Song Emperor Jiangshan

After finishing speaking, he immediately expressed his own thoughts. The weapon supervision and manufacturing technology in the city is completely different from that in Xinyang. Not only can it make new gunpowder, but it can also cast iron, and make arrows and guns.The proportion of gunpowder used in the Song Dynasty is still different from the powerful black gunpowder of the later generations. It only needs a little improvement, and its explosive power can be increased by ten times.Although Xiao Shan has not studied weapon manufacturing in depth, as a basic training, dismantling guns and ammunition, making simple detonators, gun rocks, grenades, etc. is not a problem.

Some outstanding talents trained by the Sergeant Academy can even use gasoline, coke cans, etc. to manufacture extremely lethal explosives and weapons. Xiao Shan used to be a low-level officer and had no access to these weapon manufacturing, and the current technical conditions are fundamental. It is impossible to extract chemical raw materials such as petroleum, and it is impossible to make strong explosives with simple items, but making good use of everything in Xiangyang City will allow him to show his talents.

The other three generals usually only focus on leading troops to fight, go to battle to kill the enemy, and practice formations. As for the improvement of weapons, they seldom care about it. However, Chen Gui has done a lot of research on this aspect. Hearing what Xiao Shan said clearly, he nodded and said: "In that case, why not give it a try?"

Zhao Yuan has been listening from the sidelines, and occasionally asked some questions of his own. He knew that Xiao Shan used to study with him, and when he heard what Xiao Shan said about what his master taught him, he couldn't help showing surprise, but he didn't to debunk.

Zhao Yuan was not in a hurry to announce that Xiao Shan would temporarily take over the city's military, because Xiao Shan didn't have any achievements and wanted to grab other people's jobs, which would make the other three generals even more dissatisfied. will be impressed.

It wasn't until three days later that the weapon inspector in the city made the first weird weapon under Xiao Shan's guidance. Zhao Yuan went to watch it with Chen Gui, Xu Qing, Yan Chong, and Cao Cheng. Zhao Gou also heard about it from Zhao Yuan. This matter also came to watch.

Xiao Shan was not very willing to make such a big commotion in the city, firstly because he didn’t know if there were Wan Yanliang’s spies in the city, and it would be troublesome if they were spied on to make Wan Yanliang prepare; secondly, the places in the city were not good, empty The explosion will not harm innocent people, but there are many residents in the city, so it will disturb the people.

But it's not safe outside the city now, so we can't drag everyone out of the city together, let Wan Yanliang take care of it before the things come out.

Xiao Shan has absolute confidence in the things he manufactured, without any problems.It's not the first time he's made this thing, but it's impossible for the rest of the people not to show them the power.

Xiao Shan had to choose a relatively empty place during the day, find a reason to circle all the people around, and then take out what he made from the basket—a grenade.

Grenade is more convenient and safer to use, but grenade is cheap, more powerful, and easy to manufacture and throw.

Xiao Shan ordered everyone to stand far away, and he held the handle of the bullet himself.He hadn't thrown this thing away for many years, and holding it in his hand now, he couldn't help feeling a burst of emotion in his heart.

Xiao Shan bit off the pull ring of the bullet handle, stopped for a second, and then threw it out.This is also a habit he has trained for many years. It is safe to throw it out early, but it is easy to be caught by the enemy and thrown back.During military exercises in the past, some grenades thrown in front of the enemy were caught by Xiao Shan and thrown back.

This waiting is to ensure that it will explode when it reaches the ground, without giving anyone any chance.

As soon as Xiao Shan threw it out, he immediately fell down reflexively. Although Xiao Shan had repeatedly stated in advance that everyone would fall down when he saw him throw it out, the five people around him didn't realize that at all. After drawing an arc in the air, before he had time to react, he heard a loud bang, hot air waves hit, the ground trembled, and the dust that was blown away flew everywhere, grabbing into the lungs, Zhao Gou coughed loudly.

After a while, the smoke dissipated, and Xiao Shan got up from the ground, saying: "Low down, you must be quick. The explosion range of this thing is a full [-] steps, which is very dangerous. Fortunately, the shell casings on the outer layer are made of pottery, and the power is very strong." Xiao, if it is made of iron, I am afraid someone will bleed today."

Zhao Gou was obviously stunned. It took a while before he stepped forward to see the blasting site. There was a basin-sized pit on the ground. The pottery fragments were all broken during the blasting process, but some fragments could still be seen sticking to the blasting site. On the side of the tree trunk and on the wall, there was even a branch that was as thick as an arm cut off. The fallen branch fell to the ground, and the leaves were riddled with holes.

The other three generals also stepped forward, Xiao Shan was at the rear, all shocked by the power of such a huge firearm.

Xiao Shan said: "The city can only do such a big drill at most, if it is bigger, it will be very dangerous, maybe it will kill people."

Chen Gui thought for a while, and said: "General Xiao, the person who uses this kind of weapon must have great physical strength, right?"

Xiao Shan said: "The basic requirement is to be able to throw sixty steps, preferably one hundred steps. You must also undergo strict training, otherwise you will easily hurt yourself."

Chen Gui clicked his tongue, and said after a while: "This is just a small ball, if it is made into something else..."

Xiao Shan said: "I see that there are muskets in the city, which are used on horses. They can be slightly improved and used as infantry. It is too troublesome to load ammunition on horseback, and there are many restrictions due to the weather. It is useless when it rains. Finally It would be nice to be able to make pipes out of iron or steel."

Zhao Gou shook his head: "Xiangyang City is obviously impossible, and the general of the weapons supervisor in Lin'an might be able to give it a try."

Xiao Shan smiled: "Let's talk about it when we can go back to Lin'an. This kind of weapon requires digging and casting fortifications, trenches and other things. There are many hills outside Xiangyang City, so it is very convenient."

Zhao Yuan, who had been silent all this time, lowered his head in deep thought, opened his mouth slowly at this moment, saying: "Training manpower is not something that can be achieved in a short period of time. Fighting in the wilderness is not very useful, and the convenience lies in attacking the city. Xiao Qing, how do you plan to deal with the city?" One hundred thousand gold troops outside?"

Xiao Shan said: "You can try to equip the infantry phalanx with this kind of firearm and train them to deter the enemy. When the enemy is not prepared, the cavalry will attack."

Zhao Yuan pondered for a while, and said: "This requires a general who knows how to train and command." He looked around at the other three generals and said: "Here only Xiao Qing knows how to train and command, so he will take over for Liu Xianggong temporarily. , commanding the military in the city, what do you think?"

Xu Qing, Cao Cheng and the others saw Zhao Yuan's delay in talking about who would replace Liu Kai, and they were already fighting in their hearts. Seeing Zhao Yuan's sudden opening, there was no reason to refute, and they said: "I will wait for you to obey the order." .”

Until now, Zhao Yuan winked at Chen Gui and said, "Xiao Shan accepts the order."

Chen Gui took out the imperial decree that he had prepared a long time ago from his bosom, unfolded it, and read out in a serious manner: "I have heard for a long time that Xiao Qing was loyal, filial, benevolent and brave, and issued the imperial edict of Qin Qin. You led the troops to rescue first, and you made great contributions to saving the emperor, and you were promoted to the fourth rank of loyalty and bravery." General. Let you temporarily act as the commander of Xiangyang, and you should strive to be loyal to repay the country's kindness."

Xiao Shan never expected that Zhao Yuan would announce the decree at this time, he stretched out his hands, took the decree, and said in a deep voice: "I accept the decree, I will repay the favor of the king, and think of the people, and I will live up to your majesty's high expectations."

Zhao Yuan nodded, motioned Xiao Shan to get up, and everyone went back.

After everyone's approval, Xiao Shan made many weapon samples according to his memory and after discussing with Chen Gui.The level of craftsmen in the city is limited, so it is obviously impossible for Xiaoshan to manufacture a machine gun, but some tube-shaped cannons, sights installed on the towers, etc., can be produced in the same way.

Because it had been a long time, and he couldn't remember clearly, he told Chen Gui his thoughts. Sometimes Chen Gui helped him perfect it, and sometimes it was the craftsmen in the city who helped him perfect it, but it took more than a month. In that time, three tubular iron cannons had already been produced, and almost all the iron in the city was used up.

He selected more than 100 soldiers with strong physical strength for training throwing, and taught them how to find bunkers and how to jump bomb craters to protect themselves in the wilderness.This kind of combat is completely different from the training that soldiers usually conduct, but fortunately, their physical fitness is good, and it is just skill training.

It is obvious that these improvised firearms alone are not enough to defeat the enemy. The other three generals in the city have to cooperate with Xiao Shan in the impact training and the drill of the infantry phalanx.

Zhao Yuan also announced to the world that in the name of the new emperor, he issued the imperial edict of King Qin, ordering the whole world to come to King Qin.

The troops stationed in the four prefectures and counties, after receiving the edict from King Qin, all set off with their troops. Li Dao of Ezhou, Shao Hongyuan of Zhenjiang, Wang Yan of Jiankang, etc. all set out towards Xiangyang, and their forces gradually gathered.

In order to catch everyone by surprise, win in one fell swoop, and completely dispel Wan Yanliang's arrogance, the troops trained by Xiao Shan and the weapons he made were never used in this month.

Zhao Gou was terrified in his heart, and he came to Xiao Shan several times to ask, "Zhengping, are you sure?"

Xiao Shan was very unaccustomed to his own words at first, but after being called a lot, he gradually got used to it. He knew what Zhao Gou was thinking, and said, "Don't worry, even if you can't repel the golden soldiers, escort the Supreme Emperor will Lin'an is more than sufficient."

Only then did Zhao Gou feel relieved, but he was still very uneasy. He called Xiao Shan almost every day to ask about the situation of the Jin soldiers attacking the city. His face changed.

These days, Zhao Yuan almost stayed with Xiao Shan, and the two of them didn't have much time to spend alone, even if they did, it was time to discuss the war and agree on the counterattack.

Although Zhao Yuan was besieged in the city and didn't know what was going on outside, it was conceivable that it would not be much better.

One and a half months after the siege of Xiangyang City, Qin Wang's soldiers and horses from all over the place have gathered in Xinyang, a total of [-] people, many of them took the opportunity to make contributions, and some came out to sweep up the people, but finally nothing happened .

According to the news sent by Zhang Xiaoxiang from Xinyang City, everything is ready, and only when Xiangyang City counterattacks, the surrounding soldiers and horses of King Qin will immediately cooperate.

Zhao Gou made a fortune himself, and calculated that it was a good day, and he could fight in three days.

But Xiao Shan didn't intend to listen to Zhao Gou's nonsense. At night, when he and Chen Gui were sitting on the top of the city, looking at the sky full of stars, Chen Gui said, "I'm afraid there will be rain in three days. When it rains heavily, firearms may not be convenient." .It will only be disadvantageous if it drags on for longer, but tonight is a fine day."

Xiao Shan also looked at the sky, the moon was a little fuzzy, but still clear.The weather is obviously fine tonight, but tomorrow is hard to say.

Wan Yanliang has been attacking the city for more than a month, changing different methods every day. Recently, he has lost his initial enthusiasm and become monotonous.There was only a bloody battle during the day today, and there were still dark red bloodstains on the city wall. At night, Xiaoshan only sent troops to harass occasionally, and rarely fought on a large scale.

Xiao Shan felt a little nervous, fighting at night is very unfavorable, but relatively, the enemy will be even more unfavorable.

When Xiao Shan and Chen Gui were sitting on the tower and talking, Zhao Yuan had been standing behind him, and when he heard that the two were going to fight tonight, he suddenly asked, "Xiao Shan, do you want to go in person?"

Xiao Shan turned his head sharply, at first he thought it was an ordinary soldier behind him, but when he saw Zhao Yuan was startled, he hurriedly jumped off the city wall and said, "Why is it Your Majesty?"

Zhao Yuan didn't answer, just said: "You come with me." After speaking, he turned and walked towards the tower.

Xiao Shan was full of suspicion, and looked at Chen Gui with questioning eyes, he was a little worried that his actions would be stopped by Zhao Yuan, Chen Gui shrugged, and sat on the city wall to blow the wind.

There were soldiers standing guard inside the city tower, and when they saw Zhao Yuan coming, they all bowed and saluted, but kept silent to avoid alarming others.

The tower has two floors, Zhao Yuan took Xiao Shan up to the second floor, and drove the soldiers guarding the second floor down.

Xiao Shan really didn't know what Zhao Yuan was going to do, he asked, "What does Your Majesty want to say?"

Zhao Yuan turned his head suddenly, with a hint of anxiety in his tone: "It's just the two of us here, don't call me Your Majesty anymore."

Xiao Shan didn't know why Zhao Yuan's tone became a bit unfriendly, he thought carefully, he didn't seem to have done anything to offend Zhao Yuan, and because he was very busy, he seldom stayed with Zhao Yuan in private these days, even more so. I can't talk about what I said or did wrong.

Zhao Yuan remained silent for a while, and said after a while: "I just heard what you discussed. The city towers will be bombarded with those newly-made tubular cannons. Although I have never seen its power, but...but that day you first When I used this new thing for the first time, it was just such a small piece, and it could kill thirty steps in a radius. The power of this cannon must be greater."

Xiao Shan was puzzled, and said: "Of course, the effective range should be hundreds of paces, otherwise, how can we deter the golden soldiers? Is Your Highness worried about the failure of the cannon? I have discussed this with the prefect Chen and the craftsmen in the city many times. It has been done many times, and there is no mistake."

Seeing that Zhao Yuan was still frowning, Xiao Shan comforted him and said, "Actually, it doesn't matter if it doesn't work, the troops of King Qin have arrived everywhere, and the use of firearms is just to solve the battle quickly. If it doesn't work, it won't be defeated. At most It's just a two-month delay. It's already May, and some Jinbing can't stand the heat anymore, and the Jinbing will definitely not be able to stand it until July."

Zhao Yuan was a little annoyed: "Don't you even know what I'm worried about?"

Xiao Shan was at a loss: "Aren't you worried about this? Are you worried about what will happen after you return to Lin'an... Hmm..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Zhao Yuan suddenly turned his head and kissed him fiercely.

Xiao Shan was taken aback for a moment, he hadn't figured out why Zhao Yuan kissed him suddenly, but he didn't need to think too much, he stretched out his arms to hug Zhao Yuan, and kissed him deeply.

Zhao Yuan was slightly annoyed, at first he bit Xiao Shan's lip hard, but as Xiao Shan kissed back, he gradually became more docile, hugged Xiao Shan's waist, and let out a sigh in his nostrils.

After a long time, the two separated, Xiao Shan was still in a daze, Zhao Yuan said in a low voice: "I'm not worried about anything else, I'm just... just worried about you. I'm so stupid!"

Xiao Shan was startled, and then he understood, a burst of ecstasy surrounded him, he thought that Zhao Yuan was just a whim that night, especially after Zhao Yuan ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, he didn't dare to harass him, and he didn't have the time and mood to do so. Harass each other.

But now, Zhao Yuan's behavior is tantamount to telling Xiao Shan: I am willing to be with you, I have you in my heart.

Xiao Shan involuntarily hugged Zhao Yuan tightly, and even turned around in a circle, strangling Zhao Yuan so much that he almost lost his breath.

This was Zhao Yuan's first confession, and Xiao Shan felt that it was worth it even if he had to die.

"This time, it's more dangerous than any previous battle. Although you said you would dodge the shells, but...but..."

Xiao Shan stared blankly at Zhao Yuan, the worry in Zhao Yuan's eyes was fully revealed, and there were more things he couldn't say.Xiao Shan said: "I'm not afraid of death!"

Zhao Yuan slowly stretched out his hand, touched the almost invisible scar on Xiao Shan's cheek, and suddenly pulled him closer to him: "I'm afraid! Come back alive because... I like you."

The two kissed together again. Although they couldn't see each other's face clearly in the darkness, they could feel the warmth brought by the other's body. Although the tight body changed at the same time, the two sides had no intention of going any further.

After a while, Xiao Shan let go of his hand first, knelt down on one knee slowly towards Zhao Yuan, took Zhao Yuan's hand, put it on his lips and kissed it lightly, expressing his loyalty to Zhao Yuan in his own way: "Don't worry, I will definitely come back, come back alive, come back victorious!"

Inside the city tower were quietly displayed weapons and artillery, on the city wall were soldiers patrolling back and forth, and outside the city was Wan Yanliang's [-] army.

The night is deep, the wind has not stopped, and a big battle is about to start.