My life skills in Daming Liver

Shen always spent all day banqueting in Zhongjun City, but the political atmosphere in the Later Li Dynasty became increasingly tense.

When Qi Jiguang just arrived south from Guangxi, Hou Li was naturally very happy.

As his enemy competing for Annan's orthodoxy, Zheng Jian has been fighting Bei Mo. The two sides can be said to be equally matched opponents and have been fighting to this day.

Zheng Jian naturally knew that Bei Mo's strength, at least with Hou Li's current strength, would not be able to annex Bei Mo, otherwise he would not have been able to unify after decades of fighting.

However, Qi Jiguang traveled south from Guangxi and reached Jincheng, the capital of Bei Mo, in less than a month, and drove the leader of Bei Mo to a more remote mountain forest.

At this time, Hou Li Junchen changed from celebrating to fear.

There is a mountainous area to the north of Annan, making it inconvenient to march, but Qi Jiguang's advance was so fast.

If they penetrate the northern mountainous area, then the Red River Plain occupied by Hou Li will be completely flat and there will be no danger to defend!

Hou Li Qunchen became even more anxious, and more people secretly went to Shen Yiguan's mission.

Now even Zheng Jian couldn't sit still. He called his son Zheng Song, who had been sent to Guangzhou as an envoy, and his brother-in-law Ruan Huang, who was the envoy of the mission.

Before Zheng Jian became the son-in-law of the Ruan family, he was just a fierce military leader and his status in Annan was not high.

After becoming the ruler of Hou Li, Zheng Jian occupied his father-in-law's mansion and asked the Ruan family to move to other houses.

Ruan Huang walked into this familiar mansion and clenched his fists secretly. He once played in this mansion. At that time, he was the son of Hou Li Quanchen, and his brother-in-law Zheng Jian would bring him candies every time he came back from an expedition.

Later, news came that his father Ruan Gan had been poisoned, and his brother-in-law Zheng Jian suddenly accepted his father's political inheritance.

Immediately after Ruan Huang's brother was executed by his brother-in-law Zheng Jian, Ruan Huang took the initiative to give up the mansion. From then on, he lived with his tail between his legs and did not dare to associate with his father's old subordinates.

Even so, Zheng Jin had murderous intentions for Ruan Huang many times. If Zheng Jin's wife, Ruan Huang's sister, hadn't dissuaded him many times, Ruan Huang would have followed his eldest brother to see his father.

But as time went by, Ruan Huang became more desperate.

The power of the Zheng family in Houli is becoming more and more stable. The old men who followed his father are old and dead, and the political legacy left to Ruan Huang has become less and less.

Even now, the second generation of the Zheng family has begun to enter Houli's political stage. From being a follower of Zheng Jian, he has become a follower of Zheng Jian's son.

As he was about to enter Zheng Jian's meeting hall, Ruan Huang loosened his fist. A soldier in armor stopped at the door and began to search Ruan Huang.

Zheng Jian's father-in-law was poisoned to death. The political struggle in Annan was very cruel, and physical destruction was also normal.

Therefore, in the Zheng family mansion, there are sentries every now and then. If you want to meet Zheng Jian, you need to be searched many times.

Over the years, Zheng Jian has become older and less courageous. He is always worried that someone is trying to kill him. Even his own son has to be searched, let alone his brother-in-law.

After the search, Zheng Song and Ruan Huang entered the meeting hall and saw only a tall old man playing with a short gun.

"Father!"

Zheng Song saluted Zheng Jian. Although Zheng Jian had not usurped the throne, he had been promoted from Duke to King. He was already one person below Hou Li and above ten thousand people.

Bird guns are not uncommon in Annan. When Western merchants entered Southeast Asia, they introduced this kind of goods to Annan.

However, bird guns were not used on a large scale in Annan for two reasons.

One is that Annan is still relatively backward militarily, and the parties competing for hegemony are not wealthy and cannot afford such expensive weapons.

On the other hand, the Annan area is humid, and the match rope lit by the bird gun often goes out, or the match rope gets damp and burns to emit smoke, which is not suitable for fighting in the jungle.

Western merchants discovered that this country was not interested in muskets and had nothing to exchange for them, so they quickly left Annan and began to transport muskets northward.

In comparison, both the Ming and the Japanese countries were better trading partners.

But there have been some changes over the years.

During the war between the Southeast and the Ming Dynasty, some businessmen traveling to the Southeast brought newspapers and various news back to Annan.

This most important war for the order of East Asia has naturally attracted the attention of countless countries, and Annan, who is closest to the Central Plains, is always paying attention to the progress of this war.

The Southeast relied on firearms to gain a huge advantage on the battlefield, which also changed the views of various forces in Annan on firearms.

Zheng Jian ordered the purchase of a thousand muskets from merchants and formed a force composed entirely of musketeers in Zhongjun City.

However, the short gun in Zheng Jian's hand looked like a trophy captured on the battlefield.

There is a lot of wear and tear on the short gun, even a piece of the grip is missing, and traces of smoke can also be seen.

"Ah Huang, how about taking a look at this short gun?"

Zheng Jian also called Ruan Huang by his nickname and handed the short blunderbuss to Ruan Huang, just like when he was a child, every time his brother-in-law went to war, he would bring back novel toys for Ruan Huang.

But Ruan Huang took it respectfully and observed the short gun carefully.

The blunderbuss does not have a matchlock component, but instead has a firing device.

Ruan Huang was a little surprised. He had never seen a gun without a match rope.

This short gun also had a strange trigger. Ruan Huang carefully pulled the trigger, only to hear a crisp sound, and he smelled a smell of smoke.

All I saw was that the trigger was connected to a piece of flint, and it hit the flint in the powder chamber, causing a burst of sparks.

It turns out that this is the case. Ruan Huang somewhat understood the principle of this short blunderbuss. It uses a machine to hit flint and ignite gunpowder to fire the lead shot.

This is much more convenient than using a match rope, and you don't have to worry about the match going out.

Ruan Huang was a little disappointed. The short gun Zheng Jian gave him naturally did not contain gunpowder and lead shot. Otherwise, if he really wanted to test the power of this short gun, it would be best to use Zheng Jian and his son to test it.

After respectfully returning the blunderbuss to Zheng Jian, the powerful minister of Hou Li sat astride a tiger-skin chair and said:

"This is a new firearm used by the Southeast New Army. This kind of musket will not be unable to fire due to moisture on the match rope when fighting in the mountains and forests, so it played a huge role in the battle against the puppet Momo."

"This short blunderbuss was sent from the north."

Ruan Huang was shocked by Zheng Jian's words, and he immediately realized the rich meaning in them.

Just now Zheng Jian said that these were new firearms used in the southeast, and also said that they were sent from the north, so these must be trophies captured by the Northern Mo army on the battlefield.

It is worth pondering that Bei Mo's trophies appeared in the hands of Zheng Jian, the ruler of Hou Li.

Zheng Jian's next words surprised Ruan Huang even more. He said:

"I have already asked the craftsmen. We in Annan cannot make this short blunderbuss. The main part is the spring on the trigger. We cannot smelt such steel. Even the Ming Dynasty cannot make this kind of short blunderbuss. Only the Southeast can manufacture in bulk.”

With such a sentence, Ruan Huang immediately made a series of guesses in his mind.

Hou Li and Bei Mo are mortal enemies. Although they are at odds with each other, if no one mediates, the two sides will never contact each other.

And the only one with this influence in Annan is the Ming Dynasty!

Ruan Huang immediately deduced the information hidden behind this short gun.

Bei Mo sent this short gun to tell Hou Li that the firearms in the southeast were powerful. If Hou Li did not support him, both families would be conquered together.

Only Daming could mediate between the two sides.

It's right to think about it, Ming Dynasty will definitely win over Annan to deal with Southeast.

"Ah Huang, what do you think of the Southeast Messenger?"

Ruan Huang immediately said: "Although the envoy from the Southeast is young, he is experienced in doing things. However, the Southeast is based on industry and commerce, and these two envoys have some..."

"Something?"

"Philistine."

Ruan Huang explained: "The envoys from the southeast came to Dali. They were not interested in meeting our monarchs and ministers in Dali. Instead, they were keen to hang out with merchants and plantation owners. They even negotiated several sugar sales. It seemed that they were in Dali. Those who do business, not those who are here as envoys.”

Zheng Jian naturally knew this information, and he said: "Then go and talk to them about whether you can buy this new type of musket."

Ruan Huang immediately said: "Take the order."

After Ruan Huang left, Zheng Jian calmed down and asked his son Zheng Song:

"What do you think of the Southeast Messenger?"

Zheng Song immediately said: "My son thinks that this southeast envoy has evil intentions!"

"Tell me."

"The envoy from the southeast came to our Dali, but he didn't see the king or father. I'm afraid he didn't come to negotiate, but to gather information!"

Zheng Jian looked at his son with approval and said, "If you understand this, you are much better than that big brother."

Zheng Song couldn't help but be happy, he was Zheng Jian's second son.

There is an older brother Zheng Hui above him, who has been cultivated by Zheng Jian as his successor.

Zheng Song always boasted that he was better than his elder brother in literary, military and military skills, but because he was the second son, he could not inherit his father's position.

Over the years, my father Zheng Jian's health has become worse and worse.

Zheng Song said even more earnestly: "My son thinks that we should agree to the request of the Ming Envoy and temporarily cooperate with Puppet Mo to fight against the southeast!"

Zheng Jian interrupted his son and said: "This is a national matter, not something you should worry about. You can see such things, why can't your uncle see it?"

"ah?"

"Send someone to keep an eye on Ruan Huang. If he has any objections, kill him immediately."

Zheng Jian ordered coldly.

Zheng Song originally wanted to defend his uncle, but when he saw Zheng Jian's expression, he swallowed his words immediately.

Ruan Huang came out of Zheng Jian's house and immediately went to the guest house where Shen Yiguan was staying.

When Ruan Huang saw Shen Yiguan and Chi Hongmo, he immediately knelt on the ground and said to Shen Yiguan:

"Your Majesty, save me!"

Shen Guanyi helped Ruan Huang up and said coldly: "Why did Lord Ruan say this?"

Ruan Huang immediately said: "My brother-in-law Zheng Jian has already contacted the Ming court. He wants to murder the envoy! Then put the blame on me!"

After all, Chi Hongmo had never experienced storms. He shuddered and looked at Shen Yiguan.

But Shen said calmly: "In that case, why do you still come here, Lord Ruan? Shouldn't you leave Zhongjun City immediately?"

Ruan Huang said directly: "Your envoy does not understand our situation in Dali. I would like to leave, but what if I can do it?"

Shen Yiguan said: "So you want to give us a fight?"

"Your Majesty, save me!"

Shen Yiguan said: "He who saves himself will be saved by heaven. Master Ruan came to me, so he must have some backup plan, right?"

Ruan Huangxin said: "My Ruan family also has some old troops in Zhongjun City, who can escort your envoy out of the city!"

Shen Guanyi nodded and said: "Then let's set off."

"ah?"

Even Chi Hongmo was stunned that Shen Yiguan was so decisive.

Ruan Huang was stunned for a moment and left the guest house decisively.

That night, a riot broke out in Zhongjun City. The south gate was breached by a group of rebels. The gate was opened in the middle of the night and dozens of riders rushed out of the city.

Ruan Huang, the brother-in-law of Hou Li's powerful minister Zheng Jian, and the envoys sent to Hou Li from the southeast were all kidnapped out of the city by the rebels.

Later Liliang King Zheng Jian was furious and immediately sent his son Zheng Song to lead Annan's elite Long Xiang army out of the city to pursue the rebels.

However, not long after the two thousand Longxiang troops left the city, they were ambushed by insurgents. Zheng Song was defeated and only led a few hundred people back to Zhongjun City.

Nguyen Hoang soon raised his banner in Thang Long Palace, crusade against Zheng Jian for kidnapping Li Zhu, and colluded with the puppet Mo to murder the envoys from the southeast.

Suddenly, many big families in Shenglong Mansion responded, and the entire Red River Plain was in flames.

During the turmoil in Annan, Su Ze set off from the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion to Songjiang Mansion to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Su-Song Railway.