Chapter 120: The Frankish Cannon

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“The damaged sections of the city wall have yet to be repaired, and we are short of men to patrol and guard the city. We also need a great deal of stone for the defense. I must trouble all of you to lend us your utmost assistance!” As he spoke, Qi Jun solemnly clasped his hands and bowed to the old man and the common people behind him.

In truth, according to the laws of the Great Liang, whenever a city came under attack from an external enemy, every civilian within its walls was obliged to assist with the city’s defense. The soldiers and officials responsible for defending the city could requisition all available manpower and materials to resist the enemy and respond to the emergency.

But Anqiang had only just suffered the ravages of bandits. Most of its people had endured misfortune themselves and were sunk in despair, many still drowning in grief over the loss of their families and possessions.

The refugees were in an even worse plight. Their homes had been looted and destroyed, their property and loved ones lost; even after fleeing into the city, they had nowhere to shelter and little with which to fill their empty stomachs.

Seeing their wretched circumstances, Qi Jun could not bring himself to drive them, hungry and burdened with sorrow, into the labor of defending the city.

Besides, forcing them to work would not only be inefficient but might also arouse public anger and spark an uprising.

For these reasons, Qi Jun decided first to rely on the county soldiers and the various defensive weapons to hold the city as best they could. If they succeeded in repelling the enemy’s assault, the people might then be inspired to take the initiative and help defend the city.

Although they had fought with all their strength to crush the Qiang troops led by Ke Biedai and had even captured Fannuo, facing Bodo, who was now preparing to march against them, the county soldiers alone were truly unequal to the task. They could only rely on the people’s aid.

Fortunately, the people of Anqiang did not disappoint them, nor did they fail to honor the blood and sweat shed upon the city walls and battlefield.

“You all heard him, didn’t you? The Qiang bandits are coming! Anyone who doesn’t want to die, help the authorities defend the city!” The old man turned around and called out in a trembling voice. At once, the people answered loudly and began taking action of their own accord.

Qi Jun watched, deeply moved, as figure after figure busied themselves inside and outside the city walls, and nodded.

“My lord, I am already old and no longer fit for labor. I am willing to contribute my entire fortune to whatever is needed and do what little I can.” As he spoke, the old man pulled a bundle of banknotes from his robes and, with trembling hands, pressed them against Qi Jun’s chest.

Qi Jun froze for a moment, then hurriedly pushed the banknotes back.

He thought of his father in this life, who, in order to ease the famine caused by drought in their village, had thrown himself into gathering grain from every quarter without the slightest hesitation, exhausting the family’s entire fortune.

At that moment, Qi Jun saw his father’s shadow in the old man. He saw the simple love of home and the fervent desire to serve the country possessed by the scholars of this age.

The old man forcefully stuffed the banknotes into Qi Jun’s arms and pressed down on his hand.

“Please, my lord, you must accept them! And use them on behalf of those brave men who have given their lives for the nation!”

Looking into the old man’s resolute and unwavering eyes, Qi Jun did not refuse again. He stepped back and bowed deeply to him once more.

Beneath the night sky, Anqiang was engulfed in a feverish campaign to strengthen its defenses.

Though the people ordinarily harbored resentment and fear toward the county soldiers and the authorities, at that moment they worked together with urgent efficiency, preparing for the battle for survival that was soon to come. As stone after stone was carried in from outside the city and piled beneath the walls, Qi Jun finally felt a measure of confidence return to his heart.

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“County Commandant Qi, nearly all the blacksmiths in the city have been assembled. They are only waiting for your instructions.” Feng Qinian came over with a smile. By rank, he was superior to Qi Jun, yet at that moment he stood humbly at Qi Jun’s side like a loyal subordinate.

“That was quick. Then I’ll trouble Lord Feng to keep watch here. I’ll go over at once.” Qi Jun returned Feng Qinian’s salute and immediately turned away.

“Greetings, my lord!” The assembled blacksmiths bowed in unison when Qi Jun approached.

Qi Jun nodded at them, too pressed for time to say more. He took out a drawing he had made in the watchtower and handed it to the man standing at the front.

“I’ll dispense with unnecessary words. I only require you to use your finest skill and forge this object for me before dawn!”

The blacksmith glanced at Qi Jun, then frowned as he unfolded the drawing. He held it beneath the light of a nearby torch and looked it over, his brows drawing even tighter.

“My lord, what is this thing? We have never forged such a strange piece of ironwork before. It looks… like a chimney lying on its side.”

The other blacksmiths had assumed they would be making some sort of weapon, but after hearing him, they too gathered around with curiosity, staring at the strange object depicted on the drawing.

“This is called a breech-loading swivel cannon. You need only forge every iron component according to the dimensions and specifications I have marked here. Pay particular attention to the size of the barrel and the removable chambers. They must be neither too large nor too small.” As he spoke, Qi Jun pointed out each component on the drawing and explained it again, just to make certain they understood.

“With your orders, my lord, we will do everything in our power. But… can a single iron tube, together with these iron lumps placed inside it, truly kill the enemy?” After Qi Jun had painstakingly explained the weapon’s parts again and again, the blacksmiths finally gained a rough understanding of its construction, yet they still doubted its effectiveness on the battlefield.

“You need only follow the drawing and do exactly as I have said. You will see its power in due time.” Qi Jun rubbed his brow and spoke with some resignation.

He had no strength left to explain the structure and principles of a breech-loading smoothbore cannon to such a group of men from the ancient world. All he asked was that they build one to the required standard.

Against a massed cavalry charge, cannon and mines were undoubtedly the most effective weapons of destruction.

“Rest assured, my lord. We will produce what you require tonight.” The blacksmith put away the drawing, abandoning his doubts and questions. After bowing to Qi Jun, he led the others away.

Qi Jun had originally wanted to produce the more powerful and longer-ranged red-haired cannon, but after weighing the characteristics of both weapons, he had ultimately chosen the breech-loading swivel cannon.

As a breech-loading smoothbore weapon, the swivel cannon’s removable chambers allowed for a higher rate of fire. Since the barrel was open at both ends, it also dissipated heat more quickly and could sustain repeated firing more effectively.

Although the red-haired cannon possessed greater power and accuracy, it was heavier, less mobile, and slower to reload than the swivel cannon.

If the two could be used together, each making up for the other’s shortcomings while exploiting its own strengths, the invading Qiang troops would surely be blown apart, their flesh scattered and their courage shattered.

Unfortunately, time was desperately short, and the blacksmiths were inexperienced in casting cannon. If they managed to produce even a single swivel cannon, it would be a blessing.

“Where is Liu Fuyuan? Bring him here!” Qi Jun watched the blacksmiths disappear into the distance, then suddenly realized something and shouted to the villagers working behind him.

“I just saw him adjusting the stone-thrower on the wall. I’ll fetch him!” one of the villagers called back before hurrying toward the battlements.

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Before long, Liu Fuyuan came striding over. He stopped before Qi Jun, took several breaths, and asked, “Sir, the final stone-thrower has been assembled and tested. Is there anything else you require?”

“It’s like this: I’ve designed a new weapon, and I’m not entirely comfortable leaving its construction to blacksmiths I barely know. Take a few men and go help them. While you’re there, keep an eye on them and make sure they do not leak the drawings or the techniques involved.” Qi Jun nodded approvingly and patted him on the shoulder.

That day, the stone-throwers and explosive charges alone had already left Feng Qinian utterly astonished. A weapon as devastating as a cannon might well make his jaw drop. Since these weapons were destined to become impossible to conceal, Qi Jun had to ensure that their methods of manufacture remained in his own hands.

If these weapons from another age fell into the hands of foreign enemies or ambitious bandits, the world might well descend into chaos. And who knew how many innocent civilians would then be ravaged by the flames of war spreading in every direction?

“A new weapon?” Liu Fuyuan’s eyes lit up at once, and he could hardly wait to see Qi Jun’s latest creation.

From the mechanism of the hand pump he had designed at the beginning, to the stone-throwers and heavy crossbows, and then the explosive charges and incendiary bottles, every invention Qi Jun produced filled Liu Fuyuan with sincere admiration and wonder.

He had no idea how Qi Jun conceived such astonishingly ingenious and effective designs, but he firmly believed that as long as he followed this scholar, he would always have the chance to witness miracles and divine power.

“Put your mind at ease, sir.” Liu Fuyuan thumped his chest confidently, beckoned to several villagers, and led them away.

Qi Jun relaxed slightly, easing some of the worry weighing on his heart. He had just begun to go and inspect the progress of the gunpowder production when Liu Kui came running toward him.

“Sir, there was an explosion while the condemned prisoners were making gunpowder…” Liu Kui arrived breathless and leaned close to Qi Jun’s ear, his voice panicked.

“An explosion? How many were injured or killed?” Qi Jun’s heart lurched.

“Fortunately, there wasn’t much powder. Two condemned prisoners and one prison guard were injured. But now the guards are all terrified, and the other condemned prisoners refuse to continue, no matter what we say.” Liu Kui sighed. Even speaking of the explosion left him shaken.

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