps and bounds, even catching up with Lu's.
Wei will rise rapidly!
Rise in the new era that has arrived! (To be continued.)