As soon as Kou Zhun stepped into the workshop, the first thing he saw was the barrel-shaped object placed in the open space.
This object is completely black and about five feet long. Under the reflection of the sun, it exudes a metallic luster.
It looks like it should be made of iron.
If anyone familiar with the history of the Ming Dynasty is present, they will definitely recognize what the black and thick thing in front of them is.
Improved Folan cannon.
During the Jiajing period, the Folan cannon was introduced to China from Portugal. Later, on the basis of the Folan cannon, Daming firearms experts made improvements.
"Kou Qing, come and take a look."
Li Jie stood in front of the cannon and waved to Kou Zhun. Just now, he had already roughly inspected the cannon body.
Although he did not see the test firing with his own eyes, based on his experience, he judged that this object was a qualified weapon.
Kou Zhun followed his instructions and came to the cannon. Seeing his eagerness to try, Li Jie smiled.
"This object is called the Invincible General Cannon. It is about five feet four in length and weighs about five or six hundred kilograms. It can be placed on either a carriage or a ship."
"When launched, the sound shook the ground, and the force reached seven to eight hundred steps. Even though there were thousands of people, they couldn't stop it!"
To be fair, this artillery is not considered advanced. In terms of technological level, it is about the same as the artillery of the 14th century. In the eyes of future generations, it is definitely an antique.
But looking at the current world, there is no doubt that this is scorpion shit, the only one!
It wouldn't be a big deal if ten or eight gates were placed on a sea-going ship to span the four seas.
If it is used in land warfare, and combined with the new God Arm Crossbow, it will not be a problem all the way to the hinterland of Khitan.
Hearing this description, Kou Zhun was stunned for a moment.
Is it really that powerful?
He didn't quite believe it.
Is it too exaggerated to say that everyone is unstoppable?
"Edict, five days later, the invincible general's cannon will be tested at the school grounds outside the city. All attendants and above will come to visit."
"Please keep this in mind."
Liu Maoqin bowed slightly and wrote down this matter.
Even though the prime minister is right in front of you, you still have to go through the process.
Immediately afterwards, Li Jie took Kou Zhun to visit the gunpowder prison. During the process, he also solved several minor problems.
By the time we left, the sun was already setting slightly in the west.
After a while, the group returned to Chengming Hall again.
"Zhang Qing, I will take care of all the regulations for handing over affairs."
"Your memorial is quite impressive."
"Of course, the storage fee is a little high."
"One out of twenty is a more reasonable value."
Zhang Dexiang originally set a charging standard of about 8%, which is also the general level in the market.
This pricing is not wrong.
But the layout is a little bit smaller.
Li Jie's purpose in promoting Jiaozi is not to collect storage fees.
Promoting the commodity economy is his ultimate goal.
As the economy flourishes, more business taxes will be collected.
Compared with that small profit, business tax is the big one.
After commenting on the cost, Li Jie continued.
"In addition, the suggestions submitted by Zhang Qing are a bit too conservative."
"Two years!"
"Two years from now, I want every state capital to have a Jiaoziwu station."
Three to five years is too long.
Although Zhang De seems to be an official, his political style is still a bit too conservative.
Today, the Song Dynasty has almost no foreign troubles.
Why not take a bigger step?
The Song Dynasty is no longer what it used to be.
Zhang Dexiang obviously did not adapt to this change. Not only him, but most officials in the court also did not change.
"I obey the decree."
With such a powerful monarch in front of him, what else could Zhang Dexiang do besides obeying his words?
However, it is not completely without benefits if the official family becomes stronger.
At least you don't have to worry about what to do.
As long as you follow the official's instructions, if there is an accident, you will receive less blame.
certainly.
Those power-hungry ministers definitely don't like a strong monarch.
But Zhang Dexiang is not that kind of person at all.
The Kou Zhun of the past was, but that was only the past.
…
…
…
Xingzhou.
Xixia Palace.
clang!
The wine glass made of pure gold fell on the wooden board, making a dull sound.
Li Deming's mouth opened slightly, and he looked at the waiter in front of him in shock.
Did the Khitan cede Jinfu, Zhuozhou, and Yizhou to the Song Dynasty?
impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
Even though he knew that the other party did not dare to deceive him, Li Deming still felt unbelievable.
The news of the Khitan's defeat was already hard for him to accept.
Cut off territory?
Simply ridiculous!
However, this is indeed the case, and he cannot help but not believe it.
The powerful Khitan has been defeated, how should the Xiazhou Li family deal with it?
Accepting soil and becoming a subject?
Li Deming didn't mind being called a vassal or something like that. Not only did he not mind, he was eager to call himself a vassal.
Anyway, he just bowed his head and admitted his mistake. It's not like he's never done it before.
There is no shame in the weak and relying on the strong.
Especially after the salt ban was implemented in the Song Dynasty, the life in the Li family in Xiazhou became worse day by day.
Without the large Song Dynasty, the green and white salt produced in Xixia was almost unsaleable.
Although some can still be smuggled into the Song Dynasty, that amount is just a drop in the bucket.
Half a moment.
Li Deming thought that he could first send a letter of provocation to the Song Dynasty to test the intentions of the Song Dynasty's monarchs and ministers.
Previously, the reason why Li Deming did not publish it was mainly because he was worried about the Khitan side.
But now, there is no need to worry too much.
After the Khitan suffered such a huge defeat, how could they still think about taking care of the Li family in Xiazhou?
Besides, Xiazhou Dangxiang is not a fool.
It is a fact that it cannot defeat the Song Dynasty, and it is also a fact that it cannot defeat the Khitan.
But there is a difference between being defeated and being defeated.
The former is now powerless to fight back.
The latter, even if it fails, can still take a piece of flesh from the opponent's body.
Li Deming believed that the Khitan emperor should be able to understand the situation clearly.
When that time comes, the most that can be done is to condemn and condemn in name only, but there should be no substantive actions.
Thinking of this, Li Deming immediately made up his mind.
Pay tribute!
Promise!
A two-pronged approach!
If these two measures have no effect, the matter of accepting soil is not beyond negotiation.
Now, Xiaoguan has been controlled by the Song army. With this magnificent pass in hand, the land around Quwu Mountain and Tiandu Mountain is already in the pocket of the Song Dynasty.
In other words, as long as the Song Dynasty is willing to send troops, this land will be included in the territory of the Song Dynasty sooner or later.
Instead of passively waiting for the Song Dynasty to encroach, it is better for a strong man to cut off his wrist and directly give this land to the Song Dynasty.
I can’t bear to let the child catch the wolf!
As long as the Song Dynasty is willing to lift the salt ban, it is not impossible to negotiate that all the land west of the Hulu River will be dedicated to the Song Dynasty.
After all, this land is not a fertile and rich place for the Li family.
Moreover, without this area, the Xiazhou Li family can still use the ancient Great Wall-Hulu River as a line of defense to resist possible invasions.