It didn't take much trouble, and the matter of going to Lanzhou was implemented. Qin Mubai pondered for a while, and immediately began to make intensive preparations.

Going into battle without leaving the father and son soldiers, going to Lanzhou to assist Daddy in the frontier should be more meaningful than staying in Xiangzhou. Moreover, in the current situation, the emperor is going to increase the control of the princes, and it is not a good thing to have too close contacts with Li Ke after all. Perhaps, it won't be long before the major event of abolishing the prince will be officially put on the agenda. At this time, staying in the imperial capital court is also eventful.

Leaving Chang'an for Lanzhou is indeed a good choice.

Qin Mubai was somewhat grateful to Li Shimin in his heart. He selected Qin Mubai to be sent to the border pass to further study gold plating in this eventful autumn, firstly because he was deliberately cultivating, and secondly, it was also out of protection.

"What a good future father-in-law! When we go to the border, we have to do something. The Tibetan barbarians actually dare to beat my Gaoyang baby's idea, see how I clean them up when the time comes! Qin Mubai thought about it in his heart.

In the past two days, Qin Mubai has also shuttled between the palace and the temple and his home. It seems to be busy, but it is actually very idle. As soon as he returned to the imperial capital, the official position in Xiangzhou was still hanging, and the new letter of appointment had not yet come down, and now he was close to a loose official.

With this free time, he can comfortably do many things he wants. When he returned to Beijing, he handed over Qin Shi, a scholar who was fiddling with gunpowder, to Tu Youhai of the Zuo School Office. The two of them returned to the prison and worked day and night to make the five sons of the divine thunder and the red-clothed cannon according to Qin Mubai's instructions.

The craftsmen and equipment that will be supervised are much more professional and complete than the temporary small workshop in Xiangzhou. Within a few days, several tubes of the Five Sons Divine Thunder were successfully completed, and a small red-clothed cannon was also completed.

Tu Youhai and Qin Shi came to Qin Mubai together to report the matter. Qin Mubai was happy in his heart, and immediately entered the palace to ask to see the emperor.

With this secret weapon, is it difficult to make a contribution in Lanzhou? But for such a major event, it is better to inform the emperor to know. Li Shimin's personality is like this, big and small things are easy to discuss, but he just doesn't like his courtiers to hide from him.

Li Shimin naturally just saw the drawings of the five-fingered divine thunder and the red-clothed cannon, looked at it in confusion for a long time, and asked in confusion: "Mu Bai, what is this?" ”

Qin Mubai briefly introduced the usefulness and origin of these two things, and said: "Your Majesty, looking at the world, this thing is unique, and it is my Tang Dynasty's monopoly. The reason why the Tibetans were arrogant and rude mostly relied on their cavalry. Although I am not afraid of the infantry and combat of Datang, it is inevitable that there will be heavy losses. If there is something to help defend the city, it is really a man who is invincible, and he will be invincible first. In this way, how much manpower and material resources should be saved! Moreover, if it is said that destroying the city and pulling out the village, it is far better than the cloud ladder; set up an ambush to cover up and kill, but the victory was full of fire arrows. ”

Li Shimin was both surprised and shocked when he heard this: "In this way, this is a big murderous thing!" ”

"That's true." Qin Mubai nodded, "The sword is double-edged, and the soldier is a murder weapon, it has always been like this." ”

"It makes sense." Li Shimin is an immediate emperor, who has experienced the battle and is diligent in using troops, and he is magnificent. If you are a cowardly and suspicious emperor, the first thing you will think about is 'Will you bomb the imperial city with this plaything?'"

Fortunately, Li Shimin will not. Qin Mubai also dared to offer this thing.

"So, I really want to see it!" Li Shimin said, "Is there a ready-made thing? ”

"Yes!" Qin Mubai was overjoyed in his heart, "If Your Majesty wants to watch, choose a deserted, quiet and sparsely populated place, so as not to accidentally injure people and animals." ”

Li Shimin pondered for a moment and nodded: "Tomorrow, in Xiao'anlin, thirty miles north of the Xuanwu Gate of Daming Palace, there used to be the royal garden at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain, which is now deserted and sparsely populated. ”

"Yes, Wechen obeys!"

The next day, Li Shimin came to Xiaoanlin with a team of guards. Qin Mubai, Tu Youhai, Qin Shi and others have already prepared and are waiting here.

Li Shimin first glanced at the red-clothed cannon, and was amazed when he saw it. Listening to Qin Mubai explain the origin, production and power of this cannon, etc., he, a military commander who has been using soldiers for half his life, couldn't help but be quite surprised. He said: "If this thing is really as powerful as you say, from today onwards, Datang's military strength should be raised by several layers. As a result, the war of swords, guns, swords, and halberds will also change. ”

"Your Majesty." Qin Mubai hugged his hands and said, "But this thing also has a lot of drawbacks." He is quite cumbersome and expensive to make, and although he can be dragged on a cart or horse, it is difficult to carry it in rain or snow or muddy roads. Therefore, for the time being, it can only be limited to defending, ambushing, or besieging cities. Moreover, it was not possible to manufacture it in large quantities for a while, and it was not easy to train soldiers who were proficient in handling it for shooting. ”

Li Shimin smiled slightly: "That's all for later-try to show me first!" ”

"Yes! Please retreat from your majesty! ”

After the preparations were made, Tu Youhai and Qin Shi were responsible for firing the cannons, and the target was a pile of rubble two hundred steps away. The reason why this distance was chosen was because the maximum range of the Datang Jin Crossbow was one hundred and fifty steps.

The loud sound of "boom-" shocked Li Shimin, the emperor who did not change in the face of the collapse of Mount Tai, and raised his hand to hide his face.

"It's so exciting!" He took a breath and exclaimed.

Ahead, a large hole had been blasted out of the pile of rubble, and stone chips were flying in the sky, and the surrounding area was already a scorched earth.

Li Shimin personally stepped forward to check, and then looked back at the swarthy barrel, and his heart was a little chilling.

"If this is a blow to the centaurs, they will be instantly powdered!" He said, "Mu Bai, it is indeed appropriate to use it against the cavalry of Tibet. But if a foreigner obtains this thing, it will not be a major threat to my Datang. ”

"Your Majesty." Qin Mubai hugged his fists and said, "Weichen is foolish, if you are worried that others will learn this thing and pose a threat to my Datang, it is no different from giving up food because of choking. However, my Datang treats the world with openness and tolerance, when has I cherished myself? Aren't our excellent techniques such as armor, papermaking, calendars, and medicine all unreservedly passed on to foreign Zhuhu? Gunpowder and cannons originated from my Tang Dynasty. They can be imitated, but they are never allowed to be surpassed by them. How we do it is up to us. ”

"That makes sense!" Li Shimin laughed, "This theory coincides with what I think in my heart!" Well said! It can be imitated, not surpassed. The way to do this is not to cherish ourselves and watch the sky, but to continuously improve and strengthen ourselves, so as to maintain the leading and outstanding! This is also the essence of my Datang's prestige over the four seas and the leaders of Wanbang. Mu Bai, you have such foresight, I am very relieved! ”

Qin Mubai smiled slightly, and arched his hand: "Your Majesty, Weichen is proud to be a Tang man!" ”

"Oh, how do you say?" Li Shimin asked with a smile.

"Because we are open, inclusive, confident, and strong!" Qin Mubai said word by word, "In the future, it will be even stronger!" ”

"Haha!" Li Shimin laughed loudly, "If the subjects of the world are like you Qin Mubai, why worry that the Tang Dynasty is not thriving?" - Five-Fingered Divine Thunder and Red-Coated Cannon, I have allowed you to build it, and I will also secretly order the Ministry of Finance and the Commander-in-Chief Weapons Department to assist you! However, you should be cautious of this terrible thing. Try it out in Lanzhou first, and watch it take effect. ”

"Yes! Thank you for your trust! Qin Mubai gratefully clasped his fists and bowed.

At this moment, Qin Mubai was really happy. Fortunately, he traveled to the open and inclusive Zhenguan Tang Dynasty and met an enlightened, confident and far-sighted king. In other words, in the Manchu Qing Dynasty, which was closed to the country and Yelang's arrogance, he himself and these so-called inventions may be the epitome of a tragedy.

"If you say trust...... Li Shimin smiled slightly and patted Qin Mubai's shoulder, "I have always been suspicious of people, and I am not suspicious of employing people." Not to mention that you are Shubao's son and my son-in-law. In other words, any official will be the colonel, and I will treat them equally. Actually, maybe I should really worry about whether one day someone will use this thing to bombard the imperial city indiscriminately. But after thinking about it, if such things happen, with or without the five-fingered divine thunder and the red-clothed cannon, the ending will be the same. Therefore, I was relieved. ”

Qin Mubai couldn't help but smile: "Your Majesty Shengming." This explosive and cannon are actually the same as the saber hanging on Weichen's waist. If you can kill people because you have a knife, will you ban a knife in the world? In this way, it is really a waste of food due to choking. However, at least Wechen won't do such a big rebellious thing. Because, there are Weichen's relatives in the imperial city, and it is also Weichen's home. How can you destroy your home? ”

"Haha!" Li Shimin laughed heartily, walked back with Qin Mubai's shoulder, and said in a good mood, "Among my many sons-in-law, you are the only one who is the most capable." Mu Bai, I went to Lanzhou to assist your father. A brave hero like him who has taken the rank of general in a million-strong army is somewhat arrogant. I never worried about marching and fighting, but I was afraid that his righteousness would slip away for a while. In fact, I wanted to send a competent person to assist him, but I have never found him. Thinking about it, there is really only you, the Qin family Saburo, who is the most suitable. I thought your Father should be able to hear you. ”

Qin Mubai nodded: "Your Majesty rest assured." If Weichen goes to Lanzhou, he must do his best to assist his father and make him impregnable. ”

"Well, that's not enough." Li Shimin said as if gossiping, "Yesterday you also heard the conversation between me and Wei Gong. Lanzhou is an important strategic location for the military state. I not only want it to be solid as a rock, but also to retreat, defend and attack. Whether it is the impeachment of Tuyuhun or the future of the Western Regions, they are all counting on Lanzhou! ”

"Yes! Wechen understands! Qin Mubai hugged his fists.

Li Shimin nodded and smiled with satisfaction, and patted Qin Mubai's shoulder: "I have confidence in you!" Don't let me down! ”

The emperor has passed this level!

As soon as the secret decree arrived, Qin Mubai immediately invited the squire in charge of the household finances and some officials who would be the supervisors to secretly discuss the matter of Fan Zhu's cannon.

The imperial court has already sent the official Shangshu Hou Junji to lead the army south to Xishu and go to Songzhou to meet the Tubo people who entered the Kou. I believe that it will not be long before the army to reinforce Lanzhou will also set off. Due to the limited time, Qin Mubai decided not to cast a cannon in Chang'an Fan, in that case, it would be not conducive to secrecy if there were too many people, and it would be a big trouble to transport thousands of miles at that time. So, he only asked the household department for money, and asked for someone from the general as a prisoner.

Within a few days, a huge amount of money and a hundred skilled craftsmen were all ready, and they only listened to the reprimand. Qin Mubai always kept secrets, and didn't tell these people what they were going to do, but only asked them to be on standby and ready to go to Lanzhou at any time.

Next, as long as the imperial court decrees, he will take these money, grains and craftsmen to Lanzhou.

A few days later, the sacrifice of the temple was finally over. Li You's golden body was also chrome-plated and moved to Famen Temple and placed in the newly built Futu Pagoda. The monks set up an altar to preach the scriptures, and the water and land dojos were endless day and night, and they tossed for ten days and a half months.

Concubine Yinde, who had stopped showing up for a long time, appeared in Famen Temple accompanied by her daughter Princess Gaoyang. She was dressed in plain gauze clothes, frost-white hair, and wore a palace gauze hanging brimmed hat, and disappeared in a flash outside the Futu Tower, without staying long.

Gao Yang told Qin Mubai that Concubine Yin De was still a little unable to face the fact that her son could not enter the earth for peace, but was cast into a golden body and placed in the Futu Tower.

In the words of Concubine Yin De - "How different is this from hanging your head to show the public?!" ”

For this reason, Qin Mubai could only ...... Sigh!