The smoke has dissipated, leaving behind a miserable battlefield littered with corpses. The offensive and defensive battle around Chongshan County (now Chongzuo), the prefecture of Ningming Prefecture, has continued on the sixteenth day. In the face of the defense system of trenches and parapets,
The Qing army from Nanning suffered heavy losses and finally occupied the devastated and deserted county.
Sun Yanling and Ma Xiong's pushback and delay gave the Ming army time to gain a foothold; the lure of land and salt greatly expanded the Ming army; the new defense system killed a large number of Qing troops and also dampened the morale of the Qing army.
.Of course, the Qing army was composed of Sun and Ma. Each had its own agenda and was unwilling to use its own strength. This was also one of the reasons why the Qing army was unable to make progress.
The current occupation, to be precise, should be the voluntary abandonment of the Ming army. After achieving the purpose of delaying and killing the Qing army, the Ming army has already occupied Daqingshan to the west of Chongshan, as well as the Gongmushan Mountains and Shiwandashan Yu in the south.
veins and establish a solid blocking position.
The distant field of view was zoomed in through the telescope, and the perspective slowly changed. Wang Mabao of Ruyang observed it for a long time before putting down the telescope.
"Your Majesty, the rainy season is coming, and it's time for us to launch an offensive." He Jiuyi saw that Ma Bao had finished his observation, and then he said: "The Qing army has only 13,000 to 4,000 soldiers at full strength, and the green battalions cannot be used.
We only have seven or eight thousand to fight, so our army is not incapable of defeating them."
Ma Bao shook his head slightly and said: "To tire out the enemy and weaken the enemy, this is His Highness's plan. At the moment, we will not carry out a devastating blow to the Qing army in Guangxi and delay the intervention of the Qing army in Guangdong. When the navy is completed, it will be enough to contain Guangdong."
, we can show our strength. Otherwise, if our army defeats the Qing army in Guangxi, we will have to face the enemies of Guangdong again. This will be easy first and then difficult, which is not what His Highness wants."
He Jiuyi paused for a moment and said with a wry smile: "I guess we still have money and food difficulties. It is not easy to support such a big situation and your Highness does not treat the people harshly, but it is really not easy."
"Except His Highness, who has this talent?" Ma Bao said with emotion: "Being able to ensure the supply of military rations and adding equipment from time to time is incredible when you think about it. If you think deeply about His Highness' slow advance strategy, you will find the subtleties in it.
Firstly, it can train new soldiers and improve their combat effectiveness; secondly, it can paralyze the Qing army and make them unknowingly fall at a disadvantage; thirdly, it can coordinate the overall situation and facilitate our army to defeat them one by one."
"The general also thought of the fourth one, I don't know whether it is right or wrong?" He Jiuyi joked: "Looking at His Majesty's military use, there are always unpredictable plans. If we accumulate momentum now, we will make big moves in the future. We just need to wait for the opportunity."
"
"The timing? Not bad. You can use the power of heaven and earth to do unpredictable things and wait for the opportunity. This is what your highness is good at." Ma Baozuo suddenly seemed stunned and laughed: "I don't know where your highness wants to borrow your power to do this."
Thunder strike!"
"Could it be that the mountains and rivers are steep and the rainy season is approaching?" He Jiuyi smiled and guessed: "This is exactly what the new barbarian soldiers are good at. They have the temptation of killing the enemy and being rewarded. They can become tigers and wolves roaming the mountains and forests."
"The wolf soldiers are the most powerful in the world. This time we can catch a glimpse of the leopard." Ma Bao laughed loudly. He was full of confidence in the development of the war.
………………
The mountains and rivers are steep and the rainy season is coming. This is indeed what Zhu Yongxing wants to take advantage of, but it is not the whole reason. Accumulation is hard to achieve, but at present, it is not possible to accumulate a lot, so how can we make progress less?
You make more money, but you also have to spend more. Many things you have to do can only be arranged in order, urgent ones first, and slack ones later.
The third batch of mirrors has been sold, and the silver does not need to be transported back and forth at all, because it is spent as soon as it changes hands. Expand the scale of the arsenal and mint, purchase saltpeter, sulfur, grain...
Although large matchlocks were powerful, they were too bulky and could only be used against enemy forces on fixed positions, unable to provide sufficient and flexible firepower for infantry. By the end of the 16th century, the caliber of European muskets continued to shrink, gradually approaching the size of modern rifles.
.While sacrificing destructive power, it also created conditions for the popularization of muskets and completely reversed the proportion of musketeers and spearmen in the army.
Matchlock, flintlock, bayonet, or matchlock, bayonet, and flintlock, this is the trajectory of historical development. As early as fifty years ago, the Nordic Lion King Gustav required all musketeers to
Mounting bayonets on muskets created the first army in history to equip bayonets on a large scale. Although it did not show its due power, this was the general trend.
Zhu Yongxing didn’t understand that the flintlock was invented in 1547 by Mahan, a Frenchman who was born in a family of gunsmiths, locksmiths and watchmakers. It has now begun to be equipped with European armies. But why did the Qing Dynasty in history still not use it until the Opium War?
Using an ancient matchlock gun?
Putting away his thoughts, Zhu Yongxing carefully watched the French demonstrate the shooting of the flintlock. Mahan's invention of the flintlock won the French reputation in Europe; the Thirty Years' War enabled France to acquire Alsace and Lorraine.
And gained the status of European hegemon. However, due to the weakness of its naval power, France fell far behind in the pace of colonial expansion.
As a future enemy, Zhu Yongxing did not regard France as a strong enemy, so he had less worries about cooperating with France. Moreover, as the country most interested in the secrets of mirror manufacturing, Zhu Yongxing believed that the probability of the transaction being successful was quite high.
Suffering from money and wanting to equip the Ming army with flintlock guns, Zhu Yongxing had no choice but to break his previous plan and try to exchange technology for technology.
"Your Highness, the guns produced in our country are very high-quality. You have just seen it. You should be satisfied, right?" Frenchman Rene bowed to Zhu Yongxing and promoted his products confidently. "There is no problem with the purchase quantity. Our country's
The production capacity is fully capable of ensuring on-time supply.”
"The United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands have also made the same guarantee to me." Zhu Yongxing smiled lightly and said in the tone of a shrewd businessman: "The guns are all about the same, and even more expensive in some aspects.
The country is higher."
"This is impossible." Rene shook his head repeatedly with an expression of disbelief, "The flintlock gun was the first invention invented by our country and the first to be equipped with the army. It has also undergone many improvements. It is impossible for other countries to surpass it.
"
"That's not necessarily true, is it?" Zhu Yongxing waved his hand to the bodyguard behind him without revealing his voice.
The guard immediately took out the shotgun that Zhu Yongxing had brought from a later generation and showed it to Rene. Then he walked onto the field, loaded the ammunition, and then shot at the target from a longer distance.
"How?" Zhu Yongxing had a joking smile and raised his eyebrows at René and others who had finished checking the target. "This is the latest product produced by the UK. It has not yet been equipped with troops. Its performance is much better than that of your country!"
René and others had a look of shock on their faces. From the late reign of Louis XVI to the middle of the 18th century, Britain was France's opponent in many wars in Europe. The two sides competed for hegemony in Europe, as well as in India and the Middle East.
North America is competing for colonies. Of course, the French are interested in the information about their enemies. But Zhu Yongxing's personal guards have already put away their guns after the demonstration.
"Your Highness, we can still get a discount on the price." René thought for a while, continued to bargain, and discredited his competitors, "The British are cunning and untrustworthy. Such guns must be time-consuming and labor-intensive by skilled craftsmen.
It is not only expensive to build, but also impossible to mass-produce. The British are deceiving you."
Zhu Yongxing shook his head slightly and said: "I want to buy cheap and high-quality guns, but I also need the technology and craftsmen to produce guns. Both of these are indispensable. I have already said this. Since you can't meet such conditions
.Then I have no choice but to make this deal with other countries."
"Your Highness, please wait a moment. We need to discuss it." René hesitated for a moment, but was reluctant to give up this opportunity.
"Then hurry up, I'm very busy." Zhu Yongxing waved his hand impatiently, signaling René and others to discuss it quickly.
It is not unusual to hire foreign craftsmen to make guns. Nan Nguyen purchased artillery from the West through Macau and introduced a Portuguese gun-casting workshop in Hue. The Annan Zheng family also began to follow the Nguyen family and turned to pursue
The Dutch received military assistance to manufacture artillery and ships. Moreover, flintlock guns had already begun to be equipped in European armies, so they could not be called a secret technology. Zhu Yongxing felt that there was a high possibility that the French would agree to his conditions.
of.
The discussion did not take long. It seemed that Rene and others had also prepared a second or third set of negotiation plans. Like Zhu Yongxing, they all wanted to maximize their own interests.
"Your Highness, our country is willing to provide you with the craftsmen and technology for making guns, and to supply you with guns at preferential prices." Rene rolled his eyes and observed Zhu Yongxing's expression, "But please allow our country to make more
Build a coastal trade center near Guang."
Zhu Yongxing flatly refused. He knew the methods of the colonists very well. The coastal trade center was the tentacles of colonization. "Chai Guan has been renamed Saigon and will establish a commercial center for all nations. If your country is interested, you can settle in, but you must comply with our country's regulations."
various rules and regulations. In addition, I would like to remind you that the mirror manufacturing technology is only a project of our cooperation. Within a year, we will also manufacture mirrors exceeding four feet. If this transaction is successful, we will
We can share this technology together."
Due to the limitations of the glass blowing process, craftsmen at that time could not make large glass mirrors. Historically, it was not until more than twenty years later that molten glass was invented on a large iron table that large flat glass could be made.
The size of the glass mirror far exceeds the record of the Venetians who could only make a mirror of four feet.
Rene's eyes shone with greed. He turned around and discussed with his companions in low voices for a while. When he came back to Zhu Yongxing, he already had a bright smile.
"Your Highness, your wisdom and shrewdness have impressed us deeply, and your achievements will be limitless. Therefore, we agree to your terms and conclude this transaction as a testimony to enhance our friendship and affection."
Zhu Yongxing secretly breathed a sigh of relief, nodded with a smile, and said: "A good start means half the battle is won. I believe that the exchanges between our country and your country will become closer and closer as time goes by.
"
Three hundred flintlock muskets were purchased on credit in advance for training and testing purposes; the manufacturing technology of mirrors was exchanged for the manufacturing technology of flintlock muskets and the employment of related craftsmen, but mirrors made in France were not allowed to be sold in Asia for five years; France was given
There are certain tax concessions for goods, and it also gives France the convenience of setting up business stores in Saigon and Haiphong...
The French have long wanted to engage in Eastern trade, but among the European powers, they were the last country to compete with other European companies in business in the East. In order to revitalize the royal power, save expenses and reduce financial burdens, King Henry IV of France
Adopt policies to reward industry and commerce, subsidize foreign trade merchants, and propose to establish the French East India Company to look for opportunities to expand to Southeast Asia.
However, the situation in Southeast Asia is quite complicated. Countries such as Portugal, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom are fighting openly and covertly around colonial interests, and even fighting. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands are fighting for colonial interests in Siam. After the Netherlands expelled Portugal's influence in Siam, it was jealous of the United Kingdom.
In the power of Siam, mainland monarchies such as Burma and Cambodia hired Portuguese desperado adventurers as soldiers, but these mercenaries attempted to usurp power in Burma and Cambodia, thus arousing xenophobic sentiments in these countries.
France is already one step behind other colonial countries, and is far inferior to the Netherlands and Britain in terms of power. Although it has ambitions, it has not made much progress. Therefore, France is very enthusiastic about this cooperation with the Ming Dynasty. This is not only because of the Ming army
Having coastal defense and occupying Chaigun, the French also took Zheng Chenggong's maritime power into consideration. Of course they did not understand the subtle relationship between the various forces in the Ming Dynasty, and regarded Zhu Yongxing as the regent and Zheng Chenggong as his general.
Of course, we must obey Zhu Yongxing's orders.
Zhu Yongxing first considered how to strengthen the army and defeat the Manchus as soon as possible, and then how to deal with the Western colonists. Moreover, in Zhu Yongxing's future plan, the primary Western enemies should be Spain, which is declining, and Portugal, which is more like a pirate.
.Then came the Netherlands, and finally Britain and France fought a long war for maritime supremacy.
It has always been Zhu Yongxing's habit to cooperate with the weaker party and obtain the maximum benefit from it. And with knowledge that transcends the times, he can strictly adhere to certain principles and avoid falling into the trap of Western colonists.
"This kind of gun is too expensive." The agreement was basically reached, and Zhu Yongxing turned his attention to several types of guns brought by the French. Among them was a rifled gun, which really surprised him.
"This is a gift for His Highness." René diligently called over a legal person and demonstrated it to Zhu Yongxing again.
Historically, there were spiral rifled guns as early as 1476. However, due to the high cost of making rifles and the inconvenience of loading ammunition from the muzzle, the armies of various countries did not have the equipment, and they were mostly kept as expensive private collections.
Taste.
If improvements are not made to the bullet, it is indeed not suitable for use on the battlefield. Zhu Yongxing couldn't help grinning as he watched the Frenchman knock the purge bar with a hammer and smash the bullet into the gun chamber. Although the rifled gun has a smooth bore in terms of range, accuracy and power
Guns have incomparable advantages, but they have not been popular for a long time. In addition to cost, this is probably the most important reason.