Chapter 322 The Purpose of Discipline (VIII)
Hong Zhou was disappointed to hear that the research was still ineffective, but he did not curse. He just asked, "So, do those people have any ideas?"
"Reporting to the emperor, I heard from several officials in the Firearms Bureau that they think we have to start with saltpeter. Perhaps Huo Chong has found some way to extract something different from saltpeter." The eunuch answered in a voice unique to his profession.
After listening to this, Hong Zhou said, "In this case, why not learn from Huo Chong's method of making gunpowder? Also, let's see if there is any way to increase the production of saltpeter."
"As you wish." The eunuch responded but did not move.
Hong Zhou knew that these eunuchs were waiting for him to clarify in what form the message would be passed on. Whether it was an imperial decree, a handwritten order, or an oral order. In short, it was not something the eunuchs could decide.
Finally, Hong Zhou issued a handwritten order and summoned the military ministers of the Grand Council to discuss the matter. The fourteenth old man first mentioned an incident that happened, "The cavalry from Shengjing waited on the north bank of the Yellow River for a whole winter, but did not see the Yellow River freeze. Now they have retreated."
"Shenyang is using the Mongolian method, right?" asked General Basai of Fuyuan.
Hong Zhou didn't say anything, but Old Fourteen continued to talk about this. When the North invaded the South, the Yellow River had always been a huge obstacle for the North. So when the North wanted to attack, they often waited for the Yellow River to freeze in winter, and then they would cross the river directly on the ice and plunder south of the Yellow River.
At least before Huo Chong blew up the Tongwaxiang, the Yellow River would freeze every year. However, since the Tongwaxiang dam broke and the Yellow River flowed north, the climate has completely changed. Not only is the climate warmer, but it also rains more. Shengjing's plot also came to nothing.
Basai was a little disappointed. "It would be great if it freezes!" Everyone nodded, but said nothing. After all, no one present could freeze the Yellow River in one breath.
General Basai continued, "Your Majesty, why don't you attack Shengjing?"
When the Fourteenth Prince heard this suggestion, he immediately objected, "It would be better to limit it to chasing after Gar. Your Majesty, I see that Dzungar is ready to make another move recently. After Tsereng ascended the throne, he has stabilized the situation and it seems that he wants to compete with Mongolia for pastures again."
Hong Zhou was a little puzzled. If he followed what Old Fourteen said, he should have just pretended not to see it. After all, all the Mongolian tribes on the grasslands were inclined to form an alliance with Shengjing. Letting the enemies fight each other was more satisfying than this.
The Fourteenth Elder understood Hong Zhou's idea and quickly advised him, "Your Majesty, if it is a plan to drive a tiger to devour a wolf, we are all three-year-olds, don't we understand? The reason why I asked Your Majesty to fight a war with Junggar first is that I don't want the situation to go wrong..."
As Lao Shisi was describing what had happened, someone had secretly sent the news out from the gunpowder bureau. The news went all the way north and soon entered the territory of the Eight Banners of Mongolia, and then spread along the special trade route to Shengjing.
Half a month later, the Eighth Brother had received the news. Hearing that Hong Zhou and his men had not made a percussion cap, the princes of Shengjing were quite disappointed. The Eighth Brother smiled and said, "Don't expect too much. Even if the Fourteenth Brother made it, we might not be able to get it. Besides, marching and fighting all depend on ourselves. Although firearms are powerful, they are still used by people!"
This was a nice statement, but no one really listened. The threat of the percussion cap was indeed too great. After seeing the percussion cap gun, the princes of Shengjing were frightened by its fierce firepower.
Someone immediately mentioned that Hong Zhou and his team had imitated the flintlock rifle, hoping to use this to convince Lao Ba. Lao Ba saw that there was really no other way, so he could only sigh and say, "I'll just say this once, my lords. I have already sent someone to secretly contact Huo Chong to see if he can figure out the formula for the percussion cap. But there is no news yet. If the lords know how serious this is, they'd better not say anything."
After hearing what Lao Ba said, everyone finally felt relieved. But then someone asked , "Prince Lian, we are short of money now. What should we do with it?"
Hearing such a realistic question, the Golden Palace in Shengjing City fell silent. In the past, Shengjing relied on the rewards from the emperors of the capital to obtain silver, and the rewards from the emperors only made the princes of Shengjing feel very dissatisfied.
When Lao Ba brought his men from Shengjing back from Beijing, he looted most of the money in Beijing. However, the money was still not enough. Not only was it not enough, it was far from enough.
Lao Ba also knew how much weight these words carried, and he felt helpless. Shengjing was short of money, and everyone knew it. Because of this, Shengjing was very dissatisfied with the money the court gave to Shengjing every year. However, now that the money was completely gone, Shengjing could only solve its financial problems on its own. The reason why the troops were stationed on the north bank of the Yellow River was to be able to grab a piece of Huo Chong's territory. However, the Yellow River was not frozen, and everyone could not cross the river, so they had to give up.
Thinking of this, Lao Ba arranged for the personnel from various prefectures and counties in Hebei. The people in Shengjing were very satisfied with this. It was bitter and cold outside the Great Wall, and life was difficult. However, Hebei was much richer than outside the Great Wall. Being an official in Hebei would undoubtedly bring a lot of benefits.
After Lao Ba made the arrangements, he shouted at the group of people: "The court will pay you for your hard work. However, you still need to be clear that there is Hong Zhou in the west and Huo Chong in the south. If you only know how to enrich yourself, Hebei will not be able to be defended. If Hebei cannot be defended, how can you get your own salary? You still need to think clearly about where to go."
Although Lao Ba didn't dare to believe that these princes could really do it, at least seeing that they looked like they understood, Lao Ba could only assume that the princes had figured it out.
It was already the end of February in the third year of Qianlong's reign, and the Yellow River would have to wait until next year. The Shengjing court could only gather its troops and speed up its contact with Shandong and others controlled by Huo Chong.
Mr. Ding suddenly learned that someone here was sent by the Eighth Master, and he felt a little melancholy. His connection with Huo Chong started from the Eighth Master. At that time, the Eighth Master's men suffered a heavy blow from Yongzheng, but they united instead. The tool they found to fight against Yongzheng was Huo Chong.
Now things have changed, Yongzheng was killed, and the Eighth Master took the son of the deposed crown prince to Shengjing to establish the court. However, Mr. Ding had no intention of going to Shengjing to follow him.
Just as he was determining his position, the visitor said : "Mr. Ding, the Eighth Master does not want you to assassinate Huo Chong, nor does he want you to do anything big. The Eighth Master just wants to get the formula of Huo Chong's pyrotechnics. If you can do it, the Eighth Master will give you a high position and generous salary in Shengjing."
Hearing about the high position and generous salary, Mr. Ding immediately made a decision. He tried to speak gently, "Brother, leave my house now, and I will pretend that you have never been here. If you continue to talk nonsense and make great wishes, I will go to the Chinese court to get rid of you."
"You..." The visitor was stunned.
Mr. Ding didn't say anything more, but just shouted, "Why don't you get out of here! Are you waiting for me to call someone?"
