Late Yuan Dynasty: I am the true emperor

Chapter 131 Two happy events
After visiting the navy's large ships and finalizing the renovation plan, Lu Jin went to see the medium-sized ships that were 20 meters long.

These medium-sized ships are not small in size, but because they are inland transport ships, they rarely have decks. They only have a hull or a awning. These ships are the real main force of the navy. After all, there are only a few tower ships.

However, if this type of ship is converted into a gunboat, a deck must be added, otherwise it will be difficult to place the artillery. It would be better to have a second-floor terrace for archery or musketry, and then install some light French submachine guns, and the conversion will be complete.

Lu Jin pointed at the medium-sized boats and asked, "Can these boats enter Chaohu Lake at any time?"

Liao Yongjian nodded. "This type of ship is fine. It doesn't have a deep draft and can enter Chaohu Lake at any time. We seized this type of ship from the Wuwei Navy before. They were stationed in Ruxu River before and nothing happened."

"Then come back and wait for my news. Once Luzhou is ready, we will send them back in batches for modification." Lu Jin made the arrangements only after he was sure that they could enter Chaohu.

"General, the most powerful weapons for naval warfare are the bowl-mouthed musket and the crossbow. The other weapons are the bow and the crossbow. Infantry sailors should use swords and shields, as well as the hook-and-sickle spear. The hook-and-sickle spear is more useful than the spear in naval warfare, especially when going to board a ship."

When Liao Yongjian heard that Lu Jin wanted to carry out large-scale modifications to the ship, he immediately reminded him.

Lu Jin nodded, "Then make a batch of hook-and-sickle spears. There's no need for crossbows. I have other weapons to replace them. What is this bowl-mouthed gun?"

Liao Yongjian was also born into an ordinary family of fishermen. How could he know what a bowl-mouthed gun was? It was the surrendered Bai Guangtai who told him about it. So he immediately waved his hand and called Bai Guangtai over, "Come and tell the Marshal what a bowl-mouthed gun is."

Bai Guangtai clasped his fists and immediately said.

"Replying to the commander, this bowl-mouthed gun is a kind of large fire gun. The gun body is no different from an ordinary large gun, but it has a bowl-shaped mouth that looks like a trumpet. When it is used, it is filled with gunpowder and a stone bullet is placed at the mouth of the bowl. The stone bullet can be thrown high into the sky and hit the enemy's ships."

After hearing the description, Lu Jin realized that this was a mortar, so he immediately asked, "Is it the same as the stone mortar used to pound rice?"

"Yes, yes, yes, but there is a bowl-shaped mouth on the mortar. If it is an ordinary mortar-shaped musket, it can only hold gravel. If it is equipped with a bowl-shaped mouth, large stone bullets can be used." Bai Guangtai immediately introduced the advantages of the bowl-shaped gun.

Lu Jin immediately understood the structure and said speechlessly, "You think this thing is a treasure? The bowl-mouthed gun you mentioned has no airtightness at all and it certainly can't shoot far."

Bai Guangtai was stunned when he heard this. He didn't expect Lu Jin to look down on this kind of firearm. However, he nodded and said, "It's true that it can't hit far, only about a hundred steps, but it's enough for water battles."

Lu Jin waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about what kind of firearms are installed on the ship. I have something better than that. You just need to receive training when the time comes."

"Yes."

Bai Guangtai wanted to say something, but Liao Yongjian glared at him and made him swallow his words back. It was obvious that he felt that he had been tricked this time and made a fool of himself in front of Lu Jin.

After counting the number of ships that needed to be modified, Lu Jin took them back to Heyang City. Yang Jing also followed him back from Wujiang and began to prepare combat supplies, mainly cotton-padded clothes and dry food.

In addition, Lu Jin sent a messenger with a fast horse to deliver a message to Zhu Liangzu in Dingyuan, asking him to send out two regiments to cooperate with this combat operation. Yu Tongyuan's Seventh Regiment moved to the Huangfu Mountain area nearby, ready to support Yu Tonghai in Chuzhou at any time.

Quanjiao is quite far from Dingyuan, so in order to save time, Zheng Yong's Second Cavalry Regiment was sent to make a trip to meet Yang Jing.

At the same time, Chang Yuchun and Yu Tonghai were also marching northward in an orderly manner according to the new plan, and they were doing so with great fanfare.

Yu Tonghai and Chang Yuchun changed their plan temporarily. It was near the end of the year, and the nights were cold and dark. They could not light torches to avoid exposing their targets, so marching was indeed too difficult. So they simply chose to march during the day.
The two guys initially walked through the mountains along the Hanshan line. After leaving the mountain range, they camped directly in the village at night, with no intention of carrying anyone else.

However, due to the good confidentiality measures taken by the Shengwu Army, no one in the entire 9th Regiment except Yu Tonghai and Chang Yuchun knew that they were going to attack Chuzhou. The order Yu Tonghai announced to the soldiers was to march to Dingyuan and rotate with the garrison in Dingyuan, and the soldiers had no doubts at all.

Only the two battalion commanders, Lan Chun and Hua Yunlong, knew that it was definitely a combat mission, but when they asked, Yu Tonghai and Chang Yuchun wouldn't tell them, only saying that they would know when they arrived in Dingyuan.

However, in this way, the marching speed during the day naturally increased. The entire team advanced towards Dingyuan at a speed of fifty miles a day. It was indeed Dingyuan. Chang Yuchun planned to go around Chuzhou from Dingyuan. This was also the result of his discussion with Yu Tonghai.

Three days after returning from Hezhou Port, the messenger who went to Dingyuan also came back to report to Lu Jin.

"General, the order has been passed to Commander Zhu. He has ordered the two divisions to march according to the plan. This is Commander Zhu's reply, as well as Commander Zheng's application and roster."

Lu Jin took the reply letter and read it. It stated that Lu Jin's order had been received and the Seventh Regiment and the Second Cavalry Regiment had been ordered to set out. It also talked about the training situation in recent period and the expansion of the cavalry.

Zheng Yong's Second Cavalry Regiment was expanded again. The soldiers and horses were recruited and purchased in Dingyuan. Zheng Yong reported the roster and also recommended a good general, hoping to be officially appointed by Lu Jin.

Lu Jin flipped open the file and saw the name, and was immediately stunned. The captain of the Second Cavalry Regiment, Qi Xiang
A native of Dingyuan, Qi Xiang, if Lu Jin remembers correctly, this person should be the ancestor of Qi Jiguang, right?
In history, there was indeed a righteous army in Dingyuan, called Donkey Pay Village, with 3,000 soldiers in the village defending themselves. Later, they were coaxed and deceived by Zhu Yuanzhang and subdued. These 3,000 soldiers were the starting capital for Zhu Yuanzhang to break away from Guo Zixing and set up his own faction. If I remember correctly, Qi Xiang was the general of Donkey Pay Village.
However, the history of this time and space has long changed. Only two of the five generals of Haozhou are left. Guo Zixing and Miao Daheng were both subdued by Lu Jin in advance. Dingyuan was captured by the fraud city. Many things that should have happened in Dingyuan are now gone.

It is conceivable that there should no longer be any Donkey Village in this time and space, but I don’t know how Qi Xiang was recruited into the cavalry regiment by Zheng Yong.

Lu Jin approved it immediately, allowing Qi Xiang's formal appointment, and then asked someone to send the letter along with official documents to Luzhou, asking the Military and Political Department of the Wuyuan there to officially file it and issue a formal letter of appointment.

After arranging all this, he asked the messenger, "When you came back, had the cavalry from Dingyuan started to move?"

"Not yet. After the order was passed, Commander Yu of the Seventh Regiment did move. Commander Zheng of the Cavalry Regiment said that their horses were fast and there was no need to rush. If they went too early, they would be easily discovered."

"Okay, I understand, let's go down."

"Yes." After the messenger left, Lu Jin also stood up and prepared to take a walk around the Hezhou city wall. As a result, as soon as he came out of the door, he saw a young girl at the end of the corridor talking and laughing, holding a newly made cotton coat and a cloak with a fox fur collar, and handed them to Zhang Wen.

Lu Jin watched quietly for a while and saw two people talking there. After the girl who delivered the clothes left, Lu Jin appeared quietly behind Zhang Wen and slapped him on the shoulder. The boy was holding the clothes and grinning foolishly, and was slapped by Lu Jin from behind, and was so scared that he almost flew away.

"Oh my god, Brother Lu, you almost scared me to death."

Lu Jin asked with a smile, "Which girl is this? You didn't tell me that you have a crush on a girl. Did you write to Yunxiu about it? She's always thinking about your brother's marriage."

"Hehehe, Brother Lu, did you see everything?" Zhang Wen smiled embarrassedly.

"Nonsense, I saw you two flirting as soon as I went out."

"What do you mean by flirting? You can't say that. We haven't even started dating yet." Zhang Wen corrected quickly.

Lu Jin grabbed his neck again and asked with a smile, "What's going on? How far have you come?"

Zhang Wen looked around and whispered, "That's the sister of my captain Qin Zhao. She's his biological sister, named Qin Shumin, 17 years old this year. She's from the Qin family in Chao County. She met me when she came to deliver a letter to Qin Zhao. She was introduced to me by Qin Zhao, so she deliberately showed her friendship to me.

"I know what the Qin family is planning. They simply value my relationship with the Marshal, so I dare not agree to this easily. So far, Qin Shumin has only sent me food and clothes once, and she did it on the pretext of visiting her brother Qin Zhao. There is really no plan yet. I was just about to ask Brother Lu about this matter."

Lu Jin immediately understood that it was the Qin family of Chao County who was trying to win over Zhang Wen and form an alliance with him through marriage. After all, Zhang Wen was now his elder brother-in-law and one of the generals Lu Jin valued the most. He was also young and unmarried. He was definitely a golden son-in-law with a promising future.

The Qin family of Chao County is now deeply bound to Lu Jin. Qin Li went to Lu'an to be a county magistrate, his two younger brothers Qin Zhao and Qin Rong are officers in the army, and a distant relative Qin Xuesi is the supervisor of the Gunpowder Department. Almost the whole family works in the Shengwu Army. The Qin family even gave Lu Jin a divine horse. If these people wanted to marry, Lu Jin would not object, but it would consolidate his power.

So he said immediately.

"The Qin family of Chao County is fine. I'm not very familiar with Qin Zhao and Qin Rong, but their elder brother Qin Li is doing a good job as the county magistrate in Lu'an. If you really want to marry into their family, I have no objection. It's up to you. If you like, then let's settle it. When the time comes, choose a good day and I'll personally officiate the wedding for you."

Zhang Wen breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, and then introduced him to Lu Jin.

"Qin Zhao is a man who works diligently and is very strict in training his soldiers. He is also very caring towards his soldiers. He does not rape women, bully others, or have the bad habit of drinking in the army. So far, he is still a good person, but he has not fought in a tough battle yet, so I don't know what it will be like on the battlefield."

Lu Jin nodded. The Qin family was a serious scholarly family. The children in the family studied literature and martial arts and received a serious Confucian education. Their character should be similar to Yang Jing. Such people would not do anything out of the ordinary if they had a little ambition.

What's more, the two brothers Qin Zhao and Qin Rong are still young, and they are the backbone generals in the army. As young people with ideals and knowledge, now is the time for them to conquer the world and build their careers. They are so smart that they certainly won't act recklessly at this time. Lu Jin is not surprised at all for their behavior.

"Well, it's enough to know how to train the soldiers well. As for going to the battlefield, it will take more practice. There is no rush, as there are plenty of opportunities to fight.

"Don't change the subject. That girl from the Qin family looks nice. She even gave you clothes and a cape. You can tell she's caring and virtuous. What do you think? If you like her, just get married. Don't drag your feet, man."

"Hehehe, since Brother Lu has no objection, I will go and talk to Qin Zhao. The war is still going on. I was thinking of waiting until the battles in Quanjiao and Chuzhou are over before we talk about it." Zhang Wen said immediately.

"Attacking Quanjiao and Chuzhou has nothing to do with you. You are stationed in Heyang anyway. You should hurry up and settle this matter. Then write a letter to Yunxiu. She is also concerned about your marriage." Lu Jin urged again.

"If you wait until the beginning of next spring, you may not have time. There will definitely be more wars by then."

After hearing this, Zhang Wen nodded seriously, "Okay, I understand. I'll go talk to him today."

With Lu Jin's approval, Zhang Wen told his subordinate Qin Zhao about the matter on the same day. Qin Zhao was naturally very excited. His sister Qin Shumin came to visit him and took the opportunity to introduce him to Zhang Wen. It was arranged by his family. Now that it was done, how could Qin Zhao not be happy?

However, he said that he had to talk to his elders at home about this matter, so he wrote two letters and sent them to Qin Li in Chao County and Lu'an respectively. As long as his family had no objection, the matter would be settled.

Zhang Wen and Qin Zhao both knew it well, and it was actually just a formality.

Another day passed, and there was no news from the north, but good news from the south arrived first.

"Great victory! Great victory! Commander Liao's troops are at the gates of the city, and the magistrate of Shucheng County has opened the city to surrender. Our army has captured the entire Luzhou Road!"

"Great victory! Great victory! Commander Liao's troops are at the gates of the city, and the magistrate of Shucheng County has opened the city to surrender. Our army has captured the entire Luzhou Road!"

The soldiers who came to report the victory rode on horses, carrying message flags on their backs, and shouted at every town they came across along the way. Finally, they delivered the battle report from the southern front to Lu Jin, and then continued to pass on the message to other directions.

Lu Jin hurriedly opened the Tangbao to check. The specific situation was slightly different from the publicized victory report. The public announcement said that Liao Yongan was at the gates of the city, but in fact it was Guo Zixing who led the troops. However, Guo Zixing was considered Liao Yongan's subordinate, so it was not wrong to say so.

As for Shucheng, it was indeed after the enemy approached the city that the county magistrate Chen Yu surrendered the city.

The situation in Shucheng was rather special. There was only a civil official, Chen Yu, in the county, and no military generals sent by the imperial court. Instead, there were several militia troops led by local landlords. However, they knew that Zhu Liangzu of Lu'an next door was no match for Lu Jin, and was later conquered by Lu Jin.

Before Lu Jin didn't attack them, they could still act like ostriches. But now that the enemy is at the gate, they can no longer pretend.

(End of this chapter)