In a large workshop, countless craftsmen were smelting damaged weapons. Hanzhou was short of iron, but many weapons were captured in the previous war. All the damaged ones were smelted and made into repeating crossbows and scimitars.
The tinkling sound of banging could be heard incessantly, resounding in all directions.
Qin Huaidao was instructing the craftsmen on the carburizing method. If you want to make a good scimitar, you must carburize it into steel. In order to improve efficiency and arm the Hanzhou army, Qin Huaidao no longer retains this skill.
While I was busy, Old Ghost Li came over in a hurry.
Qin Huaidao realized that something was wrong, so he walked out of the workshop and came to a quieter place where no one was around and asked: "Uncle Gui, did something happen?"
"Back to the King of Han, there is news from General Loulan Su that the salt mines left over from Lop Nur have been reopened and are being mined in large quantities. In addition, they have sent people to find out that there is sulfur in Xizhou. They have also sent people secretly to find local caravans to purchase it."
"Great, let's go." Qin Huaidao was overjoyed.
Lop Nur is an inland lake, and the water has a high saline-alkali content. It is not surprising to find salt mines. Otherwise, Loulan Kingdom and Ruoqiang Kingdom would not have been able to survive in this generation. With the attitude of giving it a try, Su Dingfang sent people to Xizhou to inquire about sulfur.
, I didn’t expect it to exist.
Salt mines are usually associated with trivial matters. You only need to be considerate to obtain nitrate, wait for the sulfur to be mixed, and then make charcoal, which can be refined into gunpowder and made into explosive packs to arm the army. The battle with the Turks a few days ago consumed a huge amount of money.
Who in future generations doesn't know that the Tarim Basin is a cornucopia, with abundant oil, underground rivers, and other minerals underneath. It would be perfect if iron ore can be found. You should look for it when you have time.
"Luowu!"
"Here!" Luo Wu hurried forward.
"Send a battalion to Loulan to assist Su Dingfang in bringing back the sulfur stones and salt ores. The more the better." Qin Huaidao solemnly warned that it was related to the combat effectiveness of the army and must be taken seriously.
The original ore requires fine processing, which is a technical job that you must keep an eye on.
Luo Wu felt Qin Huaidao's attention, quickly agreed, and hurriedly made arrangements.
Qin Huaidao called another team leader and told him to take people to cut down hardwood and burn it into charcoal. The more the better, and then he got into the workshop again.
It was not until noon that Qin Huaidao walked out of the workshop and returned to the palace.
Arriving in the backyard, bursts of laughter came from the restaurant. When I walked in, I saw He'er and Li Xueyan chatting with Li Xueyan's sister. Luo Zhang was also there and said with a smile: "Is it so lively?"
"Young Master is back?" He'er quickly came up with a basin of water.
After absorbing it, Qin Huaidao looked at the table, which was already covered with all kinds of food. He couldn't help but sigh. This family really couldn't lack women. If he were alone, he might not be able to deal with it casually.
Since the large army of baggage arrived a few days ago, He'er and Li Xueyan took a group of maids to tidy up the inside and outside of the palace, and then put all the daily necessities they brought with them. The palace has become more warm and feels like home.
.
"Uncle!" Luo Zhang stood up to greet him.
"The family doesn't need to be so polite. Let's sit down and have some drinks." Qin Huaidao said with a smile. When Luo Zhang nodded, he shouted to He'er: "Bring the half jar of wine left yesterday, I'll have a drink with Luo Zhang.
, are you used to living there?" He said and looked at Li Xueyan's sister.
"I'm still used to it. Thank you King Han for your concern."
"We are all family members, so there is no need to be restrained." Qin Huaidao said politely, taking the wine brought by He'er and serving it to Luo Zhangman, and then poured a bowl for himself.
"You don't call us when you're drinking, isn't it too interesting?" A sweet laugh came from outside the door.
Qin Huaidao looked up and saw Cheng Xiaomei and Yuchi Ling'er. These two people were simply reincarnations of drunkards. They drank once last night and almost drank themselves back. He smiled bitterly and said: "Girl, be more reserved. Don't let dad be around you."
Let yourself go completely, especially you, Cheng Xiaomei, your father will be here in a few days, and he will beat you to death even if he knows you are drunk, and I won't be able to stop you then."
"How dare he - I am now the commander of an army. The worst I can do is hide from you in the military camp. He can't come to the female army camp to look for me, right?" Cheng Xiaomei said nonchalantly.
"Okay." Qin Huaidao accepted his fate, brought two full bowls, and added: "One person is only allowed to drink one bowl, no more, training is important."
"That's what we are here for." Cheng Xiaomei picked up the bowl and drank most of it in one gulp. The liquor, which was dozens of degrees of alcohol, was like drinking water. She wiped her mouth carelessly and added: "King Han, our female soldiers also need to practice Sansan."
You can't just practice bows, but you also have to practice swords and spears."
Qin Huaidao did not agree immediately, but turned to look at Luo Zhang: "Tell me what you think?"
"Due to factors such as body, gender and other factors, women are naturally weaker than men in physical strength and are not suitable for close combat..."
"Don't look down on others." Cheng Xiaomei was unhappy when she heard this and interrupted on the spot.
Luo Zhang was not angry and explained: "Don't be unconvinced. Not all women are as physically fit as you and can fight. The army will unite and cooperate. Do you admit this?"
"This... okay, you continue." Cheng Xiaomei was a straightforward person and stopped messing around.
Luo Zhang continued: "Since the female army is not suitable for close combat, and bows and arrows actually consume physical strength, it is better to use repeating crossbows, and each person is equipped with a sword to prevent close combat. The repeating crossbow is the main one, the sword is the supplement, and the long range is as far as possible.
Shoot and kill, and only use a knife as a last resort."
"What do you two mean?" Qin Huaidao smiled with satisfaction when he saw Luo Zhang and himself thinking together.
Cheng Xiaomei and Yuchi Ling'er exchanged glances and nodded.
Qin Huaidao made the final decision: "Since you agree, we will start practicing repeating crossbows from tomorrow. All bows and arrows will be handed in. We will seize a batch of repeating crossbows from the Turks and give you three thousand to practice first. Once they are made, they will be matched."
"Thank you, King Han!" the two women smiled happily.
"I think you two have long been greedy for Liannu. Why don't you wait here?" Qin Huaidao glared at the two of them angrily and added: "I have accomplished what I promised you two. If the female army is with you,
If your hands are unable to form combat effectiveness, then don't blame me for dismissing you."
"Don't worry, I promise I won't be worse than your male soldiers." Yuchi Ling'er assured confidently.
Qin Huaidao nodded and looked at Luo Zhang: "The scimitars will be made in ten days at most. You don't have to worry. One more thing, the pedal crossbows made in Chashan are useless. What do you think?"
"It can be used in the Chinese army!" Luo Zhang pointed out.
The central army is the army that guards the central army's tent, and it needs trusted people. Luo Zhang knows very well that the light cavalry he commands needs to maneuver on the periphery and cannot command the central army. However, Luo Zhang can't say who will be handed over specifically, so he simply won't say it.
.
People's names flashed through Qin Huaidao's mind. A general in the Chinese army does not need to be proficient in strategy. He can just act according to orders, but he needs to be brave enough. Both Cheng Chumo and Fang Yiai agree with this, but Cheng Chumo is more stable than Fang Yiai, and he needs to be brave enough.
To guard Dunhuang City, Fang Yiai became the first choice.
The soldiers and horses currently under Fang Yiai's command are all from the imperial army and are from the Tang Dynasty, so they can be used with confidence.
"Let's eat!" Qin Huaidao raised his wine bowl and stopped talking in depth.
"Eat, eat!" When Li Xueyan saw that the official conversation was over, she also followed suit.
Everyone chatted about interesting things while eating, and had a good time.
After the meal, Qin Huaidao wrote an order, including the method of training crossbows and heavy armored cavalry, and asked someone to send it to Fang Yiai at Yumen Pass. He also sent two thousand pedal crossbows and one thousand heavy armors.
It is a fine product created by Tea Mountain. Because no one knows how to do it, it has been kept away. It is time to take it out.
After coming out of the study, cheers came from outside. A guard hurried over and said with his fists in his hands: "King Han, the army has sent a batch of cattle and sheep for the campaign. There are more cattle and sheep than last time."
"Let's go and have a look." Qin Huaidao said in surprise, striding forward.
Soon, Qin Huaidao climbed up the city wall and looked far away. He saw countless cattle and sheep being driven over and the ground turned white. He was immediately overjoyed. There were hundreds of thousands of them, right? It seemed that Xue Rengui and the others had done a good job.
When he got closer, Qin Huaidao saw a tall horse with a strong body and strong limbs. His eyes suddenly lit up and he signaled Luo Wu who was coming to get closer. He pointed at the tall horses and said, "Have you seen those horses? Inform Duke Wei.
Receive the combat supplies and handle them according to regulations, but those tall horses cannot be moved. Send someone to Yumen Pass for Fang Yiai, which is the best choice for heavy armored cavalry."
Luo Wu looked at the group of tall horses with envy, but he knew that the heavy armored cavalry would not be able to turn to the Guards, so he agreed and ran to deliver the order in person.
"Report!"
A scout came on flying horse, rushed to the city wall, dismounted, ran up the city wall, bowed and said: "To report to the King of Han, General Xue ordered his subordinates to report that the King of Khotan has presented 50,000 cattle and sheep to the prince.
Ga brought five thousand cavalry to escort us, and we will arrive at Qiemo City in three days. Please give us instructions."
"Tell General Xue that Prince Khotan will stay to assist in the battle and clear out the surrounding tribes as soon as possible. He will come back after the battle is over. The cattle and sheep will be received by people arranged by the Ministry of Transport and Transport." Qin Huaidao warned, why not use Bai Jian's combat power?
The king of Khotan came to the meeting and actually presented 50,000 cattle and sheep as a gift. How can he deal with it!