In the courtyard, Wang Yunxiu is dancing with a knife.

Xue Bai has seen Gongsun Auntie and Li Twelve Niang dancing swords, both rigid and soft, calm and refreshing, and quite combative. Wang Yunxiu's knife technique is stronger and more powerful.

"Whew-"

In the sound of the breaking wind, the long knife slashed down and embedded deep into the wooden stake beside it.

Wang Yunxiu put away the knife at this time, turned his head to look, and saw Xue Bai standing in the corridor with his hands in his hands, and couldn't help but be surprised: "Xue Lang is here?" I didn't go to greet him, it was rude. ”

"I heard that General Wang is sick, so I came to visit him."

"Huh?" Wang Yunxiu was slightly stunned and said, "Yes, Grandpa has a backlash, and I have been taking care of him recently." ”

She usually looks demure and quiet, but today she is wearing a martial robe to show some strength, at this time she is sweating profusely, her face and neck are healthy and ruddy, and there is some heat on her body, and she is not afraid of the wind and cold, so she will personally lead Xue Bai into after taking the cloak.

After Ping retreated, she said, "I usually pay attention to it, but I didn't expect to have to pretend in front of Xue Lang." ”

"Although the Nanzhao people will not come to the mansion to investigate, they still have to act like a show, including catching medicine and decoction for General Wang every day, and the decrease in appetite during the illness leads to a decrease in ingredients."

"Yes, that's what Motoro said." Wang Yunxiu said, "He said that I would not act on the spot, but only let me stay in the inner courtyard, and these details were arranged by him." ”

"That'll be fine." Xue Bai is still at ease with Yuan Zai's affairs.

"By the way, I've heard about it, too." Wang Yunxiu said, "Eating made Yao Siyi frame you, but I didn't expect you to be famous, but in fact you are a gentleman." ”

"A gentleman can't talk about it, but he's just obsessed with fame and fortune, and he's not good at socializing with women." Xue Bai replied casually.

"The same goes for Motoro." Wang Yunxiu said, "He is really enterprising, and he is not good at being a dog." ”

"Really?" Xue Bai touched his nose.

"It turns out that you and the county lord and the little lady of the prime minister's mansion are really gentlemen's friends." Wang Yunxiu looked sassy, but she was actually very interested in these scandal anecdotes, and asked, "Then those romantic things in Chang'an City are also fake?" ”

“……”

As they spoke, the two of them had already walked to the end of the corridor, and saw two servants with strong temperaments standing there guarding, clasping their fists and saying, "The marshal has given an order, Xue Lang can go in." ”

It seems like a simple guard, but in fact, there are very few people in the world who can enter this hall.

In the hall, the smell of medicine was permeating, Wang Zhongsi was wearing a thin blanket and sitting on the couch to look at the map, listening to the movement, he turned around, his sharp eyes swept away, and saw that it was Wang Yunxiu who led Xue Bai to come, and then he took the edge.

"General Wang, how sick are you?"

"Urgent." Wang Zhongsi said: "If you don't go to Jiannan, you only talk about the army on paper in Chang'an City, how can you be sure?" ”

"I don't think there's a rush." Xue Bai said: "The scorching heat in the south is not something that the northerners can endure, this battle must avoid summer, no matter how anxious you are, you have to wait patiently until autumn, and now it's only April." ”

Wang Zhonghei knows these truths better than Xue Bai, but they are just different mentalities from each other.

"Scheduled? Go and see the weapons you said. ”

"Yes." Xue Bai said: "I brought a few doctors here today in the name of visiting the patient, and General Wang pretended to be a doctor and went out with me." ”

"Let's go."

Wang Zhongsi took the costume handed by Xue Bai and began to wear it.

"My daughter will go too." Wang Yunxiu said, "Grandpa waits for his daughter to change her clothes......"

"If you go, you don't have to change, you can leave the house in the name of sending Xue Lang." Wang Zhonghe's movements are neat, vigorous and resolute, and he is not used to the temperament of a woman's mother-in-law, but he feels that his daughter has become hypocritical over the years when she marries Yuanzai.

Wang Yunxiu is not because of the side, but because he has just practiced martial arts, and he smells of sweat. The thought of going to the barracks outside the city for a whole day like this, I was afraid that everyone would be spoiled.

Of course, the daughter of the gate doesn't care too much about this, so let's go.

Xue Bai can see from the two sentences of dialogue between their father and daughter why Wang Yunxiu was able to run away with Yuan Zai back then, Yuan Zai's delicate mind and willingness to coax people are exactly what Wang Yunxiu lacks the most.

Thinking of this, he reminded himself that now he is not good at dealing with women, and it is better to think less about these.

"I've heard about you, too."

When Wang Zhongsi talked about the recent events, he had a completely different attitude, and said in a light tone: "Instead of intriguing with traitors, it is better to focus on doing some practical things." ”

"Yes."

"But it's not a bad thing." Wang Zhongsi patted Xue Bai and said with a smile: "After a long time, I have seen people's hearts, and now the saint also understands that you have a good character, which is a good thing." ”

It can be seen that Wang Zhongsi really doesn't like intrigue.

~~

Although Wang Zhongsi was ill, the appointment of civil and military officials, the transfer of soldiers, horses, money and food were already in progress, and everything was in order.

In the eyes of outsiders, the imperial court is waiting for Wang Zhonghe's illness to improve, or depending on the situation, he may change the commander.

The main force of soldiers and horses to conquer Nanzhao is still under the command of Xian Yu Zhongtong, the deputy envoy of Jiannan Jiedu, and in the military camp outside Chang'an City, there are soldiers and generals dispatched by Wang Zhonghe, and they are now being trained.

On that day, Yuan Zai was deploying money and food as a member of the inspection department, and got a legend that someone came to see him, and hurriedly went out of the camp to greet him.

"Lang Jun." Wang Yunxiu was dressed in a samurai robe, stepped forward on his horse, and said, "I'll take Xue Lang to see you." ”

Compared with his wife, Yuan Zai seemed much weaker, rushed to Xue Bai's horse, and saluted: "Xue Lang is here, I will take you to see the progress of military affairs." ”

Xue Bai turned over and dismounted, and asked, "Have all the weapons sent by the generals I recommended arrived?" ”

"When I arrived, I placed them in Xuancao, here."

Yuan Zai raised his hand, his eyes swept over the faces of several guards behind Xue Bai, and he had already seen Wang Zhonghei who came in disguise, but he didn't care, he just talked and laughed with Xue Bai.

"Back then, when the stone fort city was attacked, it was Xue Lang who created the boulder cannon, and now he has cut down Nanzhao, and if he can see Xue Lang make a move, it will be a success in the first battle."

"It's just a little thing that is icing on the cake, and winning the war depends on the national strength of the Tang Dynasty and the concerted efforts of the soldiers after all."

"Xue Lang is too modest." Yuan Zai was smiling, talking and laughing with Xue Bai all the way, and he seemed very humane.

But compared with more than two years ago, today's Yuan Zai is more and more sleek and utilitarian, and no matter how well he disguises it, Xue Bai can still feel it.

In the barracks, there are cangcao, cao, soldier cao, and cavalry, who are in charge of grain and grass, equipment, soldiers, and horses. They soon arrived at Guancao, and there were soldiers in front of them to stop them, Yuan Zai took out the order talisman, but he didn't enter immediately, but waited for Gao Shi, the secretary of the army, to come to greet them.

Gao Shi recognized Wang Zhongsi at a glance, and remained silent, leading everyone into Xuancao.

"The carriage arrived three days ago, and we are still testing the weapons, and if they are available, we must start forging them as soon as possible......"

Xuan Cao was heavily guarded, and after entering, Wang Zhongsi no longer had to continue to hide his identity, and listened as he walked, and then asked, "How is the new official?" ”

"It's neat." Gao Shidao, "It's a great talent." ”

"The people recommended by Xue Lang are all good." Wang Zhongsi said, "It's like you are thirty-five years old." ”

Gao Shi hurriedly responded: "I'm ashamed, I'm slightly inferior to Yan Wu." ”

The new official they are talking about is Yan Wu.

Xue Bai always knew that Yan Wu had a talent, so he transferred him to Jingzhao Mansion Facao gilding, and soon recommended him to the army, hoping that he could make contributions in the First Battle of Nanzhao. Wang Zhongsi is actually not used by everyone, and he personally tested Yan Wu, confirmed his talent, and entrusted him with important tasks.

"I've seen you, the lower officials have arranged it, please."

Yan Wu's expression was serious, and after meeting, he only hugged his fists, and directly invited everyone into the camp. His attitude is completely different from Wonjae's, not flattering and polite, but in line with his name, serious and heroic.

Several barracks have been erected here, and there is a lookout next to the barracks.

Xue Bai and Wang Zhongji ascended to the lookout platform, where a man was standing, holding a copper cylindrical artifact in his hand.

"This is Xue Lang's domestic servant, Qiao Erwa." Yan Wudao, "It was he who made a batch of weapons from craftsmen according to Xue Lang's drawings and escorted them here. ”

"I've seen the Generalissimo."

Qiao Erwa hurriedly handed the object in her hand to Wang Zhonghe, and bowed in a daze.

Wang Zhongsi took it and took a closer look, only to see that it was a hollow copper pipe, large on one side and small on the other, and he accidentally peeked through the tube, and could see that the wooden plank under his feet was pulled closer.

It seems that the copper pipe should be inlaid with crystal, like glass, but it is more transparent than ordinary glass.

"We'll name this thing 'Clairvoyant Mirror', and the general can try to see it that way."

Wang Zhongji then put the clairvoyant mirror in front of his eyes, closed his other eye, and his vision was slightly blurred, but the Qinling Mountains, which were far away in the sky, had been drawn much closer.

With another turn of his gaze, some ant-like figures in the distance could be clearly seen, and even their movements were clear.

"When discussing the Southern Zhao, if you climb high and look far, you may be able to explore the terrain faster and seize the opportunity with this thing." Xue Bai roughly explained.

Wang Zhongsi didn't speak, just looked at the different scenery in all directions, and the pair of heavy eyebrows were always twisted.

"Okay!"

After a long time, Wang Zhongsi praised fiercely and said with a smile: "Xue Bai, how did you grow this brain?" ”

He put down the clairvoyant mirror and rubbed it in his hand, just in response to the word "can't put it down", such a majestic general, like a child who has just gotten a novelty toy.

"With this thing, Ren Nanzhao's terrain is steep, the mountains are high and the water is deep, and I am not afraid."

"The general is overrated, and the most important thing is to command, these are just small things to add some help."

"Why don't you offer it to the saints? Giving yourself a big boost? ”

Xue Bai said: "Before pacifying Nanzhao, it is better to keep it secret. The general also did not tell others that it was only used in the army. ”

Wang Zhongsi thought deeply and nodded.

"General, let's look at the second weapon." Yan Wu first pointed to the guide surface, which was a few boulder cannons placed on the edge of the barracks, and then pointed with his hand again, pointing farther away, and said, "We need to throw something, the general is optimistic." ”

The order was given here, and the order flag was waved on the herald's platform. After that, the cannons threw projectiles one after another.

Wang Zhongsi raised the clairvoyant mirror and followed the projectiles, only to see them glide in the air for nearly a mile and land at the foot of the mountain in the distance.

After that, a muffled thunderous voice came.

Wonjae subconsciously raised his head and looked at the sky, thinking that it was going to rain.

Wang Zhonghe, however, was in the picture of the Thousand Miles Realm, and clearly saw where the projectile exploded, dust and smoke were rising, and trees were falling......

Xue Bai was distracted.

He actually thought that maybe on Li Longji's next trip to Huaqing Palace, he could try to place a boulder cannon on Lishan Mountain to stab. However, in the end, he decided to give the explosives to Wang Zhongsi to pacify Nanzhao.

The situation is different from when he was in Huashan, when Ge Luofeng had not rebelled, and now he has mobilized a lot of soldiers, horses, grain and grass, and the preparations for the battle of Nanzhao cannot be in vain.

"What is this?" Wang Zhongsi asked.

"Gunpowder."

Xue Bai came back to his senses and said, "It was a Taoist priest who blew up the furnace when he was learning the alchemy of the medicine king Sun Simiao's 'Danjing Inner Sulfur Method'. So I bought his recipe from him, and made this powder. ”

"I don't know which Taoist is it?" Wang Zhongsi picked up his clairvoyant mirror again and looked around, wanting to talk to this Taoist priest.

However, that Taoist priest was Li Yaozhou, who presented the Xingyang centipede bag to the saint, and it was not suitable to show his face. Xue Bai then said: "People outside the world don't want to be disturbed, so although he gave me the recipe for gunpowder, he never revealed his name. ”

Wang Zhongsi turned his lookout and glanced at Xue Bai, because the distance was too close, he was so frightened that he leaned back, and he looked a little naïve.

"Let's go! Let's go over and look at the gunpowder. ”

……

His mind fell on the affairs of the army, and Wang Zhongsi involuntarily showed the momentum of the commander.

He rushed to the vicinity of the boulder cannons first, and the soldiers were still busy reweighting the boulder cannons.

Ahead, a big man was leading people to move things, Gao Shi led Wang Zhongsi and others over, and said, "This is also Xue Lang's subordinates who offered weapons, Zhao Yuliang." ”

Wang Zhongsi glanced at Zhao Yuliang, and soon saw that this man, like Qiao Erwa, was born as an ordinary farmer, but he was just doing things for Xue Bai, and with experience, he seemed much more capable than ordinary people.

"You will be my attendant first, and when the Nanzhao is pacified, I will recommend officials for you."

Qiao Erwa, Zhao Yuliang and others were stunned, and they all looked at Xue Bai.

Xue Bai said: "I don't thank Wang Jieshuai for his great kindness." ”

"Yes, Xie Jieshuai."

The attendant is equivalent to a personal soldier, because he is close to the commander, it is easy to make meritorious service in the army and less dangerous, for example, Feng Changqing was downtrodden in his early years, so he started as Gao Xianzhi's attendant, and gradually became famous and accumulated military merits.

From another point of view, now Diao Bing and Diao Geng brothers are only Xue Bai's attendants, but Qiao Erwa, Zhao Yuliang and others have become Wang Zhonghe's attendants because of their military weapons, just like many famous generals in the world.

"Look at the projectile."

Zhao Yuliang was still stunned, and Wang Zhongsi had already raised his hand to point to the irregularly shaped iron ball in his hand.

Xue Bai stepped forward to take it, helped hand it over, and said, "We call it cannonballs, this is the first batch, and it is called Heaven-shaking Thunder." Either a thin iron shell, or mud wrapped in gunpowder, the gunpowder exploded in a closed air, and the power was not small. ”

Wang Zhongsi took the cannonball in his hand and turned around, and when he saw a lead on it, he tried to look inside, but he couldn't see anything at all.

Xue Bai then motioned to Zhao Yuliang to bring a package of gunpowder and said, "General, please see, this is gunpowder." ”

Wang Zhongsi looked at it and saw that the powder in the paper bag was black, like toner, he first sniffed it, and then wiped a little with his fingers and put it in his mouth to taste, a sour and bitter taste.

"What's the recipe?"

"The general didn't taste it."

Wang Zhongsi shook his head and said, "I can't taste it." ”

The chief said that this thing was a great weapon of destruction, and he did not want to cause too much murder, so he refused to tell him the recipe. can only help me make gunpowder and support the Nanzhao War. Xue Bai said, "Of course, if you want to make artillery shells in the army, you only need to make this shell and fill it with gunpowder." ”

Wang Zhongsi obviously didn't believe Xue Bai's set of words, but the formula was in Xue Bai's hands, and there was no other way for a while, so he had to ask: "The amount of weight needed in the army is huge, and this Dao Commander can make it?" ”

"I can make it."

"You have to hide this from others first?"

"Yes, at least wait until the general pacifies Nanzhao."

Wang Zhongsi was helpless, no longer asked Xue Bai, and lit the gunpowder in a paper bag and watched it burn violently. After that, he wrapped some gunpowder in paper and clay with his own hands and lit it with a fuse.

"Stay away."

"I'm not afraid."

Xue Bai hurriedly pulled Wang Zhongsi aside with everyone and covered his ears.

Looking back, the lead burned out.

"Bang!"

The earth was splashed everywhere, and the power of gunpowder blew up the surrounding sand and stones, and the bullet made people hurt.

Wang Zhongsi laughed, in Xue Bai's opinion, this person in his forties is more and more like a naughty boy who lit firecrackers and played during the New Year.

"This is wrapped in mud, and it is really different, what is the reason?"

Xue Bai didn't care if he understood it or not, pretending to be profound, and said: "There will be a lot of heat when the gunpowder burns, and it will gather in a closed space, and there will be a huge air pressure outside, and it will explode. ”

Unexpectedly, Wang Zhongsi understood, nodded, and said, "It's like a fart, and it can kill people when it is released." ”

"That's probably it."

"What's that?" Wang Zhongsi pointed to a strange stick in the box.

Zhao Yuliang then picked it up and stopped talking.

Xue Bai said: "This is his weapon, this thing is difficult to make, and the craftsman has also spent a lot of effort to polish a few rods, which is difficult to measure for a while, and it is difficult to use, the general doesn't need to pay attention to it for the time being, just treat him as a special case." ”

Seeing that he didn't want to say, Wang Zhongsi smiled, and didn't ask, anyway, he was in the army, and he could see it sooner or later, so what if Xue Bai sold it.

"Let's go, let's see how powerful the cannonballs are."

……

At present, the military camp has not yet been cleared, and every day there are large and small transfer envoys from all sides to transport supplies, and even if there is no Tubo and Nanzhao meticulous work, there may be hostile forces in the DPRK and China who are spying on the truth and reality.

Wang Zhongsi was still pretending to be sick, and originally just quietly came over to take a look at the progress of military affairs, but he was a little happy, it was too conspicuous, and a few people in the army had noticed this toss.

"Phew!"

Riding his horse to a shallow pit, Wang Zhongji looked at the branches that had been destroyed by the cannonballs, and nodded with satisfaction.

The next moment, Guan Chongsi rushed over on a horse and whispered a few words.

"The last general has been investigated, and there are only a few suspicious people left in the army. Sure enough, as soon as the general left, someone wanted to go to the ventilator to report the news......"

"Take it."

"Whoa."

Xue Bai was close, vaguely understood what was going on, and was amused in his heart, Wang Zhongsi looked like a child who had gotten rid of it, but in fact, he had his own means to govern the army, after today, clean up those who explored the truth and reality, he was recuperating in the open, and secretly he was probably going to the barracks for training.

The group hurried back to the camp, but this time they rode their horses and galloped.

As soon as the horse is fast, the level of riding is revealed.

Wang Zhongsi, Wang Yunxiu and others rushed to the front; Xue Bai practiced his riding skills hard and could barely follow them; Yuan Zai was born poor, he had never ridden a horse before, and he was usually not visible, but he was slow at this time; Qiao Erwa and Zhao Youliang have only started riding horses in recent years, and they are the last......

After running for a while, before he reached the camp, he saw dust and smoke flying in front of him, and a group of soldiers was chasing a knight.

"Don't let him escape!"

But it was Guan Chongsi who led people to clean up the army, but he didn't expect to let one of them escape, this person was superb in riding and athletic, and he actually broke out of the encirclement.

The two sides met head-on, passed by, and Guan Chongsi's shout came.

Wang Zhongsi quickly grabbed the reins and shouted: "Twelve Niang, shoot!" ”

"Whoa!"

Wang Yunxiu brought a bow and arrows, immediately ran a small circle on his horse, and chased after the fleeing Xizuo again, and passed by Xue Bai in an instant.

At this time, Yuan Zai arrived and was facing the fine work.

"Motoro!" Wang Yunxiu wanted Yuan Zai to dodge, but Mo was injured by the other party, but when the words came to her mouth, the urgency of the doorman girl made her shout: "Stop him!" ”

She was afraid of showing weakness to the enemy, so she reminded the other party that Yuan Zai had been kidnapped.

The husband and wife also had a tacit understanding, and as soon as she shouted, Yuan Zai dodged away and let the knight run away.

Wang Yunxiu stretched his bow and arrows on the horse, squinted his eyes, and aimed.

……

Zhao Yuliang was following behind Qiao Erwa, desperately driving the horse, and it was a little difficult to catch up with Yuan Zai.

Suddenly, Qiao Erwa said, "Why did you come back?" ”

Neither of them had ever been on the battlefield, and they were both stunned when they saw the dust and smoke in front of them.

The next moment, the sturdy knight appeared in front of them through the dust and smoke, and Wang Yunxiu shouted "Yuan Lang, stop him" to remind them that the knight was the enemy.

"Whoosh!"

An arrow was fired at the knight, but he ducked his head and dodged it.

Then, I heard Xue Bai shout.

"Zhao Yuliang, shoot him!"

Only then did Zhao Yuliang hold the reins, turn over and dismount a little awkwardly, and untie the fire gun hanging on his body.

He was actually very nervous, and fine sweat broke out on his forehead. But because I usually practice a lot, all the movements are done subconsciously.

Set up the firecracker, hold the firearm in his left hand, fill the gunpowder package, take out the fire, open it with one hand, blow it a few times, ignite the lead rope, fortunately, the wind is not strong, he put the fire rope on the snake rod clamp, open the lid of the medicine pot, change the right hand to hold the gun, and aim.

He moves very quickly, and his rough hands are steady.

But by this time, the knight had already run more than thirty steps. And the beautiful daughter of General Wang also rode up and drew her bow and arrows again.

Zhao Yuliang took a few deep breaths, didn't think about it, and only stared at the figure in the distance.

The rope is still burning.

"I didn't expect that in addition to farming, you also have this talent."

"Zhao Yuliang, you are so accurate."

In fact, the first time he shot, it was really lucky, but when he was praised by his companions, he was too happy, so he had to make this fire gun well, in addition to practicing together, he was still practicing secretly in private.

In order to practice his eyes, he stared at the flying insects for an afternoon; In order to practice his hands steadily, he took a needle and thread to embroider a belly pocket for his mother-in-law to eat a toad and a swan.

He knew he could do it.

"Whoosh."

An arrow made a sound of breaking the wind, and the voice in front of him was still galloping wildly.

Zhao Yuliang glanced at the rope and adjusted the fire gun slightly.

He pulled the wrench, and the snake rod clamp pulled the lead rope into the cauldron and lit the gunpowder.

"Bang-"

There was a bang in the suburbs of Chang'an.

Xue Bai grabbed the reins and looked into the distance, thinking to himself, few people will know what happened today, but there are always some changes.

When the wheels of history rolled forward, the carriage of the Tang Dynasty went on a rampage and crashed into disintegration...... He finally fired a blow at the wheel.

~~

The next day, a secret letter was presented to Xingqing Palace.

It did not pass through the provincial platform, but was directly handed to the sage's imperial case by the Ministry of Internal Servants.

This is the privilege that Wang Zhongji has when he is ordered to take command of the Southern Edict.

The excerpt mainly talked about his current training, and finally praised Xue Bai in a few words, saying that the weapons he presented were very useful, and the people he recommended were all talents.

Li Longji looked at it, twisted his beard, and pondered.

Yang Yuhuan, who was rehearsing the opera, came back to his senses and asked, "Sage, what are you thinking?" ”

The thought in Li Longji's eyes flashed, he raised his head, and said with a smile: "Xue Bai has offered things again, as long as he is willing to do things, he will definitely do a good job." ”

Yang Yuhuan couldn't help but wonder: "The saint has always praised my righteous brother recently. ”

"He's meritorious." Li Longji put down the folds, nodded with satisfaction, and said, "Meritorious service should be rewarded, and when the Southern Zhao is pacified, I should reward him well......

(End of chapter)