Chapter 263: Qin Lei discusses the affairs of the world, and the common man is skillfully burning the bricks of the city walls

The black clouds were as heavy as lead. Looking into the distance, the cloud seemed to be connected with the vast wasteland.

The two stopped and looked at each other and smiled, but there was a bit of exquisiteness and scrutiny in their smiles.

A gust of north wind blew, rolling up pieces of decaying grass. Huangfu Xian spoke: "I want to ask the prince, now the Three Kingdoms are in harmony, what do you think about the future trend of the world?"

Qin Lei said slowly: "Dividing for a long time will lead to a close together."

Huangfu Xian's answer to Qin Lei was not surprised and asked with a smile: "Forgive me, can the prince say more in detail?"

Qin Lei nodded with a smile, reached out to make an invitation, and the two continued to walk towards the camp. After pondering for a while, Qin Lei said, "The reason why I said this is because, in the fifty years of the late Tang Dynasty, the land of China has not stopped for a while for the past 250 years. All countries have been exhausted by the long-term war of 100 years, and they have never dared to loosen the tight strings. The pressure accumulated over the past two hundred years is enough to make every country suffer from the ills and be in a difficult situation."

Huangfu obviously heard it and asked in a deep voice: "I wonder where these three countries are sick from?"

Qin Lei looked east with a smile and said softly: "Let's talk about Dongqi first. The gentry family in this country are the most powerful, and the emperor's words have never been very useful." He said, "It's even more useless than our Great Qin." Huangfu Xian couldn't agree with this kind of self-deprecation, so he had to laugh dryly as a response.

Fortunately, Qin Lei just sighed, and the topic immediately turned back to Dongqi. "Although the major families used mutual alliance to restrict the imperial power, they fought endlessly on matters that concern their vital interests and did not give in. This boring internal friction seriously dragged down Dongqi's pace and later became a burden to the country."

Seeing that Huangfu Xian was a little confused, Qin Lei explained softly, "When I was in Qi, my family and grand families all had a mentality that was enough to destroy the country - 'The big granary of Qi belongs to the emperor. We are just the big rats in this warehouse. If we don't occupy more food for ourselves, other rats will also snatch them away."

Huangfu Xian smiled and said, "I have been dealing with Dongqi for a long time. I have always been wondering. Qi's property is much richer and richer than my Great Qin. Why did it cause people's livelihood to decline and riots? If it weren't for the great martial arts of Baisheng and Wujuan, Prime Minister Shangguan, was good at dancing, would he be confused." He said, "Now when the prince said it, I suddenly realized it. It turned out that the wealth was in the hands of the great clan, and Baixin was still in trouble."

Qin Lei smiled and said, "In fact, if the reforms implemented by Prime Minister Shangguan can be implemented, ease the conflicts between the parties, let the people take a breath and have a meal, they can still keep Qi State." He also gloated and said, "But the great clan of Qi State is too powerful, and he is afraid he will give up halfway."

Huangfu Xian nodded and asked, "What about Nan Chu?"

Qin Leiding paused and said carefully: "Among our Three Kingdoms, Chu's life is actually the most comfortable. With the natural danger of the Yangtze River as a barrier, the thousands of miles of water towns as granaries, the high-ranking sects and great families also believe in the way of Huang and Lao, and pursue the style of Wei and Jin. The burden on the people is not as heavy as our two countries, so compared to Qi, Chu is truly rich."

Huangfu Xian asked playfully: "According to the prince's opinion, if the sons of Chu had not fought for the legitimate power, would they have the upper hand in the battle between the Three Kingdoms?"

Qin Lei shook his head and smiled, "General Huangfu was joking. You are familiar with the past and present. When did you see that China unified from north to south and from west to east?"

Huangfu Xian had never considered this issue. He heard this and pondered: "It's too far away and it's not about trusting history. Let's look at the Zhou Dynasty. Zhou was promoted in Xiqi, the Former Qin Dynasty was domineering in Xianyang, the Han Dynasty was prosperous in Hanzhong, the Wei and Jin Dings were strong in Xuchang, the Zhou and Sui were stronger in Chang'an, and the Tang Dynasty started in Taiyuan." After passing the dynasties over the years, the old general said in surprise: "It's really like this. It won't be such a coincidence. Can the prince know the reason?"

Qin Lei said in a lightly manner: "Born in distress, die in peace." He explained with a smile: "Take the Former Qin, which is quite similar to the present, as an example. At that time, the Former Qi was rich in salt and iron, and the Former Chu occupied half of the country and was called the richest of the seven countries, but he was still destroyed by the wind swept the clouds of the First Emperor. What is the reason? Is it the trouble caused by the wealthy?"

Not asking Huangfu Xian to answer this question, Qin Lei continued: "Is it wrong to be rich? What is wrong is that a small wealth is at ease, so he loses his ambition, or ambition. People who have no ambition in troubled times are not qualified to laugh to the end."

Huangfu Xian bowed solemnly and bowed, "The prince's words today have made Xianru enlightened. After returning, he hung the eight words of the sub-saint as family precepts on the sect hall, and he was alerted for generations." He said with a smile, "I'd like to ask the prince to write inscriptions."

Qin Lei nodded and smiled and helped him up. The two of them laughed for a few words, and suddenly fell silent. They all knew that they would still have to go back to Qin. This is the part that determines the future relationship between the two families.

It was Huangfu Xian who broke the silence and said in a deep voice: "The prince’s comments on Qi and Chu just now, the old minister was convinced, and he didn’t know what the prince thought of our great Qin..."

Qin Lei thought to himself, the playful flesh finally came. He breathed a sigh of relief and said slowly: "The problem of the Qin Dynasty is even more serious. The Qi gentry is united in the outside world, and the Chu State can still be at peace, and it has not yet reached the point of losing its country. And I, the Qin Dynasty..." He continued in a deep voice: "It may be destroyed at any time, and the country will be destroyed and the clan will be destroyed."

Huangfu Xian thought for a while and nodded, "The Li family is already in a state of great power. I will show up with His Majesty sooner or later, and there will be another bloody civil war."

Qin Lei nodded and said bitterly: "This is exactly what Qi and Chu countries want. Don't look at them now. But as long as the civil war begins in our country, no conflict will be left behind. The scene seventeen years ago will definitely repeat itself." As he said that, he turned his head to Huangfu Xian, looked at him with his deep eyes, and said in a deep voice: "And the internal friction of these seventeen years has already made us strong outside and strong at the outside world. What can we use to repel the coalition forces of the two countries again?"

Huangfu Xian, who has experienced the ups and downs of the Qin Dynasty in the past few decades, knows best that if he takes the current eight imperial guards against their predecessors seventeen years ago, he will probably be killed so that there will be no hair left.

It’s not that the training is lax, nor that the treatment is harsh. It’s that the soldiers cannot find their targets, not only Huangfu Xian, not only the Eight Great Army, but also all the troops of the Qin Dynasty. They don’t know why they fought and why they died.

The goal pursued by generations of Qin soldiers, "Fighting north and south, unifying all directions," seemed so vague and distant in this era. A pessimism spread among the imperial guards. These soldiers who were most closely related to the court were filled with internal struggles and wasteful eyes, and they could not see where the hope for unity was.

Thinking of this, Huangfu Dan looked at Qin Lei deeply and whispered: "What should I do?" The simple three words were the common questions of everyone in Daqin.

"What should I do?" Qin Lei repeated softly, and looked at Huangfu Dan firmly: "Qin State only needs one voice, the Qin army only needs one will! The top and the bottom are united and we will go to the national crisis together!" This is clearly stated enough that power is one person, and dictatorship is here.

Huangfu Xian did not surprise Qin Lei said this and asked with a calm expression: "If so, can we still have room for survival?"

Qin Lei laughed and said, "Uncle Huangfu, standing in the house, you can only see a small area of ​​land, standing in the wilderness, you can see a few miles away. If you choose a day without clouds and climb the Luoyan Pagoda of Baoen Temple, you can even see dozens of miles away. What do you think this is for?"

Huangfu Xianshuo said, "It should be because he stands high and there are fewer obstacles in front of him, so he can see further."

Qin Lei nodded and said in a deep voice: "Nothing wrong. Over the years, everyone has always focused on such a large place as Daqin. I forgot that there are so many places waiting for us to unify, and I forgot that the world is even more vast and boundless, enough for all of us to conquer!" A burning flame in my eyes, Qin Lei opened his arms and said in a low and charming voice: "When we are no longer crowded in this narrow Zhongdu, when we are rich in the world, when the sun shines on our territory, all your doubts will disappear."

Huangfu Xian's breathing became obviously heavy and he said tentatively: "Your Majesty said that as long as our country is big enough and strong enough, can everyone's requirements be met?"

Qin Lei nodded firmly and said, "Yes, the Lone King believes that the best way to resolve the conflict is to open up enough space to accommodate everyone's ambitions!"

Huangfu Xian looked at Qin Lei blankly with his eyes. He didn't know that this young man had such a broad mind and such ambition. Even the unification of the world that generations dreamed of was just a phased goal, not the end of his dream.

If Qin Lei said this a year ago, Huangfu Xian would only laugh it off as a young man's lie. However, Qin Lei is now a king who is qualified to challenge all the powerful powers of the Qin Dynasty. Such ambition can become a real goal, not an illusion.

As long as he added his own help, Huangfu Xian said silently in his heart.

The reason why he came to see Qin Lei in person was to see his family's way out. Seeing that the storm was coming in the Qin Dynasty, the Huangfu family had to consider the future. They were once the Li family's life and death enemy and were irreconcilable. If the Li family won in this battle, they would naturally not have the best results.

After all, the Huangfu family was the culprit of forcing several emperor brothers to death seventeen years ago. Emperor Zhaowu is naturally irresistible now, because he is afraid that when the cunning rabbit dies and takes off his dog to cook in the future, he will pick up the braid and press it on the ground. It is also possible to search the house and destroy the family.

Therefore, although the Huangfu family is still standing by Emperor Zhaowu, they hope to have a more stable way to ensure the continuation of the family and even revival. Qin Lei, the king of Longwei County, was one of their goals. His highness had already controlled the two southern provinces at a young age and had the resources to establish a career. Moreover, Shen Wei, the commander of the Imperial Army, was his uncle, the backstage boss of the Shenwu Army, and Xu Ji, Duke of Suguo, also had close ties with the south. He would definitely sell him face at critical moments.

At present, as long as this highness can rebuild the Qin family's soldiers and restore them to normal levels, he will be really important. If the Huangfu family joins in, it can even become a force that is evenly matched with the Taiwei Mansion, completely changing the current situation of the Qin Dynasty.

The two did not talk further, but a tacit understanding had been established: the "Five Army Military Exercise" in the autumn of the next year is a barrier. As long as Qin Lei's soldiers can show corresponding strength and prove that they are not inferior to the imperial guards, Huangfu Xian will naturally stand beside him. If the soldiers are vulnerable, the Huangfu family and the Hu Ben Army will not be noisy with him. After all, they have to hold the thighs and hold the thicker ones.

Not long after the Hu Ben Army arrived, a battalion of the Iron Armored Shenwu Army also arrived. Everyone gathered more than 10,000 people and surrounded the Polu Yingyang Army.

Another day later, the young Grand Marshal saw that he still could not find a way to get through Huangni Tang, and his food and grass were exhausted. The new supplies were intercepted by Qin Lei and his men. He could not be sent in, so he could no longer stay. He took advantage of the night and retreated with the Polu Army in shame.

Seeing that the Polu Army had run away, Luo and his wife went to the Central Army of the Fifth Prince to apologize, saying that he was just acting on orders and did not want to be enemies with the prince. Qin Lei did not make things difficult for them, so he made way for the road and let them go.

Jingshan Camp was still soaking in the yellow mud soup, and Qin Lei had nowhere to greet the old general Huangfu who came to reinforce. He could only express his gratitude again and again and then sent them away.

After all the tourists from all directions left, Qin Lei finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Qin Wei: "Our lair has finally been saved, let's go back."

However, Qin Wei said with a frown: "Prince, how can we pass through that yellow mud soup?"

Qin Lei scratched his head and smiled bitterly, "Why did I forget this?" He then took Qin Wei and a few left the camp and went to the yellow mud soup in front of Jingshan to check.

Qin Ba, who was on guard on the mountain, saw the prince coming and quickly notified Le Buyi. Le Buyi hurriedly ran to the front of the mountain, looking at Qin Lei from a distance between him and a yellow mud soup of more than half a mile wide.

"Ask him, how to clean up these yellow mud soup?" After the two of them smiled and bowed to him, Qin Lei ordered in a deep voice.

Bo Shang Saiyang, who had the biggest voice beside him, put his hands on his mouth and shouted loudly to Le Buyi: "How do you do this mud soup?"

Le Buyi smiled and said to Qin Ba: "Tell the other side that this is not mud soup, this is brick mud for preparing bricks."

Qin Ba also put his hands together at his mouth and shouted loudly: "This is not mud soup, this is brick mud!"

Qin Lei smiled and said, "Mr. Le is indeed doing everything he wants. Such a broken yellow mud soup must come in handy." So he asked Boshang Saiyang to ask Le Buyi what they could do.

Le Buyi heard this and smiled and said, "I'd like to ask the prince to find a way to drain the accumulated water from the mud soup, otherwise it would be too thin and you can't make bricks."

Qin Lei followed his instructions and ordered people to dig a diversion channel south of the Nitang to lead the yellow mud back to the lower reaches of the Jingshui River.

Before the start of the operation, Qin Lei held a mobilization meeting for the guards and his soldiers, describing the prospects for the future construction of Jingshan City in detail, which aroused thousands of strong men and wished that the heroic city would be built in an instant.

In addition to the soldiers from various provinces who came to report one after another, Qin Lei had more than 4,000 strong laborers under his command. After only more than a day, he dug a diversion channel two miles long and seven feet wide.

Looking at the drainage gap, Le Buyi asked the people on both sides to make square wooden molds at the same time. These wooden molds are big and small, ranging from three feet to one foot square. If Qin Lei had not paid much attention to weights and measures, and equipped with uniformly sized tapes and straight rulers in the army, the molds made would probably be strange.

After doing this, thousands of wooden molds were made, and one day passed, and the water in the mud pond was basically discharged, leaving only a pond of yellow mud.

Le Buyi asked the people on both sides to take out the yellow mud in the pond and beat it repeatedly until all the moisture in the yellow mud was dropped, forming a tight ball of dough-like things. This is the effect that only high-quality loess can achieve. Le Buyi said that this place is a gift from God, and it is indeed not a false statement.

Next, you can enter the first step of making bricks, "de-off". This requires two people to cooperate. One person fixes the wooden mold with force, and the other person lifts a ball of brick mud weighing more than ten pounds high, and then throws it into the wooden mold with force. The quality of the brick depends on the strength of the mud. The greater the strength, the denser the blank will be, and the better the quality of the brick. If the fall force is too small, the inside of the brick will become a hollow sponge, which cannot withstand the pressure, and is a waste brick. This is a job of strength. Most people will be exhausted if they fall less than one or two hundred yuan. Even these young men with strong strength can only fall by about two hundred yuan a day.

Fortunately, there were too many people. On the first day alone, Qin Lei fell more than 100,000 bricks, which made him so happy that he couldn't close his mouth.
Chapter completed!