Chapter 197: Wang Zheng

Starting in the second month, the finalized flintlock began production. The new gun eliminated the yin-yang mechanism of the combined trigger, directly using flint to strike open the steel frizzen while simultaneously sparking to ignite the priming powder, greatly reducing the number of components. During winter, the weapons workshop and testing grounds began moving in stages to Wendeng Camp. Liu Minyou spent a high price to buy some mature riverfront fields and built many water-powered machines along the Baolong River, mainly hydraulic barrel drills and water hammers, used respectively for gun barrels and armor plate forging.

The flintlock still had not solved the problem of combining with the bayonet; it all depended on skilled workers and luck. Two blacksmiths were added to each Company Command section to slowly modify and polish them. When the first batch of three hundred flintlocks was issued, only forty could mount a bayonet. Chen Xin equipped all of those to the separate firearms detachments. Each Company Command section could only replace their matchlocks with flintlocks, still carrying a waist saber on their person.

The first four four-pounder cannons were also issued to the First Company Command section. Artillerymen from each section were drawn together to learn. Each gun was assigned four horses and a total of four gunners. The ammunition cart carried one base load of ten rounds. The cannon was towed behind the ammunition cart, and all loading equipment was stowed on the gun carriage. When maneuvering, two men sat on the ammunition cart and two rode horses. Unlike typical Ming army cannons, a wooden shield plate could be mounted on the gun body, similar to modern field guns, which could protect the gunners when engaging the enemy at close range.

With the arrival of the new equipment, each unit began training according to the drill manuals improved by the experimental team, and the assessment standards also changed. The required firing speed for firearms squads was tripled. Monthly live-fire training was fifty rounds, dry-fire training two hundred rounds, and dry-gun drills required over a thousand repetitions. The firearms squad formations became more compact. Each firearms banner squad had four sub-squads. They no longer formed four ranks as before, but merged into two dense ranks, the same length as the original squad, with the banner squad leader directly commanding volley fire.

The farmer-soldier system was slowly perfected, forming its own drill manuals and training requirements. During the coldest part of winter, many newly arrived refugees were also organized for basic training. Wendeng Camp still maintained the elimination and exchange system between farmer-soldiers and combat soldiers. Because the difference in pay and treatment was enormous, farmer-soldiers all longed to enter the combat soldier battalions. Some soldiers with outstanding skills also emerged, putting pressure on the combat soldier battalions and causing many combat soldiers to practice loading even in their dreams.

Chen Xin's naval force was automatically ignored by Sun Yuanhua. When the naval camp was first established, the Emperor had not authorized any military pay for it. Sun Yuanhua reluctantly provided some old ships. Originally there were fourteen ships in total, plus five or six small merchant vessels. At the end of the first month, Xu Xinsu delivered two No. 2 Fujian junks, greatly strengthening the naval force. After the five Macau mercenaries arrived, they began introducing some equipment from Western warships, such as pulleys and pulley blocks already widely used in the West. Pulleys were also already in use by the Fujian and Guangdong naval forces at this time, raising the technical level of the naval force.

The cannon workshop produced twenty six-pounder iron naval guns over the winter, of the Western falconet type. Only four passed inspection, and this was even with the presence of technicians from the Macau cannon foundry. Sun Yuanhua in Dengzhou fared slightly better. It was said he produced six or seven guns, basically between nine-pounders and twelve-pounders, of the demi-culverin type. Adding the heavy guns brought by the Franks, Dengzhou already had about twenty red-barbarian heavy cannons.

Following the army model, Chen Xin began demanding that the naval force perfect its drill manuals. Ba Zi was an old sea bandit who basically understood everything about ships. The naval camp requested seven young men from the literacy class and began compiling naval military discipline and drill manuals.

Chen Xin's requirements for the naval force were not high. There were no strong combat opponents in the vicinity. For now, he only required them to be able to defeat merchant ships, intercept and inspect grain-transport junks and smuggling vessels in peacetime, and mainly use them for troop projection in wartime. The current sixteen ships could project nine hundred troops at once. If carrying cavalry and supplies simultaneously, it could only reach half that number. There was still a large gap from Chen Xin's goal of projecting three thousand men at once. Without sufficient troop projection capability, there would not be enough influence over the surrounding Liaodong Sea region. Besides continuing to purchase from Fujian, Chen Xin kept applying to Sun Yuanhua, with no results yet for the time being...

After the new year, these naval forces would also be used to transport tobacco to Jiangnan and along the Grand Canal. The ships going to Japan in the fifth month increased to three, which was also the maximum quota Li Guozhu gave Chen Xin. So the use of Chen Xin's naval force was basically half-military, half-commercial.

Liu Minyou's civil administration system continued to occupy land in Wendeng. There were now nine fortified hamlets in total, with over forty thousand mu of land. Of the twenty thousand mu of newly cleared wasteland, Liu Minyou only took twelve thousand mu. He did not dare touch anything involving the gentry and scholars. Then he burned mountain slopes to claim land near the hills, planning to plant new crops like corn and sweet potatoes.

The civilian workshops were already able to provide the main clothing and farming tools, solving job placements for another batch of craftsmen. They used the iron mold casting method common in the Ming dynasty to cast iron farming tools, not only meeting the needs of the fortified hamlets but also selling to surrounding civilian households. Because the prices were cheaper than those from other regions, the ironware shops in Wendeng began coming to the workshops to source goods.

Another important task he was responsible for was education. Wendeng Camp had virtually no scholars. Almost everything grew out of Liu Minyou's literacy classes slowly expanding, with the earliest batch becoming teachers and gradually cultivating their own core personnel. They only taught common characters and accounting, etc. Chen Xin and Liu Minyou had seen enough of the gentry's conduct and were unwilling to mix with them. They had never felt that Wendeng Camp needed scholars as a pillar, nor did they wish for a similar group to appear within their own system. They hoped that through these literacy classes, craftsmen, soldiers, and the administrative apparatus would become the pillars of Wendeng Camp, forming Wendeng Camp's own culture and social structure. After the campaign to relieve the capital and the trip to Jiangnan, Liu Minyou also began instilling a sense of honor and loyalty to Wendeng Camp in the literacy classes.

The first batch of three hundred thousand packs of tobacco was loaded onto ships on the third day of the second month, bound for Tianjin and Linqing. Subsequent cigarette production also continued. The Jinghai cigarette factory used wooden pushers to make cigarettes, producing four cigarettes at a time. Currently, the factory produced one hundred twenty thousand cigarettes per day. The hand-cranked cigarette machine developed by the workshop was undergoing refinement. If the hand-cranked machine was used, under normal circumstances the most skilled team member could produce twelve thousand cigarettes in one two-hour period.

Everywhere in Wendeng Camp presented a scene of thriving prosperity. Large merchants dealing in raw materials like tobacco, paper, iron stock, saltpeter, lacquer, and cloth from various regions began to take notice of Wendeng. Many of them had official backgrounds. They first sought out Dengzhou and, through introductions by some Dengzhou officials, came to Wendeng Camp, hoping to gain priority purchasing rights. This caused people seeking audiences with Liu Minyou and Chen Xin to often form queues, among whom were quite a few relatives of various Dengzhou officials themselves. Liu Minyou naturally would not purchase from a single supplier. For those he truly could not refuse, he would buy a little.

On the tenth day of the second month, after arranging the army's training plan, Chen Xin boarded a small merchant vessel, taking Song Wenxian toward Dengzhou. Also on the same ship were Zhou Shifa and Zhang Dahui. On this trip, he still intended to ask Sun Yuanhua for things. First was grain provisions. Sun Yuanhua had only given him military pay in silver last year but had not mentioned the grain portion. Chen Xin planned to ask for some amount. Additionally, there were ships, cannons, horses, and so on. No one would pay attention if he did not ask; if he asked, there would always be some result. Along the way, he would let the merchant ship send Zhang Dahui and the others back to Jingshi. Zhang would take a few men from the Intelligence Bureau to establish a Jingshi intelligence station. The Guan-Ning intelligence station personnel had already set off separately in the first month aboard passing merchant ships.

Five days later the ship reached Dengzhou. The merchant vessel passed Crescent Bay and arrived at the Water Gate. Chen Xin stood at the bow with Zhou Shifa. As the ship slowed, the two carefully studied the layout of the Water Fortress. Chen Xin had been to the Water Fortress several times but had never stayed long. This time he was much more meticulous than before. Even Song Wenxian found it a bit strange, but he well understood the principle of being a subordinate and did not come over to eavesdrop.

Zhou Shifa pointed to the Pingdu Official building on the eastern side of the Water Fortress and asked in a low voice, "My lord, besides the city wall, if red-barbarian cannons were placed here, they could control the waterway. If our naval forces were to enter from the Water Gate, we should send inside agents to control this place to avoid losses."

Chen Xin nodded. Ahead of them was the Sky Bridge. To the east was the Pingdu Official building, which faced directly opposite the Water Gate. The Sky Bridge was a tall stone arch bridge that divided the Water Fortress into northern and southern sections. Ships from the northern harbor had to pass through the archway under the Sky Bridge to reach the south, making it another critical chokepoint in the Water Fortress...

Chen Xin said to Zhou Shifa, "We are only making preparations. But Dengzhou is a key strategic town on the Liaodong Sea. In the unlikely event the Jianzhou bandits come to raid, it is also possible. Therefore, all key locations inside and outside the city must be thoroughly scouted. Be prepared. Among all the key points in Dengzhou, the Water Fortress is the most important. The naval forces stationed here are mainly Dengzhou locals. The intelligence station must grasp the addresses, family members, and personal preferences of the main officials. Make contacts wherever possible, but do not draw undue attention."

Zhou Shifa agreed in a low voice. In his heart, he did not really understand why Chen Xin was doing this, nor did he believe the Jianzhou bandits could cross the sea to attack Dengzhou. He was just completing the task as required.

Chen Xin continued, "The Garrison Commander and Mobile Corps Commander of the naval force must be befriended well. Mr. Song originally had connections for this matter. I will have Mr. Song cooperate with you. Your task is to set up many safe houses within the city. If any rumors arise, you must be able to hide over two hundred men inside the city. If necessary, control the situation in the Water Fortress. Ensure the seaward side remains unobstructed. It would be best to control the Zhenyang Gate to the south." Chen Xin pointed toward the Penglai Pavilion direction. "At minimum, control Mount Danya. In an emergency, you can destroy the Sky Bridge to block the enemy's advance. From the mountain, four-pounder cannons can strike most targets within the Water Fortress, covering our troops as they land and assemble on the western side."

Zhou Shifa used a charcoal pencil to note it down in his own cipher. Just then they were passing under the Sky Bridge. Zhou Shifa carefully examined the bridge arch, looking for places to place gunpowder. A moment later the ship emerged from under the bridge and entered the southern harbor of the Water Fortress. Zhou Shifa looked east and said, "My lord, the naval force's government offices are all in the southeast corner. Your subordinate still believes controlling Zhenyang Gate is optimal. The granaries and armories within the Water Fortress are all very well-stocked and can supply our officers and men, sparing us the hardship of resupply by sea."

Zhou Shifa then pointed north and said, "Moreover, Zhenyang Gate faces directly opposite Zhenhai Gate of Dengzhou's prefectural city. Cannon fire from the wall can bombard the prefectural city walls. Our main army, setting out from Zhenyang Gate, can quickly enter the prefectural city via Zhenhai Gate. Therefore, Zhenhai Gate is as important as the Water Fortress. As long as the Water Fortress and Zhenhai Gate are in the hands of our Wendeng Camp, even several thousand Jianzhou bandits would find it hard to withstand a full-force strike from our Wendeng Camp, just like the Battle of Luanzhou. Thus, your subordinate believes the key to Deng Garrison lies in the Water Fortress, and the key to Dengzhou lies in Zhenhai Gate. Neither can be dispensed with."

Chen Xin looked at Zhou Shifa and said approvingly, "Shifa has indeed put thought into this. The strategic situation of Dengzhou is all in your mind. Zhenhai Gate is indeed important. All circumstances regarding the gate-guarding officers, troops, and battalions must be within the Intelligence Bureau's grasp. The safe houses we set up must also prioritize Zhenhai Gate." Chen Xin pressed with a question, "How well have you studied the terrain inside the prefectural city so far?"

"As far as the city interior goes, Dengzhou differs from Luanzhou. The city has a crisscrossing water system, requiring bridges everywhere for transit. The Book Bridge between the Dragon King Palace and the Wenchang Shrine is the most critical. Controlling this bridge cuts off east-west traffic within Dengzhou city, just like the Cross Street intersection in Luanzhou. Other places include the Grass Bridge on Zhenhai Gate Avenue, the Dengzhou Bridge in the north of the city, the Zuoji Bridge on Chunsheng Gate Avenue, the Sefen Bridge in the east of the city, and so on. After entering the city, these bridges should be the primary assault targets."

After hearing this, Chen Xin looked at Zhou Shifa with new respect. He had not expected him to have some tactical insight, at least knowing how to study terrain. It seemed he would need Zhou Shifa to attend future operational planning meetings.

Zhou Shifa saw Chen Xin looking at him and smiled. "Wasn't it back when we killed that Han Bin? I looked over the surrounding terrain many times. After returning, your subordinate studied it repeatedly and memorized the terrain of Dengzhou city by heart."

Chen Xin sighed. "Han Bin. If you hadn't mentioned him, I would have almost forgotten that man. To think back on the ship, he would give me dirty looks at any moment. Now he's probably turned into a pile of white bones."

Zhou Shifa could not tell whether Chen Xin was being sentimental or something else and did not dare respond. The ship soon docked and let off the few men. Chen Xin habitually waved goodbye to Zhang Dahui and the others on the ship, leaving Zhang Dahui and his group utterly baffled.

Their group exited Zhenyang Gate and went to the Provincial Governor's government office to pay respects to Sun Yuanhua. After a clerk announced them, they were led to the second hall and arrived at Sun Yuanhua's main reception room. Just then, Sun Yuanhua was seeing someone to the door. That person wore the robes of a fourth-rank civil official. Chen Xin had never met him before. He hurriedly moved to pay respects to Sun Yuanhua. Sun Yuanhua, seeing Chen Xin, smiled broadly and raised his hand to stop him from kneeling.

Sun Yuanhua said to the civil official, "Liangfu, although we are all baptized, the customs of the Middle Kingdom are, after all, vastly different from those of the Western nations. We should take the essence of 'fearing Heaven and loving mankind' and obtain the good method of 'understanding things and discerning relationships.' As for the theory of the Seven Overcomings, it need not be followed to the exact millimeter in every aspect. Even in Buddhism, there are lay practitioners. Not eating vegetarian meals does not mean there is no Buddha in one's heart. If you divorce your concubine like this, outsiders who do not understand the inner circumstances will think her reputation is tarnished. Where would she go to make a living? Moreover, Lady Shen has a fierce and unyielding temperament. If she cannot see her way through it for a moment and harms her life, would that not violate the clear meaning of 'fearing Heaven and loving mankind'?"

That man called Liangfu had a face full of worry and was not relieved by Sun Yuanhua's persuasion. Chen Xin listened utterly confused. He knew Sun Yuanhua and Zhang Dao were both Catholics. During their last inspection visit to Wendeng, their pre-meal prayers had nearly made the jaws of the other Wendeng Camp officers drop to the floor. From the sound of it, this Liangfu before him also seemed to be a Catholic and appeared to have some unresolved inner conflict.

Sun Yuanhua, with outsiders present, could not say much more and introduced to Liangfu, "This is the renowned Assistant Regional Commander Chen of Wendeng Camp, famous throughout the realm."

That Liangfu nodded. Although his rank was lower, he was after all a civil official and had no reason to salute a military officer.

Sun Yuanhua then introduced to Chen Xin, "This is my good friend, the newly appointed Army Supervisor of the Liaodong Sea Circuit, Wang Zheng."