Han Shizu

In the northwest of Xiazhou, eighty miles away from the city, there is a piece of sand moraine, which the locals call a big sand pile.As the name suggests, it is densely covered with yellow sand, and the dunes are piled up with moraine. Under the sun, it looks even more shining. In the past, there were also some party members who lived in the surrounding area.

However, since it is in Yulin, the atmosphere is in line with the big environment. It is quiet, deathly quiet, and the surrounding population has long been emptied in the boiling war and ruthless killing.

At this time, in this desolate sandy moraine, there were bursts of roaring sounds like thunder, shaking the surroundings, and the yellow goat gerbils, frightened, ran away in all directions, wanting 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 are cruising around the periphery. They are only responsible for guarding and guarding the Han army camp in the middle.

About a hundred feet away from the wooden castle, there is a temporary camp, which is an artillery position to be precise.Twenty cannons were laid out one word at a time, and more than 300 artillerymen were busy in an orderly manner, cleaning the barrels, adding gunpowder and shells, installing fuzes, and following the flag order, the officer ordered the flag to be waved down, ignited and launched, accompanied by a series of deafening sounds. The roar was another round of salvo, and the thick shells quickly hit the distance.

However, the effect was still unsatisfactory. There was no aim at all in the direction of the shells. Only three of the wooden forts built on the sand dunes in the distance hit the front and back. The others were either far away or close. Sand, that is, the deterrent effect of sound is more obvious.

Between the positions, there is dense smoke, billowing dust, constant coughing, and the artillerymen are sweating profusely, and their bodies are full of fireworks.The King of Zhao, Liu Fang, and his personal guards were watching from a distance, and had to stay away. These artillery pieces have reached the point of mass production, and their performance is basically stable, but it is not absolute. Some accidents are always inevitable, so we are testing the artillery pieces. In the past two days, three doors were blown up, causing more than [-] casualties.

The experiment is still going on, and Liu Fang is observing patiently.For the former, in order to suppress the rebellion in Yulin, the Ministry of War specially deployed fifty new artillery pieces, intending to conduct actual combat tests in Yulin.

It's just that this purpose was ultimately in vain, and it was useless at all. At the same time, during the entire process of countering the rebellion, no suitable opportunity was found. was destroyed.

However, for this new weapon, King Zhao Liu Fang showed unusual curiosity. Not to mention anything else, this is a weapon development supported by Emperor Liu, and with such a major incentive, Liu Fang has always been convinced by Emperor Liu's judgment , Therefore, it is quite possible that these legends can replace long-range weapons that throw cars.

And after these two days of on-the-spot experimentation and observation, Liu Fang knew it well. Seeing is worth seeing. Although there are still many defects visible to the naked eye, its advantages are still very obvious.

Yang Su, the artillery commander in charge of leading the team, accompanied Liu Fang at this time, answering questions from time to time. Regarding artillery, Liu Fang did have countless questions to ask.

Yang Su was originally a gunpowder craftsman in the Weapons Supervision, and also participated in the development of the artillery. After it was successfully built, he was assigned as the artillery commander for the experiment, which can be regarded as a technical officer.

"These artillery are indeed powerful, but they are not accurate enough!" Liu Fang said with emotion. …

Yang Su was listening, with a serious expression, nodded his head and said: "Your Highness is right, this is exactly one of the flaws, but as far as I know, the Thunderbolt Cannon was not accurate enough at the beginning. I believe it, as long as it is improved Improvement can also be improved. After continuous experimentation and exploration, I finally believe that we can start with gunpowder, shells and artillery itself.”

"Okay!" Listening to his words, Liu Fang couldn't help showing a smile: "Commander Yang is so confident?"

Yang Su said: "Returning to Your Highness, this cannon has been perfected through continuous testing from development to production, until it is finished. There were countless problems in the process, but they were all improved and solved. After the experiments in Yulin, the general will also find new ones. It's time for improvement!"

"Oh? Tell me!" Liu Fang was very interested.

Yang Su talked eloquently: "Nowadays, the most important thing is to improve the material of the gun barrel and the gun mount. The damage is still too serious at the moment. A gun can't fire twenty rounds, and the gun barrel is already damaged. It was even more serious than the test in the capital city. At the end of the day, it should be a problem of Yulin's climate and environment. In addition, the gunpowder is not stable enough and needs to be improved. As for the problem of accuracy, in addition to the artillery itself, experience in operating sergeants is also required. A long way to go”

Liu Fang didn't quite understand what Yang Su said, but it didn't prevent him from understanding. After thinking about it, he said, "The shells we use now are all iron and live ammunition. Cannonballs that can explode?"

"Your Highness is really smart!" Yang Su praised: "Weapon Workshop is developing and preparing to manufacture a suitable shell. The iron sheet is hollow and contains gunpowder and iron pieces. It is called Blossom Bullet. However, the difficulties are still great, and even more difficult Stable, need more time!"

Liu Fang nodded, and said with emotion: "Seeing is believing, hearing is believing! After observing this period of time, I am more sure that this is indeed a sharp weapon. Speaking of it, it can completely replace Thunderbolt Cannon, Bed Crossbow, and Rockets in the future." , I am more and more convinced that I will no longer question it!"

With Liu Fang's approval, Yang Su couldn't help showing a reserved smile.Liu Fang continued: "Weapon Workshop has made great contributions to the country, making such a sharp weapon. Your Majesty is still wise and far-sighted!"

Yang Su nodded, and her face was full of admiration: "If it weren't for His Majesty's trust and support, there would be no achievements today!"

"It's a pity that it has not been tested in actual combat since it was created, and I don't know how effective it will be on the battlefield?" Yang Su said regretfully.

Regarding this, Liu Fang said in a firm tone: "Compared with the thunderbolt cannon, this artillery is obviously more useful. Whether it is a siege or a field battle, those iron and stone bullets are used to attack the city and kill the enemy. It is a life-threatening weapon. It is not as labor-intensive to operate as a thunderbolt cannon, and it requires fewer people and is easier to transport. Although it has not been used in actual combat, the experimental results are already significant. I have been in the army 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 cupped his hands and said, "With His Highness's words, the last general 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 you make more achievements in the future, maybe you will not be just a third-class prince!"

Yang Su's eyes lit up when he heard this, and a blush appeared on his face, with longing.For these people who are good at "extraordinary obscene skills", Emperor Liu's tolerance and generosity have a great motivating effect.

While the two were talking, a rider with a letter flag on his back rushed over quickly, and the horse's hooves rolled up a trail of smoke and dust. He approached, dismounted lightly, and said: "His Royal Highness, there is a report in Xiazhou!"

Liu Fang was a little surprised, and signaled him to get up, took the letter, opened it for a look, and soon, a smile appeared on his face, and he laughed out loud: "Haha."

"May I ask Your Highness, what is the happy event?" Yang Su couldn't help asking curiously when he saw it.

"It's indeed a happy event!" Liu Fang raised the letter in his hand, and said casually, "Someone sent a big gift to Xiazhou, and the rebel brother Li Jiqian gave the head!"

"You continue to test the guns, I'm going back to Xiazhou first!" The guards led the mount, Liu Fang got on the horse, Yang Su and others ordered.

"Slow down, Your Highness!"