Wang Gang took Emperor Zhao Xu and other ministers to the martial arts field outside the palace.
At this time, several dummies wearing armors had been erected on the martial arts field.
Wang Gang brought a pair of bows and arrows over and said to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, this is the new weapon that the Ministry of War has spent several years developing."
Zhao Xu took the bow and arrow and found nothing different, except that there was an extra bamboo tube-like thing in the middle of the arrow.
Zhu Quan couldn't help but mocked at this time: "Uncle Guo, you didn't bring us to see such an ordinary bow and arrow, did you?"
Wang Gang smiled confidently and said: "Master Zhu, don't be anxious, let me cover up the use of the new weapon for you."
While talking, Wang Gang took the bow and arrow, then asked everyone to stay away, then bent the bow and nocked an arrow, and shot an arrow at the middle dummy.
The dummy was shot with an arrow in the chest, which aroused everyone's curiosity, but after waiting for a long time, nothing special happened.
When Zhu Quan was about to laugh at Wang Gang, the dummy over there suddenly exploded. The huge sound shocked everyone. Except for Wang Gang, everyone subconsciously covered their ears and stepped back.
"Escort." Someone shouted, and a large group of guards rushed over to protect Zhao Xu.
Zhao Xu excitedly pushed away the guards and came to Wang Gang's side, his eyes fixed on the dummy that had just exploded.
At this time, the dummy had already been blown to pieces, and the surrounding dummies were also affected and were devastated.
"What kind of weapon is this and why is it so powerful?"
Zhao Xu was also a man who had led soldiers and immediately understood the significance of the new weapon in Wang Gang's hand.
"Your Majesty, this is the explosive arrow that the Ministry of War spent several years developing."
Wang Gang handed a new arrow to Zhao Xu and explained: "The explosive arrow contains gunpowder, and it will explode within five seconds after lighting the fuse."
"Explosion?!" Does Zhao Xu know what gunpowder is and what explosion is?
Wang Gang directly asked the craftsmen from the Ministry of War to come over, dismantle the explosive arrows, and explain them in detail to Zhao Xu.
Over the years, Wang Gang has been researching gunpowder regardless of the cost. He finally researched black gunpowder not long ago and produced the simplest gunpowder weapon - the flying explosive arrow.
The so-called flying explosive arrow is actually a clay grenade hung on the arrow.
Before the founding of the Northern Song Dynasty, rockets were actually developed and gunpowder was tied to the arrowheads to enhance their power.
It's just that the power of gunpowder at that time was very weak and was only suitable for water battles. It was of no use when encountering cavalry.
Wang Gang improved the explosive arrow based on the rocket, adjusted the dosage and proportion of gunpowder, and the power was more than ten times stronger.
It's not that Wang Gang doesn't want to develop muskets and artillery, but it's just that the current iron-making technology can't do it at all, so he can only use earthen grenades and bows and arrows.
However, Wang Gang packed a lot of tiny iron pieces into the explosive arrow's gunpowder. Once exploded, the iron pieces would scatter like a shotgun, and the power was not satisfactory.
"If such a magical weapon could be produced, wouldn't our army of the Song Dynasty be invincible?" Zhao Xu suddenly beamed with joy as he held the exploding arrow.
"Your Majesty, although the power of this explosive arrow is acceptable, it is not without its shortcomings." Wang Gang explained:
"Gunpowder is naturally afraid of water and will lose its effectiveness when it rains. It is extremely unstable and its transportation remains unchanged. Coupled with the lack of gunpowder production capacity, it will take some time for it to be fully used by the military."
Zhao Xu frowned and said, "Can't gunpowder touch water?"
Wang Gang nodded and said: "Gunpowder cannot be ignited once it is wet, and a flying arrow on a rainy day will be no different from an ordinary arrow, or even worse."
Due to the limitations of the technology of the times, even after several years of research by the Ministry of War, it was unable to improve the waterproofing problem of gunpowder.
"Although there are some shortcomings, if used properly, flying explosive arrows can also have the effect of surprising soldiers on the battlefield." Zhao Xu had led troops before and quickly realized the key point of the problem:
"With the power of the Song Dynasty, how many explosive arrows can we create in ten days?" Zhao Xu asked.
Wang Gang summed it up in his mind and replied: "With the current quantity of gunpowder in stock, we should be able to make 10,000 explosive arrows in ten days."
Zhao Xu rolled his eyes, thought for a while and said: "Chang Feng, if I give you ten thousand cavalry, equipped with flying arrows, can you attack Xixia?"
Wang Gang immediately clasped his fists and said: "I am willing to issue a military order. If I cannot defeat the Xia army, I am willing to raise my head to see you."
Zhao Xu laughed loudly and said, "Okay."
After the ministers saw the power of the exploding arrows, although they still had doubts in their hearts, they could not stop Zhao Xu from giving Wang Gang military power.
Zhao Xu immediately promulgated an imperial edict, conferring Wang Gang the title of General of Pingxi, and set out to support the British Duke ten days later.
At the same time, Zhao Xu also ordered Gu Tingye to lead 300,000 forbidden troops to support Yanmen Pass, vowing to hold off Daliao for three months to give Wang Gang time to attack Xixia.
After Hai Chaoyun learned that her husband was going on an expedition, he remained silent and silently packed his bags for Wang Gang.
"Official, don't worry when you go to war. I have everything at home. I will go back to visit the old lady from time to time." Hai Chaoyun buried all his worries in his heart.
Wang Gang felt a little guilty and said: "Madam, I know you don't want me to lead the troops in the war..."
Hai Chaoyun reached out and covered Wang Gang's mouth and said, "Official, I know your ambitions, and I also understand your determination to protect your family and country.
I am proud to have such a husband, and our children will be proud of his father."
Wang Gang was stunned and couldn't help but look at Hai Chaoyun's belly.
"Madam, you have it?" Wang Gang said happily.
Hai Chaoyun nodded and said, "I've asked the imperial doctor to check my pulse. It's the happy pulse."
Wang Gang was overjoyed and wanted to pick up Hai Chaoyun but was afraid of touching the child in his belly.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Wang Gang said, touching Hai Chaoyun's belly.
"I just confirmed it today. I wanted to give the officials a surprise." Hai Chaoyun said with a happy face.
The two had been married for many years and had no heirs. Wang Gang knew it was his fault, so he never urged Hai Chaoyun. However, Hai Chaoyun himself was very anxious and thought of taking a concubine for Wang Gang several times.
Fortunately, the clouds have finally cleared and the moon is shining brightly.
"Official, don't worry and go to war. My children and I will be fine and we will never be a burden to you." Hai Chaoyun said virtuously.
Wang Gang touched Hai Chaoyun's belly and said, "If it weren't for the fact that I was the only one who could use the flying explosive arrows well, I would really want to stay with you and your child."
Hai Chaoyun shook his head and said: "Don't worry, sir, I plan to go back to Sheng Mansion to stay for a few days. My grandmother and mother will take good care of me."
Wang Gang nodded and said: "I will say hello to the queen and ask her to send someone to take care of you more."
The couple stayed together all night, and the next day Wang Gang sent Hai Chaoyun to the Sheng Mansion and handed him over to Mrs. Sheng.
Most of the Sheng family supported Wang Gang's expedition. Only Lin Sushuang was worried about her son's safety and cried for a while.
Ten days later, the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of War jointly manufactured 10,000 explosive arrows and handed them to Wang Gang.
The military situation could not be delayed, so Wang Gang immediately ordered 10,000 cavalry and rushed to Qingzhou to join the British Duke.
In order to ensure the loss of gunpowder during transportation, Wang Gang secretly put all the explosive arrows into the golden finger space.
The ten thousand cavalry marched very fast, and with Zhao Xu's unstinting support, Wang Gang quickly arrived at Qingzhou and the British Gonghui Army.
Wang Gang didn't reminisce about old times with Mr. British too much, he just demonstrated it with a flying explosive arrow, and then Mr. British was overjoyed.
"With such a magical weapon, what should Xixia have to fear!" The British man was a soldier and understood the significance of exploding arrows on the battlefield better than Zhao Xu.
"My lord, the number of these explosive arrows is limited. The court can only produce 10,000 of them in a short period of time."
The British Duke thought carefully, then took Wang Gang's hand and said: "Sheng Shanda, the 300,000 troops of Xixia are gathered on Huanqing Road. The open terrain is not conducive to the use of explosive arrows."
Wang Gang understood what the British Crown Prince meant and said: "Does the Crown Prince want to lure the main Xixia army to a place with narrow terrain, and then use exploding arrows to cooperate with the geographical location to annihilate all 300,000 Xixia troops?"
The British public said, "Xi Xia has repeatedly offended our Song Dynasty. If we don't beat them up, there will never be peace on our border with the Song Dynasty!"
Wang Gang smiled and said: "My lord, you are the coach. It is up to you to decide how to fight this battle."
The British Duke was overjoyed. He was most afraid that Wang Gang would use his status as uncle to interfere in military affairs.
"Okay, Mr. Shanda, are you willing to be my vanguard general?"
Wang Gang smiled and said: "The British public still understands me."
"I know that you issued a military order to His Majesty, and I also understand that you came to Gyeongju this time to avenge you."
The corner of Wang Gang's mouth curled up, and the spear in his hand was already thirsty.
The Xixia army soon knew that a strong general was coming from the Song Dynasty. This strong general had the courage of King Xiang and the strength of Li Taibao. With a spear, no one could defeat him.
Wang Gang led the Pioneer Battalion to fight three consecutive games against Xixia, winning all three games without using a single exploding arrow.
According to the British public plan, Wang Gang's fierceness was first used to challenge the power of the Xixia army, and with two or three small victories, the main force of the Xixia army was slowly led to the Hulu Canyon west of Gyeongju.
The Hulu Canyon has complex terrain, narrow roads and many rocks, making it the easiest place to fight an ambush.
Wang Gang is a master of the Eight Great Spears, has twice the strength of a mortal, and has an innate sixth sense for danger. He is simply born for the battlefield.
The Xixia army was ambushed by Wang Gang many times. Although they were not injured, they were provoked to anger by Wang Gang and walked step by step towards the trap set by the British.
