Lu Ming

Crowley turned his head again, glanced at the huge coal transport team, temporarily suppressed his doubts, and accepted what Old William said.It's just that he made a small modification in private: "It's not about maintenance, it's about expanding the territory."

Soon, the slider team came to the brand new west gate of Fort Honji.

Today's Hongji Fort, at least on the periphery, is already a formal Ming-style city.The city wall made of red bricks is majestic and heavy. Even if the artillery on the top of the city is not counted, it gives people a sense of solidity and security.

As usual, there are troops guarding the city gate, and there are quite a few of them. Sandbags and wire fences are all available, and the combat readiness is obvious.

The reason is still caused by the slow transmission of information in this era.

Although the contract was signed in the capital Thang Long Mansion not long ago, there was a process between the signing and the entry into force of the treaty, which resulted in the Annan people still not withdrawing their troops. After the defeat in the last brief fight, the Annan people were immediately transferred from the front line of Zhengjiang No less than three armies with a total of about [-] troops were deployed on the outskirts of Hongji.

There are many people entering and leaving the city gate, and the interrogation at the gate of the city is also very strict.

Generally speaking, it would be very difficult for the local aborigines to enter the city.It is very convenient for Ming people to enter the city, because everyone has a certificate.

As for the documents, ordinary people have stamped and coded hard paper cards, while old Williams have A-level passports with cowhide covers produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Class A passports are rare and are issued to certified Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish prostitutes.The content on the passport is not much different from that of later generations, especially the color headshot photo, which is quite vivid.

Old William, who holds an A license, easily took Crowley into the city.

Considering military reasons, the total area of ​​Hongji Fort is not large, which is convenient for construction and defense.In fact, Hongjibao is not even comparable to many small counties in Daming.To be precise, this is a large barracks.

After Crowley entered the city, he saw the inside of the castle at a glance.

The entire Hongji Fort is divided into 4 functional areas: barracks, ordnance, storage, and administrative area.The interior of the city, which is neatly divided, is all separated by straight cinder roads, which looks simple and clear.

"Brand new castle."

When he said these words, Crowley suddenly realized one thing: since he came to Hongji Port, the roads he saw were all neat and clean, and there was not a single piece of rubbish on the ground , not to mention feces and urine like the streets of London.

You know, this is a busy port.He came to East Asia from the UK and saw too many port cities along the way, but none of them could be as clean and tidy as the living room of his own home.

Realizing the problem, Crowley said with emotion: "Uncle William, the owner here likes to clean the yard...a respectable oriental thinking."

Old William laughed loudly: "This is just a crude colonial site that we just got. When we get to Dayuan, you can see the real paradise on earth! Oh, my God, forgive me, the kingdom of heaven is actually inhabited by yellow-skinned people East Asia!"

While speaking, Old William poked the bearers on the back with his cane, pointing them to the administrative district.

Old William, who is very familiar with the time-traveling forces, even if he came to Fort Hongji for the first time, he also easily found the standard supporting facilities of a city under a certain force: a bathhouse.

Naturally, Crowley would not refuse the service of taking a bath.

Now it is the 30s, the trend of thought of the Renaissance is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, the mainstream thought in Europe is already transitioning to pragmatic capitalism, and the set of dirty life concepts in the Middle Ages are being questioned and discarded by people.

Not to mention in Hongji, since Crowley came to the scorching South Asia, he has taken a bath frequently.

The Dutch in Batavia have long been on par with the officials in terms of urban sanitation, and several new bathhouses have been built in the city.

Some things cannot be blocked, even if the traversers strictly control the way of knowledge transmission.

The Dutch were one of the smartest populations in the [-]th century. They lived in Dazuo for a long time, and watched Dazuo Castle turn into a bustling city step by step in the hands of traversers. They saw with their own eyes that there had never been any epidemic diseases in this city. .

During this process, the red-haired people have already guessed about how to prevent the black death and dysentery among the people living together, and about the connection between public health and large-scale infectious diseases.

Even if Dongshi imitates it, it can have a very powerful effect.This is a bad time, a little attention to public health, the city can get a good return.

The boiler room emitting black smoke provided clean drinking water and bathing water to the administrative area around the clock.After Crowley and the others dismissed the bearers, they entered the bathroom door and took a big iron lotus shower for a small fee.

Afterwards, Crowley put on a brown muslin suit and, with the expert help of William Sr., fastened a blue tie.

Although he was a bit unaccustomed to it, Crowley was educated by the aristocracy after all. He possessed all the basic physical etiquettes such as holding his chest up and keeping his temperament.The upper body of the suit, combined with his mustache and slightly fat body, gave off a strong old-fashioned gentleman's taste.

After the two came out of the bathhouse, it was three or four o'clock in the afternoon.Old William, walking on crutches, walked straight to the center of the administrative district.

In the center of the administrative district, there is now a square compound.In the compound is a two-story building made of red bricks, with figure-eight-shaped podiums on both sides, very similar to early Soviet buildings.

After checking and registering and showing the invitation card, after passing through two guard posts, Old William entered the compound with his nephew.

The legendary banquet hadn't started yet, but Old William and the others came at just the right time: the handover ceremony before the banquet was about to be held.

The first thing that caught Crowley's eyes was the venue.

About a hundred wooden chairs were placed on the cinder block in the middle of the compound, with a passage in the middle.

Opposite the chair is a rough rostrum formed by a row of long tables.

The phalanx of chairs already has [-]% attendance.Among them were not only Orientals in long robes and soft hats, but also many white-skinned and blue-eyed Europeans sitting behind them.In addition, some people at the forefront of the phalanx immediately let Crowley understand the origin of this suit: everyone has the same style.

The next moment, old William lightly touched his nephew with his elbow, and said in a low voice, "Crowley, keep your eyes open. I'll point you out to those big men, they are the most powerful people in the East, and they are ours." source of wealth!"

"Understood, Uncle William."

Next, the old William first went to the back row of the phalanx, greeted a group of foreign businessmen, mainly Dutch, and introduced his distant nephew to everyone.

After that, Old William sat with his nephew in an inconspicuous corner, and began to point out the identities of the various people in the phalanx one by one: which ones were the traditional nobles of the Ming Dynasty, which ones were the local Annan aristocrats, which ones It's the time-traveling people... You don't need to identify them. Most of the time-traveling people are wearing thin suits or jackets in Annan's season. They are tall and powerful, and they are easy to identify.

Soon after, as the guests arrived, a simple handover ceremony began.

First, Shao Qiang, who traveled through the crowd, came to the stage and said a few words with a smile.Next, he, who was a guest master of ceremonies, led the two Annan people to the front of the stage.

These two Annan people, one civil and one military, one old and one young, were wearing official robes and armor respectively.

Afterwards, another cross-member came to the stage, and amidst the friendly applause of the audience, they exchanged something in the form of a document with the old Annan official.

Afterwards, another cross-traveler wearing an army general's uniform came to the stage, and symbolically handed a matchlock gun to the smiling General Annan... There is a freeze frame between the two sides, facing the audience, presumably for the convenience of taking pictures Take a souvenir.

Next, the most solemn scene of today appeared: the guests stood up collectively and came to the side of the venue together with the host.

A large object covered with a tarpaulin has already been placed here.Crowley privately estimated that the things under the tarpaulin should be about the size of a four-wheeled carriage in his hometown.

There is also a piece of red cloth hanging on the mysterious object, which seems to be waiting for the leader to cut the ribbon.

Of course, leaders will not miss the opportunity to cut the ribbon.

Soon, amidst the exclamation, a large mortar with a hideous body, a short and thick barrel, and a caliber of 170 mm appeared in front of everyone.

Such a violent weapon is naturally not an unknown person.In addition to the awesome six-wheeled frame, there are three evil characters engraved on the body of the cannon in Chinese characters: Ge Longde.

Chapter 603 Crowley's Fantasy Journey ([-])

Mortars have a long history, ranging from simple catapults in the 13th century to German 450MM Karl siege guns in World War II.

Regardless of ancient or modern times, the design idea of ​​all mortars is the same: short range, large firing angle, and high ballistic arc, used to bombard city defense fortifications.

In a word: wherever there is city defense, there are mortars.

It was such a super large caliber gun that appeared in Fort Hongji.Although Gronde has a short range of only 500 meters, it is very powerful and can continuously fire heavy projectiles with a caliber of more than 48 pounds to hit the opposite fortress.

In the seventeenth century, the 170mm mortar had exceeded the 48-pound caliber and was definitely the largest caliber in the world.

Although there were large-caliber cast artillery in Europe at this time, the smelting and casting technology was backward, and it could not meet the combat standards set by a certain force for artillery.

The "Gelongde" door unveiled today with the hijab lifted was originally an experimental product of the Dayuan Military Foundry.

It is a pity that after verifying a series of casting and forging processes related to large metal parts, this finished cannon, as well as several other experimental products with similarities and minor differences, were thrown into the warehouse to eat ashes.

No way, although the quality of the experimental products fully meets the combat standard, the field transportation environment in the 5th century was harsh, and the army did not need equipment weighing more than [-] tons. When these big guys climbed inch by inch to the launch position, the front could not be determined The city was knocked open two days ago with explosives.

However, things are unpredictable.After signing the agreement with the Annan people, the army suddenly discovered that the big guys in the warehouse could really come in handy to help the Zheng family go south according to the agreement.

As for the shortcomings of the big guy... the Annan people definitely don't care.In this era, a random siege can be fought for months or even years, and the Annan people have enough time and manpower to move the big guys to the front line and knock the tortoise shells of the "rebels".

The army only needs to send military instructors and artillery crews.

So a big guy was urgently loaded onto the ship.As for the evil name on the cannon, it was ordered to be printed on it by some people who missed the old world as early as the casting.

Seeing this fierce, majestic, mighty and rough cannon, many guests present today felt confused.

Many of them originally thought that the military clauses in the treaty that helped Annan "unify" were most likely used to fool the Annan people: maintaining Annan's "division of the north and the south" is not a way for outsiders to manipulate the indigenous people and maintain "long-term peace and stability" Best option?

Today, however, this cannon broke the stereotype.

Each family counts their accounts.For the traversers with different fundamental purposes, the colonialist's differentiation/coexistence rule mode is completely unsuitable for them.

The purpose of passing through the forces is to replace them, so instead of wasting time and effort to pay off the separatist regimes one by one, it is better to let the other generation fight among themselves to determine the winner, and then make it easier for Li Daitao to stiffen the means.

Anyway, it's not their own people who died, so the Annan people like to dominate the world, so let's do it.

The slander is all the slander, after the guests present saw the handover ceremony of the cannon, they still applauded and congratulated in accordance with the etiquette (the etiquette brought by the traverser).

The two civil and military officials who came to Hongji Fort to evaluate the implementation of the military aid agreement on behalf of An Nanguo also had smiles on their faces.

The Annan people really did not expect that the Ming people were so committed to keeping their promises, and the powerful weapons of the country were sent over like this.

Therefore, General Annan, who was in charge of accepting the incident, announced on the spot that all the troops on the outskirts of Hongji Fort would be withdrawn by tomorrow at the latest.In addition, the new army will be formed as quickly as possible, and a team of Mingren instructors is welcome to guide.

That's it, it's done.

……

A series of military and political actions by an evil force interfering with An Nanguo has come to an end at this moment.As for the second stage after that, it was a time of hard work and opened a new chapter.

Back to the moment.After the arms donation ceremony was over, the business was done, and it was time for a relaxing banquet.

Soon, some servants in clean blouses transformed the venue.The square array of chairs in the center spread out, and the layout formed a tea reception form surrounded by circles around the round table.

The guests scattered and sat together according to their nationalities.Old William and Crawley were undoubtedly at the Dutchman's table.

This side is still looking for a seat, and there is a steady stream of fruit, tea, wine, coffee, tobacco leaves and simple snacks on the table.

Seeing all kinds of tea and snacks on the white cotton table, Crowley was in a trance at this moment, as if he had returned to his hometown in Yorkshire.

At that time, every spring flower viewing season, nearby manor owners and minor nobles would come to visit Crowley's house.Gentlemen and ladies also sat on the sunny lawn, served by well-trained servants, tasting vanilla lemon juice and biscuits, and the time was leisurely and lazy.

The next moment, Crowley's contemplation was interrupted, and a beautiful blue and white porcelain cup appeared in front of him: "Taste it, Crowley. This is a unique oriental drink called 'tea'" .

Hearing this, he took the cup, looked at the green tea water and the erect tea leaves in the cup, and Crowley took a sip lightly.

He quickly gave an evaluation: "It has a plant aroma and a bitter taste, a bit like coffee, and it looks good."

Old William said with a smile: "This is a unique oriental drink. Like coffee, orientals use it to refresh themselves."

At this time, other Dutch people at the same table also participated in the topic.Like all small talk, however, the conversation in the Dutch quickly turned from tea to silk and bleach.Then it moves on to artillery, commerce, and navigation, and finally, unsurprisingly, to the situation in East Asia.

During this process, although Old William and Crowley frequently participated in the discussion, their attention was secretly placed on the main table not far away.

Finally, after communicating with a group of Dutch businessmen for a long time, Old William saw the scene he wanted to see: several groups of visiting guests left the main table one after another, and the two Annan officials finally left.

The next moment, Old William hinted secretly: The opportunity has come.

Crowley got up knowingly, tidied his clothes, and then walked back and forth to the main table with Old William.

The so-called main table is undoubtedly the table occupied by the crossing crowd.

Since there were a lot of people who came to Annan this time, the main table was made up of three long tables, which were also filled with various refreshments, fruits and drinks.

"Hahaha, dear friends, the living old William sees you again!"

Old William, who looked like a reunion after a long absence, used a weird accent before he came to the table, and his Chinese with grammatical errors made a head start.

Most of the time travelers at the main table knew old William.After capturing the Dutch business house on Dayuan Island, Old William, as a high-ranking prisoner, wandered around on crutches every day, chatting seriously with many time travelers.

At that time, the people who traveled through the island had just run to the island to become kings, and they were still in the stage of sluts, so they were basically approachable, far from the appearance of today's masters, and everyone can be regarded as "old friends".

Seeing old William, many people raised their glasses and said hello: "William, you've come to East Asia to sell abductees again!"

Seeing his undiminished popularity, Old William's beard grew even higher: "The cane is a testimony of our friendship, and it is not for sale. I brought a lot of Indian horses this time, and they are all charming, and they have already been shipped off the ship. "

"I saw the horse. It's a Mawari horse with curled ears. That's right. They were all accepted by the army."

Li Hao, who was a master of science and engineering in his early years and now works in the Ministry of Commerce, asked with his legs crossed, "But I remember that the Ministry of Commerce also sent you a job. Have you completed it?"

"My dear Lee, never doubt Mr. William's credit!"

When Old William said this, he tilted his head to signal Crowley, and the latter took out a stack of parchment from an Indian rhinoceros leather bag on his waist.

This stack of parchment is extremely related to goods, and it is another project undertaken by Old William in the Crossing Congregation besides horses.

What project?Saltpeter, Indian saltpeter.

In other words, although Old William has always been able to obtain goods in short supply from a certain force, there is also a price to pay for this, such as the horse transportation this time.

Ordinary businessmen, the army would not entrust them to collect and transport stallions in India. The risks involved are too great. If they are not careful, the horses will be wiped out due to plague and other reasons, which will cause the advance payment here to be in vain.

In addition, regarding materials such as stallions and saltpeter, because they involve strategic directions, the traversing forces usually do not make much fanfare, and only entrust "old friends" who have "tested" to do it.

Old William was such an old friend.

The parchment he took out today is the investigation report on the origin of saltpeter that he spent several months writing in various cities along the coast of India.

The report was comprehensive, and William Sr. investigated the saltpeter origins in parts of India to the best of his ability.For this reason, he did not hesitate to go deep into the inland of India, personally visited and recorded the situation of the place where the saltpeter was produced.

The next moment, Li Hao reached out and picked up a piece of parchment, and looked at it carefully.

At the same time, several hands stretched out from the side one after another.