scourge the qing dynasty

Chapter 117 Can Be Trusted
Although Fatty Lu himself didn't know how many kinds of glue formulas he knew, but in order to hurry up and use convenience, Fatty Lu, who has always liked to make fake and shoddy products, simply used the common kraft glue in pharmacy as wood glue. Using kraft glue and adding mulberry technology, I made three shoddy original rockets overnight-in fact, most of the materials are the original second-level rockets, but the mouth of the dragon is sealed to facilitate breaking. The conical shape of the air, the second stage of the rocket was changed to explosives and detonators, and a balance wing and tail were added to maintain stability during launch. The Sanhao brand knockoff missile was declared a success.

Early the next morning, Fatty Lu dragged Wu Yingqi, Wu Guogui, and Gao Dejie along with three accomplices, and went up to Nule Peak to try shooting again.Because there were still targets left during the artillery test firing the day before, this test firing was even more trouble-free. We just cleared the site and protected the test site, and then set it up on a simple launcher to aim at the target. Fatty Lu lit it up himself. The lead wire of a Sanhao brand imitation missile, the silky fuse burning and quickly penetrated into the tail of the imitation missile, only heard a "swish", and the imitation missile dragged a fire snake and shot out, shooting three miles like lightning outside target.

There was a loud bang, and the Sanhao brand knockoff missile exploded about ten steps away from the left side of the target mound, sending earth, rocks, grass and leaves flying randomly on the ground.Fatty Lu's cheers also sounded, "Okay! Quickly, install the second rocket, and I will test fire again!"

"Hoo-!" Another primitive rocket flew out, and exploded at a position more than twenty steps behind the target. Fatty Lu also jumped up happily, applauding again and again, intoxicated with himself.Seeing this scene, Wu Yingqi and Wu Guogui inevitably looked at each other in blank dismay. Wu Yingqi asked in confusion, "This thing is not as accurate as the Hongyi cannon? How could Yifeng be so successful?"

"Second prince, you don't need to shoot very accurately!" Gao Dejie saw the meaning of the Sanhao brand's counterfeit missile at a glance, and shouted excitedly: "Second prince, you haven't realized that this rocket from Yifeng is not for The fortifications are for field battles? Think about it, if on the battlefield, when the two armies are fighting, we suddenly shoot dozens or hundreds of these rockets into the enemy's dense formation, how many enemies can be killed? Can the enemy's formation still become a formation? Blowing up the enemy's team, and we disperse it with a full blow, isn't it a sure chance of victory?"

"That's right, this thing shoots extremely fast, and it's the nemesis of the enemy's cavalry." Wu Guogui also quickly came to his senses, and said: "The Hongyi cannon can't be used in field battles, mainly because it is too troublesome to load ammunition. It takes two to three minutes to fire a cannon, and there is no way to restrain the enemy's cavalry charge on the battlefield. As long as there are enough of these things, they can easily fire dozens or even hundreds of them in a short period of time, enough to blow up most of the enemy's cavalry."

"Oh." Wu Yingqi reacted a little slowly, and it took a lot of time to understand the essence of it, but after reacting, Wu Yingqi also shouted happily, "That's right, that's the reason. On the field battlefield, this thing doesn't need If you shoot too accurately, as long as there are enough of them, the power will be much greater than the Hongyi Cannon!"

"This is to replace quality with quantity, and replace precision with vagueness!" Fatty Lu ran over at some point, and said proudly: "The best part is that the cost of this rocket is very low, and the propellant only needs to be filled with a catty. Black powder can shoot two catties of explosives to the enemy's head, and it is very easy to manufacture. In addition to wood and bamboo, it can also be made of cheaper and more convenient thick paper tubes. The cost of a rocket is far away. It is lower than the launch cost of a shell of the Hongyi Cannon. Using this rocket instead of the Hongyi Cannon on the field battlefield can save money, increase the firepower density, and increase the firing frequency to make up for all the defects of the Hongyi Cannon! "

"That's right, there is another great advantage of this thing." Gao Dejie nodded and said, "That is, it is light in weight, easy to carry and use, which can greatly reduce the logistical pressure, and can also achieve fast maneuvering, without the need to carry hundreds of them with the army. A thousand-jin Hongyi cannon."

"General Gao, Second Prince, I have some good news to tell you." Fatty Lu said happily, "Because of the rush of time, I made a few of today's rockets impromptu. The tail fins, balance wings and nozzles are still there There is room for improvement, as long as I have a little time, I can improve this rocket so that it can shoot more accurately, shoot farther, and be more convenient to manufacture and carry.”

"Okay, do it quickly." Wu Yingqi nodded again and again, and said, "When the best rockets are found, I will ask my father to manufacture them in large quantities and provide a large amount of equipment for our army in the Pingxi Palace."

"If that's the case, then we can indeed build fewer Hongyi cannons. As long as we build dozens of them to attack fortifications, we can use this kind of rockets to replace them in field battles." Wu Guogui also nodded in agreement.At the end, Wu Guogui asked curiously again: "Also, Yifeng, you said last night that you can let the soldiers of our Pingxi Palace fly into the sky and directly throw explosives on the enemy's head. What's going on?"

"This, keep it secret for the time being, and I will give you and the prince a big surprise at that time." Fatty Lu smiled mysteriously, and then said: "But if we want to let the soldiers of our Pingxi Palace fly to the sky, you, the second prince, must help me fly from Nanyang. Get some rubber."

"Rubber? What is rubber?" Wu Yingqi was confused.

"Wrong again." Fatty Lu slapped himself lightly, and quickly explained: "I was wrong, rubber is a Western name, and there is a kind of ancient pagoda tree in countries such as Sumatra and Boni in Southeast Asia. After cutting the bark, some white thick juice will flow out, this kind of thick juice is called rubber (accurately known as gutta-percha or gutta-percha), I just want this white thick juice, the more the better.”

After that, Fatty Lu lowered his voice again, and added mysteriously: "As far as I know, Taiwan is now using this kind of thing to make a kind of incendiary bomb, which is specially used for naval warfare, and the demand is also very high."

"Success, it's up to me." Wu Yingqi patted his chest after a sudden realization, and said, "When I get back to Kunming, I will immediately ask our vassal merchants in the Pingxi Palace to find a way to get me a few thousand dollars no matter what. something like a catty."

"Then please ask the second prince." Fatty Lu smiled, and said: "Also, please ask the second prince to ask the merchants to get me some samples of silk cloth. The silk cloth does not need to be beautiful as long as it is strong, and the stronger the better, etc. With these things in my hand, it won't be long before I can let the second prince, General Gao, and General Wu fly to the sky to see the magnificent rivers and mountains of our China with your own eyes."

"Really?" Wu Guogui was skeptical and said, "Are you bragging? People can fly to the sky?"

"How about we make a bet?" Fatty Lu took the opportunity to say: "If I lose, I will be a cow to you, General Wu, for the rest of my life, and I will lose all my property to you, General Wu! If you lose, General Wu, You just..."

"What did I lose to you?" Wu Guogui asked casually.

"You don't need to lose anything, just marry your precious daughter Xiaotu to me." Fatty Lu blurted out.The result was very natural. As soon as the words fell, Gao Dejie and Wu Yingqi laughed and sat on the ground covering their stomachs on the spot, but Wu Guogui drew out his waist knife without saying a word, swung the knife and slashed at him, roaring with a livid face: " Fatty Lu, no wonder you keep running to Lao Tzu’s back tent all day long, it turns out that you have already harbored evil intentions towards Xiao Tu! I hacked you to death!”

"Second Prince, General Gao, help! General Wu, I made a bet with you. If you don't bet, forget it. It's useless... Help! Help! Killed——!"

………………

Finally, with the help of Wu Yingqi and Gao Dejie, he got rid of Wu Guogui's pursuit, and Fatty Lu, who finally spoke his mind, didn't dare to stay in Nule Peak any longer—if he stayed any longer, he might really die. After reaching the mountain, I got on the horse and rode back to Qujing City, where I had been away for three days. On the way, I took time to go to the Qujing Green Camp at Sanchakou Pass to check the training situation of the Qujing Green Camp.And when they returned to Qujing City, it was almost evening.

I haven't been home for three days, Fatty Lu has to go to his wife to sue for a crime, and pay for it, not to pay the outstanding public grain. After a whole night of tossing, Fatty Lu was grabbed from under the bed by Zhang Gaomo, the prefect of Qujing. out.Although being the immediate boss of Fatty Lu, Zhang Gaomo didn't dare to put on airs in front of Fatty Lu, instead he nodded and bowed and said, "Lord Lu, I'm really sorry, I really shouldn't have come to you so early, but the fact is that it's too urgent." I really can't afford to delay, so please don't mind the offense, Mr. Lu."

"Zhangfutai, what are you talking about?" Fatty Lu asked with a wry smile, "You are my boss. If you have some business, you can send someone to say hello. I will just go and take orders from you. Why did you come here in person? , to say such outrageous words? If you have anything to say, please directly order the master of Futai, and the subordinate officials will definitely help you."

"I wish I had the guts." Zhang Gaomo, who had witnessed the fight between Fatty Lu and Li Suzu from the beginning to the end, muttered in his heart, and said with an apologetic smile: "Actually, it's not a big deal. Last night, the governor sent someone to hurry up An urgent official document was sent, saying that the team departed from Kunming and returned to Guiyang. When passing through our Qujing, the governor intends to stay in Qujing for a few days to inspect our government and military affairs in Qujing, so that we can prepare for reception."

"Oh, this matter." Fatty Lu smiled, and asked again: "Then when is the approximate time?"

"Today, it's either noon or afternoon." Zhang Gaomo said: "The messenger told the subordinates that the governor's team had already left Kunming City yesterday morning. Counting the distance, they will reach Qujing City by this evening at the latest."

"Then let's make preparations quickly." Fatty Lu said, "It's too late to go to Fenshui Pass, so let's hurry up and prepare for the meeting at Sanchakou Pass. If there is anything your lord wants to serve, please just ask. "

"It's really hard, Mr. Lu." Zhang Gaomo said with a sad face: "Because the governor's messenger brought another message, calling for you to meet the governor by name, and be prepared to accompany the governor all the way. The governor's inspection this time You are required to accompany Qujing government affairs and military affairs from the beginning to the end, and you are not allowed to ask for leave, and you are not allowed to refuse. ——So, Mr. Lu, I am afraid that I will wrong you this time."

"What do you mean, Mr. Futai?" Fatty Lu was confused, and said: "The governor is inspecting Qujing. As the county magistrate of Qujing, it is only natural for his subordinates to accompany him all the way. How can Mr. Futai wrong me? "

"Because, because I heard that the last time you went to Guiyang, Mr. Lu, you had some unpleasant quarrels with the governor." Zhang Gaomo twitched a few times, and said shyly: "Also, the last time the governor went to Kunming and passed Qujing. "You didn't go to greet me, my lord, and my lord governor didn't enter our city of Qujing either. I'm worried that you and your lord governor are still at odds, and if you refuse to accept this order, then your lord will..., it will be hard for you to be a human being."

"Oh, so that's how it is." Fatty Lu smiled, thinking that my reputation for contradicting my boss is really rotten. If Xiao Mazi or Old Wu wanted me to be a county magistrate in another place that day, the magistrate of that place would I'm afraid I have to faint.After laughing, Fatty Lu hurriedly said: "My lord, please rest assured that the lower officials and the governor are indeed a little unhappy, but public is public, private is private, public and private should not be confused, although I haven't read too many books The book is a donated official, but I still understand the truth. So please rest assured, my lord, when the time comes, the next official will accompany the governor to inspect Qujing throughout the whole process. It's hard to be human."

"Then I'm relieved." Zhang Gaomo breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly ordered: "Master Lu, then you should make arrangements quickly, and go to Sanchakou Pass with your subordinates to meet the Marquis later. But Mr. Lu, don't blame me. The official talks too much, from my point of view, the Governor still attaches great importance to you, otherwise, the Governor would not specifically call the name and ask you to accompany him to inspect Qujing all the time."

"I hope so." Fatty Lu thought to himself, "I am Gan Wenkun who secretly filed a petition for impeachment on the night of June 27th. Today is July [-]th, and the period is [-] days apart. It is enough news to travel back and forth from the capital to Yunnan— ——If Gan Wenkun already knows that I secretly impeached him for allegedly colluding with the Pingxi Palace, then whether I can gain his trust or not, it seems that his trip to Qujing is over."

........................

Zhang Gaomo did not need to worry too much. In the afternoon, Gan Wenkun's team successfully arrived at Sanchakou Pass. When Fatty Lu followed him to salute, not only did he not like to flirt with his boss as much as usual, but he also gave a very standard beating. Qianli, loyally fulfilled the respect a subordinate should have for his boss.And Gan Wenkun is also a virtuous corporal, so he got off his horse and helped Zhang Gaomo, and called Qujing officials, big and small, to get up. Finally, Gan Wenkun pointed to the nearby Qujing Green Camp and proposed to inspect the Qujing Green Camp. Zhang Gaomo and Lu Fatty expressed The younger brother Qin Yong and others dared not follow, so they quickly invited Gan Wenkun into the camp of the Qujing Green Camp and arranged for the soldiers to practice.

After several months of painstaking efforts by brothers Lu Fatzi, Li Tianzhi and others, although I dare not say that the Qujing Green Battalion has been reborn, it is definitely a new look. It goes without saying that the number of [-] soldiers has been fully supplemented. Needless to say, the weapons and equipment are also All of them have been replaced. The sabers made of fried steel are bright and mighty. The shafts of spears soaked in tung oil are shining brightly. The two hundred brand-new matchlock guns newly equipped are also very eye-catching. The flag armor is distinctive and majestic. The former Qujing Green Battalion, which had outdated equipment and low morale, was in stark contrast.

A layman watches the excitement, an expert looks at the doorway. Gan Wenkun was born in a military family. Of course, he will not only look at the appearance of weapons and equipment, flags and armor that can be smashed with money. What really makes Gan Wenkun extremely satisfied is the mental outlook and skillful movements of the Qujing Green Camp— —During the team performance, those neat steps, skillful movements, still standing posture and unified and coordinated rhythm, it can be seen that the fruits of strict training can only be borne.Such an army is what Gan Wenkun needs and values ​​most.

Satisfaction is satisfaction, but in front of so many people, Gan Wenkun didn't say a word of praise, and he didn't say a word to Fatty Lu from the beginning to the end. He just nodded when the drill was over, stood up and said: "No, it seems that Qin Dusi is quite diligent in his duties. During the assessment by the Ministry of War this year, the governor wanted to give them a first-class ranking. Alright, after the rehearsal is over, it's time for the governor to go and see how your Qujing Eight Banners Fushou Gao is being harvested. .”

"Governor, it's getting late." Zhang Gaomo said cautiously, "How about please go to the city to rest first, and then inspect the fields tomorrow?"

"It doesn't matter, anyway, there are fields of Eight Banners drug cream everywhere on this road, let's take a look as you walk." Gan Wenkun shook his head, showing an exemplary attitude of diligence and love for the people.Zhang Gaomo and the others had no choice but to quickly send someone to make arrangements on the road. While accompanying Gan Wenkun back to the city, they accompanied him to inspect the harvesting of the Eight Banners Fushou Gao.

On both sides of the road from Sanchakou back to Qujing City, the mountains and plains are indeed full of fields planted with Eight Banners drug ointments, but now it is approaching the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the harvest of Eight Banners drug ointments is coming to an end, and Gan Wenkun's team has traveled another five or six miles. Just came across a field of Eight Banners Fushou Gao that was still being harvested. Gan Wenkun also fulfilled his promise and went down to the field to inspect and observe the work of the people harvesting Eight Banners Fushou Gao. Good style of being close to the people.

Because the field was still being harvested, Gan Wenkun didn't send a large group of people to the field, but only brought a few cronies, Zhang Gaomo and Fatty Lu into the field.When the inspection was over, Gan Wenkun first winked at his clan brother Gan Wenjiong, then pointed further into the field, and said to Fatty Lu, "Yifeng, accompany me to have a look there."

After all, Gan Wenkun took the lead to walk in, and Fatty Lu had to follow. Zhang Gaomo and his new acquaintance Zheng Yuan planned to follow, but Gan Wenjiong stopped them, deliberately saying that he would check here, and left them where they were for Gan Wenkun and Fatty Lu. Make room for private conversation.

The fields in Qujing County are very flat and the roads are easy to walk, so it didn't take long for Gan Wenkun to lead Fatty Lu to leave the crowd far away and walk to a clear stream. Gan Wenkun, who was silent, suddenly opened his mouth and said casually, "The last time I was in Guiyang, why did I do that?"

Fatty Lu was silent, and said after a long time: "Because, you are unfair, Mr. Governor, and favor Li Benshen."

"So you went to the secret book and impeached the governor for colluding with the Pingxi Palace?" Gan Wenkun asked lightly.

Fatty Lu was silent again, and after a while, Fatty Lu asked in a low voice: "Your Excellency, do you know everything?"

"The emperor spent six hundred miles in a hurry, and gave me your secret book." Gan Wenkun asked lightly, "Are you in such a hurry? I didn't see the character and position of the governor clearly, so I suspected that the governor came to Yunnan and Guizhou this time. Are you planning to collude with the Pingxi Palace to betray the court and the emperor in exchange for the governor's personal gain?"

Fatty Lu lowered his head in shame, and stopped talking.Fortunately, Gan Wenkun didn't have to ask Fatty Lu to answer this question, but asked again: "I believe you know what the governor did in Kunming. Now, you should trust the governor, right?"

Fatty Lu hesitated for a moment, and said in a low voice, "Forgive me, Governor, but I still can't believe you completely."

"Why?" Gan Wenkun smiled, and asked, "Then tell me, what will this governor do to make you believe that this governor will not collude with Wu Fan? Is it because he is loyal to the emperor?"

Fatty Lu stopped talking again, and after a while, two drops of crystal tears suddenly leaked from Fatty Lu's fat eyes, and he knelt down to Gan Wenkun with a bang, burst into tears, and choked up, saying: "Governor Forgive me, my lord, I really can't believe it, and no one can believe that my official is in Yunnan! Around this official, there are all the eyeliners of the Pingxi Palace! Around the next official, they are all spies from the Pingxi Palace! No relatives, Looking around is the enemy, if the officer is not careful, he will die without a place to die...! This officer, it is difficult!"

Gan Wenkun stared at Fatty Lu without saying a word, but the more Fatty Lu cried, the more sad he became, and the more he cried, the more sincere he became, sobbing and said: "Last August, the lower official sent someone to contact the secret station of the Thirteen Yamen, please the emperor Quickly sent important officials to come forward and take away the seeds of the Eight Banners Fushou Ointment in the hands of the officials. As a result, the people did not return and did not say anything. After a few days, Prince Pingxi came to Qujing, forcibly took away the seeds in the hands of the officials, and issued a strict order , don’t allow a single seed to flow out. He also warned the subordinate officials that if it wasn’t because the subordinate officials were useful, then the subordinate officials should be killed this time, and dare to be ungrateful next time... The subordinate officials still don’t understand, then Is there something wrong with the matter...?"

"This year, with the reward of the emperor, I handed over the Qujing green battalion to the cousin of the lower official... As a result, the prince immediately sent a county magistrate to the lower official to monitor all the money and grain transfers of the lower official. In order to transfer the Qujing Green Camp Re-empowering, ready for great use, but being restrained everywhere, being restrained in everything, the weapons used to arm the army are often robbed, Wangfu Youzhen has also increased troops, and the Qujing Green Camp can be trampled to the ground at any time ……….Woo, my lord governor, who else can I trust? Who else do I dare to trust?”

The more Fatty Lu cried, the more sad he became, and the more he talked, the more desolate he became. In the end, Fatty Lu couldn't help crying, "These actions of the Pingxi Palace can be tolerated by the officials. This mission, by the emperor's kindness..., has long been ready to die for the country anytime, anywhere... But what makes the lower official even more distressed and painful is that it is still making things difficult for the superiors, who is in charge of the thirteen yamen The four gege, because of the seduction of the lower officials, failed, and used the hypocrisy and slander of the lower officials who had to make peace with the West Palace, slandered the lower officials in every possible way, and framed them in different ways...."

"Don't cry." Gan Wenkun handed a handkerchief in front of Fatty Lu, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, the emperor knows your difficulties, and I know your difficulties, so I don't care about impeaching me. I will blame you. Come on, wipe away the tears, don't let other people see."

"Thank you Governor." Fatty Lu agreed sobbingly, took the handkerchief and wiped away the tears on his face, but the painful tears in his eyes still flowed down without disappointment.

"You can't completely blame Si Gege." Gan Wenkun comforted: "She is also loyal to the emperor, so she had to be careful about you. To be honest, I was also worried about you before, because Wu Sangui was really good to you, not only sent you Taking up the official position in Qujing, and personally officiated the marriage, and married Xiao Gege from the Pingnan Palace to you, which is considered as a mountain of kindness to you."

"He deliberately humiliated Prince Pingnan." Fatty Lu choked up and said: "Prince Pingnan has never dealt with him all his life. Little Gege and I fell in love with each other and voluntarily followed me to Qujing. He did nothing for me and Xiao Gege to marry me. Well-intentioned, just to deliberately humiliate Prince Pingnan—to let everyone in the world know that a seventh-rank servant from Pingxi Palace can marry Prince Pingnan's precious daughter."

"You understand this, just know it in your heart." Gan Wenkun nodded, and asked again: "Then do you know that my uncle died at the hands of Wu Sangui? Our Gan family and their Wu family are also inseparable." ?”

"Yes? There is such a thing?" Fatty Lu was full of surprise, and said, "Why haven't you heard of it?"

"That was a matter of the previous dynasty. At that time, Wu Sangui was still the commander-in-chief of the Ming Dynasty." Gan Wenkun said lightly: "After Wu Sangui surrendered to our Qing army, Lord Rui (Dorgon) pardoned all his previous sins, So not many people know about it."

"So that's it, that's it." Fatty Lu nodded again and again, with a look of sudden realization.At the end, Fatty Lu asked anxiously: "Master Governor, then why don't you move the governor's office to Qujing immediately? This is the throat of Yunnan and Guizhou, and its location is extremely important. Only you can take precautions if you sit here."

"This is not a trivial matter, we can only discuss it slowly." Gan Wenkun shook his head, and suddenly said seriously: "The emperor's secret order, Lu Yifeng accepts the order."

"My minister Lu Yifeng accepts the order." Fatty Lu hurriedly saluted.

"Lu Yifeng, it is absurd for you to impeach Gan Wenkun, the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, for colluding with Wu Fan and harming the country for personal gain!" Gan Wenkun recited: "Gan Wenkun is the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou handpicked by me. I am so loyal, how could I do such a thing of betrayal and ungratefulness? Absurd, extremely absurd!"

"The humble minister is absurd, and the humble minister is a death penalty." Fatty Lu trembled slightly, with a look of extreme panic.

"However, I thought you didn't know it beforehand. This move is also for the sake of being cautious and careful in handling errands, and I will forgive you for your innocence and will not be held accountable." Gan Wenkun changed his tone, "From now on, you must obey Gan Wenkun's orders, work hard, and do errands diligently. This is it."

"Master Lu, now, can you trust Ben Du?" Gan Wenkun asked with a smile.

(End of this chapter)