Three Kingdoms

 Chapter 3032 The new shot of the big yellow crossbow

 There is no doubt that Zhu Ling is a gambler.

Zhu Ling gambled his life on the battlefield and also gambled his life in the political arena.

he is very smart.

He knew that he was a surrendered general, and Wei Yan might not come without the intention of scrutinizing him, so he spoke like an old thief and made his attitude clear.

 He bet on hussars.

Wei Yan understood what he meant, so he told some of the subsequent matters.

 In troubled times, everyone has staked their lives on the gambling table, and life and death are matters of an instant.

 Zhu Ling also staked his own life this time.

 The Weihan channel is long and narrow.

 The army poured into this passage, which would inevitably cause congestion.

This kind of congestion cannot be solved by any amount of deployment skills or coordination ability. It may be just a horse or a person who pauses for a moment, and then spreads like a wave. At the end, the whole army will be stuck. Somewhere, unable to move. Therefore, if there is a delay of one day here in Hangu, Cao Cao's overall advance speed at the other end of the Weihan Passage will be delayed for at least three days.

 And the benefits of procrastinating for one more day go far beyond that...

Because Cao Cao also knows the importance of military strength and speed, what will Cao Cao's army do when encountering obstacles?

 Zhu Ling smiled, like a wolf eyeing its prey.

He has absorbed nutrients and grown up in the martial arts hall, so he is eager for the opportunity to use his teeth and claws. And what could be more exciting for him than hunting the huge prey of Cao Jun?

 "Colonel Lieutenant..." A muffled voice came from behind, like the rustling of bushes in the wind, "The four large yellow crossbows are loaded..."

"Okay, take half of the people and two big yellow crossbows, go around here, and go forward..." Zhu Ling raised his arm and pointed to the other direction of the soil plateau at his feet, "There is a protrusion over there, do you see it?" ? There are some bushes over there... behind the bushes, be careful when lighting the fire and block some light... Remember what I said before setting off? 』

"clear. Remember, take your time, as long as you are not discovered, just play slowly..."

Zhu Ling chuckled twice and then waved his hand.

The rustling sound behind him passed through the bushes, and then some small sounds gradually faded away.

The big yellow crossbow is also called the yellow shoulder crossbow, because when firing the crossbow, two people need to use the cowhide on their shoulders to hold it open. Over time, the nitrated cowhide will dye the shoulders yellow with the help of sweat, hence its name. Therefore, the production process of this kind of big yellow crossbow is complicated, the component requirements are very high, and the shooting speed is slow. It is similar to the single-shot sniper rifle of later generations. It fires one shot after another, which is almost contrary to the requirements of large-scale troop operations.

 In large-scale troop operations, the pursuit is the best cost performance. Just like the rapid-fire Zhuge Crossbow invented by Zhuge in history, it is a typical representative of this kind. It does not seek maximum damage, but seeks fire coverage. And there are a lot of bamboos in Sichuan and Sichuan, so you will not feel any heartache if you consume a lot of bamboo crossbow arrows. .

As for the Dahuang Crossbow, everything from the crossbow machine to the crossbow bolt must be crafted with precision and precision. The ultra-long-distance shooting weapon that pursues the ultimate in certain aspects slowly declined during the Eastern Han Dynasty.

 Until Fei Qian picked it up again and blew away the dust covering it...

Fei Qian, who has the information of later generations, naturally knows that both needs are needed on the battlefield. Although most of the time he hopes to achieve a balance between speed of fire and range, when the technical level is not yet complete, he should keep one more idea. It is much better than cutting it off and then letting future generations scratch their heads and lose their hair.

Now, Zhu Ling wants to use the big yellow crossbow to do something.

　　　"Colonel, we are already in place over there..." a guard behind him reminded.

Zhu Ling said, "No hurry, let's eat something first..."

Zhu Ling took out some bacon jerky from his arms, then stuffed one into his mouth, and passed the rest to the side, "They're all divided..."

 Before the battle, eating some bacon jerky will help to reserve physical strength and prevent exhaustion after the battle.

 This is also the knowledge contained in the lectures on martial arts.

 Sometimes, Zhu Ling would think that if this martial arts hall were opened in one day, it would be impossible to attract countless heroes from all over the world!

 In the Han Dynasty, a book was worth thousands of gold. Is it really because of the materials used in this book, or because the ink is very special, or because it is an isolated ancient book? No, it's because of the value of the knowledge recorded in the book. The reason why some people in later generations are disdainful of knowledge is mostly because there is nine-year compulsory education, which is free, and it is not enough if you don't learn, so they feel bored and disdainful.

 In the Han Dynasty, even if you wanted to learn, you often couldn't learn it, and you didn't even know where to go to ask for it!

The "tactics" Zhu Ling is using now, or the method he came up with in a flash of inspiration, are exactly what he learned in the martial arts hall, the "purpose of fighting".

This problem may not seem strange to Gang Jing at all, but it may take most generals of the Han Dynasty ten or twenty years to understand it...

Even some generals who have fought in the military academy for a lifetime and died on the battlefield may not be able to understand what the last battle was for. This is not about serving the country and the people. This simple idea can only exist at the grassroots level. At the level of the martial arts hall, you must understand what battles can be fought, which battles are not necessary, what is the purpose of fighting, and what is achieved. to the place.

It's like Zhu Ling is attacking at night. Is it really just to kill some of Cao's soldiers?

No, Zhu Ling’s fundamental purpose of this night attack was to disrupt Cao Jun’s camp and prevent Cao Jun from taking a good rest. It would be best if Cao Jun’s troops were exhausted and listless the next day, and another day passed...

To achieve such a disruptive goal, one can carry out a few hundred death squads like an ordinary night raid and kill one of them to bleed him like a river.

But you can also use the big yellow crossbow to set off "firecrackers" from a distance, like Zhu Ling is doing now...

 It is indeed a large "firecracker".

Because there was a flat ditch between them, Zhu Ling didn't know how Cao's army was arranged on the opposite flatland. The road he reached was stuck on the side of Danzi Mountain. He must have been firmly controlled by Cao's army, even if he was A forced raid with soldiers may not have much effect. It is better to set off some "firecrackers" for Cao Jun on this side of the plateau.

 The sound of the big yellow crossbow being cocked is still quite loud.

 The two people used their shoulders to press the bowstring, and used the strength of their waists to pull the bowstring apart and string it up, making a creaking sound.

The improved version of Dahuang Crossbow is a hybrid bow string made of animal sinew mixed with steel wire and hair. It is very tough and extends the life of the bow string, but the problem is that it is more difficult to string.

At the beginning, there was an attempt to change it to machine gear winding, but the strength of the big yellow crossbow is several times stronger than that of the tension crossbow. Therefore, using the ratchet mechanical winding mode will either cause a lot of gear wear and tear, or the torque will still be insufficient. If you want to save torque and effort, you must increase the gear conversion ratio or add additional auxiliary devices. This will eventually lead to either the winding speed being unacceptable, or the bulk components of the large yellow crossbow becoming larger and less powerful. It was easy to carry, so I went around and around it, and finally returned to the method of stringing it on the shoulders of two people.

 But these attempts are not meaningless...

 The mechanical ratchet winding method is not suitable for large yellow crossbows, but it is very practical for open-tension crossbows and large crossbow carriages.

Due to serious gear wear, some craftsmen began to develop higher-strength alloy steel for use in the crossbow, so that the crossbow can also be turned into a hand-cranked crossbow.

Because it is not suitable to install a larger mechanical structure on the big yellow crossbow and is not easy to carry, some craftsmen simply load the mechanical structure on a large crossbow cart that does not need to be moved very much...

The only thing left is the big yellow crossbow, which is neither good nor low. It can only work on the bowstring, crossbow mechanism, and crossbow arm, update some new materials, and adopt a new steel structure trigger.

The crossbow arm of the big yellow crossbow bent little by little, accumulating strength.

　　Although the winding sound is not quiet, as long as the distance is more than thirty steps, the sound is almost rippling in the night wind. And on the plateau, the gap between the ditch above and below is more than thirty steps, or even fifty steps!

 The distance to the plateau on the opposite side is even further, about seventy or eighty steps.

There is no problem with an ordinary crossbow that can reach a hundred steps, but if you attach a grenade and shoot it, the range will definitely be greatly reduced. It may even fall into the ditch, and it will not have any shocking effect on Cao Jun. Of course, if you use a crossbow, you can naturally shoot farther, but the problem is that the crossbow is not something that can be moved by a few people and can move quickly.

Even though the ballista was equipped with wheels, it was so big when it came all the way at night...

The Big Yellow Crossbow is different. There are just two people who can shoot the bow, and then one person can light the fire, and the other can fire it, plus two people as backup, carrying crossbow bolts and grenades, a perfect four-person team!

 At a discount, it’s almost like you can’t hit a howitzer within 300 steps! Zhu Ling motioned to the guards on the side to fill in the special crossbow bolts for the big yellow crossbow.

A grenade is tied to the middle part of the crossbow arrow.

 The long gunpowder fuse was untied and hung down.

Zhu Ling tilted his head and motioned to the guards to light the fire.

 This method of firing does not ensure that every round will detonate smoothly. After all, the gunpowder may not be ignited smoothly because the wind blows out the fuse in the air, or it happens to hit the fuse when landing, etc., but 70% of the time it will still detonate...

The sound of the big yellow crossbow was clear and loud, but compared with the sound that sounded after a while, it pales into insignificance.

Hand grenades roared loudly, as if the earth was shaking in the silent night!

 The research and development of hand grenades has reached the fourth generation.

For such a relatively small object, the update speed will naturally be faster.

Historically, hand grenades appeared in the late Tang Dynasty, and were recorded in the army during the Song Dynasty. Later, they spread to Western Europe with the Mongolian soldiers of the Yuan Dynasty. Don’t think that Mongolia in the Yuan Dynasty could only ride and shoot. The Yuan Mongolia were more open-minded in military matters than the later Jianzhou Jurchens, or they preferred the use of new weapons and technologies. Of course, the Yuan Mongolia could compete with the Jianzhou Jurchens in civil affairs, and they were both terrible. If it weren't for the Jianzhou Jurchens having the magical sweet potato to extend their lives...

It’s a pity that we didn’t survive for a few more years at the end of the Ming Dynasty. But having said that, given the political environment in the late Ming Dynasty, it was difficult for sweet potatoes to be promoted on a large scale.

 At present, the craftsman system, technology research and development, etc. under Fei Qian's rule are at a relatively high level in history. At least it is much more advanced than Shandong's craftsman system. Moreover, this kind of advancement is recorded, has unified standards, and can be traced and copied.

Huang's workshop has established a set of standard processes, from raw materials to final products, with corresponding records. Unlike the previous craftsmen who only relied on experience, this allows for smoother communication and handover between craftsmen. , research and development can naturally be carried out as a team, rather than individual craftsmen trying to figure out the best.

 Hand grenades were originally made of bamboo and wood, but now they are made of forged iron. As for the black powder filled in grenades, it is difficult to guarantee the stable quality of each batch of black powder due to limitations in raw materials and basic chemical technology. Therefore, the biggest difference between the fourth-generation grenades and the third-generation grenades is not the grenades. The manufacturing process has been greatly improved, but the selection of black powder materials has been further improved. Only black powder with greater power and better effect is provided for fourth-generation grenade filling, so strictly speaking, it should be 3.5 generations?

 Silent night, sweet dreams, and then the movement of the earth shattering, suddenly made Cao Jun's camp like a hornet's nest that had been poked hard, buzzing and chaos!

 Cao's army's military system is still the original model of the Han Dynasty. In the elite general's private army, the troops directly under the headquarters are the first class, then the auxiliary troops from various counties and counties are the second class, and the third class are ordinary civilian labor. One level is higher than the other, and the number of civilian labor at the lowest level is Occupied more than half. These civilian laborers are usually responsible for the heaviest work, but have the least access to food and rest.

 When the body is exhausted and there is no sufficient energy replenishment, the human spirit is naturally extremely fragile. Therefore, the area where chaos first broke out in Cao Jun's camp was among the civilian laborers who had finally fallen asleep. After Zhu Ling fired the first grenade, Zhu Ling's men on the other side followed suit and shot the grenades towards the opposite land. The huge sound echoed on the plateau, and the explosion without warning made the laborers who came from the counties and counties, who had never seen or knew anything about gunpowder, immediately panicked. Instinctively began to dodge and flee!

Cao Hong, the vanguard general of Cao's army, saw a spirit rolling down from the couch during the initial explosion. Then he subconsciously thought it was Fei Qian's men who had sneaked into the camp. He grabbed the sword and shield beside the couch and placed them in front of him. Only then did he calm down a little bit.

　　　What happened? ! 』

Cao Hong came to his senses and shouted loudly, but the next moment, countless waves of sound surged into his ears!

　　　　The thieves attack at night! 』

 ‘Protect the general quickly! 』

　　　『Please general…』

　　　Boom! 』

　　　Boom! 』

　　　　Mom...』

 "Run quickly..."

　　It seems that everyone is shouting something, but no one can hear it, or they don't listen to what others are saying at all. They just shout and vent the fear in their hearts.

 The entire Cao Jun camp suddenly fell into chaos!

　　　Form up a formation! Form a formation! ” Cao Hong rushed out of the camp, then slapped his guards and shouted close to their ears, “Sound the gong immediately and form a formation!” 』

 Cao Hong showed his flag almost immediately and then began to gather soldiers.

The gongs sounded and the war drums roared, covering up all the panicked shouts.

 At least temporarily…

Cao Hong knew about gunpowder, and he also carried some gunpowder himself. After the initial panic, Cao Hong also reacted and asked his guards to go to the back camp to check the gunpowder situation. Then he discovered that the sound of explosions was from before. When someone came from the direction of Fang Hangu, he took a breath and felt a little relieved.

The problem is that Cao Hong and the elite Cao army under Cao Hong know more or less about gunpowder, but the vast majority of county auxiliary soldiers and ordinary working people do not know what gunpowder is at all!

 In the perception of these people, this is the sound of the earth falling apart!

 The policy of obscuring the people is indeed very trouble-free and useful at certain times, but now, its drawbacks have become apparent.

Implementing the policy of obscuring the people is actually very convenient for Shandong officials. Although some Shandong officials also lament the dullness of the people, when they are asked to do things, they still habitually choose to deceive, cajole, and fool the people. , because it is simple, effective, and most importantly, saves trouble.

The common people who have no source of knowledge and information does not mean that they are not curious, so once they start to explain, they will find that there are hundreds of thousands of reasons waiting behind them. Under such circumstances, even if some Shandong officials occasionally have a whim, Or even showing great mercy, it won’t last long.

But now, the consequences are in front of Cao Hong.

When Cao Hong gathered elite soldiers and county soldiers with golden drums, he found that the large number of civilian laborers was not calmed down by this. These civilian laborers either rushed out of the camp and fled into the distance, or shouted Shouting, running around in panic, or sticking their buttocks out, kneeling on the ground and praying...

 Cao Hong's face was as sinking as water, "Quickly adjust..."

　　　Boom! Boom boom! 』 Before he finished speaking, there was another continuous roaring and blasting sound in the distance!

The laborers, who had finally found some stability, became panicked again!

　　　『Pass my general’s order! ” Cao Hong roared, veins jumping on his forehead, “Those who rebel against the army, behead them!” 』

 Killing is the easiest, who can’t do it?

　　The soldiers under his command immediately responded in unison and headed towards the civilian laborers in the camp with murderous intent.

There was chaos all night, and it was only when the sky was getting bright that Cao Jun finally settled down again.

 Blood filled the plateau.

The grenades thrown by Zhu Ling's side actually didn't directly kill many people. They were just used to blow up Cao Hong's ambush troops hiding under Danzi Mountain and Tanyuan ditch, making these ambush troops unable to catch up. However, Cao Jun killed them by himself. The number of civilian laborers far exceeded the number of casualties caused by Zhu Ling and others.

After dawn, Cao's soldiers dispersed and searched around. Naturally, they found some remaining crossbow bolts and grenades that had not yet detonated, and presented them to Cao Hong.

 Cao Hong was quite surprised because he had never thought that the combination of these two things would have such an effect.

How to prevent this?

 Send people to blockade the land on the opposite side?

How can such a large piece of land be sealed off?

Then the hussars will come around from other directions?

 More patrol posts at night?

So how do soldiers rest?

Cao Hong looked at the grenade with the fuse removed, frowned and thought for a long time. In desperation, in order to avoid the chaos at night from happening again, he could only order the camp to be retreated five miles, and found an area that was easy to defend and difficult to attack. And he sent someone to rush this "newly discovered" weaponry to Cao Cao.

 The original plan to attack Hangu Pass quickly had to be postponed...

 (End of this chapter)