"The best way is to equip each army with fifty such artillery pieces."

According to the current establishment of the Song Dynasty, an army has about three thousand people.

"If this calculation is based on the Forbidden Army, there are 30,000 Forbidden Army troops in Liaodong, which would require 500 artillery pieces." Zhang Shuye said, "Currently, including copper materials, craftsmanship, mining and transportation, a Crouching Tiger Cannon costs 150

"Guan, this is not a cannonball."

"A squatting tiger cannon only weighs 36 kilograms and requires 150 guns?"

Zhang Shuye said: "The main reason is that copper is expensive, there are still problems in transportation and mining at this stage, and there is also a lot of waste in the casting stage."

"The imperial court mints 2 million copper coins every year. According to my opinion, many places no longer use copper coins and use them directly to cast bronze cannons!"

"This is not allowed. Copper coins are used as the exchange currency for banknotes and cannot be arbitrarily reduced in storage."

"In emergencies, it's not a big deal to use them. Aren't there many people among the people who exchange copper coins for transaction notes?" Zhao Ning was relaxed, "Those copper coins are all stored in the bank, and I don't care about those copper coins.

Instead of making the copper coins that the imperial court itself mints every year, just cast the cannons."

Lu Yihao said: "This is not impossible. If the artillery is sent to Liaodong, once the war really breaks out, the Jin people may also capture the artillery on the battlefield and take it back to imitate it. We must do everything possible to speed up the casting of the cannon."

Zhang Shuye sighed and said: "If this is the case, it can only be like this."

"With these two million coins, there are 12 million jins of copper. Let me use them all!"

12 million guanjin, theoretically calculated, can cast 300,000 tiger squatting cannons.

But there will definitely be losses.

Even so, it is more than enough.

Zhang Shuye said: "The Liaodong Army needs 500 guns, each equipped with at least 100 shells and 50,000 shells. Now each shell weighs about 7 kilograms. 500 guns require 350,000 kilograms of iron shells. Counting losses, 50

Ten thousand catties of iron, this is just Liaodong."

Zhang Shuye continued: "Yue Fei's Forbidden Army has twice the strength of Han Shizhong and requires 1 million kilograms of iron. Shaanxi's Forbidden Army is three times that of Liaodong and requires 1.5 million kilograms of iron. Counting the navy, it will probably require no less.

At present, our government is clearing up wasteland internally, equipping the people with more agricultural tools, digging mountains, and digging canals, all of which require tools. The number of armors in the army is also increasing, and private commerce is becoming more and more prosperous. I am afraid that the iron ore..."

"Transport from Jinghu and Fujian!" Lu Yihao said, "I have read the report on iron ore mining in the south this year. The iron ore mines in Fujian and Jinghu have tripled compared with last year, with an increase of five million kilograms, especially in Fujian.

and Huizhou on Guangnan East Road, these two places are along the coast and can be transported to the north by sea."

"Also, can the weight of the Tiger Crouching Cannon's shells be reduced to four kilograms? This would not only save iron materials, but also allow for a longer range without reducing the lethality."

Chen Gui said: "Your Majesty is wise, this is indeed feasible."

"The configuration of the artillery has been decided. Since there is sufficient iron in the south, what else does the Military and Political Council worry about?" Zhao Ning said, "Although the artillery workshop is not on the front line, it is also related to the safety of the front line. Soldiers are very fast, and artillery workshops everywhere are

It's better to hurry rather than later, Zhang Qing, Chen Qing, this matter can't be delayed any longer!"

Zhang Shuye and Chen Gui said, "Yes, your Majesty, don't worry, I will get started immediately."

"How is the configuration of the war horse?"

"This year, the total number of war horses in Hebei has reached 50,000, the total number of war horses in Shaanxi is 50,000, the number of war horses in Liaodong is 30,000, and the remaining horses are 150,000, used as post stations and transportation logistics."

Zhao Ning walked to the map thoughtfully, was silent for a moment, and said, "When will Xia be destroyed?"

Everyone looked at each other and Lu Yihao said: "After the artillery supply problem in Shaanxi is resolved, we can send troops."

Lu Yihao said this, which shows that he really dares to speak out on some important matters.

Most people don't dare to say this kind of thing.

Because when you speak out, you have to be responsible, especially since the prime minister has a high position, so you have to be careful about what you say.

"Can we send troops after the artillery problem is solved?" Zhao Guanjia turned around and stared at Lu Yihao.

"Yes." Lu Yihao said, "Last month I checked with Zhang Jun the current people's livelihood in Shaanxi and the food needs of the army. I also reviewed Shaanxi's annual military expenditures. Food and armaments are gradually sufficient. If the artillery can keep up,

, you can use troops against Xixia, and these two years are also the best time to use troops against Xixia."

"Why do you say that these two years are the best time to use troops against Xixia?" Zhao Ning asked knowingly.

"The Jin Kingdom is undergoing a change of power within the country. We will not send troops rashly for the time being. We will take this opportunity to quickly destroy Xixia." Lu Yihao said.

Zhang Shuye said: "Does Xianggong Lu know how Zhe Keqiu was defeated so quickly by Wu Jie?"

"I heard a little bit that Wu Jie formed a formation outside Baode City and defeated Zhe Keqiu."

"No, Wu Jie used a heavy trebuchet to blast open the walls of Baode City. The rebels in Baode City were unable to resist at all."

"What do Mr. Zhang mean by these words?"

"What I mean is, don't underestimate your opponents, otherwise you will suffer losses." Zhang Shuye said, "The Jin people have suffered losses in this regard several times."

He continued: "Although Xixia has been defeated by us from time to time in recent years, it gained a lot of wealth when it opened negotiations with our dynasty. Zhang Jun came to Beijing with secret reports many times, stating that the Western Xia thieves were casting iron armor and training soldiers in Hengshan.

Stock up on food and grass.”

"Does Mr. Zhang agree that when will Xia be conquered?"

Zhang Shuye said: "At least we have to wait until Wu Jie moves the eastern front of Hengshan to the west and completely launches a flanking attack on Hengshan."

"How long will it take to wait?"

"This depends on Wu Jie's speed, and also depends on the imperial treasury. The annual income of the treasury must be at least 50 million yuan, and it must be sufficient. Otherwise, if the summer expedition fails, the treasury will be in a hurry, and people will definitely be shaken. By then, the gold thief will

If we take advantage of the opportunity, wouldn't it mean that there will be chaos?"

Zhao Ning said: "There is no need to discuss this issue anymore. Prepare the artillery. I will discuss the matter of the treasury with the two prime ministers."

"yes."

When everyone left the Wende Hall, they saw Qin Hui standing quietly in front.

It was snowing lightly at this time. Qin Hui could have rested near Wende Hall and listen to the announcement, but instead he stood in the snow.

Everyone came out, greeted Qin Hui politely, and left.

Qin Hui paid attention to the identities of these people.

Military and Political Council, Ministry of Industry, Left Prime Minister.

Probably discussing military and political logistics issues.

"Mr. Qin, Your Majesty summons you to the palace." Wang Huaiji's voice interrupted Qin Hui's thinking.

Qin Hui walked into the main hall and saluted: "I see your Majesty, may you be blessed."

"Sacred peace."

"I wonder what important matter your Majesty summoned me to?"

Zhao Ning got straight to the point and said: "I have dozens of memorials here, all of which are impeaching you."
Chapter completed!