C49. Research and Development of Black Gunpowder.

C49. Research and Development of Black Gunpowder.

The Xiongnu have always liked to invade the Central Plains in the autumn, because during the autumn, after a spring and summer of recuperation, both their people and horses are well-fed and strong.

After autumn, the grasslands and vegetation begin to wither, the weather becomes cold, and there is little food for people and livestock. In order to survive the winter, the Xiongnu must invade the Central Plains to plunder winter provisions and wealth.

Half a month ago, Chu Hechao planned to lead a large army back to the Northern Frontier, fearing attacks from the Xiongnu and the Xianbei.

There was rampant unrest in Youzhou, and in order to pacify the unrest, Chu Hechao took 20,000 of the 130,000 troops in the Northern Frontier, while Yuan Congyun took 30,000. This mobilization led to the departure of 50,000 troops, leaving only 80,000 stationed in the Northern Frontier.

However, the unrest in Youzhou could not be ignored. Before sending troops to pacify the unrest, Chu Hechao had already prepared for the Xiongnu invasion in autumn.

He had already understood the Xiongnu's patterns of aggression along the border, familiar with how to deal with nomadic tribes, and had achieved good results by setting up defenses along the border in advance.

But now, deep autumn has arrived, with early winter setting in unusually cold this year. With the first snowfall, the Xiongnu who had been looting small-scale previously finally became impatient.

Previously, they had engaged in minor raids, but this time the Xiongnu Chanyu, Huyan Wuzhu, gathered 50,000 cavalry and headed south, planning to plunder food supplies from various prefectures to prepare for winter.

After the scout reported the urgent situation in the Northern Frontier, Chu Hechao quickly left with his men.

The troops' figures disappeared hastily on the road.

As the snow fell heavier, Yuan Li watched them gradually disappear from the front gate. He pursed his lips, turned to Liu Jixin, and said, "Changyue, go find Cai Ji, the magistrate of Guangyang County, and instruct him to notify the border defenses of each county to fortify the city walls, gather the county troops, and prepare for city defense."

If the Xiongnu were to break through the Great Wall, these border counties would suffer.

Fortunately, these border counties in Youzhou were already experienced with Xiongnu and Xianbei invasions. As long as they were notified, they could quickly prepare.

Liu Jixin left after receiving the orders.

Yuan Li led the remaining men back to the study. Wang Er and Wu Kai exchanged a glance, feeling perplexed.

They had been following Yuan Li for a long time and knew they could seek guidance from him on things they did not understand. So they asked, "Lord, can the Xiongnu cross the Great Wall?"

Both of them came from humble backgrounds, and learning to read was taught to them gradually by Yuan Li, but they still lacked knowledge in strategy and military tactics. For example, why did the border defenses need repairs and reinforcements on the Great Wall every year puzzled them.

They knew the Great Wall was meant for defending against external enemies, but why did Hu tribes repeatedly invade the border despite the Great Wall's existence?

Yuan Li calmly asked, "Have you ever seen the Great Wall with your own eyes?"

Both shook their heads.

"The Great Wall stretches for thousands of miles, part of which is built among rugged mountains and passes that are easy to defend but hard to attack. However, some sections are built on flat land, making these checkpoints extremely vulnerable and frequently broken through by enemies," Yuan Li explained, "The Xiongnu are after food, so even if they break through the Great Wall, they will loot border villages and then retreat."

Wang Er was even more puzzled, "If that's the case, why build city walls and spend resources and manpower every year to repair them? Isn't that time-consuming and laborious?"

Yuan Li shook his head, "The Great Wall and canals will have a lasting impact."

The Great Wall connects passes, fortresses, checkpoints, and military strongholds, creating a strict defense network. If any part is breached, the defending soldiers can light signal fires to transmit military information and call for reinforcements.

Nomadic tribes can cross the Great Wall, but their livestock cannot. Even if they breach a checkpoint and enter the Central Plains, they can only loot and then flee.

It's like building a walled pond - the number of people who can climb over the wall to steal fish is limited, and the fish that can be stolen is even more limited because they have to carry the fish back over the wall, which limits what they can actually take.

The Great Wall blocked the Barbarian's supply route, and the soldiers stationed there could defeat them by cutting off their escape routes and trapping them within the wall.

Furthermore, the Great Wall separated the various forces on the grasslands, increasing the cost of invading the Central Plains for them. If nomadic tribes couldn't breach the Great Wall, they had to target other tribes on the grasslands for resources.

The Great Wall prevented nomadic tribes from acquiring land, resources, and technological advancements in weapon-making in the Central Plains. They remained on the savage grasslands, while those within the Great Wall continued to develop civilization and strengthen their weaponry.

This is the significance of the Great Wall.

After Yuan Li explained the role of the Great Wall to them, Wang Er and Wu Kai suddenly understood. "We see now. The Xiongnu Chanyu is determined to raid the counties within the wall."

Yuan Li nodded sadly, "I fear they may have learned of the unrest in Northern Zhou."

If turmoil erupted in the south, the barbarians in the north would inevitably invade. They had long coveted the fertile lands and resources of the Central Plains, intending to seize them.

Chu Hechao had a reputation in the north and could deter these nomadic tribes. They caused trouble all autumn, now as winter approached, their attack hinted at their knowledge of the uprising in Northern Zhou and their intent to exploit the situation.

Yuan Li pondered, knowing that they must win this battle against the Xiongnu.

Northern Zhou was currently in turmoil, and adding external threats would hit Youzhou first. If Youzhou were invaded by the Xiongnu, who in all of Northern Zhou could support Chu Hechao?

Would it be the overwhelmed court?

Or the various warlords with their own armies?

If that happened, it would lead to chaos, perhaps repeating the tragic history of the Five Barbarians in the past.

This must not be allowed!

Yuan Li's eyes snapped open, filled with determination.

No matter what, they must win this battle!

The Xiongnu were formidable, with powerful cavalry skilled in mounted combat. They could quickly mobilize 50,000 cavalry to the south, showcasing their immense strength.

Comparatively, Chu Hechao's army only had 5,000 cavalry, a stark difference.

Additionally, the nomadic tribes were accustomed to cold weather and harsh conditions, giving them an advantage in battles during colder climates. It was not that the Xiongnu had weaknesses.

While their cavalry was well-equipped, their expertise slightly lagged behind well-trained fighters with stirrups on their mounts.

Even if Yuan Li provided 500 stirrups to Chu Hechao's army, it wouldn't be enough to match the Xiongnu cavalry's skills and equipment.

No matter how you look at it, you feel that this battle is not going to go well.

Yuan Li stood up, his voice grave. "I have a task for you. Help me find these items."

He informed Wu Kai and Wang Er of his needs. Though they didn't understand the purpose, they obediently nodded.

When Yuan Li was making ice from saltpeter, he thought of sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal - the components of black gunpowder.

However, due to the ancient technological limitations, the lack of suitable metallurgical hardware, even with black gunpowder, its potency was limited and unable to be widely used for warfare. Yuan Li had been contemplating this matter.

However, Yuan Li believed that creating black gunpowder to deal with the Xiongnu could yield unexpected results.

He recalled from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" where Zhuge Liang used landmines against troops wearing rattan armor, with bamboo poles filled with gunpowder and a fuse, causing tremendous destruction when triggered.

Although Yuan Li wasn't aware of the artistic elements involved, he understood that even if he couldn't achieve the explosive power of black gunpowder, the sound of its explosion could still be intimidating.

By generating a strong momentum, it could replicate the effect of the 'Thunderbolt Cannon' from the Northern Song Dynasty. When the nomadic tribes saw such a weapon and heard the deafening sound of black gunpowder, it could induce fear and disarray among them.

People fear the unknown, losing their will to fight and causing chaos once gripped by fear, leading both riders and horses to panic.

In such situations, the Xiongnu's cavalry wouldn't pose as much of a threat.

Acting upon his thoughts, Yuan Li immediately began preparing black gunpowder.

Unlike others, Yuan Li was a professional and knew precisely how to prepare black gunpowder, make fuses, and ensure the correct length. He sourced sulfur and charcoal from Youzhou and managed to gather a substantial amount.

Dedicating himself to the task for several days, aside from Wu Kai and Wang Er supplying the raw materials for black gunpowder, only Zhao Ying came to inquire about dealing with a group of robbers in the mountains.

Directly, Yuan Li commanded, "Have them clean the city's manure to make fertilizer for the potatoes I'm cultivating."

Having experience in chemical fertilizers from Ruyang County, Zhao Ying understood the process and without hesitation replied, "Yes, Lord, I will take care of the potatoes."

Yuan Li trusted Zhao Ying's abilities and nodded, allowing him to proceed.

Soon, Yuan Li finished preparing the black powder, pouring it into bamboo poles and attaching fuses. He conducted a test in a remote area, showcasing the explosive power of the black gunpowder.

Although the power was diminished due to the lack of proper steel smelting equipment, the explosion's sound and intensity were akin to thunder, accompanied by billowing smoke. Once it detonated, everyone present was startled, with Wu Kai and Wang Er instinctively protecting Yuan Li, "Lord, be careful!"

After the explosion ceased, fear was evident on everyone's faces. Even Liu Jixin appeared stunned.

In that moment, Yuan Li knew he had succeeded.

Pushing aside Wu Kai and Wang Er, Yuan Li glanced at the remnants of bamboo poles and black powder scattered on the ground, a smile creeping across his face.

Subsequently, Yuan Li expedited the production of hundreds and thousands of black powder bamboo poles, naming them "Thunderbolt Cannons" after the gunpowder used in the Northern Song Dynasty.

With no time to delay due to the uncertain frontline situation, after preparing enough Thunderbolt Cannons, Yuan Li dispatched five hundred armored cavalry to escort them to the north.

As the north was not far from Youzhou, Yuan Li personally escorted the cavalry to Ji County, led by Wu Kai.

Before departing, Wu Kai inquired, "Do you have any message for the Grand General?"

"Tell him to fight this battle well," Yuan Li declared confidently, "If he still loses with the Thunderbolt Cannons, then I reckon he'll return to Youzhou."

Wu Kai sensed that conveying this message to Chu Hechao might provoke a stern response, but he dutifully replied, "Understood."

Yuan Li couldn't help but smile and let out a sigh before earnestly stating, "Tell him to pursue the Xiongnu and force them to retreat north. If possible, it's best to kill the Xiongnu Chanyu, Huyan Wuzhu."

Wu Kai saluted respectfully, replying in a deep voice, "Yes!"

With that, he mounted his horse and led five hundred cavalrymen swiftly away.

The first snowfall lasted only a day before tapering off, which was undoubtedly good news for the northern army.

In recent days, the Xiongnu had been provoking the northern army beyond the Great Wall, attempting to breach the fortifications intermittently. Clash es and skirmishes between the patrols and the Xiongnu vanguard resulted in casualties on both sides, leaving the stationed generals like Miyang, Xinzhou, and Duan Yuquan on edge.

When Chu Hechao returned to the north with fifteen thousand men, the relieved stationed generals in the north weren't just relieved by the reinforcements but by the reassuring presence of Chu Hechao.

Upon learning of Chu Hechao's return, the Xiongnu Chanyu ceased minor provocations and resorted to bold taunts, sending riders close to the Great Wall to provoke and insult the soldiers stationed there.

This did not imply the Xiongnu Chanyu was a brainless fool. On the contrary, Huyan Wuzhu was an ambitious leader who, despite his advanced age, harbored a greedy desire for the central plains.

His seeming taunts toward Chu Hechao were actually a test of the Northern Zhou's current strength.

Should Chu Hechao falter in facing this provocation, it would reveal the weakened state of the Northern Zhou, showing that the resources in Youzhou had sapped Chu Hechao's strength. In the face of such aggressive adversaries, any sign of weakness was an invitation to be swiftly overtaken and destroyed.

These taunts significantly impacted the morale of Chu Hechao's army. When the chief general faced such provocations without retaliation, the soldiers' morale dwindled, hinting at impending defeat even before a battle commenced.

Recognizing Huyan Wuzhu's provocative intent, Chu Hechao maintained exceptional composure, opting to stabilize the troops with provisions and morale-boosting measures before contemplating a response.

Subsequently, Chu Hechao and his generals discussed strategies to counter Huyan Wuzhu. He remained unusually calm and did not respond to Huyan Wuzhu's provocation.

Chu Hechao did not stoop to respond with anger or bluster. Instead, with a strategic calmness, he instructed his subordinates to distribute provisions to the troops, effectively appeasing any unrest within the ranks.

This act served a dual purpose: it demonstrated his care for his soldiers' well-being and projected an aura of control amidst the provocation. Witnessing this, Chu Hechao and the other generals conferred amongst themselves, formulating a response to Huyan Wuzhu's challenge.

"Surely, Huyan Wuzhu's arrival isn't merely for plundering winter provisions," Chu Hechao instructed, pointing to several points along the Great Wall on the map. "Have reinforcements been dispatched to these areas?"

Colonel Duan Yuquan respectfully replied, "General, these locations have already been reinforced with troops."

Chu Hechao nodded in approval. "Have the scouts outside the Great Wall gathered any intelligence on enemy movements?"

"Our scouts reported that Huyan Wuzhu arrived with his two sons. Although he claims to have fifty thousand riders, the actual count is around twenty thousand cavalrymen. His elder son, Huyan Ting, commands twenty thousand riders stationed three hundred miles to the east, while his younger son, Huyan Huntu, leads ten thousand men positioned four hundred miles to the side."

Chu Hechao chuckled lightly. "He seems to be planning a multi-pronged assault."

"Villain!" Colonel Miyang, quick to anger despite his small stature, slammed the table in outrage, spewing a string of profanities. "I knew he harbored ill intent!"

"Quiet down," Yang Zhongfa scolded with a sigh, "You seem ready to storm the Great Wall and confront Huyan Wuzhu in a shouting match."

"If not for these two holding me back, I'd have challenged them already!" Miyang retorted, pointing at Xinzhou and Duan Yuquan, who chose to ignore his outburst.

Chu Hechao intervened, saying, "Enough."

Miyang fell silent, seething inwardly.

While Miyang was brave and fearless, he was also hot-tempered, unable to bear even the slightest provocation from the enemy. Given his impulsive nature, Chu Hechao assigned Duan Yuquan, who possessed a cautious and cultured demeanor, and the resolute Xinzhou to accompany him in the Northern Garrison.

After lengthy discussions among the generals in the tent, a soldier reported from outside, "General, the Xiongnu Chanyu is provoking us at the Great Wall again!"

Chu Hechao gestured for him to come in, asking, "What has he said this time?"

The soldier's expression turned enraged, "He insulted you, calling you a coward, a soft egg, a turtle who hides... hides inside... hides indoors with his brother's wife."

Yang Zhongfa sneered and pressed, "Hiding indoors with whom?"

The soldier mumbled softly, "Hiding indoors playing with his sister-in-law."

At this revelation, the room erupted with anger. Even Xinzhou, known for his composed demeanor, stood up abruptly, his face twisted in disgust as he bellowed, "Outrageous!"

The Xiongnu had coarse and aggressive customs, particularly a practice of intermarriage within the family, which the Central Plains people found repulsive. Huyan Wuzhu deliberately twisted the incident involving Chu Hechao's transport of his brother's wife back to Youzhou, using it to provoke and denigrate Chu Hechao.

Such profanity and mockery from the Xiongnu elicited intolerable shame for the people of the Central Plains. It was not only an insult to Chu Hechao but a grave disrespect to his brother's wife.

Chu Hechao's previously calm expression darkened gradually.