In the Tokyo Ordnance Prison, Control Crane was guarded. Emperor Liu Chengyou and Prime Minister Wang Zhang came to inspect in person. Yan Jinqing, who had been transferred to the post of Ordnance Supervisor, personally accompanied him and inspected the weapons department very carefully, including the Jia Square, the Crossbow Square, the Materials Storehouse, the Pijiao Field, the Supply Storehouse, etc., and not a single thing was missed.
The Han Dynasty respected the virtues of water, so the weapons, flags, and flags they made were mainly black in color, with a dark tone throughout, exuding a sense of solemnity.
In the east workshop where short swords are forged, the department ordered the workers to place a batch of newly made swords for inspection.
Soldiers are deadly weapons, so everyone dispersed and kept far apart. Yan Jinqing respectfully pointed to two rows and introduced: "Your Majesty, Mr. Xiang, this is a new hand knife made by the weapons workshop, and behind it is the drop knife."
After decades of war, the weapons used in the army have become chaotic. These two are relatively representative. The sword in the right hand has a side blade and a handle as short as a sword. The dropped sword is a long weapon with a double-edged blade, a broad blade, shaped like a mountain, a long handle, and shaped like an oar.
The development of weapons has changed with the development of the times. Up to now, the Tang Hengdao, the original close combat weapon, has not kept up with the times. It is not that the sword is disadvantageous, but that the country cannot afford to make it. In addition, the form of war is also changing. changing.
It looks like a hand knife, easy to use and cost-effective.
Liu Chengyou stepped forward alone, picked it up, weighed it, and waved it impromptuly a few times. Before others complimented him, he said: "This is used by the tough soldiers in the army. Their lives depend on it and their safety depends on it. I can't comment!"
Then he summoned a guard at random and handed it to him: "Try it!"
The imperial guards in the palace were veterans of many battles and had rich combat experience, so they were ordered to test the sword. There are no bells and whistles in the movements. They are the most concise, direct, and highly lethal movements. Although not flashy, the murderous intent is hidden in the plainness.
Weapons that can be inspected by the emperor are naturally finished products that have been tested by soldiers in the early stage and continuously improved. Of course, there are no mistakes in the test results. The only reaction is that the sword is lighter, but soldiers have different strengths and weaknesses. This is not a big problem. It can be used by most soldiers, and it is enough...
After trying the sword and the spear, the spear is divided into those for riding and walking, the lance is equipped with a hook and ring, and the rifle is divided into plain wood and crow head. There are also small ones with many varieties.
Swords are simpler, there are not so many tricks, they are all thick-ridged and short-bodied, and they are not "gentlemanly" at all. However, they are only used by soldiers.
The rest of the cards, shields, axes, whips, clubs... were all inspected.
Overall, Liu Chengyou was very satisfied with the operation of the weapons supervisor. He called Yan Jinqing to sit down and talk, saying: "Yan Qing judged the weapons supervisor and was loyal to his duties. I am very satisfied. However, the types of weapons produced are too mixed. , you should focus on it!"
Yan Jinqing was overjoyed at first, then after listening to his words, he immediately asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, please tell me."
"In front of the crossbow and armor, the sword master makes the hand knife and the throwing knife, while the gun is temporarily cancelled, and the shield and flag are used. Don't seek simplicity and effectiveness!" Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said.
"Yes!" Yan Jinqing agreed quickly.
"But! The prerequisite for all this is to ensure the quality of the weapons, and the reward and punishment system must be implemented at all levels. If there are any mistakes, the person will be held accountable!" Liu Chengyou added sternly.
"Yes!" Still without any hesitation.
"In addition, before this autumn harvest, I need weapons and equipment for an army of 50,000 people!"
Regarding this last item, Yan Jinqing's answer was not so crisp and clear. Seeing hesitation on his face, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but ask: "What's the problem?"
After hearing the question, Yan Jinqing couldn't help but responded to Liu Chengyou with anxiety: "Your Majesty, there are two problems in the weapons inspection. One is the shortage of iron, tin, leather, feather wood, sinew and other materials, and the other is the shortage of craftsmen. . With these two factors, I may not be able to meet His Majesty’s expectations.”
With that said, Yan Jinqing explained to Liu Chengyou in slightly more detail.
The shortage of materials is conceivable and not surprising. As for craftsmen, from what they say, there really aren’t many. There are only about 2,000 craftsmen of all types under the jurisdiction of the entire Ordnance Supervision, and the proportion of skilled craftsmen is even smaller.
Taking Nufang as an example, there are more than 500 craftsmen. For an ordinary yellow birch bow, even if there is sufficient sinew, bone, bark, and wood, it would take an ordinary craftsman two days to make about twenty arrows. The rest, most of these situations...
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou frowned and pondered for a long time. He raised his eyes and saw Yan Jinqing's worried expression. He couldn't help but waved his hand and said with relief: "I didn't think it through properly. You are also seeking truth from facts and speaking loyally. Don't be nervous. "
After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou glanced at Wang Zhang and said to Yan Jinqing: "As for the material problem, please contact the Ministry of Salt and Iron to discuss how to deal with it. Provide money and food to step up the collection of folk leather, wood, bones, and paint, but be careful about the methods and do not Let me hear it and gather it together for a moment!"
Hearing this, Wang Zhang's face twitched and he said yes helplessly.
"As for the craftsmen..." Liu Chengyou murmured, but didn't say anything. He seemed to be still thinking about it.
He quickly came back to his senses and said to Yan Jinqing: "You only need to coordinate the workshops and departments to build weapons for the imperial court and the imperial army!"
"yes!"
After the inspection, on the way back to the palace, Liu Chengyou asked Wang Zhang to ride in Luan Jia to talk.
"Wang Qing, all the provinces and state governments in the world have weapons workshops to prepare weapons and send them to Tokyo. I have heard that every year, the state and town finances are retained, which accounts for a lot of funds, and they use this to levy taxes. They plunder wealth. There are also many people who privately make weapons and armor in the name of paying tribute and extort money from the people!" Liu Chengyou said to Wang Zhang.
Hearing Xiange and knowing its elegant meaning, Wang Zhang showed a sudden look on his face and asked: "Your Majesty, do you want to rectify the local workshops?"
Wang Zhang used the word "rectification" well.
After mentioning this matter, Liu Chengyou did not hesitate and nodded directly and said: "Zhuzhou's armor is not good at making it, and the possession of possessions disturbs the people too much. It is a bad government and should be dismissed."
After hearing the emperor's intention, Wang Zhang's eyes couldn't help but flash with emotion. He thought about it secretly, raised his hands and said to Liu Chengyou: "If you can let it go, you can choose one of his craftsmen to come to Beijing to prepare for service, and you can also accept it." The materials for making weapons will be sent to Tokyo. In this way, it can not only relieve the difficulties of military weapons supervision, improve the manufacturing of weapons and armor, but also eliminate bad governance and reduce the burden on the people. Killing two birds with one stone, Your Majesty is wise!"
Of course, the more important thing was not mentioned by Wang Zhang. Stop local workshops and recruit the best craftsmen from all over the world to the central government. This is to weaken the local strength in terms of weapons and equipment and weaken the local threat to the central government. This is also a means of cutting down the feudal vassal.
Up to now, no matter what the matter or policy measures are, they can all be linked to the conflicts between the imperial court and local governments.
"After returning to the Yamen, I will discuss with all the officials and come up with a charter and issue an edict to all the states in the world to stop weapons workshops!" Wang Zhang took the initiative.
Liu Chengyou shook his head firmly, looked at his knees with his fingers, and said calmly: "Start from Zhuzhou Town in Gyeonggi Province, and the rest will slowly follow suit!"
Wang Zhang was stunned for a moment, then slowly nodded, cupped his hands and sighed: "Your Majesty is thinking about Zhou Xiang, I understand!"
"Second Xu Yan, then Hebei, then Guanyou, then Hedong..." Liu Chengyou said in an almost inaudible voice.
This decree is definitely difficult to implement. It is even more difficult than Liu Chengyou's previous new policy to benefit the people. Using military weapons is equivalent to disturbing his "food" affairs. The resistance from the states and towns is certainly not small.
However, starting from the prefectures and counties under the direct jurisdiction of the imperial court and the town of Kinki, it is always easy to solve. One step at a time, Liu Chengyou always remembers to take his time.
Of course, this policy is to use Tokyo workshops to supply the world's armies. If that step is taken, new problems will definitely arise, such as the cost of forging and transportation...
However, policies can change based on current circumstances.
