Win the Ding 1617

In the golden autumn of September, the sun is still shining in the sky in Guangdong, Guangxi and Nanzhong, just like midsummer. The late rice is covered with a golden color in the paddy field. Farmers are counting with their fingers on the edge of the paddy field. After that, how much can I have in my own hands to bring food and clothing to the whole family, can I buy some clothes, add a few good iron plowshares, and a buffalo calf is enough.

People in Guangdong and Guangxi have begun to see a glimmer of hope.

In Liaodong, which is known as a place of bitter cold, the cold current from Siberia carries a majestic majesty, crossing the Daze, Yuehangaishan, and crossing the Nanhe River, all the way to Liaodong.

The weeds and trees on the banks of the Hun River, the green grass that used to cover the sky and the shade of the sun, has gradually begun to wither.The weeds by the river are as tall as a person, from the root to the tip of the grass, the green is getting less and less, and the yellow is getting more and more. At this time in previous years, it is time to urge the slaves and coat ahas of all banners to start harvesting hay. Time to get ready to store winter forage for your livestock.

In previous years, tens of thousands of slaves from various banners on the banks of the Hun River, Ahas, went out to battle at dawn, sweating in the grass, and which coat Aha dared to straighten his waist and beat him, and he could no longer stretch out. Straight waist, he will be whipped by the supervisor with a rawhide whip with four edges and sharp lines, causing him to roll around on the ground, his skin ripped apart.In any winter, the forage stockpiled was not enough for the livestock to survive the winter. In order to ensure the fodder for the horses of the Eight Banners soldiers and horses, more than half of the cattle and sheep had to be slaughtered every year.

Different from the past, although there are still coated ahas on both sides of the Hun River this year harvesting grass with sickles, the atmosphere is relatively relaxed, and there are occasional chatter and laughter among the crowd.

Since last year, the mission of Prince Li Daishan to handle the planting of corngrass in Liaodong has gradually started. Large areas of abandoned land were briefly opened up by the coaters of various banners and then planted with corngrass seeds transported from the south.

"This land. If the grass is alive, you will live. If the grass is dead, you will go to the mountains to dig mines and dig ginseng!"

The murderous words of the masters at all levels gave this contract responsibility system a bloody smell.Let the slaves in charge of the lands fear.After Prince Da Rui came back from going south, large-scale iron smelting started again.For building weapons, the demand for iron and charcoal is increasing.In addition to ordering people to buy ideas from within the pass, more is to find iron ore in various parts of Liaodong, logging and burning charcoal to provide raw materials and power for ironmaking.

However, what is a good job to go to the deep mountains and old forests to cut wood, burn charcoal and gather ginseng?A life of narrow escape!Therefore, countless slaves all threw themselves down.Serve these corngrass seeds like you would a sick child.

It's not bad, although nearly a hundred people were sent to the forest to log because no grass sprouts emerged in the fields they were in charge of, but the seeds of most people successfully germinated, and their lives were temporarily saved.

Although the growth of these corngrass is not as described by the Shanxi businessman, it can grow to about one person, which is more than enough to feed the war horses of the Eight Banners.

Go north along the Hun River.That is Shenyang City. Thousands of houses have been newly built in the west of the city, where the military workshop of the Eight Banners is located.

The so-called arms workshop is actually a place where guns and artillery are manufactured for the Eight Banners.

In the elm forest on the bank of the Hun River not far from the arms workshop, there are bursts of "bang bang" sound of firecrackers from time to time, and occasionally rumbling cannons, which are the people of the arms workshop. Check whether the manufactured guns have reached the design performance.Check for safety.

Since Dorgon returned from looting in the pass in the spring, the place has become lively.

As an emerging regime, the Liaodong rebels have no rejection of any new technology. On the contrary, they have a natural sense of closeness. As long as they know that this technology can benefit their development, they will definitely invest in it at all costs.After Dorgon presented Huang Taiji with the guns and thorns of the Southern Guangdong Army seized on the Changqing battlefield, the place became more and more busy and lively.

In fact, it's not just the Liaodong rebels, any backward nation.The desire and pursuit of science, technology and culture are almost crazy.You can take a look at the famous Temujin. His Mongolian cavalry made arrows from the original spikes and armor from cowhide, and quickly absorbed the technological achievements of various civilizations.In the era of Kublai Khan, it has the technological level to manufacture the first human firecracker.The degree of progress and leapfrog development in this cannot be described as open cheating.

For making firecrackers, Jiannu from Huang Taiji to Ma Guangyuan and others thought that it was extremely simple and easy to do. Even the Qing Dynasty had cannon-casting craftsmen, who could cast a lot of cannons every year. These craftsmen who made firecrackers were even more abound.But in the past, the Qing Dynasty didn't pay much attention to it, so the barbarians of the Southern Guangdong Army took advantage of it by luck!However, after Ma Guangyuan, Ding Qiming and others took over the task from Huang Taiji and began to imitate the firecrackers equipped by the Southern Guangdong Army, they discovered that the seemingly simple production of firecrackers actually requires extremely high craftsman skills and production organization. !Compared with making guns, making guns is not so handy.

After the firecrackers were produced and put on horses, the craftsmen carefully crafted them according to the style of the southern Guangdong army's firecrackers. Although the more than a hundred firecrackers produced were much better than the equipment of the army, they were used as military weapons workshops. Huang Taiji was dissatisfied when the discharge test was carried out in front of Taiji.

He frowned and said: "This kind of gun can be used to deal with the Guanning army in the past, but it is not enough to deal with the Liaodong Ming army today! If it is used to enter the customs and fight against the Southern Guangdong army, I am afraid that my Eight Banners soldiers will suffer more casualties! He held up the black and thick firecracker in his hand, white smoke was emitting from the muzzle.

Ma Guangyuan, Ding Qiming and others didn't care about the snow and ice all over the ground, and hurriedly knelt down and pleaded guilty.

"bring here!"

Huang Taiji snorted, and ordered the guard Adai beside him to take a firecracker.This was one of the firecrackers presented to him by Dorgon that day. Because of its good quality, Huang Taiji ordered someone to refurbish it, and added a piece of pistachio wood buttock as his royal use.

"This was presented to me by Prince Rui. It is the firecracker used by the Nanman. Take a look, what is the difference between it and what you made?"

According to the order, Adai fired a blunderbuss into the sky, and everyone couldn't help trembling slightly after being shocked, then handed the blunderbuss to Ma Guangyuan.This is an imperial envoy to supervise the engineering town.The old Hanchen, who was in charge of the logistics and engineering affairs of the Qing Dynasty, forging weapons, casting artillery, etc., respectfully took over the well-maintained firecracker with both hands.

He, who has been in charge of making firearms for many years, knows from the beginning that this original firecracker is compared with the knockoffs he made.In addition to the difference in the weight of the barrel and the firing temperature of the barrel due to the different materials used for the barrel, let alone the shooting range and armor-piercing strength, he was very surprised to talk about the various components of the firecracker.

"The fourteenth brother demonstrated to me that day that the firecrackers used by the Nanban can be replaced by parts. Among dozens of broken firecrackers, at least twenty usable ones can be pieced together. The firecrackers made by you , you dismantled it and mixed it together for me, reassemble it and have a look!"

To be honest, weapons production, until the North proposed standardized production during the Civil War, the parameters, dimensions, quality, and performance of gun parts were all large and standardized.That's why there is a plot in the movie Patriots where the pig's feet have to melt the tin soldiers to make bullets for their muskets. It's very simple. The calibers of muskets or muskets vary greatly, and it is impossible for the military supply department to provide uniform ammunition.Compared with the firearms made by the Ming army, the firearms made by the Qing army are already very good. At least, the firearms of the Qing army will not explode.There will be no such thing as the cost of 150 taels of silver for a gun.

However, this is far from enough for a hero like Huang Taiji.

He looked down at Ma Guangyuan, Ding Qiming, and the black craftsmen behind them, and said slowly: "I heard that the Western cannons are made in places where two or three out of ten are called national masters, and there has never been anyone who can make a hundred and win a hundred. This red-clothed cannon is a sharp weapon of the country, so there is no need to be scruples about materials, but it must not be wasted. The fire blunderbuss is a plan offered by Prince Rui, and it will be a sharp weapon in battles against the Ming army in the future. It must be crafted carefully, and we must not slack off."

"Returning to the master, the servants have learned that there are many firearms of the Southern Guangdong Army in the camps of the Ming army in Ningyuan and Jinzhou. Although it is not this kind of flint-haired self-generating firearms, the precision of the firearms is far better than before. I If the army does not have a large amount of equipment and trains to use firecrackers, it will inevitably repeat the scene of Changqing when it faces Hong Chengchou of the Ming army in the future." Shuo Tuo, the new Manchurian Zhenghong flag leader, whispered to Huang Taiji what he had recently learned about the army.By the way, hit Ma Guangyuan with a black brick from behind.

"My Majesty, just now, my servant was favored by His Majesty, and tried to shoot a blunderbuss made by my Eight Banners. Compared with the blunderbuss made by Nanman, it seems that it takes a lot of effort to get the fire and pull the trigger. It seems that this thing is missing. "Fan Wencheng took the original Nanzhong firecracker used by Huang Taiji from Ma Guangyuan's hand, and held a Baqi Shanzhai version of the firecracker in his other hand, and held it in front of Huang Taiji, asking him to watch it.

Between the faucet and the trigger, the counterfeit version has no spring.

"Lacking this item, the slave had to pull the trigger twice to successfully fire. If, as Prince Rui said, the whole army lined up to shoot, I'm afraid there will be first and second."

Everyone chattered, turning Ma Guangyuan's fiery mind into ice-cold. They originally planned to take these hundreds of newly-made firecrackers and buy them in front of Huang Taiji to claim credit and receive some rewards. You know, Huang Taiji has never been stingy towards craftsmen and those who have contributed to making weapons.This is much stronger than the Ming Dynasty, which treated craftsmen as pariahs.

But looking at today's posture, I'm afraid that Mr. Ma can keep the six catties and four taels of food on his head and go back, it is the blessing of his ancestors!

Ma Guangyuan is slippery by nature, his mentality is no different from that of the military leaders elsewhere in Ming Dynasty, he does everything he can to preserve the strength of his subordinates as a capital to settle down.When encountering this kind of life-and-death juncture, it is natural to think about nothing else in your mind, only thinking about how to save your family's life.

"However, master, as a slave, I think that Governor Ma has done his best in making an official." Fan Wencheng handed Huang Taiji's firecracker back to Adai, and continued to speak his opinion slowly.

"The fire blunderbuss presented by Prince Rui that day only opened my eyes to the Eight Banners, knowing that there are such excellent things in the world. However, I know it but I don't know why. In the past, the Qin State made military weapons, all of which were labor-intensive. I want to come and share with you. The things in Nanzhong have the same effect. However, the things made by our Eight Banners are all made by a single craftsman. The difference is unknown, but a slight difference can be a thousand miles away. In my humble opinion, I still ask Ma Du to make officials After I go back, I have to think about it, and I must make something that can keep pace with the utensils used by the Nanman."

"Ma Aiqing is diligent in state affairs, I am very relieved, but this matter is related to my luck in the Qing Dynasty, and it cannot be taken lightly! It is necessary to create a firecracker that is exactly the same as the guns used by the Nanman! If it can be produced Such an excellent thing, I will reward you generously!"

The artisans, officials, and foundry leaders who were present did not doubt Huang Taiji's heavy rewards.They themselves are the beneficiaries of such policies and rewards.For outstanding craftsmen, the Qing army has always been generous in rewards, giving officials, silver, and servants.The gift of land and houses, especially for gunsmiths, is even more generous. They are rewarded with two taels of grain and silver every month, five stones and three buckets of rice every quarter, and gifts of houses and acres of land.It is even rewarded to generations of golden fire worshiping Tang A.Wang Tianxiang, who was kneeling behind Ma Guangyuan and Ding Qiming, was promoted from a slave to Rabre Hafan because he was good at casting cannons, and then he was promoted to a royal with his merits in casting.

"Listen, if someone can make the firecrackers made by us in the Qing Dynasty to the point where they are interchangeable with the southern barbarian firecrackers, I will give you a big reward!"

Facing the black craftsmen and slaves in front of him, Huang Taiji once again reiterated his thirst for talent.

"Your Majesty, this matter is actually quite simple!"

Among the crowd, someone whispered something, although the voice was not loud, but at this moment when a needle dropped on the ground could be heard clearly, it was no less than a spring thunder exploding in everyone's ears so-so.

"Dog slave! The emperor is here. How dare you be so presumptuous!"

"Find me this despicable Nikan Aha! This king will cut him off in front of my father!"

Dodo and Hauge roared at the same time.

The leader of the guards, A Dai, led more than a dozen virtuous Gebush soldiers of the Zhenghuang Banner to follow the sound, and quickly picked out the person who had just spoken from a group of slaves covered in smoke and iron filings.

The wise soldiers of Ge Bushi kicked and beat the slave and pushed the slave down in front of Huang Taiji's throne, "Don't embarrass him. Since he dared to say this, he must have some confidence. Look up." The slave let go, and Hwang Tae-ji ordered him to raise his head and speak.

He had a round face, although his body was covered with charcoal gray iron filings, and there were some burnt holes in his clothes, but he didn't look downcast.On the contrary, a pair of small eyes are very bright.

"What's your name? Is there any way to make my firecrackers of the Qing Dynasty as good as those of the Southern Barbarians?"

"Back to the emperor, the common people call him Chen Banda. When the family was in the Ming Dynasty, it was a craftsman household belonging to the Jiazhang Bureau of the Ministry of War."

"If you have a way to make my Qing Dynasty make fine firecrackers. I will immediately promote you to the imperial guard! Be a member of my Zhenghuang banner!" Huang Taiji's reward immediately made everyone speechless. If you are killed, there may not necessarily be Zhang Lu sweeping up the corpse, just because there is a way to exchange the parts of the Qing Dynasty's firecrackers, you can become a backup in one step.Become a slave under Zhenghuang's banner? !

"The villain dare not ask for rewards from the emperor, but only wants to serve the emperor with peace of mind." Chen Banda kowtowed to Huang Taiji on his knees, thanking Huang Taiji endlessly.

Hauge who was standing beside Huang Taiji saw that his father valued him so much, and immediately changed his attitude. He took out a few gold beans and silver dollars from his purse and threw them to Chen Banda. "This king rewards you! Just talk about it, how can I make my Daqing's firecrackers no different from those of the southern barbarians?" He shouted in a rough voice, ignoring the surrounding Duduo, Dorgon, Daishan, Shuo The dissatisfaction and hatred in the eyes of Tuo and others.

Chen Banda recognized Prince Su Hauge, but he didn't take the gold beans and silver dollars from the ground after kowtowing.

"Xiaomin dare not accept the reward from the prince, but only ask for a few utensils, which can be shown to the emperor by Xiaomin."

Huang Taiji ordered people to spread a felt blanket on the ground, fetched the two bronze mirrors Chen Banda needed, spread dozens of firecrackers on a huge white cloth, and ordered people to move the throne in front of Chen Banda .

"Chen Banda, I will personally watch your demonstration here!"

"Thank you, Lord Ron!"

Saying thank you, Chen Banda's hands kept moving, his fingers danced nimbly, and he quickly disassembled the firecrackers with the help of tools, and disassembled them into a pile of parts.Then arrange these parts by category and divide them into more than a dozen small piles on the white cloth.

Seeing Chen Banda's movements like flowing clouds and flowing water, everyone present couldn't help but put away their underestimation.

"This savage really has some evil ways!"

"I don't know how skillful this person is, but in all fairness, I'm afraid there is no one in my arms workshop who can disassemble and assemble a firecracker like this!"

Seeing that the dozens of firecrackers in front of him were dismantled into piles of parts in an instant, Chen Banda wiped the sweat from his forehead a little, looked up and saw Huang Taiji's rather surprised expression, and couldn't help but feel secretly happy.

"Please the emperor give you the imperial fire gun for the common people to use!"

Huang Taiji signaled Adai to hand over the beautifully decorated firecracker to Chen Banda.

Ban Dazhen took off his coat with great care, spread it on the felt blanket, and then carefully disassembled Huang Taiji's original and genuine Nanyue Army fire blunderbuss.

Taking the two bronze mirrors on the side, put the faucet, trigger and other objects of the firecracker together one by one, looked at the sun at noon in late spring, and lost them as they looked, while several craftsmen next to them kept putting the parts together. Pass it into his hands.

Seeing that there were more and more parts thrown aside by him, and only one out of ten of them remained on the felt blanket, the relatives and nobles of the Eight Banners present couldn't hold back their anger, "Let this barbarian be proud for a while, sir If you can't do what the emperor wants, you must cut him into eight pieces!"

Dozens of firecracker parts, only a few firecracker parts were pitifully placed in a small pile in front of Chen Banda.

Chen Banda first reassembled Huang Taiji's firecracker respectfully, and handed his hands back to A Dai who was standing aside.

"Your Majesty, please invite some warriors who are good at firing firecrackers to see if they can meet the requirements of the Emperor."

Five or six soldiers of the Yellow Banner stood on both sides of Chen Banda with their chests folded, watching him take out gun barrels, triggers, faucets, cleaning rods, etc. from the pile of parts at random, and reassemble the original mess Parts become murderous weapons.He was assembling the firecrackers in his hands neatly, but the brothers Dorgon and Duoduo over there felt as if they had knocked over a five-flavored bottle, full of resentment.

"I didn't expect such a person to be hidden among the slaves who looted near the capital! If I had known this earlier, I wouldn't have given this person to this black fat man to deal with, and raised him directly in the mansion. It would not be good to make weapons for my warriors ?”

"Bang bang bang!" A series of five or six firecrackers sounded, and the firecrackers that had not been loaded with projectiles showed that they were firing normally.

"Chen Banda, you disassembled these firecrackers again, then reassembled them after messing them up. This time, I will release them together with several princes!"

This time, Huang Taiji was not disappointed. The reassembled firecracker still fired smoothly after being loaded with projectiles.Xi Duoduo and others held the firecracker in their arms and refused to let go.

"Chen Banda, now you are my Qing defense! In charge of making firecrackers!"

As for the raising of the Zhenghuang Banner, Chen Banda, Fan Wencheng and other princes politely stopped it.

"I believe that today's rewards are already extremely generous. If you carry the Zhenghuang Banner right away, it won't be too late if Mr. Chen makes further contributions in the future."

This happened in spring. At that time, Shou Han was still dealing with Zheng Zhilong in the sea of ​​Xiamen.

Now it's September, Huang Taiji put down his guard of honor once again, and came to the military workshop in the west of the city in a mighty way!