The next day.

Jiao Shun rushed to the yamen with the intention of leaving early, and processed urgent documents for half an hour. Seeing that it was getting late, he moved from the duty room to the lobby of the administrative office.

This morning, he has a joint meeting to chair.

To put it bluntly, this was shooting himself in the foot. In order to counter the Ordnance Department, Jiao Shun encouraged General Feng Tang to write a letter proposing that meritorious disabled officers be placed in the arsenal to serve as representatives of the military to strictly control the quality of the ordnance.

The Ordnance Department has indeed had a headache over this for a long time.

Unexpectedly, the situation has changed, and now the imperial court has officially approved the proposal, and the implementation and study of the specific details happens to fall on the head of the Department of Affairs.

This time it was Jiao Shun's turn to have a headache. Precisely because he was the one who started this matter, he had to show his firm attitude in defending the interests of the Ministry of Works and even achieve results that exceeded the expectations of the Ministry in order to avoid being left behind.

Reality.

However, in addition to the Ministry of War, those who represented the interests of the military in the joint meeting also had the Five Military Governor's Office controlled by nobles.

These five military governors did not have much real power, let alone the right to mobilize the army. They were mainly responsible for coordinating recruitment, retirement, pensions and other matters, which were roughly similar to the armed forces of later generations.

But precisely because it has no real power, once it encounters an opportunity to expand its power, the Fifth Army Governor's Office will definitely fight for its reasons and not give in.

If you want to bargain in this regard, I'm afraid it will be difficult to make any progress.

So we have to find another way.

But Jiao Shun frowned and opened the thick cotton curtain, and saw that the lobby had already been decorated. The public case in the north had been moved to the corner, replaced by a large blackboard, with more than a dozen chairs and coffee tables.

Separated and roughly surrounded by an n-type.

The people from the Ministry of War and the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion have not yet arrived, and there are only a few clerks in the hall making final pre-meeting confirmations.

"grown ups."

"My lord."

Jiao Shun ignored the clerks who were bowing and bowing, and walked directly to the blackboard, picked up the chalk, and wrote down the words "merits, rights, and responsibilities" one stroke at a time.

It's a shame to say that his calligraphy skills are just fine, and even his writing on the blackboard is unsightly.

However, everyone present at the meeting knew about his origin, and no one would pick on it, as long as it was eye-catching enough.

I was hesitating whether to add another subtitle to explain the specific meaning of these words, or to leave some suspense and wait for the people from the Ministry of War, the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion, to catch the opponent off guard. Liu Changyou led the treasurer.

The official came in.

At Liu Changyou's signal, the treasurer's clerk came forward to report: "Sir, everything you need has been prepared, and it is now placed in the side hall next door, but..."

At this point, he lowered his voice and asked for instructions: "Whether today is a cultural meeting or a martial arts meeting, please tell me."

When Jiao Shun was at the handyman's office, he had never chaired any outreach meetings. It was only after he arrived at the General Affairs Office that he gradually gained experience in this area.

The so-called civil and military meetings refer to whether to arrange some small tricks during the meeting to annoy the participants so that it is easier to achieve the purpose of negotiation.

Most of these methods are adapted to local and timely conditions, such as cold, heat, stuffiness, dust, etc.

"What a cultural and martial arts meeting!"

Jiao Shun scolded with a straight face: "We have already provided all the supplies. If we really want to piss off the boss of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion and start a full-scale martial arts show for us, who is responsible for it, you or me?"

After Nuonuo, the treasurer's junior clerk, left, Jiao turned around and asked Liu Changyou: "Is this guy not smart, or does he want to cause trouble for me? He doesn't even know who the target is."

Without waiting for Liu Changyou, who was trying to figure out the meaning of the title on the blackboard, to reply, he waved his hand indifferently and said: "Forget it, whatever it is, I'll find an excuse to let it go in two days."

Liu Changyou would naturally have no objections.

There is no need to argue about loyalty and treachery for such a small person, just send him away as soon as possible.

Putting this matter aside, Jiao Shun was about to discuss the meeting procedures with Liu Changyou and his need to leave early in the afternoon, but he didn't want to have another official outside send an urgent document.

I took it and took a quick look at it, but it turned out that the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent a letter requesting the Ministry of Works to provide the appearance drawings of the battleship so that the craftsmen of the Ministry of Internal Affairs could carve an ice sculpture model one-tenth the size near the Xiyuan Racecourse.

As for the use...

It seems to be used as a platform for setting off fireworks during the New Year festival.

Tsk~

No need to ask, it must be the emperor's whimsical idea.

Emperor Longyuan's idea of ​​vigorously developing industry was indeed in line with future generations' assumptions about Mingjun.

But this cannot cover up the shortcomings of his great success.

For example, he went on an expedition to Southeast Asia to help Qianxiang Kingdom regain its lost territory, but he did not take advantage of the opportunity to gain any benefits. He was only complacent about gaining a false reputation that the queen admired; another example was that he ordered all the relatives to build new gorgeous villas in order to welcome the concubines home.

He also spared no effort to build a laboratory in the palace. Just because of a work accident in July, he ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to directly demolish it and rebuild it on a new site.

In comparison, this time it is quite economical to build an ice sculpture of an armored ship to set off fireworks.

He circled "Read" on it and stamped it with Jiao Changqing's private seal. Jiao also ordered someone to forward this official letter to the Ordnance Department for review.

At the same time, he specifically explained: "The design and construction of ironclad ships is a top priority for the department. Even the appearance is confidential. If the Ordnance Department wants to lend the drawings, the procedures must be handed over well, and no one can find fault with it afterwards."

After handling this matter, people from the Ministry of War and the Fifth Army Commander's Office finally arrived.

The representative sent by the Ministry of War was also a sixth-rank chief, and the representative from the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion was a Qingqi Captain named Qiu. He was a third-rank official, but his actual position was not specified, but judging by his conversation, he was a sophisticated man.

After the three parties were seated, Jiao Shun presided over the meeting. He first exchanged a few greetings, then pointed to the headline behind him that attracted everyone's attention and said: "Everyone, what we are going to discuss today is the selection of disabled soldiers as commanders of the Fifth Army Governor's Office and the Ministry of War.

Representative, please take care of all the matters related to entering the arsenal."

"The court has made a final decision on this matter. There is nothing to comment on in general. However, Jiao still has some small questions about the specific details."

"Needless to say, these merits and rights go without saying. Soldiers who have served their country loyally and are disabled are naturally entitled to enjoy the honor and support of the imperial court. However, they should not come to the Ministry of Industry just to provide for their old age, let alone to provide for their old age."

"Master Jiao."

Before Jiao Shun finished speaking, Lieutenant Qiu raised an objection: "These meritorious soldiers go to the workshop to represent the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion and the millions of officers and soldiers of Great Xia to strictly control the quality of ordnance. How can you say that they go to the workshop?"

For retirement?”

"Captain Qiu."

Jiao Shun smiled slightly: "Can these low-level military generals be as familiar with ordnance as the craftsmen who specialize in this art? Can't they be a craftsman? From Jiao's point of view, if you really want to implement this matter,

We should also use our strengths and avoid weaknesses to give full play to the expertise of these soldiers..."

"ha!"

Captain Qiu sneered and said disdainfully: "The ones who really want to use these weapons to fight for our lives are not us fighting men. If they are not useful, of course we have to decide! As for Master Jiao's so-called use of strengths and avoid weaknesses-could it be said that Master Jiao still

Do you want these officers to train in the factory?"

"Yes and no!"

Jiao Shun said, turning his eyes to the head of the Ministry of War opposite: "The Governor's Office of the Fifth Army may not know about it, but the Ministry of War should have noticed it, right? Since I spread my power outside the territory of Daxia and thwarted the ambitions of the Wuxi people, people from Europe and even Southeast Asia have

The prying eyes of all countries are getting stronger day by day."

The head of the Ministry of War originally thought that the matter had nothing to do with him, but now he was suddenly asked by Jiao Shun. After a slight hesitation, he still chose to nod in agreement: "It is indeed true. Since this year, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangxi, Yunnan and Guizhou and other places have

Reports were sent frequently, saying that some foreign natives were spying on the military situation, either overtly or covertly."

"good!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiao Shun immediately continued: "Because our muskets are overwhelming the Wuxi foreigners, the arsenals in various places are probably no more spied on than the coastal garrisons. In the long run, it will inevitably be denser and thinner."

"The Ordnance Department has been newly established and is about to make a few military weapons. If the foreigners detect and steal them in advance, I'm afraid..."

After hearing these words, Captain Qiu's face showed some excitement at first, but then he frowned again.

The meaning of Jiao Shun's words was obvious: he wanted to hand over the security responsibilities of the arsenal to military representatives as well.

This is naturally a good opportunity for the Fifth Army Governor's Office to further expand its powers.

However, there are advantages and disadvantages. If you take on this job, you will have to bear corresponding responsibilities and risks, and because it involves military and national weapons, this matter is much more troublesome than assisting in inspecting the quality of ordnance.

It seems that the Ministry of Industry has thrown out sweet bait, but in fact it is suspected of passing the blame.

Realistically speaking, Captain Qiu did not want to get involved in this matter.

But thinking about the instructions of several governors before coming here, it was difficult for him to refuse Jiao Shun's proposal. After thinking over and over again, he had to test: "How will Mr. Jiao prepare to ensure the safety of the arsenal? Is it to transfer manpower from the army, or..."

Sure enough, I took the bait!

Jiao Shun's eyes lit up and he said decisively: "With Jiao's intention, we might as well select some young and capable workers from among the workers to form an internal picket team, and military representatives will be responsible for training at ordinary times."

Captain Qiu immediately asked: "How to manage?"

"Dual ownership."

Jiao Shun did not hesitate: "It is still under the control of the arsenal in normal times. If a leak occurs, military representatives will temporarily take over and conduct a thorough investigation of the leak."

This answer obviously did not satisfy Captain Qiu.

In his opinion, this so-called temporary sovereignty is like useless.

But those hungry veterans in the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion may not see it this way. Even if they only nominally control an armed force, it is enough for them to be self-satisfied - anyway, even if there is any leakage of military aircraft, it will be a big deal.

They will definitely not be those old goods.

And Master Jiao, who was born as a slave, has obviously seen through this already.

Looking at Jiao Shun who was half-smiling but not smiling, he said with a helpless smile: "This is a serious matter, and Qiu wants to ask the superior to make a decision."

"That's how it should be."
Chapter completed!