At the northern foot of Riyue Mountain, south of Juer Bay, there are many Banyan people living.
Among them is a leader named Gonpot Dorje, who is the most virtuous and respected leader within fifty miles of this mountain range.
His tribe, soldiers and horses are not many, and they are just one of many Namafans. They provide the imperial court with forty good horses every year.
Being able to become the democratic leader of this mountain range depends on qualifications.
Kampo Dorje was born in the ninth year of Wanli and is already forty-nine years old this year. He is a rare longevity person in this land, so some people also call him Crang Dorje.
But on this mountain, people like him who have lived to such an old age are not unique.
Kampot Dorje's reputation mainly stems from the fact that when he was fourteen years old, he followed his father to serve the emperor in the war.
That year, the imperial court sent troops to attack the pirate Huo Luochi, and the twenty-two tribesmen of Xichuan mobilized 900 cavalry and 7,000 horse foot to assist the official army in the campaign to suppress Mongolia.
At that time, the tribesmen of Kampo Duoji still lived at the southern foot of Riyue Mountain, and there was a large gathering place of Ban people.
After hearing the imperial order, his father gathered 400 troops and rushed to Henan. Together with the army of civilians, they attacked from all sides in Xichuan and attacked all the way to Baishi Cliff.
Now, apart from him, there is no one on Riyue Mountain who participated in that battle.
His village also moved from the southern foothills, where there are more fields and abundant sunshine, to the northern foothills, where resources are scarce. The tribesmen died in the sporadic conflicts after the war, leaving only about 700 people left.
Several of them are Han Chinese who fled from Xining to avoid summer taxes and autumn crops.
It has not been easy for them these years.
Ever since Kampot Dorje can remember, their life has not been easy. They have suffered a lot in recent years.
As the emperor's most powerful people, they had to pay tribute to the court every year with good horses; and in places closer to them, they also had to hand over one-tenth of their harvest to the Mongolian leader Xiao Lazun who was making a comeback every year. p>
It's...overwhelming.
People were helpless to deal with this situation. Their seven official villages gathered all the people who could fight, but they could only form a team of more than a thousand people.
Among these more than 1,000 people, only about 200 can be called soldiers.
But just a few days ago, the mountain chiefs rushed to visit his official village and tell them what they had seen and heard at the foot of the mountain - as if overnight, tents as far as the eye could see had sprouted in the valley, like weeds on the plateau, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Spread.
It doesn't matter that there are officers and soldiers camped in the valley. What matters is that they are not officers and soldiers.
The man named Dai Daozi climbed up the mountain and entered the village. After asking them about the situation in Dingkou, Nama, Timba and surrounding areas, he left a message.
From today on, the land here belongs to his leader - a man named Liu Chengzong.
No one knows who Liu Chengzong is. People are trying to find the banner army in Juerwan Baihusuo. In the past, they often bribed the banner army to buy tea that was paid to Xiao Lazun.
But those flag troops were transferred away.
All that is left are these strong soldiers and the nests that grow in the river valley day after day.
But the leaders have ways to deal with Liu Chengzong, whom they have never met.
At least they think they have a solution.
Gonpot Dorje stood on the corridor of the three-story tower house in Guanzhai, holding on to the wooden railings tied with colorful ribbons, and looking toward the mountain melancholy.
His official village is a large village built on the slope of the pass. It consists of several wooden castles and dozens of residential buildings surrounded by tall tower houses.
Gongs, drums and bells rang on the distant mountains. The lama and his wizards wore ancestral colorful satin robes, carried command flags, wore masks and helmets made of skulls, brandished various weapons, and surrounded several criminals who were about to be executed.
Jump up.
More than a dozen soldiers wearing thick robes held up their cannons and fired into the sky. The huge smoke quickly dissipated with the mountain wind.
Those cannons are about the same age as Kampot Dorje.
They include the best precision-forged gun barrels made during the Wanli period, and grotesque gun beds carved by the mountain folk of the northwest with their bare hands.
Some barrels were directly attached to the crossbow, and a few were transformed from matchlocks into fire portal guns during modifications.
That was a weapon brought back for the imperial war.
They were praying to the gods to send hailstones to repel the soldiers who were camping in the valley.
The red-haired horse captain, who was immersed in patrolling the territory, had no idea how many wizards were trying their best to hit him with ice cubes in the dense mountains and forests of Thirty Miles Land.
Liu Chengzong sat on the horseback, touching the red tassel on the red flag vest, looking from the blue sky to the mountains with unbroken snow, and sighed at the beautiful scenery here.
Except it's colder, everything is great.
Especially since there is Xiningwei's military field here, and those military households can't plant it. He has already asked people to pick out some good highland barley seeds and send them to his elder brother, so that they can be sown before winter, so that there will be a harvest in June next year.<
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Now he is going to his own weapons bureau.
The so-called weapons bureau is just a piece of land that has been set aside, and even the underground nests have not been completed yet, but Cao Yao can't wait to make weapons.
I already ran to Shicheng me with the half-drawn blueprint of the wind chasing gun. Shicheng I couldn't stand his harassment, so I sent someone to call Liu Shishi, and we went over to make important decisions on military equipment.
Soon, he would be able to see the pit of the baggage camp.
The so-called diwozi is to dig a square deep pit under the ground, with bricks or earth as walls on all four sides. Only the roof is built on top and earth steps are made in front of the door. It is a simple living room that saves wood.
Since winter was approaching, there was not enough time for them to build barracks that could accommodate the entire army, so they had to resort to this strategy. However, they were careful enough during the construction to ensure that the large kangs in the pits were all fire kangs with chimneys. p>
The chieftains monopolize Xining's business, which also has the advantage of monopoly for Liu Chengzong. At least if Chengyun can negotiate with the chieftains, he can get bulk goods.
This matter was easy in Liu Chengzong's mind, and he thought he could get a very affordable price, but before he walked into the transport camp, he happened to see the transport camp coming back on horseback with four guards in the direction of Xining.
"How about it? What price can they give us for the grain and coal we want?"
Chengyun did not wear armor, but he wore a helmet belonging to the Guan Ning Army. He relied on the fur lining on the inside of his neck to keep out the cold. When he saw Liu Chengzong waiting for him, he turned over and dismounted, shaking his head and saying, "They can't give it to them."
"Why, the price can't be negotiated?"
"It's not about the price. They don't exist in the city, and they don't exist on the neck of the knife holder."
Chengyun rubbed his hands in distress and jumped on the ground. He walked towards the camp with Liu Chengzong, and then he explained the reason: "I met Li Tianyu. Xining's grain, going forward more than ten years, rice grains are sold every year.
They are all up and down."
"In places far away from the city, the people are self-sufficient. If they get 10,000 shi of grain from the market, they can only eat 10,000 shi of grain if they buy it."
"Over time, each family's land will be planted with part of the grain, and the other part will be planted with fruits, vegetables, or brassicas and hemp seeds, and the clear oil will be squeezed out and transported to further places for sale."
Chengyun said: "There is only so much grain in the city. We have bought all that can be bought. Now there is no grain in the grain market. The merchants are discussing with Li Tianyu to go to Lanzhou to buy grain."
Liu Chengzong really didn't think about this problem before, but it was easy to understand, so he nodded: "Then next year, we will discuss it with the chieftains and encourage the people to eat more food. We don't have to buy... coal?"
Cheng Yun also nodded with a wry smile: "Similar to Yan'an, there is some shallow coal in the mountains and forests. The nearby villagers mine it for themselves. The coal nests that are being mined are called Qiao Yubao on the edge of the Great Wall in Beichuan. Li Chen Tusi
Our territory is not far away.”
"There are more than 50 mining companies there, and they mine about ten million kilograms of coal every year? Basically, the people in Xining who buy coal specifically can use this much."
Cheng Yun then started to calculate clearly: "Suppose we regulate 6,000 underground nests, with three people in each nest, and burn five to ten kilograms of coal per day. If it is less than 100 days, it will cost three million to five hundred kilograms."
Ten thousand kilograms, at least six million kilograms of coal must be prepared in one winter."
"But coal is easier to say than grain."
Cheng Yun said very eloquently: "This business is worth 5,000 taels to 8,000 taels per year according to the official price. I tried it, and I am willing to do it for 7,000 taels. I will add 500 taels of silver as reward, and they will get 7,500 taels."
He will try his best to get it for us."
Liu Chengzong nodded slowly, then smiled and said: "Money is not a problem. Having somewhere to spend money is a good thing. As long as we can spend the money, we will get it all back sooner or later."
"Haha, brother, then you will have somewhere to spend money soon."
Cheng Yun heard the words and said with a smile: "Iron and sulfur are all needed, right? On the east bank of the Beichuan River, Chen Tusi's territory goes further east. It used to be the Beishan Iron Works in Xining. It was built in the 24th year of Wanli. It produces iron three times a year.
Ten thousand kilograms, you can also refine sulfur over there."
Annual output of 30,000 jin?
Liu Chengzong shook his head, this is not much to talk about.
He asked: "How much more can there be?"
"I probably asked, yes it is possible, but it is relatively difficult. There is a lot of iron here, but it is just mixed, so there are not many people who are willing to do this. Let's look for it again and gather the sand into a tower."
Liu Chengzong pouted and nodded with dissatisfaction.
In his vision, the troops of the Lion Battalion would gradually transition from mainly using cold weapons to mainly using firearms.
After all, we have arrived in the northwest, and we will never be short of gunpowder in this life. The power of the firearms is suitable and easy to operate, which is relatively more suitable for the Lion Army after the expansion.
However, the total output of Xining Iron and Steel is so large, and there is still local demand for making farm tools and other daily necessities for the people, so it is estimated that only 30% can be given to him.
A whole headquarters can be armed in one year.
Before arriving in Xining, he was always worried that his team of craftsmen would be short of manpower, and he also wanted to let them train new skilled craftsmen.
I have been thinking too much for a long time, and their production capacity has been exceeded.
For an iron smelting plant of this scale, he would have to build at least two more of his own to meet the iron needs of the troops.
While the two were talking, Cao Yao had already come out and shouted: "Commander, Cheng Yun, you two are here. What are you talking about outside? You are so cold, come on!"
Liu Shizi responded and led Chengyun towards Master Qian's nest.
Nowadays, the baggage camp has two members, Chief Qian. One is Shi Chengwo, who is in charge of weapons, and the other is Lin Wei, who helps transport the baggage.
Lin Wei used to support Wangzhuang by himself and has rich experience in managing people and fields. He also has little problem in managing baggage. He is an all-rounder.
Mr. Qian's den was built slightly larger than an ordinary den, but now that Shicheng and I have gathered General Gunsmith He Xin and others to wait for Liu Shishi and Chengyun to go in, it seems a bit crowded.
Several people were sitting on the ground around the wooden table, arguing over the pictures on the table. When they saw Liu Chengzong, they all stood up and saluted.
"Sit down, I see you are having a lively chat. What are you talking about?"
While they were talking, Liu Chengzong sat in the middle and looked at the drawings on the table happily.
In terms of length, there is clearly the word "ten feet" written on it by the clerk next to Cao Yao.
The wind-chasing gun that Cao Yao never forgets is indeed a gun!
The teacher said to me: "Commander, this wind-chasing gun from Liao Town is similar to the Yunxi Yi big bird gun made by Mr. Mihara Aoixin, but it does not use match ropes, only fire gates, and is made crudely. I think it is better to make it bigger directly."
Bird gun."
Cao Yao frowned and cupped his hands towards Liu Chengzong and said: "That's not what you said, Marshal. It looks stupid, but it's easy to fire. Anyone can fire it. It has a lot of charge, a long barrel, it can hit far, and the projectile is big."
, I used this to suffocate a horse to death at a distance of 250 paces."
"We entered the West Sea to fight the pirates. We dismounted and formed a formation. They also dismounted and formed a formation. After nearly a hundred steps, they did not even draw their bows. They fired a musket and shot through three or five people. It is impossible to have a hundred cannons in a short time, but a hundred cannons.
This tool will be available in the spring of next year, so you can use it immediately."
Cao Yao highly praised it. He looked at Liu Chengzong and said: "Fire only one gun. Kill three to five hundred people before engaging in battle. Retreat to the formation to pack loose weapons. If you seize the opportunity, you can go up and spray it. The enemy will
If an army general is in front of the formation, if he fires a hundred muskets at him, he will be dead no matter what."
To be honest, Liu Chengzong didn't think there was anything wrong with Cao Yao's idea.
Putting aside the memory of the weakness of carrying a gun against skirmishers in the 19th century, in this era, this kind of thing is indeed a firepower supplement sandwiched between blunderbuss and cannon, solid bullets and shotguns.
If applied properly, it may be effective on the battlefield.
Moreover, the Mongols are not just running around on horseback, they can also fight on foot and form formations.
Seeing him looking down at the drawings and thinking, Cao Yao persuaded with a sly smile on his face: "Commander, this tactic works. This is what I thought of after seeing the infantry camp and the cavalry camp."
"Infantry camp and cavalry camp?" Liu Chengzong raised his head and said in surprise: "The newly established third training battalion is to practice the professional skills of the three arms of infantry, cavalry and artillery. Why are you running to see the other two battalions?"
"Tsk!"
Cao Yaoyi curled his lips and said: "In the training camp, the training camp is about skills. Artillery skills are just that. The key lies in tactics. It is easy to learn how to fire cannons and fire cannons. Learning when to fire cannons and fire cannons is a university question!"<
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"Who do I want to fight with my artillery camp? The pirate Tatars don't have artillery, so they just attack the infantry camp and the horse camp. This is what I call going deep into the enemy camp to spy on military intelligence, Commander."
Cao Yao reached out his hand and gestured on the table very solemnly: "Wang Wenxiu has summarized the experience of many infantry countercharges. Most enemy troops will start walking quickly at 150 to 70 steps. Beyond this distance, they will
Maintain your strength and walk slowly."
"The horse camp is similar, but it needs to be faster."
After saying that, he raised his hand and patted the drawing: "This, just in time to kill them all while they are walking slowly."
Liu Chengzong raised his hand towards Cao Yao, smiling but not knowing what to say, so he turned to his master Chengwo and said: "Then let's make a few shots first. Master Shi knows the rules of artillery, and he also needs to try out a rule for muskets."
, the same projectile charge, the impact of the gun tube length on the range; the same gun tube length, the impact of the charge on the range."
"We have a cannon, so its projectiles don't have to be too big, as long as they can kill people. One foot is too long and too bulky. We can try out the new bird blunderbuss and the new big bird blunderbuss to find the appropriate specifications."
After saying that, Liu Chengzong turned to look at Cao Yao: "General Cao, I look at you, hurry up and train me a suitable artillery camp general, hurry up and come to the Central Military Camp for me, training officers is what you should do
