Just like confirming Meng Kai’s words, the rows of elite soldiers holding guns were swaying, and after a burst of blasting radiation, as several standard cowhide-inlaid iron armors on wooden targets, they had already been beaten. riddled with gaping wounds. Then he spread it out carefully and presented it in front of everyone headed by Huang Chao.
I saw that there were still a lot of holes above that could show the sky light, and although the position of the protective mirror was not transparent, it had been cracked and penetrated into it. Huang Chao couldn't help but nodded invisibly, and his original strained expression was relaxed; the other great civil and military officials nodded and said yes.
Then, these elite soldiers backhanded the three-eyed blunderbuss that had been emptied, smashed and smashed them on the wooden targets fiercely, and saw that although they were protected by armor, the position where they were hit was It was a deep depression and collapse. If it is placed on a real human body, it will have the effect of death or injury.
Then a soldier backhanded the three-barreled four-pointed pyramid, piercing the iron-clad neck, shoulder, heart, waist and abdomen. It was also a gap for the boss. As a result, the expressions of those generals became more and more attractive. At this time, these acting soldiers replaced another long pole-like firearm from the rattan box.
"There is also this kind of long, thin-mouthed bird blunder, which can hit 50 or 60 steps, and the front can also be used as a short spear with the tip of the blade. It is just more cumbersome to operate than the three-eyed blunder. It also needs more exercises to be skillful in use... The price will be more."
Following the continuous words introduced by Meng Kai, these strong soldiers once again retreated to the edge of the huge field, and then began to vent, charge, press fire, and open the springs to fill up with their hands and feet across most of the open space. After a while, they burst into a burst of gray smoke in a loud cry, and splashed the crackling debris on the newly replaced armored wooden target.
However, the reaction of the civil and military officials present at the meeting was much more muted. On the contrary, Huang Chao took a few more glances at the armor that he brought to show, but shook his head invisibly, because after such a distance, he hit the wooden target and penetrated the hole in the leather armor. The traces are much less. But he calmly continued to ask:
"It's okay, what else can be used as a demonstration next, such as the kind of gun that can be used to bombard strongholds and military formations?"
Afterwards, the two small bowl-mouth cannons mounted on the wooden frame with simple rollers were pushed in slowly from outside the hall by two shirtless sergeants with big waists and squeaks. Then, the gap between the roller and the ground was filled with a triangular wooden block, and a large cloth bag of weighed gunpowder and a large-mouthed ball were stuffed into the inclined gun barrel in turn, and finally the lead was inserted. Meng Kaicai continued:
"Please step back a little to avoid disturbing..."
After Huang Chao and others had retreated to the high platform where the Shengyang Temple was located, they gave the order to set off the cannon. In an instant, two large clusters of gray smoke spattered from the muzzle, and two roars echoed back in the square in front of the palace, and they also stunned the many flying birds that fell intermittently in the palace buildings in the distance, and the sky was overwhelming. Wandering back and forth.
Although the civil and military officials present had already heard or seen the scene of the corresponding fire, but at this moment the movement of the object in person, many people were startled by the uncontrollable loud noise, and some even had weak legs. He couldn't stand and fell to the ground. Compared with the reactions of the civil servants, other generals of the new dynasty showed some satisfaction and appreciation, or expressions of fascinating enthusiasm.
Because a large vehicle used as a target for artillery shooting, as well as the human target above it, were torn apart by two artillery shots that were hit one after another, and the tendency was unabated to pound on the wall of the palace at the rear, leaving a large cobweb. The broken brick stubble came like cracking and peeling.
"In other words, this thing can not only break the base, but also deal with the horse team? With such a sudden burst of noise, no matter what kind of livestock will be frightened on the spot, right?"
Gai Hong, the most qualified capital of Beijing and the West, couldn’t help but speak:
"It just makes sense..."
Meng Kai also nodded in praise:
"But I don't know how much this thing and the first guns are worth?"
Gai Hong touched the faintly sweaty forehead and asked
"According to the meaning of the south, the previous three-eyed guns cost eight yuan (7,800 yuan), but for such a long shot with spikes, it costs about 17 yuan (about 15,000 yuan). ..."
Meng Kai also responded meticulously:
"As for such a gun, because of the use of a lot of refined iron and copper materials, the price is 500 yuan, not including medicines and other substances. In addition, because of the limited output, there are not many that can be sold at present... "
"But it's a bit old and refined!"
Gai Hong couldn't help complaining:
Meng Kai couldn't help but smiled but didn't say much. Later, people demonstrated the catapult that can be carried by two people, or the explosive bombs and kerosene bombs that can be thrown by whirlwind cannons and stone cannons, which are the opposite of how many praises have been received. It wasn't until the dust settled that Huang Chao said thoughtfully:
"Is this the proof that the Taiping Army can hold on to the enemy in a field battle without any disadvantage? As long as they are willing to sell more, even if the price is higher, it is worth the money..."
"But, let's forget about the blunts that are not very easy to use. Most of the Erlangs are afraid that they won't be able to use them in a short time; what I want is an object that can be used immediately, or these three-eyed blunders will come first. Thousands and five thousand pieces! The birds will buy it in a thousand pieces and give it to the inner court's manager of the central palace..."
"Those cannons should do the same. How about twenty guns first? Of course, the more gunpowder is the better. Explosive bombs and kerosene bombs are also good, but it’s difficult to make them too quickly for free. It can’t stand up to great use either! You can buy one hundred or ten of them, and see if our people can make similar things according to the gourd paintings..."
Having said that, Huang Chao couldn't help but glance at Li Junru, Shuling.
"Junqing, the corresponding fees and money are not a problem, right."
Since the original servant Zhao Zhang was appointed the "important task" of camping and gathering in exile in Guannei, in fact, most of the time in the political affairs hall was he alone. Of course, compared to Zhao Zhang, who is good at managing and transshipping, his advantage is that he is more obedient while working for himself, and he can earn money for the new dynasty out of the box, without so many unreasonable scruples.
"Although the saint is relieved, everything is covered by his ministers... There are still many surpluses of the money and silk hemp that the states within the Guan have just handed over! The products from Hezhong Yanchi have just been sent to Beijing..."
Li Junru also kept busy repeating:
Originally, due to the previous seizure of the imperial arsenal in the two capitals, the armor and equipment of many soldiers after the establishment of the Daqi new dynasty was even better than most officers and soldiers. It was only after the changes and losses of Chang'an that changed hands, it was taken and ruined by various officers and troops headed by Hedong; it was re-captured by the Taiping Army and the remaining part was secretly transported away.
So at the moment, it's easy to relieve the difficulties of the shortage of food and grass and insufficient cost through the excavation of the mountain and other organized income-generating activities, but it is facing the problem of insufficient equipment after the expansion and supplement of the man and horse. As for the entire system of General Managers, Shaofu Temple and Military Equipment Supervisors that belonged to the imperial court in Chang'an City, the entire system was almost completely shut down because of the loss of artisans.
Therefore, even if Li Junru, who was replaced by the newly appointed Zhongshu, came to preside over the situation in the political affairs hall, the types of materials that need to be imported from the south have not decreased, but have been further intensified and expanded. In order to generate income, even the generals of the new Daqi Dynasty began to sell prisoners from the official army and their families in private, and even the military households that originally belonged to the Shence camp.
Therefore, he is more able to open up all kinds of money-gathering methods to "open up" than when Zhao Zhang was in power; instead of trying to sort out financial plans and open up sources like Zhao Zhang, he also advocated "cutting money" as much as possible. And offended many people in the court. It overwhelmed Zhao Zhang in terms of popularity, word of mouth, and wind reviews.
"As for the report of the good son-in-law of the previous widow, although there is no other purpose, you must also deal with it cautiously?"
Then, when he returned to the Shengyang Hall, Huang Chao continued to say to the few remaining important officials such as Gai Hong, Huang Rui, and Huang Rui:
"Although the Guiyi Army has some reputation, it is still far beyond reach; but the method of the old man Zheng Tian is unavoidable, and it is also a heart disease that has always been stubborn..."
"Because of the affairs of the towns in the west of Beijing, you have to pay more for the loneliness and share the work. The corresponding soldiers and armor are naturally allocated first, and half of the firearms will be given to you immediately after the firearms are delivered. After you go back, you must also recruit people in time, set up more beacons and watch posts, and re-repair many hurdles..."
But later, Meng Kai, who had left Ouchi and returned home, sighed secretly; since Zhao Zhang, a servant who has always been close to the south, went out of Beijing to preside over the "big plan" of restoring people's livelihood, and participated in temporary activities. Liu Tang and others who maintained the situation in Beijing also voluntarily retired or disappeared one after another; instead, he became the candidate to dock with the Taiping Army, and more of the responsibilities of Jing Zhaoyin were also practical. Shanghai is far away from familiar military affairs.
Then he flung away the servants who wanted to come up to serve, and just sat in the corner for a while, before speaking again:
"For the evening banquet, please invite the principal Gao (Yu) of Jingshanfang over to talk?"
And in the city of Luoyang, Duji Road, hundreds of miles away to the west of Chang'an. The sweaty Zhu Lao San, who had just returned from the well-trained university grounds, happened to ran into a new batch of transport teams entering the city. (End of this chapter)