Chapter 334 Drilling Cannon
Xiong Wu was also worried after receiving the order.
He looked at his young intelligence staff. Xiong Wuyi felt a headache at first when Su Ze sent these "scholars" to his staff.
These were all former comprehensive science and information students from the New Army Naval Academy. After graduation, they were assigned to the Capital and Nanjing respectively.
Xiong Wu led this group of "scholars" with rich theories but zero practical experience to avoid being pursued by the Nanjing officials while collecting various intelligence.
However, Xiong Wu also lamented that those who have studied are indeed different. In just a few months, some of these students have become independent. These young people have grown up much faster than themselves.
Mr. Su is indeed someone who will achieve great things!
A young intelligence staff officer stood up.
This staff officer's surname was Xiong Mingkuang, and he was one of the newspaper boys who sold newspapers in Fuzhou with Xiong Wu. Later, after the Naval Academy was opened, he joined the army and signed up to join the academy, and finally became an officer in intelligence science.
Xiong Kuang and Xiong Wu are very familiar with each other, but now is the occasion of a meeting. Xiong Kuang reported seriously:
"In Nanjing of the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Juzheng has returned to Anqing, but in the name of the governor of Southern Zhili, he recruited Gao Gong as the governor. Zuo Zan, the governor-general, is responsible for the finance of Nanzhili."
Xiong Wu narrowed his eyes and asked, "Isn't this a power struggle with the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs? Can the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs tolerate it?"
Xiong Kuang smiled and said, "The Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs Now that both the minister and the minister are vacant, no one in the Ming Dynasty is willing to come to Nanjing to die. Zhang Juzheng is strong, so of course they can't do anything about it, but many people are waiting to see Gao Gong's joke!" "The Ming Dynasty is still here at this time
. If you fight, you deserve to die. You continue."
Xiong Kuang restrained his smile and said, "Gao Gong seems to be busy minting coins in Nanjing, trying to solve the problem of money shortage in Southern Zhili." "
In addition, Nanjing's defense is now In the hands of Li Tingzhu, Marquis of Linhuai, the Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth Army, Zhang Juzheng recommended Gao Gong to Li Tingzhu. It seems that Gao Gong was also valued by the Commander-in-Chief."
Xiong Wu asked, "Does Gao Gong understand military affairs?" "
No. I understand, but Gao Gong understands management. After Gao Gong took charge of Nanjing's Fire Bureau and Artillery Workshop, the level of cannon casting in Nanjing improved a lot, and Gao Gong suggested that Li Tingzhu build a small fortress outside the city to defend Nanjing." Xiong
Wu He nodded and said: "As expected of the people on the governor's list, Ju Zheng and Gao Gong are both very important people. It's a pity that they are loyal to the Ming court." Xiong Kuang said again: "In addition, Gao Gong also asked
Li Tingzhu to send a kiss Soldiers raided one of our printing offices. If our internal affairs department in Yingtian Mansion hadn't learned of the news in advance, all the personnel would have been moved. It's a pity that the printing equipment was seized." Xiong Wu nodded and said: "It is indeed a difficult opponent
. , Zhao Zhenji left, and Gao Gong came. We must be more cautious in our future activities in Nanjing. This is a difficult opponent."
After Xiong Kuang finished introducing the situation, Xiong Wu said:
"Secret order from the Governor!"
Everyone stood up one after another. Standing up, Xiong Wu said:
"We must find out clearly the location of the decisive battle planned by the Ming court in the coming spring, and figure out the strategic layout of the Ming army. This is the most important task of our Nanjing Intelligence Station!" "
Sit down!"
After hearing this task , everyone was excited and embarrassed at the same time.
The decision-making bodies of the Ming Dynasty were all in the capital. It was not easy to find out such confidential information in Nanjing.
Xiong Wu continued: "According to my analysis, the Ming court's battle plan must be told to Nanjing. After all, Zhang Juzheng still has 50,000 troops, and there are 30,000 troops guarding Nanjing City. Plus the troops from all over Jiangbei, The Ming Dynasty has at least 100,000 troops in Nanzhili."
"Even if these troops cannot fight in battle, they are still an excellent young and strong labor force." "
So even if the Ming Dynasty wants to abandon Nanzhili, these troops will never give up. Yes."
Everyone nodded.
Xiong Wu then said: "The most important thing now is, who are the people in Southern Zhili who can get the Ming court's battle plan?" Xiong Kuang stood up and said
: "Zhang Juzheng, the governor of Southern Zhili, Li Tingzhu, the governor of Nanjing's Fifth Army Governor's Mansion, Next are officials at the rank of minister of the Six Ministers of Nanjing, and the censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate."
Xiong Wu nodded and said: "Go back and copy the "Spy War Manual" written by the Grand Governor himself!"
Xiong Kuang was stunned for a moment.
Xiong Wu said: "You have been studying in the military academy for a year, and you only learned to read from the book?" "
Do you think intelligence is about the ranking of officials? Did you report the names according to the official sequence of Nanzhili?
" The young staff officers laughed.
Xiong Wu said: "Abandoning Nanjing, no Ming emperor or minister in the capital will make this decision publicly, and no one can bear the infamy of abandoning the old capital, not the emperor, not even Mr. Xu Ge." "Not to mention Nanzhi
. He also has the Fengyang Mansion of the Longxing Ancestral Tomb of his old Zhu family." "
So the secret order to abandon Nanjing will only be issued to the top officials in Nanjing, that is, the commander-in-chief."
Xiong Kuang immediately asked: "Are they Zhang Juzheng and Linhuai Marquis Li Tingzhu?"
"You guys finally know how to use your brains. Now you all go to the streets and find a way to infiltrate these two people's houses. It's best to instigate rebellion against these two people." Key figures in the people's government."
"Your order!"
After receiving such a difficult task, these young staff officers showed excited expressions.
Since coming to Nanjing, what they have done every day is to guard the printing shop, inquire and analyze "little things" such as rumors on the streets.
Everyone was naturally excited to finally accept such a big task.
Looking at his eager men, Xiong Wu also smiled. If he made such a contribution, his position in the Southeast New Army would be stable.
Wouldn't it be possible to get a Jinyiwei Commander Dangdang in the future?
Xiong Wu looked to the north. He had another competitor, the Southeast New Army's intelligence station in the capital.
It is naturally not easy to find out the information before friendly forces.
We can only count on these young people.
In the Governor's Mansion of the Fifth Army in Nanjing, Linhuai Marquis Li Tingzhu was very annoyed.
The Marquis of Linhuai became even more annoyed when he thought of Wei Guogong Xu Peng's grandson.
The Duke of Wei could openly flee to the north of the Yangtze River with his family and treasures, but when the situation turned bad, the Duke of Wei could continue to flee back to the capital.
But the Marquis of Linhuai cannot.
Who made Wei Guogong’s ancestors stand on the right side during the Jingnan Campaign?
Who let his ancestor Li Jinglong live up to Chengzu's kindness?
Who let himself be reinstated by the current emperor's order? The emperor's kindness has not yet been repaid. If he escapes from Nanjing, he will definitely be questioned by the emperor.
In short, compared to other nobles in Nanjing, only Linhuaihou and Chengyibo had no escape route. They had to obey the imperial court and fight to the end.
Just when Li Tingzhu was still worried, Gao Gong, who was covered in dust, rushed into the governor's mansion.
Gao Gong was recommended to Li Tingzhu by Zhang Juzheng before returning to Anqing.
Li Tingzhu found that although the Imperial Academy Jijiu did not know much about military affairs, he was very capable of doing things.
After handing over the gunpowder factory and the artillery factory to Gao Gong, Gao Gong caught a few bugs from the Nanjing Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of War, and formulated stricter accountability and reward and punishment standards. The yield rate of Nanjing cannon castings immediately increased. .
In addition, the high priest seemed to have endless energy. While he was busy with the defense of Nanjing, he was still able to do the work of minting coins.
Gao Gong was back from inspecting the armies outside Nanjing, and Li Tingzhu was used to his turmoil.
After Gao Gong rested for a while, he said:
"The guards around Nanjing are so exhausted that they are no longer of use."
Li Tingzhu nodded and said, "I know this too, what can Gao Gong do about Jijiu?" Gao Gong shook his head. Said: "The upper level is eating soldiers' blood and empty pay, the middle level has been slacking off in military affairs for a long time and cannot even do basic drills well, and the bottom level is a mixed bag of good and bad. Such an army cannot stop the Soviet thieves' army at all." Li Tingzhu
naturally Knowing this result, he touched his forehead and said, "Is there really nothing we can do about Gaojiujiu?"
Gao Gong said, "I'm seriously ill, so the only way out now is to start over again."
"To start over again?"
Gao Gong nodded and said, "Study Su thief, organize and train the new army."
Li Tingzhu has heard about the training of the new army several times. Tan Lun said it before when he was in Nanjing, Zhang Juzheng also said it, and now Gao Gong also said it.
Why are these knowledgeable Hanlin officials talking about training the new army?
But no one told Li Tingzhu, what the hell is the New Army!
Li Tingzhu was determined to understand this time. He smiled bitterly and said: "Zhang Shuda also said that he would organize and train a new army. Gao Jijiu also said that he would train a new army. Can you tell me what exactly is a new army?" Gao
Gong After thinking about it, he said: "The so-called new army is naturally different from the old army." "
When I look at Su Ze's military training, the first thing is that elite soldiers need enough food. When recruiting new soldiers, you must ensure food, salary, and money."
This first point made Li Tingzhu suffer. With a straight face.
Gao Gong continued:
"Master Hou, don't worry about this. This is the list of generals who have taken advantage of their free quotas to pay their food and wages in various guard posts around Nanjing. There are also lists of generals who tortured soldiers. You only need to take these. By forcing them to occupy their free wages, they can save money to recruit new soldiers."
Li Tingzhu immediately said excitedly: "Gao Jiejiu, how many soldiers can I recruit with this money?"
Gao Gong raised a finger, and Li Tingzhu immediately said "Ten thousand?"
Gao Gong shook his head and said, "One thousand."
Li Tingzhu said a little disappointed, "Only one thousand?"
Gao Gong said, "Soldiers are not expensive but they are good. At that time, the Su thieves who entered Jiangxi were only a few thousand." Just a thousand elite soldiers."
"If the new army can be trained, these one thousand people will be enough to defend Nanjing City."
Hearing this, Li Tingzhu's eyes lit up.
Through communication with Zhang Juzheng, Li Tingzhu also understood the imperial court's strategic intention to abandon Southern Zhili.
But everyone can lose Nanzhili, but he, the commander-in-chief of the Fifth Military Command in Nanjing, must not lose the city of Nanjing.
At that time, apart from surrendering, Su Ze's only other option was to commit suicide and die for his country.
Gao Gong's words ignited Li Tingzhu's hope. If he could defend the city of Nanjing, and if the imperial court won a decisive battle, he could counterattack from Nanjing. That would be a great achievement!
At that time, as a prince, he might be promoted to Duke!
Li Tingzhu looked at the list and gritted his teeth and said, "I'm going to do it right away! We must let these free-chargers free up the places!"
Gao Gong said again: "Master Hou, please be patient. Gao hasn't finished speaking yet. Why is the army a new army?"
Li Tingzhu stopped, and Gao Gong continued:
"The new army is not only new in equipment, but also in learning the techniques of using new weapons, new battle formations, and the Soviet thieves in Jiangnan. It talks about the science of managing the world and applying it." "
This includes arithmetic, mountains and rivers geography, marching supplies, and first aid health." "The
new army must be trained with new knowledge, and the soldiers must understand why they are on the battlefield and for whom they are fighting. Fight."
Gao Gong pointed to his head and said: "The new thing is here, not the guns."
Li Tingzhu frowned and said: "But is it too late?"
Gao Gong said categorically: "You have to practice even if it's too late. Marquis thinks Nanjing Can these troops in the city stop the bandits?"
Li Tingzhu shook his head without hesitation.
Gao Gong said: "I plan to set up an 'arms department' under the Imperial Academy to teach martial arts and train new army officers." "
Su thieves once ran a school in Nanjing City. People in Nanjing City know the new learning, and those who don't thieves it don't either. If you are young, you can open another 'miscellaneous subject' in the Imperial College to teach this subject."
Li Tingzhu asked: "What about the source of soldiers?"
Gao Gong said: "It is better to be children from good families in the city who can read."
"Officers can learn from Select from among the noble disciples who have made great achievements."
"Good!"
Fuzhou, a large iron factory.
Lu Gang, known as the "Steel Madman", was looking nervously at a piece of equipment.
A large ironworks is built next to a river, so it naturally has hydraulic equipment, such as common hydraulic rams and hydraulic hammers. However, the equipment designed by Lu Gang is completely different from the previous equipment.
A cylindrical steel billet is firmly fixed on the transmission rod, and the other section of the transmission rod is connected to a hydraulic roller.
Opposite the cylindrical billet is a shiny, sharp drill bit.
This is a special drill bit made by repeated manual beating. It is much stronger than this rough steel billet.
"Start!"
Following Lu Gang's command, the mechanism blocking the hydraulic roller was opened, and the entire cylindrical billet began to rotate.
The rotating steel billet began to slowly push toward the drill bit. As the two came into contact, metallic wire chips flew out, and a small hole appeared in the steel billet.
The rumbling roller drives the billet to rotate and press against the drill bit. The holes in the billet gradually open out as the drill bit enters, and a round hole appears on the billet.
Everyone present stared at the drill bit and billet nervously, fearing that something would go wrong.
Lu Gang grasped the control rod of the drill bit with his hand and carefully controlled the depth of drilling.
As the steel billet was about to be bored through by the drill bit, Lu Gang immediately issued the order to shut down.
The mechanism was pulled up and the billet stopped rotating.
Lu Gang immediately rushed forward and directed the craftsmen to lift the billet off the machine.
When he saw an almost standard round gun barrel, Lu Gang shouted to the craftsmen around him:
"Quick!! Drill the lead hole and test the gun!"
When he heard the gun test, a craftsman immediately said: "Master Lu, this gun If the barrel wall is too thin, will the chamber explode?"
"Yes, Master, this does not conform to the model of a normal cannon."
Lu Gang said, "Have you seen this barrel? The Governor said that the power of the cannonball comes from the kinetic energy of the gunpowder explosion, and it is airtight. A cannon that only needs a small amount of gunpowder to push the cannon farther."
"Is there any cannon with a more symmetrical barrel than mine?"
"Stop talking nonsense and go drill the hole quickly. I want to test the cannon myself!"
Today I still have to check, but I can only update once, I’m really sorry. Updates can be resumed tomorrow.
Yesterday's test results were okay. It showed high blood sugar and fatty liver. I need to adjust my diet and increase exercise.
(End of chapter)