(4) The fierce battle in Jiangzhou

When Bai Qi heard that the workshops were arranged in the cave, he suddenly felt a sudden slap in his mind. Gunpowder was the most afraid of dampness. Although Shi Wei's arrangements could certainly play a secret role, it was difficult to guarantee that the gunpowder would not be damp. When he went to the battlefield, he would not be able to explode, and the joke would be a big deal. Fortunately, Bai Qi was still calm, so he didn't say anything in front of the Jie brothers, so he decided to go and see the situation first.

After following Shi Wei, he walked around the mountain for a while, and a cave appeared in a forest. You could vaguely hear a sound inside. I think this is one of the workshops.

When he entered the cave, he immediately rushed towards him. Although there was a torch in the cave, Bai Qi still adapted to it before he could see everything inside.

From the outside, it looks very small, but inside is very large, like a football field. There are many people inside working. They seem to be not concerned about Bai Qi and the others' arrival. Occasionally, a few people looked up and looked at Bai Qi and the others with their muddy eyes, and then continued to do their own work.

It was obviously a workshop for producing gunpowder. The air was filled with the smell of sulfur. Bai Qi stood there and looked at the silent head inside, feeling an indescribable feeling in his heart.

As a person with memories of his previous life, it seems unimaginable to Bai Qi to work in such a harsh environment. Bai Qi endured his inner dissatisfaction and walked out of the cave without saying a word. Shi Wei of course felt Bai Qi's unhappiness, but he didn't know where he was not doing it to make Bai Qi angry.

The fresh air outside made Bai Qi feel refreshed and quickly calmed down. After all, his thoughts were too much affected by memories of his previous life, and it was inevitable that he would be difficult to accept the actual situation today. However, it is also wrong to deny Shi Wei and his friends' work.

"Lord, if there is any inappropriateness in my subordinates, please let the Lord make it clear." Shi Wei did not dare to hide anything in front of Bai Qi, and said whatever he thought.

Bai Qi was also thinking about how to tell Shi Wei that he was too stiff, for fear of hurting Shi Wei and his self-esteem. After all, judging from the current situation, they have always been very serious and responsible in doing things, but of course they can't say anything. This is a gunpowder production. If you work in such an environment, something will happen sooner or later. Besides, Bai Qi cannot accept the reality that these workers work in such an environment.

"The workers have always worked in such an environment?" Bai Qi tried his best to ease his tone, but unfortunately his face was still a little heavy.

"Worker?" Shi Wei was stunned. This term is still new in the past, but Shi Wei quickly understood what Qi pointed to and quickly replied: "Just as the Lord saw."

"The workers have never had any objection to this?" Bai Qi asked, and at the same time he looked at Shi Wei. Bai Qi also wanted to see if Shi Wei would hide anything when answering this question.

When Shi Wei heard Bai Qi ask this question, he was surprised, but he still answered Bai Qi honestly: "Lord, you may not know that Jiezhou is not as good as the capital. The craftsmen here do things on weekdays, whether they do it for themselves or for their bosses, it is good to have a full meal. In our work, according to the Lord’s will, you will definitely eat white flour and rice every month, and you will also pay a ounce of silver for wages. Now, where can you find such a good job in this world? Besides, the Lord also gave them a 4-day holiday a month, and they will not deduct wages. Now you drive them away and they will not leave. Besides, we only need to do five hours on this day to rest. If we do other workshops, if we don’t work for seven hours a day, the boss will not give up."

It seems that the actual situation is quite different from what he thinks. This is how the people are. As long as they can survive, they will endure it. What's more, Bai Qi's workshop is quite in good condition. But even so, Bai Qi still decided to change the situation here.

"Shi Wei! I looked at the situation here and thought there were some inappropriate points. First, the air in the cave is turbid and the workers are not good for their health when working inside for a long time. Second, gunpowder is a delicate thing, fearing both fire and humidity. Not only does it mean that the humidity in the cave is heavy, but it also depends on torches to illuminate it. This greatly increases the danger. Once an explosion occurs, the consequences will be unimaginable. So I suggest that the workshop be transferred outside, even if it increases the investment, the current situation must be changed."

"Where is the East China Sea?" Bai Qi was about to explain a few words to Xie Donghai, wanting him to stay here for a while, and then talk about it. Unexpectedly, when he looked back, the people of Xie Donghai disappeared.

"When the Lord came out just now, Donghai didn't follow him, so he went inside." Jie Dongshan hurriedly spoke. While he was talking, Jie Donghai shook his head and walked out mutteringly.

"How powerful is this thing?" Jie Donghai, who kept bowing his head, didn't notice Bai Qi in front of him, and bumped into him. Fortunately, Jie Dongshan shouted in time: "Donghai, what are you muttering?"

Xie Donghai looked up and said, "The power of gunpowder is very close to the piliko of senior Izumoko. I don't know what the ingredients are different."

What Bai Qi wants is to understand Donghai's attitude. Once a person like him becomes curious about something, he will definitely put in time to study it. Maybe he can come up with some tricks in the future. After all, Bai Qi is only creating black gunpowder now, and the application of gunpowder still needs to be developed.

Bai Qi looked at Jie Donghai and smiled and said, "I want to see it? That's easy." As Bai Qi called Shi Wei and asked him to go in and get some finished products. Shi Wei immediately went in and came out after a while, holding an iron watermelon in his hand.

"Lord, this is a new thing that several of us masters have crafted. The outside is made of the dregs that were accompanied by iron smelting. It is very brittle and will immediately turn into countless pieces once it explodes, with amazing power." This was something that Bai Qi did not expect. Shi Wei and the others had already thought of going ahead, and they could also produce samples. It seems that the wisdom of the working people is infinite.

"Then let's test his power." Bai Qi smiled.

The group found a remote forest. Bai Qi and others first found a place to hide it. Then Shi Wei put the iron watermelon on the ground, ignited the lead line and immediately ran to Bai Qi as quickly as possible.

The loud "Boom!" suddenly alarmed a bird in the forest, and then the sound continued to echo in the valley, and it did not go away for a long time. After the sound, countless rustling sounds were heard. It turned out that there were too many fragments decomposed after the explosion of the iron watermelon, and it actually rustled the branches and leaves of the forest like a rain.

After the sound dissipated, Bai Qi and others climbed out. When they walked to the explosion point, they immediately stunned Jie Donghai. Not only did they explode a pit on the ground, but countless leaves were smashed into small dots on the trees around the explosion point, and green leaves were also covered with the ground. It was obvious that it was caused by the explosion of the iron watermelon.

Bai Qi was also very excited when he saw this. With this thing, it would be difficult for the opponent to use it on the battlefield in the future. However, this thing also has a problem. It cannot be far away. The opponent will not line up for you to blow it up. Besides, this thing is just a decoration when it rains. It seems that you can't rely entirely on gunpowder.

"What a pity. Although this thing is powerful, it cannot be far away. It is difficult to flexibly apply it to the battlefield. It's a pity." Bai Qi said somewhat regretfully.

"The Lord doesn't have to worry. I can design a flexible and lightweight catapult cart, which is very convenient for infantry to carry. As long as the soldiers are trained, they only need to master the time for the lead burning. When this thing comes to the battlefield, it will be the opponent's nightmare." The person who spoke was Jie Donghai, and making these things was his strength.

Bai Qi was secretly happy when he heard this. It seemed that he had gained the treasure this time. Jie Donghai was the kind of person who could turn decay into magic. In the future, the production and development of this secret base can be left to him with confidence.

"Very good. I think Donghai will be fully responsible for the matter in this workshop in the future. Shi Wei, you should first assist him in understanding the situation. Once the catapult car is produced, you will immediately organize a group of people to practice operations. In the future, the battlefield will be the place to verify the training results."

When Jie Dongshan heard Bai Qi's arrangement, he felt that it was inappropriate, but he was not a qualified adviser to confront Bai Qi in person, so Jie Dongshan smiled and said, "Master, I think this matter should be slowed down first. The most important thing at the moment is how to solve the relocation of the workshop. This matter reflects the good thing of the Lord's kindness to treat his servants. I will talk about the personnel matters in retrospect."

Jie Dongshan's tone was very calm and had no intention of contradicting it at all. Jie Donghai was not a stupid person. He immediately understood what Jie Dongshan meant and took over the words: "Master, I am only suitable to make some things I like. I know nothing about management. I should leave it to others to manage it. I am only responsible for figuring out what the Lord needs most."

Bai Qichong used the Jie brothers, who originally wanted them to work hard for themselves in the future, but he did not expect that Jie Donghai might not be wise in management matters. Now, after hearing what they said, Bai Qi felt that he was a little reckless. After all, this secret base is really important for his future development. In the choice of managers, he should listen to Xie Dongshan's opinions more.

"Since you said that, I think I'll let it go first. Shi Wei is still responsible for the time being." Bai Qi said and gave Jie Dongshan a smile, meaning to express his gratitude to him for stopping him in time. Jie Dongshan is a wise man, and he learned how to assist the emperor's art. In this situation, not only did he not show his pride, but he lowered his head slightly.

Jiangzhou, the last fortress of the Xue family. Although Bai Qiwei made a mistake in his eagerness to be king, it does not mean that Bai Qiwei is a reckless man. If this is the case, Bai Qiwei would not have successfully launched a coup. If he wants the world to accept the reality of changing hands, he must destroy Jiangzhou's resistance as quickly as possible. Otherwise, over time, Bai Qiwei's regime will definitely be in a disadvantageous position. After all, most people have received education these days, loyalty and patriotic. Xueyi has made the climate of new generations, and the scholars of the world will surrender to him.

Almost as Bai Qiwei became king, Bai Yunfan had already begun to prepare for the conquest of Jiangzhou. Three days after Bai Qiwei called King of Lu, Bai Yunfan led a 100,000 army to set off. The army was divided into two groups, land and water, and headed south along Lianghe. Three days later, the troops arrived in Jiangzhou.

In Jiangzhou, Xue Yixin's original defense zone was opposite the Later Wei Dynasty. The two countries have always had a good relationship, so Xue Yixin's soldiers were only 30,000. After Bai Qiwei's incident, although Xue Yixin recruited soldiers as soon as possible, the time was too short. In just one month, after Bai Qiwei settled the situation in the capital area, he immediately attacked Jiangzhou. This was a great deal of speed.

Xue Yixin of course understood that with his current strength, he would fight Bai Yunfan's 100,000 troops in the field, which would be to die, so he quickly reduced his troops and retreated to Jiangzhou. At the same time, he kept asking several surrounding states that announced opposition to Bai Qiwei, hoping to unite and defeat Bai Yunfan's attack. Bai Yunfan is also a general who is proficient in military tactics. How could he give the opponent time to unite? In the current situation where all forces in the country have not yet formed a united force, what Bai Yunfan has to do is to defeat them at the fastest speed.

Time is precious to both sides. Yanzhou and Ruzhou around Jiangzhou are all forces of the Qinxue family. The two states have 20,000 troops under their command. Although they are not as elite as Bai Yunfan's soldiers, once they reinforce Jiangzhou, the troubles caused to Bai Yunfan will be huge. As for Dengzhou and Fengzhou, they have been waiting and watching.

Xue Yixin retreated quickly and Bai Yunfan chased him quickly. When he arrived at the city of Jiangzhou, Bai Yunfan did not rush to attack, but asked the soldiers to rest more first and began to prepare for the siege.

If you want to seize Jiangzhou, you must first defeat its naval army. To the east of Jiangzhou is the intersection of Lianghe and Dajiang. Although the Jiangzhou naval army only has 10,000, its combat capability is definitely far higher than the 30,000 naval army brought by Bai Yunfan. If Bai Yunfan cannot destroy the Jiangzhou naval army first, once the city is siege on land, the Jiangzhou naval army can completely go out of the water gate to the east and attack Bai Yunfan's attacking troops sideways. Although it may not be able to defeat Bai Yunfan, Bai Yunfan at least cannot attack the city with all his strength.

Standing on Jiashan, Baiyunfan was the first time to observe the terrain of the battlefield. Seeing the Lianghe River flow into the river, and then the river rolled eastward to the sea, Baiyunfan couldn't help but feel mixed emotions.

Since the incident, Bai Qi went to Jiezhou, which shows that at least Yu Bai Qiwei is not consistent in his position. From this point of view, Bai Yunfan felt a sense of sadness. In the future, the two brothers will inevitably fight on the battlefield. He knew very well his father's character that Bai Qi is not moving now because of the timing. Once the world is pacified in the future, Bai Qiwei will definitely have to fight against Bai Qi.

The Lianghe River came east smoothly, but when we arrived at the foot of Jiashan, the water flow immediately became turbulent due to the obstacles of the mountain. Bai Yunfan thought to see it. Perhaps this was a chance to defeat the Jiangzhou navy.

Bai Yunfan did not give Xue Yixin too much time. After the army rested for two days, Bai Yunfan ordered the siege.

The war drums rumbled, and millions of soldiers lined up in neat formations and slowly approached the city of Jiangzhou. Above the Lianghe River, Bai Yunfan's naval army was dispatched to suppress the Jiangzhou naval army and prevent them from attacking the siege troops on the side.

Dozens of huge catapults are the magic weapon for Baiyunfan to attack the city and are also the key targets for the offensive troops to protect. Each catapult car has a knife player and a crossbow team to cover it in front of each catapult.

The catapult finally entered the range of the range of long-range weapons on the city wall. The catapult stopped and began to fire. This may be the pre-attack artillery preparation in the age of cold weapons.

"Bang! Bang!" Fifty catapults were launched together, and huge stones flew towards the city wall with a fierce sound of wind. With a "date", the stones hit the city wall hard, causing the entire city wall to tremble. Some soldiers with bad luck on the city wall, once they were hit by a huge rock, they didn't even have time to scream, and they were immediately smashed into meat sauce, and their flesh and blood were flying everywhere. The tragic situation could not be expressed in words.

Facing the catapult cart, the Jiangzhou army, who were not well prepared, could only endure it silently. These stones were huge and not very convenient to carry them. The attacking troops always smashed the stones. If they want to take down the city, they had to rely on the direct attack of infantry. Then it should be the time for the defenders to show their power.

It should be said that the lethality of the catapult car is still very good for the offensive troops. While almost every huge rock hits the city wall violently, the troops preparing to attack below will cheer deafeningly, which is naturally incomparable to the Jiangzhou army, which has been quiet.

The catapult car finally stopped firing and began to retreat slowly. At this time, Baiyunfan ordered the flag to lift the flag, and hundreds of war drums were beaten at the same time. When the attacking troops heard the drum sound, they heard the order of attack. The three armies simultaneously burst out with a shocking "kill" sound. The attacking troops began to slowly approach the city wall, first walking slowly, then taking a quick step. When they entered the range of the opponent's bow and arrow, the attacking troops had already become accelerated and ran.

The Jiangzhou defenders who had been depressed for a long time finally waited for the opportunity to fight back.

Xue Yixin looked very similar to Xue Yiran. She stood on the city wall and looked at the Bai family rebels who were constantly approaching. Although Xue Yixin was also very nervous, he understood that if he didn't insist on fighting here now, he would probably not see the sun tomorrow.

"Shoot the arrow!" Xue Yixin shouted with almost all her strength. The time to determine her fate has come, and Xue Yixin's nervous voice is a little hoarse.

"Yes!Yes!Yes!" More than three thousand archers began the first round of blocking. Facing the 100,000 soldiers, each archer was almost desperately firing.

The first round of shooting seemed to have not achieved greater results under the blocking of the shield player. Although soldiers were constantly being shot down, the Bai family army's formation had almost no wavering, and the offensive troops had already reached less than fifty steps. This time the real bleeding began.

Fifty steps are the most effective opportunity for the defense to use crossbow arrows to kill offensive troops, and it is also the best distance for the defense to defend without any casualties. Xue Yixin has always led troops, so he knows this truth.

Almost all the archers put down the bows in their hands, picked up the crossbows, and rushed to the edge of the city wall. Three thousand crossbows were collected by Xue Yixin after exhausting his skills. Many of them were borrowed from other states. Although crossbows were powerful weapons, their production process was too complicated and there were not many equipment in the army.

Nearly 10,000 crossbow arrows were launched in just one round, and four or five hundred people fell from the front-end troops of the attacking Bai family army. Despite the shield, the crossbow arrows were too dense. With its powerful penetration, the huge casualties of the Bai family army began.

The attacking party would not just let the mermaid meat. The shield players who rushed to the city soon formed a defense. Thousands of bows and knives began to shoot upwards, suppressing the crossbow arrows of the Jiangzhou army. At the same time, they also covered the siege troops to rush to the city quickly and start siege. The first close contact between the two sides began.

After paying the price of thousands of casualties, the Bai family army finally rushed to the city, and thousands of ladders were set up, and the troops began to climb up the city bravely. The Jiangzhou army used the prepared rock rolling wood to smash down, and the crossbow archers also rushed down desperately with the crazy blocking of the Bai family archers.

Soldiers were constantly being smashed down under the city wall, and soldiers who were about to continue climbing were also constantly being shot and killed. The tragic situation under the city wall was hard to see, and screams were endless. It was no longer clear whether it was the attacking troops or the defensive party's screams.

Bai Yunfan's first attack lasted only an hour before it ended. Although the attack did not succeed, it was also huge for the Jiangzhou army. Not to mention one thousand casualties, the most important arrows were consumed more than half of the time after the first attack. This was the most deadly thing for Xue Yixin. From this point of view, the Jiangzhou army's lack of preparation was exposed.

Bai Yunfan did not give his opponent more breathing time. After a moment, the replenished catapult car once again showed its might. The huge stones smashed the city wall again and kept shaking. Fortunately, the launch time this time was shorter. After a moment, the charge of the Bai family army began again.

Two more hours passed, Bai Yunfan's second attack failed again, and the casualties of the troops reached nearly 5,000. The second attack lasted for an hour and a half, and the defense of the Jiangzhou army also suffered nearly 3,000 casualties.

The battlefield was full of scattered flags and weapons, and the groans of those wounded soldiers who had not died. War was always cruel, and war of any era meant large-scale bleeding and death.

Bai Yunfan's expression became more serious after the failure of the two attacks, staring at the Jiangzhou city walls expressionlessly. Although his attack cannot be said to be not fierce, in the end, the purpose seemed to have not been achieved. The Jiangzhou navy had not been moved. Could it be that he wanted to wait for his army to be exhausted and give him some ruthlessness?
Chapter completed!