One Piece of Song Dynasty

Seeing Li Xin, Zhao Liangsi first clasped his fists and said, "With such a sharp weapon in hand, why worry about the big man not being happy? I am here to congratulate my lord in advance."

Ma Kuo asked: "Master Li, I would like to ask how heavy this artillery is."

Li Xin replied: "The lightest one weighs about three thousand kilograms."

Ma Kuo sighed: "It's a pity that such sharp weapons can only be used to defend the city."

Zhao Liangsi asked: "Why did Brother Ma say that?"

Ma Kuo explained: "Although artillery is powerful, it is too heavy. If it moves with the infantry, it will slow down the marching speed. Moreover, such sharp weapons must be protected by cavalry, otherwise they will be easily taken away by the enemy. What if they are taken away by the enemy?" It’s not very detrimental to our army.”

After hearing the conversation between the two, Li Xin and Liu Fa burst out laughing.

Ma Kuo saw Li Xin and Liu Fa laughing and said, "Why are you two laughing? Am I wrong?"

Liu Fa said: "No, no, Master Ma is right. He had the same idea when he saw artillery for the first time. Now that there is a lack of cavalry, artillery cannot be used in field battles and sieges, but it does not mean that artillery cannot be used. Used elsewhere.”

Ma Kuo said doubtfully: "I only think about whether there are other places where artillery can be used to defend the city."

Liu Fa replied: "Yes, water battle, move the artillery to the ship, what does Master Ma think?"

Ma Kuo slapped his head and said: "Why did I forget about water warfare? If the artillery is moved to the ship, then in the water battle, the side with the artillery will have the advantage and can destroy the opponent without waiting for the enemy ship to get close."

Liu Fa said: "My lord used naval artillery and warships to defeat Goryeo in his battle with Goryeo. The Goryeo navy was almost completely annihilated."

Ma Kuo asked: "Master Li, judging from the map, Jeju Island is not close to Xinghan Island. Why do you want to go all the way to occupy such a small island?"

Li Xin smiled and said: "Jeju Island is a good place. You will know when Master Ma goes to Jeju Island in the future."

Ma Kuo said: "Well, since the artillery can't be used to siege the city, then the thunder cart next to it must be used to siege the city."

Li Xin nodded and said: "Exactly, Master Ma can see the power of our thunder car."

Following Li Xin's order, the two thunder carts threw two large rocks. Ma Kuo came to the landing point of the stone and looked at it: "This thunder cart is much more powerful than ordinary catapults. This stone should at least be It weighs more than a hundred pounds."

Zhao Liangsi said: "And the range is also farther than ordinary catapults, at least one mile."

Ma Kuo said thoughtfully: "This Thunder Chariot is indeed a weapon for siege. It is powerful and has a long range, and stones and wood can be found everywhere. If it were not a particularly strong city wall, dozens of Thunder Chariots would smash against the city wall for several days. It can also bring down the city wall."

Ma Kuo came to Li Xin and said: "This thunder chariot is indeed a weapon for siege, much stronger than any catapult I have ever seen."

Zhao Liangsi asked: "Lord, I saw the soldiers over there playing with small iron pipes. What are they?"

Li Xin replied: "That is the Tiger Crouching Cannon tailor-made for the infantry. Because the artillery is too heavy to be used in field combat, the Tiger Crouching Cannon is a weapon used to strengthen the infantry's field combat capabilities. You can try it."

Ma Kuo picked up a Crouching Tiger Cannon, weighed it and said, "This Crouching Tiger Cannon is really light and can be picked up by one person, but I don't know how powerful and range it is."

Li Xin signaled the artilleryman next to him to fire a cannon with the squatting tiger cannon. Ma Kuo and Zhao Liangsi ran over to take a look. Ma Kuo praised: "This squatting tiger cannon is really a weapon for the infantry in the field. It has a range of at least one mile. The shells It has a large range and is perfect for killing a large number of people and horses. I think the shells are made of gunpowder and gravel. It would be better if this Tiger Crouching Cannon is used in mountain warfare."

Ma Kuo came back and said to Li Xin: "Master Li has so many magical weapons. I admire you."

Then Li Xin and Liu Fa took Ma Kuo and Zhao Liangsi to visit Xinghan City. In the evening, Ma Kuo returned to his new home in Xinghan City and thought about everything he saw during the day, and also thought about the current situation in the Song Dynasty. , it was a lie to say that Ma Kuo was not tempted by Li Xin's invitation. Ma Kuo felt that it was time for him to make a choice.

After Ma Kuo thought about it, he went to see his father Ma Zhengdao: "Father, I have thought about it. I want to work under Mr. Li."

Ma Zheng asked: "If you want to work in the hands of this rebel, have you thought about it?"

Ma Kuo nodded and said: "I have thought about it. Everything I saw in Xinghan City today shocked me and broadened my horizons. Today I also met the commander of Lord Li's army. Do you know who he is?" who is it"

Ma Zheng asked: "Who is he?"

Ma Kuo replied: "He is Liu Fa, the former famous general of the Western Army."

Ma Zheng was surprised and said: "Who are you talking about, Liu Fa? Isn't he dead?"

Ma Kuo said: "That's Liu Fa. According to what he said, he was about to die, but later he was rescued by Lord Li's people, but he lost his legs. General Liu was once as famous as Zhong Shidao in the Western Army. Famous generals, he respects Mr. Li very much. I can tell that it is not respect because of the grace of saving lives, but respect from the bottom of the heart. Moreover, the child sees the temperament of Mingjun in Mr. Li, and sees the temperament of Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty and Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty. , seeing the hope of the revival of our Han people, we Han people have indeed reached a critical moment, the Jin people easily attacked our capital Tokyo, this has to be thought-provoking, we need a wise king now."

Ma Zheng sighed: "Well, since you have thought about it, let's do it."

Ma Kuo cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, father, for helping me."

Early the next morning, Ma Kuo came to the city guard's mansion. Zhao Liangsi happened to be there. Ma Kuo saw Li Xin and knelt down and said, "I went back yesterday and thought about it all night. I have figured it out. I am willing to serve the lord as a dog and horse. Contribute to the revival of our great nation."

Li Xin raised his horse and said, "Okay, I can get Ma Zichong to assist me. I have gained another good general."

Zhao Liangsi smiled and said: "Zichong, we can fight together again in the future."

Li Xin joked: "You two, when I negotiate with the Kingdom of Jin next time, I will send you two there. By then, you two can straighten your backs and negotiate with the Kingdom of Jin."

Zhao Liangsi clasped his fists and said, "Thank you so much, my lord. I will definitely fight for the interests of us Han people when the time comes."

Li Xin smiled and said: "It's okay. You can talk about it when the time comes. My army will support you. If you don't agree, you can do it."

The two clasped their fists and said, "Yes, Lord."

Li Xin said: "Zichong, you should study more with Liu Shuai now; Liangsi, you should familiarize yourself with the civil affairs on Xinghan Island and help govern Xinghan Island. Someone intends to put you in charge of the Ministry of Rites in the future. The main thing is to communicate with the countries around the empire in the future, and I am very optimistic about your ability in this area."

The two replied: "Yes, my lord, I understand."