He can travel thousands of miles with his sword, but his tiny body dares to speak a word.
I was once a guest of Daliang, and I have lived up to my kindness.
——"Reply to the Governor of Wuling" Wang Changling [Tang Dynasty]
…
After the drill, Bai Fu, surrounded by the craftsmen, stood on the high platform and made a concluding speech.
Bai Fu said to the craftsmen: "Everyone, to be honest, I have an eye-opener today. The weapons you designed, whether it is convenient controllability or amazing lethality, are far superior to the ordnance deployed by the main force of the Tang army.
When it comes to how to improve, I have two suggestions:
First of all, try to improve the efficiency of the mechanical transmission device and reduce the number of manpower to control the crossbow. On the battlefield, manpower is in short supply, so save one if you can.
Secondly, regarding the cost of weapon manufacturing, we must find ways to reduce costs.
If a local battle evolves into a protracted war, the competition will be attrition! Whoever consumes less personnel and equipment will be more likely to survive and win the final victory.
Taking the siege of Suiyang as an example, in the absence of external reinforcements, waste was used on the battlefield to quickly repair damaged weapons; and based on the opponent's offensive strategy, weapons were designed to defeat the enemy. Both of these points are
If you do this, you will be the best among craftsmen and the master among masters."
Zhang, the prefect of Suiyang, patrolled the city and was very resourceful. The craftsmen experienced it personally in the secret realm of the military domain and deeply believed it.
After saying the words of praise and praise, the expression on Bai Fu's face changed from joy to solemnity. He said to Ma Daifeng, Li Jin and other craftsmen: "
This batch of weapons has been successfully developed, and it’s time to invite His Majesty to observe the military exercise. After His Majesty’s decree gives permission, mass production can be carried out and equipped with the army.
Once the military exercises are made public, all civil and military officials will know the strength of our Ordnance Supervisor.
All the drawings and craftsmen related to these weapons are the top secrets of our Tang Dynasty military circles!
From today on, you can no longer live in the Ordnance Prison. I will find a secret place to protect you and continue to develop new weapons.
For your family members, I will also arrange for personnel to move them elsewhere and protect them secretly. Until the end of the counter-rebellion, you will no longer be able to see your family members or even exchange letters.
You must also be mentally prepared. Although you have worked hard to invent these peerless weapons, no one in this world knows your names and contributions except His Majesty and a few important ministers. Your files and ultimatums will be destroyed together.
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Only after you pass away will your deeds be known to the world, and your names on the weapons will be worshiped by future generations!
Or perhaps, what later generations will worship is just a code name, and the true name of a generation of great craftsmen will be forever lost in the annals of history..."
Everyone was silent, everyone knew what this meant.
Ma Daifeng was the first to speak, with a calm tone. He replied to Bai Bai: "Sir, I originally came here to get promoted and make a fortune, and to glorify my family. But today, I understand the true meaning of anonymity to the Tang Dynasty, my family and myself.
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Since we want to remain anonymous, then send us to Heyang. Only by visiting the battlefield in person can we truly compare the quality and inferiority of the weapons of the enemy and ours.
In addition, I ask for a poison pill used by spies. If I unfortunately fall into the hands of the rebels, I will swallow the poison pill and carry the secret with my smile!
Live as a Tang Dynasty person and die as a Tang Dynasty ghost!"
"Be born as a Tang Dynasty person, and die as a Tang Dynasty ghost!" The craftsmen's eyes were determined and their voices were firm.
The oath was made silently, under the shining starlight, the thin and wrinkled faces soaked in mud and sweat were simple and unpretentious, indifferent and calm...
Zi Chexi broke the silence, his eyes were bright, and he said to Bai Fu: "Leave their safety to me. As long as I am here, no spies can hold them hostage."
Zi Che's magic skills are unpredictable and he will do what he says. He has been Taifu Xu's personal bodyguard until now. With his protection, these craftsmen will be safe and sound.
Bai Fu held Zi Che's hand tightly and felt greatly relieved.
…
After more than ten days, after everything was settled, Bai Fu invited Suzong to observe these new weapons.
Suzong went happily and led a group of courtiers to the ordnance inspection range.
The soldiers demonstrated one by one the meteor repeating crossbow, the double-bow winch crossbow, the three-bow eight-oxen giant crossbow and other bed crossbows and their matching crossbow arrows.
All civil and military officials were shocked on the spot, impressed by the incredible lethality of these weapons. The courtiers whispered to each other and were full of praise.
Bai Fu said to Suzong: "Your Majesty, the above demonstrations are all about city defense and the crossbows used to destroy siege equipment. Next, we are going to demonstrate to you the crossbows used to deal with cavalry charges."
The herald waved the order flag, and two mules pulled out a crossbow chariot. Usually the chariot would only carry one crossbow, but this crossbow chariot actually had sixteen crossbows!
The bed crossbow launcher is in the shape of an I, divided into upper and lower layers, staggered and densely packed like a honeycomb. There are eight crossbows on each layer, and a single salvo can fire sixteen crossbow arrows.
Bai Fu said: "This kind of crossbow can be fixed on the city wall to defend the city, or it can be carried on a chariot and placed in the battle formation to deal with the charge of the rebel cavalry.
The sixteen bed crossbows use a mechanical winch with interlocking gears. Ten soldiers work together to winch the winch, and the sixteen bed crossbows can be wound at the same time.
Two loaders step on the pedals and can load two layers of crossbow arrows in six clicks. The crossbow shooter adjusts the launch angle according to the scale on the "Wangshan" and aims at the target.
This kind of multi-barreled crossbow has fast firing speed, strong firepower and good surprise ability. It can fire a large number of arrows in a very short time and destroy the enemy's dense army in a large area. It is specially designed to restrain cavalry charges and suppress enemy firepower on the battlefield.
, destroy the fortifications.”
Suzong tied his long beard with his hands and kept nodding.
Bai Fu continued: "However, although this kind of crossbow chariot has great firepower, it also has one biggest shortcoming, that is, its accuracy is not high."
Guo Ziyi, the Duke of Dai, asked: "Master Bai, when the two armies are fighting, the accuracy is not high, wouldn't it have a great impact?"
Bai Fu nodded and said: "What your Majesty said is true. We have also demonstrated this point repeatedly.
When several craftsmen designed it, they positioned it as a large-scale destructive weapon, using the number of arrows lost to make up for accuracy.
It is not used to destroy a certain point, but to cover the entire area with firepower. What is needed is shock and momentum!
On the battlefield, time is life. It takes one finger snap to fire a volley, while the rebel crossbow only needs six finger snaps to shoot three to five arrows.
One stick of incense, that is, thirty finger snaps, it takes the rebel catapult to throw a huge stone.
Before the rebels' arrow stones were thrown out, we had already finished the attack, leaving no time for the rebel soldiers to react or escape.
Instead of bombarding slowly for an hour, it would be better to pour thousands of arrows onto the rebel positions in just one stick of incense, and achieve a quick victory.
Furthermore, as long as the number of missing arrows is enough, accuracy is not a problem. One crossbow chariot may not be accurate, but what if there are ten or a hundred?"
Guo Ziyi is also a veteran who has been on the battlefield for a long time. He deeply agrees with this and is full of expectations for the firepower effect of the crossbow tank.
…
At this time, the sun was setting and the sky was already dim. In order to enhance the demonstration effect, Bai Fu replaced the chisel arrows commonly used in crossbow chariots with cross-shaped iron spears filled with Menghuo oil.
After the iron spear is loaded, the loader pulls the handle, and the ignition component at the front of the crossbow hits the flint, quickly igniting the fuse on the iron spear.
Bai Fu gave an order, and the crossbowman hit the trigger with a sledgehammer to launch the multi-barreled crossbow. A dozen crossbow tanks opened fire at the same time!
"Swish, swish, swish", the sound of arrows flying through the air is endless. Just hearing the sound is extremely shocking.
When the iron spear passed through the sky, the fire oil in the spear was ignited by the fuse, and the tail flame lit up the night sky, like a meteor shower across the sky, which was beautiful.
The flying fire meteor instantly fell into the target position, the fire shot into the sky, the sound was huge, and it destroyed the world!
Suzong couldn't help but stood up and applauded. The officials were dumbfounded. They had never seen such a shocking and incredible weapon, and they even forgot to applaud.
Suzong Longyan was delighted. Bai Fu took advantage of the situation and said: "Your Majesty, heaven has sent a heavy weapon to protect the Tang Dynasty. Please also give your Majesty a name for this crossbow!"
Suzong raised his eyes and looked into the distance, full of pride, and said loudly: "When the thunder comes, it is so powerful. Who dares to take it? Let's call it the 'Wanjun Divine Crossbow'!"
All civil and military officials applauded and praised in unison: "Wanjun Divine Crossbow, bless our Tang Dynasty!"
…
Comment
The ancients described time: a cup of tea represents ten minutes, a stick of incense represents five minutes, one minute is represented by six snaps of the finger, one snap of the finger is represented by ten moments, and one snap is represented by one second.