My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 548 is all about the Prime Minister's base.
Northwest of Ye City.

Gao Yu's carriage slowly drove to the front of a very large mansion.

It couldn't really be called a mansion; it was more like a huge piece of land that had been forcibly enclosed to provide space for the Ministry of Works to conduct experiments.

"Prime Minister, we have arrived."

Upon hearing this, Gao Yu stepped out of the carriage.

Unless he is leading troops in the field, Gao Yu usually travels around in a modified, shock-absorbing carriage. Riding a horse looks impressive, but only the rider knows how uncomfortable it is.

Gao Yu was also intentionally reducing the strain on his body.

As soon as they came down, they heard a loud 'boom'. The huge sound that appeared out of nowhere startled everyone. Gao Yu looked into the courtyard and saw plumes of black smoke rising.

Good guy...

Is this another gunpowder experiment?
A short while later, Jia Sixie hurriedly came out from inside.

"Greetings, Prime Minister."

"Zhixing, you're too kind. Please get up."

Gao Yu reached out to help him up. Although Jia Sixie hadn't aged much in the past few days, his face was full of wrinkles and his hands were calloused. He was still in his prime, yet he looked so old and frail.

Despite being the Minister of Works, Jia Sixie spent most of his time personally working on the front lines, toiling in the fields year-round, and naturally resembled a weathered farmer in appearance.

Gao Yu asked with a smile, "Judging from this noise, could it be that there's been progress in the artillery?"

Jia Sixie looked ashamed. "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint the Prime Minister. Although the craftsmen have been experimenting day and night,..."

Gao Yu quickly raised his hand, "Developing artillery is not something that can be accomplished overnight; I understand."

Gao Yu was only a dabbler when it came to science and technology. He could only explain some basic principles of artillery operation to the craftsmen, and he couldn't provide much more specific guidance.

The formula ratio in artillery shells and the material of the cannon barrels require a lot of testing and repeated trials to determine the formula ratio of gunpowder.

After summarizing the findings, it would take time to translate them into artillery tactics.

This is something that can't be rushed, and Gao Yu didn't intend to urge him.

Currently, artillery cannot be relied upon for leading troops into battle, but gunpowder can be relied upon for blasting mountains and clearing roads, which is quite good.

"I have failed the Prime Minister's expectations, and I hope the Prime Minister will forgive me."

"Why be so modest about knowing and doing? Among the civil and military officials in the court, who has worked as hard as you?"

Gao Yu was not just being polite.

Jia Sixie didn't understand artillery or such things, but he was truly hands-on in agriculture, repeatedly experimenting with and cultivating seeds, and improving farm tools. In his area of ​​expertise, he worked harder than anyone else.

Not to mention...

As the Minister of Works, Jia Sixie had to coordinate and assist in many matters, which consumed a great deal of his energy.

"What is it about today? Why did you send someone to tell me good news?"

"The trebuchet that the Prime Minister mentioned has become stable after several tests, so we specially invited the Prime Minister to come and observe it."

"Oh?"

Gao Yu's eyes lit up.

If the trebuchet were ever developed, it would undoubtedly be a powerful weapon during this period, greatly reducing the difficulty of sieges. Even when facing stubbornly resistant enemies who held their ground, the losses during sieges would be significantly reduced.

"Quick, take me to see it."

Gao Yu followed Jia Sixie inside. The Ministry of Works had a lot of things to work on, with cannons and trebuchets being the most urgent. Gao Yu asked Jia Sixie to encourage his craftsmen to brainstorm and put some of their ideas into practice.

Soon, Gao Yu was taken by Jia Sixie to an open space.

Although it was described as an open space, a 'city wall' could be clearly seen in front of it. It was probably built here to test the power of the trebuchet. Of course, it couldn't be built as high as the walls of a real city, as that would be too labor-intensive.

However, the thickness is the same; the goal is to directly blast the city wall apart.

To be precise, during the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties period...

Ancient city wall technology was not further updated and iterated until after the Song Dynasty.

Firstly, the Song Dynasty suffered from the effects of the Huihui cannon.

Secondly, with the further development of artillery technology, the iteration of offensive weapons will also force the iteration of defensive weapons, or rather, force the city walls to become more robust.

It can withstand even more intense attacks.

Dozens of craftsmen were already gathered in front of a 'huge machine' and waiting for Gao Yu to arrive.

They all bowed and greeted the Prime Minister.

"Rise, all of you. You are all meritorious individuals who have been researching a vital national instrument. If you can successfully develop it, it will be a great achievement! I will personally go to His Majesty to request commendations for you!"

The craftsmen could be considered Gao Yu's core support group.

Skilled craftsmen have always held a high status. A skilled craftsman was considered a technical talent during this period, and technical talents are highly sought after everywhere.

It's important to understand that in this era, the dissemination of knowledge and technology is very limited.

Firstly, due to inconvenient transportation, many technologies appeared in historical records, but it is very likely that only a small number of craftsmen mastered them and they were not widely promoted.

In ancient times, the transmission of knowledge and skills relied on oral instruction and personal example. Apprentices were brought along and taught slowly to ensure they were properly taught.

Every rising nomadic tribe inevitably seized a large number of people from aristocratic families or the imperial court during its plundering of the Central Plains. Among these people were skilled artisans who could help them iterate on their weapons.

otherwise……

Given the living conditions on the grasslands, even getting food was a problem; everyone was hungry. Where would the manpower and energy come from to research and forge weapons?
They mostly kidnapped artisans from the Central Plains. After bringing the artisans back, they naturally learned the advanced forging techniques of the Central Plains dynasties. With the upgrade of their weapons and equipment, their combat power soared, taking advantage of the internal strife and weakness of the Central Plains dynasties.

Or they could make a hefty profit.

Or they might take advantage of the situation and seize control of the Central Plains, like the Xianbei did.

The ancestors of the Xianbei were a group of mercenaries who began working for the Central Plains dynasties during the Eastern Han Dynasty, gradually accumulating strength and technology in the process.

The War of the Eight Princes in the Western Jin Dynasty plunged the Central Plains into chaos and infighting, which gave these mercenaries the opportunity to turn against their employers.

Skilled craftsmen hold a high status, which is why they can become Gao Yu's core base.

It was because Gao Yu granted the craftsmen political status.

Like the soldiers of the government, Gao Yu also designed a system of titles for craftsmen.

Those who can develop and innovate new technologies can be granted titles based on such merits.

He has been granted a title!

That means they have a very high political status, which is equivalent to being able to sit at the table and eat.

Gao Yu made this exception for them.

How could the craftsmen not regard Gao Yu as the 'sun', how could they not be grateful to Gao Yu, and how could they not become Gao Yu's base?
(End of this chapter)