Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3683 Rain Locks the River Luo, Craftsmen Mend the Sky; Smoke Envelops the Mountain Valleys, Hidden Soldiers

A rainstorm traveling from south to north interrupted the battle between the Yellow River and Luo River regions.

The heavy rain brought the necessary water for the crops in the Heluo region to fertilize the fields, but it also turned the newly constructed forward positions of the Flying Cavalry into a muddy mess once again.

Especially the artillery positions.

The rains of the rainy season come and go, but eventually they will pass.

However, the dampness brought by the rain is quite troublesome.

However, Fei Qian and others did not sit idly by; instead, they conducted experiments related to "rainy days" in the central region of the Yellow River and Luo River basins.

With the increasing demand for "all-weather" warfare, Fei Qian also required craftsmen, especially those specializing in military matters, to take precautions against moisture for cannons and gunpowder, and even to prepare for combat in rainy weather.

Of course, this only applies to light rain and routine moisture protection.

With a clear direction, the military craftsmen also demonstrated their potential and quickly proposed two directions for improvement to Fei Qian.

It isolates moisture.

Han Dynasty craftsmen called it "absolute yin"...

Fei Qian found it awkward no matter how he listened, but he let it go. He didn't force the craftsmen of the Han Dynasty to conform to the language habits of his later generations. Besides, this was just a transitional state. After the technology was finalized, there might be another name for them.

Isolating the gunpowder from moisture means treating the gunpowder itself to prevent moisture.

This is the core issue.

The first step was the pre-processing technology for the complete granulation of gunpowder—

The tea cake turned into a powder.

Forcing complete granularization is not impossible, but the labor costs are too high.

The Han Dynasty already had the basics of pill making, such as various "elixirs of immortality," but most of these needed to be made by hand. For small quantities, this wasn't a big problem, but for large quantities, many problems arose.

Don't assume that increasing manpower will solve this problem.

In fact, blindly expanding manpower will only increase problems.

Even in later assembly lines, with their simple, repetitive mechanical operations, people still frequently put their hands inside the machines...

Moreover, even if safety and caution are emphasized in production, there will still be some people who are careless and don't take it seriously.

Therefore, the simpler disc-shaped gunpowder became the preferred choice at the time.

First, rice water is used as a binder to press the gunpowder into a mold to form a solid cake or block of gunpowder, and then it is air-dried. The cake or block is about a little smaller than the muzzle of a cannon. This tight structure can effectively prevent moisture from penetrating.

However, it can only slow down the seepage of moisture, but cannot prevent rainwater, or even prevent accidental splashes.

Of course, oil paper packaging is a basic requirement, but it is not completely airtight during transportation and storage and is easily damaged.

Soon after, research began on the coating, or 'coating,' on the surface of gunpowder cakes.

As Fei Qian knew, the Huang family craftsmen used three different substances for waterproofing the gunpowder. The first was animal fats such as oil and wax. From beef tallow to lard, from beeswax to paraffin wax, they used methods such as coating and soaking to form a protective film on the surface of the gunpowder.

Then they experimented with plant-based oils, including raw lacquer, pine resin, and peach gum, which were dissolved and used to wrap gunpowder.

These are all in the experimental stage.

The third method involves using lime, charcoal powder, wheat bran, etc., as a hydrophobic layer for coating...

These waterproofing methods all require repeated testing to find a coating formula and thickness that do not affect the burning rate and combustion efficiency while providing good waterproofing.

Raw lacquer may have the best effect but is expensive, while oils and waxes are more readily available but may affect performance.

We need to experiment little by little and record everything bit by bit.

Fei Qian then had a number of experimental reports on the development and research of waterproof materials by the Huang family craftsmen.

He also needs to perform screening and judgment.

Avoid taking detours.

For example, research aimed at reducing the hygroscopic components of gunpowder.

The craftsmen tried to reduce the amount of moisture-absorbing components in the formula, such as certain saltpeter impurities and types of charcoal, but due to limitations in purification technology, they found the explosive performance unsatisfactory. They then tried adding hydrophobic agents to the gunpowder, such as adding a small amount of finely ground wax powder or specific hydrophobic plant powder directly during the mixing of the gunpowder, but the effect was questionable...

Fei Qian even received some craftsmen's imaginative reports on waterproof materials, such as suggestions to use treated animal intestines or bladders as natural waterproof bags...

Okay, so before sausages were widely made, they started stuffing gunpowder first, right?

In addition to research on waterproofing gunpowder, research and improvement are also being carried out on waterproofing the artillery itself, especially the ignition system.

The first thing designed was the muzzle plug.

Made of wood, covered with leather, and then fitted with a metal handle. It covers the muzzle when not firing and during loading to prevent rainwater from entering; it is quickly removed before firing.

However, the biggest challenge remains the issue of the ignition rope.

The original fuses or matchlocks were easily extinguished in rain or damp environments. Then someone suggested designing a small, closable metal shield above the ignition port of the cannon. It could be quickly opened by hand or a tool during ignition, and then immediately closed after lighting, protecting the flame and the ignition port area from direct rain.

This thing is still prone to water ingress, and then some craftsmen suggested designing the protective cover into the shape of a small pavilion or a sloping baffle to reduce the possibility of water ingress.

Later, a craftsman suggested designing a small recess or a detachable copper box at the touch port, inside which a layer of waterproof, highly flammable ignition powder was pre-placed. When the protected match cord or tinder ignited this ignition powder, it could reliably ignite the main charge in the barrel, even if the surface of the main charge was slightly damp.

But what about the making of the ignition powder...?

Fei Qian was certainly aware that cannons and firearms eventually evolved into flintlock technology, and that the Han Dynasty did indeed possess techniques for starting fires using flint. However, ensuring that striking the flint produced a sufficient amount of sparks ultimately led back to the issue of effective ignition powder…

Furthermore, installing such a mechanism on cannons and ensuring its effective and repeated use without problems required sophisticated metalworking and mechanical design capabilities, posing a significant challenge to the Han Dynasty. While handcrafting one or two such devices wasn't a major issue—for example, the Han Dynasty produced sophisticated chariots that astonished later generations—mass production was still a difficult task.

Through these measures, Huang's artisans have significantly improved the reliability and usability of artillery in light rain, fog, and moderate humidity conditions. The misfire rate has also been greatly reduced. However, the effect remains limited in the face of continuous heavy rainstorms, especially for the ignition system.

There's an additional problem: it's more expensive.
Fei Qian: 『︿(￣︶￣)︿』

Given the technological context of the Han Dynasty, while it's unlikely that the Huang family craftsmen could have invented fully modern waterproof propellants or reliable detonators, they were able to make artillery practical in non-extremely humid, rainy conditions by cleverly utilizing tung oil, raw lacquer, beeswax, compaction and granulation, oil paper packaging, simple protective covers, and even rudimentary flintlock devices.

Now, we just need to wait for real-world testing to verify it.

Gongxian County?

No, Fei Qian thought of a place that might be even better than Gongxian...

……

……

At the same time, Cao Cao received a report of victory from Cao Ren in Xiangyang. The letter described in great detail how he used a feint to mobilize the various units of the Flying Cavalry, successfully burned the grain supplies in Wancheng, and severely damaged Gan Ning's navy. Although he did not achieve complete success, he greatly dampened the morale of the Flying Cavalry on both the northern and southern fronts, temporarily relieving the pressure on Xiangyang.

The historical Cao Ren was not only known for his role in the defense of Xiangyang.

Cao Ren followed Cao Cao in his early campaigns against Yuan Shu, serving as the vanguard. He was also a general in the pacification of Xuzhou. During the war against Yuan Shao, he independently led troops to defend the western front, decisively launching an attack that resulted in a major defeat of Yuan Shao's army. This completely thwarted Yuan Shao's plan to attack Cao Cao from the west and cut off Cao Cao's supply lines, thus eliminating a significant threat to Cao Cao's flank.

What's even more interesting is that most people in later generations believe that when Guan Yu attacked Xiangyang, Cao Ren acted like a coward, eventually wearing Guan Yu down with the help of reinforcements and a betrayal from Jiangdong. However, in fact, Cao Ren had already defeated Guan Yu once in Fancheng in the early stages of the Battle of Xiangyang... That's just how history is.

Those whose names are recorded in the annals of history are already outstanding figures of their time. If they can leave their names on the annals of history multiple times and have their names sung by others, how can they be incompetent?
Cao Ren, relying on his own troops, seemed to have torn a crack in the inescapable net that had shrouded northern Jingzhou, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief...

This news also eased Cao Cao's depression over the past few days, like a ray of light in the gloom, injecting a strong boost into the Cao family group that had suffered repeated heavy blows.

However, Cao Cao also knew that these victories were achieved by Cao Ren using his elite troops, and human lives are a finite resource. If Cao Ren continued to receive no reinforcements and continued to expend resources like this...

However, while Cao Cao was considering how to deal with the current complex situation, it did not prevent him from first spreading Cao Ren's "achievements" far and wide!
Previously, Cao Cao's army had reported the exaggerated battle results to the entire army. Now, with Cao Ren's "real" victory, Cao Cao naturally spared no effort in publicizing and praising him, saying that Cao Zixiao (Cao Ren's courtesy name) remained calm in the face of danger, possessed both wisdom and courage, and was truly a pillar of the state, and so on...

The unrest in the Yingchuan area of ​​Yuzhou, caused by Cao Cao's previous actions, has now been temporarily suppressed by this "victory".

It's like trying to stop boiling water by adding more water.

It is effective, but everyone knows that this soup will boil over sooner or later.

The news of the victory, which was widely publicized throughout Cao's army, quickly reached Cao Yi's army, which was stationed on the flank of the Songshan defense line and was responsible for supporting Cao Ren.

Upon receiving the news of the victory, Cao Yi felt utterly overwhelmed.

Cao Yi, Cao Cao's cousin, was young and impetuous, and was once known for his bravery. However, after the Battle of Guiku Pass, it is hard to say how much of his "bravery" he still has.

In short, the second generation of the Cao family were somewhat prone to bullying their own kind. Unlike the first generation of the Cao and Xiahou families, who were mostly raised through bloodshed and turmoil, they were more likely to find ways to break through even the toughest times.

The second generation, he prefers to "copy".

This was also something that other second-generation or even multiple-generation rulers of feudal dynasties liked to do most.

Plagiarism.

Then they gave it a nice-sounding name: "The ancestral laws cannot be changed."

Upon learning that Cao Ren had managed to win such a brilliant victory in a desperate situation, Cao Yi felt both admiration and a strong competitive spirit.

Cao Cao is currently facing unprecedented pressure. If Cao Yi can also demonstrate his abilities and severely injure Sima Yi at the Songshan defense line, wouldn't that be a great achievement? It would not only relieve Cao Cao's worries but also showcase the capabilities of the Cao family's sons!
Of course, Cao Yi would never admit that the pressure came from that "rat tail juice"...

The interesting part is right here.

Cao Yi failed, but he didn't really learn any lessons. After all, he focused all his energy on how to cover up, how to exaggerate, and how to take credit. Since he had accomplished these things, he naturally didn't reflect on them or have any thought of preventing problems before they arise and taking remedial measures.

After all, the lid is already on, what more do you want?

Whoever lifts the lid becomes the enemy of the Cao family!

Cao Yi wasn't thinking about how to fight or how to win, but rather how to deal with his superiors and how to handle "Rat Tail Juice"!
Now, Cao Yi felt he could "copy" Cao Ren's "homework"...

It's all readily available; just copy it. Anyone can do that.
A bold plan quickly took shape in Cao Yi's mind.

He decided to follow Cao Ren's example and use a "luring the tiger away from the mountain" tactic.

The following day, drums and horns resounded throughout Cao Yi's camp, and banners fluttered in the breeze. He assembled most of his elite infantry and marched forth in a grand procession, heading straight for Guiku Pass. As its name suggested, the pass was flanked by steep, sheer cliffs with jagged rocks, its narrow, winding passage echoing with the mournful cries of ghosts—an extremely treacherous terrain. Cao's army marched with great fanfare, raising clouds of dust that blotted out the sun, their momentum overwhelming, as if they were determined to seize this strategic point with all their might and reclaim this route to the eastern edge of the Heluo Basin.

The idea is certainly good.

Cao Yi's grand gesture naturally attracted the attention of Sima Yi's soldiers.

The smoke and dust were so thick they blotted out the sky; it was impossible not to see them.

Upon learning this, Sima Yi was first startled, and then frowned.

Sima Yi now holds two key positions: Guiku Pass and the abandoned military fortress. This fortress guards a mountain path, and although dilapidated, its location is extremely crucial. For Sima Yi, controlling the abandoned military fortress would be like gaining an extra arm, providing not only an opportunity to attack Cao Yi's flank but also a communication channel with Li Dian and Liao Hua's army, which is currently operating in northern Jingzhou.

"Ghost Cry Pass... Flying Fox Fortress..."

Sima Yi muttered to himself, a barely perceptible sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Normally, if faced with a situation like Cao Yi's, troops from Flying Fox Fort should be redeployed to defend Ghost Cry Pass. After all, Ghost Cry Pass is more important than Flying Fox Fort.

However, Sima Yi understood all too well the eagerness of Cao Cao's young generals to make a name for themselves...

To capture Ghost Cry Pass would not only require heavy losses of soldiers and generals, but also take a long time.

Strategic passes need not only to be commanded by knowledgeable military personnel, but also to have a group of brave and elite soldiers to be fully effective. Otherwise, even the best pass will be useless.

The Ghost Cry Pass, originally in the hands of Cao Cao's army, was just a bit more difficult to conquer than ordinary mountain roads. But in the hands of Sima Yi and his cavalrymen, it was truly a place where even ghosts would cry!

Last time, Cao Yi got a bloody nose here, is he going to come again this time?

Sima Yi wondered if Cao Yi was using a feint, pretending to attack Guiku Pass on the surface but actually intending to attack it in reality. But the next moment, Sima Yi dismissed the plan. After all, Sima Yi had fought Cao Yi before. If Cao Yi was really that cunning and could anticipate the feint and act in the opposite way, then Sima Yi wouldn't have been able to recapture Feihu Fort so easily before.

and so……

Sima Yi felt that making inferences and assumptions based on the level of wisdom of ordinary people was sufficient.

"Pass on the order!"

Sima Yi's voice was calm and steady. "Raise more flags and sound more horns at Ghost Cry Pass! Have the men from Flying Fox Fort pretend to be mobilizing here, but actually ambush them in the mountain passes! Also, expand the scouts' search area to ascertain the true number of Cao Cao's troops, paying particular attention to the surrounding valleys to guard against a surprise attack!"

The messenger immediately responded and left without further mention.

In the Han Dynasty, without radar, systems, or minimaps, how could one determine the size and deployment of the enemy's forces?
Training a good scout is not easy.

Many people know that you can determine the number of enemy troops by looking at their flags, smoke, and cooking fires, but the question is, what if the enemy is 'faking' their numbers?

Just like now, Cao Yi is "faking" things, and Sima Yi is also "faking" things. What are they competing against each other?
Although there was no advanced radar like in later times, the military reconnaissance systems in ancient warfare were still very sophisticated.

Scouts were the eyes and ears of ancient armies. Every general would send out his most elite soldiers as scouts, who needed to master camouflage, tracking, and counter-tracking skills. For example, when Huo Qubing campaigned against the Xiongnu, it is said that his scouts could determine the enemy's movements by observing the direction in which wild birds took flight.

However, not everyone can be a scout, and not all scouts are born scouts.

This requires the skills to be passed down and mentored, as well as a large amount of financial support. Then, it involves a long period of training and selection. In short, it costs money, a lot of money.

Shandong, I can't bear to leave.

They would rather spend a thousand gold coins to buy wine from the second year of Zhongping than give the common soldiers an extra bite of meat.

The elite cavalry scouts, a tradition passed down from veterans of Bingzhou and Liangzhou, were rigorously trained soldiers skilled in concealment, tracking, observation, and survival. Bold yet meticulous, they would approach enemy camps, marching routes, or fortresses as closely as possible to directly observe the enemy's situation. They would also deduce the location of the enemy's commander and the storage of supplies based on the number of tents, the size of the camp, the amount of smoke from cooking fires, and the division of the camp area.

After Fei Qian promoted literacy in the military, most military academy officers and sergeants were able to identify the enemy's troop organization, commander's identity, and troop size based on the different colors, patterns, and quantities of enemy flags. They could then judge the enemy's military status based on the number and frequency of enemy soldiers' activities such as drills, changing shifts, feeding horses, and fetching water.

Experienced scouts can even determine the size and time of the troops based on the traces left on the road, their quantity, direction, and condition, and by observing the length, width, and height of the dust raised, as well as the speed at which the troops march, they can estimate the approximate number of soldiers.

Furthermore, it can determine the time, quantity, and distance for water collection based on changes in the water quality of the source, whether it is turbid or clear...

Are these things that can be easily investigated by simply catching a few groundhogs?

Without eyes and ears, no matter how intelligent one is, how can one calmly paint on this battlefield?

Therefore, after Sima Yi sent out a large number of scouts to interact with Cao Yi's scouts in the mountains and forests, a lot of information gradually gathered at Sima Yi's location.

"As expected... just as predicted..."