Steel Dynasty - Chapter 462

[Chapter 462: Traitor and profiteer]

After the New Year, time seems to be passing faster.

It was already February when he returned from Dengzhou, and then Xiao Ming was busy with the steam engine workshop and Jenny Textile Machine, and it was March before he knew it.

Just when Xiao Ming was putting all his energy into the development of the fiefdom, Wang Xuan brought some unpleasant news.

“Goryeo is building large-scale ships?” Xiao Ming carefully reviewed the information sent by Wang Xuan.

Now Wang Xuan does not need Xiao Ming’s supervision. He has extended the tentacles of the secret guards to wherever they can reach. Every day, the secret guards will process a large amount of intelligence. After the intelligence is analyzed, some valuable information is sent to Xiao Ming. .

“Yes, since His Highness left Dengzhou, the King of Goryeo ordered the construction of warships. The barbarians even supported a large number of Goryeo slaves, and Beishan is said to have appeared in Bisha City.” Wang Xuan said.

“Bei Shan!” Xiao Ming’s eyes narrowed. Bei Shan has disappeared for a long time since the last battle in Jizhou. Wang Xuan brought news that Bei Shan was demoted from Shengdu after breaking three fingers due to defeat. , I didn’t expect him to appear in Beisha City in Goryeo again.

“Your Highness, I suspect that this order was probably given by Bei Shan.” Wang Xuan added.

“Why do you see it?” Xiao Ming asked.

Wang Xuan solemnly said: “Because I have received some very subtle information, the barbarians are probably planning to go south to attack the country of Chongqing. Beishan must be cooperating with the barbarians’ southward march and wants to lead Goryeo’s soldiers directly from the sea.” Attack Dengzhou and attack us from both sides. “

What kind of subtle news?” Xiao Ming’s expression suddenly became very solemn.

Just as he has always been uneasy in his heart, the northern neighbors of Dayu have never given up on annexing Dayu.

“Since His Highness was assassinated in Chang’an last time, Xianguan has been monitoring Shanxi merchants, a group of profit-seeking businessmen. Xiaguan discovered that during this period, Shanxi merchants purchased iron ore, coal, saltpeter and other war supplies from all over the Chongqing Kingdom. , these materials were sent to the grasslands for trade with the barbarians through the Liang King’s fiefdom. “

It’s not surprising that these Shanxi merchants have been doing this.” Xiao Ming frowned.

Wang Xuan said: “Your Highness, it’s just that the ore and other materials purchased by Shanxi merchants during this period have suddenly increased more than ten times, and some Shanxi merchants are still mapping the terrain and the distribution of military towns in Dayu. This is very problematic. “

“Is there anything else?” Xiao Ming’s brows furrowed more and more. He pondered for a while and said, “If it’s true as you said, I’m afraid the barbarians really have big intentions. These damn Shanxi merchants don’t want to serve their country. Now he is still scheming against the enemy. “

Your Highness, this is only the second priority. The one you should worry about most now is Prince Liang.” Wang Xuan sighed and said, “Prince Liang has always regarded the second prince as his own son, but now the second prince has been deposed.” Zhou, no one knows what King Liang is thinking now. In the past, King Liang condoned Shanxi merchants and barbarian trade, but he was greedy for profit, but he still had three stipulations with Shanxi merchants. But now that Shanxi merchants are so blatant,…”

Xiao Ming clicked. He nodded, convinced, and said: “It is inevitable for the King of Liang to have resentment in his heart, but it is an act of ignorance of right and wrong to condone Shanxi merchants to betray the country. Since he does not care about these Shanxi merchants, I will take care of these Shanxi merchants for him.” “

We can’t let Shanxi merchants fatten up the barbarians.”

“Your Highness is absolutely right, but these Shanxi merchants are all close to Liang Wang’s fiefdom. How can we care about this?” Wang Xuan asked in confusion: “Could it be that His Highness is preparing to be assassinated by secret guards?” These Shanxi merchants? It’s just that these Shanxi merchants are local wealthy families and have many private soldiers. They are not so easy to deal with. “

“No, there is no need for me to do it myself. Don’t forget that King Yong can do it. I

have always wanted to ask this king, so it is appropriate for him to deal with these Shanxi merchants. “

King Yong has always wanted to get the matchlock gun from Qingzhou. When he was in Chang’an, King Yong signed a trade agreement. A large part of the reason was because of the matchlock. The reason for the gun, if he makes this request now, it shouldn’t be a big problem.

“It’s just that Your Highness, according to the information obtained by the official, King Yong also took a lot of benefits from these Shanxi merchants. It is precisely because of this that Juyi Village, where these Shanxi merchants are located, is in a state of neglect and allows King Yong to take action. I’m just afraid…”

“Prince Yong is also related to these Shanxi merchants?” Xiao Ming frowned.

Wang Xuan sighed and nodded.

“If this is the case, I will ask King Yong to come to Qingzhou to discuss this matter.” Xiao Ming said sternly.

After telling Xiao Ming some news about Dayu, Wang Xuan turned and left.

After Wang Xuan left, Xiao Ming personally wrote a letter to summon the post general and delivered the letter to King Yong.

The distance from Jizhou to Qingzhou is very short and can be reached in three or four days. He made an excuse to ask King Yong to receive the first batch of matchlock guns and send them to Qingzhou.

After finishing this matter, Xiao Ming sent an order to the shipyards in Dengzhou, asking them to speed up the construction of warships, and at the same time asked Yue Yun to continue recruiting naval soldiers for training.

Since Goryeo was building ships, he just wanted to make Bei Shan unhappy. When the next batch of warships were launched, he would send troops to Beisha City to completely destroy Goryeo’s navy. He wanted to see who was faster in bombing or Goryeo’s shipbuilding. .

He had to prepare in advance for the possibility that the barbarians would move south in large numbers, but he was now able to psychologically accept this powerful neighbor in the north and would not be disrupted by the barbarian invasion.

Because he understands that only one of the barbarians and the Chongqing Kingdom can become the master of this land. The war between the Chongqing Kingdom and the barbarians is inevitable. It is just a matter of sooner or later.

After experiencing the Battle of Cangzhou, Bei Shan went south to Jizhou. He had broken the myth that the barbarians were invincible. Even if the barbarians went south again, they would only be blocked by soldiers and covered by water and soil.

He shook his head. For him, development was the last word. As long as his fist was strong enough, what could the barbarians do if they went south? Moreover, Shanhaiguan is in his hands. When the time comes, he can take the opportunity to poke the barbarians in the butt and make them always fearful.

Thinking of this, he sent someone to call Niu Ben and told Niu Ben the news.

“Barbarian movement?” Niu Ben said with a calm look, “Your Highness, this Liang King really dug his own grave. Shanhaiguan is now in our hands. If the barbarians go south, they can only pass through the fiefdoms of Liang King and Zhao King.” , then it will be Liang Wang himself who will suffer.

Xiao Ming nodded, “Now that the crown prince’s position is stable, King Zhao should not ask any questions. King Liang is really worrying, and if the barbarians break through King Liang’s fiefdom, Chang’an will be directly exposed to the barbarians.” “

So your Highness doesn’t need to worry too much. Now that Wang Xuan has learned the news, the Emperor may have noticed it. All we need to do is to guard Shanhaiguan and prevent the Forbidden Army from being attacked on both sides, and Your Highness doesn’t have to.” Look down on the emperor, after all, the emperor relied on his military exploits to achieve his current throne.”

(End of this chapter)