Zhao Changhe knew nothing about guns and artillery, and he had read very few historical travel stories, so he couldn't really come up with any useful improvements. But it didn't matter, what would happen in the future was a matter for the future, and for now, the level of this artillery was good enough. When people realized the advantages of this thing, they would naturally continue to develop it, provided that the emperor viewed it, and Chi Chi obviously didn't have this problem.
At present, it is still just a primitive artillery. Greater development may require a comprehensive industrialization change to achieve it... The existing productivity of the Han Dynasty is obviously not enough to achieve it. Even if it is enough, I don’t know whether it will lead to a different technology tree in this world where swords can have spirits.
Zhao Changhe was not sure, nor did he want to offer his half-baked knowledge to provide any guidance. That might be misleading, so it was better to let it develop.
So he just confirmed the birth schedule and walked away contentedly with Chi Chiwan's makeup.
"I really didn't expect it... When I was overseas, it was just a suggestion, and I didn't expect any progress in a few years. I never thought it would bear fruit at this time." The three of them were walking on the way back to the city, and Zhao Changhe sighed.
"As long as there is a will, this is the cause." Xia Chichi smiled and said, "Also, someone is particularly attentive to your instructions, otherwise there would not be such a quick result."
Tang Wanzhuang glanced at her with a pleading tone that said "please stop talking".
Xia Chichi remained unmoved, still smiling, "It costs a lot to do this. At that time, we were so poor that we could barely pay the salaries of officials, and we allocated funds for this matter. The court officials were all strongly opposed... The Minister of Revenue could be considered a member of someone's party, but he actually opposed someone in the court. He was fair-minded, but someone had a bad temper. At that time, he was really an enemy of everyone. His pretty face flushed with pent-up anger, which was really beautiful..."
Zhao Changhe turned to look at Tang Wanzhuang, but Tang Wanzhuang blushed and didn't look at him.
Xia Chichi put his hands behind his back and said leisurely, "I know that too. It's because it's the order of 'Your Majesty' in someone's heart, so I have to do it no matter what... I've spent half my life for the country, and half for you. Oh, I'm so moved."
Tang Wanzhuang couldn't hold back her expression and said, "Who said that? I did it because I really thought it was meaningful! Besides, you are the one who made the decision!"
"Yes, as long as we work together, nothing can be a problem." Xia Chichi smiled and said, "You haven't read many of the memorials, they are quite interesting... You know, when Lu Jianzhang was appointed as the leader, your authority was no longer the head of the Demon Suppression Division. You were doing the work of the Prime Minister. Many people wrote to the emperor to ask for you to be the Prime Minister. But later on, they gradually stopped mentioning it. It's not that they have any opinions about you, but that our relationship is too close. It's not suitable for you to be the Prime Minister anymore, and you lose the constraints on the monarchy."
Tang Wanzhuang laughed when she heard this: "They really think I'm in the same group with you."
"Yes, now you and I have the same goal, so we are in the same group. In fact, I'm afraid you want to tear me apart."
“…” Tang Wanzhuang looked into the distance without answering.
Xia Chichi smiled and said, "How about this? At the court meeting tomorrow, first, the Venerable will be in charge, and second, you will be appointed as the prime minister."
Zhao Changhe couldn't help but interrupt: "Why didn't you establish the prime minister when others wrote to you?"
The first seat is not strong enough. The way he coughed while putting on his clothes before putting on his evening makeup was so bad that the prime minister was the most interesting.
This time, it was Tang Wanzhuang who explained for Xia Chichi: "The Demon Suppression Division must have a reliable person to take over. If I were the prime minister, I could temporarily serve as the head of the Demon Suppression Division, but it would definitely not work for the long term."
"So you found it now?"
"In fact, I prefer Qin Dingjiang. Although he attacked me, he was also following the emperor's orders and felt ashamed afterwards. The Demon Suppression Division should only listen to the emperor, and he did nothing wrong. Of course, I can't confirm whether he only listened to the emperor at the beginning, or he also had some self-ambitions, so I will put it aside and observe." Tang Wanzhuang said: "If you think he is not suitable, then let Wu Weiyang do it. You have promised Wu Weiyang and the others a bright future, and I have promoted them all to deputies, but their cultivation is not as good as Dingjiang, and they are several years younger. It is better to make them deputies first and take over Dingjiang's position in the future."
Zhao Changhe nodded and said, "You know them best, so just make your own decision."
Xia Chichi snorted and muttered, "Independent kingdom!"
Tang Wanzhuang pretended not to hear.
The Demon Suppression Division was her own hard work. She had participated in the establishment of this division since she was still an underage girl. It was like her own children. It was right to say that it was a force that belonged exclusively to her. In fact, even if she handed it over, at least half of the people in it would still only recognize her, Tang Wanzhuang. She was already fair-minded enough and was willing to choose Qin Dingjiang, who "obeyed the emperor", as his successor. If she had any selfish motives, the successor she chose would only be her bootlicker.
But then again, Qin Dingjiang is now in great favor with her, maybe he is more flattering than others...
Xia Chichi said angrily: "Tell me what this is. I took the initiative to say that I want to make this powerful minister who wants to establish an independent kingdom as prime minister! Even if she becomes prime minister, she is still a traitor!"
Tang Wanzhuang still looked into the distance without saying a word. If this treacherous look was the one who committed adultery with your man, perhaps it might be quite appropriate.
The blind man thought that if this word was used as a verb, then the treacherous prime minister would be Zhao Changhe. On the contrary, Zhao Changhe did not think of these meaningless things, and actually persuaded: "Wanzhuang is doing the work of the prime minister, and she should have been promoted long ago. Besides, Wanzhuang is dragged down by state affairs like you, and her cultivation has fallen behind. I also have to think about how to help Wanzhuang improve."
Xia Chichi glanced at him and said, "How else can you help? It's just that little thing."
Zhao Changhe shook his head: "No, dual cultivation really can't help people break the defense directly, it would be great if it was that easy. Even the triple secret treasure you just broke through is because you were just a little short of it. You haven't digested the Azure Dragon Enlightenment and Dongji Dao Fruit you obtained at the beginning. I just used my Azure Dragon Law to help you stimulate their effects. Speaking of which, you have another advantage. Enlightenment of the law is one thing, and accumulation of practice is another. Because of the dragon energy and faith, you have transformed these powers into practice. Even without deliberate practice, they have been growing naturally. Wanzhuang lacks this part, I have to think of a way."
"Okay." Xia Chichi didn't say any more, and said, "The dinner is for all officials, so we can't have it with the whole family like at noon. I have to host it, and your family has always been sick and not participated in the evening banquets in previous years. I think the officials are used to it, so it's even more normal for you not to participate. If you don't want to socialize, just go back and rest, and study how to be a treacherous prime minister."
Neither of them spoke. Xia Chichi glared at them both angrily and flew back to the palace.
A man and a woman stood outside the city gate and watched the emperor climb over the wall to go back. It was already dark, and the evening breeze blew, and the atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward.
Tang Wanzhuang's neck was stiff, and she muttered after a while: "Tomorrow I will advise her that the emperor is not the witch in the past. He still needs to have guards and escorts when he travels. The current appearance is neither decent nor dangerous."
We were originally the guard of honor and the bodyguard, why are we gone? Don't you know? Zhao Changhe didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and suddenly reached out and held her hand. Tang Wanzhuang subconsciously tensed up for a moment, and then slowly relaxed.
In fact, apart from the night he took her by the hot spring, he hadn't had sex with her in the past three months. The only time they had been intimate was when they hugged and kissed each other in the Demon Suppression Division. Every time they met, it was a state affair. Not to mention strolling in the countryside under the moonlight.
Zhao Changhe said softly, "Want to go shopping?"
Tang Wanzhuang lowered her head and said, "How can I have so much time to hang out?"
Zhao Changhe dragged her towards the city without saying anything. "Please, today is the Spring Festival. Even if you treat yourself like a beast of burden, you should still fight for a holiday. I tell you, those who have been working overtime these two days should be given extra bonuses, otherwise we will be scolded."
Tang Wanzhuang staggered as he dragged her into the city. She said unhappily, "The city is closed today. There's nothing to see."
"Huh?" Zhao Changhe looked at her with a smile: "You mean, strolling in the wild."
Tang Wanzhuang tilted her head and said nothing: "I mean I don't want to go shopping."
"Then go straight back to the room and do what you want to do with love?"
Tang Wanzhuang stamped her feet: "What kind of brain do you have!"
Zhao Changhe smiled and pulled her around the city wall to the side, all the way to the village and farmland in the distance on the other side.
Tang Wanzhuang also calmed down, lowered her head and walked slowly with him.
Tang Wanzhuang's hands have always been soft and cool. She used to think that the coolness was due to her illness, but now that she has recovered, they are still cool and soft. There is no other reason for this. This icy skin and bones are a gift from the world.
Zhao Changhe held her hand gently, but without any of the usual charm, he only felt relaxed and peaceful. The two walked slowly, but never spoke again. Tang Wanzhuang's pounding heart slowly calmed down, and a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.
No matter how much she said she was willing to be his concubine, she would never really want a man to treat her as a concubine, just to vent her desires. Fortunately, he has never been such a person, and now he is better than before. In the past, he was rough and didn't feel everyone's mood too delicately, but now he has more tenderness in his iron bones, and he knows what she wants.
What Tang Wanzhuang wanted was just to steal half a day from her busy life, to stroll hand in hand with her lover under the woods, to go boating on the lake, to play a beautiful song, and to read a page of The West Chamber in the gentle breeze and bright moon.
The same is true for the rest of your life.
All the hard work is just for everyone in the world to be able to do the same.
——
PS: Xiao Zhang, my sleep has been terrible lately, I’m so mad.
(End of this chapter)