Chapter 379: A Sudden Change, Dedicated to the Cause

"What is this! It is so powerful!"

Zhang Fei's eyes widened at the side. A small box could actually explode with such powerful power. It could carve out a pit one meter deep and three meters wide in the flat ground. The pit was full of pits, all of which were blasted out by gunpowder. Regular shape.

"The power of this thing is actually comparable to that of a small catapult. Is this something developed by the Prime Minister?"

Guan Yu looked at Zhuge Liang curiously. Everyone was really surprised by the power of gunpowder. They couldn't help but turn their attention to Zhuge Liang. After all, Zhuge Liang usually did some small research. Zhuge Liang shook his head pretending to be mysterious and did not answer. No one asked any questions. , just looking around the deep pit.

"If we can attach such a thing to the bows and arrows of our archers, it will be a huge improvement for the archers."

Taishi Ci's eyes were bright. If this little thing has the greatest impact on anything, it is undoubtedly the archers. By then, each archer will be a small mobile catapult. Carrying this kind of weapon can cause such large-scale damage. When the bow and arrow fall into the enemy's crowd, there is no need to think about the damage caused.

"What's this called?"

Zhao Yun looked curious, and Zhang Liao also asked.

"Can it be mass produced?"

The discussion was mainly about the generals. After all, they were the ones using these things, and the advisers were just watching the fun.

"This thing is called gunpowder."

Gu Rubing said, taking out another pile of gunpowder powder.

"This thing will produce huge power when exposed to fire. As you can see, the deep pit just now was only caused by such a handful."

"gunpowder?"

Everyone stretched their necks to look at the rare object in Gu Rubing's hand.

"Before this, I had never heard of such a thing, and I had never heard of such a powerful killing weapon on the battlefield."

Guan Yu thought deeply, while Zhang Fei patted his chest.

"I understand, this gunpowder is just like that salt, they are all made by big brother, right?"

After saying that, everyone turned their attention to Gu Rubing. Gu Rubing smiled and nodded without hiding anything.

"Then, lord, can this gunpowder be used for archers, or for our crossbow captains and scouts? When they attack the enemy's rear, they will carry dozens of them. If the gunpowder arrows are fired, they will be blown up so that they cannot find their own mother."

Taishi Ci and other Confucian generals were so excited that they swore at this moment. The power of gunpowder that Gu Rubing showed them just now was so shocking that even a first-rate general could not withstand the blow of this thing without being injured.

Looking at the anxious Tai Shici, Gu Rubing patted his shoulder and comforted him.

"Don't worry. It needs more research before it can be used by archers, scouts, and crossbow captains. Right now, gunpowder is only in its embryonic form and cannot be put into use on the battlefield yet."

Gu Rubing's words were like a bucket of cold water poured on them, but it was not enough to dispel their enthusiasm for gunpowder. From that day on, Taishi Ci would visit Zhuge Liang almost every day, wanting to confirm the progress of gunpowder research and development with Zhuge Liang. , after all, after gunpowder was put into use, he was the biggest beneficiary.

Another week passed in the blink of an eye. Gu Rubing, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian were still busy with their own affairs. They were all actively preparing for war and striving to win this war.

That night, Zhuge Liang knocked on Gu Rubing's door. Gu Rubing had just experienced a storm, and Cai Yan was already sleeping peacefully in Gu Rubing's arms. Zhuge Liang had never been here late at night, and Gu Rubing hurriedly got up and went out.

"Prime Minister, what's the matter?"

Looking at Zhuge Liang's solemn expression, Gu Rubing knew something was wrong. Now all the information was sent to Gu Rubing and Zhuge Liang at the same time, and most of it was handed over to Zhuge Liang. Gu Rubing felt relieved to be his hands-off. Shopkeeper.

"The fine salt we transported to Sili Prefecture and Yu Prefecture for sale was robbed on the road. Only one of the escort team of two hundred elite cavalry was seriously injured and dying. Before he passed out, he said three words: Cao Cao, Western Regions, Warrior Monk ”

Zhuge Liang's voice was low. This was the first military conflict since the three-month tacit truce. Add to that the three words he said before he fainted, and think about the fact that Cao Cao sent people to the Western Regions before. So many The details unite and the results speak for themselves.

"Cao Cao really had an affair with the Western Regions?"

Gu Rubing asked doubtfully, Cao Cao had never done such a thing in history. The character of Cao Wei, the romance of Shu Han, and of course the rat race of Jiangdong are all recognized. Soon, Gu Rubing Bing just wanted to understand the relationship, but he had been stuck in a fixed mindset. Who said that the characters in the game would develop in the same way as in history?

Some early side missions will constantly correct the direction of these characters and make them gradually move closer to historical figures. But how long has it been since he received a related side mission? Gu Rubing himself couldn't remember how long it had been, which also led to Cao Cao and the others no longer developing according to the established characters, but more ideas that the time travelers had.

"It seems so at the moment. In addition, the ten crossbow captains we sent to follow Xiahou Dun to the Western Regions all had their heads cut off by the monks he said were sent back, along with the one hundred and ninety-nine corpses. Just hanging on the tree by the roadside.”

Zhuge Liang's eyes were dim and unclear. The first thing he did after seeing the seriously injured and dying soldiers was to send Zhang Fei and Yanyun's Eighteen Cavalry to rush to the scene of the incident. When they arrived, only the hanging soldiers were left. There were one hundred and ninety-nine corpses on the trees on the road, and ten heads of crossbow captains neatly placed on the roadside.

"Cao Cao!"

Gu Rubing's eyes were cold and he couldn't help but clenched his fists. Before, he was wondering why Colonel You Nu had not come back. It turned out that he had been discovered a long time ago.

"Warrior monk, what's your background?"

"A kind of powerful soldier in the Western Regions, subordinate to the Shule Regime, the largest political power in the Western Regions. Now it seems that Cao Cao sent people to the Western Regions to unite with the Shule Regime."

"What about Liu Zhang? He is responsible for resisting the Western Regions and the Southern Barbarians. Doesn't he set an example in this matter?"

"Liu Zhang should still be kept in the dark. After all, even we have just found out."

After finishing speaking, Gu Rubing and Zhuge Liang fell into a long silence. Now, they are in a state of rapid development. If the war starts again at this time, there is no doubt that it will have an impact on them.

The silence between the two complemented the stillness of the night.

"How is the research on gunpowder going?"

"We are still testing. Different distances require different gunpowder equivalents. Distances from 300 meters to 500 meters should be taken into consideration. We need to equip leads with different lengths. We should be able to start training in these two days. It should be ready to use in about half a month.”

Gu Rubing breathed a long sigh of relief, finally there was good news, but Zhuge Liang's words immediately made Gu Rubing fall into silence again.

"There is not enough saltpeter. The gunpowder produced can be used for about 10,000 arrows. We have to leave some spare, which can only provide about 7,000 gunpowder arrows."

The current saltpeter all comes from an above-ground saltpeter mine in Qingzhou. There is not much of it in the first place. After the mining is completed, it is tantamount to wishful thinking to explore other saltpeter mines. It does not show at all that even this saltpeter mine is because of its existence. Jian Yong's national policy bonus was found, so the saltpeter was used up. Before the next saltpeter mine appeared, they only had this gunpowder available.

Now, the saltpeter is used up, gunpowder can no longer be made, and the fine salt has been robbed. The voices of Silizhou and Yuzhou will no longer be able to do it. I am afraid that the other side will intercept the salt transport troops going to Bingzhou, Liangzhou and Jingzhou. , next, their development speed will be much slower.

"Prime Minister, the transportation of salt cannot be stopped. Even if we abandon Sili and Yuzhou, we have to ensure that we can sell it in all eight states. Is there any good transportation method that can allow them to grab the salt in time, but they can't take it away? "

Gu Rubing looked at Zhuge Liang expectantly. Historically, when Zhuge Liang was transporting grain, he developed a wooden ox and a flowing horse. One of them could transport more than 400 kilograms, and it saved time and effort. So Gu Rubing was ready to provide Zhuge Liang with some ideas. Make wooden cows and flowing horses as soon as possible.

Then coupled with Zhuge Liang's characteristics, the gain bonus of Luban's craftsmanship will also increase the experience points of generals and soldiers, which means that you can gain experience points without fighting. This is why the full-time role of the Younu School Captain is higher than that of the Qinglong School Lieutenant. The swordsmen are much faster.

Wait, Luban Qiaowu?

Gu Rubing's thoughts suddenly became clear. Luban's clever thing? Does gunpowder count? There is no doubt that it must count. Although the method was given by himself, Zhuge Liang did it himself from beginning to end. So why is this not considered Zhuge Liang's work? Since it is, he must enjoy the bonus of Luban's craftsmanship. Now it seems that the reason why gunpowder is more powerful than Gu Rubing expected is probably because of Zhuge Liang's characteristic gain bonus.

"The dissatisfied lord said that I already had an idea. It was made for transporting grain before, but now it seems that it is the same for transporting salt."

"Oh? How far has it been produced?"

Gu Rubing was excited. Once the wooden cow and flowing horse were made, it would mean that the transportation of grain and grass would no longer need to be protected by large troops and would be more convenient. Once this battle started, it was destined to draw a very long front. The wooden cow and flowing horse would be able to Solve the problem of food transportation.

"It has been made. There are still some details that can be adjusted to save more effort. Let's see if we can expand the capacity. Now it can only hold 500 kilograms. I expected it to be able to hold 700 kilograms."

Hearing Zhuge Liang's words, Gu Rubing couldn't help but take a breath of air. According to historical records, wooden oxen and flowing horses can only hold 400 kilograms of grain, but now the unimproved ones can hold 500. The improved ones can actually hold 700? This gain is really exaggerated.

Seven hundred kilograms, about twenty-six shi. A normal soldier consumes 1.3 shi of food in a month. If it is deployed by an army of 100,000 people, the monthly consumption of food alone will be as high as 130,000 shi. Even if it is transported by wooden oxen and flowing horses, the monthly food consumption will be as high as 130,000 shi. It would take 50,000 vehicles to be transported, but it turned out that if a hundred thousand troops marched for a month, food would definitely run out. Those soldiers could only buy food from nearby villages and military towns. Some cavalry were spoiled and could not buy food. After paying, there is a precedent for being hated by the people.

Of course, this kind of thing has never happened in Gu Rubing's army.

Gu Rubing didn't worry too much about the food issue before. This was because when the battle line was not stretched for a long time, the reserve food brought by the army was usually enough. Even if it was not enough, the common people would spontaneously send it to wherever they went. Food, fodder, and even meat, this is whoever wins the hearts of the people wins the world.

Gu Rubing now has a profound understanding of the saying that water can carry a boat and also capsize it.

"Having the Prime Minister is such a blessing."

Gu Rubing couldn't help but sigh, Zhuge Liang and Gu Rubing were not like ministers at the moment, but more like friends. They sat on the steps of the corridor, chatting until midnight, when Zhuge Liang finally Leave.

Looking at Zhuge Liang's leaving figure, Gu Rubing made up his mind. In history, Zhuge Liang took his last nap in Longzhong and never stopped for decades. Even now, Gu Rubing is the largest prince. , powerful, Zhuge Liang still devoted himself to his two positions, general, division, and prime minister.

"Prime Minister, this time we will finally revive the Han Dynasty and return the old capital!"

Yuzhou, Xudu, Cao Cao almost laughed out loud when he looked at the hundreds of kilograms of salt that he had intercepted. These things were all worthless money. Because Xiahou Dun saved him a lot of money, now He was actively building armaments in the three states. Seeing those monks shirtless and holding sticks, Cao Cao really couldn't stand it.

This time, he mainly made armors and spears for these monks. The spears and sticks belonged to the same family. The sticks could be used well and the spears would not be too different. Cao Cao planned to assemble these 120,000 monk soldiers to the teeth. After all, this is his Now it is the most powerful army except Captain Mojin.

Captain Mojin has also been summoned by him and started to rush towards Xu Du. This 500-strong third-rate general, Captain Mojin, will become an unreasonable move for Cao Cao, and Mojin The school captain has been working full-time for so long, and there have been serious second-rate generals among them. They enjoy the basic attributes of second-rate generals and can also get bonuses from their subordinates. The strength of this 500-man army can be imagined.

Liu Zhang has almost withdrawn the border troops stationed at the border for many years. Due to long-term fighting, most of Yizhou's troops are located at the border. However, they often suffer losses due to the intrusion of foreign tribes, so the entire Yizhou only had an army of 140,000 troops.

However, in comparison, the Jingzhou Army has many people who are not good at fighting. They are different. Almost everyone has experienced blood and war on the battlefield. Their momentum is much stronger than that of the Jingzhou Army, and their combat power is also lower. It is not comparable to the Jingzhou Army.

Moreover, the aliens are extremely ruthless, and they usually use indiscriminate means to attack. This has also allowed Yizhou's border guards to develop the habit of attacking the enemy ruthlessly, striving to kill with one blow and follow up with follow-up blows, because the southwest In the Gu tribe, there is a kind of bug that can make a dying person stay alive for a few minutes. The Yizhou Army once suffered heavy losses because of this.

The troubled times that have been peaceful for more than three months seem to be coming again!