Chapter 104
Regarding these three types of warheads, the function of the first type is to wound the enemy rather than kill them, while the second type focuses on arson. Just as Zhu Ci had sabotaged the Red-coated Cannon before, as long as the cannon carriage is burned, the Red-coated Cannon is no different from scrap.
Therefore, the second type is an incendiary bomb. By increasing the proportion of pine resin, sulfur, lamp oil inside, it achieves the purpose of sticky combustion that is difficult to extinguish.
The third type is actually more suitable for raiding camps and causing interference, because its primary improvements are in loud noises and intense light, similar to a flashbang paired with a sound system.
Of course, the effect is certainly not as good as the flashbangs of later generations, which is why they need to be paired with loud noises.
In addition to the improvements to the projectiles, there are also the uniform arrangement of the launch tubes and other such modifications. These are all minor changes, but the improvements they bring are significant. In particular, the launch rack can have its angle adjusted; the smaller the angle, the shorter the firing distance, while at a maximum elevation of around forty-five degrees, the maximum range can reach five hundred meters.
Judging by the Red-coated Cannon used by the Qing Army during their previous siege, this range happens to fall right at the edge of the Red-coated Cannon's range.
Of course, even if it wasn't at the edge, it wouldn't matter. Red-coated Cannons were so cumbersome; once they were deployed, the muzzles could not be easily turned, it took a very long time to reposition them.
And his Hundred Tigers Charging Arrows are now rocket carts, the kind that can be pushed along, which basically allows for firing a round and then moving to a new location before reloading from the rear of the cannon.
Only three carts?" Fu Chunsheng asked, somewhat puzzled. "Will that be enough?
It's not just three vehicles, but at least three vehicles per firing position in rotation, so that we can ensure there are no gaps during reloading.
Sigh, there's nothing to be done; for now, reloading still has to rely on manual labor.
Even if Zhu Ci wanted to make improvements, he had no particularly good solutions for the time being, or rather, no solutions that could be implemented in the short term; the time required to handcraft various components was simply too long.
In that case, we can only use the old method: rotating the firing.
Fu said directly, "In that case, ninety should be enough."
Xi Hongxuan was startled. What kind of family was this, demanding ninety units right off the bat?
He had been calculating for a long time just now; even if the cost of a single rocket was pressed as low as possible, it would still require at least five taels of silver. A single launch of the Hundred Tigers Charging Arrows rocket carts would cost five hundred taels of silver, constructing a single cart would require at least a thousand taels of silver.
The frames for these ninety vehicles alone would cost ninety thousand taels, the initial supply of rockets would require another nine hundred units—that would be over a hundred and ten thousand taels!
Zhu Ci was also startled and said after a moment of hesitation, "There is no need to prepare that many; preparing six should be enough for now."
“Twelve, then,” Fu said. “Six is too few. The Tartars have suffered losses before, they will surely come with great ferocity this time; it's better to prepare more.”
Zhu Ci hesitated slightly: "But everything right now is still just a design scheme. If they don't work well, preparing too many would be a waste."
Fu replied, "Has any firearm researched by Your Majesty ever been anything but effective? I believe in Your Majesty."
After hearing this, Xi Hongxuan couldn't help but look at Fu and then at Zhu Ci, feeling that the relationship between the Emperor and the Grand Secretary was quite different from what they had imagined.
Zhu Ci thought to himself that there was no need to trust him so much.
But on second thought, what Fu believed in might not have been him, but rather the knowledge from several hundred years in the future.
"Alright, since Grand Secretary Ma is so confident, let it be so," he said, then looked at Xi Hongxuan.
Xi Hongxuan immediately stood up and said, "I will do my utmost to complete the production of the Hundred Tigers Charging Arrows Cart as quickly as possible."
Zhu Ci nodded in satisfaction.
After Xi Hongxuan left, Liu Zhaoji came to request an audience again. Fu rose at the appropriate time, bowed, said, "Your servant takes his leave."
Zhu Ci pushed the maps on the imperial desk aside and said, "Why are you in such a hurry to leave, my dear minister? Stay and listen; otherwise, I'll have to have someone tell you later, that would be quite a hassle."
Liu Zhaoji happened to walk in just as he heard that, causing his eye to twitch involuntarily, he felt a sudden sense of worry.
These core members were already very clear on the structure of the new imperial court and were extremely satisfied with it; the only thing they were dissatisfied with was likely the lack of courtesy between the young Emperor and the Grand Secretary.
Having a relationship that is too close isn't necessarily a good thing either.
Fu Chunsheng sat back down, listening to Liu Zhaoji report the current troop strength and training status, before asking, "I wonder if His Majesty can still spare some of his personal guards to train the soldiers?"
Zhu Ci asked with a smile, "The new training method is effective, isn't it?"
Liu Zhaoji nodded vigorously: "It is indeed effective."
To be able to turn a loose sandpile into a cohesive force in such a short time—even without knowing their actual combat effectiveness, just walking into the camp and feeling the order and discipline, one couldn't help but instinctively feel that this was a well-trained army.
It was no exaggeration to say that Liu Zhaoji had never seen an army like this; even the soldiers under the Grand Secretary's command were not like this.
After laughing, Zhu Ci said, "It's too late to make temporary reassignments now; let's arrange the expedition first."
Liu Zhaoji asked with some hesitation, "Your Majesty's suggestion of using the countryside to encircle the towns.. is that truly feasible?"
Zhu Ci spread his hands and said, "Even if it's impossible, we must try. Our troops are definitely fewer than the Tartars, so we can only try to surround them by gathering the forces of the villages and towns."
Fu spoke up at this moment, "The Tartars are few in number, they are all stationed in major towns; this is feasible."
Zhu Ci and Fu each spoke of different numbers—one saying there were many and the other saying there were few—which sounded somewhat contradictory, but in reality, neither was wrong. When they said the troops were numerous, they were indeed numerous; when they said they were few, they were referring to the fact that there were few Manchus. As for the Han people, they remained wary of them, they generally sent the Han army to face death, while their own elite troops were stationed in important towns.
Zhu Ci did not want to be stuck in a passive defense this time; he had to crush the Qing Army's morale in one go, so that they could have a period of peace to develop their own strength.
Otherwise, if the Qing Army harassed Huaian every few days, how could they farm? Without farming, where would the grain come from? Without grain, would they have to plunder the common people or let the soldiers fight on empty stomachs?
They must let the Qing Army know that they possess many firearms, that the Red-coated Cannon is ineffective against them.
Liu Zhaoji went down to make arrangements with doubts, Fu also left with the memorial approved by Zhu Ci, but before leaving, he also left a calligraphy copy for Zhu Ci.
Zhu Ci..
Why is this person so annoying? If it's not complaining that he is uneducated, it's complaining that his handwriting is ugly. Did any of this hinder his ability to fight?
Zhu Ci set the calligraphy practice sheet aside, turned to look at Jiang Xueyan, asked, "Zhu Ying has arrived?"
Jiang Xueyan hurriedly replied, "Yes, he just arrived yesterday and is currently waiting for an audience with Your Majesty."
Zhu Ci gave a response: "Summon him."
Zhu Ying arrived very quickly. After entering the hall, he first stole a glance at the young Emperor sitting in the high seat, then took a deep breath.
It was still the same person, but the clothing and appearance were different, the position was different; he indeed looked a few degrees more majestic.
Zhu Ying performed the grand salute, kowtowed, said, "This humble commoner, Zhu Ying, pays respects to Your Majesty. May my Emperor live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand more!"
Zhu Ci did not stop him from performing the formal salutation; granting special treatment also depended on the other person's status.
Zhu Ying was the kind of rogue leader who, if Zhu Ci hadn't been short on men and if Zhu Ying hadn't cooperated so well with him back then—and considering the man was quite loyal—Zhu Ci would have dealt with him long ago.
After Zhu Ying stood up, Zhu Ci said teasingly, "We haven't seen each other for many days; why has the Chief become so much thinner?"
Zhu Ying heard that mention of the Chief and felt cold sweat pouring down, appearing quite lost and unsure of how to respond.
Seeing that Zhu Ci had been scared out of his wits, he stopped teasing him and said in a gentle voice, "That's enough. There is no need to be afraid. Since I have not imprisoned you, I will not hold your previous actions against you."
Zhu Ying breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this, but before he could fully relax, he heard the young Emperor say, "However, even I cannot grant a full pardon for your past actions. I am giving you an opportunity to redeem yourself through service; I wonder if you dare to take it?"
Zhu Ying kowtowed and said, "This humble subject obeys the Emperor's commands!"
Good!" Zhu Ci stood up and said, "This is my imperial decree. Take it and head to Qiya Port; a boat has already been prepared there.
Zhu Ying took the imperial decree from Jiang Xueyan with both hands, only to find with frustration that he still couldn't understand a single word.
He asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, what do you want this commoner to do?"
Zhu Ci sighed, "I've told you to study long ago, why can't you read yet?"
After saying that, he couldn't help but click his tongue. How had he started urging others to study as well?
Zhu Ying scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "This humble subject will study right away, right away."
Zhu Ci looked at him and said, "I want you to go to sea!"
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: It won't do if the money stays in someone else's hands; I have to find a way. A kitty stepping on an abacus as a skateboard. jpg
Next update tomorrow morning at six o'clock~
Chapter 105
"Go to sea?" Zhu Ying was somewhat surprised.
Zhu Ci gave an affirmative response: "Correct, going to sea. All you need to do is take silk out to exchange for silver. Your primary trading partners will be the Japanese, but if your business grows in the future, you could also trade with other countries; it all depends on whether you have the ability."
After hearing this, Zhu Ying's breathing suddenly quickened, he became incredibly excited.
This.. does this mean he has suddenly transformed into a sea merchant? Or is he a sea merchant appointed by the Emperor? Does that count as being an imperial appointment?
Seeing his expression, Zhu Ci smiled slightly and said, "Do your work well. You know my temperament well enough; I never mistreat those who are loyal and righteous."
Zhu Ying kowtowed again, said a few flattering words, then withdrew.
After he left, Jiang Xueyan said cautiously, "Your Majesty, the Grand Secretary also has a fleet. If Zhu Ying goes now, will he be displeased?"
Zhu Ci sneered, "Does he own the ocean? Just because he can assemble a fleet, does that mean I cannot? Even in his face, I would dare to let Zhu Ying go."
Jiang Xueyan blinked and said nothing. Since His Majesty put it that way, she would no longer worry about it.
As for Zhu Ci, his heart tightened. Now even Jiang Xueyan was starting to be wary of Fu; wasn't this simply a case of being beholden to those who provide for you?
Because Fu is too important, most of the current operations rely on the resources in his hands.
To put it bluntly, it was because he had money while the imperial court did not, so even those who had previously disagreed with Fu being Grand Secretary had become much quieter. If this man were to abandon his post, the imperial court would be crippled for the most part.
It was precisely for this reason that Zhu Ci urgently sent Zhu Ying to sea to exchange goods for silver.
Japan has silver mines, so Zhu Ci targeted them first.
However, Wa was merely a stepping stone. Once the fleet was established, he could trade with countries like Spain. They possessed vast amounts of American silver, whereas for other things like spices, there was no rush.
The main reason he chose Zhu Ying was primarily because he had many subordinates, they were all desperate men who lived on the edge.
Anything can happen at sea; if you aren't fierce enough, you'll suffer the consequences.
Zhu Ci even squeezed out a portion of Single-shot Rockets for Zhu Ying.
After making arrangements for Zhu Ying, Zhu Ci's entire attention shifted to military matters.
The Great Ming army encountered almost no significant resistance when occupying villages and towns. With the main force of the Qing Army absent, most of those villages and towns were held by Han soldiers. Once the Ming army arrived, they first killed the leaders who refused to surrender, then used earnest persuasion to convince the remaining soldiers to surrender, finally brought out the ultimate weapon—the redistribution of land—which was essentially invincible.
Not only that, but even the Han Army on the opposing side took the initiative to contact them to surrender.
As the Ming Army advanced southwest along Hongze Lake toward Fengyang Prefecture, occupying more and more villages and towns, the Qing Army grew increasingly restless. Initially, they sent out small detachments to fight, but after suffering successive defeats and losing Xuyi to the Ming Army, they dispatched Li Chengdong.
Zhu Ci stared at Li Cheng's name for a long while, took a deep breath, looked at Fu and said, "This time, I am truly going on a personal campaign."
Fu Lue felt a bit strange; he noticed that the Young Emperor's gaze became extremely cold upon seeing this name, he couldn't help but ask, "Why is this person worth Your Majesty personally leading a campaign against?"