February 12, today is the day of cannon casting. Li Yan came to the cannon factory and personally participated in this moment of great significance. The reason why he has this kung fu is entirely due to Yuan Shizhong's keeping of his promises. Yuan Shizhong bypassed Qixian and Suizhou and directly entered Ningling County. Let Guidecheng, who had just sent Liu Yuanbin away, once again in panic and helplessness.

After Li Yan arrived, he began to worship heaven and earth, as well as various immortals, in order to pray for the success of the cannon casting. At noon, as Li Yan struck a gong, the outlet gate of the furnace on the high platform was opened, and the yellow and clear bronze liquid slowly flowed out along the diversion channel. After that, two branches were separated at a fork and flowed towards the two leaks where the gun molds were placed.

The opening of the gun mold is a round funnel-shaped mouth, which can be used to fill more bronze liquid, and then use the gravity of the liquid itself to make the bronze liquid flow smoothly into the gun mold without leaving a gap.

The bronze liquid flowed slowly but continuously, and the temperature could be felt all around the high platform. People were nervously looking at the high platform, and the gun mold in the groove where the high platform was erected. On the high platform, the craftsmen in single clothes were staring closely at the two leaks, because the flow of the two bronze liquid bottles was somewhat different, and if one of the gun molds was filled, they should immediately block the diversion groove. And after the two gun molds are filled, the copper melting furnace should also be notified in time.

"That's it!" With a loud shout, the craftsman on the other side of the Rongtong furnace blocked the diversion groove at the exit, opened another diversion groove, and directed the bronze liquid in the furnace to the other side. There is a large pool, and the remaining bronze liquid from the copper melting furnace is diverted to it, cooled down and turned into bronze plates, which can be easily beaten into small pieces and thrown into the copper melting furnace again when reused.

Li Yan asked Master Mu, "How long will it take for this to be good?" ”

Master Mu shook his head and said, "I don't know, but according to Tongding's experience, it will take two or three days to get the iron core." ”

"Can you blow the wind on them and make the cannon cold faster?" Li Yan asked. He was so hungry for artillery, and the existing four cannons could not meet the needs of the troops at all.

Master Mu was embarrassed and said, "Let's let them cool down naturally." If something goes wrong, both cannons will be useless. ”

Li Yan didn't dare to come nonsense, after all, this was the first time to cast a cannon, if there was a problem, then he wouldn't be able to get a cannon.

He instructed: "Then let's do it according to your experience, be sure to pay attention to safety, and try not to have accidents." ”

"Don't worry, general, we will be very careful." Master Mu and the others replied.

It was already afternoon. At this time, Li Zhong hurriedly came to the cannon factory and found Li Yan.

"Let's go, something happened." Li Zhong whispered to Li Yan.

Li Yan was surprised, he had never seen Li Zhong so anxious. So he nodded, and after saying goodbye to Master Mu, he followed Li Zhong out of the cannon workshop.

As soon as he got out of the cannon workshop, Li Zhong whispered: "Li Zicheng is attacking Kaifeng. ”

"What?" Li Yan asked nervously. After that, he also whispered: "Why did he come to open the seal?" Li Xianfeng and Chen Yongfu, didn't they just leave the day before yesterday? He should still be in Luoyang. ”

Li Zhong shook his head and said, "I don't know how he came here." At the time of Chen, there were cavalry to Kaifeng Xiguan and wanted to enter the city pretending to be an official army. However, there were too many displaced people entering the city, and they began to cut down the displaced people to clear the road, only to be discovered by the defenders at the head of the city and close the city gates. The foot soldiers arrived at noon, and now they are besieging the city. We should also strengthen our vigilance here. ”

Li Yan nodded and said, "Well, that's right." Now that they have been discovered by the defenders, it should not be easy to attack them, we are close to Kaifeng, maybe they will rush to our side later. ”

The two got on their horses and quickly came to the barracks. At this time, Li Mu also knew about Li Zicheng's attack on Kaifeng, and was waiting in the barracks lobby.

"Fourth brother, our situation is a little bad." After Li Mu saw Li Yan, he immediately said: "If Li Chuang and them can't capture Kaifeng, if they come to us, we won't have a good time." They are not hungry, let alone tens of thousands. ”

Li Yan frowned and thought, he could beat tens of thousands of hungry people away before, but this time it was Li Zicheng, a famous figure among the thieves, and his troops had been fighting for many years, and they had just captured Luoyang, which was the time when morale was at its peak. If Li Zicheng came to attack Qi County, he would have to retreat to the city. But the fields outside the city and the families of the soldiers are his roots, and he can't give them up.

He thought for a while and said, "If Li Chuang comes to attack, let's take the initiative!" ”

"Take the initiative?" Li Zhong and Li Mu both said in surprise.

Li Mu immediately reminded: "Fourth brother, Li Chuang has tens of thousands of people, if we are surrounded, we will be in danger." And he can let the hungry people take the lead, and those who are very hungry will be willing to do anything for a bite to eat. No matter how much gunpowder we bring with us, it's not enough to consume. ”

"Yes, back then, the Han general Li Ling's lone army was surrounded, and he was defeated and captured after consuming all the arrows. Let's be cautious. Li Zhong also reminded.

Li Yan explained: "We are not going to fight Li Chuang in a decisive battle, but to send troops to the territory of Chenliu to help them defend the city. If Li Chuang came to us, he should have taken Chen Liu down first, as long as we stationed in the west of Chen Liu, Li Chuang would be blocked there. Chen Yongfu should be back soon, and his son is still in Kaifeng City. ”

"Chen Liu's defenders are only three hundred, even if we help, they can't hold it." Li Mou said: "Besides, if there is an inner should go in, they won't be able to hold on for even an hour." ”

Li Yan frowned and thought for a while, then knocked on the table and made up his mind. said: "Let's send a wing (more than 300 people) into the city to control the city defense. Other troops were stationed outside the city at Sanlipu and Dasi to ensure smooth logistics and supplies, and there was no problem in holding them back for three or four days. After Chen Yongfu came back with his troops, Li Chuang should leave. ”

"Then why do you have to send 2,000 men?" Li Zhong opened his mouth and said: "Then we only have more than a thousand people here, in case Chen Yongfu doesn't come, wouldn't our entire Qi County be very dangerous?" ”

Li Yan insisted: "Let the people of the fortress gather and let them guard the fortress." This is also to guard their homes and fields, and they should be very hard-working. The county town left a wing, as well as the recruits who had just entered the camp within a month, and the other troops were all transferred out. ”

Li Mu was still a little worried, after all, he was still familiar with Li Zicheng, and they had just captured Luoyang, so the equipment should have been greatly improved. If it's really a match, it's really hard to say who is more powerful. So he proposed: "Fourth brother, why don't I go and see Li Chuang, there is still a little bit of incense." ”

Li Yan immediately refused: "No! He hasn't wanted to come this way yet, didn't you remind them when you went? Let's do as I say and get ready. ”