In the side hall of the central hall of General Zhenshuo's mansion, Wu Zhizhong, the logistics manager of the Yongyi Army, only then told the truth: "General, the firearms of our Sixth Battalion officers are basically in place.
At present, there are nearly 5,000 Yunzhou Type 2 muskets left in the library. If the preparation of other artillery pieces is postponed and all are used to make Yunzhou muskets, at most, nearly 1,000 guns can be produced every month.
Just now, because I didn't know the general's intentions, I didn't report the actual number to Zu Zongbing and they knew. "
Zhang Cheng smiled and said: "Old Wu is also a ghost!"
Everyone also laughed loudly, and after a while, Zhang Chengcai said again: "These Yunzhou guns were originally reserved for Wang Pu and Li Fuming, but now that they can be exchanged for money from Jiliao Town, why not? "
Veteran Guo Yingxian also said loudly: "Huh. My ancestor's family is the only one in Liao Town and is very wealthy. I don't know how much Liao salary has been embezzled over the years. Now if you want to buy our new fire gun, you have to pay for it with real money." .”
Zhang Cheng smiled and said nothing, but Wang Yuanjing continued at the side: "Wu Sangui has now inherited the mantle of his ancestors and has become the master of Liaodong. Although he and I guard the west and east, we will not disturb each other, and we can help each other.
However, the soldiers and horses in Liao Town are supported by the imperial court, but my Yongyi army only gets half of the salary. This is an injustice to the imperial court. Although it feels that its financial resources are exhausted, it is unfair to me to favor one over the other and under this one.
Just as General Guo said, if Liao Town wants to buy my guns and cannons, it will have to cough up some money. The barracks and grounds of each battalion of our Yongyi Army stationed in the town, as well as the money needed for the future martial arts hall, etc. , so huge that it can be used to make up for these expenses. "
Liu Minshen expressed a different view at this time. He said: "The general has lofty aspirations. He is not a hero who sticks to one place, but a hero who saves the people of the world and revives the Ming Dynasty.
Therefore, one should not care too much about the immediate benefits, but should look further ahead, coordinate the overall situation, and plan for the future. The student felt that selling guns and cannons to the generals in Liao Town would certainly receive money, but there was no need to care too much about it.
However, the guns and cannons made by our craftsman camp in Yunzhou can be sold outside. However, the fixed-pack medicine cannot be given away for free, nor can the preparation method be passed on to outsiders. This is the key point. "
"Hold on!"
Guo Yingxian clapped and cheered on the spot, and Wu Zhizhong also looked at Liu Minshen and said with a smile: "It's hard to say that scholars have many twists and turns. This is not just about thinking too much, but the key is to focus on the idea."
Everyone then discussed other things and then left.
…………
The Weiyuan Camp of the Yongyi Army in the southeast of Xuanfu Town is full of busy craftsmen and men, and there are also many sergeants who are busy going back and forth in teams.
Seeing such a lively scene in front of them, Xie Sixin, Zhang Dou, Zu Dabi and others were all a little shocked.
"Forcing these military households to do some work and giving them money, Uncle Yongning is really full!"
Zu Dabi, the chief military officer of Jinzhou garrison, complained privately to Liu Zhaoji, Cao Bianjiao, Wu Guogui and others. He seemed to not understand that Zhang Cheng also paid wages to the military households who worked.
However, Xie Sixin and Zhang Dou had different views from him. They were surprised by Zhang Cheng's generosity. In their opinion, this may be one of the reasons for Zhang Cheng's rapid rise.
Both of them knew very well that although Zhang Cheng was the commander-in-chief of Xuan Town and the Earl of Yongning, he was still a rising star in Xuanfu Town.
It's not like the ancestral family has become the number one general in Liaodong after more than ten generations of management in Liaodong. It can completely overpower other local military leaders and act naturally.
Even though the power is now transferred to Wu Sangui, its core strength is still the ancestral army that has been managed for generations, and no one in Liao Town can shake it.
But Zhang Cheng's situation in Xuanzhen was different. Although his family was also a hereditary general, the number of people was withering, and there were no outstanding figures. It was not until his father's generation that a general like Zhang Yan was born.
Zhang Yan also died in Julu in his prime, and Zhang Cheng also lost his only supporter in this world forever at this moment.
Since then, every step he has taken has been achieved through his own efforts. Although he now has tens of thousands of loyal elite warriors, the foundation of his real rise is on the North Road and the East Road. The town has not yet been controlled by him. .
It was against this background that Zhang Cheng chose a minimalist way to start - "money opens the way"!
On the pretext of building three major garrison camps, Yongningbo requisitioned almost the entire craftsmen of Xuan Town, as well as all the men and women around the town.
These craftsmen and Ding Zhuang work for Uncle Yongning every day. They eat from Uncle Yongning and receive wages from Uncle Yongning. As time goes by, they will naturally think about Uncle Yongning's benefits until they return to their hearts. Yong Ning Bo.
Of course, there are not many people who can see this now. Perhaps Jiang Yuxu, the governor of Xuanda, is one of them. Xie Sixin and Zhang Dou from Jiliao are both good people, so they have naturally seen the key.
"Uncle Yong Ning really impressed us with his actions. He has only been in charge of the town for a few days, but he has such mobilization ability. There are all the hardworking men inside and outside the town. It's really spectacular!"
Xie Sixin looked at Ding Zhuang working passionately under the hills and high hills, and felt a little excited in his heart. This scene had never been seen in Liaodong.
Not to mention that Hong Chengchou, who was the governor of Ji Liao, did not have such appeal. Even the first general of Liaodong, Zu Dashou, who was a local snake, probably would not be able to do this when he was still alive.
Zu Dashou had some appeal when he was in Liaodong, but in his eyes, ordinary military households and civilians were like slaves, forced to work entirely by swords and guns. Although he could serve tens of thousands of people, they were not necessarily like this. The ability to gather responses.
At this time, I heard Zhang Cheng say: "Haha. Where is this uncle's charisma, this is just like 'money can make the world go round'!"
Everyone laughed when they heard this, and Liu Zhaoji lost no time in mentioning the purchase of guns and cannons again: "Uncle Yong Ning, if you use the money here, just sell me some more guns and cannons and medicine, and you will make a profit again." I'm home."
Zhang Cheng smiled and continued: "Brother Dingwei, why are you joking? You and I are brothers, and we have the friendship of killing slaves side by side in Liaodong. How can I argue with you?"
He glanced at Xie Sixin, Zu Dabi, and Cao Bianjiao, and then said: "In our army, the fire blunderbuss wielded by our soldiers is the most difficult to control. Although the demand for fine iron is extremely high, I can still solve it here." .
However, the process of the blunderbuss tube is the most complicated and difficult to make, and the monthly output is also limited by the blunderbuss tube, so it cannot be mass-produced. "
He paused for a moment before continuing: "However, I can assure you that from now on, the Yunzhou gun produced by the craftsman camp will be given priority to the brothers in Ji Liao.
As for the price..."
In the eager anticipation of everyone, Zhang Cheng finally spoke again: "The reason why our Yunzhou gun is so sophisticated and rarely has the risk of explosion is that it is made of fine steel and fine workmanship, so the price is naturally higher than elsewhere. high.
But we have the friendship of bloody battles with the Tartars, so I can’t raise the price, so I’ll just discount the cost of each Yunzhou gun at twenty taels and five cents.
What do you think? "
Liu Zhaoji felt that Uncle Yong Ning had looked down upon him because Zhang Cheng had just called him a name, and he was naturally very happy. Now he heard that Zhang Cheng was willing to give priority to selling the muskets to Jiliao generals. What else could he say?
"Very good, so good!"
He clasped his fists at Zhang Cheng and said: "Uncle Yong Ning really values love and justice, and I admire him very much in his heart. It's just that the fire gun is twenty-two-five yuan a shot, which is indeed not expensive, but I don't know what the requirements are for the medicine. We and other soldiers Are commonly used medicinal herbs suitable for use in Chinese medicine?"
Zhang Cheng remained silent, first scanning the faces of several people, and then Wu Zhizhong said: "Old Wu, please arrange a demonstration for Mr. Xie, Zhang Bingxian and several general soldiers."
After Wu Zhizhong made a loud promise, he turned around and gave instructions to the soldiers who were following him. As the military order was conveyed, he saw groups of Weiyuan Battalion soldiers starting to form their troops down the hill.
"General, Mr. Xie, Zhang Bingxian, and all general soldiers, please move to the temporary school ground to observe the skills of the soldiers of Weiyuan Camp."
…………
The temporary school ground of Weiyuan Camp is on the east side of the flood station. It is an undulating hilly area with many shrubs. Only a dense forest can be seen in the north, and the traces of felling are also very obvious.
The terrain here is very suitable for large armies to practice offensive and defensive tactics, as well as joint drills of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Wu Zhizhong does not want to make more repairs in the future, so he will directly use the topography here.
There is a very gentle slope beside the dense forest on the north side of this temporary school ground. Because the terrain is flat and open, it is used by Weiyuan Camp as a shooting range. As soon as you walk in, you can see very obvious traces of gunpowder smoke.
Yongning Bo, Zhang Cheng and others were standing under a thatched shed. There were three teams of Weiyuan Camp Fire Soldiers about ten steps away in front of them. They were carefully examining the Yunzhou Type II muskets in their hands.
"General, can we start the drill?"
Facing Wu Zhizhong's request, Zhang Cheng simply waved his hand and said calmly: "Let's get started."
As the military orders were conveyed from level to level, a group of thirty-six firemen stood in three horizontal rows. They loaded the powder, raised the muskets, and aimed quickly, as if they were running smoothly and in an orderly manner.
"Bang! Bang! Bang..." a blast of gunshots came.
Then there was a sound of "cracking, crackling...".
A flag officer came running as fast as flying and reported loudly: "Report, one team and one bureau of Division A on the left side of Weiyuan Battalion's infantry used a three-stage attack method to fire muskets at a target 80 steps away. Thirty-six Twenty-nine hits were made, and the targets were all shattered."
"What?"
Liu Zhaoji had an expression of disbelief on his face, and Zu Dabi next to him also had an expression of surprise on his face: "Incredible... It's incredible..."
And Cao Bianjiao said to himself next to the two of them: "Twenty-nine hits from thirty-six shots... They are indeed a brave army that will win every battle... It's really scary... It's extremely scary!"
Although the Northern Frontier Army is equipped with a high proportion of firearms, most of the guns they use are three-eye blunderbuss, and the proportion of long blunderbuss such as bird blunderbuss is very low. At the same time, due to insufficient training on weekdays, blunderbuss are often fired in advance during war. , the hit rate is even pitifully low.
The hit rate of Weiyuan Camp today is simply unbelievable to them. Even with the outstanding performance in the previous Liao War, such a high hit rate makes them unbelievable.
Zhang Dou, the commander of Ning Qian's army, was even more surprised. He had experienced the military affairs of Liaodong for a long time, so he naturally knew the difference. He asked: "I dare to ask Uncle Yong Ning, what are the long muskets used by the soldiers of Weiyuan Camp?" What’s special?”
Zhang Cheng smiled slightly and didn't say a word. He just waved his hand. General Wu Zhizhong immediately understood. He summoned the soldiers from the team who had just hit the target, and casually took a Yunzhou gun and handed it to him. Zhang Dou.
Zu Dabi, Cao Bianjiao, Liu Zhaoji and others also stepped forward quickly and each received a Yunzhou gun. Even Wu Guogui, Xia Longshan and other generals who came with him also took one gun each and took it in their hands to look at it carefully.
After a while, Wu Guogui was the first to look up at Zhang Cheng and said in a respectful tone: "Uncle Yong Ning wants to test fire a round himself. I don't know if Uncle Yong Ning will allow it."
Zhang Cheng looked at him and smiled. Zhang Cheng had always been paying close attention to Wu Guogui, a young general, for no other reason than that Wu Sangui, a rebellious boy, was so famous that he also became famous along with all his confidants. .
In the original history, it was this Wu Guogui who strangled the last emperor of the Southern Ming Dynasty - Yongle Emperor Zhu Youlang - with a bowstring on the orders of Pingxi King Wu Sangui in Zizipo, Kunming, Yunnan!
However, none of this has happened yet, and Wu Sangui's uncle, Dashou, also died when slave thieves besieged Jinzhou, and did not surrender to the Tartars as in history.
Based on this calculation, I am afraid that Wu Sangui will not have the chance to surrender to the Qing Dynasty again. Maybe he will be able to preserve his reputation and become a loyal minister and general of the Ming Dynasty that will last forever. Who knows!
Looking at Wu Guogui, who looked a little timid, Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng said with a smile: "General Wu wants to test the Yunzhou gun, why not?"
He turned to Wu Zhizhong and said, "Ask all the men from the second team to come up and place the thirty-six Yunzhou muskets here for all the marshals and generals to test-fire."
After a while, the soldiers from the first and second teams of Division A lined up. They loaded the Yunzhou gun in front of everyone, then knelt on one knee and raised the Yunzhou gun high in the air. Let the generals from Jiliao choose as they please.
"Bang bang...bang...bang..."
There was a sparse explosion of firecrackers, and more than ten steps in front of where Zhang Cheng and others were, there was a cloud of smoke. When the smoke dissipated, Zu Dabi and others were seen holding a firecracker.
Each of them almost tried firing three Yunzhou guns. Looking at the broken targets eighty steps away, they all fell silent. They looked carefully at the fire guns in their hands, but they could never see the difference. How different from the pitiful number of muskets in his own camp.
"Except that this Yunzhou gun doesn't need a match rope to ignite it, there is nothing different about it. How can it be so sharp? Not only can it hit a target eighty paces away with incredible accuracy, but it is also extremely powerful."
Zu Dabi couldn't understand this and kept complaining, but he couldn't see why.
Wu Guogui seemed to see some clues. He stared at the Yunzhou gun in his hand and said to several people: "Commander Zu, Commander Liu, and Commander Cao, please take a look. This Yunzhou gun seems to be heavier than the other guns in our camp." A lot, which shows that a lot of refined iron must be used.
Looking at the flint ignition mechanism, it is exquisitely designed, so that it is not afraid of the wind blowing the ignition powder, nor is it afraid that the match rope will burn your eyes, so you can aim with peace of mind, and the hit rate is naturally much higher. "
Cao Bianjiao seemed to have a different opinion. He just heard him say: "Not necessarily..."
Seeing that everyone was attracted by his question, Cao Bianjiao continued: "The Yunzhou gun can cause thick wood to splinter eighty steps away. Its power should not be due to the fire gun, but because the fixed charge is well made. So powerful.”
