Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 272, Section 271: Throwing Stones at the Moon
The young official before me was named Wei Yue.

Qin Shi even asked again before he knew which character it was. Looking at his rough, dark red face, weathered by the river wind and sun, he was deeply impressed by the man.

However, it is said that a person's name reflects their character, and the other person certainly possesses such sensitivity.

The explanation covers the warships, but it doesn't just refer to the warships themselves. It also explains how to defend against the low walls on top, where to cover them with leather, and how to set up the crossbow holes and catapults.

Qin Shi listened to everything and couldn't help but look at this person with even greater respect.

"how about you?"

Qin Shi countered, "What is the purpose of this naval exercise?"

These words seemed to have finally struck a chord with the other person, and in an instant, Wei Yue's demeanor changed.

He said in a deep voice, "This humble general is unworthy, but I am unworthy to serve as a stone thrower. During the martial arts demonstration, I shall be stationed in the three-story flying pavilion."

Qin Shi was somewhat surprised.

The job of "catapulting" sounds no different from that of a menial laborer, as if all you have to do is put stones into the catapult and launch them.

In reality, a good slinger is no less important than a sharpshooter or a powerful crossbowman.

This is because throwing stones is the most lethal method on the battlefield at this time.

One method involves using the body as an axis, placing a flying stone a distance away with a rope, and using the rotational force to strike the target.

Because of its extremely strong force, it is certain to kill anyone who touches it, and it can also attack within a small area.

Another method was to use catapults.

But how to accurately control the direction of the catapult, and how to keep it stable and without shifting when it is launched... this also requires extremely strong talent and intensive training later on.

Modern bombardiers still have high-tech assistance, but nowadays they rely entirely on experience, eyesight, and talent.

No wonder the other party was qualified to stand in the position that Zhou Jusui could point to; he truly has real skills.

It's likely that when his superiors arranged the positions, they intended for those with ability to become more familiar to the king.

Qin Shi silently observed the other person again, making a mental note of it.

If we're throwing stones now, and if we need to load cannons onto warships in the future, we'll need even more people like that.

Because the shells are extremely lethal, we might as well have someone like Wei Yue as an instructor and train more of them intensively.

Wei Yue rarely appeared in front of nobles, and now seeing the Queen looking at her seriously, she couldn't help but feel uneasy, wondering if the other party could understand.

After all, throwing stones doesn't sound as impressive as using a bow and arrow.

But the queen said nothing, only smiled and nodded, and then gave him instructions:

"In that case, during the martial arts demonstration later, let me see your stone-throwing skills."

The young player looked bewildered for a moment, but then his face regained its determination and excitement:

"promise."

……

Half an hour later, the martial arts demonstration of the ship crew also began.

Although the dock here is not as spacious as the one in the capital city of Xianyang, it still has a full range of warships, fighting ships, and small boats for military exercises.

Ship handling is also an important assessment item.

Especially those unseen oarsmen below deck, whether their rowing is uniform, and whether they are quick and agile in turning and stopping... all these can reveal the competence of the superiors here.

Next, there will be a water battle.

Whether it was bows and arrows, spears and halberds thrown from the ships, or close combat after the two ships clashed...

Although Ji Heng was reluctant to use real boulders to throw them because warships were so precious, the heavy slingshots used for military exercises, when they were thrown from afar and struck the wooden boat with a loud bang, still shocked Qin Shi.

Ji Heng watched from the side, a satisfied look appearing on his face. He saw Qin Shi's clenched fists and tense expression, and felt a strange sense of agreement, a mixture of amusement and relief, regarding the Queen's dedication.

So he casually comforted her, saying, "After the martial arts demonstration, craftsmen will carefully inspect and repair every part. In three days, the ship will be brand new again. Your Majesty can rest assured."

After all, the national treasury was poor, and he would be heartbroken if the warships suffered further damage.

After the passionate battle cries on the river subsided, the naval battle completely shifted to multi-ship formations.

There are other stealth strategies, such as underwater ship excavation, but unfortunately they cannot be demonstrated during the exercise, so they have to be used as unconventional methods.

The most commonly used formation in naval warfare today is the goose formation.

It can both block the enemy ships' retreat and intercept those in front, allowing them to support each other while avoiding any entanglement.

However, the space was rather narrow, and given the size of the training ships, the battle formation wasn't impressive enough. But Ji Heng observed it closely, carefully considering every detail, and was quite satisfied.

Qin Shi was unaware of these things. All she knew was that the two sides' warships, large and small, were connected, and the river was filled with the sounds of fighting and clashing. Although she knew it was a martial arts exercise, it still made her extremely nervous.

The Qin Dynasty's renowned ship-riding warriors, with their battle formations providing cover, boarding ships, and employing various methods of repelling the enemy at both close and long distances, even employed attack methods that suited Ji Heng's tastes perfectly, exhibiting order and discipline.

These are the soldiers who will lead the conquest of the six kingdoms today.

In the future, when we conquer the Baiyue and the Western Regions, we will be led by these same generals and soldiers.

The enormous catapult was still hurtling toward its target from afar. Through the layers of flying arrows, Qin Shi didn't know which one Wei Yue had thrown, but that didn't stop her from marveling.

Because at that time, the Qin Dynasty was already able to connect with overseas countries using these wooden boats.

Greatness and miracles are permeating this era.

……

After watching the Lou Chuanshi martial arts demonstration, dusk was gradually falling.

The group then returned to Jianzhang Palace, where the soldiers were still at large beneath the spacious training platform.

Because the martial arts competition is not yet truly over.

As soon as Qin Shi and Ji Heng dismounted from their carriage, they saw on the road ahead that those who had set off early in the morning and were carrying heavy loads all the way were still the indomitable soldiers of Qin.

They looked extremely disheveled.

The hemp shoes on his feet were already half-worn out, and in the firelight, traces of temporary patching could be seen on them.

His short tunic and armor were covered in grime, and even his eyebrows and hair were stained with a thick layer of yellowish dust.

His cheeks were flushed red, and he was panting heavily.

On this bitterly cold winter day, when everyone came to report back, their bodies were steaming with barely any warmth.

Only those pairs of eyes and those lean yet resolute faces were clearly visible to everyone.

They were in such a sorry state, yet indispensable in the war.

Surprise attack, seizure, reinforcement, and supply assault...

These crucial factors in the battle were all achieved by their own feet, inch by inch, treading the earth.

Ji Heng, who had personally led troops into battle, looked intently at these sons of Qin.

He was not a benevolent ruler, and even the people and soldiers of Qin did not necessarily live a good life.

But in this era, in this Qin Dynasty, he was the only belief that could sustain people throughout the entire country.

He is Ji Heng.

What appeared before him today was the place where the Great Qin had pacified everything.

　Here they come! Oh dear, I'm not a war-loving person... Fighting the Baiyue, Xiongnu, and Western Regions, that doesn't count as invasion, does it...? It's destiny!
　　(End of this chapter)