Chapter 513 Deterioration

"Your Highness, the Emperor has officially issued an order to hand over the military and political power of each state to the governor." Xu Ke took a deep breath and told the news he had just received.

"What? So fast!" Zhao Xu said.

The efficiency of the court has always been slow, and this time he was very surprised.

So far, it has been less than a month.

"It's not that the tax collection has been completed, but Dou Wei, the old thief, and the officials of the powerful families proposed to raise silver to pay the annual tribute to the Beidi people first, and then wait for the tax collection to be completed, and then distribute the silver. When the silver is sufficient, the Emperor will issue an order." Xu Ke said.

Zhao Xu frowned when he heard this, "The powerful families are really impatient."

He believed that the powerful families could definitely do such a thing.

After all, no one can owe money to the powerful families.

The collection of taxes is not decided by Zhao Heng alone.

In this way, they will get the military and political power in advance, and the silver will not be reduced by a penny.

After all, Zhao Heng was still afraid of the powerful families who had not officially established their own regime.

Now that they had officially become local emperors, Zhao Heng would not provoke them.

He loved his wealth more than anything else, and all his decisions were based on this.

"What a shame." Zhao Xu sighed.

Emperor Zhao Heng was now no different from a puppet.

But he deserved it.

If it weren't for his tricks in the northwest, there would be no peace talks.

After that, the powerful families would not have taken advantage of the empty treasury to force him to issue an order.

The most hateful thing is that until now, he has not felt a bit guilty about the peace talks, and is still trying to meet the peace conditions of Beidi.

And he, the ninth prince of Dasong, has always been a chess piece to balance the powerful families in his eyes.

It was not until now that he was forced into a desperate situation by the powerful families that he restrained himself a little.

"Forget it, this is good, at least the hypocritical veil has been torn off, and we will show our skills in the future." Zhao Xu said.

The powerful families that have established their own regimes will definitely need time to accumulate strength.

And Zhao Heng is still alive and well, Dasong will not be in chaos for the time being.

However, since the fuse has been lit, it depends on when it will burn to the gunpowder barrel.

Xu Ke also sighed, remembering something, he said: "I have found out one thing, the seven powerful families seem to have mastered the forging method of artillery, this casting method seems to be related to copper, the merchants under the powerful families are buying copper everywhere, and even causing the price of copper to rise."

"You mean, they also mastered the new method of casting artillery?" Zhao Xu frowned.

No wonder the powerful families no longer give King Yan new artillery orders.

Thinking of the bronze cannons of Beidi, Zhao Xu's eyes narrowed slightly.

"It may be Beidi!" Zhao Xu and Xu Ke said almost in unison.

"No wonder they have the courage to secede, it turns out that this is the reason." Zhao Xu pondered.

No longer relying on Yanzhou's artillery means no longer being constrained by Yanzhou.

Thinking of the border market that Beidi had set up outside Wuguan, Zhao Xu's intentions for Beidi became clearer.

"How is the escape route that I asked you to arrange?" Zhao Xu asked.

Since the separatist trend of Dasong cannot be reversed.

Then when the landslide and tsunami come, he needs to seize the opportunity to pick up Concubine Mi and her family.

After all, Concubine Mi is the biological mother of the Ninth Prince. It is too cruel to ignore her.

"Your Highness, it's all done. When the time comes, as long as the Queen comes out of the palace, we can send her out of the city." Xu Ke looked confident.

Zhao Xu nodded with satisfaction and felt relieved.

However, once it comes to the point where Concubine Mi needs to be rescued, Jinling must have been in chaos.

It is necessary to respond on the spot.

After telling the King of Yan two important news, Xu Ke turned around and left.

"Wait, I will let Bai Shang cooperate with Zhou Yi to attack Goryeo in a few days. You can take this opportunity to send someone to find Chai Wu." Zhao Xu stopped Xu Ke who was about to leave.

"Yes, Your Highness." Xu Ke was happy and smiled.

There was no news about Chai Wu for such a long time.

Without a doubt, this is a great opportunity.

Wait until Xu Ke's figure disappears.

Zhao Xu came to the map of Dasong. Before a dynasty collapsed, it was often like this, often with internal and external troubles.

Dasong could not escape this fate.

"Take advantage of the current calm, rifles and steam engines must be put into use quickly." Zhao Xu murmured.

Now, he has a growing sense of urgency.

Only a strong economy and a strong army can guarantee the steady progress of Yanzhou in the sea of ​​​​turmoil.

And these two things are undoubtedly the foundation for the future.

His eyes moved to Ningjindusi, and his brows frowned slightly.

At present, there is another problem, that is, Beidi.

Before Dasong has any problems, he must find a way to break Beidi's layout in Ningjindusi.

He doesn't want to fight on two fronts.

Just thinking about it.

Suddenly Feng'er reported that Wang Chong was here.

Hearing this, Zhao Xu was happy, it must be about the steam engine.

Sure enough, after a while, Wang Chong came over with a happy face and said, "Your Highness, I have a surprise for you."

"Did your steam engine test succeed this time?" Zhao Xu heard this and was slightly happy.

"Hehe, that's right." Wang Chong laughed. He knew that he couldn't hide this from the King of Yan.

He just kept it a secret from Yanguan.

Zhao Xu nodded with satisfaction. Compared with annihilating the pirates of Wufeng Island, he was most looking forward to the steam engine.

After all, this thing can fundamentally change Yanzhou.

Thinking of this, he said, "Let's go and take it to see."

It was still the laboratory of the Science and Technology School.

When Zhao Xu and Wang Chong arrived, the roar of the steam engine was coming out.

Wang Chong had told him on the way.

Since the last explosion, he and the students have learned from the failure and improved the steam engine technology.

Now the newly built steam engine has been working for half a month without a single failure and can be put into use.

"Your Highness, my father said that the Arms Department is in urgent need of a steam engine. Should I deliver this steam engine to the Arms Department first?" Wang Chong asked.

He had no choice. Every time he went home, his father asked the most about the steam engine, which was really annoying.

"Okay, the head of the king has urged me several times, so I'll give him this one." Zhao Xu said.

Touching the body of the steam engine, he continued: "And one is not enough. Since the technology is mature, you and the students will build a batch during this period to meet the needs of the Arms Department. Of course, the most important thing is to train a group of skilled craftsmen in this process."

He couldn't let Wang Chong be responsible for making steam engines all the time.

There are still many machines that appeared with the steam engine that need him to solve.

Then he needs to teach some craftsmen.

After that, he specially set up a steam engine workshop and let these craftsmen be responsible for production.

"Yes, Your Highness." Wang Chong said.

After explaining this matter, the two chatted about the application of steam engines for a while.

At this time, Liu Fu suddenly ran over panting.

He also looked happy, "Your Highness, the craftsmen given to us by the court have arrived."