Dawn of the Empire

Chapter 31 96 Holy Monarch (2)

The firecracker in front of him was very different from the firearm in his memory, it was like a fire stick that was half iron and half wood.Upon closer inspection, the ignition device is a "powder" lead inserted into the small hole at the end of the gun body, and the gunner ignites it with a fire pocket.The lead wires are stored in special leather bags with different lengths, depending on the situation of the enemy. If the enemy retreats, the lead wires will be snuffed out.

Zhao Xingde looked at the firecracker over and over again, but he couldn't figure out why, so he put the "burning stick" aside.Turning around, he saw a long knife leaning on the wall next to it. There were several gaps on the knife. He walked forward and found that the knife was taller than a person. The handle was three feet long and the blade was three feet long. , if a powerful person swings it, I am afraid that even three or five people will not be able to get close.Although the State of Song allowed the trading of swords, bows and arrows and other weapons, Zhao Xingde had never seen the shape of this long sword, and it was probably a sharp weapon that was forbidden by the people.

"Is this Mo Dao?" When Zhao Xingde first saw the ferocious shape, he first thought of Mo Dao which was very popular in the Tang Dynasty.

"No, the Mo Dao is three feet longer than the blade of this Mazha Dao, and now I have to use the Mo Dao in the middle school of Xia." She Lu glanced at Zhao Xingde, unexpectedly, this disciple of Tai Shiling shouted out. The name of the long-lost weapon, "This is a Mazha knife, also known as a horse-killing knife. Those bastards with a straight sword in front of the imperial court are full of food. They say they want to practice their hands and use it to kill an old horse, but they cut it on the ground. On the bone, the blade is broken and needs to be repaired."

"I heard that the blade of a battle formation is one inch strong, and one is strong. The blade of this Mazha knife is three feet shorter than the Mo knife. Isn't it a disadvantage?" Zhao Xingde asked doubtfully.

She Lu replied: "It is true that an inch is long and an inch is strong, but the blade is more likely to break when it is longer. It is not easy to make a Mazha knife that can kill horses, let alone a six-foot-long blade. Knife. The Mo knife is very expensive and easy to break, so it cannot be used by those who are not tall and strong with amazing arm strength, so this dynasty replaced it with the Mazha knife." What She Lu didn't say is that if it is purely made of high-quality steel and carefully crafted, A six-foot blade can also last for a long time, but forging such a good knife is too labor-intensive and expensive, so it cannot be used as a standard weapon issued to the imperial army.

"Then why Xia people still use the Mo Dao in the middle school, could it be that Xia people's sword casting skills are more sophisticated?" Zhao Xingde asked puzzled.

She Lu smiled wryly and said: "Although Xia Guo's Ordnance Department has unique secrets, good knives are all honed and tempered. If it is to save money, it may not be much better than my eight works. The lower officials don't know about the knife."

Song An said: "Yuan Zhi didn't know something. This fact has something to do with the military system of the Xia Kingdom. The Xia army is very brave and fights for the ten commander. The ten commander is the starting point of the military officer. If you fail this test, From then on, it is hopeless to elect a centurion, a school lieutenant, or even a general. The weapon used by the ten commanders in the martial arts competition is a personal choice. This Mo Dao is a first-class sharp weapon. It is the favorite weapon used by the tall and strong infantry in the Xia Dynasty when they compete for the commander. There are many sergeants who have won the contest with the Mo Dao, so this thing will naturally last forever."

This section was originally told by Chao Buzhi to Song An who had the same doubts, just like the candidates who go to the exam, most of them do everything possible to get a good brush, ink and inkstone.This competition to win an official position is a matter of honor and disgrace in a lifetime, no matter how expensive and costly a sharp weapon like the Mo Dao is, it is not as good as a sergeant who wins the competition and wins an official position.In the Kingdom of Xia, some family heirlooms are the Mo Dao that shines coldly.High-ranking officials and nobles also enjoy collecting precious swords. It is said that the royal family of the Xia Kingdom still has the Modao used by Li Siye, the Modao general of the Anxi Army of the Tang Dynasty.

Zhao Xingde nodded slightly, but thought to himself, although the shape of Mazha Dao and Mo Dao are similar, but in the battle against a strong enemy, it will take a lot of lives to fill the gap of three feet of blade.

While Xingde was meditating, it seemed that he was afraid that Zhao Xingde would underestimate the skill of making things. She Lu took the initiative to lead Zhao Xingde to a black cast iron ball, and introduced him quite proudly: "As the saying goes, he has Flying Pigeon Station, I have Jijiaobi, he has Iron Barrel Cannon, and I have Thunderbolt. This is the sharp weapon for defending the city, Thunderbolt."

Zhao Xingde looked closely, and saw dozens of small grooves criss-crossing on the surface of the pig iron ball, forming small raised squares. Presumably since the name is Zhentianlei, it must be filled with gunpowder. Once it explodes, it will be fragmented in all directions.There is also a small hole where the lead wire is placed in the inconspicuous part of the iron ball, but now it is sealed extremely tightly with grease and oiled paper.If it was time for the enemy ants to attack the city, they would ignite the Thunderbolt, which seemed to weigh more than two hundred catties, and throw it from the top of the city, there would be blood and flesh flying all over the city.

Zhao Xingde laughed and said, "Sure enough, what is that iron cannon?"

She Lei said: "Iron barrel guns are cannons. They are called iron barrel guns only because they are shaped like giant iron barrels placed on a slant. On the outer city of Bianjing, there are horse-faced battle sheds every 120 steps, and every [-] steps There is the Fangcheng Depot. A total of [-] iron barrel cannons are placed in the outer city, which are kept in the Fangcheng Depot on weekdays. If there is an emergency, they are taken out and placed in the horse-faced battle shed. Bomb and kill the enemy. If Mr. Zhao is interested, you can go and watch it yourself. However, in order to be safe, there are no iron barrels and cannons on the palace city and the inner city." Although he said so, the Bianjing Outer City Defense Depot But it is not for idlers to look at it at will.

Zhao Xingde was a little strange and said: "This dynasty adheres to the policy of guarding the inside and the outside, why are there such sharp weapons as artillery in the outer city, but not in the inner city and Miyagi?"

Yu Lei was taken aback for a moment, although the reasoning was simple, he didn't dare to talk nonsense, and only looked at Song An with a wry smile.Song An patted Zhao Xingde's shoulder, gestured with both hands to turn the muzzle of the cannon, biting the words: "Isn't this for the sake of safety? Besides, there are still surplus iron barrel cannons in the arsenal in the inner city. If necessary, it can be moved to the top of the city at any time."

It was only then that Zhao Xingde suddenly realized that it was really difficult for the officials to live under the city wall where the artillery was installed every day. Whoever dared to mention this indiscriminately would have to be allocated three thousand miles before talking about it.This board doesn't hit those who are lazy or rushed, but only those who don't have good eyesight.

Just when Zhao Xingde was visiting the Hanlin Academy, in the inner city arsenal, Shen Yun, an officer of the Imperial City Division, was coldly looking at the three Liaodong barbarians who were delighted from ear to ear in front of the iron barrel cannon.His Royal Highness King Jing, who promoted the Imperial City Division, and the third prince, Zhao Qi, asked the inner city arsenal to allocate [-] iron barrel cannons, [-] cannons, and [-] gunpowder to the Jurchens in the name of containing the Liao Kingdom. catty.These Jurchens came to see the goods in advance.Although the officials may not be aware of this, Shen Yun knew that the officials intended to attack Youyan in the north. Since it was the third prince's order, Shen Yun naturally did not dare to disobey.What's more, he still carried a stack of handovers handed over by Bai Maoxin in his arms. Although it was a bit thin, it showed that the barbarians did not understand the rules of the Central Plains.

Wanyan Zongbi stretched out his hand to touch the exquisitely cast patterns on the cannon, as if he was stroking the silky smooth skin of a young girl. Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Xiyin next to him were also salivating.Wanyan Zongbi 'touched' the cannon all over his body several times, reached out and knocked on it twice, frowned slightly, and looked back at Shen Yun with a watery face, this Shangguan looked quite difficult to deal with.He looked at Bai Maoxin who came with him and Yan Zongbi forced a smile, walked to Bai Maoxin's side, and whispered in a low voice: "Master Bai, didn't you agree to give the superior a good shot? Why are you looking at these things?" Isn't the cannon made of copper?"

Bai Maoxin's face changed slightly, and he glanced at Shen Yun, but he didn't reply dumbly.Wanyan Zongbi secretly scolded this person for not doing anything after collecting the gold, and followed his gaze towards Shen Yun.

Shen Yun snorted lightly, and said: "The copper cannons are basically made of money, you get what you pay for, with your little gold, do you still want copper cannons?" It’s also true that copper coins were popular in the Song Dynasty, and the price of copper is getting more and more expensive, so copper cannons are equal to a pile of money. Now the money shortage in various places is getting worse. Because of the lack of copper for making coins, the Sansi and Qianjian have joined forces Shangzuo suggested that the imperial court only cast iron cannons, and buy copper cannons from Xia, which is rich in copper and good at casting cannons, with silk tea.

Wanyan Zongbi was slapped by the eunuch, and wanted to argue, but felt that his cuffs were pulled twice. Turning his head, Bai Maoxin's index finger and thumb were slightly rubbed twice under his wide sleeves. , and pointed to Mr. Shen who didn't even look in this direction.

Not long after Wanyan Zongbi arrived in Bianjing, he was already familiar with this gesture.So he suppressed the grievance in his heart, and took out a stack of crosses from his arms. He remembered that the value was always tens of thousands.Then he approached Shen Yun with a smiling face, boldly stretched his hand into Shen Yun's wide sleeve, and handed over the handover.

Lord Shen never looked him in the eye, Wanyan Zongbi was even a little afraid that Jiaozi would fall if he didn't pick him up, but he didn't dare to stay next to him like this, let go and backed away.Shen Yun shook his sleeves slightly, and glanced skillfully and lightly. The denomination of the handover was one thousand guan, and after checking the thickness, he probably knew that this filial piety must be more than [-] guan. With a sound, he said: "Since His Royal Highness King Jing has opened his mouth, I don't want to be a hindrance, so I will let you barbarians take advantage of it." After saying that, he led these people to another iron barrel cannon.

At first glance, there was almost no difference between this cannon and the one just now, Wanyan Zongbi looked at Bai Maoxin with some doubts.

Bai Maoxin smiled slightly and said: "Third Prince Wanyan, look at the cannon mouth, is it different from just now?"

Wanyan Zongbi looked at the muzzle of the gun according to his words, and he breathed a sigh of relief. The muzzle of this copper cannon was completely larger than that of the cast iron gun just now, and the gun wall was also thinner.In order to attack the cities of the Liao Kingdom, the Wanyan tribe also tried to cast artillery. Although they were unsuccessful, Wanyan Zongbi knew that the thinner the barrel, the harder it is to cast. On the other hand, if the barrel of the artillery is well cast If it is thin and can withstand the explosive force of gunpowder, it is a real top-grade artillery.

"Look here again." Bai Maoxin, as if wanting to prove that the 3000 taels of gold he had dealt up and down was worth something, pointed to a dragon pattern on the bronze cannon, and said, "This is made by Xia** Armament Division. Bronze cannons, Xia Guo's copper cannons are the sharpest, light in weight and not easy to explode." He pointed to the wooden barrel next to the gunpowder and said, "Even the gunpowder is specially configured for this gun , a pack of "medicine" powder is used in one shot. I have also disassembled it for inspection. The "medicine" powder is pure and even, and it is not easy to be "damp". It is rare even among the imperial guards Good stuff."

Wanyan Zongbi glanced at Bai Maoxin, he didn't know how to distinguish the quality of gunpowder, but since Master Bai who received 3000 taels of gold said so, there must be some truth there.He nodded, and cupped his hands to Bai Maoxin like a Central Plains person: "Lord Bai, don't worry."

Bai Maoxin felt that although he received money from these barbarians, he also helped them, waved his hands and smiled, "It's easy to talk about."

Shen Yun looked coldly at what Bai Shaojian said affectionately to the third prince of the true tribe, a barbarian from the north, and said in his heart: "I don't know how much money this guy has collected, but he is so caring." But he said coldly: "If you are optimistic , after the money is paid, the artillery and 'medicine' can be transported to Shandong, and then go to Liaodong by sea."

The three Jurchens came out to thank and leave. Wanyan Zonghan looked left and right to see if there was no one else, spit on the ground, and cursed: "Money-greedy dog ​​officials." Wanyan Xiyin smiled and said: "If there are no money-greedy Guan Er, how could we buy such sharp firearms." He said with lingering fear: "If the patriarch hadn't sent someone to send a hundred thousand guan's Jiaozi and other gifts, I'm afraid we really wouldn't be able to get the best copper guns. gun."

Wanyan Zongbi thought to himself, when these batches of firearms and the armored bows and arrows purchased from the Military Weapons Supervision are sent to Liaodong, with the bravery of my Jurchen athletes, it is not enough to take down Liaoyang Mansion.

He was excited in his heart, but his face didn't change much. He pondered and took out a half-worn medicine bottle from his arms.

Seeing this, Wanyan Xiyin asked: "Are you going to the Prime Minister Zhao's residence?" After a pause, he murmured: "I don't know if Mr. Han's expectation will come true."

Wanyan Zongbi's eyes flashed, and he said: "At least try it." He looked up at the clear blue sky in the north, "I've been in the south for too long, I just want to go back early and fight the Khitan people."

"Yes!" Wanyan Zonghan clenched his fists beside him and said, "Take down the Liaoyang Mansion, and then go to the capital!" The three of them spoke in Jurchen language, and Wanyan Zonghan's voice was quite loud, which attracted passers-by in Bianjing. looked at them with strange eyes.