The whole process of casting the big black pipe is not difficult.

However, a lot of iron is needed, and after casting, it needs to be finely polished.

Therefore, the efficiency of producing finished products is not high, and it takes an average of one month to completely produce one.

This is the result of the craftsmen working overtime from dawn to dusk.

This is of course not sustainable, and the subsequent speed will be even slower.

Zhao Hao only asked the workers to make big black tubes and did not start making projectiles.

In this way, even if the information is leaked, no one will know what this thing is used for.

On the other hand, Wang Mengyu and Zheng Zhiqian have begun recruiting a new batch of miners.

After hearing the news, all the people in Qinzhou came forward to sign up enthusiastically.

He did not have any hesitation because the previous Crazy Army was formed and almost all of them died in a bloody battle with the Southern Chu Army.

Because we have won now, there will be no more major wars.

The treatment in the mines has long been known among the people of Qinzhou.

Therefore, almost everyone who has some strength would not want to come to work.

So, the recruitment process was very smooth.

Countless people rushed to the mining area frantically for recruitment, registration, and subsequent screening.

It took less than half a month to recruit 20,000 people.

Wang Mengyu and Zheng Zhiqian arranged these 20,000 people into three mining areas and started mining work.

As for the remaining one thousand or so veteran miners, they were responsible for teaching these newcomers mining techniques.

That is, they all took up leadership positions.

Their wages have also increased to a certain extent.

In mid-March, after everything was arranged in the mining area, Zhao Hao returned to the provincial capital from the mining area.

And in the City Lord's Mansion, I met an old acquaintance.

Lu Kan.

Upon learning of Zhao Hao's arrival, Lu Kan immediately led people to greet him warmly.

In fact, he had already learned about Zhao Hao's presence in the mining area.

Moreover, he went to the mining area in person many times, wanting to meet Zhao Hao.

However, Zhao Hao refused on the pretext that he was busy with work.

He never expected that Zhao Hao would take the initiative to come to the City Lord's Mansion this time.

Seeing Zhao Hao standing at the gate of the City Lord's Mansion from a distance, Lu Kan spoke enthusiastically.

"Oh, Master Zhao has arrived. I am sorry for not welcoming you. I hope you will forgive me!"

"Greetings to the Master!"

Zhao Hao waved his hand gently and said calmly: "Lord Lu, you are so polite!"

Lu Kan said quickly: "Of course, of course."

Before, Zhao Hao came to Qinzhou and wanted him to recruit soldiers in the name of the City Lord's Mansion to resist the army of Southern Chu.

But he refused.

In this matter, he has a firm basis in terms of rules.

However, it does not hold water logically.

Originally, after he refused, Zhao Hao would have been dejected and nothing would have happened to him.

But the bad thing is.

Not only did Zhao Hao not leave, but he also gathered all the miners in the mining area and formed an army.

This mining army blocked the Southern Chu army.

Made a huge and decisive contribution to the entire war situation.

And of the more than 20,000 miners, only more than 1,000 were left.

Originally, Zhao Hao was highly valued by the empress.

This time, he has made such a great contribution. If Zhao Hao reports him in front of the empress.

He must have a place in the empress's heart.

By then, my career would probably be over.

Even if his last name was Lu, and even if his father was the left prime minister who was the leader of all the ministers, it could not save him.

Zhao Hao said softly, "Lord Lu, I came here today for something."

Lu Kan said quickly: "Please tell me, sir. I will do my best as long as I can do it!"

Seeing the other person being so well-behaved, Zhao Hao's expression remained unchanged, but he snorted in his heart.

Zhao Hao said, "When I left Beijing, His Majesty asked me to pass on the decree to Lord Lu, asking him to return to Beijing to report on his duties."

"But when I came to the mining area, I was so busy that I forgot about this matter!"

"Fortunately, I remembered this matter before leaving."

"Lord Lu, please hand over the official business at hand, and then follow me back to the capital."

After hearing what Zhao Hao said, Lu Kan's smiling face suddenly became extremely ugly.

"Master, this..."

Seeing this, Zhao Hao immediately frowned and asked, "What's the matter? Master Lu is unwilling?"

Hearing this, Lu Kan hurriedly shook his head: "No, no, I obey your order..."

Then he added, "Please wait a moment, sir. I will go and take care of some official business."

Zhao Hao nodded and said, "Master Lu, please do as you wish."

Lu Kan took a deep breath, turned around with a pale face and walked inside.

Zhao Hao said from behind: "Lord Lu, please don't let His Majesty wait too long!"

Lu Kan didn't say anything, didn't look back, just paused for a moment and then continued walking forward.

Looking at Lu Kan like this, Zhao Hao felt quite comfortable.

He knew that this was deliberately arranged by the royal sister to vent his anger.

Otherwise, given the Lu family's status and position, Sister Yu would not have done this.

Even after he returned to Beijing, he did not file a complaint against Lu Kan.

But, the lady did it anyway.

After waiting for about an incense stick of time, Lu Kan changed into casual clothes and walked out.

"Master Zhao, let's go!" Lu Kan said expressionlessly, his voice full of indifference.

Compared with before, he was like a completely different person, and no longer had the good mood he had before.

Zhao Hao couldn't help but smile and said softly, "Lord Lu's ability to change his expression is really fast."

Lu Kan snorted and said, "Since it has come to this point, do I still need to be nice to you?"

After a pause, he continued, "Zhao Hao, I want to say something to you."

Zhao Hao grinned and made a gesture of invitation.

Lu Kan said, "Zhao Hao, you are still too young. You don't know the principle of forgiving others when you can."

"Someone like you will offend a lot of people sooner or later."

"When you are in power, you can be a little arrogant and domineering, and no one can do anything to you."

"But sooner or later you will lose your power. When that time comes..."

"That's like a broken drum being beaten by thousands of people!"

"You, take care of yourself!"

Hearing this, Zhao Hao smiled and said softly, "Thank you, Master Lu, for your advice."

"However, time is urgent, so let's not talk about it any more."

"Master Lu, please come in!"

Having said that, he turned and walked towards the carriage, while Lu Kan got on a carriage behind.

The team set off, slowly left the City Lord's Mansion, left the capital of Qinzhou, and headed north.

Let’s talk about the other side.

Wu State.

When the new emperor ascended the throne, the entire political situation remained stable due to the support of Xie Daoxun.

It went very smoothly.

However, the power of the old aristocratic families of the Wu State still stirred up trouble at this time.