Liu Mastiff returned to the East Palace. Now, Sima Yi is still busy in the East Palace. Zhuge Liang cannot take charge of the affairs of the East Palace because the princess has just given birth. He still takes care of the newborn son and the princess. Regarding this matter, the emperor is
Extraordinarily caring, the emperor may favor Princess Raoyang even more than Princess Changling. Liu Mastiff thought in his heart that if Zhuge Liang dared to abandon his aunt and come to work, his father would definitely break his legs.
The aunt gave birth to a healthy son. However, due to etiquette, Liu Mastiff cannot go to see his cousin yet. It will take some time. There are really not many things Liu Mastiff needs to do in the East Palace.
Most of the time, he stayed in the study, holding the Spring and Autumn in his hand, reading seriously. Only at this time, he would be carefree, not thinking about any annoying things, and devote himself to reading.
While Liu Mastiff was sitting there, suddenly a soldier reported: "Sili Colonel Hua Xiong is here to visit!"
Liu Mastiff was stunned, got up quickly, followed the soldiers out, and came to the gate. He saw Cao Pi talking to Hua Xiong. Hua Xiong seemed to be complaining about something. When he saw Liu Mastiff coming, the two of them hurriedly bowed to see Liu Mastiff.
Mastiff helped them up and said with a smile: "You two, it doesn't have to be like this..." He took Hua Xiong's hand and took him into the palace cordially. Hua Xiong didn't want to enter the study, so the two sat there.
forecourt.
"Didn't Uncle Hua follow old General Hua Huangfu to the north? When did he come back?"
"Hey, don't mention it. The old thief said that the classes for the students left behind in the military science program are not over yet, and he wants me to come back first to continue teaching. He and his students are still practicing in the north..." Hua Xiong said helplessly.
, Liu Mastiff didn't say much. As for Hua Xiong's disrespect for the old general, he just pretended not to hear it. Hua Xiong looked a little distressed. He looked at Liu Mastiff and asked: "Your Highness, do you have anything in your hand?"
That kind of repeating crossbow?”
"It's that big crossbow that's completely black and can fire continuously!" Hua Xiong asked quickly.
Liu Mastiff was stunned and ordered his soldiers to call Cao Pi over. He looked at Cao Pi and asked, "Zihuan, are the soldiers in the palace equipped with repeating crossbows?" Cao Pi shook his head and said, "The sharp weapon your highness mentioned,
There are strict restrictions. Only Taiwei and the Northern and Southern Army can have them. Even Zhijinwu doesn't have them...How can we have them here...Why, how many do you want, Your Highness?"
Liu Mastiff looked at Hua Xiong, nodded, and said, "Then do you have a way to get it?"
"I have no choice, but if Your Highness asks His Majesty, we might be able to get a few fights..." Cao Pi replied.
Hua Xiong said helplessly: "Forget it then, it's better not to speak to His Majesty..." Seeing Hua Xiong's worried look, Liu Mastiff was also curious in his heart. As the captain of the Sili School, Hua Xiong, with two thousand stones, why is he doing this?
Worried, who can suppress him except His Majesty and Sangong? Liu Mastiff asked with some confusion: "Uncle Hua, what's bothering you?"
"No, no, recently, I have been entangled by a vicious dog. This vicious dog crouched at the door of my house all day long, bared its teeth, and often bit me. That's why I wanted a repeating crossbow to defend myself. You
I also know that I can't lead my soldiers to hunt dogs, it really undermines the dignity..."
"Evil dog?? What kind of evil dog is this? It needs a sharp weapon like a repeating crossbow to defend itself???"
"Your Majesty, you don't know that the vicious dogs in Liangzhou are so ferocious that ordinary swords and crossbows are useless..."
Liu Mastiff thought seriously for a long time and then said: "By the way, this repeating crossbow was made by the master craftsman Jiang Zuo. If my uncle goes to Jiang Zuo's Mansion, he will definitely be able to get one. As a Sili schoolmaster, my uncle will definitely be able to get one."
Lieutenant, it’s reasonable to take one..." Hua Xiong was overjoyed and asked quickly: "Who is this going to be a great craftsman??"
"It's the former Yi Lang Ma Jun, Wen Ren Gong's beloved disciple..."
"Okay, okay, I know, then forget it...I don't want it anymore." Hua Xiong widened his eyes and shook his head. Liu Mastiff frowned and asked, "Uncle Hua is not the same as him."
What’s the holiday??”
"No, it's just...I don't have much money, so forget it..."
"Hahaha, uncle, don't worry. I haven't seen Magong since he arrived in Luoyang. This time, I will take my uncle there. He must have several strong crossbows..." Liu Mastiff said,
He stood up. It just so happened that he had already planned to get acquainted with Ma Jun. This time, it was a good chance that he could use this matter to meet this person. Liu Mastiff had already heard some words about this person.
However, his reputation is not good.
Most of the ministers slandered him, saying that he flattered the emperor and used playthings to make the emperor neglect his government, which was a heinous crime.
In the eyes of everyone, he is a man with no talent and no virtue, only a little cleverness. He always comes up with some novel things that the great sages disdain to do to please the emperor. This is what these great sages disdain to do because of their high moral integrity.
Otherwise, what do those things Ma Jun have done count?
However, Liu Mastiff didn't think that his father would use such a villain with no talent or virtue. He still hoped to get acquainted with Ma Jun.
When Hua Xiong heard that Liu Mastiff was going to take him there, he thought for a moment and suddenly laughed. Your Highness has a lot of money, so I don't need to pay for it. How wonderful!
The two of them didn't waste any time, and went straight out the door, heading towards the general's mansion. Fortunately, Man Chong was not in Luoyang. He went to Yanzhou for important matters, and he was accompanied by several people including Zhou Yu, Lu Su and others.
There were some problems at the Dongxue Academy in Yanzhou. The Emperor ordered Man Chong to go there. The advantage of Man Chong's absence was that Liu Mastiff could travel to various places in Luoyang at will in a relatively simple and secretive carriage. If Man Chong was there, he would never do it.
Allowed.
Just like the Military Academy, it would take a long time to set up the Zuofu outside the city. Of course, this is also a huge place. When he arrived here, Hua Xiong discovered this problem. The scale of the place had already
It was on par with the military academy. He couldn't understand why a few craftsmen needed such a huge mansion and they didn't need to practice?
As they approached Jiang Zuo's Mansion, they could hear the noise coming from inside. Various sounds were very chaotic. When Liu Mastiff got out of the car, Cao Pi had already rushed to knock on the door. There was a loud noise coming from inside.
, so that the knocking on the door was drowned out, Cao Pi simply punched the door with his fist. After a while, a craftsman opened the door. The door was not fully opened, but just opened a gap and stuck out a head.
Somewhat rudely asked: "Which one are you looking for??"
Cao Pi's eyes widened and he was speechless. Before he could speak, the person who opened the door said something incomprehensible and closed the door. Cao Pi yelled angrily, and Liu Mastiff hurriedly walked up and said
"Most of the generals in the mansion are craftsmen. They don't know etiquette, so you don't have to worry about it..." After appeasing Cao Pi, he knocked on the door in person again. After knocking twice, the man stuck his head out again and asked.
: “What’s the matter??”
"I am Liu Mastiff, the prince of the Han Dynasty, and I am here to pay my respects to Mr. Magong..."
In that instant, the middle-aged craftsman's expression changed from confusion, to suspicion, to fear, to collapse. It only took a moment. His eyes were full of confusion and he was at a loss. He suddenly shouted and disappeared.
After reaching the door, many soldiers at the door looked at each other in confusion. The door was suddenly opened. When Liu Mastiff looked again, he saw a group of people at the door. Most of them were craftsmen.
They knelt on the ground, lowered their heads, not daring to raise their heads to take a look at Liu Mastiff. Before long, Liu Mastiff was already full of people kneeling in front of him, including many mature craftsmen. These people had dark faces and covered their bodies.
Sweating, tall and trembling with excitement, the rest of the people made Liu Mastiff a little confused. The rest were actually children. These children were not old, only in their teens, and they were as good as craftsmen.
dress up.
And among the crowd, there were several white-haired old men kneeling.
How does this work?!?!
Liu Mastiff walked up quickly, quickly helped the old men up, and said: "I don't dare to make such a big gesture, please get up, please get up!" He turned back and glanced at Cao Pi. Cao Pi also quickly led his soldiers to bring the remaining few
An old man helped him up. The old man still looked a little scared. Except for Ma Jun, the biggest official he had ever seen in his life was just the local pavilion chief. When they suddenly heard that the prince was coming, these people were frightened. They also
I don't know how to use etiquette and greetings, so I can only do this.
"Everyone, please stand up, it doesn't have to be like this!!" Liu Mastiff asked everyone to stand up again.
"My father-in-law, live a long life!"
The old man forced a smile, but did not dare to speak. His hands were unnatural, and his heart was very excited. Seeing him like this, Liu Mastiff didn't say much, he just smiled and said: "Don't be afraid, I will treat it as a junior."
But." He looked at everyone again and said: "Everyone is like this. Whether it is a textile machine or a crossbow machine, they are all weapons for the country. I admire the great achievements of all you!"
He looked at Cao Pi on the side and shouted: "Zihuan!" Cao Pi raised his head and looked at him. Liu Mastiff looked at everyone and gestured. Cao Pi immediately understood and ordered the soldiers to take out some money from the carriage.
They were given to everyone respectively. Liu Mastiff looked on with a smile. Hua Xiong saw that everyone was so excited that he did not dare to ask for the money. However, under the urging of the soldiers, he took the money, tears streaming down his face, and couldn't help asking: "You
Why do you need to carry so much money when traveling??”
"Uncle... When the prince travels, he always scatters money along the way... Therefore, some copper coins are prepared on the frame of the carriage in case of emergencies... It is prepared for such a situation, not just here, but also before
It's like this when I go to the official school and when I go to places..." Liu Mastiff explained, and thought that it was fortunate that Man Chong was not here. As long as Man Chong was here, he would just walk all the way and scatter money along the way. Liu Mastiff always felt that this rule
It was set up to stop the emperor and the prince from running around.
Want to leave the palace and go around?? Yes, as long as you have enough money!!
Many craftsmen took the money and hurriedly thanked Liu Mastiff. Liu Mastiff just smiled. At this moment, Ma Jun appeared. However, speaking of it, he was not very well-dressed, and his clothes were a bit black.
He looked as if he had been burned, and his face was also gray. He looked at Liu Mastiff in front of him. He had seen Liu Mastiff when he was young, but it was difficult for him to compare the handsome and upright man he is now.
, a young boy with a heroic spirit has replaced the submissive child of the past.