bookcurios Chapter 360 New Gunpowder
Chapter 360 New Gunpowder
In the workshop laboratory in Luancheng, an exciting piece of good news came: sulfuric acid, one of the three acids and two bases, was finally successfully produced.
This workshop has existed for a long time, but the secret laboratory for chemical research has never been open to the public.
This is not a product of this era. Back then, among the group of children adopted in Shigang Village, a laboratory was first established to cultivate biological bacteria.
Later, as these children grew up, Zhao Sheng personally taught them step by step, started the production and research and development of substances such as potassium nitrate and sulfuric acid, and carried out a series of arduous research and development for this purpose.
After obtaining sulfuric acid, Zhao Sheng was full of confidence and wanted to make nitric acid cotton using cotton.
Those who often travel through time know that with the birth of smokeless gunpowder, with the basic substances such as three acids and two bases, the manufacture of true primers will be much easier.
When designing bullets and guns, Mr. Zhao was quite far-sighted and consciously made preparations for future primer upgrades.
In addition, a long-range rocket was successfully tested and exploded.
This is a powerful weapon equipped with four wings and rail launch. Its Venturi flamethrower can propel the rocket ten miles away.
If new gunpowder propellants were used, Zhao Sheng seemed to have foreseen the grand trend of future battlefields.
Zhao Hui in the capital requested 30,000 guns, and also equipped them with 100 cannons of different models.
Zhao Sheng decided that the gunpowder in the cannons sent to the capital should all use the most advanced formula, and for this purpose, many parameters also changed accordingly.
The Yan army has so far sent a force of 10,000 to Yanzhou, and another 10,000 are training in the Dingzhou camp.
……
This year was the most glorious year for Yi Yu trade, and many businessmen emerged on both sides of the river to invest.
In order to prevent bullying between different business groups, in addition to the armed forces hired by the Chamber of Commerce and the newly introduced laws, the army actually appeared in the North Shore Concession.
The long-favored Zuowei Camp began to become nervous.
Gongmen Jiadi went to Weiyuan specifically for this matter.
"Recently, a large number of troops have appeared on the north bank. Among them are Xiongnu people, as well as people from the Qiang, Di, Xianbei and other tribes. Some are private armies, while others are hired by their chambers of commerce."
After listening to this, Gong Shangque nodded seriously and said, "Our Weiyuan's power is indeed somewhat weak. Most of the merchants here are small merchants from the Great Zhou, and their ability to protect themselves is very weak."
"Yes, Manager Zhao also needs to talk about this matter. We cannot rely entirely on our Public Security Bureau. Our people are always serving in secret, and the weapons in their hands can only be used to protect themselves." Gongmen Jiadi said.
"It is necessary to carry out some underground arms transactions. The situation here is too transparent. If we make any move, they will find out it is us once they investigate." Gong Shangque suggested.
"If that doesn't work, try making some wheel pistols to make some money. These weapons haven't been seen yet, so they'll be copied sooner or later. The key lies in the materials."
Gongmen Jiadi is absolutely right. Human wisdom is endless. Once a new type of powerful weapon comes out, someone will definitely try to imitate it.
And from the perspective of imitation alone, it is not difficult.
As for its strength, it only applies to teams equipped with cold weapons.
Just as mortars and shotguns are still in use after many years in later generations, some weapons seem powerful but have actually been eliminated long ago.
……
Yan Ruxiang sent his most proud disciple Shi Yongzhi to Yanzhou, leading an army of 50,000 forward.
The general in charge of defending Yanzhou now is Chai Jin, a centurion who once fought alongside Yan Ruxiang in the Battle of Jingyang. With the accumulation of military exploits, his reputation is at its peak.
Coupled with the Chai family's unremitting efforts behind the scenes, he has become a powerful figure in charge of a region.
Ever since Sima Yan took the throne of the military commander of Yanqing Prefecture, he has been trying every means to win over Chai Jin.
Chai Jin is a person of moderate and peaceful character. He never offends others easily, nor does he deliberately favor any force.
It was this point that made Sima Yan feel at ease.
While Sima Yan was stationed in Qingzhou, he issued a military order, attempting to dispatch 100,000 troops from Yanzhou to Qingzhou. However, this decision was accidentally leaked, leading to a fierce siege by the Liang army.
Just at this critical moment, the 50,000 elite troops led by Shi Yongzhi arrived in time like a divine army descending from the sky.
In this way, facing the 200,000 enemy troops from Liang State coming from different places, and his own 350,000 troops plus 30,000 auxiliary troops and 10,000 city defense troops, Chai Jin secretly calculated in his mind and felt that victory was in his grasp.
Shi Yongzhi used to be Yan Ruxiang's right-hand man. As Yan Ruxiang was promoted to the position of general, Shi Yongzhi's status also rose.
However, as the highest-ranking general garrisoning Yanzhou, Chai Jin's position is obviously one level higher than Shi Yongzhi.
In the Yanzhou garrison office, all the generals in the army gathered together to discuss the war.
"Everyone, we currently have an army of 350,000, with an additional 30,000 auxiliary troops and 10,000 city defense troops. And right before us is the aggressive 200,000-strong Liang army.
In this situation, should we choose to close the city gates and hold our ground, or should we proactively leave the city and attack the enemy head-on?
Chai Jin sat firmly in the middle position, his eyes swept majestically over the generals below, and asked solemnly.
Although Shi Yongzhi was ranked first on the left, he was not in a hurry to speak first.
At this moment, a burly general with a complexion as dark as bronze and hair as thick as steel needles strode forward and said in a voice as loud as a bell:
"General Chai, as military commanders, we are free to fight outside the city or defend it. Everything depends on your wise decision."
As soon as he finished speaking, several people in the hall couldn't help but sneer.
Chai Jin turned his gaze slightly away, looked at Shi Yongzhi and asked, "General Shi, what are your thoughts on this?"
When Shi Yongzhi saw his name being called, he stepped out of the line without hesitation, his back straight, and said loudly:
"General, we now have several times the enemy's strength, and we are fighting on our own territory, giving us an absolute advantage. I believe we should decisively march out of the city to meet the enemy and strike them with a devastating blow."
As soon as he finished speaking, another sigh was heard in the hall.
In the eyes of many generals, relying on a strong city for defense was the most reliable strategy. After all, the towering city walls were the strongest barrier against the enemy.
If we rashly go out of the city to fight, any mistake will likely result in heavy losses and incalculable losses.
Deep down in his heart, Chai Jin was not actually inclined to go out of the city to fight unless he was in a desperate situation.
At this moment, he was in deep hesitation.
"General Chai, I believe we should first hold the city and deplete the enemy's supplies and strength. When the enemy shows signs of fatigue and an opportunity arises, it will not be too late to attack from the city."
The person who spoke was Chen Yanyan, the right general of the Yanzhou garrison.
He is not only Chai Jin's confidant, but also a Confucian general who is well versed in military tactics. He has always been very good at observing people's words and expressions and can always cater to his superiors' thoughts just right.
"Hmm! What Chen Yanyan said makes perfect sense. Let's make this decision. I also think we should defend the city first. When the enemy is exhausted, we can then march out and defeat them in one fell swoop."
Chai Jin's words quickly received strong support from those who were afraid of fighting. They came forward one after another and applauded in unison.