Chapter 1738: Testing the Cannons

Northwest of Xiazhou, eighty li from the prefectural city, lay a stretch of sandy wasteland that the locals called the Great Sand Mound. True to its name, yellow sand lay thick, dunes piled high, glittering brilliantly under the sunlight. In the past, some Tangut tribes had lived in the surrounding area.

However, since it lay within Yulin's borders, the atmosphere matched the larger environment—silent, deathly silent. The surrounding population had long since been cleared out by the boiling flames of war and merciless slaughter.

At this moment, amid this desolate sandy expanse, wave after wave of rumbling sounds rang out, like thunder, shaking the surroundings. Yellow antelopes and sand rats, startled, scattered in all directions, wanting to put as much distance as possible between themselves and those terrifying humans.

On the distant dunes, several simple wooden fortresses had been erected, each flying bright red banners. Over a thousand Han cavalry roamed the perimeter, tasked solely with guard duty, protecting the Han army camp in the middle.

About a hundred zhang from the wooden forts sat a temporary camp—more precisely, an artillery position. Twenty cannons were arrayed in a line, and over three hundred artillerymen bustled about in orderly fashion, cleaning the barrels, loading gunpowder and shells, inserting fuses. As the flag officer's signal flag swept down, they lit and fired—with each ear-splitting boom, another volley loosed, heavy shells hurtling toward the distance.

Yet the results still fell short of expectations. The shells had no accuracy whatsoever. Of the several wooden forts erected on the distant dunes, only three hits were scored in total; the rest either overshot or fell short. Aside from kicking up sand, their main effect was the intimidation of sound.

On the position, thick smoke billowed, dust rolled, and coughing never ceased. The artillerymen were drenched in sweat, their bodies reeking of smoke and fire. Prince Zhao, Liu Fang, and his personal guards stood watching from afar, forced to keep their distance. These cannons had reached mass-production stage, and their performance was largely stable—but not absolutely so. Accidents were always inevitable. In just the two days of test firing, three cannons had burst, causing over twenty casualties.

The trials continued, and Liu Fang observed patiently. Earlier, for the Yulin pacification campaign, the Ministry of War had specially allocated fifty newly built cannons, intending to conduct live-fire validation in Yulin.

However, that purpose had ultimately come to nothing—they were never used. At the same time, throughout the entire pacification, no suitable opportunity had presented itself. The two rebel armies of Yuan and Li hadn't even survived the winter before being destroyed.

Still, toward this new weapon, Prince Zhao Liu Fang displayed extraordinary curiosity. Setting aside everything else, this was a weapons development backed by Emperor Liu, with such substantial rewards as incentive. Liu Fang had always trusted Emperor Liu's judgment, and so he was quite taken with this long-range weapon that legend said could replace the trebuchet.

After these two days of hands-on observation and testing, Liu Fang now had a clear picture. Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times. Though many flaws were still visible to the naked eye, its advantages were unmistakably apparent.

The artillery commander leading the team, Yang Su, was accompanying Liu Fang at this moment, answering questions from time to time. Regarding cannons, Liu Fang indeed had countless questions to ask.

Yang Su had originally been a gunpowder artisan in the Weapons Directorate and had participated in the cannon's development. After it was successfully built, he was appointed as the test artillery commander—a technical officer, as it were.

"These cannons are certainly enormously powerful, but they're simply not accurate enough!" Liu Fang remarked with a sigh.

Yang Su listened nearby, his expression grave, and nodded: "Your Highness speaks truly—this is precisely one of the flaws. But from what this officer knows, the Thunderclap Cannon was likewise inaccurate at first. This officer believes that with proper refinement and improvement, it can also be enhanced. Through continuous testing and exploration, this officer thinks we can work on the gunpowder, the shells, and the cannon itself."

"Good!" Hearing this, Liu Fang couldn't help but crack a smile: "Commander Yang has such confidence?"

Yang Su replied: "To answer Your Highness, from development to production, this cannon has been perfected through constant testing, all the way to the finished product. Countless problems arose along the way, but all were improved and resolved. Through these trials in Yulin, this officer has also found new directions for improvement!"

"Oh? Let's hear them!" Liu Fang was intrigued.

Yang Su spoke at length: "At present, the most important thing is to improve the materials of the barrel and carriage. The current damage rate is still too severe—a single cannon can't fire twenty shells before the barrel is ruined. This is even worse than during testing in the capital. This officer suspects it's due to Yulin's climate and environment. Additionally, the gunpowder isn't stable enough and still needs improvement. As for the accuracy problem, beyond the cannon itself, it also requires the experience of the operating soldiers—there's still a long road ahead."

Liu Fang didn't understand much of what Yang Su said, but that didn't stop him from grasping the gist. He thought for a moment, then said: "The shells currently in use are all iron shot and solid shot. Can we make shells that explode, like fire-oil bombs or fire arrows?"

"Your Highness is truly quick-witted!" Yang Su praised: "The Weapons Workshop is currently developing and preparing to manufacture a suitable shell—hollow iron casing, packed inside with gunpowder and iron shrapnel, called an exploding shell. However, the difficulties are still considerable, and it's even more unstable. More time is needed!"

Liu Fang nodded and remarked with feeling: "Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving! After this period of observation, I'm even more certain that this is truly a formidable weapon. As for it eventually completely replacing the Thunderclap Cannon, the bed crossbow, and fire arrows—I'm increasingly confident and no longer have any doubts!"

Receiving Liu Fang's approval, Yang Su couldn't help but show a restrained smile. Liu Fang continued: "The Weapons Workshop has rendered great service to the state, creating such a weapon. And His Majesty is truly wise, with far-reaching vision!"

Yang Su nodded, his face full of admiration as well: "Were it not for His Majesty's trust and support, today's results would never have been achieved!"

"It's just a pity that since its creation, it hasn't undergone live combat testing. Who knows what its actual effectiveness on the battlefield will be?" Yang Su's tone was regretful.

To this, Liu Fang replied in a confident tone: "Compared to the Thunderclap Cannon, this cannon is clearly easier to use. Whether in siege or field battle, those iron shot and stone shot are weapons for breaching walls, destroying fortifications, and taking lives. Moreover, it doesn't require the physical effort of the Thunderclap Cannon, needs fewer men, and is easier to transport. Though it hasn't seen combat, the test results are already evident. With my many years on horseback, I have great confidence in these judgments."

Hearing Liu Fang's insights, Yang Su was somewhat moved and clasped his hands: "With Your Highness's words, this officer and the others feel greatly encouraged!"

"Work hard, overcome difficulties, and succeed!" Liu Fang smiled lightly: "Given how much His Majesty values you all, if you achieve further accomplishments in the future, perhaps it won't stop at just a third-rank marquis!"

Yang Su's eyes lit up at these words, a flush spreading across his face, his expression full of longing. For those skilled in such "ingenious crafts," Emperor Liu's tolerance and generosity were enormously motivating.

As the two conversed, a scout rider with a signal flag on his back came galloping swiftly, his horse's hooves kicking up a trail of dust. Reaching them, he dismounted nimbly and bowed: "Reporting to Your Highness—news from Xiazhou!"

Liu Fang was somewhat surprised. He gestured for the man to rise, took the dispatch, and tore it open for a look. Soon, a smile spread across his face, and he laughed aloud: "Hahaha..."

"May this officer ask what happy tidings Your Highness has received?" Yang Su, seeing this, couldn't help asking curiously.

"It is indeed good news!" Liu Fang waved the letter in his hand and said casually: "Someone has sent a great gift to Xiazhou—the rebel bandit Li Jiqian and his brothers have been beheaded!"

"You all continue the test firing—I'm returning to Xiazhou first!" As his personal guard brought over his mount and Liu Fang mounted, he instructed Yang Su and the others.

"Go safely, Your Highness!"