Chapter 261 My Barracks and My Soldiers (Part 2)
There is a saying that goes well, if you are one step ahead of others, you are a genius; if you are ten steps ahead, you are a monster...
Although he is unreasonable in learning, he speaks well. This can be understood as being extremely talented and talented, and his arithmetic skills are astonishing. This can also be explained by his extraordinary talent. Although the above two things are a bit incredible, they are generally acceptable. , it can also be passed down to the world as a beautiful story.
But if Fang Jun made powerful black powder out of thin air, I'm afraid His Majesty Li Er's first reaction would not be to praise him for his outstanding contribution to the modernization reform of the Tang army, but to treat him as a monster and tie him up and light a sky lantern. ……
In this era where the scientific and technological system is almost zero, there are things beyond people's understanding that are very likely to cause huge panic.
So Fang Jun planned to say that he got the advice of a Taoist priest and got something that can produce toxic smoke when burned. Then he made a lot of miscellaneous things, cross-matched them, and made many incomprehensible things. Each recipe was tested one by one, and then the wrong or unreasonable formulas were eliminated by "eliminating the essentials and keeping improving", and finally "smartly and wisely" discovered the real black powder formula...
Although it is cumbersome and boring, it is the best disguise.
The house was built very quickly. The weather in May was getting hotter. I was sweating after working outdoors for a while. In addition, it didn't rain at all. The moisture in the house disappeared in a few days. After adding some simple furniture and items, it was ready to move in.
His Majesty Li Er was not surprised by Fang Jun's tormenting ability, but had great expectations. Although he did not think that the so-called "can produce toxic smoke" on the memorial list would be of much use. ……
But Fang Jun can always give surprises inadvertently, and His Majesty Li Er agrees with this. For example, the movable type printing technology is guarded by His Majesty Li Er in the palace. No one is allowed to leak the secret. He is waiting for the right opportunity to give those wealthy families a fatal blow that can destroy their foundation...
Now that the experiment has just begun, almost every day, thick smoke will rise from the hillside opposite the barracks, accompanied by sounds of varying severity, shocking the animals and birds in the nearby mountains to almost extinction.
Although most of the so-called formulas are just Fang Jun's random combinations without any real effect, there are always some formulas that produce effects close to black powder.
After another muffled sound, Zhao Genwang, the oldest and most senior among the old craftsmen, ran over with signs and said excitedly with runny nose and tears: "Young Prisoner, it's done!"
Fang Jun was in his office far away from the laboratory, using a monocular telescope made of the concave lens, the latest product of the glass workshop, to observe the experiments on the hillside opposite.
This formula is relatively close to the real formula of black gunpowder, except that in addition to the wrong proportion of charcoal, sulfur, saltpeter, and some other strange things, such as tung oil and rosin.
After the explosion, high-temperature tung oil and rosin were sprayed onto nearby trees and burned. Fortunately, it was almost summer, and the plants were moist and tender grass was everywhere. Otherwise, a wildfire might have started.
"Calm down! Grandpa Zhao, there is still a long way to go. Never be satisfied with the status quo. Always believe that you can do better next moment and keep up your efforts!" Fang Jun fooled around with his eyes closed.
Hearing this, Zhao Genwang really calmed down.
In this testing ground, Fang Jun is definitely a special being.
As the Young Superintendent of the Arms Supervisor, he can be said to be the top boss of these old craftsmen, and with the Marquis in charge, he must be right.
But this is not the case.
This Shangguan never discriminates against craftsmen, whether they are old-fashioned ones or those who build houses... Normally, he talks very kindly. If he has any ideas, he tries his best to discuss them with everyone and discuss them with each other. Come up with a plan that everyone agrees with.
Therefore, the atmosphere at the testing ground is very good. Sometimes these old craftsmen even think: they have worked hard for the Tang Dynasty for most of their lives, and it would be a good thing to die in such a place...
That's right, everyone thought that Fang Jun came to the mountains just because he was lazy. It was called trying to produce new weapons, but in fact it was just a trick.
But as the experiment continued to deepen, these old craftsmen were no longer calm.
Two days ago, some powder that could burn violently was prepared, and then Fang Jun ordered people to put it into a clay pot and ignite it with a fuse.
Then... there was a "bang", and a three-foot-square hillside was leveled to the ground, and the fragments of the broken pottery pot were even nailed into more than half of the tree trunk next to it...
Gradually, everyone felt something was wrong.
This is not just laziness and playfulness, this is really about developing a new type of weapon that has never been seen before...
If the clay pot was set on fire and thrown into the formation of the Turkic cavalry, it would probably frighten all the Turkic horses!
Everyone's attitude toward Fang Jun gradually changed from closeness to respect and attention.
Fang Jun silently looked at the thick smoke billowing on the hillside, which inspired him.
Who says only black powder is the ultimate goal?
Incendiary bombs can sometimes achieve more far-reaching strategic purposes...
Just imagine, when the siege cannot be conquered for a long time, using a trebuchet to throw this kind of incendiary bomb into the enemy's city. Not to mention how many enemies are killed, the blow to the enemy's morale is absolutely fatal! If you can find things that are flammable and difficult to burn, such as oil, it will be twice as powerful.
Thousands of projections can burn a city to the ground...
From now on, the history of human war will be rewritten! The thick walls of the strong city will not be able to hold on. Under the overwhelming incendiary bomb offensive, all "impregnable and solid as a rock" will cease to exist. Even real stones can be burned and cracked!
At this time, a fast horse appeared in the telescope.
The knight on the horse was majestic, galloping along the mountain road, and rushed to the barracks in a blink of an eye.
A group of soldiers in leather armor immediately surrounded him, forcing the knight to stop his horse. Although he was too far away to hear what was said, he could still see clearly through the telescope. The knight was yelling something angrily and surrounded him. His soldiers were unmoved.
Finally, the knight got angry and waved his riding whip to disperse the group of soldiers, but he didn't expect it. As soon as he whipped the whip, he was grabbed by the tip of the whip and pulled off the horse...
*************
"Hiss... be gentle!"
Cheng Chubi was naked from the waist up, and the doctor in the barracks applied ointment on his face to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. When the injured area was touched, he screamed.
Fang Jun was watching happily from the side.
Cheng Chubi said angrily: "What's so funny? A good tiger can't fight a pack of wolves. If it's one on one, I'll make all these brats fall down with just one hand! Oh, be gentle..."
The doctor suppressed his laughter, applied the ointment, and then bowed and left.
"Where did you find such a group of boys? They are very cruel!" Cheng Chubi, who was also not wearing any clothes, sat with his sword on his face and complained.
"They are all selected from the village. There are domestic servants and original victims. This place is too important and must be guarded, so these young men are gathered together to serve as guards."
Fang Jun explained with a smile.
Although His Majesty Li Er does not pay much attention to this barracks now, it is conceivable that once the black gunpowder is successfully developed and His Majesty Li Er sees the powerful power that transcends the times, he will definitely regard it as a top secret of the empire!
Before that, Fang Jun must ensure that the formula of black powder cannot be leaked, otherwise not only will he not get any credit, but he may even be suspected by His Majesty Li Er. If such a powerful thing spreads out, the emperor can still sleep?
He gathered these young men together and trained them, and they would become his own soldiers in the future. When this place is taken over by His Majesty Li Er's Royal Forest Army, he will also join the army in the westward expedition. When the time comes, he will be able to take these people with him to protect his own safety.
In these days of war and chaos, it is always important to be prepared. Fang Jun does not want to be caught by the barbarians and eat wonton noodles...
"It's best to come here less often from now on. If anything happens, just send someone to tell me."
Fang Jun had to remind him that the huge secret of black powder was involved here, and there was no need for Cheng Chubi to get involved.
Cheng Chubi rolled his eyes and said angrily: "You think so-and-so is willing to come? It's not your princess of Gaoyang who pestered my princess sister-in-law to go to the temple fair to join in the fun, so so-and-so was ordered to inform you when the time comes. He has the extremely important responsibility of being a bodyguard and protecting the safety of beauties..."
Princess Gaoyang...
Fang Jun was a little depressed. This girl seemed to like him. What should he do?
Alas, the charm is too great, but also the trouble...(End of Chapter)