After inspecting the road leading east from Longde Mansion to Hebei Road, Wang Xiaolie and others returned to Fucheng. After entering the government office, Wang Xiaolie had just changed his clothes when Wang Ruohai came in with an official document. He said, "This was sent to Shangdang yesterday by Counselor Chen. I originally wanted to give it to us today, but I didn't want us to come back."
Wang Xiaolie asked: "What are you talking about?"
Wang Ruohai said: "In the past few months, Zhe Yanzhi was appointed by the imperial court, and all the privy ministers accepted the decree."
Wang Xiaolie sighed: "Not to mention Zhe Yanzhi's inability to guard the Yellow River, Fuzhou's Zhe Keqiu has already paid money, so Zhe Yanzhi should avoid suspicion."
Wang Ruohai said: "Who can say accurately about the affairs of the imperial court? Let's ignore him. A few days ago, he came to Luoyang with the imperial edict and said that he wanted us to report to the imperial court how to build artillery. It is best to have a few cannons built. , but also craftsmen.”
Wang Xiaolie was stunned for a moment. He then said: "Artillery is such a powerful weapon, so the imperial court has only come to ask for it now, so it can be said that it can bear it."
Wang Ruohai said: "I'm afraid it's not that the court doesn't want it, but that it really doesn't know. A few months ago, Li Dutong went to the bank to present prisoners. I think it was after listening to what the prisoners of war said that he knew that our army had such a sharp weapon. At this time , How can the imperial court not be greedy? This matter is so important that Xuanfu needs to return to Luoyang immediately to handle it."
Wang Xiaolie thought for a while. Said: "Okay, we will set off tomorrow and walk faster on the road. From the time artillery was built, this day will come sooner or later. It's not that I don't want to dedicate it to the imperial court, but until now, the artillery is still immature. The Battle of Xijing , nearly half of the cannon is broken, and there are many problems. Originally, I thought that after we repaired the cannon, it would not be too late to present it to the court. But now it seems that the court can’t wait any longer.”
Wang Ruohai sighed: "Xuanfu, we have not dedicated weapons like artillery to the imperial court before. It is not a good thing for the imperial court to send people to ask for them. Some people must say that Xuanfu is not a loyal minister of the imperial court."
Wang Xiaolie smiled and said, "Then let them talk. Can we lose a piece of meat?"
The next day, Wang Xiaolie left Longde Mansion, traveled from Zezhou to Huaizhou, crossed the Yellow River in Mengzhou, and returned to Luoyang City.
Chen Qiudao, Chen Yuyi and others brought civil and military officials to welcome him out of the city early. He took Wang Xiaolie into the city and returned to Henan Fuyamen.
As soon as he sat down, Chen Qiudao said: "The imperial court sent Zhe Yanzhi here a few days ago. He said that he heard that the artillery in our army is very powerful, and asked if he could send a few cannons to the imperial court. It would be better if there are also those who can forge the artillery. Craftsmen so that the imperial court can imitate them."
Wang Xiaolie said: "It's not surprising. If we don't offer it, the imperial court will definitely come to ask for it. It's just that it came so late, which is beyond my expectation."
Chen Qiudao said: "Xuanfu, if a sharp weapon like artillery is presented to the imperial court, it should be rewarded. But when Zheyan came here, he only said he wanted artillery, but he didn't say a reward!"
Wang Xiaolie shook his head disdainfully. He said: "Someone must be saying bad things about me. How can there be a reward? If not, there won't be. I'm not that stingy."
After saying that, Wang Xiaolie thought for a while and said: "Send someone to tell Zhe Yanzhi that I will invite him tomorrow. Also, the artillery manufacturing factory has not been completed yet, so we can only choose craftsmen who used to work in Dengzhou. Go and ask them if anyone is willing to go."
Chen Qiudao couldn't help being stunned after hearing this. Qidao said: "These craftsmen are not trivial. Xuanfu has always protected them closely. It is so easy to let them go this time."
"Let them go to the court, not to let them go to the enemy's country. Counselor, when we do things, we need to be more generous and don't let people gossip."
Chen Qiudao listened and nodded. I wanted to say something more, but I shook my head and said nothing more.
Wang Xiaolie said: "On the battlefield, artillery is not just a sharp weapon, but a weapon that can determine the situation on the battlefield. To truly exert its power, the entire army must change. Over the years, I have been exploring how the army should change. . It's just a pity that after a lot of effort, it still hasn't been completed. Now that the court wants artillery, I'm afraid it won't take this much effort. Let's wait and see what will happen."
Chen Qiudao couldn't help but sigh after hearing this.
Wang Xiaolie has always been dissatisfied with the army and has been changing, and Chen Qiudao can see it. In Chen Qiudao's view, the current army is already very powerful, so why do we keep struggling? If the current army cannot meet Wang Xiaolie's wishes, let alone the other armies of the imperial court.
If the imperial court takes out artillery, it will inevitably
Will be sent to all armies. How they use it is actually very interesting. What is certain is that no one will continue to experiment and change the army like Wang Xiaolie.
Wang Xiaolie has always demanded that the army use artillery correctly and give full play to its role. However, the army cannot rely on artillery, and it cannot fight without artillery. This requirement is actually very difficult, and Wang Xiaolie's army can't even do it now. Wang Xiaolie's army can't do it, but other armies can do it?
The use of artillery will not be a good thing for the army if it creates dependence. On the battlefield, the enemy can always find a way to prevent you from using artillery. At that time, the combat effectiveness will be affected, and the battle may be lost.
After leaving the official hall and returning to his residence, Wang Xiaolie changed his clothes and sat in front of the window in a daze.
From the time artillery was used in the army, Wang Xiaolie knew that sooner or later the artillery would be dedicated to the imperial court, and other armies would also have it. Not only will other armies have it, but even the enemy Jin Army on the opposite side will have it. No matter how secretive it is, it cannot be sealed. The truly reliable way is to improve the technical content of artillery and improve its own industrial level. As long as you keep progressing faster than the enemy, you can always be ahead of the enemy.
The idea of building a weapon and killing everyone is ridiculous. It's not that it's impossible to succeed, it's that the possibility of success is very small.
If you want to win, the most important thing is to transform yourself and improve yourself.
Sun Tzu said: Those who were good at fighting in the past were first invincible and waited for the enemy to become victorious. The invincible lies with oneself, but the victorious lies with the enemy. Therefore, those who are good at fighting can be invincible, but those who cannot make the enemy victorious are certain. This sentence is simple and clear, but few people who read Sun Tzu can do this.
Wang Xiaolie has always been dissatisfied with the army and has been reforming the army. Why? Be invincible first. The enemy came to attack and shattered his steel teeth. The enemy is defeated and has a chance to win, so seize it.
Artillery is of course a powerful weapon on the battlefield. How to use sharp tools? It’s not about hiding it and not letting people know about it. Instead, fully study the tactics and let the sharp weapons play their maximum role. I cannot rely on others without me, but I am most reliable when others have me.
The saying is born from sorrow and dies from happiness. It does not mean that people should live a hard life, but that a group should always have a sense of crisis. The military is engaged in foreign operations, so it must have a sense of crisis, maintain tension, and actively train.
Regarding artillery, Wang Xiaolie's attitude has always been: If the court doesn't ask for it, then it won't be given; if it wants it, then it will be given. When giving, don’t be petty when giving, but really give. Not only cannons, but also court craftsmen.
The imperial court asked for artillery, and it was the skill of the imperial generals to use them well. If it doesn't work well, don't blame anyone.
