Where did it come from? Guo Dajing didn't want the Hongyi cannon, but it was not urgently needed at the moment. In the long run, the Navy's weapons also need to be strengthened and increased.
Well, it's just a matter of spending some money, or using mirrors to offset it. Don't be stingy about strengthening your armaments. The defensive counterattack in winter will work just fine.
Guo Dajing thought for a while and said seriously to Shedra: "You are also a firearms expert. You should know whether there is any problem with the quality of the artillery guns that are shipped, and whether they are about to reach the end of their service life. I can't bring people with me every time.
Verification, do you understand what I mean?"
Shedra hurriedly assured: "General Guo, please believe in my professional ethics. Whether as a businessman or a firearms expert, I will never deceive customers by passing off quality products. I know better than anyone else that we are cooperating for a long time. Why?
It will destroy the cooperative relationship."
"You also know that old guns and cannons have to be discounted." Guo Dajing's face softened a little and said: "I can trust the arms and equipment you shipped, but if there is a shoddy thing, there is no need to talk about compensation, ours
The cooperation ends here.”
Shedra was just a commission-based middleman, which was actually the transaction between Guo Dajing and the Bugalao Cannon Factory. Therefore, Guo Dajing could have found someone else to replace him, and Shedra knew it very well.
"I understand, I understand." Shedra nodded vigorously and said, "I will carefully inspect the artillery and guns, and I will never be careless."
Guo Dajing then smiled slightly, took the list, looked at it carefully, and said: "You still have thirteen thousand two hundred taels of silver left. Should I use commercial goods to pay for it, or do I need silver?"
Shedra turned to Henry René. Although he did not speak, the meaning of consultation was obvious.
"General Guo, how many dressing mirrors have been made?" Henry René asked with a smile: "There are other products, we have to look at them before we can decide."
Guo Dajing said: "There are six noodles in total. According to the agreement between the three of you, each family has two noodles. I just went to the Japanese people's place. They want more, and I can't control it. You three families can discuss it among themselves and see if they can allocate it."
Henry René couldn't help but smile bitterly. The noodles were obviously not in line with his expectations. Like the Japanese, he also wanted to buy more noodles.
"Okay, everything has been agreed, and we will continue to cooperate in the future." Guo Dajing stood up and said: "If you want to see the goods and place an order, you can go to Fujino Hide. She will handle all business matters in the future."
Henry René looked at Lin Tianyou and said with a smile: "I'm going to visit Mr. Lin tomorrow. I wonder if I have some free time?"
Lin Tianyou pondered for a moment and agreed with a smile. He knew that this French guy was probably talking to him about the mirror.
After leaving Xiyi's business inn, Guo Dajing and Lin Tianyou were walking and chatting.
"If the Japanese and Xiyi offer a higher price, you can give the mirror to them first." Guo Dajing woke up from his thoughtful state and said to Lin Tianyou: "You shouldn't be in a hurry to go back, right?"
Lin Tianyou thought for a while and said: "I want to go to Qingdao first, build the workshop, and then return to Jiangnan."
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "Leave a ship and I will give it to you in four directions within a month."
Lin Tianyou's face flashed with joy, but he also understood what Guo Dajing meant.
The purchase price was three thousand, and the Japanese and Xiyi would definitely have to pay a higher price than this before he could transfer it. And the silver was to be given to Guo Dajing.
But this is nothing. Guo Dajing gave him two more sides, so he earned everything back.
You know, Guo Dajing is equivalent to selling it himself. However, in order to give the Japanese and Westerners an impression, the fitting mirror is not easy to make and the quantity is very small.
The price did not change, and the phenomenon of supply exceeding demand was not broken, and Guo Dajing earned an extra six thousand taels of silver.
"I'm afraid there will be more orders in the future." Lin Tianyou told Guo Dajing in advance to make him prepared. "My brother has sent people to build shops in the capital. There are many dignitaries there and they have a lot of money."
There are many rich people in the capital, including relatives, senior officials, eunuchs, tens of thousands of taels, no matter what.
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "The proficiency of the craftsmen is improving, and the output will grow steadily. However, things are rare and valuable, so it is still necessary to control the amount put on the market."
If the price remains unchanged, Guo Dajing also hopes to sell as much as possible. But that may not be the case, and the production of fitting mirrors cannot keep up.
Of course, craftsmen are becoming more and more proficient in the art of glass blowing, and the rolling method is constantly improving, so the increase in output is certain.
Lin Tianyou expressed his understanding and said: "Actually, the largest sales are small or medium-sized mirrors. After all, the price of fitting mirrors is not affordable by ordinary people."
Guo Dajing smiled and said: "The output of small and medium-sized mirrors can be guaranteed."
Lin Tianyou hesitated for a moment and asked carefully: "Will Jianlu come to attack Jinzhou again? My sister-in-law is here, she should be safe, right?"
Guo Dajing did not think too much and said truthfully: "In the middle of winter, it should be the time for the Jianlu to attack. Although I have full confidence in repelling the Jianlu, if you are worried, just leave a boat at the port.
"
Lin Tianyou thought for a while and did not make a decision immediately. He just nodded to express his understanding.
"It's just that you must not make it public and affect the morale of the people." Guo Dajing solemnly reminded: "Otherwise, given the relationship between Guo and your Lin family, it is inevitable that some people will suspect that you are taking the opportunity to leave a way out for your family."
"General Guo, don't worry." Lin Tianyou smiled and said, "General Guo has full confidence, so what do we have to worry about?"
Guo Dajing did have full confidence. Regardless of the firepower, military strength, and the solid defense line built, even if the captives came in full force, it would be difficult to crack the hard nut of Jinzhou.
Not only was he confident of defending Jinzhou, Guo Dajing also wanted to ask Mao Wenlong to mobilize all the troops from Pidao to deal a heavy blow to Jianlu and prevent him from thinking about attacking Jinzhou again.
After breaking up with Lin Tianyou, Guo Dajing returned to his store and saw the carriage for Mao Shen stopped at the door. After asking the waiter, he found out that Mao Shen was invited to be a guest, so he turned around and went to report to Mao Wenlong.
When they arrived at Mao's Mansion, the soldiers did not inform him, but directly led Guo Dajing to the study.
After knocking on the door and receiving Mao Wenlong's permission, Guo Dajing stepped forward and bowed to salute.
Mao Wenlong raised his head from the table, took off his spectacles, smiled, waved his hand, pointed to the chair, and motioned for Guo Dajing to sit down.
There are documents, pens and papers on the desk. It can be seen that Mao Wenlong is perfecting the big plan of "King Qin".
"Commander, I have met with the Lin family, the Japanese and the Xiyi, and there is no problem with the long-term supply of food, materials, arms and equipment." Guo Dajing took out the list and read it over without showing it to Mao Wenlong.
Mao Wenlong knew what Guo Dajing meant. As for the list, it included the quantity of the materials and the price. Guo Dajing didn't want to show off, nor did he want him to worry about funding.
After Guo Dajing finished reading, Mao Wenlong took a deep breath and said with a smile: "Dajing, thank you for your hard work. These arms, equipment, and food supplies are enough to become the driving force for the development of Dongjiang Town and the capital to defeat Jianlu."
"Moreover, it is a long-term and stable supply." Mao Wenlong's eyes were soft, admiring and kind, "Dongjiang Town has nothing to worry about, and I don't have to worry either!"
No amount of words, no matter how beautiful the vocabulary, cannot accurately describe Guo Dajing's contribution to Dongjiang Town.
Only two food and salary cuts were cut off, Dongjiang Town was not defeated, and people did not even starve to death. This was a result that Mao Wenlong never expected.
What's more, Dongjiang Town has undoubtedly ranked first among the Ming armies in all towns in terms of weapons and equipment, which makes Mao Wenlong even more incredible.
It can be said that the current Dongjiang Town is missing anyone, including him, Mao Wenlong. But without Guo Dajing, the sources of grain, grass, supplies, arms and weapons will be cut off.
The muskets are sharp enough, but they also require gunpowder and lead bullets, especially the cannons. What is more important is food. Can the hungry soldiers and civilians still compete with the Jianlu?
Guo Dajing bowed and said: "The general estimates that it will take about a month to modify the muskets. The artillery can be deployed at Nanguan first, and then be equipped with the navy after the Jianlu are defeated."
"It depends on your arrangement." Mao Wenlong stroked his beard and smiled, and said: "In one month, more than four thousand muskets can be modified. The production and manufacturing capabilities of the workshop have been strengthened!"
Guo Dajing said: "It all depends on the support of the commander-in-chief. Now the craftsmen in Dongjiang Town are basically concentrated in Dalian, and many more have been recruited. After the overall division of labor, the production efficiency has been greatly improved."
The speed of manufacturing depends not only on the number of manpower, but also on tools, as well as the scientific management of production processes and processes.
The reason why overall planning and division of labor has become a science is enough to show its importance in production.
Now, after the arsenal has been expanded and subdivided, it is not difficult to transform more than a hundred muskets every day if we concentrate our efforts.
If you are making muskets, with the help of upgrading drill bits and other tools, you can reach more than thirty guns per day.
This is the production rate when the production of other weapons and ammunition continues, but only part of the output is reduced. If all efforts are devoted to modification or building, the quantity will increase.
But this is also the current limit. If the total population cannot increase, the proportions of the military, workers, and farmers cannot be adjusted or changed significantly.
After all, those who fight, those who produce, and those who plant and farm, all are indispensable. There must be a balanced state in order to develop well.
In response to Guo Dajing's compliment, Mao Wenlong just shook his head, opened the battle plan, and began to continue discussing with Guo Dajing.
Since it was a possible action plan, although Mao Wenlong still preferred a safe battle, he still worked hard to improve the plan.
Whether it can be used depends on the development of the actual situation, but being unprepared is short-sighted. Since Guo Dajing has a way to solve the difficulties in the plan, Mao Wenlong no longer has too many worries.
At the same time, Mao Wenlong also agreed with Guo Dajing's point of view. The balance of strength between the enemy and ourselves is to weaken the enemy and to develop and strengthen ourselves.
One thing disappears and the other rises, just like a seesaw. The purpose of "King Qin's" battle is to weaken the enemy and prevent the captives from gaining population, money and materials, and decline in the great famine.
"I have already seen the power of muskets and artillery. If we follow your estimated production and purchase rate, we will be able to reach an equipment rate of 70% to 80% by the middle of next year."
Mao Wenlong drew his hand on the map and said: "In this case, 20,000 troops can almost defend Jinzhou. Dongjiang Town can mobilize the 30,000 troops you need to launch the 'King Qin' operation."
The prerequisite for King Qin's action was that Jianlu took a detour to enter the pass. In this case, the Jianlu who stayed behind basically lost the ability to take the initiative to attack Jinzhou.
Therefore, Mao Wenlong believed that 20,000 men and horses were enough. According to the army expansion plan, each support was 12,000, and with the cavalry included, there was basically no problem with more than 50,000.
Guo Dajing nodded vigorously and said with confidence: "Commander, you are still stuck in the impression you had at the beginning of the year. When Jianlu attacks again in the middle of winter, you will eventually see an even more fierce and fierce defensive counterattack. Twenty thousand troops are enough to withstand Jianlu.
Capture the entire army."
"Then I will wait and see." Mao Wenlong said with a smile: "Although you always have some fantastic ideas, such as this 'King Qin' battle, I know that you are not reckless."
Guo Dajing had no objection to this and said: "The general does not like to take risks and rarely does things that are uncertain."
Mao Wenlong stroked his beard and said slowly: "On a long-distance expedition, food and grass supplies are the most important. Of course, not in enemy areas, villages and towns along the way will receive this supply. The rest is artillery and ammunition. If they are all carried with the army, I am afraid it will
It became a heavy burden.”
Guo Dajing said confidently: "At the end of the day, we will make arrangements in advance to dismantle some of the weapons and secretly store them in a town warehouse not far from the target in the name of commercial goods. As for the ammunition, they will also be disguised and stored in the same way.
"
"There is also a new weapon called rocket, which is light and flexible. The general is also planning to use it in the 'King of Qin' operation. Jianlu took a detour to enter the pass. He should be riding fast and lacks equipment. The general is not planning to carry too many weapons.
Heavy weapons, muskets and rockets are basically the same. We also carry some light Franco aircraft with the army..."
Mao Wenlong chuckled and said: "You have already thought it through very carefully, and I have also written in all my supplements. It is up to you to arrange the 'King Qin' plan, wait for the opportunity before taking action!"
Timing is the most critical, preparation is also essential.
Although Mao Wenlong made many predictions that Jianlu might take a detour to enter the customs, he could not make an accurate judgment on whether this possibility would become a reality.
But he agreed with Guo Dajing's basis for action. According to intelligence, Jianlu was short of food and supplies, and there was no good way to solve it.
If the Jianqi invaders launch a large-scale invasion this winter but fail to achieve their goals, the massive consumption of food and grass supplies will inevitably worsen the Jianqi's difficult situation.
A great famine is very likely to occur, and even defeating the Jianlu attack will speed up the process.
"Now, the top priority is to prepare for war with all our strength." After Mao Wenlong handed over the responsibility to Guo Dajing, he also talked about Guo Dajing's plan to turn from defense to offense next year. "Tomorrow, after the spring warms and the flowers bloom, you will attack Zhenjiang. How many points will it be?
Calculate?"
Guo Dajing pondered for a moment and said: "If Jianlu is still deployed as it is now, there will be a 70% to 80% certainty that we will be able to break through Zhenjiang and annihilate all Jianlu who are guarding the city."