[{"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-361":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},1205650,1561,"Chapter 361: Peach Blossom Spring, Departure (Part 2)","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-361",361,"\u003Cp>Speaking of Li Zhifen and Zhao Xuan compiling artillery firing tables, an important reason for Wang Dou's visit to the military factory this time was to inspect the results of artillery casting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, since the beginning of the year, an artillery foundry had been established northwest of Yongning City. Late last year, the Intelligence Division had already stolen several artillery blueprints from the capital and lured a batch of artillery craftsmen from Tianjin and other places with heavy sums. Firearm manufacturing flourished in the Great Ming; the capital and Tianjin areas were densely packed with various firearm workshops, employing tens of thousands of craftsmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, like the army, these craftsmen suffered unspeakably, and there were enormous loopholes in management. Stealing the relevant blueprints and winning over the craftsmen was no difficult task at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including the original four 6-pounder red-barbarian cannons, the ten red-barbarian cannons allocated by the imperial court, and several cannons cast in recent months, Wang Dou now had a total of nineteen red-barbarian great cannons. But this was far from enough. Wang Dou knew that the Qing state already possessed the capability to cast red-barbarian cannons on a large scale and placed great emphasis on artillery production. After the Battle of Songshan, their number of red-barbarian great cannons exceeded one hundred; after breaching the pass, it exceeded two hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What might surprise the world was that the Qing side understood how to cast artillery using the lost-wax method and applied annealing treatment to different parts of the cannon. The performance of the cannons they cast had already surpassed Western cannons of the time. This was, of course, the merit of those traitors in the Han Banners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being able to foresee history was, in fact, also a painful thing for Wang Dou, because he had to silently endure all the pressure alone. However, a transmigrator also had advantages, namely several centuries of extra insight. You, the Qing state, have the lost-wax method for casting cannons; I have the iron-mold method for casting cannons, which is absolutely ahead of the world's trends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, what Wang Dou referred to was the iron-mold cannon-casting method invented by Gong Zhenlin during the Qing dynasty. The process was simple, reduced costs, and was not limited by climate. If wrought iron was used instead of cast iron, it could also solve the problem of honeycombing and rough bore surfaces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was, of course, an exceptionally excellent technique. One must know that in Europe, from the 16th century until the Opium Wars, artillery casting used either the clay-mold integral casting method or the lost-wax method. Only after the Opium Wars was the lathe-cutting casting method adopted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, both the clay-mold method and the lost-wax method required one to three months to cast a cannon. Although the lost-wax method was not restricted by season, each cannon still required two to three months. And the success rate was not very high; for every ten cannons cast, the pass rate was only twenty to thirty percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The iron-mold casting method could achieve a pass rate as high as fifty percent, required less than a month to cast one cannon, and could be performed in all four seasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the artillery foundry was established at the beginning of the year, Li Maosen, the director of the Military Engineering Division, personally served as superintendent. Artillery Company Commander Zhao Xuan also held a nominal superintendent post to show his particular emphasis on the matter. After the foundry's establishment, the Military Engineering Division carefully selected nearly a hundred craftsmen from various workshops to work inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Wang Dou entered the artillery foundry, the heat inside was oppressive, molten iron splashed and surged, and all the craftsmen were bustling about busily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deputy superintendent of the artillery foundry, Zhou Xianglu, was an old man in his fifties, considered a hereditary artisan with profound expertise in casting red-barbarian cannons. The Intelligence Division had expended considerable effort to recruit him. When Wang Dou saw him, he was wearing spectacles, intently examining a completed 3-pounder red-barbarian cannon with an expression of deep concentration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time Wang Dou saw Zhou Xianglu's spectacles, he had a peculiar feeling. They had only one lens, decorated on both sides with fine copper fittings, and were tied to the ear with a thin cord, quite different from the style of spectacles in later ages. He had once heard Zhou Xianglu mention that he was acquainted with Bi Maokang, and that this pair of spectacles was a gift from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, spectacles were not a rarity in the Great Ming, but Ming people did not call them spectacles; they called them aidai. Many people wore a pair of spectacles mostly to signify auspiciousness or noble status, not to improve their eyesight. However, Zhou Xianglu was indeed nearsighted, and now also farsighted with age. With these spectacles, looking at things became much easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xianglu was so engrossed that he did not even notice Wang Dou and the others enter. After Li Maosen alerted him, he hurriedly pushed his spectacles aside and rushed over to welcome them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him respectfully kowtow, Wang Dou helped him up: \"Master Zhou, are you content at the artillery foundry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xianglu said repeatedly, \"Content, content. This land of Yongning City is what this humble one has dreamed of.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With good pay, high status, and the freedom to spend large amounts of raw materials on research as he pleased, plus Wang Dou's frequent summons and banquets, to Zhou Xianglu, the Eastern Route was his ideal paradise. Actually, Zhou Xianglu had been a supervisor in his original workshop, but that place was lifeless. How could it compare to the vibrant energy of the Eastern Route, where he could fully display all he had learned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Using the clay-mold method, we have already cast five red-barbarian great cannon, loaded with three-jin cannonballs. A few months ago, this humble one, following the General's words, researched the iron-mold casting method and has gained some insights. Recently, we completed ten red-barbarian great cannon and were just about to inspect them...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xianglu led Wang Dou and the others on a tour around the foundry, while steadily explaining to Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could be seen that the craftsmen in the foundry were all now using the iron-mold method to cast cannons. Nearly a hundred craftsmen bustled about, divided into several processes: some prepared the slurry, some poured the molten metal, and others operated the massive hoisting equipment, each with their own task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This iron-mold cannon-casting method had about six steps. When casting a cannon, the inner side of each iron mold segment was first brushed with two layers of slurry. The first layer of slurry was made from fine rice husk ash and fine sandy clay; the second layer was made from top-quality, extremely fine kiln coal mixed with water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the two segments were joined together, clamped tight with iron hoops, heated, and connected section by section. Finally, the molten metal was poured in. Once sufficient molten metal was poured and it cooled and solidified, the iron mold was peeled off in the order of the mold segments, like peeling off bamboo shoot husks, gradually revealing the cannon body. Then the clay core inside the cannon bore was removed, and the iron cannon was complete. It was much faster than the clay-mold method and the lost-wax method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Wang Dou had only read relevant historical materials about the iron-mold casting method in later times and retained some memories. To truly realize it, he had to rely on Zhou Xianglu and others to explore and perfect it. For people like Zhou Xianglu, they actually had no technical problems; what they lacked was merely piercing that layer of window paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several months of exploration, this iron-mold cannon-casting method was successfully realized in the Great Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mentioning this iron-mold method, Zhou Xianglu was full of praise: \"The method is supremely simple. One unit of labor reaps the benefits of hundreds of units of labor; one cannon saves dozens of times the cost. The great cannon is cast and produced in quick succession, without delaying days. Moreover, the bore is naturally smooth, flawless and without blemish. Truly a beneficial method.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xianglu seemed to have read some books, his speech full of classical particles. Not to mention, with his spectacles on, paired with his tall, lean frame, he truly resembled an old pedant somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For an artillery casting craftsman like him, who had cast countless cannons over decades, from Frankish cannons to red-barbarian great cannons, he had handled who knows how many. The completion of a single cannon had always required several months. Where was such speed as now? Moreover, using the iron-mold casting method, the bore was naturally smooth, solving the difficult problem of honeycombing in the cannon bore, which was a major cause of cannon explosions and slow loading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of Wang Dou's \"foresight,\" he had already been sincerely praised like this by many craftsmen. Having been praised so much, hearing it again left him with little feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was concerned about another issue. He said, \"Master Zhou, how goes the matter of training craftsmen in cannon casting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xianglu said, \"Replying to the General, this humble one teaches diligently. The craftsmen originally had a foundation and also study diligently. It is estimated that within two years, these nearly one hundred craftsmen will be able to cast cannons independently.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Maosen, the director of the Military Engineering Division, managed many factories and was busy with various affairs. The daily affairs of the artillery foundry were actually mostly managed by Zhou Xianglu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he came to the Eastern Route, besides the relevant blueprints, he also brought over a dozen close craftsmen. Wang Dou's intention was for him to teach the nearly one hundred craftsmen selected for the foundry how to cast cannons, laying the foundation for future large-scale production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Zhou Xianglu hesitated for quite a while. Cannon-casting skill was the foundation of his livelihood and family legacy; how could it be casually passed on to others?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For many craftsmen, their own skills were always kept strictly secret, passed down only to the eldest son, or even to daughters-in-law but not daughters. Even when taking on apprentices, they would examine and re-examine them, keeping them by their side for several years, even over a decade, before revealing some important aspects. They would absolutely never hand over everything completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Wang Dou subsequently mentioned the temptation of \"patents,\" using Li Maosen as an example. He and Lai Yuanlong had researched and developed the touchhole device. For every firearm a craftsman produced, they had to pay the two a certain royalty fee, making those people effectively their apprentices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kind of patent fee benefited their descendants, bringing advantages lasting for decades. The wider the skill spread, the more benefits the two received. Because of the precedent set by Li Maosen and others, the enthusiasm of the craftsmen at Shunxiang Fort was extremely high, and various inventions emerged endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing about this \"patent\" matter, Zhou Xianglu was stunned for quite a while. After personally seeking out Li Maosen and others to discuss it, he finally decided to transfer his cannon-casting technology and teach the craftsmen hand-in-hand, in exchange for enormous benefits for his descendants lasting decades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, with Wang Dou's prestige, he could certainly force those craftsmen to voluntarily give up their techniques, but Wang Dou felt it was unnecessary. The personal benefits they gained would better enhance their enthusiasm. One was forced, the other voluntary; the resulting productivity would be as different as heaven and earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, these nearly one hundred craftsmen in the artillery foundry all became Zhou Xianglu's apprentices, including Li Maosen. For the time being, Zhou Xianglu only taught them the casting techniques for red-barbarian cannons, although Zhou Xianglu was also quite proficient in casting Frankish cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of Frankish cannons, each had its own merits compared to red-barbarian cannons, but red-barbarian cannons held the advantage in range. Wang Dou's main opponent in the future, the Qing state, was a major user of red-barbarian great cannons. The future trend in artillery was to compete in range and power. He could not possibly just line up his formation and stand far away, wide-eyed, waiting to be bombed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou hoped that in the future, there would be several hundred red-barbarian great cannons to blast all those sons of bitches to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the beginning of the year, Zhou Xianglu led the foundry craftsmen in casting thirty cannons. A few months later, the cannons were completed. Because the clay-mold method was used, only five were ultimately qualified. However, with this pass rate, Zhou Xianglu could already be called a national master in the Great Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He used the novel iron-mold method Wang Dou mentioned to cast another ten cannons, and Wang Dou happened to be there to see the inspection results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group arrived at the wide grounds behind the artillery foundry. The ten newly cast 3-pounder red-barbarian cannons were hauled over. From a distance, several craftsmen first pulled one cannon to the center of the grounds, filled it completely with gunpowder, tamped it solid, and then led out a long fuse. Everyone following behind Wang Dou craned their necks, watching as one of the craftsmen took out a fire stick and lit the fuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then those several craftsmen ran for their lives, and a thunderous boom was heard. Acrid smoke filled the air as the heavy cannon leaped into the sky, then crashed heavily back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An expression of excitement flashed across Zhou Xianglu's face. He respectfully said to Wang Dou, \"General, please.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people behind him swarmed over with Wang Dou. The cannon was lifted and placed onto a high platform. Zhou Xianglu put on his spectacles again and carefully examined it, checking for any damage to the cannon body or cracks at the muzzle. After a long while, a smile appeared on Zhou Xianglu's face. He saluted Wang Dou and said, \"This humble one is fortunate. This great cannon is cast properly and is already free from the danger of bursting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheerful laughter and chatter arose all around. Everyone said in unison, \"We respectfully request the General to bestow a name.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou also laughed heartily: \"This cannon shall be named the Yongning Cannon, and designated as Jia-grade.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on its caliber, this cannon met the Great Ming's standard for a \"Second General.\" It was the first batch of cannons cast using the iron-mold method, and thus held considerable significance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this batch of cannons was inspected, they would be sequentially designated with grades such as Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, and so on. Finally, inscriptions would be engraved, noting the cannon's weight, the amount of gunpowder charge, the weight of the iron ball, the number of sealing cluster shot that could be used, as well as the names of the craftsmen and the inspecting officer. After being draped with a cannon cover, they could be put into storage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final inspection results showed that out of these ten newly cast 3-pounder red-barbarian cannons, four were qualified. The pass rate was astonishingly high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present beamed with joy, repeatedly claiming they had never seen the like in their lives, and attributing it all to the merit of the iron-mold method spoken of by General Dingguo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The General mentioned using yellow iron to cast cannons; this humble one is also researching it. The iron-mold method is now successful, and the yellow-iron cannon-casting method the General spoke of will certainly succeed as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having successfully supervised the casting of these cannons, Zhou Xianglu had rendered great merit. His confidence in Wang Dou was now absolute, and he brought up another matter Wang Dou had mentioned, which was Wang Dou's suggestion to use wrought iron for casting cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few months ago, after proposing the iron-mold method, Wang Dou had also casually mentioned this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Copper was expensive, but using cast iron to make cannons resulted in very heavy cannon bodies. For instance, the 12-pounder red-barbarian cannons of this time weighed up to four thousand jin, making them extremely cumbersome and difficult to move. Even some 6-pounder red-barbarian cannons used in the Ming army weighed as much as three thousand jin, which was certainly detrimental to accompanying the army in battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In later times Wang Dou had seen relevant historical records — cannons could also be made from wrought iron. Of course, wrought iron cannot be cast, but it can be forged. Iron bars are heated and folded a hundred times, gradually turned and rounded into a cylinder. Once finished, the cannon is more than half lighter than a cast-iron cannon, and with a thinner barrel and wider bore, there is no risk of bursting, and the shot loaded can also be very large.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike cast-iron cannons, whose interiors are full of honeycomb roughness that is hard to file smooth and which fire shot slowly, a cannon made from this wrought iron has an incomparably smooth bore, making loading extremely fast. Of course, cannons cast by the iron-mold method also have smooth bores, but in terms of lightness and flexibility, they are far inferior to wrought-iron cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. Master Zhou, devote yourself to research and study — do not worry about materials or cost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Artillery, prepare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the artillery training ground, seeing Wang Dou arrive in person to inspect, Zhao Xuan's spirits surged. With an imposing air he issued a series of commands, ordering each cannon to aim at a series of targets set up in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrayed before Zhao Xuan were all nineteen of Wang Dou's red-barbarian cannons — six six-pounder cannons and thirteen three-pounder cannons. Once the four red-barbarian three-pounder cannons cast by the iron-mold method were delivered, Zhao Xuan's artillery company commander would have twenty-three red-barbarian cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now these cannons were lined up in a row, their dark muzzles constantly adjusting. In front of one observation officer was also set up a gleaming artillery scope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, an artillery scope. Several months ago, the Shunxiang Army had already begun using artillery scopes and telescopes. Both required lenses. Though colorless glass at this time was not cheap, it was no rarity in the Great Ming — the capital had a glassworks, one of the manufactories under the Twenty-Four Directorates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time colorless glass inevitably still had bubbles. Although Wang Dou knew the clever method of \"stirring,\" for the moment he lacked the relevant craftsmen and techniques, nor did he currently have any interest in manufacturing glass. Given a pane of glass, he would rather have a few dan of grain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no bubble-free colorless glass, but artillery scopes and telescopes could be made using crystal instead. Crystal was a very common item among the scholar-gentry class at this time. The natural colorless crystal produced in Donghai, Jiangsu could be bought in many cities of the Great Ming. As long as one had silver, replacing bubble-free colorless glass was no problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key was not that — the raw material problem was easy to solve. The problem lay in the design and grinding of the lenses, which demanded a level of craftsmanship and optical knowledge considered very high in the Great Ming at this time. Relevant talent existed, but it was mostly concentrated in Jiangnan. By coincidence, when the Intelligence Division went south to Jiangnan to collect the Complete Treatise on Agricultural Administration, they happened to encounter one or two such men. After being recruited with generous pay, early this year they gladly came to the Eastern Circuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Similar to the case of Zhou Xianglu, lured by the prospect of patents, they also brought several dozen apprentices and produced a batch of artillery scopes and telescopes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment in Wang Dou's hand was a telescope he was looking through. Its gleaming brass surface was finely crafted; it could be extended and retracted to adjust the viewing distance. Since the first batch of telescopes was small, within the Shunxiang Army only Wang Dou and a few senior company commanders possessed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps in a few years, presumably every squad commander in the army could have one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuan was likewise looking through a telescope. With the firing tables compiled from extensive live-fire practice, and with this artillery scope, the observation officer continuously called out data, and the aimers of each cannon kept adjusting their muzzles. One look at their manner showed they were well trained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou looked ahead through his telescope and listened as the observation officer rattled off a stream of obscure terminology. These mathematical terms were already hard to hear in later ages, and for Wang Dou, a man of later times, they were naturally somewhat unfamiliar. After all, what later generations learned was Western mathematics, and ancient Chinese mathematics was an entirely different system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he personally was unaccustomed to it, Wang Dou believed he should adapt himself and had no intention of changing it. Most importantly, he believed he lacked the ability to reconstruct a complete mathematical system. Two entirely different systems of operational symbols could not be replaced merely by introducing a few Arabic numerals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Wang Dou believed that Western mathematics at this time was not superior to Chinese mathematics. Take Arabic numerals, for instance: when keeping accounts, to prevent alteration one still had to record them again in uppercase numerals, which only added to the burden. And the calculating power of Arabic numerals was somewhat lacking. The late-Ming mathematician Zhu Zaiyu established the method of extracting square roots by division, using an 81-digit abacus to perform square root calculations with bead arithmetic, accurate to 25 decimal places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a computational load that terrifying, if one used Arabic numerals for written calculation, one could calculate a lifetime and still not finish. This showed that Western mathematics at this time lagged far behind Chinese mathematics. Wang Dou could not, for his own private preference, do something beyond his ability that would win no support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Adjustment complete, adjustment complete…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voices of the squad leaders serving as commanders before each cannon rose and fell in succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time the organization of the Shunxiang Army's artillery company commander was one squad of ten men responsible for one cannon. The ten men included an observation hand, an aimer, several loaders, several ammunition handlers, a driver for the horse-drawn cart, and the Squad Commander who served as commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each squad was also equipped with one horse-drawn cannon and one ammunition cart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five squads made a platoon, four platoons made a battalion. In theory a battalion had twenty red-barbarian cannons as its basic salvo unit, and a company commander had eighty red-barbarian cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Zhao Xuan currently had only nineteen red-barbarian cannons, with the organization complete only up to one squad commander. One observation officer was assigned, equipped with an artillery scope, to direct cannon salvos. When individual cannons fired independently, each cannon's observation hand called out target parameters, and the aimer adjusted the cannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuan bellowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fire! Fire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one deafening cannon blast after another, fierce flames shot from muzzle after muzzle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the howling of cannonballs, one target after another was blasted apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Swab the bore!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a cannon fired, a loader immediately took the sponge and swabbed the bore clean. Then another man loaded the powder, and another rammed home the shot. Loading, aiming, firing — unhurried, swift in motion. Wang Dou nodded to himself: the artillery company commander's training results were good; this division of labor and cooperation clearly showed its effectiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aiming and firing red-barbarian cannons required correct methods, which few in the Great Ming were familiar with or had mastered. But Zhao Xuan's battalion originally had a number of gunners from Lu Xiangsheng's supervisory battalion. Under their instruction and through extensive training, many gunners in the company commander's artillery unit could now achieve the proficiency they had once had firing falconet cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now Zhao Xuan's artillery company commander also used fixed powder charges. Because the formula had been perfected, the cannon's powder charge weight and shot weight could already reach a ratio of one to two, allowing several more shots before cooling than before. Previously they had to cool after three consecutive shots; now they could fire five shots, and the range was somewhat greater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a ratio of one to three were achieved, the cannon's heat generation could be further reduced, the firing rate increased, and the likelihood of a barrel burst greatly diminished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fire again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another volley of cannonballs howled forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the salvo drill came independent cannon firing. Among these gunners, the observation hands and aimers included, besides the Shunxiang Army's original gunners, many fengshui masters and commercial shop accountants that Zhao Xuan was now recruiting in large numbers. The addition of these mathematical talents could greatly increase the training rate of the Shunxiang Army's gunners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the gunners so well trained, one \"target\" after another being destroyed, Wang Dou smiled. His military ordnance and artillery enterprise was truly flourishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning from the military workshops and parade grounds northwest of Yongning City, Wang Dou traveled back along the north side of the city, passing one newly risen garrison village after another, watching the common people all busily at work. When they saw his honor guard procession returning, their faces all showed expressions of delighted surprise, and from afar they cheered to Wang Dou: \"General, General…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May the General be enfeoffed for ten thousand generations…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile on his face, Wang Dou waved continuously from horseback and clasped his fists in return salute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing one garrison village, the place was resounding with gongs and drums, firecrackers booming — the common people were celebrating the completion of a new school outside the village. Watching the joyful, laughing expressions on their faces, Wang Dou let out a long breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the borders the common people were in dire straits, but within the limits of his ability, he had enabled the soldiers and civilians of the Eastern Circuit to live and work in peace and contentment. His coming to the Great Ming had not been in vain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the ninth day of the ninth month, Wang Dou settled on the roster of officers and commanders who would accompany him on campaign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the fifteenth day of the ninth month, perhaps over a hundred thousand soldiers and civilians of the Eastern Circuit gathered east of Yongning City. Today a military review was held here. After the soldiers and civilians assembled in celebration, the Shunxiang Army would march out on campaign tomorrow. Thus, besides the designated personnel, many common people also came of their own accord — a dense mass of heads, as if Yongning City had never held so many people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walls of this old parade hall east of the city were long gone, but the high platform remained. Now on the platform, besides the various members of the field headquarters, there were also the garrison commanders of each city of the Eastern Circuit, quite a few local gentry, and also the Military Defense Circuit Intendant Ma Guoxi and the Department Magistrate of Yanqing, Wu Zhi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was laughing and chatting, all in high spirits. To be able to take part in such a grand occasion, each person felt both a sense of novelty and a glow of pride on their faces. Military Defense Circuit Intendant Ma Guoxi still maintained a reserved expression on his face, exchanging a few words with Wang Dou from time to time. Only Department Magistrate of Yanqing Wu Zhi wore a completely expressionless look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The parade ground was already open to the wilderness on three sides. Looking down from the high platform, one orderly square formation after another stood — besides the nearly ten thousand men of the Shunxiang Army, there were also some outstanding representatives from each military farm. These people either held prestige within their garrison villages or were diligent in their work, and thus had been selected to take part in the parade and review to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an immense honor, so every one of these military households stood ramrod straight, their faces filled with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides these people, below also stood several square formations of students, all selected from the middle and upper classes of each garrison village school, aged thirteen to eighteen. Every one wore a soft cap, a round-collared narrow-sleeved blue robe, and a sharp sword at the waist — just like the warriors of the Tang and Song dynasties. This was also their usual attire and school uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the faces of these students were all alight with irrepressible excitement. Many looked toward Wang Dou on the platform, their eyes filled with fervor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all sons of military households. Because of Wang Dou, their families could eat their fill and dress warmly, could survive in this dark age, and they themselves could receive free education. Daily hearing their families and neighbors extol Wang Dou, coupled with their teachers' inculcation, through constant exposure they all worshipped Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For their education, Wang Dou demanded both virtue and ability, both civil and martial excellence. These students were full of heroic spirit — they were the future hope of the Eastern Circuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward these students, Military Defense Circuit Intendant Ma Guoxi also showed the utmost solicitude, frequently visiting each school to inquire after their well-being and exhort them to be loyal to the sovereign and serve the nation. Every time, Department Magistrate of Yanqing Wu Zhi necessarily accompanied him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou's vigorous promotion of education and the propagation of the sage's teachings in the Eastern Circuit won praise throughout the circuit. However, Wang Dou's having the students wear swords drew some private murmurs — wearing a sword was a privilege reserved for Licentiates; these students…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this matter, Military Defense Circuit Intendant Ma Guoxi tacitly approved and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apart from these, there were the boundless crowds of Eastern Circuit common people — over a hundred thousand people was no small matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Raise the flag.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Salute!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ringing clang of metal sounded — not only did Wang Dou and the others on the platform draw their swords, but all the Shunxiang Army below and the students in several square formations uniformly drew their blades and swords, slanting them upward, a dazzling expanse of cold light sweeping across one square formation after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Guolei, Wu Zhi, and the others were visibly startled, glancing uneasily at Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commoners below, however, grew excited — a rare grand spectacle. Perhaps after today, many would never forget this scene for the rest of their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the drum and music, the Great Ming's Sun-and-Moon Flag slowly rose. The Sun-and-Moon Flag could be called the Great Ming's national flag, yet also not, for the imperial court had never formally confirmed it as such.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The origin of this flag: after the Longqing reign lifted the maritime ban, foreign trade rapidly developed, and Ming ships, following international standards, flew this flag to distinguish themselves from the national flags of Portuguese, Dutch, and other vessels, becoming the de facto Chinese national flag at the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flag with its blue field and overlapping red sun and yellow moon designs steadily rose. Gazing at the flag, then at the Shunxiang Army and students standing solemnly below, Ma Guolei's eyes gradually grew moist, and Wu Zhi even began to choke with emotion. Some of the local gentry on the platform also sighed deeply — Great Ming, ah Great Ming, could you...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this atmosphere, the crowd watching around the platform slowly quieted. Some appeared lost in thought, while others cupped their hands and bowed in salute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the flag rise, Wang Dou's heart surged with emotion as well. This flag-raising ceremony had been trialed by him earlier this year, previously only held at the academy, drawing many curious onlookers and becoming a topic eagerly discussed in teahouses and taverns. But today, raising the flag before this grand review of over a hundred thousand people was a first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ceremony complete!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the flag reached the top, Zhang Gui bellowed — as today's master of ceremonies, he had not slept well for many days over this event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another wave of ringing clangs sounded as weapons were returned to their scabbards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scuff of footsteps sounded as the students in several square formations strode forward, hands on their swords — four square formations, each of five hundred, totaling two thousand people. Their ranks were certainly not as orderly as the Shunxiang Army's. Yet every student wore a stern little face and an earnest expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They advanced in unison, stopping fifty paces from the martial review platform. A handsome student stepped out, turned back toward the formation, and shouted: \"Where do you come from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slightly youthful voice from within the formation answered: \"I come from Shanxi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where do you come from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I come from Liaodong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where do you come from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I come from Zhending.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where do you come from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I come from Baoding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I come from Zhongzhou...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In unison, everyone declared: \"We come from all corners of the land, yet we all share one home — the Eastern Circuit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A unified song rang out: \"A nation is a mouthful of China, a tile roof makes a home. They say the country is vast, but truly it is one family. One heart fills the nation, one hand props up the home. The family is the smallest nation, the nation is a thousand myriad homes. A nation in the world, a home between heaven and earth — only with a strong nation can there be a prosperous home...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students in every formation sang with utmost seriousness, and following them, the Shunxiang Army in each formation also sang together. Moved by the song, the surrounding hundred thousand-plus commoners gradually joined in, the song growing ever more powerful, as if it would pierce the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Guolei and the others turned pale. The scene before them felt utterly alien — this force they had never witnessed left them at a loss, unsure how to harness it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou's eyes grew moist. This song, \"The Nation,\" which he had \"composed\" earlier this year, served as the Eastern Circuit's circuit anthem, originally promoted only within the academy. In truth, Wang Dou had worried about \"acclimatization issues\" — that a song with lyrics and melody so different from the Great Ming's style might meet awkwardness among soldiers and civilians and fail to spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Wang Dou's surprise, the students quickly embraced the song, and it gradually expanded to the army, then to the common people of the Eastern Circuit, becoming a true \"circuit anthem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching over a hundred thousand people sing in unison, many below the platform were so overcome with emotion they wept uncontrollably. Wang Dou suddenly felt a pang in his heart, and tears streamed down his face as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>《End of Volume Six》\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>※※※\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old White Ox: Volume Six is complete. The following volumes will mostly feature war scenes, from the Central Plains to Liaodong — vicious battles one after another, mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Please join Wang Dou and the Shunxiang Army, dear readers, to experience that magnificent and sweeping historical scroll, and to savor the people and events of the late Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>",5879,"2026-06-03T14:05:36.780Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","305e3d3328326fb2b98d4a23e633168181de91648f00b4fb3c3cb3ca6e04792e","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-362","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-360",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]