We have to rely on our own muskets to equip thousands of troops, which is impossible in a short time. But the war is raging, and we can't wait.
Therefore, for a long time, purchasing from outside has become the fastest way. Both Xiyi and North Korea are indispensable suppliers.
The Portuguese-owned Bugarao Cannon Factory in Macau was known as "the best cannon foundry in the world" at the time. Not only did Asian countries come to purchase it, but European countries such as Britain and France also frequently visited.
Bu Jia Lao's son Wan Nu Bu Jia Lao also opened "Wan Nu Xing" on Ma Jiao Zai Street near the New Street in the Inner Harbor, specializing in arms trading.
However, the production and manufacturing of artillery and muskets are not all done by the Portuguese themselves. For example, bronze cannons are manufactured by the Portuguese, while iron cannons and muskets are manufactured by the Chinese.
Therefore, many Chinese craftsmen learned casting techniques, which later made Guangdong an important base for iron cannon smelting in the late Ming Dynasty.
Lin Tiansheng told Guo Dajing that Fujian and Guangdong produced refined iron, and specifically mentioned Foshan, where the iron smelting industry was even more developed and the quality was the best.
Guo Dajing wanted to recruit craftsmen from Guangdong or Fujian to expand military production. However, the war in Liaodong was fierce, and the south was much safer. Not many people were willing to come unless they spent a lot of money.
Due to limited funds, Guo Dajing had to give up recruiting craftsmen from the south, and instead focused on selecting and training them from within Dongjiang Town.
It took a little longer, but it was worth it. The Portuguese technicians hired were quite conscientious, and the technology of casting muskets was not very sophisticated. It was not too difficult to learn and imitate them.
Of course, there is also Guo Dajing's guidance, which can avoid detours and play a big role in some key links.
Since Mao Wenlong and Chen Jisheng saw the advantages of muskets, they wanted to vigorously promote the equipment, which was also what Guo Dajing hoped for.
As for money, even if Mao Wenlong couldn't get it, Guo Dajing would do his best to help.
Dongjiang Town is a whole, and Guo Dajing is a part of it. On the Liaodong battlefield, he is also Guo Dajing's most trustworthy friend and support.
Without an improvement in overall strength, Guo Dajing's plans and ideals cannot be realized with just his troops, even if they are armed to the teeth.
Of course, Guo Dajing would not be satisfied with a guerrilla official position, nor would he be satisfied with only a few thousand troops. While he was giving, he was also constantly improving his prestige and influence.
Now it is confirmed that he will lead an alliance of nine thousand troops, which is just a small goal he has achieved.
Even if the thirty-six thousand soldiers in Dongjiang Town are under his command and obey his orders, they are still far from his ultimate life goal!
The military has decided to withdraw tomorrow. All the generals got up and left, but Chen Jisheng left Guo Dajing behind.
There is a nominal commander-in-chief and a de facto commander-in-chief. The same is true for Fort Lushun, except that they were replaced by Mao Wenlong and Li Weiluan.
"About the affairs of the two associations garrisoned in Jinzhou." Chen Jisheng got straight to the point and said with a smile: "Shuai Mao has decided that you and Li Weiluan will each lead an association. The troops to be reorganized include troops from each island and Shang Kexi from the headquarters.
, Li Jiucheng and other generals.”
Guo Dajing listened respectfully, knowing that Chen Jisheng wanted to hear his own thoughts first.
After all, generals may be close or distant, and may even have estrangement and hatred. If they get together without clear understanding, problems will inevitably arise.
In fact, Guo Dajing was not very picky, and he did not have any quarrels with other generals.
Even if it was Shang Kexi, Kong Youde and other notorious traitors, that was a matter of history, and he now had a clear view of it.
Guo Dajing did not defend and excuse the traitors such as Shang Kexi and Kong Youde, but he also believed that there was indeed a reason for the incident.
The environment changes people, Guo Dajing firmly believes in this. Not only those traitors in history who betrayed the bright and invested money, but he himself is also changing.
A thriving group will naturally attract more people to surround and unite together. An atmosphere of decadence and unfairness will naturally make people feel resentful and alienated.
There were many reasons for the collapse of Dongjiang Town, including the harsh treatment and suppression by the court, the emperor's cruelty, the murder of Mao Wenlong, etc.
But Guo Dajing believed that he would create a good environment, not rely on the court or the emperor, and use continuous victory to inspire him to create a strong group that is sincerely united and strives to make progress.
Chen Jisheng continued: "Commander Mao considered this when allocating his troops, so that the generals would have a chance to get along with each other, and he also ordered Chen to observe."
Looking at Guo Dajing, Chen Jisheng asked: "Dajing, just use the current people to form an association. What do you think?"
Guo Dajing didn't think much about it, so he nodded in agreement and said with a smile: "General, I feel very good. We have fought side by side, and the tacit understanding of affection and cooperation is satisfactory."
The troops from Guanglu Island and other islands, plus Shang Kexi's troops, formed an association, and Guo Dajing was really quite satisfied.
As for Lushun Fort, Li Weiluan must also be familiar with the people from Pidao headquarters who will stay behind.
According to the new organization, the First Association is divided into three battalions, each battalion has 3,000 people; the first battalion is divided into three bids, each bid has 1,000 men; below the bids are the general flag, small flags, teams, etc...
Obviously, the organization developed by Mao Wenlong and Chen Jisheng has completely adopted the battalion system of the middle and late Ming Dynasty.
As for the name of the standard, general flag, small flag, team, etc., as well as the number of troops, it is not important. For example, for the same general soldier, the number of troops under his command varies greatly from thousands to tens of thousands.
Seeing that Guo Dajing agreed readily, Chen Jisheng was very pleased. He stroked his beard and smiled and said: "Since you have been appointed as the chief of the First Association, you will be responsible for all the appointments and arrangements for the generals below."
"The general will be impartial and impartial." Guo Dajing bowed and said, "Please rest assured, Marshal Chen."
"Of course I don't worry about you." Chen Jisheng waved his hand and said, "Okay, I've said all that needs to be said, go down and rest!"
Guo Dajing stood up, bowed again, and then left.
Although the personnel arrangements were left to him, Guo Dajing knew that some generals still had to stay together, and some troops still had to stay together.
For example, Shang Kexi will definitely lead a battalion by himself, which will also reassure Mao Wenlong and Chen Jisheng. The generals of Pidao headquarters still have to give this face.
Zhang Pan, Yu Liangtai and other island coalition forces also need a battalion. As for who will be in charge, Guo Dajing hopes that it will be Zhang Pan, but he will not interfere too much and let them decide on their own.
The main body of the other battalion will be the troops from Guanglu Island, led by Liu Xingzhi.
In addition to these three infantry battalions, Liu Xingzuo and Liu Qishi's flying cavalry, Guo Dajing is planning to add another cavalry battalion, with a tentative establishment of one thousand, which will be completed before the end of the year.
Each alliance has a quota of nine thousand troops, but for Guo Dajing, this is not restrictive. You know, Guanglu Island has long been overstretched.
According to Guo Dajing's idea, there would be three infantry battalions plus one cavalry battalion, and a direct unit under his personal command, which should be at least two thousand people!
Calculated in this way, his total strength reached the initial expected target of 12,000 people.
Now that the arrangements for senior generals are basically confirmed, middle- and lower-level officers and soldiers can be deployed among the three battalions with relative peace of mind.
Each battalion must have light and heavy muskets. Guanglu Island has the most musketeers, so it is normal for them to be thinly divided.
Anyway, the military types and weapons of each battalion must be designed according to Guo Dajing's design. The combat power of each battalion must meet his standards, and the tactics must also meet his requirements, so that Guo Dajing can use them with confidence.
In this regard, Guo Dajing believed that there was not much resistance. It was gratifying that they jointly participated in blocking the Jianlu. Zhang Pan and others also saw the strength of Guanglu Island's troops and the sharpness of their muskets. How could they not be envious and think about the existence of such a force?
"General Guo." Shang Kexi came towards him and greeted him with a smile, "The people of Guanglu Island have strong horses and strong horses, which makes Shang very envious!"
Guo Dajing returned the salute and said with a smile: "Guo is just trying new weapons and new fighting methods. If they are effective, they will naturally spread to the whole army. General Shang doesn't have to worry."
Shang Kexi hesitated for a moment and said: "Jinzhou is considered occupied. Shang wants to bring his family over. Does General Guo think it is appropriate?"
Guo Dajing understood this obvious temptation. Now that he has brought his family, he must live and die with Jinzhou. For Guo Dajing, who is on guard, this is a good thing.
"General Shang and Mr. Guo coincidentally coincide with each other." Guo Dajing did not explain clearly, and said with a smile: "As long as Jinzhou is stable, Mr. Guo will also bring his family over."
Shang Kexi grinned, understanding what Guo Dajing meant.
"The Sun Valley to the south of Lushun Fort is close to the seaside and has good scenery. Guo plans to build a small town to house military officers' families, and some public offices will also be located here."
Guo Dajing talked about his plan and showed his sincerity, "When the house is built, General Shang will let his family live here. It is indeed very good."
Being close to the sea and docking at the port makes it easy to evacuate by boat if an emergency situation occurs. Of course, this is just in case, and Guo Dajing believes that it will never happen.
And Taipinggou is indeed as he described. It is a very good and livable place to build a town without city walls.
Although Lushun Fort is strong, it is still a bit small. It is very suitable as a storage warehouse. It is safer with a small number of people stationed and no idle personnel.
Of course, villages will be built in many places in Jinzhou. The first step is to renovate the abandoned ones and use them as quickly as possible to accommodate the large number of Liao people who will soon move there.
"General Guo is optimistic, so of course he is right." Shang Kexi nodded vigorously, agreed without hesitation, and talked to Guo Dajing for a while before they parted ways.
There are traitors in history, but reality is not history. Guo Dajing has this confidence that he will change the general environment. Although he is still wary, it is not too strong anymore.
However, he could only change Dongjiang Town and Liaodong, but he felt powerless to influence the court and the emperor.
The order to retreat has been issued. Although he still maintains alertness and vigilance, according to the report of the sentry, Guo Dajing has involuntarily relaxed.
After making arrangements for the vanguard to leave tomorrow, led by Liu Xingzhi, Guo Dajing got into the tent and fell asleep.
I am afraid that only a dark and sweet sleep can restore the tiredness, fatigue, tension and thinking of the past few days faster.
………………….
Under the same moonlight, Saharian could not fall asleep in the tent. He was still looking at the map, thinking and worrying.
I just went to visit my brother Wakda. His injuries have not improved much, but there are no obvious signs of deterioration. Again, it depends on whether his life is strong or not.
I just received a report that many wounded soldiers died without being able to survive.
You know, the wounds caused by muskets are "disgusting" according to historical records.
When the musket's lead bullet hits the target, it often creates a huge wound, shatters the bones, and damages the internal organs.
Unlike wounds caused by arrows, gunshot wounds can easily cause severe blood loss, rendering the injured basically incapable of fighting.
Even if you don't die at the time, the gunpowder residue and other dirt on the projectile will contaminate the wound, causing severe infection or making it difficult to heal.
Coupled with the low level of medical care at that time, Jianlu did not have any surgical treatment methods, not even sterilization, suturing, and soldering irons.
Therefore, it is not surprising that a large number of wounded soldiers died. This was also what Guo Dajing expected. Not getting killed would also make him happy.
Tonight, it has been three days since Jianlu retreated. Although there was no strong enemy to stop them, the journey was not smooth.
At the beginning, several attacking troops were like maggots attached to the bones, following closely behind them. The mines on the road, the messy roadblocks, and the cold arrows shot from time to time all made Saharian and Houjin's troops extremely troubled.
The casualties each time were not large, but the victory was due to the large number of times. Jianlu's march was delayed for a long time. The distance that was expected to be completed in three days now seemed to need at least one more day.
There was barely enough food to eat, not because we brought too much, but because many people died, so we saved a lot.
The blanket at the tent door was opened, and Sorno came in and bowed to report: "Master Belle, the forward has been attacked, and the number of enemies seems to be quite large."
Saharian frowned. He sent a thousand troops overnight to seize Hongzui Fort, just to open up the road tomorrow so that the army could exit Jinzhou and enter Fuzhou basically safely.
But the sudden appearance of the enemy made his heart sink, and he couldn't help but think of the tragic attack at the foot of Xiaohei Mountain. If there was another enemy with similar combat strength and military strength to intercept them, the disaster would probably be unavoidable.
If we can't break through within two days, we will really run out of food and fodder. How much power can we exert if we fight on an empty stomach?
"Tell me the details." Saharian asked: "How fierce was the battle? How much did the forward lose?"
Sorno also had the same worries as Sakhalian and hurriedly said: "The enemy has about one or two thousand troops. Although they occupy a favorable terrain, they do not have such sharp muskets and mostly use crossbows. After a fierce battle, the forwards suffered three or four casualties. With a hundred men, we have already defeated the enemy and forced him to flee."
Saharian could hardly be optimistic. This might be another trick of the enemy. He would be consumed by volleys one after another, and only in the final blockade would he use his full strength.
"Send another two thousand troops, led by you, and set off immediately to capture the Red Tsui Fort as quickly as possible." Sahanian looked up at Sorno and said, "We can't waste time and give the enemy a chance to strengthen their positions. .”