Chapter 229: Providing Them with Equipment

Xiao Moting was startled, "High-furnace Iron Smelting Plant?"

"That's right." Bai Wei smiled, "We won't send people, nor will we send troops; we'll just send swords, blades, and armor to the Kokand Kingdom, and let them take those to fight the Rakshasa Kingdom."

Wanting the Beijiang Army to serve as cannon fodder? No way.

Xiao Moting hesitated for a moment, "But, if the Kokand Kingdom obtains powerful equipment and their military strength increases, I fear they might turn around and deal with Daliang in the future; that would be troublesome."

"Don't worry." Bai Wei was confident, "It's just ironware smelted out; we'll keep the good equipment for ourselves and only give them basic gear! Doesn't the Rakshasa Kingdom rely on a Matchlock Team? We aren't short on iron or coal now, so we'll just send them heavy iron armor!"

She had looked into it last time.

The matchlocks the Rakshasa Kingdom prided themselves on were just the same as the firearms of the Qing Dynasty from over a hundred years ago.

The ammunition for this kind of firearm wasn't strong at all, far worse than modern bullets, and it couldn't penetrate the thick armor of heavy cavalry at all.

In ancient Daliang, ironware was a very expensive commodity, iron smelting technology was very backward, and there was a lack of iron ore and coal.

Moreover, the pig iron smelted out had too many impurities and was far worse than modern ironware.

Bai Wei said, "Xiao Moting, I'll go back and send over the data on high-furnace iron smelting; you have the craftsmen hurry up and study it, and we'll smelt iron in Daliang."

She was very confident.

Iron smelting technology wasn't steelmaking; the main principle was to use coke and oxygen to react under high-temperature conditions to reduce iron from iron ore.

The raw materials used were also very simple, requiring only iron ore, coke, limestone, and air.

Some of the clever craftsmen in ancient Daliang had already finished the junior high school curriculum and could fully understand it.

If all else failed, the Beijiang Camp still had Han Fang, the expert in mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

Bai Wei vowed, "It's settled then; I'll find the data for you as soon as I go back."

However, no sooner had she finished speaking than Xiao Moting's expression stiffened.

"Bai, you... you are going back now?"

His handsome face revealed a strong sense of reluctance.

Seeing him anxious, Bai Wei couldn't help but burst into laughter.

She waved her hand, "No rush, I'll go back in a couple of days."

The few employees coming to interview at the Vegetable Base wouldn't arrive until next Monday, and since there was nothing to do at the Farm for these few days, she would stay in Daliang.

Hearing that she wouldn't leave immediately, Xiao Moting finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He stood up, "I'll go negotiate with the envoys of the Kokand Kingdom right now to provide them with weapons. Do you want to come along?"

"Me?" Bai Wei thought for a moment and nodded, "That's fine, I'll go along and take a look to see what else they need, and I'll send it over all at once when the time comes."

Xiao Moting opened the wardrobe and took out the dress and veil she had worn last time.

"Bai, I had someone wash your dress from last time and kept it in my wardrobe."

Bai Wei blushed.

Her own dress had actually been kept well by him and even folded neatly.

"Then, then you stand guard outside for me; I'll come out after I change."

Soon, Bai Wei changed into the dress of the Daliang Kingdom, wore a white veil over her face, walked out of the tent, and followed Xiao Moting to meet the envoys of the Kokand Kingdom.

In the spacious tent, several envoys from the Kokand Kingdom were eating, exclaiming in wonder as they ate.

"... This luncheon meat is truly so delicious; I have never eaten such tender meat stew."

"Hurry and taste this marinated egg, it's too delicious!"

"... What you're eating is nothing; this spicy strip I'm eating is the true delicacy of the world."

"The Beijiang Camp is truly rich in products with all kinds of delicacies; no wonder the Yuezhi Kingdom came all the way here to buy things."

A few Beijiang Army soldiers stood outside the tent, listening to the waves of exclamations coming from the Kokand envoys inside, their hearts completely unmoved.

That's it?

They ate this every day and were already used to it!

Xiao Moting walked over with Bai Wei, and the soldiers immediately stood straight and shouted in unison.

"Greetings, Prince."

Xiao Moting raised his hand slightly and walked into the tent.

"Envoys, I have already considered it."

"Your Kokand Kingdom has a strong military force, so I will provide you with some equipment and weapons to assist you in attacking the Rakshasa Kingdom."

Upon hearing that Xiao Moting would only provide equipment rather than dispatching troops to attack, the expressions of the several envoys revealed disappointment.

Luosang hurriedly stepped forward and bowed with cupped hands.

"Prince of Zhenbei, our army is indeed brave, but we are no match for the Rakshasa army."

"If you do not send troops, we simply cannot win."

At this moment, Bai Wei stepped forward.

"Envoys, there is no need to worry; we will provide you with very powerful equipment that will be more than enough for you to deal with the Rakshasa Kingdom."

The few of them saw Bai Wei and were immediately surprised.

"This young lady is..."

Bai Wei spoke up, "My surname is Bai, and I am a friend of the Prince of Zhenbei..."

The word "friend" had barely reached her lips when she was interrupted by Xiao Moting.

"Everyone, this young lady is a very important and highly respected person in my heart; if she says it can be done, then there is absolutely no problem."

The gazes of the few men sized Bai Wei up.

However, Bai Wei was wearing a veil, so her true face could not be seen clearly.

Suddenly, as if Luosang had thought of something, his attitude became incomparably respectful.

"Oh, I understand."

After speaking, he lowered his voice and whispered to the several envoys.

"I heard the Prince of Northern Suppression is not yet married; this young lady is likely his fiancée."

"All of you, pay attention and make sure you don't lose your composure."

Reminded by Luosang, the several envoys immediately became respectful and hurriedly nodded toward Bai Wei.

"Miss Bai, you are right."

Luosang also offered a fawning smile and spoke cautiously.

"Prince of Northern Suppression, and Miss Bai, we don't quite understand the powerful equipment you mentioned; could you demonstrate it?"

Xiao Moting said in a deep voice.

"Very well, follow me to the drill ground."

Before long, the group arrived at the drill ground within the main camp.

Several heavy cavalrymen were already standing on the drill ground, following Xiao Moting's instructions.

They were wrapped from head to toe in heavy Iron Helmet armor, holding weapons, with only their eyes exposed.

Opposite them stood two soldiers holding Matchlocks.

Upon seeing the Matchlocks, Luosang cried out in alarm and pointed at them.

"Yes, that is the thing; it has wounded many of our soldiers."

Xiao Moting smiled faintly and immediately gave the order.

"Fire!"

The soldiers holding the Matchlocks immediately took out cloth rags to wipe the round Bullets clean, placed them into the barrels, and then poured in Gunpowder.

Only after this series of actions did the two soldiers raise their guns to aim.

Although this type of ancient Fire Musket had a certain amount of power, it was troublesome to use; just loading the ammunition took a long time, which is why Bai Wei did not intend for the Beijiang Army to use them in large quantities, but rather kept them in the Warehouse as backup firearms.

"Bang!"

Following the crisp sound of a gunshot, the Bullet was fired and struck the soldier in heavy armor in front.