I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

“I see, well then, I will go to the guard camp.

How long have you transported it? Will it not explode? It is not good for gunpowder to get wet."

Li Shen nodded, feeling a little worried. If it doesn't work at the critical moment, it will be troublesome.

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I have already made protective measures. The openings are sealed with wax to prevent moisture.

Each grenade is wrapped in wax paper, which is not only waterproof but also temporarily fireproof. It will not explode as long as it is not kept on fire. "

Seeing Li Shen’s worry, Chen Gui immediately explained.

“Haha, Chen Gui, you did a great job and you really didn’t disappoint me.

Remember what I just told you, keep trying. I am very optimistic about you.

I have to go to the guard camp."

Li Shen laughed. This Chen Gui was indeed rigorous in his work. Even he hadn't thought of it, but Chen Gui had already done it. It seemed that he was really a promising talent.

It was almost time here, so Li Shen didn't stay for long. His purpose of coming here was to get weapons.

With the storekeeper and Chen Gui seeing him off, Li Shen left the institute and stood at the door. Li Shen said to Chen Gui again:

"Chen Gui, please don't let me down."

"Yes, I will never let His Highness Prince Ji down, and I will do my best to fulfill His Highness's wish."

Li Shen nodded and turned to get on the carriage.

"Farewell, His Royal Highness Prince Ji." Shopkeeper Chen Gui bowed to Li Shen's carriage.

Li Shen's carriage moved forward slowly.

Inside the carriage, Li Shen closed his eyes and rested, thinking about what had just happened. He had never wanted to develop gunpowder and gunpowder weapons too early.

This is a Pandora's box, and he is not sure what impact it will have once it is opened.

I don’t know whether it is good or bad for the Tang Dynasty.

But now he was going to Xizhou, and he did need some protection. After a long time, Li Shen opened his eyes:

"Oh~~~~ Never mind. My children and grandchildren are free and blessed. What does the future have to do with me? By that time, I will be a pile of shit."

People have to live in the present moment and not worry about things that may happen tomorrow. You can't predict what will happen tomorrow, so there is no point in thinking about what will happen a hundred years later.

People should live optimistically and do good things within their abilities. It's that simple.

Soon Li Shen's carriage stopped at the gate of Dongshan Guard Camp. Xue Rengui had received the news long ago and was waiting there with a group of people.

Seeing Li Shen's carriage approaching, Xue Rengui hurried forward.

"See His Highness Prince Ji."

"No gift!"

Standing on the shaft of the cart, Li Shen put his hands behind his back and looked down at everyone.

"Thank you, Your Highness Prince Ji."

"Your Highness, please come in." Xue Rengui bowed and said.

Li Shen jumped off the carriage and entered the guard camp surrounded by generals.

After not coming here for a few months, there is no change here. All the troops in the training ground are training, except for some physical training required by Li Shen.

You also have to learn how to use weapons, such as swords and shields, lances, battle formations, horse archery, defense, etc.

Of course there are also cultural courses, such as reading and literacy, and studying military strategies and tactics.

Li Shen's guard camp was a comprehensive military camp similar to those in later generations. The guards had a long term of service, at least five years, and could continue to serve as long as they met the assessment requirements.

As generals, company, platoon and battalion commanders can serve indefinitely. As long as they perform well, they can remain as instructors even if they cannot keep up with the physical fitness.

Li Shen asked them not to disturb the guards' training, saying that he was just here to take a look.

Li Shen walked slowly along the parade ground.

"Rengui, get ready. We will be setting off in three to five days. Get the soldiers ready."

As they walked, Li Shen said to Xue Rengui.

"Your Majesty, the guard camp is ready and awaiting your orders at any time."

Xue Rengui replied seriously.

"That's good. Let's go and see the weapons you carry. I'm afraid this trip to Anxi won't be that simple."

After Li Shen finished speaking, he asked the others to go back, leaving Xue Rengui alone to accompany him.

Accompanied by Xue Rengui, Li Shen came to the warehouse of the Guard Camp.

This is where the weapons and armor of the guard camp are stored. When not in training, the guards do not have weapons. This is because Li Shen takes safety issues into consideration, fearing that someone might be killed in a conflict.

Walking into the warehouse, weapons were placed on one side, and shields, crossbows, and arrows were hung on the wall.

When he arrived at the innermost area, rows of things attracted Li Shen's attention.

"Is this all this folding crossbow is?"

Li Shen pointed at the rows of powerful crossbows on the ground and turned back to ask.

"Yes, Your Majesty, these crossbows have been reported to His Majesty. Each crossbow has a number on it and is recorded by the Ministry of War.

Wang Changshi said that these 100 powerful crossbows are the limit of what our guard battalion has. If we have more, it might cause fear."

Xue Rengui nodded in reply.

The foldable compound crossbow had been used once to deal with the cavalry raised by Li Zhi, and the effect was very good.

"Alas, what a pity! If there were a thousand of them, I wouldn't have to worry about anything."

Li Shen sighed as he stroked the cold metal.

This thing is multifunctional. Not only can it shoot spears, but it can also shoot grenades. It's a pity that it's a little lacking.

“Your Highness, even if we had a thousand of them, we wouldn’t be able to use them. Although this thing is less labor-intensive than the imperial court’s crossbows, it still requires four people to operate it, and it can only be pulled open with the help of the power of horses.

One hundred crossbows would require at least four hundred men, and we only have three thousand men in total."

When Xue Rengui heard Li Shen say that it would be great if there were a thousand, the flesh on his resolute face twitched unconsciously.

If this kind of powerful crossbow were to be pulled entirely by manpower, it would take ten people to pull the bowstring, and this is because the compound bow is more labor-saving.

If it were the imperial court's powerful crossbow, it would take at least thirty people to pull it apart.

“Ah, yes, you are right, I also know this truth, but it may be useful when I go to Anxi Protectorate this time.

Naturally, we hope that the more the better.”

Li Shen sighed. This powerful crossbow was originally designed for use in marching and fighting, so it did not have a winch installed because it would take up too much space.

If it is installed on the city wall, a winch would save effort and would not require the assistance of horses.

Li Shen's powerful crossbow was just an improvement on the imperial court's Eight-Ox Crossbow.

The Tang army had a three-bow crossbow that needed the help of an ox to pull it open. It had a range of more than 700 steps, and was like a sniper rifle, except that it wasn't accurate enough.

Li Shen's improved version has a much lower range, with a range of only more than 500 steps. But it is still a powerful weapon for attacking cities and seizing land.

The key point is that it can be folded for easy carrying.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. The guards of Prince Ji's palace are all elite soldiers and have indestructible armor. If we charge, tens of thousands of rebels will not be our opponents."

Xue Rengui saw that Li Shen was a little worried, and immediately stepped forward to comfort him.

(I won’t draw the crossbow. I tried to draw it, but it was a bit too abstract. This kind of conventional thing is not suitable for me.)