Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 106 Let him mess around with it himself
"A powerful weapon in the military?"

Others may not know, but as the Vice Minister of Works, he is now the top official in the absence of a Minister.

Naturally, they are aware of the current situation in the court.

Not long ago, the Minister issued an imperial edict ordering them to hurry up and prepare military equipment.

Although the soldiers of the garrison all provided their own weapons, they were mostly broadswords or spears.

Bows and crossbows were manufactured by the Ministry of Works and then sent to the Ministry of War, where they were lent to the local soldiers. If any were damaged, the soldiers had to pay for the damages.

Heavy armor goes without saying; it all requires unified management by the imperial court.

That's why he was so busy, and that's why he got so angry when Wen He and Yan Liben came in.

"Yes, that's what His Highness instructed, but I only have the idea; the actual manufacturing process still requires the craftsmen to develop it."

Wen He took out two blueprints from his sleeve: one for the Divine Arm Crossbow and the other for a simplified version of the compound bow.

While it cannot achieve the immense power of modern weapons, it is more energy-efficient than the longbows commonly used by the Tang army and is well-suited for mounted warfare.

"Oh, right, there's also this. This is called a horseshoe. It needs to be forged from fine steel. I don't know if the Ministry of Works can make it. If not now, then we'll leave it for now."

Wen He took out another picture from her other sleeve.

He was initially hesitant, since the Tang Dynasty's smelting technology made it difficult to mass-produce horseshoes.

Yan Lide stared blankly at the three pictures in his hand for a long time before Yan Liben nudged him to bring him back to his senses.

"Ah, let me take a look first."

He took the blueprints and the first thing he saw was the Divine Arm Crossbow.

The above diagram is not much different from traditional crossbows, except that the materials are different, and an iron ring is added to the front of the crossbow.

He was wondering when he saw the note next to him.

"This thing can save effort?" Yan Lide looked up in surprise at Wen He.

Wen He nodded with a smile.

Yan Lide took a deep breath and then flipped to the next picture of a compound bow, but after only a few glances, he was in a bit of a dilemma.

"This item has a complex structure. Even if it could be manufactured, it could probably only be provided to generals, and what if it were damaged..."

Yan Lide only glanced at it a few times before he knew that this thing must be expensive to make, and he couldn't help but feel a little heartache.

Hearing him say that, Wen He chuckled to himself, because that was one of his goals.

"Brother Yan, have you ever thought about making them separately, setting a standard, and having everyone strictly follow it when making the parts, and then assembling them together?"

"In this way, while maintaining secrecy, soldiers can replace damaged parts on the battlefield. For example, if two crossbows are broken, good parts can be taken out and a good crossbow can be assembled."

Upon hearing this, Yan Lide's eyes lit up.

Before he could speak, Yan Liben exclaimed, "Isn't this how the Qin state did it back then? It seems that Zhuge Liang's crossbow was made in the same way."

We really shouldn't underestimate the ancients; they already had modular weapons.

Unfortunately, for various reasons, none of them have survived.

"Young Master is indeed intelligent!" Yan Liben said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Wen He smiled and repeatedly said, "I wouldn't dare."

Yan Lide nodded: "That is indeed a good idea, but if we do it that way, we'll have to make some big changes."

He keenly sensed that if this matter were to be implemented, it would lead to a transformation within the Ministry of Works.

Those who were just coasting along in the Ministry of Works will probably be finished by then.

He is also very likely to become the target of public criticism.

So what is there to fear!
"This matter is of great importance. I will write a letter to Your Highness immediately. Young master, will you have some free time later? How about we have a drink together at noon?"

Yan Lide rubbed his hands together excitedly.

He understood the benefits without Wen He needing to explain in detail.

The ancients were simply limited in their perspective; they were not inferior to people of later generations.

"No, no, I have to go to the newly established Hundred Cavalry Division later. Sigh, I'm destined to be busy. I can't even slack off when I want to."

Wen He shrugged, looking regretful. Yan Liben and Yan Lide exchanged glances, chuckling inwardly: 'This young man's way of speaking is really strange. What does slacking off have to do with being lazy?'

"What is this Hundred Cavalry Division?" Yan Liben asked curiously.

Wen He looked at him, smiling but saying nothing.

The former immediately understood that he could not ask about this matter.

"In that case, when the young master has some free time, please visit my residence. I will certainly treat you well then."

Seeing this, Yan Lide did not try to stop him and personally saw him out of the Ministry of Works.

Jing Junhong seemed to have said the same thing last time, but the old general hasn't sent him a visiting card in so long. I wonder what he's been busy with.

After bidding farewell to the Yan brothers, Wen He boarded a carriage and disembarked at Chang Le Gate, then walked to Wu De Gate.

This place is amazing.

Behind it is the Wude Hall, which is only a stone's throw from the East Palace, and behind that is the armory.

Previously, Li Yuan had arranged for Li Yuanji to live here, intending to use him as a counterweight to Li Shimin, the Grand General of Heavenly Strategy.

Anyone who has ever rebelled knows the importance of controlling the armory.

Therefore, when Li Shimin later wanted Li Tai to reside here, it aroused opposition from everyone in the court and the public except for the Wei Prince's faction.

Li Chengqian thus realized the crisis.

Now, Li Shimin has assigned the Hundred Cavalry Division to this place.

Wen He thought about this intention for a long time, but still couldn't figure it out.

However, it should also imply the protection of the East Palace and the Taiji Hall.

As Wen He approached Wude Gate, he saw Xu Jingzong anxiously waiting not far away.

There was another person beside him, Huang Chun.

However, he wasn't wearing a eunuch's robe today; instead, he was dressed in a blue short-sleeved shirt, which almost made Wen He not recognize him.

"Young master, you've finally arrived."

Upon seeing the figure, Huang Chun hurriedly came forward. With a bitter face, he said, "His Highness has sent people to inquire several times before. If you don't come soon, the first operation of the Hundred Cavalry Division will be to arrest you."

"It's not even noon yet, why are you in such a hurry?" Wen He stretched.

There's a reason why the people in the palace are so healthy; walking back and forth like that every day is like being forced to exercise.

Xu Jingzong happened to walk over as well, and upon hearing what he said, he was both amused and exasperated.

He was on tenterhooks, but Wen He seemed completely unconcerned.

"You must be joking, Wenxianzi. Shall I go and gather everyone together?" Xu Jingzong asked.

Wen He smiled and bowed to him.

"Yes, thank you for your trouble, Master Xu. As I said before, let's split into two teams and assemble at the drill ground. The group responsible for guarding and arresting people should stand for an hour. If anyone can't hold on, they should return to their original positions."

"The other group responsible for reconnaissance, let them disguise themselves as people from the palace, and they'll come with me in a bit."

"By the way, you'd better report this to His Highness to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings. Also, ask him to help me find a squad of palace guards to borrow."

Huang Chun and Xu Jingzong were both stunned.

No one knew what Wen He was going to do.

But they dared not ask too many questions, lest they mess things up and have to take the blame for Wen He.

The two of them sighed helplessly.

Let him do whatever he wants.

In the end, His Highness will be the one to blame him anyway.

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(End of this chapter)