Chapter 956 Good people do their best, escorting Buddha to the west

"Let's go and have a look."
陈朝倒不是那个你说什么就是什么的人，很多时候，在意的就是那个眼见为实。
宋敛也微笑看着那位杜尚书，心想我虽然烦人，可要说不好糊弄，还得是咱们这位镇守使大人最不好糊弄。
Du Shanshu glanced at Song Lian and didn't show any fear. He smiled and said, "If you want to go, let's go and see what I've worked my ass off to create during this time."
陈朝笑着点头，率先向外面走去，杜尚书和宋敛一左一右，跟着这位返京的镇守使大人一同前往工部在神都的一处工坊。
说起工坊，其实还要感谢陈朝，最开始工部开始承制军械之时，在神都只有一个不大的地方，毕竟是在神都这种寸土寸金的地方，倒也能够理解，不过后来好在是剑气山的铸剑师来了，工部趁着这个机会往上递了个折子，要扩大工坊，皇帝陛下倒也没有卡着，很快便批了折子。
Moreover, to the surprise of Book Du Shang, the entire street where the workshop was originally located was directly assigned to the Ministry of Works. Now, besides being able to produce military equipment for the border troops, the workshop on that street also has other facilities that benefit the people.
When Chen Chao arrived at the workshop, many craftsmen stopped their work and curiously stared at the famous commanding officer.
Before Chen Chao could speak, Secretary Du shouted impatiently, "What are you all looking at? We all have one head and two legs, what's so special about the commanding officer? Quickly get back to work, delaying the deadline will be your fault!"
这番话说得不可谓不重，但那些工匠居然都没有半点害怕的意思，而是嘴里骂骂咧咧，这才低头重新干活。
由此就能可见，这位杜尚书平日里在这群工匠面前，估摸着也是个刀子嘴豆腐心的人物。
其实的确也是，这位杜尚书早年间以书院学子的身份参加科举入仕之后，并未去选择那注定会更为璀璨的为官之路，而是一头扎进了工部，从工部小官当起，一步步成为如今的工部一把手，依着这位杜尚书的说法，那就是老子读了一辈子书，反正知晓自己没有济国安邦的才干，那就还不如踏踏实实为百姓们做点事情。
之后在这位杜尚书任上，工部的确为大梁百姓革新了不知道多少次工具，开挖水渠，在河道两侧修筑堤坝，可谓是尽心尽力。
天监十一年的那场渭州大水，朝廷震怒，不知道有多少河道官员受到牵连，一直到神都的工部官员，牵连到此事的，都下了大狱，可怎么查都没能查到这位杜尚书头上，而且之后杜尚书上书多次，在大梁皇帝面前据理力争，有许多官员得以赦免，许多官员从轻发落。
后来魏氏被查抄之后，真相浮出水面，才得知其实错根本不在工部。
至于对这些工部工匠，杜尚书也是关怀备至，平日里从未摆什么官威，以至于这上下工匠，都从未将这位尚书大人视作什么不可招惹的朝堂重臣。
In this regard, among the six ministries, only the Ministry of Public Works can achieve this.
What is even more admirable is that during these more than ten years, every time there is a selection for officials, Minister Du always scores excellently. The court has wanted to promote him to other ministries several times according to the law, but Minister Du has refused every time.
He has deeply rooted himself in the Ministry of Works until now, with no intention of moving.
Just from this aspect, Minister Du has become unique in the court.
Even those courtiers who have disagreements with Minister Du have to admire his dedication to the people.
三人来到一处露天广场，这里有同时一百多座熔炉，一进入这里，空气里的热浪就是肉眼可见了。
杜尚书干脆便直接脱掉上衣，露出干瘦的身躯，摘下官帽，跟陈朝介绍道
Lord of the Garrison, currently, the craftsmen in the Ministry of Works can only maintain the fire in over a hundred furnaces. They work day and night, with craftsmen working in shifts, but the fire in the furnaces never extinguishes.
Chen Zhao looked at the sweaty craftsmen and frowned, saying, "In a while, I will go and get some talismans for you to lower the temperature. How can anyone stay in such a place?"
杜尚书摇摇头，眯眼笑道“剑气山那帮铸剑师说了，要是用上符箓，炉子里的温度受了影响，那是不行的。”
听到这里，陈朝也不好说些什么，只是看着这些埋头铸造的工匠，眼中有些感激。
杜尚书将两人领到一处淬火所在的地方，这里堆着几十件甲胄，只差最后一步。
陈朝看了一眼，伸手去弹了弹一件已经铸造好的甲胄甲片，微微一弹，甲片无碍，陈朝眼睛里有了些光彩，“这真不错。”
As an all-powerful figure at the end of forgetfulness, Chen Chao can instantly determine the quality of this newly forged armor.
Subconsciously, Du Shuanshu stroked his beard, feeling it damp and feeling somewhat annoyed. He reached out and wiped it on his pants, chuckling, "Although the construction schedule is tight, we mustn't compromise on quality. It's an old tradition of the Ministry of Works, so there's no need for Lord Zhen Shou to worry."
陈朝问道“现在铸造出多少件了？”
杜尚书有些难为地摇摇头道“不多不多，真的不多。”
陈朝笑而不语。
杜尚书伸出手掌，摇晃一下。
陈朝眯眼问道“五百件？”
杜尚书听着这话，直接便跳了起来，指着陈朝的鼻子骂道“镇守使大人就这么小看工部的能力？”
Chen Chao exclaimed in surprise, "Ah?"
Du Shangshu sneered, "Not too many, not too few, 5,000 pieces!"
陈朝很是配合的倒吸一口凉气，喃喃道“这么多啊……”
杜尚书哈哈大笑，似乎对陈朝的反应很是满意，这位工部尚书得意的摸着自己的胡须，笑意不浅。
宋敛哪能不知道陈朝的性子，因此憋笑得很是辛苦。
Chen Chao regained his senses and said seriously, "Then let's put them on first and transport them to the Northern Territory immediately."
Du Shangshu curiously asked, "Have the soldiers already been selected?"
Chen Chao smiled and replied, "There are plenty of people in the Northern Territory, but there is a shortage of armor. I have already made an agreement with General Ning. The soldiers have been selected and these 5,000 sets of armor will be transported to the Northern Territory. We can equip them right away."
Du Shan nodded in agreement, having no objections. The purpose of crafting the armor is for the battles in the North.
"However, Lord Commander, there is one thing you should know. This first batch of armor is expected to have the lowest quality. The artisans will gradually improve their craftsmanship, so the later batches will likely be even better."
陈朝点点头，平静道“对了，本官这次出门，又找到些龙血石，到时候工部一并打造就是。”
杜尚书先是一愣，随即哈哈大笑起来，“如今朝堂上都在传，镇守使大人一向是贼不走空，现在看来，果然如此啊。”
陈朝无奈一笑，“本官这点本来不多的好名声，可真被朝中衮衮诸公给败坏完了。不用说，最开始肯定是自己的镇守使一脉传出去的，说不定罪魁祸首就在自己身边。”
With these words, Chen Chao intentionally or unintentionally hit a nerve with Song Lian.
Song Lian's face grew serious, "That's none of my concern."
Chen Chao smiled it off.
After leaving the workshop, Chen Chao and Song Lian walked side by side on the street, these two warriors who had known each other for a long time, but neither spoke a word.
过了许久，陈朝才问道“殿下娶妃，定在了下个月月初？”
宋敛点了点头，这件事朝中已经知晓，礼部那边的工期紧，听说那位礼部老尚书在私底下没少骂娘。
陈朝算了算日子，也就最多半月光景，想了想，点头道“也好，先把这件事办了，安朝臣们的心，等到大战开始，这些事情，就都办不成了。”
宋敛看向陈朝，提醒道“这些日子，宫里一直在询问你的归期，是不是要进宫一趟？”
陈朝想了想，摇头道“殿下的意思我已经知道，只是有些事情，我不能做。”
Song sighed.
Chen smiled and said, "It's good that Your Highness has such intentions."
After saying this, Chen let Song go first and walked slowly alone on the long street.
想了想，陈朝决定去书院一趟，如今那个女子不在，但看看她曾经住过的小院也好。
再次路过那南湖畔，看着那没什么变化的垂柳，陈朝遥遥看着那座湖心小亭，有些感慨，虽说才短短数年，但好似有些物是人非了。
院长不在，那位书生魏序也不在了。
谢南渡当然也不在。
陈朝最在意的还是这个。
其实从自己的私心来说，他不太愿意谢南渡去北境，他宁愿自己喜欢的那个姑娘一直在书院里，那样等自己到处忙完跑完，就能回到那座小院，为她烤个，说说那一身风尘。
但有些事情，自己如何想，很不重要。
喜欢一个人，最忌讳的事情，就是拘束她，让她的世界只有自己，宛如笼中鸟。
陈朝来到湖畔小院，院门并没上锁，陈朝推门而入，在这里还是见到了一个故人。
It was the maid, Liu Ye.
这位早些年谢南渡的婢女，等到谢南渡去往北境之后，她就返回谢氏了。
Once again seeing Liu Ye, she was cleaning the courtyard. Upon hearing a sound, she looked up and saw Chen Chao, who was also smiling at her.
柳叶很快低头施了个万福，“见过镇守使大人。”
She didn't have any good impressions of Chen Zhao at first, but with so many things happening, it was also difficult for her to feel any animosity towards this extraordinary man of the time.
Chen Zhao smiled and gestured for her to mind her own business, while he himself took out the stove and brought a few items to put on the stove.
Yan Ye couldn't help but ask: "My lord, how is the young miss?"
谢南渡在北境的情况，虽说时常传回神都，但并未有人告知她，毕竟她不过只是一个普通婢女。
陈朝坐在椅子上，笑道“很好啊，再过阵子，说不定都要成了我大梁朝的女子大将军了。”
柳叶听着这个，也笑了起来，“我就知道小姐能做成的，小姐这样的人，想做什么都能做成的。”
陈朝翻动着，点头附和道“是啊，像是她这样的女子，想做什么事情是做不成的呢？”
炉子生起火，烤的陈朝暖和得不行，一下子就让陈朝有些困了，坐在炉子前，他昏昏欲睡，不多时便响起些鼾声。
有些太累了。
倒不是说这趟出门如何累，只是这些年，做了太多事情。
等到陈朝睁开眼睛的时候，天色早就黯淡下去了，但炉子里的火却没灭，有个汉子正津津有味地吃着。
陈朝看向他，无奈道“我说这给你吃了吗？你这么一个堂堂圣人，也不害臊。”
汉子理所当然道“陈朝，别他娘跟老子打官腔，老子现在是代院长，书院都是老子的，还不能吃你几个？”
陈朝呸了一声，倒也没有真的计较。
周枸杞把皮丢到炉子里，抹了抹嘴，正色道“有件事，跟你小子说。”
Chen Chao raised an eyebrow.
周枸杞开门见山道“如今神都在传，太子殿下娶妃，那个颁发册宝的人，他要你担任。”
陈朝摇头道“这于祖制不和。”
周枸杞点头道“是很麻烦，要是真要是你，朝野都会非议，说不定那些老臣都会跳出来骂娘。当然不是说你不能做这个人，是你功绩太大了嘛，已经是本朝第一权臣了，他们都害怕你小子以后当真有谋国之心。”
陈朝自嘲一笑，这一点他自然能想得明白，自己的身份便一直有问题，再加上自己当初在皇宫里一刀砍死自己皇兄后，名声在那些文臣里，就注定不会太好了。
“不过……”周枸杞话锋一转，轻声道“不过太子殿下很是坚持，在他看来，你陈朝即便再如何，那也是外人在看，在他眼里，你就是他的兄长，仅此而已。”
Zhou Guoqiyi sighed and said, "A young person who has just turned eighteen and is getting married, would naturally feel disappointed when their parents are not present. Now, even though he has a good older brother, he can't be the witness as the people say. Do you think he's not heartbroken?"
Chen Zhao struggle to speak out.
Zhou Gouqi blurted out straightforwardly, "Since the Crown Prince has already approached me and I know his intentions, I might as well be frank with you too. Our dynasty is actually different from others. It is true that the imperial family has no true affections. It's not just empty talk. When the Emperor raises an army to rebel, it's not surprising that he gains the world. After all, what can't be sacrificed for that throne, be it parents or siblings? But the Emperor is a special ruler. Although he may not have much affection for his own offspring, he happens to hold deep affection for the Empress. As for you, the so-called defunct imperial line, you should never have been allowed to exist in the first place. Yet, damn it, not only did you survive, you even became the number one power in court. Just this fact alone, even if you search through the annals of history, can you find another half? I still remember what happened back then. The second prince set up such a scheme, but in the end, it only earned the Emperor's indifference. Since this was how it started, it can be said that both emperors of two dynasties never doubted you. So, I believe that many things can be understood without using common sense. Unprecedented events in history appeared in our Great Liang Dynasty, and when you think about it, damn it, it's quite impressive! To write a page in the future annals, when future generations look at our Great Liang Dynasty, they will understand why our Great Liang prospered, why it was different from others. It's precisely because it was different from others. Our Great Liang Dynasty is an unprecedented dynasty in history and an unrepeatable dynasty in the future. Therefore, I have already made up my mind. I will fight for you in this matter. Would those court officials dare to argue? That would be truly amusing. Speaking of arguing, is this scholar any less proficient than them?"
周枸杞深吸一口气，“陈朝，你也好，还是陛下也好，抑或是太子殿下也好，都是难见的人，既然如此，就一直做下去，担忧那些屁话做什么？”
Chen Zhao remains silent.
But the courtyard door is pushed open once again.
A man and a woman have walked in.
The Crown Prince is holding Wu Xinyue's hand and softly says, "Please, elder brother, bear witness to my marriage."
吴心月也施了个万福，轻声道“兄长，好人做到底，送佛送到西吧。”
Chen Chao stood up and remained silent for a long time.