King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

Chapter 164 Mr. Hou, stop practicing, gunpowder costs money!

at this time.

Because Zhu Tan has higher standards for the research and development of fire guns.

Wanhu is still in a state of distress.

Regardless of the material of the barrel, the reloadable ammunition, the trigger and the rifling, Wanhu felt his scalp numb.

Fortunately, under Zhu Tan's guidance, these technical problems have been almost solved after nearly a year.

However, what these soldiers are holding now is not the new type of firecrackers.

They are all relatively simple fire guns currently manufactured.

Wanhu was the first person to manufacture Daming firearms at that time. Both firearms and gunpowder were produced by Wanhu and must be high-quality products.

Even though there hasn't been that much advancement in technology, it's still very easy to use.

Zhu Tan's request is that everyone in King Lu's guard must learn to use fire guns.

Therefore, King Lu's guard of five thousand people has thousands of households here to test fire guns every day.

It was different from the ridiculously high gunpowder manufacturing cost that Guo Ying imagined.

With the help of Zhutan, saltpeter and sulfur are not difficult to find. The firearms workshop hosted by Wanhu is operating at full capacity. Thousands of people train with firecrackers every day. This little gunpowder is nothing.

Zhu Tan was not very clear about the regulations for making firecrackers before.

I have always thought that this is a strategic resource of the country, and it must be produced by the Ministry of Industry, and other regions cannot randomly produce it.

However, he only found out about it when he mentioned it to Zhao Quan.

The imperial court did not pay much attention to firecrackers.

As long as each local health station has the ability, they can make their own firecrackers.

This also led to the fact that the manufacturing styles and standards of fireguns were different across the country at this time. Some were simply crudely made, while the fireguns in some places were very well-made. Whether it was good or bad all depended on the level of local craftsmen.

Bang bang bang bang bang-!
in front of you.

Hundreds of sergeants were lined up in three rows, firing muskets.

Guo Ying looked at the scene in front of him and couldn't help but be stunned!
I saw the soldiers arranged in three neat rows, with a few steps between each row.

The soldiers were neatly divided into three rows, with just the right distance between each row to quickly pass the blunderbuss and reload ammunition.

与常见的三段式射击不同，这次演练中，第一排并非全体同时射击，而是先由处于奇数位置的士兵——即队列1、3、5、7、9、11等位置的士兵进行射击。

紧接着，处于偶数位置——队列2、4、6、8、10、12的士兵接力射击，保证了火力的连续性。

When the first row of soldiers finished shooting, they immediately handed the empty guns to the soldiers in the middle row and took the loaded muskets from them, preparing for the next shot.

The soldiers in the middle row acted as passers. They quickly took the loaded firecrackers from the soldiers in the third row, handed them to the soldiers in the first row, and at the same time passed the empty guns they received to the soldiers in the third row. Carry out ammunition reloading.

The third row of soldiers focused on the task of loading ammunition. They operated it skillfully, ensuring that each firecracker could be reloaded in the shortest time and ready for the next round of shooting.

Guo Ying looked at the training scene in front of her and was shocked to the extreme!

I couldn't help but lost my voice and said: "Shooting like this, doesn't it mean that the fire gun has no gaps in shooting and can always attack!"

(Historically, the three-stage shooting was invented by Mu Ying during the war against Silunfa, the leader of Luchuan Kingdom, in the 22nd year of Hongwu.)
Zhao Quan and others said with smiles on their faces: "Exactly! This is the secret taught by His Highness King Lu to his subordinates! Before we had seen this shooting method, we all felt that the power of the fire gun was limited and the reloading speed was too slow! But now It seems that this fire blunderbuss is far better than the bow and arrow."

It’s Zhutan again!

Guo Ying was already a little numb.

I even began to doubt life.

Is it possible that my nephew is really a saint who was born with knowledge?

How come he knows everything!
I read so many military books before coming to King Lu Wei, is it really still useful?

Why is everything here brand new, yet everything seems so reasonable!

If Guo Ying had not seen Lu Wangwei's soldiers in actual combat before, he was not so confident in the combat power of Lu Wangwei's soldiers, but now he has seen the scenes of these guns being fired, which makes him completely confident. !

He seemed to have seen the scene where the Mongolian Yuan cavalry charged at the fire gun team in front of him, and then the people who were beaten by the fire gun team's continuous attacks were turned upside down.
Under normal circumstances, infantry has no way to compete with cavalry.

Unless the infantry far outnumber the cavalry.

But at this time, Lu Wangwei used the firecracker to give Guo Ying a new understanding!
So what if the cavalry is strong?
Can you withstand such continuous attacks of firecrackers?

By then, the Ming Dynasty's Northern Expedition to the grasslands will not necessarily require cavalry to fight the Mongols. These fire rifle soldiers can also defeat more with less!
Of course, if the Fire Gun Soldier rides a horse.
That’s not invincible!

In fact, the shooting distance of the fire gun at this time is almost the same as that of the bow and arrow.

The difference in attack power is not much.

But the difference between fire gun soldiers and archers is that it is very difficult to train an elite archer, and the investment is huge. It mainly depends on the talent of the soldier.

But the fire gun soldiers don't need so much training, as long as they can pick up the fire gun and hit it steadily and accurately!
Even the most ordinary soldier can do it!
What a terrifying scene it is to think about the elite crossbowmen per capita!

For the Mongols, this was hell!
Guo Ying thought about it and sighed: "This three-stage shooting method must be reported to the court!"

Seeing Zhao Quan and others stunned.

Guo Ying coughed lightly and said: "I know that you, King Lu, and the guards are all under the guidance of His Highness King Lu, and you are very proud of these special skills!

But this three-stage shooting method was of great use to the imperial court! Don’t worry, if His Majesty finds out, he will definitely reward His Highness King Lu! "

Zhao Quan gave a dry laugh and said: "Master Hou, now we are King Lu Wei."

Guo Ying:.
Then he smiled awkwardly and said, "That's right! We King Lu and the Guard don't need to rely on these things, we can still be the strongest army in the world!"

Everyone was a little uninterested when they heard Guo Ying's sincere praise.

Of course, everyone also knows that as the general in charge of Wu Dinghou and the imperial court, Guo Ying is normal for sending troops with one hundred and eighty thousand troops every time. Even if he is now in charge of King Lu's guard, it is estimated that the Houye will have the world in his heart!

This is where status determines the pattern and thinking.

Subsequently.

In order to cover up his embarrassment, Guo Ying looked at the continuous sound of gunpowder on the fire gun training ground and said with some distress: "So much gunpowder is wasted like this. If the gunpowder is used too much, the gun tube will wear out and it will break. This is a waste." how much?"

Although it was to change the topic, what Guo Ying said was true.

Guo Ying has always been very curious about things like fire guns.

Of course, this is also because every man is more or less fascinated by weapons.

However, as a general in charge of the army, Guo Ying also knew that firecrackers were expensive to use and a waste of gunpowder. Although they were powerful, they should be used on the battlefield and on the blade, so even if he was curious on weekdays, , but I am too embarrassed to try it easily.

At that time, the cost of making a fire gun was as high as more than three taels of silver!

Coupled with the consumption of gunpowder, lead bullets, and iron bullets, it is really not cheap.

Generals of Guo Ying's level usually command from the camp. Even in a critical moment, it is nothing more than drawing out the weapon, waving it and shouting: "Come with me!"

Then, it was none of his business, and there was no chance of using the blunderbuss!
So on weekdays, Guo Ying would only feel itchy when seeing a fire gun, but it was rare for him to try it.

however.

Zhao Quan next to him heard Guo Ying's words, but he didn't know whether he was showing off intentionally or revealing them unintentionally.

He smiled and said: "His Royal Highness King Lu has pointed out to the general that this firearm will definitely become the main weapon of the Ming Dynasty soldiers in the future. If King Lu's guards want to become the best soldiers in the world, everyone must know and understand firearms!
From soldiers to officers, everyone must practice!
Everyone has to practice every day. "

When Guo Ying heard this, he was stunned.

He said in disbelief: "You mean, the entire 5,000 people in King Lu's guard have to practice fire guns here every day?"

Zhao Quan smiled and nodded: "That's what the Marquis said!"

hiss--!
Originally, Guo Ying thought that Lu Wangwei just sent out 1000 people as fire rifle soldiers.

Now it seems that everyone needs to know it!
Then the training costs will continue to soar!

Not to mention anything else, these five thousand fire guns alone cost fifteen thousand taels of silver! What's more, these firecrackers wear out extremely quickly. Judging from their daily training rate, it is estimated that it is normal to use three to five firecrackers a year!
How much money does this cost?
Zhu Tan is a prodigal son.
If you have money, you are really willing to spend it!

Of course, Guo Ying also admitted that if the 5,000 people in King Lu's guard could all become masters of fire cannons, their power would be the highest among all armies of the Ming Dynasty.

Think of this.

Guo Ying was delighted.

He looked at Zhao Quan and others and said: "Now that I am the commander of King Lu's guard, shouldn't I also learn to use fire blunderbuss?"

Everyone nodded after hearing this.

Zhao Quan smiled and said: "Master Hou can really feel the power of the fire gun! I have been practicing a lot these days!"

Guo Ying nodded, feeling itchy. He quickly took a blunderbuss and walked to the shooting range.

Zhao Quan smiled and said: "Master Hou usually sits in the central command and may not have much contact with weapons. Now he can fire a few more rounds to try and get a feel for it! Haha."

boom--!
The firecracker in Guo Ying's hand has already been released.

After the fight.

The person next to him handed him a loaded firecracker.

Guo Yingdao: "Commander Zhao is right! I have to study hard. Tsk! This sound is exciting! It's fun!"

An hour later.

The generals' legs and feet were numb.

Everyone was dumbfounded when they saw Guo Ying enthusiastically continuing to take the gun to fight!

"Master Marquis, your fire blunderbuss is already very powerful, you just hit all ten of them!"

"Really? I think this gun is still a little crooked? Try firing a few more rounds."

"Master Hou, it's really accurate!"

"Master Marquis, you can be called the God of Guns in the Ming Dynasty!"

"Master Hou, it's getting late today"

In the end, Guo Ying also heard the helplessness of the generals, and had no choice but to put down the gun in anger.

"You still need to practice this fire gun. The more I practice, the more I feel that I am not good at it!"

All the generals sighed in their hearts.

Although I think Wu Dinghou is very humble, why does it always give people the feeling that he is taking advantage of the opportunity of practicing fire guns to have fun?
After finally finishing practicing the firecrackers, Guo Ying looked at the artillery, rockets, and even landmines and other firearms not far away, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

Walked over quickly!

"As a member of King Lu's guard, how can I not understand firearms? Come on! Bring that fire thunder and let me feel it!"

Guo Ying said with excitement on her face!
Everyone was shocked.

There is no harm in practicing fire guns. Today's fire guns are relatively safe.

Not so with these firearms!
Either it might explode, or it might explode suddenly!
It is one thing for the Marquis to have fun playing with firecrackers.

But if something dangerous happens when playing with these big killers, that's another matter!
No one dared to take such a big responsibility anyway, so they tried their best to persuade Guo Ying.

Guo Ying finally stopped her hand with a sigh, but still wanted to see the power!
now.

These firearms have been strengthened with Zhutan's enhanced version of gunpowder, and coupled with Wanhu's careful transformation, their power has been even greater.

soon.

On the martial arts field.

The bowl-mouth cannon was the first to show off its power. With a flash of muzzle fire, the cannonballs streaked across the sky like meteors, speeding towards the target in the distance. When the shell hit the ground, it made an earth-shattering noise, which made Guo Ying's ears buzz.

Incendiary explosive cans and copper cannons are more powerful. After the incendiary explosive can is detonated, it releases huge amounts of heat and gas, forming a sea of ​​​​fire. The copper cannon's shells seemed to have eyes, hitting the target accurately, triggering bursts of earth-shattering explosions.

The launch of a swarm of rockets was even more spectacular, and Guo Ying was amazed by it!
Dozens of rockets were seen taking off at the same time. They drew bright arcs in the sky, and then exploded one after another.

The whole sky was lit red by the firelight.

"Awesome! So awesome! I have seen a lot of firearms over the years, but this Lu Wangwei's firearm is the sharpest!"

Zhao Quan and others also smiled when they heard Guo Ying's words.

Mr. Hou praised us!

I had enough fun in the martial arts arena.

Guo Ying originally thought that he had seen everything about Lu Wangwei.

did not expect.

Zhao Quan and others brought Guo Ying to a brand new place.

Guo Ying looked at the three big characters in front of him.

"Martial arts hall? What is this for? Is it also established at the request of His Highness King Lu?"

Zhao Quan smiled and said: "Exactly! The Martial Arts Hall was established by His Royal Highness King Lu to teach sergeants and officers! Nowadays, it is also very popular among the soldiers!"

Guo Ying smiled.

"Then I would like to see what can be taught here!"

soon.

Everyone walked to the first big tent.

Guo Ying walked in and found that someone was writing on a wall with plaster.

While writing, the man pointed to the words on the wall and explained to the soldiers below: "What I will teach you today is the word loyalty and the word courage! Loyalty means loyalty to your majesty, loyalty to the Ming Dynasty, and loyalty to us as Lu. The identity of a King Guard soldier is to be loyal and courageous, which means that you must not be afraid of death on the battlefield, but you must also move forward bravely in the face of difficulties!”

at this time.

Under the stage, hundreds of sergeants lowered their heads and carefully wrote the words on the wall with the brushes in their hands in various ridiculous postures.

Guo Ying couldn't help but be surprised when he saw it!
"This sergeant of King Lu's Guard still needs to know how to read?"

You know, in the Ming Dynasty, not to mention these soldiers, most ordinary people did not have the opportunity to be literate.

Reading and literacy is still a luxury for most people.

however.

it's here.

Zhu Tan is actually teaching all the big soldiers how to read!

Zhao Quan laughed dryly and said: "This is the request of His Highness King Lu! To be honest, I don't know why His Highness must let the soldiers learn to read. But since it is His Highness's order, I can only obey it!"

Guo Ying nodded, then walked towards a sergeant who was writing seriously, looked at Zhao Quan and others, and said calmly: "If you want to know why His Royal Highness King Lu must teach soldiers how to read, just ask these people who have learned it."

When everyone saw so many officers coming in, they all stood up.

Guo Ying waved his hand and said: "You guys continue studying, I just want to ask one person a few questions!"

The "lucky guy" who was drawn was standing there with an embarrassed look on his face, rubbing his hands nervously!
These people in front of me are the commander and deputy envoys, as well as a thousand households!
What made him even more nervous was the big shot in front of him!
The conductor made all the adults follow him with respect on their faces!
Guo Ying looked at the sergeant with a gentle face and said with a smile: "I see that you have been studying writing seriously. Can you tell me? Why do you need to read?"

The sergeant was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said: "I don't know either! But I know that His Highness King Lu is good to us! Whatever he asks us to do, we have to do it well and do it well, so that we can be worthy of his old man! "

Guo Ying smiled.

Soon, he asked another person.

"I feel that if I can read, others will not be able to fool me! I also want to read books, and I also want to write letters. Now that I am a soldier of King Lu's guard, I want to live a life like a human being! If I can read, then I can Nothing makes me feel more proud than this!”

(End of this chapter)