At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the competition for the deer in the world

Chapter 36 Preparing for locust control and the layout of firearms
To positive 11 years.

December 25th.

Since the beginning of winter, there has not been a single snowfall in Yunnan Province, Shaanxi Province, Jiangbei Province, Jiangxi Province and other places.

It is said all over the world:

There will be no snow in one winter, and next year there will be a large number of insects and locusts, and the famine will be imminent. It is God who is angry.

People are in a state of panic, and since the folks started, rumors have swept across the country like a whistling wind and intensified.

Who is Skywrath?

There is a saying in the market: Heaven warns, the people are in dire straits, and the cause is evil. Those who restore the order of the world will come out!
For a time, the hearts of the world were floating.

There are heroes everywhere who want to obey the will of God and turn against Yuan.

The Yuan court was full of anger, and once someone became king, they would do their best to destroy them, and blood would flow for thousands of miles.

However, Liu Futong's army and Xu Shouhui's army doubled the pressure and fought with Yuan frequently, each winning or losing.

At this time, Chen Youliang was not conspicuous as the secretary sending and receiving documents under Tianwan Prime Minister Ni Wenjun.

Zhejiang Dongfang Guozhen barely protected itself under the siege of the Yuan army.

Ming Yuzhen of Ming Xia served as a horse boy under Xu Shouhui.

Zhang Shicheng also worked as a coolie on a punting boat to transport salt in Taizhou for food and clothing.

Haozhou City.

General's study. (Cheng De changed Wanhu Mansion to General Mansion)

The people who came were: Lu Bubu, Luo Mao, Li Shanchang, Li Sanqi, He Sanwu, Feng Guoyong, Yang Wei, Zhang Qijiu, Yang Zhongkai, Deng Youde.

Stand side by side in two rows.

At this time, Cheng De sat in the middle, thinking silently.

Before the conversation started, there was a tense and depressing atmosphere in the field.

Everyone looked at Cheng De, waiting for Cheng De to speak.

"I summoned you here to discuss a few important matters. You must have heard about the locust plague next year without snow in the winter. I can't control this matter in other places, but under my rule, I It can still be solved. If everything is forewarned, it will be established. If it is not forewarned, it will be abandoned. Next year, there will be a locust plague in all likelihood. It just so happens that I have some methods to solve the locust plague once and for all." Cheng De set the tone for this matter as soon as he opened his mouth.

When everyone heard the words, they all looked at Cheng De in astonishment.

"What the general said is true?" Li Shanchang asked in disbelief.

Cheng De said: "Of course, I will not lie to you about this matter."

"The military advisers, the two masters, and Commander Yang should know that in the past, people used a relatively simple method to control locust plagues, that is, to plow the river beaches and land where locusts lay eggs, and then set fire to them. Although this method can reduce the number of locusts Quantity cannot eradicate locusts, and repeated farming will be harmful to the land." Cheng De said seriously.

Li Shanchang, Lu Yong, Luo Mao and Yang Zhongkai nodded, agreeing with Cheng De's statement.

Cheng De narrowed his eyes slightly, "But if chickens and ducks are used, the locusts can be eradicated, and it can also make the chickens and ducks grow meat, killing two birds with one stone."

Lu didn't have to think about it, "My lord, can this chicken and duck really cure locusts?"

Seeing other people looking over, Cheng De replied: "It is indeed possible."

So, Lu didn't have to wait for anyone and stopped talking.

However, they were very curious about how the general learned that chickens and ducks can cure locusts.

Also, can it be cured?

However, Cheng De didn't say anything, and they didn't know the reason.

I dare not question it.

Maybe!
Cheng De's expression was solemn: "Master Li, from now on, you will be responsible for arranging the manpower under my rule to buy chickens and ducks from the chicken and duck merchants under my rule, and then hand them over to Master Lu for arrangement. Remember, the chickens and ducks must be handled as soon as possible Maybe buy more. Except after the locust plague, these chickens and ducks can be used to improve the army's food. As for the money for buying chickens and ducks, I can withdraw them from my house later and keep a good record of expenses. .”

"Subordinates must do their best!" Li Shanchang bowed and saluted.

"Master Lu, from now on, I will send my order: In addition to using the past methods to control locust plagues, I will use chickens and ducks to eradicate the land of the people under my control." Lord Lu is in charge of the administration, and he must not slack off. Make sure that the land of the people under my rule is free from locust plagues. As for the manpower to be summoned, I will fully cooperate with the Sizhou army."

"The subordinates must live up to the general's entrustment!" Lu Youyou said solemnly.

"The matter of controlling the locust plague is over, let's talk about the firecrackers of the Yuan army. Earlier, after conquering Haozhou, Deng Youde found more than a dozen firecrackers in the treasury." Cheng De paused at this point. Down.

He was a little ashamed when he thought that Deng Youde had discovered the firecracker.

After all, firearms play a vital role in future warfare.

"General, what is there to say about this firecracker?" Li Sanqi asked.

After Cheng De captured Haozhou, his power became more and more powerful. Li Sanqi and others, who recognized Cheng De as the eldest brother, changed their titles to generals one after another in private under the repeated reminders of Lu Yong and Li Shanchang to avoid overstepping.

"Shut up!" Cheng De scolded.

Li Sanqi suddenly felt a little wronged.

Seeing this, Cheng De's face softened a little: "Do you know how powerful this firecracker is? If you underestimate it, you may be injured at least, or your life will be lost at worst."

"I tested it with some deer, and it's very powerful. Let me talk about its characteristics. First, this firecracker uses a bronze cast tube, which can withstand a relatively high chamber pressure, and can be loaded with more gunpowder and heavier projectiles, thus greatly improving its performance. The power of firearms." Cheng De paused, "Secondly, the firecrackers have a long service life and can be reloaded and fired repeatedly. Think about it, we use knives when charging, and the opponent uses firecrackers. Before we get close, we will be shot down and knocked down. land."

Cheng De's words changed the faces of everyone present.

At this time, they realized the importance of firecrackers.

Seeing that everyone finally paid attention to this point, Cheng Decai continued to speak: "I intend to set up a science academy in Sizhou City, and use money and official positions to attract some folks who develop firecrackers, as well as carpenters, blacksmiths, etc. The salary is the worst. Three meals a day, including food and lodging. As for the post of dean of the Academy of Sciences, I will take up the post temporarily."

Speaking of this, Cheng De paused, "The official position system of the Academy of Sciences, from low to high, is: apprentice, fourth-class craftsman, third-class craftsman, second-class craftsman, first-class craftsman, master, great master, vice president, dean , As for the specific treatment of each level and the division method, this matter will be in charge of Master Li, and he will give me a specific booklet on the division method of the Academy of Sciences, as well as how to recruit relevant talents, all the content just mentioned must be included."

Li Shanchang heard the words, and quickly replied: "General, the establishment of this Academy of Sciences will cost a lot of money, if—"

Cheng De directly interrupted Li Shanchang's words, facing everyone, he said earnestly: "All I have done is to improve this firecracker. To improve the firecracker's current range is only 33 feet three feet five inches, and the quality must also be improved. , the lifespan should be further extended, these are the directions of research. If it is really successfully developed, then the world can be pacified earlier. Compared with wasting some money, which is more important, Master Li, what do you think?"

Li Shanchang nodded when he heard the words: "If it costs some money, it will be worthwhile to bring the world to peace soon."

Seeing that everyone accepted his statement, Cheng Decai was secretly relieved.

Thanks to the troubled times now, everyone is willing to accept what they say.

If it was a time of peace and prosperity, and I only brought this up by myself, I am afraid there will be many people who will die.

"This issue of the Academy of Sciences needs more attention from Director Li. If there is not enough manpower, Director Li can call relatives, friends and students, and I will bestow corresponding official positions according to talents." Cheng De said seriously.

Li Shanchang nodded: "Reporting to the general, I have written to you earlier, and they should be on the way at this time."

After hearing this, Cheng De looked at Li Shanchang very relievedly, "If someone is recruited, I will consider it myself. If he is really talented, then, Master Li will be promoted after finishing the affairs related to the Academy of Sciences and locust control. Master Li is in charge."

Li Shanchang was overjoyed when he heard the words, he quickly bowed and said: "The students will definitely fulfill the general's entrustment."

Lu didn't need to watch from the sidelines, his eyes were full of envy.

But my heart is a little sour.

At this moment, Cheng De also looked at Lu Wuyu, "Of course, if Master Lu manages the plague of locusts well, I will treat him with the position of governor."

Lu didn't have to be overjoyed: "Thank you, General, my subordinates will definitely cure the locust plague!"

I must do a good job in controlling the locust plague. If it is done well, there is hope for success.

Lu needn't secretly look forward to it.

Li Shanchang, who had just been happy for a while, secretly looked at Lu Yong.

It seems that this person is my future opponent.

I must gain the general's trust more than this person.

You also need to find out some things about the other party.
Li Shanchang's eyes flickered.

Cheng De's face suddenly became serious.

Seeing this, everyone guessed that it had something to do with what the general was going to say next.

"Now, the existing food can only supply my [-] Sizhou army for ten days." Cheng De looked around the crowd and said.

Of course, if you add Zhang Qijiu's dark hand, it can still last for more than half a month.

However, if he is not in a desperate situation, he does not want to use that dark hand, although he has already prepared this dark hand.

Because he was a little worried that if he ate that kind of meat, it would cause the Sizhou army to have an epidemic.

When everyone present heard Cheng De's words, their faces were extremely heavy.

Zhang Qijiu's heart was even heavier.

He remembered that before he was about to execute a dozen brothers who were about to die, he had privately approached the general to intercede for them, because he really couldn't do that.

The general agreed, but put forward a condition: These people must serve as the vanguard of the Huai'an Road attack. If they survive this battle, they don't have to be killed.But before attacking Huai'an Road, they were confined in a courtyard, and outsiders were not allowed to communicate with them.

And Zhang Qijiu immediately agreed, and secretly set up a bureau to imprison the dozen or so brothers in a courtyard, and the imprisoned dozen or so brothers were willing.

Zhang Qijiu knew that the general would definitely talk about attacking Huai'an Road next, and this was what the general told him in private.

And he was naturally tight-lipped and didn't tell anyone.

"Under my rule, I am surrounded by the Yuan army. If things go on like this, I will be persecuted by the Yuan army! Chuzhou is not suitable for attacking. Attacking Chuzhou will face hundreds of thousands of Yuan army, and the existing foundation will also go to waste. Anfeng Lushou The county is blocked by Hengjian Mountain, and attacking it will consume countless food and grass, which is unwise. As for the attack on Hefei, the long journey will not be good for our army, and the enemy's troops are in full swing."

Cheng De went on to say: "So, after thinking twice, I decided to adopt the countermeasure Li Master gave me—attack Huai'an Road! If Huai'an Road is taken down, then the food problem can be solved. Moreover, there is a salt field there, which can be greatly improved." Mass production of salt. Can you tell me how to attack Huai'an Road and win with the least casualties?"

Attack Huai'an Road?
Everyone was a little surprised.

But he was also convinced by Cheng De's reason.

But in his heart, he began to think about the strategy of attacking Huai'an Road.

Each secretly competes.

After all, according to the past, if the strategy proposed by someone is adopted by the general, he will basically be the one to implement it.

Basically, first-class work can be determined.

This point, everyone tacitly.

This time, I must come up with a good plan, everyone thought.

As for Li Shanchang, Lu Yong and Luo Mao, they also began to frown and think.

Although they can't go to the battlefield, if they contribute to this matter, they can share some credit, so why not do it.

But Zhang Qijiu and Yang Zhongkai kept silent.

Because they all know that their duty is to be the knife in the general's hand.

Not a general on the battlefield.

Besides, they're not good at it either.

(End of this chapter)