Coming from a thousand years later, as a very unique person in this world, and now holding great power and having adapted to this environment, Guo Shao has always felt deep in his heart that he can do very big things and can change the world according to his will.
His performance also surprised the world. After he actually took power in the Tokyo Mutiny, in just three years, he destroyed the three largest separatist regimes, unified the country and had no strong enemies, and even tried the Northern Expedition to fight against the Liao Kingdom. Suddenly, Guo Shao looked back on the past and felt that he had done it fast enough.
Sometimes big things can't be done too fast. Emperor Yang of Sui built a canal and conquered Korea, but because he was eager to do something big, he ended up losing all his capital.
However, Guo Shao was not satisfied with the current speed, and felt that he was restrained by something and could not enjoy himself. It was just like this imperial city, where Guo Shao stayed like a prisoner every day.
Now, he could only sit here and patiently read a document written by an ancient person without punctuation. The content was very boring, but he had to ponder it carefully.
What is wrong
He could only remind himself secretly: big things are made up of small things.
In the eyes of others, Guo Shao was very calm. He would sit for an hour or two, reading the files all the time. He looked like he was reading an interesting book, reading page by page. In fact, he was not so leisurely, but he was helpless and could not panic.
At this time, Zuo You came over and said: Your Majesty, several people in the cabinet have discussed it, and you think this arrangement is okay? For the first three days, I and Fu Zheng Huang Binglian will still be on duty in the cabinet, and let Minister Zan and Envoy Lu understand the daily affairs of the cabinet first; from now on, we will work in shifts of two, taking turns to be on duty in the cabinet, and we can also go to the Government Affairs Hall to work at other times.
Guo Shaodao: I will do as the Left Vice Minister requested.
Zuo Youbai retreated to the desk outside the screen and said to the other three people: Your Majesty agrees.
The three of them clasped their fists in response. They were all in the same room, and everyone had heard the conversation between Guo Shao and Zuo You just now.
At this time, Zan Jurun said: It's lunch time, I have something to go out for. If I'm late for work in the afternoon, please let the Left Assistant Minister know for me.
After hearing this, Zuo You said: We will discuss matters in the afternoon, and those who will be here are important officials from the central government, so we can’t delay them.
Zan Jurun said: It’s still in time.
Zuo You glanced at him, didn't ask anything important, and said no more.
Zan Jurun saw clearly the recent transfers. Zuo You and Huang Binglian were going to be prime ministers. Zan Jurun thought to himself: The people in the cabinet can help the emperor read memorials. I have always felt that this is not an ordinary place.
Zuo You was the emperor's aide when he was in low status, so it was reasonable for him to become the prime minister sooner or later; Huang Binglian's background was not very clear, but he should be someone Guo Shao had known for a long time.
Zan Jurun believed that the cabinet assistant was a pre-selection for the prime minister and he also wanted to do something meritorious. Since he had taken the path of studying and taking the imperial examinations to become an official, who wouldn't want to be the most respected scholar among all officials
However, there are only a few prime ministers, and those who take the position may not move for a long time, just like Feng Dao, who served as prime minister for five dynasties and finally vacated the position when he died of old age. So not everyone has the opportunity.
At noon, everyone left for an hour to have lunch and rest. Lunch was provided by the government.
Zan Jurun refused to eat the official meal and hurried out of Donghua Gate. His servants did not come, and they had to wait until the evening to pick up their master, so Zan Jurun had no choice but to go to the imperial guards guarding the city gate, take out his seal and sign, borrow a horse, and then set off.
He rode up Ma Xing Street and saw a restaurant with steam rising from its roof. He went in and bought two oil cakes, eating while he headed north.
Zan Jurun hurried to the firearms workshop in the northern garden of the imperial city. The firearms workshop was going to test two kinds of weapons today, and Zan Jurun was very concerned. If it succeeded, he could announce it in public during the afternoon meeting, which would be a great achievement.
Zan Jurun has seen clearly what the emperor has done.
For example, Lu Duosun, who is now on equal footing with me. He has only been a Jinshi for a few years, so what qualifications does he have? He is from a humble background, has no money and no connections, and has always been doing an insignificant and idle job. But he is desperate enough, and has taken the initiative to jump into the fire pit again and again. During the war against Southern Tang, the two countries were at war, and he went to persuade them to surrender. The northwest was in chaos, and he had to cross the barbarian territory to get the map.
His achievements were clear, and even the Deputy Privy Councilor praised him. With such a high position, no one could say anything to him.
When they arrived at the firearms workshop, the officials and foremen inside hurried up to greet them.
Zan Jurun said directly: "I have to rush back to Jinxiang Palace to be on duty this afternoon. The things are ready, so hurry up."
When everyone heard that the Jinxiang Hall was on duty, they all knew that it was the place for court meetings, and they all stood in awe. The foreman hurriedly asked the craftsmen to bring out the basket containing several round lumps.
Zan Jurun took a look and said: "Why is it so big? The official said it was a bomb that was thrown out to explode. Who threw such a big one? Let me see it."
The foreman said hurriedly: If it is too small, there will be no place to put the gunpowder. This thing is very difficult to cast. First, cast two pieces, then pour molten iron into it; and then use a drill to drill a hole.
Let's try it first, Zan Jurun said.
The group hid behind a parapet on the city wall, and then asked a craftsman to go down and prepare a long fuse. The craftsman lit it, and when he saw the fuse smoke, he ran away.
The officials hurriedly said, "Envoy Zan, be careful." They rushed to stop Zan Jurun.
Zan Jurun stuck his head out from behind the parapet and looked at the iron lump. After a long while, there was a sudden bang and a blinding fire burst out.
The lump of iron suddenly exploded into two pieces, jumped twice on the ground, and then stopped moving, leaving only white smoke.
Zan Jurun and the officials looked at each other in bewilderment. Zan Jurun said with anger in his tone: Didn't you say it could be blown into pieces of iron
An official said: We used the most brittle cast iron, maybe the casting place was too weak.
Zan Jurun frowned and said: Next time, hollow out the stone, fill it with gunpowder, and then tamp it down with mud.
Yes, yes, yes. The official and the two deputy heads responded hastily.
Then everyone tried another weapon: a wrought iron musket.
Because the cast copper gun was thick and short, the range was not good, and the effective killing range was only 20 steps. If the lead bullet hit the thick armor, it might not penetrate. So Guo Shao once asked to use iron to make the gun barrel.
No one can drill an iron pipe out of an iron rod; one can only forge it. Hard cast iron breaks when struck and cannot be forged; one can only use softer wrought iron.
Because of the mess that the iron lump looked like just now, Zan Jurun was in a depressed mood and waited anxiously for the result of the iron pipe test.
As expected, the gunpowder exploded in the barrel and the barrel was deformed.
Zan Jurun raised his head and sighed. He thought: This thing can be used to make something useful.