[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-165":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1205454,1561,"Chapter 165: Making Firearms: Using Water Power and Animal Power?","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-165",165,"\u003Cp>On the twenty-fifth day of the third month of the tenth year of Chongzhen, Wang Dou read the official gazette: Yang Sichang had already arrived in the capital and formally assumed the post of Minister of War.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historically, this Yang Sichang was a ruthless figure and also possessed considerable military talent. The strategy of Four Fronts and Six Corners he proposed — a coordinated suppression and defense effort across ten provinces of the Great Ming — was rigorous and effective. After the plan was implemented, Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, and the others suffered successive defeats. Had the Qing troops not invaded, it was very likely that Li Zicheng and his men would have been finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Wang Dou also found it strange: how could the Qing troops and the peasant army coordinate so well? Every time the peasant army was about to be defeated, the Qing army would immediately breach the passes to plunder, allowing those peasant armies to escape death once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the moment, this was not Wang Dou's concern. What concerned him was that if Yang Sichang intended to implement his Four Fronts and Six Corners plan, according to history, carrying out this plan would require an additional one hundred twenty thousand troops and an additional two million eight hundred thousand taels of suppression tax. He feared that the burden on Baoan Department would once again increase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this worry in mind, on the twenty-fifth day of the third month, Wang Dou arrived at Shunxiang Fort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanying him were the department city's Garrison Farm Officer Zhang Gui and Drill Officer Tian Changguo and their party. The soldiers and civilians of Shunxiang Fort warmly welcomed the arrival of Garrison Commander Lord Wang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou inspected the newly built military household homes on the northwest side of Shunxiang Fort. Just like the original Shunxiang New Fort, here too were rows of tidy military household barracks. The streets and alleys were paved with mountain stone, with drainage ditches provided, making them quite clean. Outside the residential area, only a two-meter-high low wall had been built, connecting to the walls of the old and new Shunxiang forts, saving the greatest expense of fort construction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current Shunxiang Fort was already nearly three times larger than when Wang Dou first arrived, with a population of over twelve thousand. Looking at the fort before them, Zhang Gui and Tian Changguo were both endlessly astonished. The present Shunxiang Fort, compared to before, could be said to have undergone earth-shaking changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, regarding the lack of tall, thick fort walls on the northwest side of Shunxiang Fort, Zhang Gui and the other expressed their concerns. Wang Dou sighed and said, \"No matter how thick the fort walls are built, if the soldiers dare not fight in the open field, it is ultimately useless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Gui and the other murmured their assent. Wang Dou also inquired of Lin Daofu about the internal administrative affairs of Shunxiang Fort. Aside from the old military households of the old and new Shunxiang forts, among the over five thousand new military households living on the northwest side, since most were originally civilian households, there were not many former Company Commanders or Platoon Leaders among them to serve as supervisory officers. Lin Daofu, following Wang Dou's instructions, implemented the baojia system for these people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The organization used the household as the unit, establishing a household head. Ten households formed a jia, with a jia head. Ten jia formed a bao, with a bao head. All were filled by people of repute from the original civilian households — this was a matter of necessity. After establishing the baojia, a system of joint responsibility was implemented: if one household colluded with bandits, the other nine were to report it; if they failed to report, all ten households would share the punishment. This could effectively root out various spies hidden among the populace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Wang Dou was also contemplating implementing a doorplate system to better govern the soldiers and civilians under his jurisdiction. Of course, when this baojia system was later rolled out, due to varying population conditions in different places, the baojia system would have some flexibility. The organization would take ten households as the principle, but one jia could not be fewer than six households or more than fifteen. Similarly, one bao would take ten jia as the principle, and could not be fewer than six jia or more than fifteen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Ming currently generally established baojia systems everywhere, but the organization was not as rigorous as Wang Dou's. The Great Ming's lijia system was already damaged beyond use, and Wang Dou hoped that this baojia system could effectively govern the grassroots level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it bluntly, the baojia system was similar to the military household system. A bao head essentially held the duties of a Company Commander. Although these civilian households had all been incorporated into the military households, Wang Dou had no commission certificates in hand and could not confer the corresponding military ranks on these bao heads and jia heads. It was also inconvenient for him to privately appoint these people as Squad Leaders, Platoon Leaders, or Company Commanders. It so happened that the Great Ming was implementing the baojia system everywhere, so he simply adopted it. Ideally, in the future, these people would be organized under the military rank structure of the military households, which would be simpler and more uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Wang Dou went to inspect several newly established factories at Shunxiang Fort, especially the woodwork factory, which was Wang Dou's key focus at this stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the beginning of the year, Shunxiang Fort had initially established workshops such as a firearms factory, a gunpowder factory, a clothing factory, an ironworks, and a woodwork factory. These factories were all built on the outskirts of Shunxiang Fort, located in the northwest and southwest directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, these workshops were all located inside the fort; now they had all been relocated outside, with newly built factory premises. It appeared quite disorderly; many workshops were merely rough outlines, with some craftsmen busy tidying up. According to the preliminary division, the gunpowder factory, coal yard, ironworks, and clothing factory all fell under the firearms factory, managed and overseen by Li Maosen. The logging camp and stone yard fell under the woodwork factory, managed by Wu Liangheng, the eldest son of the old craftsman Wu Shihuan. As for workshops like the brick kiln and lime kiln, they had yet to take shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of work enthusiasm, these craftsmen were worlds apart from before. However, Lin Daofu complained to Wang Dou, saying that with the various factories newly established, there was a shortage of hands, a lack of labor, and difficulty in dividing the work among the craftsmen. These problems were very hard to solve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Craftsmen, in particular, were quite scarce at Shunxiang Fort. Shunxiang Fort originally had over one hundred eighty craftsmen, some who forged military equipment and some who forged civilian tools. There were also over one hundred ordinary workers who assembled weapons and armor and separately manufactured and filled paper cartridge ammunition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Koujiagou ironworks at Huiyao Fort, there were over three hundred technicians and miners, along with some stout women transporting coal and iron. Finally, there was Li Zhifen, the saltpeter collection officer at the Shunxiang Fort's Great Collection, who daily directed over fifty men and women in carrying urine and manure to irrigate that plot of saltpeter-collecting land, and then processed the saltpeter into gunpowder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the various factories were newly established, in terms of division of labor, Li Zhifen, needless to say, brought his over fifty male and female workers into the gunpowder factory. Also, fifty of the ordinary workers who separately manufactured and filled paper cartridge ammunition were assigned to the gunpowder factory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the ironworks, a dozen or so technicians and the three hundred miners from Huiyao Fort became workers at the ironworks. All sorts of smelting and casting equipment had already been moved to Shunxiang Fort. Since gunpowder was used for mining, and Lin Daofu had already sent people to repair the road from Shunxiang Fort to Huiyao Fort, in the future, only oxcarts would be needed to transport iron ore. One oxcart could transport several hundred jin of iron ore, so a dozen or so ox and mule carts should be able to meet the monthly smelting needs of the Shunxiang Fort ironworks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, these three hundred miners could meet the needs of the ironworks, and they were also used as the main force for road repairs. Unexpectedly, when silver mines were opened in Xiangguang and other places, Wu Shihuan took away two hundred miners and more than half of the ironworks' technicians. As a result, the ironworks became short-handed, and the road under repair was also delayed. Wu Shihuan was also shouting that he lacked hands and technicians and needed a large number of additional personnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also the division of labor among the various craftsmen. Some wanted to go to the firearms factory, some to the woodwork factory — both departments were in great need of craftsmen. During this time, Li Maosen and Wu Liangheng were both vigorously trying to recruit craftsmen to their own factories, especially those with skilled techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shunxiang Fort had only over one hundred eighty craftsmen, and more than half of them were apprentices who had studied the craft for only a few years. Even though over one Company Commander of military craftsmen were transferred from Baoan Department, that only amounted to over one hundred sixty able-bodied men, with fewer than a hundred possessing skilled techniques. And after this group arrived, the ironworks, firearms factory, silver mine, and woodwork factory were all fiercely competing for craftsmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woodwork factory needed to build waterwheels, yet it had only over one hundred forty craftsmen. To complete the enormous task requirements before the autumn planting — ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Lin Daofu's account, Wang Dou also had quite a headache. Currently, within Baoan's territory, soldiers and civilians were being allocated fields and land. Given the Chinese commoners' desire and demand for farmland, if they had land to cultivate at home, they were unwilling to become craftsmen. Moreover, he needed skilled craftsmen who, upon entering the factory, could immediately make waterwheels and firearms. Where could he find skilled craftsmen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the logging camp and stone yard, as well as the coal yard and ironworks, all needed miners and ordinary able-bodied young men with low technical requirements. Also, since the beginning of the year, refugees had been continuously entering Baoan's territory. He had already set up gruel kitchens to relieve them; it was time to make these people work for relief. After these people had worked for a few years and settled down, he would then consider allocating fields and land to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, the soldiers and civilians of the various forts within Baoan Department, who enjoyed the benefits of allocated fields, oxen, and waterwheels, should be organized to work, contributing timber, digging irrigation wells, felling trees, and quarrying stone. Now, during the agricultural off-season, was the opportunity. Of course, Wang Dou would ensure they were well-fed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the clothing factory, which would produce army tents and combat uniforms and assemble soldiers' weapons and armor, since many raw materials like cloth and cotton had not yet been purchased, this clothing factory was still in the planning stage. The labor here was easier to solve: Shunxiang Fort had many women, so recruiting them to work would suffice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, Wang Dou went to the firearms factory, where Li Maosen was still in charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the seventh year of Chongzhen, when Li Maosen first arrived at Jingbian Fort, Wang Dou asked him if he could manufacture flintlock firearms. Although Li Maosen was an outstanding technician within Baoan Guard at the time, he did not possess this skill. However, he had been pondering what Wang Dou said all along, though many key points were difficult to figure out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Wang Dou worried about most was the match cord extinguishing in wind and rain, or the priming powder in the flash pan being blown away by the wind, turning his matchlock guns into fire pokers in winter. So he asked Li Maosen with hope. Even if his technical ability was not yet sufficient to manufacture a flintlock firearm, that automatically opening and closing flash pan cover device needed to be developed to ensure his firearm soldiers could fight in winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Wang Dou arrived, the first question he asked was this. Li Maosen stood respectfully, thought for a long time, and finally sighed again: \"I am ashamed. Regarding the flintlock firearm that you mentioned, my lord, I still have many points I do not understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of it, the flintlock firearm was simple, merely replacing the match cord with flint. The main firing mechanism consisted of just six parts: the trigger, the cock, a piece of spring steel with good elasticity, the sear, the tumbler, and the frizzen. There was also a movable flash pan cover device used to protect the priming charge and shield it from wind and rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it was easier said than done. These mere few parts were enough to stump a large number of people. At present, the skills of the Great Ming's craftsmen were all closely guarded secrets; no one would easily divulge their techniques. Relying entirely on his own exploration, with no one to guide him, Li Maosen did not even know where to begin exploring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Wang Dou's disappointed expression, Li Maosen gritted his teeth and said, \"I have disappointed you, my lord. However, I can recommend a talented person to you, my lord. Perhaps that person has a way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou asked, \"Who?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Maosen said, \"It is Lai Yuanlong, the Director of the Baoan Guard Armory Bureau. This man is fond of ingenious devices and intricate craftsmanship, but he is not versed in mundane affairs. In the Armory Bureau, he is rather wasted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Li Maosen, this Lai Yuanlong liked to engage in technical work, but his social skills were lacking. His authority was completely undermined by the deputy directors and head craftsmen below him. In the Guard Armory Bureau, he was merely a figurehead. It would be better to poach him for Shunxiang Fort and make the best use of his talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Maosen said, \"When I was in the Armory Bureau, I was on good terms with Director Lai. How about I go and persuade him? However, whether the Guard city will release him will require you, my lord, to step in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled slightly and said, \"You need not worry about that. What is important is that Lai Yuanlong is tempted and willing to come to Baoan Department.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the matter was settled, Wang Dou inspected the inside and outside of the newly built firearms factory. Everything inside the factory was still very disorderly. However, Wang Dou planned that in the future, the firearms factory would spin off another department specifically for casting cannons. But as for cannon-casting talent, he again did not know where to find it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, in the firearms factory, including master craftsmen and apprentices, there were over one hundred fifty people. Wang Dou saw them forging firearms, armor, swords, and spears, and thought to himself that in the future, Shunxiang Fort would need to spin off another armor factory specifically for forging armor, swords, and spears. The finer the division of labor, the better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the current firearms factory, for forging this new type of bird gun, if one craftsman was dedicated solely to it, he could forge roughly one barrel in a little over half a month. Although this was better than before, when it took a month just to drill one barrel, Wang Dou was still not satisfied. The speed was too slow, especially the drilling speed for the barrels, which was maddeningly slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, \"Master Craftsman Li, can the drilling of these gun barrels not be faster? If human power is slow, why not try using water power or animal power?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Maosen said in surprise, \"Using water power and animal power?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pondered for a long time, then his eyes lit up: \"I can give it a try.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2715,"2026-06-03T14:05:19.908Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","8baf273fedcbaa6b123066239042503b5431be6df0607aa61833bb7e3e02198e","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-166","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-164",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]