Steel Dynasty - Chapter 399

[Chapter 399 Testing]

A huge hot air balloon rose slowly over the palace.

Standing on the hot air balloon, Xiao Wenxuan held a telescope and inspected Chang’an City with a relaxed expression, like a tiger inspecting its own territory.

“Father, you will definitely not regret buying this hot air balloon. Not only can this hot air balloon conduct reconnaissance and surveillance of the entire Chang’an City at high altitudes, but it can also be used to escape in danger. One hundred thousand taels is really cheap. Yes.” Xiao Ming continued to confuse.

Xiao Wenxuan was moved just now, but now that Xiao Ming persuaded him again, he immediately strengthened his determination. He said: “After the wedding, you will return to Chang’an. I will send you the money then, but the man who controls the hot air balloon You have to train them for me.”

“Father, you can rest assured.” Xiao Ming secretly said, “Father, does the army still need hot air balloons?”

“Of course, at least give me weapons. One guard each, this is my personal guard, and how much is your musket?” Xiao Wenxuan simply discussed all the issues together.

“This musket is quite cheap. Each musket costs one hundred taels of silver.” Xiao Ming didn’t dare to charge too high a price for the muskets. After all, the demand for muskets was much greater than that of artillery.

After cost calculation, the price of producing a matchlock gun is only about six taels of silver. After all, a matchlock gun does not have such a complex movement structure as a flintlock gun. All it needs is a barrel. One hundred taels is already a black heart. Merchant’s price.

“So five thousand is equivalent to five hundred thousand taels of silver.”

Xiao Wenxuan frowned. He weighed the materials of the artillery and muskets. In his opinion, one artillery can produce hundreds of muskets.

Based on this calculation, the price of the gun should be around thirty or forty taels. Xiao Ming must have raised the price again.

Although his heart was clear, Xiao Wenxuan was not ready to bargain with Xiao Ming, but was ready to accept the price. He said: “One hundred taels is one hundred taels, buy five thousand first, and if the effect is good, continue to add more.”

Xiao Ming was overjoyed when he heard this.

, he explained: “Father, this is just the price of the gun, not including ammunition.”

“I understand, isn’t it the same with your artillery?” Xiao Wenxuan’s eyes burned, and he suddenly said: “Although your price is high, but I’m happy to accept it, do you know why?”

Xiao Ming thought, and he was also surprised that Xiao Wenxuan did not bargain this time. This one hundred taels was his offer, and he thought Xiao Wenxuan would cut it to about forty taels.

“My father is wise and knows everything well. I am ashamed of myself.” Xiao Ming said honestly.

Looking at the prosperity of Chang’an, Xiao Wenxuan said: “Because of your contribution, from today on, I no longer need to pay tribute to the barbarians. The millions of taels of silver offered to the barbarians every year are not as real as giving to you.”

Xiao Ming suddenly realized that he did not expect Xiao Wenxuan to have such thoughts. With this statement, Xiao Wenxuan made a profit.

“My dear father,” Xiao Ming said with a smile on his face, “As long as my father can support me, I promise that I will not let the barbarians cross Shanhaiguan again, and if the barbarians dare to send troops to attack from Zhao again, I will lead the cavalry to intercept them. “

Well, this is exactly what I think. Now you are the only one in the Chongqing Kingdom who can fight the barbarians head-on. At this time, there are heavy troops at Shanhaiguan, so the barbarians naturally dare not move. Ming’er, the safety of the royal family is at stake. It depends on you alone. As long as you don’t ask for anything too much, I can give it to you. I just hope you don’t disappoint your father.” Xiao Wenxuan said sincerely, this was his real thought at this time.

He is getting older and has become exhausted mentally and physically over the years. He doesn’t want to experience any major changes anymore, and now he just wants a stable second half of his life.

“Please rest assured, father, I will definitely protect the safety of the Great Yu Kingdom.”

Xiao Ming was secretly happy. Xiao Wenxuan’s words acknowledged his current status. As long as it is not excessive, he can give it. This is equivalent to what he is now He is a well-deserved celebrity in front of the palace.

Xiao Wenxuan nodded with satisfaction and continued: “Lijingmen has found out that the person who assassinated you this time has some relationship with Shanxi merchants from Liang State. There are only two answers. One is the work of your second brother, and the other is the collusion of the barbarians. My father is currently asking people to investigate what the Shanxi merchants did, and it won’t take long for the truth to come to light.”

“Second brother.” Xiao Ming thought about it, and suddenly everything became reasonable.

If the assassination is successful, it is true that the second prince will benefit the most. Regardless of whether the assassination is successful or not, it will expose the prince’s absurd incompetence. Once the prince is deposed, he will be the legitimate successor.

At the same time, if the assassination was successful, he would be able to get rid of his powerful enemy, killing two birds with one stone. This was a very smart calculation.

It’s a pity that no matter how careful the plan is, there are loopholes, otherwise Xiao Wenxuan would not have listed the second prince as a suspect.

“It’s probably him, but we can’t make a conclusion yet. This is the thoroughness of this assassination plan.” Xiao Wenxuan also had a headache. He said: “If this matter is really the work of the second prince, do you want the father to How to deal with it?”

Xiao Ming wanted to say that he should be killed according to the law, but he suddenly heard an example from the history books and swallowed back the words he was about to blurt out. He said respectfully: “It depends on what the father does. After all, he is my second son. Brother, he is unkind, I cannot be unjust.”

Xiao Wenxuan’s pupils shrank and he looked at Xiao Ming for a long time, then he suddenly smiled and said: “Ming’er, you are very good. If so, I will I feel at ease.”

A layer of cold sweat broke out on Xiao Ming’s back, Xiao Wenxuan was indeed testing him.

If he is determined to kill the second prince, then Xiao Wenxuan must conclude that he is evil-minded and will not care about brotherhood. If he can kill the second prince now, he will definitely not show mercy to the prince in the future.

In this case, he will have to weigh how to treat him.

Now that he is showing off his benevolence and righteousness, Xiao Wenxuan is naturally at ease. In this way, there will be a strong executor for the petition.

“…”

Cleverly avoiding Xiao Wenxuan’s temptation, Xiao Ming felt bitter in his heart and didn’t know what to say for a while.

Xiao Wenxuan didn’t seem to want to explain, so he said: “Let’s go down. You have brought me a lot of surprises this time. Your wedding day is about ten days away. You can put off all other things and concentrate on In preparation for the marriage, Fei Yue’er is a well-known beauty in Chang’an. She is also proficient in chess, calligraphy and painting. She will definitely be a good wife in the future. You should treat her well. Moreover, the Fei family has many disciples and former officials all over the world, and the Fei family is even more… There are many talents, and your fiefdom lacks talents. Now that you are married to the Fei family, you can recruit some talents from the Fei family.”

Xiao Ming breathed a sigh of relief and avoided this matter. He said: “I will go back now. Get ready.”

(End of chapter)