[{"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-186":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},1205475,1561,"Chapter 186: Garrison Commander of Baoan Department City","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-186",186,"\u003Cp>The shooting range beside the musket factory of Shunxiang Fort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thunderous report of a firearm. Acrid smoke filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone cheered, and Wang Dou nodded repeatedly. As he watched Lai Yuanlong test-fire the gun, the firearm in his hand used a flint for ignition, already essentially no different from the flintlock guns of later ages. He took the firearm and examined it closely. The long match cord of old was gone, replaced by a piece of flint clamped in the gun's hammer. At the same time, the touchhole had a movable iron cover to protect the priming charge, along with a coarse-grooved frizzen used to strike against the descending flint, producing sparks to fire the weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou was utterly captivated. The officers also gathered around him in high spirits. Han Chao said, \"My lord, with this self-igniting firearm, our troops can fight in wind and rain, no longer needing to carry match cord. Firing is greatly simplified, and combined with the new-formula gunpowder, it is like adding wings to a tiger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded. This flintlock's priming pan had a cover to shield it, allowing combat in wind and rain. There was also no need to carry cumbersome and dangerous match cord. Equipping the troops in large numbers in the future would indeed greatly enhance the Shunxiang Army's fighting strength. Moreover, this flintlock firearm already used the new granular gunpowder formulated by Li Daji, the saltpeter officer at the gunpowder factory, greatly increasing both range and power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Shunxiang Fort adopted the new firearms in the ninth year of Chongzhen, the caliber was uniformly 14 millimeters, the gun weighed about nine jin, and the projectiles used were larger and heavier. At that time, Shunxiang Fort's firearms could pierce the iron armor or iron-reinforced cotton armor worn by Qing soldiers at fifty paces. At forty paces, they could break through the double-layered heavy armor and hand-held shields they wore. Now, with this granular gunpowder, Wang Dou estimated that within a hundred paces, they could kill any Qing soldier wearing no armor or a single layer of armor. Within seventy paces, that is, within a hundred meters, they could shatter the multiple layers of heavy armor they wore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qing soldiers' bows, on the other hand, had a direct-fire range of only about seventy paces. They only posed a significant threat to armored Ming troops within fifty paces, and to pierce the Ming army's fine iron armor, they had to close to within about thirty paces. In this way, Shunxiang Fort's firepower held a great advantage. If the enemy infantry charged, they could calmly deliver three sustained volleys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou stroked the flintlock firearm for a long time and asked Lai Yuanlong, \"Envoy Lai, does this self-igniting firearm have any shortcomings?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou recalled that early flintlocks had many flaws after they were developed. Just now, when he watched Lai Yuanlong shoot, it seemed to require great force to pull the trigger and make the flint spark, which slightly unbalanced his center of gravity and affected aiming and shooting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Yuanlong said, \"To be honest, my lord, many components of this self-igniting firearm are rather complex and difficult to manufacture. At present, it is still hard to produce in large quantities, and the misfire rate of the firearm is also relatively high.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flintlocks are, of course, simple by later standards, but for the late Ming period, the craftsmanship was considered complex and the price relatively high. Without a large number of skilled craftsmen currently available, the difficulty of mass production was understandable. What concerned Wang Dou was the misfire rate of this flintlock firearm. He asked, \"What is the misfire rate of this firearm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Yuanlong said, \"Estimated at around thirty percent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chorus of sighs rose from those around him. Currently, Shunxiang Fort's matchlock guns, in fair weather, had a misfire rate of only about ten percent in combat. After adding a touchhole cover to protect the priming pan from wind and rain, the misfire rate had decreased even further. Yet this self-igniting firearm had a misfire rate as high as thirty percent. What use was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou pondered. Early flintlocks, because they used mechanical ignition, indeed had low ignition efficiency. It was only after gradual improvements that the misfire rate was reduced to around three percent. The current flintlock was indeed unsatisfactory, its reliability far inferior to the matchlock. However, flintlocks represented the future direction of firearm development. Even with many flaws, he had to invest heavily in research and refinement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the flintlock was perfected and equipped on a large scale, he could then use bayonets. At present, the long, cumbersome match cord of the matchlock made using any kind of bayonet impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou instructed Lai Yuanlong to continue improving the flintlock, researching and developing a reliable and perfected firing mechanism and safety mechanism. Afterward, he also inspected the barrel production at the firearm factory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The firearm factory currently had fewer than a hundred craftsmen. Not long ago, fifty skilled craftsmen had been transferred to the newly built armor factory. Because the firearm factory had set up one hundred water-powered drilling machines, despite the small number of workers, the speed of firearm production had actually greatly increased compared to before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By conservative estimates, the Shunxiang Fort firearm factory could now produce over four hundred firearms a month, provided the raw materials kept up. After all, producing one hundred firearms required at least nearly four thousand jin of wrought iron per month. Four to five hundred firearms required nearly twenty thousand jin of wrought iron. Probably even the Xuanfu Garrison City did not use as much iron material in a month as Shunxiang Fort did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Koujiagou mining site in Huiyao Fort, the number of miners had recovered to over three hundred, and they were vigorously using gunpowder for mining. The manpower of Baoan Department had been pushed to its limit. The later miners were all recruited from among the refugees. Fortunately, these refugees did not require wages; they only needed Wang Dou to feed them their fill, which saved some costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the increased demand for gunpowder, the number of workers at Saltpeter Officer Li Daji's gunpowder factory had also greatly increased, rapidly expanding from over fifty to over a hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Yuanlong was satisfied with the work efficiency of the firearm factory's water-powered drilling machines. One hundred water-powered drilling machines could drill five hundred gun barrels a month and only required twenty people to oversee. Compared to the previous manual efficiency, it could be said to have undergone earth-shaking changes. However, after using the water-powered drilling machines, he discovered a problem: regulating the speed of the drilling machines was an issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The water flow was often unstable, making the drilling speed of the machines unstable as well. Too slow, and the drill bits would break. Too fast, and it would cause overheating and wear on the tools, and also easily lead to the scrapping of gun barrels. Work efficiency had improved, but the rate of tool and barrel breakage and scrapping had also greatly increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding this problem, what did Wang Dou understand? He was no mechanical engineer. He could only tell Lai Yuanlong to research it more. At the very least, the various losses would be factored into the costs. In any case, he would continue to use the technological advantage of water-powered drilling machines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over these past few months, Lai Yuanlong and Li Maosen had also perfected that water-powered forging hammer. There were still some problems using it to forge gun barrels, but using it to forge armor was already feasible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forging armor in ancient times was never easy. The pinnacle of Chinese armor was the Song Dynasty's infantry armor, composed of over eighteen hundred armor plates. These iron plates were linked together with leather strips or armor nails. The processes of casting, rough grinding, perforating, and fine grinding were numerous. They also had to forge face masks and wrap leather around areas like the collar and cuffs to prevent snagging on clothing and skin. Manufacturing a single suit of armor required many craftsmen and nearly a month of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the same period, forging chainmail in the West was also extremely difficult. Making a suit of chainmail took several months. After the rise of Western plate armor, even ordinary plate armor took a month to forge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous craftsmen of Shunxiang Fort could produce twenty suits of iron armor a month. At their peak, they had once produced fifty suits of iron armor. Now, the Shunxiang Fort armor factory had over fifty craftsmen. Lai Yuanlong suggested to Wang Dou that if they set up ten such water-powered forging hammers, with just the armor factory's craftsmen, producing sixty finished suits of armor per month—including the armor plates, perforating, fine grinding, leather wrapping, and helmet casting—would be very easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason Lai Yuanlong only suggested setting up ten water-powered forging hammers was that the supply of iron material could not keep up; building more would be a waste. After all, forging twenty suits of fine iron armor, using fine iron similar to that for bird guns, required at least over three thousand jin of wrought iron per month. Sixty suits of armor would require nearly ten thousand jin of wrought iron. Shunxiang Fort also needed other iron materials for forging waist sabers and long spears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Koujiagou mining site in Huiyao Fort had to supply over thirty thousand jin of wrought iron every month and was already straining every sinew. Asking them to increase supply was truly beyond their capability. Wang Dou's funds and provisions were also somewhat unable to keep up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matter was thus decided. Amidst the bustle, time quickly reached the end of the eleventh month of the tenth year of Chongzhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of the month, the court's decision regarding the establishment of a Garrison Commander post in Baoan Department City and the appointment of Wang Dou as Garrison Commander was finally settled. The matter had been debated for a long time. Finally, the Chongzhen Emperor spoke: \"The land of Baoan is fertile. Establishing a garrison and posting a defender there, is that not commendable? Wang Dou has rendered meritorious service to the state, is virtuous and capable of defense. Since there is a vacancy for a local Regional Military Commissioner officer, and I have also heard the recommendation of the Xuan Garrison's inspecting officials, it is my will that Wang Dou may serve as the Garrison Commander of that place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the ninth year of Chongzhen, the Eastern Route of Xuanfu Garrison had taken two hundred and eighty-one heads, particularly Wang Dou's eighty heads. The ferocity of his combat had left a deep impression on the Chongzhen Emperor. At that time, he had pointed at Wang Dou's name and asked those beside him: \"Who is this Wang Dou, to be so fiercely brave?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, it was proposed in a memorial by Lu Xiangsheng, the Viceroy of Xuanda, who also personally recommended Wang Dou as the Garrison Commander of Baoan Department. The Chongzhen Emperor had always favored and valued Lu Xiangsheng. Seeing the Ministry of War endlessly debating, he stepped in and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Emperor's golden word of approval, the matter of Wang Dou serving as the Garrison Commander of Baoan Department was thus decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the official document from the Ministry of War arrived, promoting Wang Dou to Guard Commander of Baoan Guard and appointing him as the Garrison Commander of Baoan Department City. The document went first to the Viceroy's office of Xuanda, then to the Provincial Governor's government office of Xuanfu Garrison, then to the Military Defense Circuit office of the Route City, and finally into Wang Dou's hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the document made its way down, Viceroy Lu Xiangsheng of Xuanda was naturally gratified. Everyone in Xuan Garrison knew that a new star had risen in the political arena. A twenty-five-year-old Garrison Commander, a twenty-five-year-old Guard Commander, an official of the upper third rank, and appointed by imperial decree. Countless people were envious and jealous, lamenting that this young man's official luck was too good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jealousy and envy aside, those coming to offer congratulations were an endless stream. Wang Dou's subordinates were naturally overjoyed. When their master was promoted, they too would rise with the tide, and some more people could be promoted along with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the general rejoicing, Wang Dou was also packing his luggage, preparing to go to the capital to accept his post and receive his certificate of appointment, official seal, and court robes. A Garrison Commander post was not like Defense Commander or other positions; he needed to report to the capital in person, pass the assessment of the Bureau of Military Appointments of the Ministry of War, before his position could be formally confirmed. If his luck was good, he might even receive an audience with the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou would be away for some time. He planned to take Xie Yike with him to the capital. He entrusted the civil affairs of the department city to Clerk Feng Dachang and others, and the military affairs to Han Chao and others. He was confident in their abilities and loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving his instructions, he stared at the map in the council hall, lost in thought for a long time. So far, all matters were proceeding according to his plans. But soon it would be the eleventh year of Chongzhen. Thinking of the battles of the coming year...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze involuntarily drifted to the location of Julu, and then rested on the position of Mashuikou. That place was one hundred and sixty li south of Baoan Department and had always been a vital communication route from Baoan Department to Baoding Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was concentrating in deep thought, a maidservant came over and reported to Wang Dou that the Mistress requested his presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing Xie Xiuniang, Xie Xiuniang said, \"Husband, just now the young lady from the Department Magistrate's residence came by, saying she has an important matter and would like to ask for your help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2352,"2026-06-03T14:05:19.908Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","fd2e09012c67e9d104ddd0e34e593b1383fd253045b08dffcec5bf8d22a5e09d","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-187","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-185",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]