The Great Tang General

"This is the scepter of the Tang Dynasty. Never forget that the Tang Dynasty has your back."

Ten miles outside Mingde Gate, Li Xuan dismounted and said to Cui Hanheng.

And handed the scepter to Cui Hanheng.

The staff is made of carefully selected bamboo and has colorful feathers on it as a flag.

Anyone who holds this festival represents the emperor.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will definitely make my mission a success and put the interests of the Tang Dynasty first."

Cui Hanheng held the imperial seal in both hands and bowed to Li Xuan.

This bow is extremely heavy.

He is not "the wind is whistling and the Yi River is cold", but he is determined to succeed.

It’s nothing if you leave and never come back.

Only those who bring the results back to the Tang Dynasty can be considered heroes.

Li Xuan helped Cui Hanheng to take his place and personally tidied his clothes for him.

After Cui Hanheng, there were also officials and doctors following him.

Including 200 brave imperial guards, Li Xuan walked past them one by one and straightened their robes.

For the convenience of traveling, it is not necessary to wear heavy armor in the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

The armor and the crossbow were all placed on the spare horse.

Li Xuan was not afraid that the Divine Arm Crossbow would be lost.

Because the truth is about to emerge.

Everyone in the delegation felt the warmth of the Supreme Being and their eyes filled with tears.

This is a great honor. They are not afraid of any obstacles in the way and are determined to complete the Supreme's instructions.

"No matter what, all of your family members will be supported by the court. After returning to the capital, don't worry about things and people being different. I will still go out of the capital to welcome you."

Finally, Li Xuan stood in front of the delegation and spoke in a sonorous and powerful voice.

"We, the ministers, thank you, Your Majesty, and we will not refuse even if it means death."

The members of the Tang Dynasty delegation bowed to Li Xuan again, and their shouts startled the sky.

Immediately afterwards, Li Xuan handed the farewell poem he had written for the delegation to Cui Hanheng.

Cui Hanheng recited the Supreme Emperor's poem in public...

In his poem, Li Xuan praised the mission for its pioneering spirit, and encouraged them to be fearless of dangers and hardships by using the stories of Zhang Qian and Ban Chao, and also earnestly hoped that they would return soon...

The crowd is more motivated.

Under the watchful eyes of Li Xuan and civil and military officials, the Tang Dynasty delegation headed by Cui Hanheng joined forces with the Roman delegation and headed westward.

The ceremonial guard played music for them, with drums and music beating.

Until the Tang Dynasty delegation could no longer hear it.

This was a mission with military, diplomatic, political and cultural purposes, and was of great significance to the Tang Dynasty.

The Tang Dynasty envoys could not travel long distances like cavalry, and could only reach Constantinople step by step over many years...

……

"Your Majesty, the workshop at the foot of Niu Shou Mountain has tested the gunpowder to its maximum power, which is like thunder from the sky."

Only three days before Cui Hanheng's diplomatic mission to Rome, Liao Zhengrong arrived at Ganlu Palace to report to Li Xuan.

Ganlu Hall is where Li Xuan handles government affairs and rests when he is tired.

Except for vacation time, if there is no activity, Li Xuan is either in the Government Affairs Hall or in the Ganlu Palace.

The Tang Dynasty had a ten-day rest period and many "legal holidays".

As the court situation gets back on track, Li Xuan will try his best to rest and spend time with his wife and children.

They will also take time to educate their children and test their learning outcomes.

"Go, I want to go to Niu Shou Mountain in person. I will entrust the government affairs of the next few days to the prime ministers. Just say that I want to inspect the workshops in Chu County and ask the Minister of War and the Minister of Works to accompany me."

Li Xuan showed a look of delight. He stood up from his seat and gave instructions to his confidential secretary Wei Yingwu.

Niu Shou Mountain is at the southern end of Hu County, southwest of Chang'an.

Belongs to the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains.

A gunpowder workshop was built there more than a year ago after saltpeter was discovered there.

It will not disturb others and is very hidden.

In fact, the gunpowder was ignited a year ago.

However, Li Xuan wanted to use his limited knowledge to improve gunpowder.

When gunpowder appears, it must have a certain power.

It will first be used in road construction and military.

Li Xuan believed that he could still figure out how to make simple cannons and the most basic muskets.

As a soldier in his previous life, he knew the principles of guns.

But that requires more advanced gunpowder and more sophisticated machinery.

We must take one step at a time and keep our feet on the ground.

The Tang Dynasty is now completely ahead of the world, so there is no need to try to eat a big fat man in one bite, so as not to choke.

"According to the order!"

After receiving the order, Wei Yingwu left to arrange Li Xuan's itinerary.

It is not surprising that the Supreme is touring around Chang'an.

The ministers did not think much about it. There were many things to be done. They had to properly handle the follow-up matters of the "Abolition of Lowly Character and Promotion of Good People", "One Whip Law", and "New Changping Law", and they also had to evaluate the officials of the whole country.

Each department performs its duties and no one dares to be negligent or slack.

That morning, Li Xuan left Chang'an with Jinyiwei commander Liao Zhengrong, Minister of War Feng Changqing, Minister of Works Cui Guangyuan, and thousands of Tiance Guards.

We arrived in Huxian County the next afternoon.

The magistrate of Hu County hurriedly welcomed Li Xuan into the city. When the people learned that the Supreme Emperor Jialin had arrived, the streets were deserted and people lined the streets to welcome him.

The magistrate of Hu County often entertained Li Xuan in the county government office.

He knew Li Xuan's character and did not dare to be extravagant.

After staying in Huxian County for one night, Li Xuan arrived at the gunpowder workshop at the foot of Niu Shou Mountain early the next morning.

According to later research, it is rumored that Sun Simiao invented gunpowder.

There are also rumors that China invented gunpowder during the Jin Dynasty, the Qin and Han Dynasties, or even earlier.

But people are more inclined to believe that gunpowder was finalized in the middle and late Tang Dynasty.

The characteristics of gunpowder easily make people associate it with military affairs.

So at the end of the Tang Dynasty when gunpowder was finalized, people realized its power.

Historically, in the first year of Tianyou reign of Emperor Zhaozong of Tang Dynasty, Yang Xingmi's army besieged Yuzhang. He used his troops to launch machine guns and set fire to the Longsha Gate. He led the warriors to break through the fire and entered the city first, and was burned to death.

The flying fire mentioned here refers to cannons, rockets, etc.

A cannon is made by making gunpowder into a ring, lighting the hanging line and then throwing it out with a catapult; a rocket is made by tying a gunpowder ball under an arrowhead, lighting the fuse and then shooting it out with a bow.

The ingenious idea here is the prototype of the cannon.

After that, the use of gunpowder developed step by step. However, due to the self-isolation and the selfish thinking of the rulers, China gradually fell behind the West.

Since Li Xuan devoted all his efforts to the development of gunpowder, cannons and muskets would definitely be born according to plan.

A strict reward and punishment system will be established, and some "inventors" may even be given titles of nobility.

The unworthy descendants in later generations were brutal and were overthrown by the people with artillery fire. It was because they were incompetent.

"Meet the Supreme One!"

There are probably more than 200 craftsmen working in the Niu Shou Mountain workshop.

After Li Xuan arrived, they appeared outside the workshop and bowed deeply to Li Xuan.

They were no longer of low status and could own 100% of their own land, and their children could study and take the imperial examinations.

Plus, the monthly salary is enough to live comfortably.

The craftsmen group is one of the groups that most support Li Xuan.

They are doing their best in all aspects.

He hoped to improve daily necessities, farm tools, and weapons in order to be rewarded with a title and bring honor to his family.

"You don't have to be polite."

Li Xuan asked the craftsmen to stand up and helped Xia Wuding, the person in charge of the gunpowder project, to stand up.

Xia Wuding's family has been craftsmen for generations. He has brilliant ideas. He once improved the catapult and is proficient in ironwork.

After being discovered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Li Xuan made Xia Wuding the owner of a gunpowder workshop.

The defense of the entire workshop is the responsibility of the Jinyiwei.

In this era, you can just work hard and there is no need to worry about leaks.

"Xia Gong, prepare yourself and let us be amazed. If you can meet my expectations, all craftsmen will be rewarded."

Li Xuan instructed Xia Wuding.

"According to the order!"

Xia Wuding didn't know why the Supreme called him Xia Gong, but now he obeyed the order and let the Supreme see the power of gunpowder.

It is said that the concept of "gunpowder" was proposed by the Supreme, and he admired it very much.

The Supreme said that he saw gunpowder from a wandering Taoist priest, so he wanted to try it.

Now everyone was impressed by the saint's keenness.

From today onwards, history books will make a big fuss about this, portraying the "fictitious" wandering Taoist priest as mysterious, and will also highlight Li Xuan's profound vision.

Xia Wuding invited Li Xuan and a group of officials to an open space.

"Your Majesty, please step back a little further."

Xia Wuding was afraid of hurting the Supreme Dragon's body, so even though they were already thirty steps away, he asked Li Xuan to retreat.

Li Xuan looked at the bamboo tube in front of him and knew it was impossible to hurt him.

But he still listened to Xia Wuding's words and led the officials to retreat a dozen steps.

Officials such as Feng Changqing were very curious. What was this doing? Did it require such a big fuss?
What's that little thing in front?
They had never heard of this.

After seeing that Li Xuan was far enough away from them, Xia Wuding picked up a fire starter and ran to the bamboo tube.

There is a long fuse in front of the bamboo tube.

"Bah..."

After Xia Wuding lit the fuse, he quickly ran away.

Everyone saw the faint fire in front of the bamboo tube spreading towards the mouth of the bamboo tube, and wisps of smoke coming out.

"Supreme Lord, please cover your ears immediately."

Liao Zhengrong had experienced this kind of scene before, and quickly told Li Xuan.

Li Xuan knew it well, but he just covered his ears symbolically.

"Boom..."

There was a deafening roar. In an instant, the air was torn apart, and the sound waves spread out in all directions like a surging tide.

It seemed as if the mountains and the earth were shaking.

Feng Changqing, Cui Guangyuan and other accompanying officials were all shocked by this sudden force, and their bodies trembled suddenly.

Some officials even squatted down without knowing why.

The highly qualified Tiance Guards thought something had happened and became alert.

"The ratio of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal should be perfect, but this bamboo tube is like a toy and cannot hurt the enemy. I heard that you made a thunder bomb, and I came here for it."

While everyone was shocked, Li Xuan was not very satisfied.

The craftsmen were too conservative and did not dare to show their big stuff directly in front of him.

Li Xuan could understand.

But now he just wanted to see something that could kill the enemy.

The unknown is the most frightening thing.

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If the "Thunderbolt" is powerful enough, combined with the quality of the Tang Dynasty's soldiers, they should be able to win the battle easily.

"I obey your orders, but you need to step back ten steps."

Xia Wuding was also worried that the Supreme might not come to his senses immediately, so he wanted to take it slow.

The craftsmen who were conducting the experiment were extremely shocked and initially thought it was the power of ghosts and gods.

It’s just that they don’t understand Li Xuan’s vision.

Feng Changqing and Cui Guangyuan were so shocked that their jaws dropped and they were unable to come back to their senses.

The explosion of the bamboo tube filled them with questions and they were eager to know the answers.

When they stepped back another ten steps, they stared straight ahead.

Xia Wuding arranged for the craftsmen to carry a larger "spherical object" to the location where the bamboo tube exploded.

This spherical object is what Li Xuan calls the "Sky-shaking Thunder".

From a distance, the thunder bomb seems to be made of iron and looks hollow, with a thick body and a small mouth, and there is a bamboo tube-like fuse at the mouth.

After the thunderbolt was brought in, Xia Wuding did not light it immediately. Instead, he ordered the craftsmen to bring in a few more wooden men, placing them within one, two, or three steps of the thunderbolt.

"Your Majesty, please prepare yourself. I am going to light the fire."

Xia Wuding shouted before lighting the fire.

Li Xuan raised his hand and signaled Xia Wuding to light the fire.

"Bah..."

After Xia Wuding lit the longer fuse, he ran away.

All the craftsmen around covered their ears.

Li Xuan also covered his ears.

"Boom..."

After hearing the deafening explosion, they watched the flash of fire from the spherical object disappear, and then there was black smoke all over the sky.

The eardrums of the people around were strongly impacted and their hearts beat violently.

The sound of the explosion was like Thor's war drum, roaring and shattering the peaceful mountains and fields.

It stirred up a storm in the souls of officials such as Feng Changqing and Cui Guangyuan, and echoed for a long time.

As witnesses, they deeply appreciated the terrifying power of the thunderbolt and were deeply trapped in the overwhelming shock, unable to extricate themselves.

Minister of War Feng Changqing felt that if there were people around the thunderbolt, they would have difficulty surviving.

A light breeze blew, blowing the smoke towards everyone.

A pungent smell of gunpowder.

Everyone didn't know what the smoke was, yet they took a deep breath, looking intoxicated.

When the smoke cleared, everyone saw that the wooden men surrounding the thunderbolt had become crooked.

It was obviously the damage caused by the thunder bomb.

"All the nobles, please come forward with me."

Li Xuan said to officials including Feng Changqing and Cui Guangyuan.

Then he walked towards the place where the thunder bomb exploded.

"Supreme, be careful..."

Secretary-General Jia Zhi persuaded Li Xuan that he was frightened by the scene and was afraid that another explosion would injure the Supreme's daughter.

"The principle of the thunder bomb is that it only explodes once. Don't worry!"

Li Xuan laughed.

The thunder bomb has been broken into pieces and cannot explode again. It is not a dud.

Xia Wuding also came to Li Xuan and asked Li Xuan to take a closer look, and the officials were reassured.

When they approached the explosion site, they found broken iron pieces everywhere.

The nearest wooden man was blown to pieces.

The wooden figures outside the three parts are wrapped in a layer of iron sheet.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the iron sheet was inlaid with iron sheets.

This piece of iron is obviously the remnant of the explosion just now.

Everyone was speechless; they had not expected the thunderbolt to be so powerful.

If there was anyone nearby before, they would have died even if they were wearing armor.

"Supreme Lord, the shell of this thunderbolt is made of pig iron and filled with gunpowder. The pig iron fragments after the explosion can pierce the armor..."

Xia Wuding explained to Li Xuan the power of the thunderbolt.

"Yes, the power of the Sky-shaking Thunder is beyond my expectation. I will reward each craftsman in the workshop with a beautifully forged piece of colored forging. I hope you will continue to work hard and develop a more powerful Sky-shaking Thunder."

Li Xuan was reluctantly satisfied and rewarded the craftsmen in the workshop.

"I thank the Supreme..."

Xia Wuding accepted this grace on behalf of the craftsmen.

"Xia Gong, how do you think this thunderbolt can hurt the enemy?"

Li Xuan asked Xia Wuding again.

"You can use a catapult to throw it out..."

Xia Wuding answered without thinking.

Such a big thing definitely cannot be thrown out, it can only be hurled with a catapult.

"It is a solution, but it has too many limitations. The power of the Tang Dynasty is growing day by day, and we will conquer the world in the future. Using a huge catapult to throw thunder bombs is just a bad idea."

Li Xuan knew that he had to provide ideas and guide the craftsmen in many things.

Try to help the craftsman avoid detours as much as possible to lay the foundation for his overall situation.

"I will work with the craftsmen to come up with a good strategy."

Xia Wuding was troubled for a moment.

"This is my imagination. I will let the coppersmith cooperate with the gunpowder workshop. You can try to see if it is feasible."

As Li Xuan spoke, he took out a stack of papers from his arms and handed it to Xia Wuding.

The drawings show the "cannon" from the Yuan and Ming dynasties.

The cannon is made of copper and its barrel is the size of a bowl.

And about the manufacture of artillery shells.

Although copper was expensive, it was more adaptable to simple cannons.

As long as cannons are invented, it will be possible to fight in all kinds of terrain.

"I will study the Supreme's true words carefully."

Xia Wuding took a quick look and didn't quite understand it, but there was a text explanation at the back.

The emperor was able to "communicate with heaven and man", and he regarded everything the emperor brought out as his guiding principle.

After visiting other uses of gunpowder in the workshop, Li Xuan and the officials arrived at the main hall of the workshop.

"Do you have any comments?"

After taking his seat, Li Xuan asked officials including Feng Changqing and Cui Guangyuan.

"The power of gunpowder is like the roar of ghosts and gods. It is amazing. I am also a person who only sees the world from a well."

Feng Changqing was still shocked at this moment.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed that a human could possess such power.

"This thing is so powerful that we must strengthen control and prevent it from being released to the public."

Cui Guangyuan also said.

"Gunpowder is just a new product. We humans are intelligent and we are constantly improving. That is why I founded the Palace of Wisdom. Everything is possible. You may think that gunpowder is used in military affairs to kill the enemy. In fact, it has many uses."

Li Xuan said to the officials.

Many things will be developed in the military.

But Li Xuan couldn't be just like that.

Today, gunpowder in war is just icing on the cake for the Tang Dynasty.

"I once said that we should turn natural barriers into thoroughfares. The Tang Dynasty's control over the south is far inferior to that over the north. The main reason is that the roads are blocked. As a result, many territories in places like Xiangxi, Qianzhong, and Lingnan are still controlled by barbarian native officials. We want to change the native officials and completely unify the country. We must open up the roads. There will always be mountains blocking the way, and it will take years to dig through them. A huge amount of gunpowder can break up a large rock, which may reduce the construction process by one month. This is what the Tang Dynasty needs most today."

Li Xuan explained to the officials the significance of the birth of gunpowder.

He brought the Minister of War and the Minister of Works to visit.

In addition to military affairs, there is also road construction.

This was a shortcut for the Tang Dynasty to quickly open up roads from east to west, from north to south.

"We will definitely follow the instructions of the Supreme Being and use gunpowder for the right purpose to make the Tang Dynasty prosperous."

Officials such as Feng Changqing and Cui Guangyuan hurriedly bowed to Li Xuan.

Feng Changqing thinks too much.

Cui Guangyuan did not think of using gunpowder to build the road at that time.

They were all very ashamed.

"Once the production of various types of gunpowder is mature, gunpowder workshops will be opened in various places. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Industry must follow up at any time..."

Li Xuan understood that many ministers had no foundation, and talking to them was like playing the lute to a cow.

He needs each department to complete the scheduling, and he will take care of the technical matters himself.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Officials including Feng Changqing and Cui Guangyuan received the order.

They must dig deep into this skill and not let the Supreme down.

Under the Five-Prime Minister System, Shangshu was the easiest to be appointed as Prime Minister.

Everyone wants to leave their name in the Qianyuan Reform...

(End of this chapter)