Thief Emperor

Chapter 920 Duke of Lai

Once gunpowder is developed, then making cannons will actually not be any technically difficult.

In fact, around the fifth year of Zhaoding, Li Yun had already developed the first generation of artillery.

However, it was still quite crude and extremely bulky at the time, and various indicators did not meet Li Yun's psychological expectations.

In addition, Jiangdong was in the stage of expanding its territory at that time. For Li Yun at that time, the mobility of artillery was far from meeting the combat needs at that time.

For the Jiangdong Army at that time, having more war horses was much more practical than artillery.

Now, the war has entered a new stage. Under the guidance of Emperor Li, the artillery of the Military Equipment Bureau has been upgraded to the third generation of artillery, which can basically be used on the battlefield.

More importantly, the situation on the battlefield has also changed. The Jiangdong Army used to mainly engage in mobile warfare, while the current Tang Army’s main task is to capture Youyan and Guanzhong.

There is no need to say much about the four passes in Guanzhong. Youzhou City in Youyan is also an important town. After Yelu Yi occupied Youzhou in the past few years, it was reinforced several times. It is even more solid than when it was in Xiao Xian's hands.

Since taking this place requires attacking hard, artillery is actually very useful.

After all, this thing has not been properly used on the battlefield. If it is suddenly used on the battlefield, it will definitely have some miraculous effects.

Meng Qing stepped forward and looked at the two cannons with wheels in front of him. He looked around, then at the craftsmen nearby, and then at Li Yun and asked, "Your Majesty, what is this?"

Li Yun gave a look to several craftsmen, and the nearby craftsmen immediately loaded the bullets and handed the torch to Meng Qing.

Li smiled and said, "You will know if you try it."

Although Meng Qing didn't know what this thing was, he absolutely trusted Li Yun, so he took the torch without hesitation and lit the fuse.

The fuse burned rapidly.

"boom!"

With a loud bang, the bullet in the barrel flew out and landed very far away. The bullet hit the ground and created a large crater.

Several craftsmen who were testing the artillery nearby had covered their ears in advance, even Li Yun covered his ears. Only Meng Qing was not prepared at all. He seemed to be frightened and stood there in a daze for a long time before he suddenly reacted. He did not walk towards Li Yun, but strode towards the crater in the distance.

After a long while, Meng Qing finally ran to the crater, only to find that the bullet had disappeared and mud was splashing in the crater.

This is not caused by the power of the explosion, but simply a hole created by the impact.

He looked for a long time before running back to Li Yun, breathing heavily but with a shining gaze.

"Your Majesty, this, this..."

Li Yun looked calm and said with a smile: "Another use of gunpowder can hit farther and is more powerful than thunder bombs."

"Its bullet won't explode yet."

Meng Qing was overjoyed. He turned his head to look at the two cannons and asked in a low voice, "Sir, how many of these can you give me?"

Li Yun glanced at him and scolded him with a smile: "Didn't I tell you just now that there are only twenty gates now. You and General Su will each take half."

"But this is the first time this thing is used on the battlefield. When you transport this thing, you must be careful not to leak the secret."

Mr. Li said quietly, "I have kept this thing for several years. These new things are always very useful when they are used for the first time."

Meng Qing stared at the two cannons intently, then turned back to look at Li Yun, and said with a smile: "Sir, when I was in Jinling before, there were rumors that thunder could often be heard in the suburbs of Jinling, but no thunderclouds were seen."

"Some people also heard that it was the Thunder God who descended to the world."

He smiled and said, “So that’s what it is.”

"The higher-ups hid it very well. In the past few years, no one in our army knew about it."

Li Yun shook his head slightly and said, "When I was in Jinling, I took Su Sheng and Zhao Cheng to see this thing. After they tried it, they both said it was too heavy and impractical on the battlefield."

“That’s why there’s no large-scale construction.”

Li Yun continued, "Now, when it comes to attacking cities and capturing strongholds, this thing has also lost a lot of weight, and with the addition of wheels, I think it's time to use them."

Having said that, Li Yun waved to the craftsmen beside the cannon, and they immediately came over and bowed to Li Yun.

Li Yun looked at the leading craftsman and said with a smile: "Master Duan, all those who participated in the construction of the cannon will be rewarded with 100 strings of cash. Go and tell them that in a few months, they can return home and reunite with their families."

"But after you go out, you are not allowed to reveal any information about the artillery."

Master Duan heaved a sigh of relief, kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty."

Li Yun reached out and helped him up, sighing: "You have worked hard over the past few years."

Master Duan bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty treats us very well, and the family members have also treated us well. This is what we should do."

After saying this, he bowed his head and thanked them a few times before leaving with the craftsmen, expressing his gratitude profusely.

Meng Qing was somewhat curious and asked, "Master, these craftsmen..."

"All those who participated in the construction of the artillery have lived and eaten in the workshop since the beginning and have never left." "The Jinling workshop moved all the way to Luoyang, and the same is true for these people. They were watched by our people all the way to Luoyang, and no one left."

Mr. Li looked calm and said slowly, "In the blink of an eye, five or six years have passed."

Meng Qing's face slightly changed, then he looked up at the two cannons and whispered, "The superior has also put a lot of effort into this."

"That's not true."

Li Yun looked at the two cannons and said with a smile: "I just moved my mouth."

"I have no idea how useful this cannon can be on the battlefield. You and General Su will have to use it to know if we can break through Tongguan and Youzhou with it."

"All these years of hiding things have not been in vain. If it doesn't work..."

Li narrowed his eyes and said softly, "As long as it is confirmed to be useful, it is nothing more than adding a few more cannons."

"As long as you can conquer Youyan, I will give you a hundred cannons in a few years, no problem."

Meng Qing lowered his head and responded, then spoke slowly.

"Subordinates, we must first try it on the battlefield."

Li Yun nodded and said with a smile: "We have seen enough. Let's go back to the city. I have a lot of things to deal with in the palace."

Meng Qing thought for a moment, bowed to Li Yun, and said, "Sir, I would like to stay in this military equipment station for a few days..."

Li Yun looked at him and said in silence, "You have a mansion to live in, so why are you living here?"

Meng Qing looked at the two cannons and said, "I want to ask the craftsmen some questions, and by the way..."

"Fire more shots."

"Find out about this thing."

Li Yun thought about it, nodded and smiled, "It's just you. I won't allow anyone else."

"Well, you can stay here for a few days, but not too long, otherwise the lady at home will blame me for abducting her new husband."

Meng Qing nodded respectfully.

Li Yun put his hands behind his back and strode out of the Military Equipment Bureau.

.........

Two days later, a carriage escorted by dozens of riders arrived at the foot of Luoyang City. Before entering the city, a middle-aged general dismounted his horse at the gate, strode forward, and saluted the carriage with his fists: "Are you General Gongsun?"

In the carriage, Gongsun Hao, who only had one arm left, lifted the curtain, looked at the generals who were talking outside, and immediately said to his son who was driving, "Hurry, help me get out of the carriage."

Gongsun He, who was driving the carriage, did not dare to neglect it and immediately helped his father get off the carriage. After Gongsun Hao got off the carriage, he bowed his head and saluted the middle-aged general: "Greetings, General Yang."

This middle-aged general was the commander of the Yulin Army, the head of the emperor's imperial guards, and a close minister to the emperor.

Yang Xi, Marquis of Loyalty and Resoluteness.

Yang Xi hurried forward, supported Gongsun Hao, and said with a smile: "I dare not refuse the Duke's courtesy. You have worked hard on the journey. His Majesty knows that you will return to Luoyang today and has been waiting for you in the palace."

"I was specially ordered to wait here for you and welcome you to the palace."

Gongsun Hao was from Laizhou and had been conferred the title of Duke of Lai by the imperial court some time ago.

The reason why he was awarded the title of Duke was mostly because he had made great contributions in the southwest and was seriously injured.

But even so, he was a surrendered general after all, and his contributions were not great enough, so his title of Duke could not be inherited, and it was even difficult for him to surrender on behalf of others.

A lifetime peerage.

When he dies, the dukedom will also be gone. When it comes to Gongsun He, the court will most likely grant him the title of marquis. However, whether this marquisate can be hereditary depends on Gongsun He's performance on the battlefield in the future.

Gongsun Hao heard this, looked at Yang Xi, sighed and said: "General, calling me like this is really a slap in the face of a useless person like me."

Gongsun Hao himself naturally knew that his title as a duke was far less valuable than that of other dukes, so he sighed when facing Yang Xi.

Yang Xi said solemnly: "The general was conferred the title of Duke of Lai by His Majesty. Anyone in Luoyang City who disrespects the general will be punished."

"No matter what others say, I, Yang, will be the first one to fall out with him."

The two exchanged a few polite words, and Yang Xi smiled and said, "The car is ready. Please come in, old general."

Gongsun Hao turned around and said a few words to his son, then looked at Yang Xi and lowered his head slightly.

"Good work."

(End of this chapter)