Zhao Xi has been hesitant for some time. The guard camp was formed, but he hesitated whether to do some things that were originally planned to be done step by step in such a hurry.

  Only a few days after the selection of guards ended, Zhao Xi was informed that he needed to attend court and listen to politics.

  This doesn't need to be discussed in court, it's just that Grand Preceptor Pong casually informed him of this, which is also one of the things the Crown Prince's teacher taught the Crown Prince.

  From this point on, Zhao Xi understood that the imperial court did not want to see him always lingering in the Imperial Guard camp, even if there were civil officials stationed inside. The crown prince could not spend all day mixing with some military men.

  Can only go to the imperial court to listen to scholars' nonsense...

  It's even more convenient, and it can be said that the establishment of this guard camp is also superfluous.

  The East Palace is also inside the palace, every day it's either the Zichen Hall or the Wende Hall, or the Yanfu Palace, what use is there for guards? Even Wang Zhongzheng and Li Xian can take turns, one person per day... The two of them are very enthusiastic about training the guard troops.

  Zhao Xi realized that he had been a bit rash. He always thought that since he had already established himself as the crown prince, with the Eastern Palace and his own imperial guard, he could take charge and show off his skills.

  But forgot the characteristics of this era!

  He should be a refined and elegant, gentle and courteous, not rushed or slow, not too hot or cold, even if he was sprayed with water, he wouldn't make a sound, imperial heir.

  In the eyes of the imperial court, he is still a child and has yet to take shape. Therefore, even if the Crown Prince is not that kind of person, the imperial court will have to make him become that kind of person.

  So Zhao Xi became a crown prince who could put the court officials at ease.

  In the early morning, like a wooden stake, I stood in the imperial court, listening to different people talk about different things, and then listened to the opponents' nitpicking, finally nothing was decided, and the meeting dispersed in a hubbub.

  Then, accompanied by his father, in either the Zichen Hall or the Wende Hall, he would listen to a small number of officials ramble on at length. This was called an imperial audience.

  Having heard a lot, Zhao Xi naturally understood how chaotic the imperial court was. Several times he wanted to speak but stopped... He knew clearly that he was only listening to politics.

  In later generations, I would be considered a mere spectator. My old man shouldn't have many taboos in this regard, and there's no real struggle for power or profit between us. What really makes him taboo is the imperial court.

  It's already a bit reckless and radical, at this time if you still don't know how to advance or retreat, and are unclear about the situation, I'm afraid that even if you were to inherit the throne, it would be absolutely opposed by the imperial court.

  So Zhao Xi became a well-behaved child, a very well-behaved child for a long, long time. He was preparing to be so good that the imperial court would overlook many of his mistakes when he grew up.

  Fortunately, the inner courtyard is still okay. In recent years, a lot of money has been spent to shut up most people's mouths. At least the people around me and those who have more contact with me will not casually talk about my affairs.

  For example, going to the guard camp frequently... Alas, it was self-built, and even now, I still have to pay attention to the frequency of walking back and forth.

  Originally, Lord Lü intended that the roads leading back and forth between the inner palace and the military camp... should be considered as roads, and at least one battalion of guards should be dispatched.

  Zhao Xi resolutely declined, he would rather not come over and turn around than make a big show of himself in front of everyone.

  Lü Gongzhu was not a fool either, and after thinking about the recent behavior of the Crown Prince, he compromised and became one of the escorts, rotating daily with the four battalion commanders taking turns leading the team.

  Four military officers instantly had a rank just because they were selected into the guard team.

  Cao Lin and Gao Jingxian were already eighth-grade officials, serving as Proclamation Envoy and Vice Envoy. The other two, Zhong Yi and Zhe Kexing, also easily passed the examination.

  Zheng Baipin, already considered a military officer in the Wujiang sequence, was directly promoted from a civilian official to a military officer without any military achievements during peaceful times, and surprisingly did not cause controversy in the imperial court.

  Zhao Xi initially thought this was a trap set for himself, waiting for autumn to settle accounts.

  He also specially reminded Lv Gongzhu to pay attention to this aspect of the problem, especially when the guard team went out, they must not fight back or scold back, strictly discipline themselves, and only when they were upright could they avoid being criticized by others.

  Lv Gong was puzzled, after communication, Zhao Xi finally found out that he was wrong.

  It turns out that these two are also quite capable and are both descendants of prominent military families in the Western Army.

  As expected, there is no unexpected event without a reason in ancient and modern times.

  Zhao Xi didn't stop all plans because with the excuse of the table and chair workshop, the whole workshop was mobilized and wouldn't be too noticeable.

  Don't be surprised, after attending the imperial court's recruitment, the only thing that interests him is those tables and chairs. Originally, Zhao Xi set up the Imperial Guard Workshop as a model for future armories, but in the end, it became a furniture factory.

  This was also what made Zhao Xi most helpless. Those military generals, although they looked very enthusiastic about the guards' bedding, in the imperial court... were all like quails, not daring to mention this matter at all.

  This is the current situation. In the imperial court, generals do not have a say in military matters, and even when disputes arise, it is the civil officials who argue, while the generals just listen and wait for the outcome.

  Once the military general opens his mouth, all the civil officials will put aside their stance and unanimously scold the military general.

  If things go on like this, no military general will be able to rest easy. That's how the current situation came about.

  That's all. Zhao Xi listened to politics for these days, the impression left on him by the entire national dynasty, the impression left on him by the entire court discussion... It was really a heavy responsibility and a long way to go.

  So he should still do what he needs to do, just in private.

  Since learning about Su Song's hobby, Zhao Xi gave the hand-held water cannon made by Da Jiang to Su Song, and also introduced Da Jiang to him.

  Zhao Xi's original intention was that he hoped he could make a copper furnace. Zhao Xi remembered that the earliest record of the copper furnace should be after two or three hundred years, at which time there was no industrial revolution, and it would not be impossible to come up with a drawing and get some inspiration.

  As a result, Su Song paired with Da Jiang and actually made it into a large-scale flintlock firearm... Zhao Xi couldn't even imagine how much strength the trigger would need to be pulled.

  My heart is itching and anxious, but Zhao Xi still has to accompany his father and listen to the officials talk about the money-making methods of Hebei.

  Although he heard and understood it clearly, and knew how to solve it properly, Zhao Xi was still holding back.

  The guards have already shown their interest in the military, if they value money like this... This is for personal gain, which is not what a scholar-official should be ashamed of. Never mind, just bear with it.

  For now, he can't say much about this, but when it comes to firing cannons, he still has to say more.

  As expected, the massive crossbow, Su Song and Taiyi actually set up a wooden lever, using it together with three or four people... This is even more tiring than a bed crossbow.

  This is not what Zhao Xi had expected, nor was it something he knew about.

  "Soo's guidance, Tong Huo Tung is for single soldier use. I suggest setting up a fuse or it might be more suitable. Also, try to reduce the manufacturing cost."

  At this price, it's not just the Imperial Guard that can't afford to be equipped, even the Palace Guards can't. The country doesn't have that kind of spare cash right now, let alone relying on the meager profits from the Palace Guards' workshops.

  For this one door alone, nearly a third of the entire carpentry workshop's profits for the past period were used.

  There's no way, can't put it on the table, without the support of the imperial court, and also dare not go to the imperial court to ask for support.

  Zhao Xi is currently in a period of keeping a low profile and hiding his talents.