The collusion between Xu Yaqing and the Jurchens was seen by others as smoke and mirrors, but deep down in Zuo Mengeng's heart, there was actually a vague suspicion.
But things haven’t happened yet, so it’s impossible to say anything casually.
The only thing he can do is to intensify the training of the rear camp to make this army stronger and stronger.
When he came back from Dengzhou, the first good news he got was that muskets had been equipped to the entire army.
Not only did every soldier have a weapon, but the inventory was also increasing day by day.
Compared with muskets, gunpowder is more convenient to make and is enough for a big battle.
Even though the output of mercury fulminate is still impressive, it can still only be used to make flash caps. Otherwise, the detonation hole on the artillery cartridge can be canceled and replaced by a detonation cap.
In addition, Bi Maokang and others have already conducted experiments on the stability of the flash cap.
The flash cap installed on the projectile's warhead will not detonate due to the vibration when the artillery fires.
In this way, there will be no problem in making the flash cap fuse.
The only obstacle is production volume.
Mercury fulminate produced using the most primitive method has too many links and is too dangerous.
After comprehensive consideration, Zuo Mengeng still maintained the current combat method of artillery.
This is enough to meet the needs of the rear camp and is much more advanced than most current artillery.
Another gratifying result is that iron wire has finally been developed.
Although the development of springs is still far away, the emergence of iron wire has given Zuo Menggeng great help.
"Qianzao, it would be a pity not to use so much iron wire to make mail armor. Our soldiers have no protection at all."
Faced with the complaints from the craftsmen, Zuo Mengeng had his own reasons.
"Even if these iron wires are not made into armor, they are still very useful. You have these iron wires in groups of three, twisted and woven together. You need to leave sharp iron spikes at a certain distance, and then use wooden frames to pull them straight at both ends. You will understand the use. "
The craftsmen were very curious and made two wooden shelves that were as high as Kazuto's shoulders. Then under Zuo Mengeng's guidance, they wrapped the iron wire around the shelves.
Spread out in the open space, it is about ten meters long.
"Qianzao, what's the use of this thing?"
The novelty attracted the attention of many people, and Zuo Rong, Zuo Yong and others came over to study it.
"This is a powerful weapon to block cavalry. Even infantry will find it difficult to pass."
Sample, I wonder how much trouble the barbed wire caused to the attack during World War I, right?
But everyone doesn’t see it that way.
Zuo Rong and Zuo Yong took one side and left carrying the barbed wire.
"What can this stop?"
Zuo Mengeng was furious.
"Idiot, behind the barbed wire is our musket formation. Tell me, how do you get up and move it?"
When he said this, everyone's expressions immediately changed.
Admittedly, this barbed wire fence looks light and seems to be of no use. But as long as this object is combined with the musket phalanx, specific scenes can't help but emerge in everyone's mind.
Zuo Yong has the most flexible mind.
"This thing is pretty good at blocking infantry, but the best thing is dealing with cavalry."
Zuo Rong didn't react.
"This thing is so light, wouldn't it be over if the cavalry hits it?"
Zuo Yong explained to him.
"Brother, think about it, if there is only one of these things, it is certainly easy to get rid of. But what if there are dozens or hundreds of them? And if the barbed wires are connected with wires, how can they be broken open? And you see, there are There are sharp spikes, and if a horse hits it, his head will be bloody immediately.”
Zuo Rong couldn't help but observe carefully, and had some vague understanding.
"Such a thin thing, can't it be cut off in one go?"
Zuo Mengeng said to him: "Then you try to cut it off."
Zuo Rong drew out his saber and used all his strength to cut into the middle of the barbed wire fence. There was a loud crashing sound, and apart from random shaking of the barbed wire, there was no sign of damage.
Zuo Rong clearly felt that when his knife struck it, the power was deflected.
In other words, these strange-shaped wires have a miraculous effect on cutting with knives and axes. As for the long spears and iron spears of the cavalry, there is even more no solution.
"During combat, it is absolutely impossible for the enemy to rush forward without paying a heavy price if several layers of barbed wire like this are placed within a range of ten to twenty meters in front of our artillery array."
Zuo Yong has seen more benefits.
"This barbed wire fence doesn't stop us from shooting. Even if the enemy rushes to the barbed wire fence, he can still be killed by our muskets."
At this time, everyone understood the wonderful use of barbed wire.
The craftsmen came forward to try it out and found that it was not difficult to dismantle and recycle it.
Of course, this is normal. During a firefight, it is almost impossible to dismantle the barbed wire fence under a hail of bullets.
Zuo Mengeng also said to Zhang Yan: "When the time comes to lay out the barbed wire, it will definitely be the task of your General Logistics Team. After we go back, let everyone study carefully and come up with several more methods of hanging barbed wire that are unique to us and unknown to others. The barbed wire is also If there is any use for it, please open it up."
Zhang Yan was also amazed by the wonderful use of barbed wire. Knowing that this thing was a weapon on the battlefield, he quickly accepted the order.
In addition to muskets and artillery, the rear camp did not stop at the research and development of firearms.
Grenades and explosive packs were also produced.
The grenades were filled with clay pots.
The clay pots are specially made, each about the size of a fist, and can hold half a pound of black gunpowder, flint, iron sheets, iron nails and other items.
Originally, Zuo Mengeng wanted to make grenades.
After testing, it was found that it was just like the one made in the border area used by the Eighth Route Army, and its power was too poor. Many times, it explodes into two pieces and cannot hurt the enemy at all.
In the end, after brainstorming and trial and error, everyone agreed that clay pots were the best.
First of all, clay pots are very brittle and will form countless fragments when fried.
Secondly, the clay pot can be filled with more medicine, which increases its power.
Furthermore, the cost of clay pots is not high, and craftsmen can make them by setting up their own kiln.
After all, it is not for making porcelain, so there is no requirement for the quality of the pottery pot. As long as the size and ease of throwing are ensured, the rest of the problems can be omitted.
The explosive packs also used black powder, which cannot be compared with those of later generations. At least, don't expect this thing to blow open the city wall.
However, a twenty or thirty kilogram explosive bag is still very lethal to living creatures.
There are two types of explosive packages currently used in the rear camp.
One type can be detonated at close range and requires an open flame to light the fuse; the other type can be buried in the soil and detonated from a distance.
The method used for long-distance detonation is rope pulling, and the ignition relies on mercury fulminate.
Zuo Mengeng is a little more generous here.
The specific method is to install a small wooden box on the explosive package with a mechanism inside. Usually the hammer in the mechanism is stuck and ready to fire.
When the rope is pulled, the mechanism that holds the firing pin opens, causing the hammer to pop out and hit the flash cap, igniting the gunpowder.
Of course, Zuo Mengeng would not fail to get good things like land mines.
Landmine technology in the Ming Dynasty was very mature and was used on the battlefield on a large scale.
Since it was impossible to carry out large-scale technical improvements to the mines, Zuo Menggeng let the craftsmen make them and left it to the General Logistics Brigade and the Infantry Brigade to explore ways to lay mines.
At this point, the weapons and equipment of the rear camp have become a system.
There are not only muskets and artillery for long-range attack, but also landmines, explosive bags, grenades and barbed wire for close defense.
As long as it was a plain battle, Zuo Mengeng was confident that no army would be able to break through our front line at that time.
The next thing to do is to urge the entire army to train diligently and wait for all the artillery to be in place.
The incident in Dengzhou had a great impact. Qu Shichun and Zhang Jimeng also worked together to find him and inquire about the details.
Zuo Mengeng told the story, and the two of them were amazed.
Qu Shishu was even more furious at Mao Wenlong.
"In August last year, a censor impeached him for leaving the flood-prone areas without permission and for having evil intentions. Unexpectedly, he didn't know how to restrain himself and dared to plunder Denglai. He had no laws and defied the court. Do you really think you can't kill him?"
Zhang Jimeng has the same view.
"Mao Wenlong is extremely arrogant, this is the way to die."
Qu Shichu was worried about gains and losses again.
"But if Mao Wenlong is killed and Liaodong loses its flanking support, I'm afraid it will become increasingly difficult."
Zhang Jimeng also found this matter difficult to handle.
"I'm afraid that the government can also see the pros and cons and let Mao Wenlong get away with it. It's a shame that the people of Dengzhou have no place to redress their grievances."
These two people actually thought that the court would let Mao Wenlong go...
Zuo Mengeng not only knows the history, but also knows the reasons.
"My lords, please forgive me for speaking bluntly. Mao Wenlong... is dead. It won't be long before news comes."
Seeing his categorical statement, Qu Shichun and Zhang Jimeng couldn't help but be curious.
"Tell me your reasoning."
They did not ignore Zuo Mengeng because he was young, not to mention that the two of them came here to serve as officials because of Zuo Mengeng.
For this young man, they have already seen many miracles.
But I wonder if Zuo Mengeng has anything unique at the strategic level?
