When Zhao Xi and the others arrived at Mingying Prefecture, the entire Mingying Prefecture was heavily guarded, with only people allowed in but not allowed out, and it became a military city.
It was not that he was worried that Nong Zhigao knew that Wang Shi was marching westward, but that the Crown Prince would be in trouble because of Wang Shi's march westward.
When the king's army was setting off, Di Qing chatted with Yu Jing. The dispatch of the army was likely to cause the Nong people to be on alert, thus increasing the difficulty of His Highness the Prince's actions.
Just look at the time...His Royal Highness should be returning.
"His Royal Highness triumphs..."
Hmm! This soldier has a future, and his words are extraordinary. He doesn't say he's back, nor does he say he's safe and sound. What he calls is "victory!"
As soon as Zhao Xi approached the west gate of Mingyingzhou, the soldiers guarding the city shouted. This shout was like lighting firecrackers, and they shouted in succession...
"Your Highness..."
"Your Highness..."
Before they arrived at the palace, all the civil and military officials from Yongzhou came out to greet him. When they called His Highness, they were obviously dissatisfied, and some were even ready to spray him.
"Everyone, wait a minute..."
It's been more than ten days, so we have to wash them off, right? If it weren't for their obvious clothes, the city guards might not even be able to recognize them.
Zhao Xi needs some time to let this group of suffocating civil and military personnel relax somewhat.
This is sometimes the case. Many emotions are said to be all in one go. They need to be diverted and slowed down, otherwise the result will be a decline and exhaustion.
Zhao Xi also knew that he had gone too far this time, especially since it was really embarrassing for Yu Jing and Di Qing to bear such a heavy psychological burden.
He has no idea that His Highness the Crown Prince is superior to others. In the country, no one seems to think highly of His Highness the Crown Prince, not even the officials.
"residence……"
Zhao Xi was about to leave, but turned around and surrendered to everyone, and asked embarrassingly where he lived... He had already seen Qing Lan, and Su Yan was dodging, so he didn't know where to go.
This action is somewhat rogue... This group of civil and military officials looked at His Highness the Crown Prince's face whose facial features could not be seen clearly, and paired it with actions and attitudes that seemed very apologetic...
"Lead His Highness quickly..."
It’s done! As soon as Yu Jing said these words, Zhao Xi knew it was done. This was the end of the world.
Also, it seems unjustifiable that after ten days of onslaught, I was sprayed by someone as soon as I joined the army.
His Highness's attitude is still very sincere.
…
"What does this mean?"
Zhao Xi's actions confused the people waiting for him in the state capital.
Instead of producing relevant evidence from Annan or Dali to Nong Zhigao, he threw out the half-arm armor from the guard camp, along with a knife.
"Zhongzheng..."
Zhao Xi shouted, and Wang Zhongzheng picked up his knife and slashed at the armor a few times. There was nothing false about it, and he slashed with all his strength.
The waist knife struck the armor, making a clanging sound. You can see the mark of the blade cutting into the armor, but it failed to cut through. The blade seemed to be curled.
"Your Highness, we have seen the armor of the guard camp in Quy Nhon Pu. At this time, Your Highness should explain why he was involved in danger without permission, rather than showing off the strength of the armor!"
"We agree that Your Highness has the right to personally conduct expeditions and make decisions on the fly. However, he went deep into dangerous areas without notifying the Guangnan pacification envoy's office. We can report it to the imperial court..."
I knew these words would be spoken, but luckily they weren't harsh.
Zhao Xi was still speechless and threw out a few more pieces of black ore...
Finally, it feels like a bit of exploration.
"Your Highness, have you found the source?"
Otherwise, they are all smart people. Su Song intervened at this time and immediately brought the topic to Zhao Xi's mind.
"The following topics involve the secrets of the country and the dynasty. All of you here are close friends of Guangnan and important officials of the country and the dynasty. Please decide for yourself whether it is important or not."
"I, Zhao Xi, have something to say here. If anyone leaks it, even if it is Daxia of Liao Dynasty, the guard camp headed by me will swear to destroy their entire clan. No chickens or dogs will be left! Don't doubt that the guard camp has this ability.
!”
It was originally a criticism meeting against Zhao Xi, but it was disrupted by Zhao Xi like this...
The whole group of people were stunned and curious about what was going on. How about you bring your clan along with it?
"Teacher Su..."
The rest is Su Song's time.
"This thing, Your Highness, calls it manganese ore. When we make steel, we add a small amount to make the armor so strong that it cannot be damaged by swords and guns. Your Highness calls it manganese steel alloy."
It's that simple, and it's not too difficult in the first place. Su Song didn't say much about how to refine it, how much to add, etc. Once you know the recipe, it's just a matter of trying it a few times.
Therefore, Zhao Xi carefully put on the label of state secret.
"The origin of manganese ore is here... Mingyingzhou. The escort battalion's southern expedition is not a credit, and the military exploits are of no use to the escort battalion at this time. The purpose of this southern expedition is to inform the imperial court of the improvement of the escort battalion's armaments.
"
"About what the guard camp did in Quy Nhon Pu, you must have reported to the court. When the guard camp returns to the court, it will be the day when this armor is promoted."
"Here, I have a plan. Everyone here can take part in manganese mining, regardless of civil or military status."
"In addition, one part must be reserved for maneuvering, and it shall be owned by the civil and military personnel serving in Guangnan, Yongzhou and even Mingyingzhou."
"The management of manganese ore mining must be from the military, and everyone except miners must also be related to the military. In other words, the place where manganese ore is mined can be defined as a military city."
"In addition, after this campaign is over, there will inevitably be Western troops who will stay in Guangnan. I propose that for all matters in the manganese mine, except for the labor of miners, priority should be given to the family members of the remaining Western troops..."
The program can be explained clearly, but the specific details still need to be organized. This... Zhao Xi has already prepared it.
He gave detailed explanations from the planning of the mine, the establishment of management personnel, to the treatment of miners and daily military training, including manganese ore profits and daily decision-making.
The tax revenue from the mine belongs to the state, the decision-making of the mine belongs to the local officials, and the profits of the mine belong to everyone... Let everyone treat the mine as a part of their own family as much as possible, and never allow anyone to get involved.
The mine is located in Mingying Prefecture, which is a prefecture and county adjacent to Guangyuan Prefecture, Annan, and Dali.
There are millions of soldiers in the country, not to mention the flamethrowers equipping the army, just armor... Although everyone has a small number of soldiers, there may be differences due to status and seniority, but everyone has
If you can see into the future for a long time, this manganese mine will be a cornucopia.
Nothing makes people more secure than interests, and nothing makes people more firm than interests.
The righteousness of the family and the country, all of these scholar-officials can say that they can quote from other sources and speak clearly and logically. But if something like a rebellion by peasants and thieves really happens, I am afraid they will still abandon the city and flee. Because the government does not kill scholar-officials!
Is this southern expedition simply to drive away Nong Zhigao, or is it a further step to create a hundred-year peace in southern Xinjiang? With the manganese mine as a link, at least in the current Guangnan Yamen and the entire Yongzhou,
They will reach an agreement and form a unified report to the court. This is Zhao Xi's purpose.