Sweep Yuan

Chapter 148 The Great Craftsman Arrives in Chuzhou

"Excellent! Zhou Wendao is indeed very efficient in handling matters!"

Shi Shan was leading the main force of the Red Flag Battalion towards Qingliu City, the seat of Chuzhou, when he heard from his scouts that Zhou Wendao had entered Chuzhou territory and brought back thirteen skilled craftsmen from Jiangnan. Overjoyed, he immediately gave the order:
"Order Guo Xing to send his light cavalry to rush to the aid of the caravan. They must not be allowed to fail!"

Watching the messenger disappear into the distance, the Taoist priest standing behind the stone mountain moved his lips, wanting to say a few words of advice, but ultimately remained silent.

Although he did not understand why Shishan valued these craftsmen so much, even going so far as to send Dingyuan cavalry to meet them.

But he didn't need to offer advice to get promoted. He figured Marshal Shi always had a deeper meaning in his actions, and there must be a good reason for valuing craftsmen, so why should he bother?

The central army, escorting a large number of prisoners and captured supplies, marched rather slowly. They had just arrived at the city of Chuzhou when Guo Xing escorted the caravan to the city.

"This is a list of artisans compiled by me. I humbly request that you take a look, Marshal."

Zhou Wendao was indeed very thoughtful. In order to make it easier for Marshal Shi to make the best use of his talents, he prepared a list of craftsmen along the way and presented it to them with both hands.

This register not only records in detail the craftsmen's names, hometowns, specialties, and family members, but also notes brief details such as someone's past experience in overseeing the construction of an iron smelting furnace. Each person's information is written on two or three pages.

These thirteen craftsmen covered various trades, including ore dressing, smelting, bell casting, mirror polishing, and mechanical engineering. Of course, they could not all be master craftsmen, but each of them had exquisite skills. At least they were not like the private ironworkers of Huaiyuan who could not even produce molten iron.

"Ma Hua, a bell-caster, who once cast bronze generals?"

Shi Shan's gaze sharpened as he recalled the batch of bowl-shaped muskets captured in the Battle of Chishui, in which Ma Hua's name was inscribed. The fact that he could recruit such a master craftsman of military and national weapons showed just how outrageous the Yuan court's grassroots management and the chaos in Jiangnan had become.

However, as a rebel, Shishan naturally hoped that the Yuan Dynasty would deteriorate as much as possible.

He originally wanted to start with bell casting and gradually explore cannon casting, but by chance he recruited Ma Hua, which will save him a lot of detours.

Setting down the roster, Shi Shan announced in a loud voice:

“I promised that day that I would refund three times the cost of recruiting craftsmen. This was done very well. Please provide a detailed breakdown of the costs.”

Zhou Wendao was a merchant, and there was no reason for him not to love money, but he had risked everything to lure artisans to the Red Flag Camp's controlled area; surely not for a little money? Seeing that Marshal Shi was satisfied, Zhou Wendao lifted his robe and bowed down, his voice impassioned, saying:
"The Marshal treats me with sincerity, regardless of my humble status as a merchant! I have sacrificed my family to support the army, and I only wish to serve the Marshal with my life, following him through life and death!"

Shishan had a strict system of rewarding merit and punishing demerit, and would not expect Zhou Wendao to pay out of his own pocket for the Red Flag Battalion. However, seeing that Zhou Wendao was determined, they did not press him further. After a moment's thought, they said:
"In that case, I will give you two choices. One, to manage the sales and export of supplies for the Red Flag Battalion; two, to manage the Veterans' Society for me."

Smuggling is indeed extremely profitable, and Zhou Wendao is familiar with it, but it is a dangerous business, and he might lose his life any day.

Taking charge of the Veterans' Society would mean transitioning from business to politics, managing the "Minister's Office" for the Marshal. While seemingly a minor task, it was actually a matter of entrusting someone with a confidant. With proper management, it could also make significant contributions to the expansion of the Red Flag Battalion. In the future, when Marshal Shi establishes the nation, the position of a meritorious official might not be out of reach.

Zhou Wendao was incredibly astute; he instantly discerned the vast difference between the two choices and said decisively:

"I am willing to take charge of the Veterans' Association for the Marshal! However, the affairs of the association are complex, and I must first learn the ropes before I dare to assume the post. Also, I humbly request to personally go to welcome the Marshal's relatives south!"

He had been somewhat uncertain before, but after witnessing Hua Yun's heroic feat of single-handedly defeating a hundred enemies, he was unwilling to give up this "easy-to-obtain" credit.

With the outbreak of the great battle, all roads along the way were blocked by the Yuan army, so the plan to bring relatives to Haozhou had to be put on hold. However, Shishan was still pleased to see that Zhou Wendao, in his excitement, had not forgotten the task he had been given, and said:
“One thing at a time. The Red Flag Battalion will reward those who have made contributions. Since you have worked diligently, I will not treat you unfairly. A house in Haozhou has been chosen for you, and I will also give you two thousand strings of cash to help you settle down.”

Zhou Wendao, well aware of the principle of "Zilu receiving the ox," knew that this was a sign of the marshal's compassion and also to demonstrate the system, so he dared not refuse, bowed twice, and shouted:
"Thank you for your kindness, Marshal!"

At this time, the various units of the Red Flag Battalion had already deployed and were preparing for the siege. The craftsmen were in high demand, and Shishan said:

"Send the craftsmen to the supply camp first, pay them their monthly salary in advance, and have them assist the supply camp in building siege equipment. After this battle, I will promote them according to their abilities."

Observing someone's talents before employing them is a common practice in personnel management.

Zhou Wendao accepted the order and immediately began making arrangements.

Shi Shan, stationed in the central command, issued a series of military orders: block key passes, clear the line of fire, probe the strength of the defending troops, and supervise the construction of siege ladders and battering rams...

Since its establishment, the Red Flag Battalion has been conquering cities and strongholds, and is already very skilled at it. Each unit acts according to orders, in a tense but orderly manner, with a strong and persistent killing intent.

In contrast, Qingliu City was in complete chaos, as if the end of the world had arrived.

Qingliu City is backed by Langya Mountain and bordered by Qingliu River to the east. Although the city walls are dilapidated, the city is not short of troops and should not be difficult to defend.

However, in the first month of the lunar calendar, Chuzhou had just been ravaged by Shao Rong's troops, and the morale of the defending army was already low.

When Chelibuhua was about to attack Dingyuan, he withdrew his elite troops from Chuzhou, leaving only a thousand or so old and weak men in the city.

This scourge not only withdrew his troops, but before even fighting a single battle, out of fear of the Red Flag Battalion's strength, he left all the Chuzhou soldiers on the banks of the Chishui River to cover their retreat, taking only two thousand Yangzhou soldiers back to Chuzhou.

Logically speaking, the two thousand Yangzhou soldiers brought back by Chelibuhua, plus the fleeing soldiers who gradually returned, should have been enough to defend Qingliu City, with four or five thousand men.

But if this scoundrel can abandon his troops like worn-out shoes in the face of battle, how could he possibly risk his life for the common people of Chuzhou?

When the news of the defeat at Chishui arrived, the Mongol lord fled without a second thought. His actions were like a plague, prompting the defending soldiers and wealthy families to follow suit. Before the city gates were even breached, the remaining few hundred defenders had already lost their nerve.

At this moment, red flags blotted out the sun below the city, and the troops were in perfect order, advancing and retreating in an orderly fashion. The soldiers guarding the city walls, however, were pale-faced, trembling, and could barely hold their weapons, let alone organize a proper counterattack.

Chang Yuchun had led his troops to complete the firepower test and strode back to the central army. His armor plates clanged loudly as he clasped his hands in a fist salute and said:

"Marshal, the soldiers and civilians in the city are terrified. There is no need to build large-scale weapons. Just give us a few cloud ladders, and I will surely trample this city for you!"

Shi Shan had long seen the garrison's lackluster performance and naturally knew that breaking through Qingliu City wouldn't be difficult. However, Chang Yuchun's old wounds from the attack on Huaiyuan had just healed, and Shi Shan couldn't bear to see him exposed to arrows and stones again so soon. He smiled broadly and said with boundless pride:

"With panicked troops guarding a dilapidated city, why should my general risk his life to be the first to charge? Deng Dagang!"

Yesterday, Deng Dagang was promoted from a surrendered soldier to a squad leader. Shishan personally assigned two platoons of surrendered soldiers and three platoons of new recruits to his subordinates. He suddenly rose to a "high position" and was eager to prove his worth through military merit. Upon hearing the call, he quickly stepped forward and responded with a thunderous roar.

"The general is here!"

"Do you dare lead your 'artillerymen' to the city walls and fire a single shot?"

A few days ago, as a lowly Yuan army soldier, Deng Dagang would never have dared to do this.

Now he was the leader of the Red Flag Battalion, backed by an invincible army, and his opponents were the demoralized Yuan soldiers. How could he lack the courage to risk everything for riches? Deng Dagang puffed out his chest and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"dare!"

"Alright!" Shi Shan, of course, wouldn't send his men to their deaths, and gave the order:

“Select ten brave ‘gunners’, load them with ammunition in advance, and the Zhenshuo Battalion will cover your approach to the city wall.”

Deng Dagang had just joined the Red Flag Battalion and was not yet clear about the specific situation of each battalion. He only knew that the titled battalions were all veteran battalions with outstanding military achievements. With the titled battalions providing cover, he was even more courageous.

"Leader!"

During Shao Rong's rampage in Chuzhou last month, the defending troops cleared away the thatched huts and shacks that were obstructing the city, saving the Red Flag Battalion time in cleaning up the battlefield. The area below the city was empty and had a wide-open view, which was perfect for the army to deploy.

The Zhenshuo Battalion's swordsmen and shieldmen, clad in iron armor, formed a shield formation to protect the battalion's archers and Deng Dagang's "artillerymen," steadily advancing forward. Fu Youde, in particular, held a giant bow, ready to shoot down any defenders who dared to retaliate.

As the Red Flag Battalion approached menacingly, and hearing the faint clanging of metal and deep commands coming from behind the shields, the soldiers behind the battlements felt their legs go weak.

They certainly understood what the Red Flag Battalion wanted to do, but they knew that the enemy had not brought siege weapons and that this was just a bluff. They knew that it was impossible for them to take the city. They could just stay behind the battlements and wait for the enemy to finish firing and then withdraw. Why risk their lives to go out and die?

Under pressure from the officers, the few arrows the guards managed to fire either landed crookedly on their shields or buried themselves far away in the ground, without even making a decent splash.

As Fu Youde shot and killed two guards in succession, even this weak resistance disappeared. All the guards shrank back behind the parapet and dared not raise their heads no matter how the officers shouted at them.

"Don't panic, listen to my command!"

Deng Dagang roared in a low voice, his palms sweating. The standard wooden frame of the bowl-shaped gun had a fixed angle, and when placed flat on the ground, it was impossible to aim at the ramming edge.

There was no other way but to have the "gunner" hold the wooden frame and fire.

Fortunately, the bowl-shaped gun weighs only twelve pounds, and with the wooden frame it weighs only about twenty pounds. It is also pre-loaded with ammunition, so it only needs to fire one shot and then withdraw, without having to consider complicated loading procedures.

Under the cover of the Zhenshuo Battalion, the "gunners" quickly approached the city wall. When they were fifty paces away from the city, the Zhenshuo Battalion stopped, drew their bows for cover, and Da Gang and the others continued to advance.

Ten "gunners" gritted their teeth, picked up the wooden frame, crouched low, and braved the cold arrows and flying stones that could fall at any moment, groping their way down the city wall, each step feeling as if they were stepping on their own heartbeats.

Finally, when they were less than twenty paces from the city wall, Deng Dagang lowered his voice and gave the order.

"Hold on tight, ignite!"

Chi Chi Chi!
The ten wicks were lit almost simultaneously and quickly burst into flames.

On the city wall, after hearing no sound from below for a long time, a soldier was about to peek out to check the situation when Fu Youde shot off his hat with an arrow.

The man was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground. Before he could even utter a word of relief, he heard a series of loud noises coming from below the city.

boom! Boom boom boom! ! !
A thunderous roar sent shivers down the spines of the guards. A violent shockwave, carrying acrid sulfurous fumes, surged outwards, instantly engulfing a small area beneath the city walls. Even Tao Chengdao, in the supply corps at the rear, jumped back in shock, crying out:

"What is this thing? How can it possess such unfathomable power?!"

The old craftsman Ma Hua beside him squinted, stroked his beard, and said:
"It sounds like 'General Bronze' is unleashing his power."

"General Copper?"

Tao Chengdao was very curious, muttering to himself as if he was wondering what kind of bronze general could produce such a thunderous sound.

Although there weren't many craftsmen in the Yuan Dynasty who had cast cannons, there were still a handful alive. Ma Hua, unaware that the bowl-shaped cannon that had just unleashed its power was one he had cast, patiently explained to Tao Xuejiu:
"This thing uses gunpowder to launch iron balls, a contraption specifically designed to break through hard armor. Actually, it's just a small bell with a vent at the end, nothing special."

Below the city, the acrid smoke of gunpowder slowly dissipated in the cold wind.

The effect is... it's really loud!

The mortise and tenon gun was already difficult to control, and the gunners were extremely nervous. Of the ten bullets fired, only two barely grazed the edge of the crenellation, but due to the unique structure of the brickwork, they only sent small fragments flying.

The rest, some, slammed onto the thick city wall with a dull thud, leaving only a shallow mark.

Some flew over the scalps of the defenders and landed somewhere in the city, no one knows where.

The imagined scenario of walls collapsing and bricks flying? Absolutely not.

Shi Shan watched from afar in the central army, unable to see exactly where the bullets hit. But he never expected to use these few "homemade cannons" to collapse the city wall. What he wanted was the earth-shattering roar and the awe-inspiring momentum!
—The Red Flag Battalion not only captured a large number of firearms that were rarely equipped by the government troops, but also quickly turned the Yuan soldiers who operated these firearms against their will. If others can surrender, then you can't hold the city with your small number of men. What are you hesitating for?
"withdraw!"

Once the pre-loaded bullets were fired, the bowl-shaped cannon became a harmless brass barrel. Deng Dagang immediately called to the still-shaken "gunners" to pick up their weapons and run back.

Shi Shan waved his hand, and the Chuzhou soldiers captured in the Battle of Wubaichishui came to the front of the battle. One of them shouted, and the rest "amplified" the message.

"Listen up, brothers on the city wall! We are soldiers from Chuzhou. We risked our lives to protect the Tartars from Marshal Shi, and what happened? The Tartars ran away first, and even shot arrows and cut down the bridge, trying to kill us and drown us!"

These people spoke in the Qingliu dialect, and their initial shouts were somewhat awkward. However, when they got emotional and recalled their apocalyptic experience on the banks of the Chishui River the day before, their voices were filled with the grief and indignation of surviving a catastrophe, as well as a deep-seated hatred.

"In the eyes of the Tartars, we're not even worth as much as watchdogs; they'll kill us after they're done with us! If it weren't for Marshal Shi's kindness in taking us in, we'd be dead by now. Are you still foolish enough to serve these Tartars? Are you just waiting to die?!"

Every word is the truth, every sentence hits home!

On the city wall, the deathly silence was finally broken. The guards looked at each other, their eyes filled with fear, confusion, and wavering. At first, they whispered among themselves, but gradually their voices grew into a murmur.

The Yuan general overseeing the battle from the city wall turned pale with fright. Seeing the situation about to spiral out of control, he huddled close to the battlements, shrugging and cursing:

"Traitors are spreading heresy and misleading the people! Fire arrows! Fire arrows now and kill these traitors!"

However, his response was not the sound of a bowstring snapping, but a thunderous roar from behind him.

"Bullshit! My third brother is down there, I heard his voice. Kill this corrupt official and welcome Marshal Shi into the city."

The shouts of five hundred people were like rolling thunder. Huddled behind the wall, it was virtually impossible to distinguish the voice of any one of them.

But at that moment, the soldiers seemed to hear their loved ones calling out from below the city. Their long-accumulated fear and bewilderment instantly turned into anger and hatred.

"kill--"

(End of this chapter)