The Prosperous Era of Longwan

While Wei Guangde was packing his luggage, a conversation between several speakers was also going on in the Zhang family's study not far away.

"You can put forward any weapons you need here. As long as they are available in the guardhouse warehouse, I can find a way to get them for you."

Comrade Zhang Qing, who was sitting behind the desk, looked at the people in the room and saw that they were all close friends, and then he said to Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng.

It was a bit direct, and Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng couldn't help but look at each other.

The two of them had talked privately about what equipment was needed in the past two days when they had free time, but to be honest, in this era, there are really no good weapons to deal with the grassland nomadic cavalry.

There are too many shortcomings between infantry and cavalry, not to mention the lack of tactical training of guardsmen, which is even worse.

"Father-in-law, last time we were in Zhenjiang, we were looking at the kind of cannons equipped by the Capital Guards. I wonder if we can find them? If we can equip a large number of these artillery pieces, we can continuously bombard the enemy and repel the Tatar cavalry. Easy as pie."

In this situation, it was definitely inappropriate for Wei Meng to speak out. It would be better for his brother-in-law to come forward, so when the two looked at each other, Wei Meng winked at Wu Zhankui and asked him to speak.

This is also the method they finally came up with after several days of discussion that can effectively deal with the Tatar cavalry. That is the kind of artillery used by the Beijing camp troops seen in Zhenjiang. Each cannon has several cartridges and can be equipped in advance. ammunition.

At that time, they were just watching from a distance as the gunners from the Beijing Camp maintained the artillery and pulled out a cartridge from the back of the barrel. Afterwards, the two of them got closer and saw what it was.

The rear half of the barrel was open, as if the belly of the cannon was exposed. It was completely different from the cannons they had seen before.

When using it, put the cartridge directly into the barrel behind the barrel, fix the position, light the fuse and start shooting.

The very special thing about this gun is that it is loaded from the back, unlike existing firearms, which are loaded from the front.

"You want it, you want the Folang machine gun?"

When he heard Wu Zhankui talking about the mother-and-son gun, Zhang Qing knew what it was.

To be honest, he had heard of that kind of thing before. It could fire multiple rounds of artillery very quickly. It was indeed an important military weapon.

He knew it, but when he heard his son-in-law and his brother-in-law asked for such sharp firearms, Zhang Qing still frowned, obviously very embarrassed.

"Father-in-law, is this kind of artillery difficult to use?"

Wu Zhankui asked hesitantly after seeing his father-in-law's reaction.

But before Zhang Tongzhi could speak this time, Zhang Shigui, who was standing next to him, said: "The cannon you are talking about is called the Fo Lang machine gun. It was obtained from the Fo Lang machine gun by the Zhengde Dynasty in Guangdong. It is indeed very sharp."

Upon hearing that this cannon was obtained from the Fo Langji people, both Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng felt their hearts sink.

If you buy it from the Yi people, the price will not be cheap, let alone such a powerful weapon.

Since the price is not cheap, it is obvious that the Ming Army cannot have too many guns and equipment, and their Jiujiang Guards will definitely not be able to get their turn.

With how many cannons there were, if you just think about it, you should know that priority must be given to supplying Jingying and Bianzhen. However, Zhang Shigui's next words gave the two of them a glimmer of hope.

"Now the Beijing Ordnance Bureau and Nanjing Ordnance Bureau have already begun to imitate this kind of firearm. What you see in the Nanjing Jingying camp should be the Fo Lang machine gun manufactured by the Nanjing Ordnance Bureau."

"Brother Shigui, is it possible that we can get this kind of artillery?"

Wei Meng said hurriedly in excitement.

"Why."

The result was indeed a sigh from Zhang Shigui.

"The production of that kind of artillery is not large now, and priority is given to border towns and Beijing. In the south, that is, Nanjing Jingying and some coastal guards, there is a small amount of equipment for trial use.

I had asked about this kind of artillery before when I visited the Duke's Mansion in Nanjing, but I couldn't get it at all. "

Hope was completely lost. Zhang Shigui's words were very clear. There was no need to think about the Fo Lang machine gun.

"Furthermore, I also heard people say in the Duke's Mansion that the Folan cannon fires very quickly. Each Folan cannon is equipped with five to six sub-cannons. It can be pre-loaded with gunpowder and shells, and they fire in turns when used. , the soldiers behind reloaded the fired submunitions.

The advantages are outstanding, but the disadvantages are also obvious. The main reason is that this cannon cannot hit far, with a range of less than 200 steps, almost similar to a hard bow.

Although the Ordnance Bureau also tried to make changes, the effect was very little.

With such a shortcoming, even if the Tatar cavalry enters the shooting range, they may not be able to finish the sub-cannon, and the people will already rush forward. "

But then Zhang Shigui said: "If there is a city as a basis for defense, there will be no problem and we can shoot the Tatars continuously."

After hearing about the shortcomings of the Folan cannon, Wei Meng actually disagreed. As long as it can be loaded quickly and fired quickly, and there are enough artillery pieces, several rounds of continuous artillery fire can defeat the Tatar cavalry rushing on the opposite side.

Don't think that only the Ming army is timid. In fact, in the face of life and death, it is easy for individuals to make choices.

For soldiers like Wei Meng and Wu Zhankui, they know very well that as long as their comrades around them continue to fall, no matter how strong they are, they will not be able to bear the fear of death.

However, it seems impossible.

This artillery is so expensive, even if Emperor Jiajing really wants to take revenge on the Northern Expedition, it will only be equipped for the frontier troops who are fighting the main battle, and it will not be used by their transport troops.

Moreover, according to their assumptions, in the face of the impact of the Tatar cavalry, the lack of artillery is of little significance except for the sound.

Yes, the result of several days of discussion between Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng was that Han Xin ordered more troops, the better. With enough artillery, the Tatar charge could be destroyed.

Although it is very suitable for the centralized use of artillery in later generations to carry out key strikes, it is of limited use and all conditions are not met.

Just kidding, equip the transport troops with a large number of main battle weapons. Emperor Jiajing would have done this if his head was caught in a door.

"If it's a small amount, it should be possible to get it out of Nanjing if you put this old face aside, but from what you're saying, it would require a lot of French cannons, so that's impossible."

Zhang Qing opened his slightly cloudy eyes and looked at Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng, but he still opened his mouth and directly interrupted their thoughts.

"Uncle Shi, is there any definite news from Mr. Xu? Is our Jiujiang Weitie going to the north?"

After hearing that he couldn't get the Folan cannon, Wei Meng still raised the issue he was most concerned about.

"According to the regulations set by the Fifth Army Governor's Office, we must escort the grain and grass from Huguang and Jiangxi directly to the front of the army. The only hope now is that the imperial court cannot raise military expenses and troops, so that it is possible for His Majesty to cancel the Northern Expedition. plan."

At this time, Zhang Qing's mood was naturally not getting better. Going to the north to fight was too risky, otherwise he would not have hurriedly summoned his cronies to discuss the matter.

"My father-in-law and Duke Dingguo also expressed their anger, but there was no way, so Yubi appointed him."

Zhang Qing's last words completely blocked Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng's retreat. Now they can only find ways to improve the combat effectiveness of their troops. There is no other way.