Xu Liang and the others accompanied Xu Guangqi to the scarecrow target. The distance of five or six hundred steps was in a blink of an eye, and when Xu Liang and the others set off from the rostrum, the scarecrow on fire was still burning, and when everyone walked in front of the scarecrow array, the scarecrow was already burned to the point that only a wooden pole was erected.

What appeared in front of Xu Guangqi and the others was a phalanx of hundreds of scarecrows that had been shattered by four flying eagle shells. The scarecrows were lined up in a dense manner, and there was a distance of one person between them, so that each cannonball knocked down or crooked at least a dozen scarecrows.

Xu Guangqi's expression was solemn. Sun Yuanhua approached a scarecrow who had been beaten crooked, and when he opened his eyes wide, he saw two iron beads stuck in the scarecrow, so he reached out to take them off.

Xu Liang exclaimed: "Be careful of burning your hands!" ”

However, it was too late, Sun Yuanhua held one of the finger-sized iron beads in the palm of his hand with one hand, and at first he didn't feel that when Xu Liang's voice sounded, he was like being bitten by a snake, and he screamed, threw the iron beads to the ground, and shook his hand even by jumping.

"Ahh

Seeing this, several Liang generals reminded with a kind smile: "Heh, Lord Sun, when the shells of our flying eagle cannon are launched, every iron bead is burned red under the impetus of gunpowder, hitting people, piercing into the flesh, even if there are no internal injuries, they can also burn a piece of skin." ”

Sun Yuanhua kept blowing cool air in the palm of his hand.

Seeing this, Xu Guangqi wrapped his palm in the long sleeves of his official robe, and even picked up an iron bead that fell to the ground and looked at it a few times. Nodding slowly, he asked Xu Liang, "Lord Xu, I am an ordinary cannonball." In order to enhance the lethality, all iron bullets with the large mouth of the bowl are used, and it is the first time that the official has seen them use small iron balls as projectiles. ”

Xu Liang said: "Lord Xu, Liang Jun's flying eagle cannon has a light body, a small cannon caliber, and too large iron bullets to fit. The lethality of our Eagle Cannon. It all depends on the dozens or hundreds of iron beads in the cannonball, and when the cannon comes out, the iron beads in the cannon barrel are like scattered flowers. It's bound to explode in the target array. ”

Xu Guangqi pondered for a moment, and then said: "In this way, your flying eagle cannon is very suitable for putting dozens of flying eagle cannons on the face to face when the enemy rushes to the peak. A round of artillery bombardment came out. The lethality is impressive. ”

Xu Guangqi's comprehension surprised Xu Liang and Dai Feng and other Liang generals. Xu Liang said: "Lord Xu is right. The Flying Eagle Cannon is extremely sharp against and defending the city, but if it is used to siege the city, the attack power is insufficient, and it is far less effective than the general's artillery bombardment. ”

Xu Guangqi brushed his beard and groaned, "The ruler is short, and the inch is long." The Eagle Cannon and the Great General Cannon have their own strengths and weaknesses. ”

At this time, Sun Yuanhua had already cooled his hot hands, and pointed to the hundreds of scarecrows: "But." Lord Xu, the lethality of the Flying Eagle Cannon. It should be that the more concentrated the enemy, the more effective it will be. It's just that the enemy is not a fool, how can he be like these scarecrows, let his subordinates squeeze into a heap, and create a chance for the flying eagle cannon to kill? ”

Xu Liang said: "Well, it has to be decided according to the actual situation." ”

Xu Guangqi wiped the iron beads wrapped around his sleeves, put them in his arms, nodded at Governor Hong and Xu Liang, and said, "Let's go back and send a few more shots." ”

Xu Liang fully cooperated with Xu Guangqi's request, so everyone returned to the rostrum and let the artillery battalion fire two rounds of shells.

After the roar of the cannons, the hundreds of scarecrows had basically fallen, several of them had been burned to ashes, and the smoke was billowing in the distance, and the effect was very shocking.

Xu Guangqi looked at it and nodded again and again, and said to Governor Hong and Xu Liang: "The long-range strike capability of the Flying Eagle Cannon is really extraordinary. And the structure of the Flying Eagle Cannon is also unique, the official is very curious about the manufacturing technology of the Flying Eagle Cannon, Lord Hong, Lord Xu, it is still early now, can you take the official to the Flying Eagle Cannon production workshop to see. ”

This is a matter of Liang Jun, although Governor Hong is the governor of Shaanxi, he does not dare to be the master for Xu Liang, so he looks at Xu Liang.

Xu Liang said with a look of embarrassment: "Lord Xu, Lord Hong, the Flying Eagle Cannon is the top secret of my Liang Army, and the manufacturing technology is not trivial, Lord Xu has already seen the firepower of the Flying Eagle Cannon, so we don't have to look at the workshop, right?" ”

When Xu Guangqi heard this, he looked at Xu Liang with a displeased face and said, "Lord Xu is worried that the production technology of the Flying Eagle Cannon will leak out?" ”

"There are real concerns about that."

"Hehe," Xu Guangqi chuckled, and suddenly said: "It's not a secret, this official came to Shaanxi this time to ask Governor Yang about the progress of Zhao'an, and the main task is to inspect the Liang army's flying eagle artillery." This is not only the personal meaning of the official, but also the meaning of the current emperor. ”

Xu Liang didn't look surprised when he heard this, but Shaanxi Governor Hong Chengchou's eyes widened, and he said secretly, no wonder Xu Guangqi was in such a hurry to return to Pingliang, it turned out that inspecting the Flying Eagle Cannon was his main purpose.

Xu Guangqi said, he actually took out a roll of yellow silk from his arms, slowly unfolded it, and Xu Liang saw the golden dragon embroidered on the yellow silk at a glance.

It turned out to be a holy decree!

"Pingliang Prefect Xu Liang receives the order!" Xu Guangqi unfolded the holy decree and said to Xu Liang.

"Xu Liang, the prefect of Chenping Liang, take the order!" Xu Guangqi actually still carried the holy decree, Xu Liang had no choice but to kneel down to accept the decree. The generals of the Liang army next to him, Shaanxi Governor Hong Chengchou and others all knelt down.

"The edict said: In the army of Xu Liang, the prefect of Pingliang, the firearm flying eagle cannon, the cannon body is light, the range is long, and the lethality is large. Such a divine weapon must be used by the court! Xu Guangqi, the left attendant of the Ministry of Rites and Rites, went to Pingliang to inspect the Flying Eagle Cannon, and Xu Liang, the prefect of Pingliang, and related officials and subordinates, acted according to the order, and there must be no mistakes......"

As soon as this holy decree was recited, Liang Junzhong Dai Feng, Luo Rucai, Sima Qiudao and others turned gloomy, and they glared at the holy decree in Xu Guangqi's hand with an indignant expression.

Governor Hong was also a little embarrassed at this time, he didn't expect that Emperor Chongzhen would directly order Xu Liang to ask for the manufacturing technology of the Flying Eagle Cannon. Of course, the emperor's words are more elegant, called inspection!

Governor Hong naturally knew the weight of the Flying Eagle Cannon in the Liang army, and he couldn't help but look at Xu Liang worriedly.

Not only is Governor Hong worried, but in fact, Xu Guangqi has no bottom in his heart. After he read the holy decree, he stared at Xu Liang closely.

On the contrary, Xu Liang looked calm on the surface, and sneered in his heart. Fortunately, Xu Guangqi's intention, Sun Yuanhua had quietly told Xu Liang in advance, and after Xu Liang was surprised at the beginning, he was also relieved.

"The ministers are grateful, long live my emperor, long live. Hooray! Xu Liang immediately received the holy decree without changing his face.

Dai Feng and the others looked at Xu Liang with a stunned expression, puzzled.

Xu Guangqi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and helped Xu Liang up with his own hands. said with a pleasant face: "Lord Xu is loyal to the emperor and the court, and the official is very pleased. Don't worry, Lord Xu. You dedicate the technology of making the Eagle Cannon to the court. The Holy One appreciates your faithfulness, and will not do you any wrong. ”

Xu Liang's face was as usual, and he chuckled: "Since even the emperor can look up to the flying eagle cannon of my Liang army, I, Xu Liang, am loyal to the court, and I should offer the manufacturing technology of the flying eagle cannon." Now, let's go to the Flying Eagle Cannon's manufacturing workshop to see it on the ground. ”

Xu Guangqi was very satisfied, stroked his long beard, and said a few good words in a row.

Immediately. The group left the East Camp and went to the Jitou Mountain Camp in the southern suburbs of Zhenyuan City. The mountain behind Jitou Mountain is the workshop for the production of flying eagle cannons.

Blacksmiths Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang were convinced and waited in the workshop early. Xu Liang personally led Xu Guangqi and others to arrive, called Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang over, opened the door of the workshop, and the officials followed up to see what was going on.

The manufacturing workshop of the Flying Eagle Cannon was built in a cave behind Jitou Mountain, Xu Liang took Xu Guangqi, Sun Yuanhua, Hong Chengchou and others into it, Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang lit all the candles in the room, and the room was as bright as day.

The workshop consists of an assembly hall and nine parts rooms, which are quiet and there are no craftsmen working. Xu Guangqi asked in surprise, "Lord Xu, why didn't you make the Flying Eagle Cannon at this time?" ”

A trace of bitterness flashed on Xu Liang's face, spread out his hands, and sighed: "Lord Xu, there were originally twenty or thirty craftsmen in the workshop here, but now only Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang are still there, and the other craftsmen have gone home on vacation." Alas, the reason for this, after going out, Xia Guan will talk to Master Xu in detail. ”

"Hmm!" Xu Guangqi nodded, and without asking questions at the moment, he looked at every room in the workshop under the guidance of Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang.

Xu Guangqi initially suspected that Xu Liang was deliberately deceiving him and made a fake workshop to fool him through. However, after looking at this small workshop, Xu Guangqi was convinced that this was the workshop where the Flying Eagle Cannon was made. Because the semi-finished castings in the nine parts room are exactly the same as the parts on the flying eagle cannon that Xu Guangqi saw at a glance, and there is still an unfinished flying eagle cannon in the assembly hall, and the gun body and barrel have been installed, but for some reason it has not been fully assembled.

Xu Guangqi visited and asked Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang, the two blacksmith masters, a few questions, Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang answered without reservation, and when they encountered something that Xu Guangqi did not understand, the two of them also explained it by comparison.

From craftsmen to spare parts, it's all real. Xu Guangqi's gaze at Xu Liang softened even more.

It was hot and stuffy in the manufacturing workshop, Xu Guangqi asked many questions, and felt satisfied before deciding to come out. Xu Guangqi is the minister of the Qin Mission, if he doesn't go out, how dare others go out!

So, after an hour, when the officials came out of the workshop, they were all drenched in sweat.

The soldiers guarding outside had already prepared herbal tea, and Xu Liang entertained Xu Guangqi and Hong Chengchou in a small building outside the workshop. Xu Guangqi was very interested, drank a cup of herbal tea casually, and asked Xu Liang about the reason for the shutdown of the workshop.

Xu Liang sighed, looked at Xu Guangqi and said, "Lord Xu, don't tell lies in front of real people. The reason for the shutdown of the workshop, the lower officials will not hide it. In fact, Xia Guan and the generals of the Liang army dreamed of making more flying eagle cannons to sweep away those rebellious people's army bandits in one fell swoop. However, my Pingliang Mansion is just a very ordinary low-class mansion on the northwest ground, and the people are generally poor, and there is no silver in the yamen all year round! I don't have any money, I just want the workshop to start, but I can't do it. ”

Xu Guangqi listened, looked at Xu Liang, and asked in disbelief: "A few cannons don't cost much silver." When the Tianzi No. 135 General Cannon was first built, it only cost less than three thousand taels of silver. The official believes that no matter how poor Pingliang Mansion is, it will not be short of this money. ”

Xu Liang glared at Xu Guangqi, couldn't help but be angry and angry, turned red and said to Xu Guangqi in annoyance: "Lord Xu's words are wrong. Xiaguan's flying eagle cannon is different from ordinary artillery, the materials used are extremely particular, if you also use those built pig iron, the flying eagle cannon made of it, the performance is too poor, and it will explode at every turn, not to mention killing the enemy, and it is lucky not to hurt your own people! Let's put it bluntly, the cost of the Flying Eagle Cannon is very expensive, and the normal backup of the thirty-six Flying Eagle Cannon that Pingliang Mansion guarantees has been made is very reluctant, how can there be the ability to rebuild the Flying Eagle Cannon? ”

"Phew!" Xu Guangqi, Sun Yuanhua, and Governor Hong couldn't help but gasp.

Xu Guangqi asked nervously, "How expensive is it?" ”

Xu Liang smiled bitterly again, bowed his hand to Xu Guangqi and Governor Hong, and said: "Let's go back to Pingliang, the subordinate will consume the items required to make a flying eagle cannon, and the manufacturing cost has been listed, and then Lord Xu and Lord Hong will understand how much silver they have to spend to make a flying eagle cannon!" ”

A group of people rushed back to Pingliang Mansion again, and it was already dark at this time. Xu Guangqi's enthusiasm for work continued to rise, and despite Xu Liang's proposal to use the dinner party first, he had to look at the manufacturing cost of the Flying Eagle Cannon first.

Xu Liang was helpless, so he ordered someone to show Xu Guangqi the list of manufacturing costs for the Flying Eagle Cannon.

Holding a piece of paper manufacturing costs in his hand, Xu Guangqi's eyes widened suddenly, and he shouted: "What? Fifty thousand taels?! ”

Sun Yuanhua and Hong Chengchou were also taken aback: Could this flying eagle cannon be made of gold? Why is the cost so scary?!

Sima Qiudao was even more surprised than them, as the owner of the artillery battalion, Sima Qiudao still knew a little bit about the manufacturing technology of the Flying Eagle Cannon, at best, it was a little more than 10,000 taels, how could it suddenly rise to 50,000 taels? Just as he was about to ask out loud, his eyes suddenly met a threatening look cast by Xu Liang, and Sima Qiu Dao did not dare to make a sound.

Sun Yuanhua didn't understand the market and looked at the list of expenses over and over again, Xu Guangqi's beard trembled, and he glared at Xu Liang and shouted: "Lord Xu, how can it be so expensive?" ”

Xu Liang's eyes were very helpless, and he muttered: "Fifty thousand taels of cannons, it's just the price of the cannon body, and it doesn't count the intentions of the cannonballs." ”

Xu Guangqi chuckled in his heart, his face turned pale, he stared at Xu Liang, and asked hesitantly, "Could it be that cannonballs are also expensive?" ”

Xu Liang said quietly: "The shells of the Flying Eagle Cannon are specially formulated, and each Flying Eagle Shell will cost at least five thousand taels of silver!" ”

Xu Guangqi almost jumped up and shouted, "Five thousand taels?!" ”

"Yes," Xu Liang sighed and looked at Xu Guangqi and Sun Yuanhua, "During the day, in Dongdaying, three rounds of 12 shells were fired, which is equivalent to throwing 60,000 taels of silver into the water, without blistering ......."

Xu Guangqi listened, and his face became tangled. (To be continued......)