Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 284

Chapter 284 Secret Weapons
It didn’t take much effort, and the matter of going to Lanzhou was settled just like that. Qin Mubai thought for a while and immediately began to prepare.

It should be more meaningful to go to Lanzhou to assist Father Town in guarding the frontier than to stay in Xiang Zhou. Moreover, in this situation, the Emperor was going to tighten his control over the princes. After all, it was not a good thing that he had been in close contact with Li Ke. Perhaps the matter of abolishing the Storage Lord would not be on the agenda for long. At this time, staying in the imperial capital’s imperial court was also very troublesome.

Leaving Chang’an for Lanzhou was indeed a good choice.

Qin Mubai was somewhat grateful to Li Shimin. He chose Qin Mubai to go to the border to further his studies in this troublesome autumn because he wanted to nurture him, and also because he wanted to protect him.

“What a good father-in-law! When we get to the border, we have to do something. The Tibetan barbarians actually dare to hit on my Gaoyang baby. Let’s see how I deal with them then!” Qin Mubai thought to himself.

In the past two days, Qin Mubai had been traveling between the imperial palace’s temple and his home at two o’clock. Although he looked busy, he was actually very idle. He had just returned to the imperial capital, and the official position in Xiangzhou was still hanging. The new appointment certificate hadn’t come down yet, and he was now close to a loose official.

With this large amount of free time, he could do many things he wanted to do. When he returned to the capital, he handed Qin Shi, the boy who was playing with gunpowder, to Tu Youhai of the Left Campus. The two of them returned to serve as supervisors and worked day and night to produce the Five Child Divine Lightning and the red-robed cannon according to Qin Mubai’s instructions.

The craftsmen and equipment to be supervised were much more professional and complete than the temporary workshop in Xiangzhou. Within a few days, a few of the Five Child Divine Lightning bolts had been successfully completed, and a small red-robed cannon had also been completed.

Tu Youhai and Qin Shi came to Qin Mubai to report this matter. Qin Mubai was delighted and immediately went into the palace to ask for the Emperor’s help.

With this secret weapon, how could it be difficult to establish a successful career in Lanzhou? However, it was better to inform the Emperor of such a major event. Li Shimin’s personality was like this. Everything big and small was easy to discuss, but he just didn’t like his subjects to fool around without him knowing.

Li Shimin naturally only saw the blueprints of the Five-fingered Divine Lightning and the red-robed cannon. He looked at them puzzledly for a while and asked, “Mubai, what is this?”

Qin Mubai briefly introduced the uses and origins of these two items, and said, “Your Majesty, this item is unique in the world. It is the sole specialty of the Great Tang.” The reason why Tibet was arrogant and rude was mostly because of their cavalry. Although our Tang cavalry is not afraid of battle, it will inevitably suffer heavy losses. If there were some things to help defend the city, it was truly a one-man fight against ten thousand men, standing first in undefeated. In this way, how much manpower and material resources should be saved! Moreover, if said destroy the city pull village, and far better than the ladder; “Ambush and assassinate, but you win, but you shoot too many flame arrows.”

Li Shimin was both shocked and shocked when he heard this, “In that case, this is a great vicious thing!”

“Indeed.” Qin Mubai nodded. “A swordsman with two blades and a soldier with a lethal weapon has always been like this.”

“That makes sense.” Li Shimin was a horse emperor, experienced the battle array diligently and gracefully. If it was an emperor who was as cowardly as a mouse and suspicious as a mouse, the first thing he would think of was, ‘Would he have used this thing to bomb the Imperial City?’

Fortunately, Li Shimin wouldn’t. Only then did Qin Mubai dare to offer this item.

“This way, I really want to see it!” Li Shimin said, “Is there anything ready?”

“Yes!” Qin Mubai was delighted, “If His Majesty wants to observe, he should choose a deserted and quiet place that is sparsely populated, so as to avoid accidentally injuring people and animals.”

Li Shimin pondered for a moment and nodded, “Tomorrow, in the Little An Forest thirty miles north of the Black Tortoise Sect of the Great Ming Palace, it used to be the Imperial Tian Garden at the foot of Mount Zhongnan. Now that it is abandoned, it is sparsely populated. I can give it a try.”

“Yes, this lowly official obeys the decree!”

The next day, Li Shimin brought a group of guards to Little Anlin. Qin Mubai, Tu Youhai, Qin Shi, and the others had already prepared themselves and were waiting for them.

Li Shimin glanced at the red-robed cannon and was stunned when he saw it. Hearing Qin Mubai explain the origin, production, and power of this cannon, even a military commander who had used troops for half his life couldn’t help but be shocked. He said, “If this thing is really as powerful as you said, from today onwards, the military strength of the Great Tang will be raised by more than a few levels. As a result, the war between swords, spears, and halberds will also change.”

“Your Majesty is holy.” Qin Mubai clasped his hands and said, “But this thing also has a lot of drawbacks. His production was tedious and costly, and although he could drag it on horseback, it was difficult to carry it in rainy and snowy weather or on muddy roads. Therefore, for the time being, it could only be limited to defending the city, ambushing or sieging the city. “Furthermore, it is impossible to produce large quantities of them for the time being. It is not easy to train soldiers who are proficient in manipulating them to shoot.”

Li Shimin smiled faintly, “That’s the last words-let me see first!”

“Yes! Your Majesty, please retreat!”

After getting ready, Tu Youhai and Qin Shi were responsible for firing the cannons. The target was a pile of rocks 200 steps ago. The reason why he chose this distance was because the maximum range of the Great Tang Crossbow was 150 steps.

“Boom!” A loud explosion shocked Li Shimin, the emperor of Mount Tai, to the point that he raised his hand to cover his face.

“So explosive!” He took a deep breath and cried out in shock.

In front of him, a large hole had been blasted out of the pile of rocks, and stone fragments were flying everywhere. The surrounding area was already covered in scorched earth.

Li Shimin personally went forward to check, then turned around to look at the dark barrel of the cannon, his heart trembling.

“If the troops were to receive this blow, they would immediately be shattered into powder!” He said, “Mubai, it is indeed appropriate to use it against Tibetan cavalry. However, if outsiders obtain this item, it will pose a major threat to our Great Tang.”

“Your Majesty’s Mirror.” Qin Mubai cupped his fists and said, “This lowly subject is humble. If you are worried that someone else will learn this thing and pose a threat to our Great Tang, it is no different from giving up on food for fear of choking.” However, I, the Great Tang, have always treated the world with open mind and forgiveness. When have I ever been a jinx? Didn’t our military armor, paper making, calendar, medicine, and other outstanding techniques all be passed down to the foreign beards without reservation? Gunpowder and cannons originated from our Great Tang. They can imitate it, but they must not be allowed to surpass it. It’s up to us how we do it. ”

“That makes sense!” Li Shimin laughed loudly, “This theory coincides with what I thought!” Well said! It can be imitated and cannot be surpassed. The way to do this is not for me to watch the sky from the bottom of my heart, but to constantly improve and strengthen ourselves so that we can stay ahead and stand out! This is also the essence of our Great Tang Mighty Clothes Four Seas Leader Wan Bang. “Mubai, I am very gratified that you have such foresight!”

Qin Mubai smiled and cupped his hands. “Your Majesty, I’m proud to be a Tang!”

“Oh, what do you mean?” Li Shimin asked with a smile.

“Because we are open, tolerant, confident and strong!” Qin Mubai said word by word, “In the future, it will be even more powerful!”

“Haha!” Li Shimin laughed loudly, “If all the subjects in the world are like you, Qin Mubai, why worry that the Great Tang will not flourish?–Five-fingered Divine Lightning and Red-clothed Cannon, I will allow you to build it, and I will also order the Finance Department of the Household Department and the Weapons Department of the Left Colleges to assist you! However, you must be cautious. Use it first in Lanzhou and observe its effects.”

“Yes! Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!” Qin Mubai clasped his fists gratefully and bowed.

At this moment, Qin Mubai was really glad. Fortunately, he had transmigrated to the open and tolerant Great Tang Empire and encountered an enlightened, confident and far-sighted monarch. If it was in the secluded and arrogant Manchu era, he and these so-called inventions could be a miniature of a tragedy.

Li Shimin smiled and patted Qin Mubai on the shoulder. “If you say trust …” Not to mention that you are Uncle Treasure’s son, you are my son-in-law. If it were any official general, I would treat him equally. Actually, perhaps I really should be worried about whether someone will one day use this thing to bombard the Imperial City with indiscriminate bombardment. But on second thought, if such a thing happened, would there be five-fingered divine lightning and red-robed cannons? The outcome would be the same. Therefore, I am relieved. ”

Qin Mubai couldn’t help but laugh, “Your Majesty is holy.” The explosives and cannons were actually the same as the saber hanging on my waist. If a saber could kill people, would it be forbidden under the heavens? In this way, he would really give up on food for fear of choking. However, at the very least, this lowly official would not do such a disrespectful thing. This was because there were family members of this official in the Imperial City, so it could be considered as my home. “How can you destroy your own family?”

“Haha!” Li Shimin laughed heartily and walked back with Qin Mubai on his shoulder. He said in a good mood, “Of all my sons-in-law, only you are the most capable.” Mubai, I went to Lanzhou to help your father. A gallant hero like him, who had taken the head of a million troops, was somewhat aloof and arrogant. I have never been worried about marching to war, but I am afraid that his morality might slip by a little. Actually, I have long wanted to send a capable person to assist him, but I have not been able to obtain him. Thinking about it, only you, the Qin Family’s Sanlang, are the most suitable. I thought your father would be able to hear you. ”

Qin Mubai nodded, “Your Majesty, don’t worry. If I go to Lanzhou, I will do my best to assist my father and make him as firm as gold.”

“Oh, this alone is not enough.” Li Shimin said casually, “Yesterday, you also heard me talking to Duke Wei. Lanzhou is an important strategic location for our military country. Not only do I want it to be as stable as a rock, but I also want it to be able to withdraw and defend. Whether it is to impeach Tuyuhun or to manage the Western Regions in the future, we are all counting on Lanzhou!”

“Yes! I understand!” Qin Mubai cupped his fists and said.

Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction and smiled. He patted Qin Mubai’s shoulder and said, “I have confidence in you! Don’t disappoint me!”

The Emperor had passed this trial!

As soon as the imperial edict was given, Qin Mubai immediately invited the assistant minister in charge of the household finance and some of the officials who would serve as supervisors to secretly discuss the matter of Fan Zhu’s cannon.

The Imperial Court had already ordered the Minister of Officials, Hou Junji, to lead the troops south to West Shu and head to Songzhou to meet the invading Tibetans. I believe it won’t be long before the reinforcements of the Lanzhou army set off. Due to the limited time available, Qin Mubai decided not to cast the cannon in Chang’an anymore. That way, it would be difficult to keep the cannon confidential. At that time, transporting a thousand kilometers would be a big problem. Therefore, he only asked for money from the household registration department and asked the general to be the supervisor.

Within a few days, Ju Wancai and a hundred skilled craftsmen had all been prepared, and they only listened to their orders. Qin Mubai kept it a secret and didn’t tell these people what they were doing. He only told them to get dressed and ready to go to Lanzhou at any time.

Next, after the Imperial Court gave the order, he brought the money and craftsmen to Lanzhou.

A few days later, the sacrifice at the temple was finally over. Li You’s golden body was also plated with chromium, and he moved to Famen Temple to place it in the newly-built Buddha Pagoda. The high monk set up an altar to preach scripture, and the Aquatic Dojo didn’t stop day and night, tossing and turning for another ten days and a half months.

Imperial Concubine Yin De, who had not appeared in public for a long time, appeared in Famen Temple accompanied by her daughter Princess Gaoyang. She wore a plain gauze robe, white hair, and a gauze hat. She flashed outside the Buddha Pagoda without stopping.

Gaoyang told Qin Mubai that Imperial Concubine Yin De was still unable to face the fact that her son could not be buried and was cast into a golden body and placed in the Buddha Pagoda.

To use Concubine Yin De’s words-“What’s the difference between this and hanging your head in public?!”

For this reason, Qin Mubai could only … sigh!