In the northwest of Xiazhou, eighty miles away from the city, there is a sand moraine, which the locals call a big sand pile. As its name suggests, it is densely covered with yellow sand and piled with sand dunes, making it even more gleaming under the sun. In the past, there were also some party members living in the surrounding area.
However, since it is within the territory of Yulin, the atmosphere contrasts with the general environment, silence, deathly silence, and the surrounding population has long been emptied out in the boiling flames of war and ruthless killings.
At this time, in this desolate sand moraine, bursts of roaring sounds were heard, like thunder, shaking the surroundings. Frightened, the yellow sheep gerbils fled in all directions, trying to stay away from those terrifying humans.
On the distant sand dunes, several simple wooden fortresses were erected, each with a red flag, which was extremely bright. Thousands of Han cavalry were roaming on the outside. They were only responsible for guarding and protecting the Han army camp in the middle.
About a hundred feet away from the wooden fort, there is a temporary camp, to be precise, it is an artillery position. Twenty artillery pieces were laid out in a row, and more than 300 artillerymen were busy in an orderly manner, cleaning the barrels, adding gunpowder and shells, placing fuses, and then ignited and fired as the flag commander waved the flag, accompanied by a series of earthquakes. There was a roar in the ears, and there was another salvo, and the thick shells quickly struck into the distance.
However, the effect was still unsatisfactory. There was no sight at all in the direction of the cannonballs. Only three of the wooden forts built on the sand dunes in the distance hit, and the others were either far away or close. Except for the splash Sand, the shock effect of sound is more obvious.
Between the positions, there was thick smoke, billowing sand and dust, constant coughing, the artillerymen were sweating, and their bodies were full of the smell of fireworks. King Zhao Liu Fang and his guards stood in the distance and watched, and had to stay away. These artillery had reached the stage of mass production, and their performance was basically stable, but it was not absolute. Some unexpected situations would inevitably occur. Just test the artillery. In the past two days, three doors were blown up, causing more than 20 casualties.
The experiment continued, and Liu Fang patiently observed. In the former, in order to counter the rebellion in Yulin, the Ministry of War specially deployed fifty new artillery pieces and planned to conduct actual combat testing in Yulin.
However, this purpose ultimately failed and was of no use at all. At the same time, during the entire counter-insurgency process, no suitable opportunity was found. The two rebel armies of Yuan and Li failed to survive even the winter. be destroyed.
However, Zhao Wang Liu Fang showed unusual curiosity about this new weapon. Not to mention other things, this was the development of weapons supported by Emperor Liu, and with such a major reward incentive, Liu Fang had always believed in Emperor Liu's judgment. , Therefore, these legends are also considered to be long-range weapons that can replace the car.
After two days of field experiments and observations, Liu Fang had an idea. Hearing it a hundred times was better than seeing it. Although there were still many flaws visible to the naked eye, its advantages were still extremely obvious.
Yang Su, the artillery commander in charge of leading the team, was accompanying Liu Fang at this time, answering questions from time to time. Liu Fang did have countless questions to ask about the artillery.
Yang Su was originally a gunpowder craftsman in the Ordnance Supervision, and he also participated in the development of artillery. After successfully building it, he was assigned as the artillery commander for the test. He was also considered a technical officer.
"These artillery pieces are indeed powerful, but they are not accurate enough!" Liu Fang said with emotion. …
Yang Su listened, with a serious expression, and nodded: "Your Highness is right, this is exactly the flaw, but as far as I know, the Thunderbolt Cannon was not accurate enough at first. I believe that as long as it is improved, Improvements can also be made. After constant experimentation and exploration, I finally believe that we can start with gunpowder, shells and the artillery itself."
"Okay!" After hearing what he said, Liu Fang couldn't help but smile: "Commander Yang is so confident?"
Yang Su said: "Back to Your Highness, from the development to production of this artillery, it was perfected through continuous testing until it was finished. There were countless problems in the process, but they were all improved and solved. After this test in Yulin, the general also found a new one. Way to improve!”
"Oh? Tell me!" Liu Fang was very interested.
Yang Su spoke eloquently: "Nowadays, the most important thing is to improve the materials of the gun barrel and gun mount. The damage is still too serious. A gun cannot fire twenty rounds, and the gun barrel is damaged. This It was even more serious than when it was tested in the capital. The general expected that it was a problem with Yulin's climate and environment. In addition, the gunpowder was not stable enough and still needed to be improved. As for the accuracy problem, in addition to the artillery itself, it also required the experience of the operating sergeant, as well as the experience of the operating sergeant. A long way to go”
Liu Fang didn't quite understand what Yang Su said, but it didn't stop him from understanding. He thought about it and said, "The artillery shells used now are all iron bullets and live ammunition. Can they cause fire like kerosene bombs or rockets?" Cannonballs that can explode?”
"Your Highness is so smart!" Yang Su praised: "The weapons workshop is developing and preparing to make a suitable cannonball with hollow iron skin and iron pieces containing gunpowder. It is called a blooming bullet. However, the difficulties are still great, and it is even more difficult. Stable, more time is needed!”
Liu Fang nodded and said with emotion: "Seeing is believing, hearing is believing! After this period of observation, I am even more sure that this is indeed a sharp weapon. Speaking of which, it can completely replace the thunderbolt cannon, bed crossbow, and rocket in the future." , I became more and more convinced and no longer doubted it!”
After receiving Liu Fang's approval, Yang Su couldn't help but show a reserved smile. Liu Fang continued: "The weapons workshop has done great service to the country by producing such a sharp weapon. Your Majesty is still wise and far-sighted!"
Yang Su nodded with admiration on his face: "Without His Majesty's trust and support, we wouldn't have achieved what we have today!"
"It's a pity that since it was created, it has not been tested in actual combat. I don't know how effective it will be on the battlefield?" Yang Su said with regret.
In this regard, Liu Fang said in a determined tone: "Compared to the thunder cannon, this artillery is obviously more useful. Whether it is siege or field battle, those iron bullets and stone bullets are used to attack cities, destroy strongholds, and kill enemies." It is a life-threatening weapon. It is not as labor-intensive to operate as the thunder cannon, requires fewer people, and is easier to transport. Although it has not been in actual combat, the experimental results are already significant. I have been in the military for many years, and I am still very confident in these judgments. of"
Hearing Liu Fang's opinion, Yang Su was a little moved, and he cupped his hands and said, "With His Highness's words, the generals and others will feel more confident!"
"Work hard, overcome difficulties, and things will come true!" Liu Fang smiled softly: "Given how much His Majesty values you, if there are any achievements in the future, there may be more than one third-class marquis!"
Yang Su's eyes lit up when he heard this, and a blush appeared on his face, with a look of longing on his face. For these people who are good at "strange and obscene skills", Emperor Liu's tolerance and generosity have a great motivating effect.
While the two were talking, a horseman with a letter flag on his back came running quickly, his horse's hooves picking up smoke and dust. He approached, dismounted lightly, and bowed: "Your Highness, there is news in Xiazhou!"
Liu Fang was a little surprised, so he motioned for him to stand up, took the letter, opened it and took a look. Soon, a smile appeared on his face, and he laughed out loud: "Haha."
"May I ask, Your Highness, what's the happy news?" Yang Su couldn't help but asked curiously when he saw it.
"It is indeed a happy event!" Liu Fang raised the letter in his hand and said casually: "Someone sent a big gift to Xiazhou. Brother Li Jiqian, the traitor, has been beheaded!"
"You continue to test the cannon, I will return to Xiazhou first!" The guards brought the mount, Liu Fang mounted the horse, Yang Su and others ordered.
"Your Highness, walk slowly!"
