Chapter 114 Dagu Watching Cannons

When the emperor was inspecting the green camp garrison in Yangcun, the green camp soldiers made a huge joke. The emperor did not make any attacks on the spot. After returning to Tianjin, he immediately dismissed the Admiral Yishan and General Changrui as the title of General Changrui, and brought it back to the capital to discuss the crime. All officials and officers at all levels of subordinates were demoted to two levels on the spot and fined their salary for one year. Even Shangguan Nar's quota and Hu Linyi were each punished with serious demerits. A good martial arts performance made the dust and the news came to the Dagu Fortress Pipe, Chu Xiu, and he couldn't help but feel worried.

If such an accident happened in his camp, it would be that it would be a dismissal from his post and the salary would be fined. There were six types of artillery purchased by the court from the British to Dagu Fortress, totaling 177, and placed at various passes to strengthen the border defense of the sea. According to the people of the Ministry of War, this batch of artillery cost no less than 1.32 million taels of silver.

If you spend so much money, if you make a slight mistake during the emperor's inspection, how can you afford to be a turret? Therefore, this test cannon must not only be fired and accurately, but also be fired well.

These requirements are indispensable. If there is any problem in any link, it is a great event. Although Hua Chuxiu is from martial arts, she is very smart. After thinking about it for a night, she figured out a plan for him. He first asked Tang Dusi, a person in charge of common affairs in the camp, and called him, "Changlin, do you know, who can do the water in the fort?"

"There are a lot of them," said Tang Shiwu. "The brothers in the camp are in the water, especially the third camp guard Xu Dalin, the best water quality."

"Okay, go and find Xu Dalin."

Soon, Xu Dalin arrived at the room under the supervision. After saluting, Hua Chuxiu asked him to stand up, "Dalin, I heard from Mr. Tang, you have a good water quality, but is that?"

"Yes, Bei Zhi is from Jinan Prefecture, Shandong Province. He has loved water since he was a child. He talked about water merits. In this camp where Dagu Fortress belongs, my brothers asked for the first place."

"That's good." Hua Chuxiu nodded, "The emperor is coming to inspect the fort, and you also need to see the power of these more than a hundred cannons, do you know?"

"I know. The last time Lord Hu came to the fort and preached it to his brothers. The brothers must show it well. We can't let the Qiu Ba in Yangcun compete and give it to the emperor, Dagu Fort..."

"Okay." Hua Chuxiu interrupted him, "I know what brothers think, it is always good to have such filial piety to the emperor. But I think, since I want to fight *, I can't just fight like this on the sea, and find the target, what do you think?"

Xu Dalin was a little confused, "I don't understand what my sir."

"That's right, I think we will buy a few fishing boats from nearby fishermen, place them on the sea, and then use artillery to sink the fishing boat. What do you think?"

"Of course it's good, but the boats must float around on the sea. If they escape from the range of the cannon, the brothers can't use it even if they have enough strength?"

"Of course, you can't let the boat row out of the range. I think so. The boat is tied with an anchor chain and when it reaches the range, you will get down to anchor and moor. Brothers will first take a few rounds and adjust their positions. When the emperor comes, we will fight for one shot and sink all these ships. What do you think?"

Xu Dalin and Tang Shifu looked at each other, "But, if you want to find the people to buy this fishing boat as a target boat, I am afraid that the people will not agree?"

"It is not necessary to have a new boat. The abandoned fishing boat will be enough to handle the errands as long as it is not sinking into the water. "

"I am in a humble position."

"This matter is left to you. In three days, the emperor will come to the fort. You must be prepared."

So, Shifu Tang went on to arrange the purchase of the target boat, and some of them borrowed official duties from it, without having to make detailed statements. Fortunately, he finally found sixty-three broken fishing boats, and then found the carpenters in the camp to repair the leaks slightly, ordered people to buy paint, and repaint the colorful flags on the high-rise masts. The middle of the ship was placed with sulfur, tung oil and other fire-induced objects on the sea surface, swaying and drifting with the wind. He also ordered Xu Dalin to take more than a dozen soldiers with good water properties to drive the boat, connecting dozens of target boats into a string, and bringing them to the depths of the sea.

The gunner on the shore calibrated it with a ruler and said to Hua Chuxiu, "Sir, you can do it. If you do it, you will be out of the range of the artillery."

"Tell Xu Dalin, tell him to lay an anchor here."

Who knew that the flag language had been played, Xu Dalin and others continued to paddle forward with their backs to the shore, making everyone on the shore angry and funny, "Sir, Old Xu is confused again."

Hua Chuxiu laughed and scolded, and ordered: "Call him and send more people to call him this turtle."

Several soldiers stood on the shore, shouting loudly, shaking the water surface, and spreading far away with the wind. Finally, Xu Dalin heard it and quickly rowed back, looking at the flag-speaking orders on the shore, and arrived at the position, jumped from the boat into the water, untied the cables one by one, put down the anchor chain, and more than a dozen people swam back to the tugboat and rowed to the shore together.

Seeing that the brothers got ashore, Hua Chuxiu ordered, "Take a shot."

"Yes." The gunner quickly pulled the bolt and stuffed a shell. With a loud "bang", the shell flew out of the air and landed on the sea, splashing a large splash of water. The cannon heroes of the Dagu Fort were guided by technicians sent by British artillery production factories. They loaded guns, calibrated, fired, and retracted the shells, and adjusted the shooting elements. They were quick and skillful. Seeing that the shells were still a little far from the target ship, the gunner kept making some calculations, adjusted them again, and loaded another shell: "Sir, will you shoot another shot?"

"Call again"

"Zhe" the gunner agreed and fired another shot. Seeing a beautiful parabola passing by in the air, a target ship in the middle exploded and smoke rose. The target ship turned into wooden boards, wood chips, and oil stains scattered on the sea surface.

"Okay." The people watching on the shore couldn't help but shout.

Hua Chuxiu was also very proud: This is a thousand times stronger than a shell falling on the empty sea? I think even if the emperor sees it, he will definitely be happy, right? "Okay, stop fighting. When the emperor comes, brothers will practice hard and be happy to beat the emperor as they are today. Everyone has rewards."

On March 15th, the guards leading the imperial guards and the imperial guards arrived at the Dagu Fort. After dismounting, they were on guard first. Senggelinqin was the leading minister, and the governor of Zhili, who arrived one day earlier, the prefect of Tianjin, and others were preparing to take over the task. They built a colorful silk archway in front of the barracks and hyped pavilions on both sides. When the emperor arrived, the 177 cannons of the fort were fired at the same time, mixed with the clear sound of the fine blowing and blowing ten times, and the scene was very lively.

The flags swayed from afar, and the sound of drums and music was heard. Senggelinqin bowed to Naer Jing'e, Hu Linyi and others, "Tangweng, brother Runzhi, brother Pengxia, the emperor has arrived, should I pick you up with me?"

Everyone went out of the camp, knelt down beside the road, and led the horse team over, and the emperor was riding the imperial chariot, and there were firecrackers ready to ignite them. The sound of ping-pong was loudly made, and Senggelinqin and others performed a great ceremony for the emperor and his ministers: "Since, please come to the emperor, long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live table

The imperial guards kept walking straight and entered the barracks. Zaiyuan, who served as the Luanyi Guard, met and saluted in front of the chariot. The emperor then got out of the car. The soldiers and generals in the camp who were waiting in line in the camp, knelt down at the same time, shouting long live: "Long live my emperor, long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long

"Not for it." The emperor came out of court clothes, with a crown, a Rui cover, a golden dragon jacket, a bright yellow soft ribbon tied around his waist, a smile on his face, and looked around, "Just look at the soldiers' vigorous appearance, you can see that well..."

Zaiyuan reminded him: "Your Majesty, Guandao is called Hua Chuxiu."

"Oh, is Hua Chuxiu here?"

When Hua Chuxiu heard the emperor call his name, he lowered his head and bowed his waist and came out of the crowd. When he got closer, he knelt down with a dozen horse's hoof sleeves: "I, Dagu Fortress Pipe, please come to the emperor."

"I have heard of you," the emperor looked at him, "get up and talk."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"How many years have you been working on this turret?"

"Reply to the emperor, I came to Dagu Fort on June 11, 2018, and it has been six years since today."

"Six years? Are you familiar with the military affairs on the fort?" Before he could speak, the emperor continued to ask, "I ask you, do the artillery purchased from the British this time have any advantages and disadvantages of the artillery produced by my Celestial Empire?"

"I think that the British cannons are far away, light in weight, and are loaded later, and each launch gap is more convenient. After the soldiers practiced, they all said, "When Hua Chuxiu said, suddenly remembering that buying cannons from the British was a new policy implemented by the emperor and the emperor worked hard to help them. What else should I worry about? "It is said that the cannons cast by the Celestial Empire cannot be compared with those of the heavenly dynasty. Brothers also said that with such cannons, the Qing Dynasty can be protected for thousands of years, and the emperor is as stable as Mount Tai in the Forbidden City."

"Well said," the emperor smiled loudly and asked again: "Does the soldiers pay monthly salary on time?"

"Yes. Every year, the salary is always paid in full-term."

"That's good. Soldiers fight for their country, and no one can withhold money for any reason."

The emperor wanted to say something else, Yi? He stepped forward and said in his ear: "Your Majesty, the sea breeze outside is too strong, so please ask the emperor to enter the headquarters?"

It was getting late, so that the emperor could rest early, all the red tape was exempted. Everyone followed the emperor to the headquarters and immediately returned to the camp, making the final inspection overnight and preparing for review.

There was nothing to say all night. The next morning, the emperor was wearing a bright yellow suit, wearing a five-clawed golden dragon and four-ball stone blue jacket, and wearing a cemetery crown. Unfortunately, it was light raining that day, so he wore a bright yellow raincoat. He first sat on a red and gold-spreaded Ming sedan to the schoolyard, and then transferred to a chrysanthemum blue horse specially transported from the capital. He was dismounted in the martial arts stage amidst the deafening cannons and music.

After Hua Chuxiu reported the number of people who were admitted to the school, he began to review it. First, look at the formation, then look at the shooting swan, shoot for a while with bows and arrows, and the feathers flew over. The emperor looked at the target with a thousand-mile mirror. The small hole in the red heart was as dense as a honeycomb, which showed that the head was very accurate.

Saishana stood beside him, peering at the emperor's face but no smile. On the contrary, when he saw the soldiers shooting arrows, his eyebrows were frowning.

When the shot of the swan was finished, the emperor nodded reluctantly and sent an edict: "Give rewards, five thousand taels."

The soldiers were boiling, and their cheers were filled with words. The next step was the highlight of this inspection: watching the gun.

With a command, the twelve forts on the mountains on the east and west sides of Haikou were fired together, crossing the cannons, woven into a blazing fire net, completely blocking the entrance of the sea. The white waves surging on the sea surface, and the several target ships prepared within a few days were smashed to pieces and floated alone on the sea surface.

This time the emperor was really happy. He put down the Qianli Mile Mile in his hand and slapped the armrest of the imperial throne with force: "If you fight well, you can give it a reward, and give it a reward."

After the cannon was fired, the emperor left his seat and, under the support of everyone, he arrived at the edge of the fortress. However, he was not busy watching the cannon, but reached back and quickly handed over the Qianlijing. The emperor waved his hand: "Don't want this, get me a pair of bows and arrows. Oh, take the bows and arrows used by the soldiers."

Everyone didn't know what he was going to do, so they took a pair of bows and arrows. The emperor personally took an arrow, slowly spreading the bowstrings, and the arrow flew out of the air, crossing the water surface, and the castration had faded and fell lightly into the water. He put the bows and arrows down and stretched out his hand again: "Get a musket."

This time everyone knew what he was going to do. When the musket was taken, the emperor fired a shot at the sea: "Touch." When all this was done, the musket he put down, "Did you see it?"

"Yes, I have seen it."

"When I was just watching soldiers shoot swans, I thought that bows and arrows are not bad. However, today, the world has changed and the world has changed. It can be said that the army of overseas Yi has already equipped muskets as common weapons. What about us? Or are we using these bows and arrows with low efficiency, slow firing frequency and insufficient firing range? Even if there are artillery as a thing to defend against the enemy, can we make up for the differences between such close combat?"

"The emperor is as careful as a hair, and he sees it in a small way. He can only see all things that have not been completed in one fell swoop. I am impressed by me."

"You don't need to flatter you." The emperor sighed helplessly, no longer talking about this matter, turned around and walked to the gunner who was kneeling and saluting next to him, "What's your name?"

"Reply to the emperor, the youngest is Han Fuqiang."

"How many years have you been in the army?"

"Reply to the emperor, I have been in the army for five years. My father has been in the fortress. I am a young man..." Nar scolded him, "Stop talking and don't talk nonsense. Don't say anything the emperor didn't ask."

Today, those who can go to the fort and perform martial arts in front of the emperor are all picking up people among the guards of the fort. Han Fuqiang is like this. His family has been in the army for two generations. He has been in the barracks since he was a child. He grew up on the edge of the fort and was unmatched in his skills. He even read a few days ago, and was no longer as rough as those old people who could not read big words, so he was selected by Hua Chuxiu.

That's what he said, but Han Fuqiang's heart was still pounding. At this time, after the adult scolded him, the young man's face, which was hidden under his big hat, was frightened and speechless, unable to say a word.

"Stop talking." The emperor turned around and glared at Nar's forehead, and continued to ask, "You continue to say, what's wrong with you?"

The soldier named Han Fuqiang gradually became less afraid when he heard the emperor's gentle words and continued, "The younger father and brother were all serving in the fort, and the younger son inherited his father's business and also served in the fort."

The emperor laughed at Han Fuqiang's speech and said, "Have you studied?"

"I have read a few books at home, and I have also made a few words."

"This time the imperial court purchased artillery produced by the British. Can I master the tricks of operation and use?"

"Yes, I can control the words of the emperor."

"What, can you understand the words of the sages?"

"The young one doesn't understand, but there is a general interpretation that the young one has been operating in this turret for many years, so it's probably understandable."

"I'm here, you load it now and launch it once."

"Yes," Han Fuqiang leaned back and touched his head again, got up and wanted to go, "Wait a minute, I will give you an order, and then you can start again." As he said that, he turned around and asked, "Who brought the gold watch?"

Saishan Ah replied, "Take a slave."

"Get it." After taking the large gold watch, the emperor waited for a while, "Let's start."

Han Fuqiang pulled the bolt open, and the fired shell slid out, then held up one from the bolt box, like holding a baby, filled it inward, pushed it with his left hand, and closed the bolt again with his right hand, and fell down again: "Your Majesty, the little one has been loaded, please tell me whether to fire it."

The emperor looked at the gold watch in his hand and smiled satisfied in less than five seconds: "There is no need to launch." After saying that, he shook and hung the gold watch in front of Han Fuqiang, "You have worked hard and made great contributions to this gold watch. I will give it to you for the time being, right?"

Han Fuqiang was a little dazed, unable to believe that this blessing like heaven would come to him. Until the emperor said it again, he hurriedly lay on the ground and rang out: "Thank you, the prince."

After watching the cannon at Dagukou, the emperor issued an order and the imperial guards kept returning to Beijing immediately.

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Chapter completed!