Muchuan continued: "As for why everyone says there will be so many firearms and cannons?
That’s because forty-eight of them are fake.”
Forging firearms and cannons is not a simple matter, at least not in the early years of the Tang Dynasty.
The first is the metal smelting technology. If it is a bronze smelting technology, it is still mature, but if it is a steel smelting technology, it is far behind.
Real iron smelting technology began to develop at the end of the Tang Dynasty, which took three hundred years.
As for forging a cannon that is durable enough, you have to use soft iron, that is, "steel". This metal smelting technology had to wait until at least the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
This is the reason why Muchuan had to spend two months and hundreds of craftsmen working day and night to forge two cannons during the Zhenguan period. In the final analysis, it was still a problem of the technology of the times.
Of course, Muchuan can also bring modern smelting technology here, but you must know that the development of heavy industry does not happen overnight.
For example, heavy industry requires the use of various types of heavy machinery, crude oil fuel, etc. These will not appear until the second industrial revolution in the West. Now that the first industrial revolution has not even happened, how can modern smelting technology be used?
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Even if the smelting technology of the Ming and Qing Dynasties was used, the related mines, smelting pools, etc. were not fully manufactured. Naturally, it would be impossible to successfully forge a large number of firearms. It would take at least more than a year to create them.
This is why forty-eight of the fifty cannons are fake. The forty-eight cannons are made of bronze and look similar to cannons, but they do not have the effects and functions of cannons.
In order to promote peace negotiations with Goguryeo, Muchuan ordered Lin Qihe to temporarily cast forty-eight fake cannons in the border areas, using a "bluff" method to intimidate the people of Goguryeo.
In fact, it was very successful. The people of Goguryeo had learned about the power of artillery. When they discovered that there were fifty cannons, they immediately wanted to surrender.
At this time, after listening to Muchuan's strategy, Ouyang Bufan couldn't help showing a dumbfounded expression, and gave a thumbs up and praised: "As expected of Lord Muchuan, he is really the reincarnation of a god, strategizing and winning thousands of miles away! It's awesome!
!”
"Come on, stop wearing the high hat for me."
"No! I don't have a high hat for you, sir. You are really awesome!"
Looking back now, Ouyang Bufan feels that Muchuan is simply not human. In order to facilitate the peace negotiation, he prepared forty-eight bronze cannons a whole month in advance and used the method of "bluffing" to get the Goguryeo country to surrender. Even if Zhuge Liang is reincarnated, he will not
That's it.
"Lord Muchuan... How about you stop being the Minister of Household Affairs? You can directly become the General Protecting the Country and help His Majesty open up territory and expand the territory, attack cities and build strongholds."
"You idiot! I'm going to fight at the border. Who will protect you from now on?"
Muchuan raised his hand and patted Ouyang Bufan's head hard.
You must know that the Ministry of Revenue is very conspicuous now. Officials live in beautiful official residences, receive high salaries and live a comfortable life.
For example, Ouyang Bufan is very comfortable. If he likes it, he can go to the official residence to do things. If he doesn't like it, he can go around Chang'an City to eat and drink.
If Muchuan were not the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and replaced by someone else, the petty officials of the Ministry of Revenue would definitely be tortured to death, and life would definitely be difficult for people like Ouyang Bufan.
After what Muchuan said, Ouyang Bufan suddenly realized it and hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed Muchuan's arm: "In that case, sir, don't leave. You'd better be the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs."
"That's it!"
Muchuan said coldly, "Going to the battlefield and doing meritorious service will naturally help me rise to the top, but I am kind and compassionate, so I can't worry about you."
"Yes, my lord is mighty!"
Ouyang Bufan looked like a little fanboy.
In fact, Muchuan is not such a good person anymore. He doesn't want to go to the battlefield not because he cares for his subordinates, but because he is simply afraid of death!
There were frequent wars in the early Tang Dynasty, and Li Shimin was a warlike emperor. During his reign, he launched large and small wars. Countries such as Gaochang, East Turkestan, Rouran, and Goguryeo all fell to Li Shimin one by one.
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If Muchuan fights for Li Shimin on the battlefield, he will naturally be able to expand his territory and greatly extend his territory. Not to mention conquering the entire Asian territory, there will be no problem even if he conquers Europe, Africa and other places.
The problem is that Muchuan is afraid of death. He has no eyesight for swords and guns. Who knows if Muchuan will be killed by a hidden arrow when leading troops in a war?
After finally traveling to the Tang Dynasty, Muchuan naturally wanted to enjoy life in peace and harmony. He didn't want to be frightened in the bloody battlefield, because he was afraid that he would not be able to spend his life if he had made contributions and received rewards.
For this reason, he was unwilling to go and make military exploits, and instead became a civil servant and enjoyed the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty freely.
Of course, Muchuan would definitely not tell Ouyang Bufan what he was thinking about. He would have terrible damage to his "high and mighty" image among Ouyang Bufan.
However, while Muchuan and Ouyang Bufan were chatting, a notice came from the maid outside the door, saying that it was a general named "Lin Qihe".
Hearing that Lin Qihe was coming, Muchuan ordered the maid to lead him in with a move of his hand.
Lin Qihe came in within a minute, wearing leather clothes and a long sword on his waist. He had a majestic figure and a handsome temperament.
"The last general, Lin Qihe, pays homage to the general of the army!"
"General Lin, there is no need to be so polite, haha!"
While speaking, Muchuan made an invitation gesture to invite Lin Qihe to sit down, and then ordered some meat and wine to be served.
Lin Qihe tasted some as a courtesy, but when he tasted it, he was stunned: "Sir... this wine is too delicious, isn't it?
What kind of liquor is it?”
"wine."
Muchuan then explained in detail the brewing method and taste of the wine, and praised, "Isn't it delicious?
If you like it, take a few barrels back to the border with you."
"Thank you, sir!"
"You are Welcome."
In fact, the success of the peace negotiation was more or less thanks to the help of Lin Qihe. If he hadn't helped Muchuan blast several cities of Goguryeo with the power of "artillery", I'm afraid the king of Goguryeo would not have hurriedly sent out
Let the new peace ambassador come to negotiate peace.
As for Lin Qihe's contribution, Li Shimin had given corresponding rewards, but the rewards were somewhat small. It seemed that he was granted some territory and money, and his original position was not promoted.
For this reason, Muchuan asked after giving him a few barrels of wine: "Has General Lin encountered any difficulties recently?
This time you have traveled thousands of miles to clear the way for the new ambassador of Goguryeo, so that the other party can successfully come to promote peace talks. Your contribution is extremely great and you should be rewarded with more."
