Chapter 49 If you want to recruit his elite soldiers, you must first recruit his craftsmen.
In the Tokyo Ordnance Supervisory Office, Emperor Liu Chengyou and Prime Minister Wang Zhang personally inspected the guards. Yan Jinqing, who had been transferred to the Ordnance Supervisor, personally accompanied him. He inspected the Jia Square, the Crossbow Square, the material warehouse, and the Pijiao Field. There is no omission in the supply warehouse and other equipment.
The Han Dynasty respected the virtues of water, so the weapons, flags, and flags they made were mainly black in color, with a dark tone that exuded a sense of solemnity.
In the east workshop where short swords are forged, the department ordered the workers to place a batch of newly made swords for inspection.
Soldiers are deadly weapons, so everyone dispersed and kept far apart. Yan Jinqing respectfully pointed to two rows and introduced: "Your Majesty, Mr. Xianggong, this is a new hand knife made by the weapons workshop, and behind it is a drop knife."
After decades of war, the weapons used in the army are chaotic and mixed. These two are more representative. The hand knife has a side blade and a handle as short as a sword. The drop knife is a long weapon with two edges on the blade and a broad blade. , made in the character Shan, with a long handle and a spear, shaped like an oar.
The development of weapons has changed with the development of the times. Up to now, the Tang Dynasty Hengdao, the original close combat weapon, has not kept up with the times. It is not that the sword is disadvantageous, but that the country cannot afford to make it. In addition, the form of war is also changing. changes.
It looks like a hand knife, easy to use and cost-effective.
Liu Chengyou stepped forward alone, picked it up, weighed it, and waved it a few times impromptuly. Before others complimented him, he said: "This is used by the tough soldiers in the army. It depends on their lives and safety. I can't comment!"
Then he summoned a guard at random and handed it to him: "Try it!"
The guards in the palace are warriors who have fought many battles and have rich combat experience. They were ordered to test the sword. There are no fancy moves in their movements. They are the most concise, direct, and highly lethal moves. Although they are not gorgeous, the murderous intention is hidden in the plainness. .
Weapons that can be reviewed by the emperor are naturally finished products that have been tested by soldiers in the early stage and continuously improved. The test results of the sword are of course correct. The only reaction is that the sword is lighter. However, the strength of soldiers is divided into strong and weak. This is not Whatever the big problem is, it is enough if it can be used by most of the soldiers...
After trying the sword and the gun, the gun is divided into those for riding and walking, the lance is equipped with a hook and ring, and the rifle is divided into plain wood and crow neck. There are also small ones, and there are many types.
The swords are simpler, there are not so many tricks, they are all thick-ridged and short-bodied, and they are not "gentlemanly" at all. However, they are only used by soldiers.
The rest of the cards, shields, axes, whips, clubs... were all inspected.
Overall, Liu Chengyou was very satisfied with the operation of the weapons supervisor. He called Yan Jinqing to sit down and talk, saying: "Yan Qing judged the weapons supervisor and was loyal to his duties. I am very satisfied. However, the types of weapons produced are too mixed." , you should focus on it!"
Yan Jinqing was overjoyed at first, then after listening to his words, he immediately asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, please tell me."
"Crossbow, armor, sword, hand sword, sword, gun, temporarily cancel the small part, shield and flag, in order to be simple and effective!" Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said.
"Yes!" Yan Jinqing agreed quickly.
"But! The prerequisite for all this is to ensure the quality of weapons, the reward and punishment system, and implement it at all levels. If there are any mistakes, the person will be held accountable!" Liu Chengyou added sternly.
"Yes!" Still without any hesitation.
"In addition, before this autumn harvest, I need weapons and equipment for an army of 50,000 people!"
Regarding this last item, Yan Jinqing's answer was not so crisp and clear. Seeing the hesitation on his face, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but ask: "What's the problem?"
After hearing the question, Yan Jinqing couldn't help but responded to Liu Chengyou with uneasiness: "Your Majesty, there are two problems in the weapons inspection. One is the shortage of iron, tin, leather, feather wood, sinew and other materials, and the other is the shortage of craftsmen. .With these two factors, I may not be able to meet His Majesty’s expectations.”
With that said, Yan Jinqing explained it to Liu Chengyou in slightly more detail.
It is conceivable that there is a shortage of materials, and it is not surprising. As for the craftsmen, from what I heard, there are indeed not many. There are only about 2,000 craftsmen of all types under the entire Ordnance Supervision, of which 90% are skilled. Less than that.
Taking the crossbow workshop as an example, there are more than 500 craftsmen. For an ordinary yellow birch bow, even if there is sufficient sinew, bone, bark and wood, it will take an ordinary craftsman two days to make about 20 arrows. The rest, Most of these situations...
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou frowned and pondered for a long time. He raised his eyes and saw Yan Jinqing's worried expression. He couldn't help but waved his hand and said with relief: "I didn't think it through properly. You are also seeking truth from facts and speaking loyally. There is no need to be nervous. "
After thinking about it for a while, Liu Chengyou glanced at Wang Zhang and said to Yan Jinqing: "As for the material problem, please contact the Ministry of Salt and Iron to discuss how to deal with it. We will provide money and food to step up the collection of folk leather, wood, bones, and paint, but we must pay attention to the methods and do not Let me hear it and gather it together for a moment!"
Hearing this, Wang Zhang's face twitched, and he said yes helplessly.
"As for the craftsmen..." Liu Chengyou murmured, but didn't say anything. He seemed to be still thinking about it.
He quickly came back to his senses and said to Yan Jinqing: "You only need to coordinate the workshops and offices to build weapons for the imperial court and the imperial army!"
"yes!"
After the inspection, on the way back to the palace, Liu Chengyou asked Wang Zhang to ride in the Luan chariot to talk.
"Wang Qing, all the roads and state governments in the world have weapons workshops to prepare weapons and send them to Tokyo. I have heard that every year, the state and town finances and taxes are retained, which accounts for a lot of funds, and they use this to levy taxes. Wealth and wealth are wasted. There are also many people who make weapons and armor privately in the name of paying tribute and extort money from the people!" Liu Chengyou said to Wang Zhang.
Hearing Xiange and knowing its elegant meaning, Wang Zhang showed a hint of surprise and asked: "Your Majesty wants to rectify the local workshops?"
Wang Zhang used the word "rectify" well.
After mentioning this matter, Liu Chengyou did not hesitate and nodded directly and said: "Zhuzhou's armor is not well made, and the possession of possessions disturbs the people too much. Since it is bad governance, it should be dismissed."
Knowing the emperor's intention, Wang Zhang's eyes couldn't help but flash with emotion. He thought about it secretly, then handed over his hands to Liu Chengyou and said: "If you can let it go, you can choose one of his craftsmen to come to Beijing to prepare for service, and you can also accept it." The materials for making weapons will be sent to Tokyo. In this way, it can not only relieve the difficulties of military weapons supervision and improve the manufacturing of weapons and armor, but also eliminate bad governance and reduce the burden on the people. Killing two birds with one stone, Your Majesty is wise!"
Of course, more importantly, Wang Zhang did not mention that eliminating local workshops and recruiting master craftsmen from all over the world to the central government, and then weakening the local strength in terms of weapons and equipment, weakened the local threat to the central government. This is also the purpose of reducing the vassal state. a means.
To this day, no matter what the issue or policy measures are, they can all be linked to the conflicts between the imperial court and local governments.
"After returning to the Yamen, I will discuss with all the ministers and come up with a charter and issue an edict to all the states in the world to stop weapons workshops!" Wang Zhang took the initiative.
Liu Chengyou shook his head firmly, looked at his knees with his fingers, and said calmly: "Start from Zhuzhou Town in Gyeonggi Province, and the rest will slowly follow suit!"
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Wang Zhang was stunned for a moment, then slowly nodded, cupped his hands and sighed: "Your Majesty is thinking about Zhou Xiang, I understand!"
"Then Xu Yan, then Hebei, then Guanyou, then Hedong..." Liu Chengyou said in an almost inaudible voice.
This decree is definitely difficult to implement. It is even more difficult than Liu Chengyou's previous new policy to benefit the people. Using military weapons is equivalent to disturbing his "food" affairs. The resistance from the states and towns is certainly not small.
However, starting from the prefectures and counties under the direct jurisdiction of the imperial court and the town of Kinki, it is always easy to solve. One step at a time, Liu Chengyou always remembers to take his time.
Of course, this policy is to use Tokyo workshops to supply the world's armies. If that step is taken, new problems will definitely arise, such as forging and transportation costs...
However, policies can change based on current circumstances.
