Chapter 89
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The Great General Wei’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t been this excited for a long time. He rubbed his hands together and said, “Wang Ye…”
However, Ming Yu didn’t have time to pay attention to him at the moment. He was just talking to Mr. Huang on the side, summarizing the advantages and disadvantages of this thing. It can be said that their development was quite successful, but it should not be limited to just one application; it can be further developed in various directions.
“For example, keeping the main formula unchanged and then adding black oil can make it explode and burn at high temperatures. Or making it smaller, attaching it to arrows, and shooting it out for long-range and high damage. Alternatively, it can be buried underground, waiting for a certain amount of time, and it can have unexpected effects when no one is aware.” Ming Yu thought for a moment. He could only provide a general direction for these things, and specific implementation would require professional personnel.
Elder Huang nodded repeatedly, acknowledging that Wang Ye was truly ingenious and could come up with so many ideas that others couldn’t.
However, a spark of inspiration struck him when he heard Wang Ye’s words. He said, “So, Wang Ye, are you suggesting that we could also set a timer and ensure flawless ignition within the specified time? That might be a bit challenging. The performance of this device is quite unstable. Even a slight increase in vibration could lead to a disaster.”
Ming Yu was well aware of this issue, and indeed, the safety performance needed to be improved.
Elder Huang, however, was delighted and said, “But Wang Ye’s suggestions are worth a try. Wang Ye is truly remarkable; with just a few words and you have provided us with many new ideas.”
“We can take it step by step, but we must be cautious about safety. The craftman workshop is only responsible for inventing and improving these devices; the actual production cannot take place within the workshop,” Ming Yu explained. Ever since the workshop’s experimental building was leveled during the last incident, he had been thinking about this issue. “Perhaps we can select a location slightly outside the city to establish another workshop.”
Elder Huang had never been too concerned about such matters; he simply focused on doing his job. The only thing that bothered him a bit was that his friend, Gan Jiu, hadn’t returned since going home for a family visit. This made his life a bit uncomfortable, but as long as he immersed himself in the workshop, he could focus on his work without much thought.
Now, thinking back, it seemed a bit strange. This man was arranged by Wang Ye for him, and in theory, he should have informed Wang Ye about Gan Jiu’s absence. However, it seemed unnecessary to bother Wang Ye with such a small matter.
As Elder Huang was pondering whether to inform Wang Ye about Gan Jiu’s situation, Ming Yu noticed his hesitation and asked a question. With that, Elder Huang had to share the information, albeit hesitantly.
Ming Yu nodded, considering Gan Jiu’s identity, and found himself at a loss for words. He had originally selected individuals with clean backgrounds, but unexpectedly, there was such a big fish among them.
The Khan of the Suixi was truly ruthless, leaving his son in an enemy nation for over a decade without any contact. He had hidden this secret so well that without the information they had heard along the way, Ming Yu might have never known.
“I am aware of the situation with Gan Jiu. We will send someone to the craftsman workshop in a couple of days,” Ming Yu said.
Xie Yixiu, who was standing nearby, had already heard Ming Yu mention Gan Jiu’s situation. A prince from an enemy nation lurking in Liangcheng for so many years, it was unknown how many spies from the Suixi were still undiscovered within Liangcheng.
“Wang Ye, we also need to carefully screen the people in the craftsman workshop. Since spies managed to infiltrate it before, we don’t know if there are any others still hidden,” Xie Yixiu expressed his concern. Wang Ye frequently visited the workshop, and certain precautions were necessary.
Ming Yu clearly understood this point. The craftsman workshop was different from other places; it was a critical research facility. If the inventions they developed were stolen by spies and used against them, it would be intolerable.
Ordinary items might not be a big concern, but items like the “Thousand-Mile Eye,” crossbows, and today’s “Thunder Bombs” were military supplies that required secure management to prevent spies from stealing them.
Ming Yu hadn’t considered this aspect before, but now, after experiencing this incident, he realized the importance of taking these matters seriously. “I understand; I will have someone thoroughly investigate this.”
Since Ming Yu understood the importance of the matter, Xie Yixiu didn’t press further. Instead, he asked, “The Thunder Bombs we saw today are different from the ones you made before, do you know why?”
“It all comes down to the materials. Previously, we had limited materials, so the ones we made on the spot naturally couldn’t compare to this one,” Ming Yu explained with a smile.
Xie Yixiu nodded and said, “This device is indeed excellent, and it will be highly useful for both offense and defense. Wang Ye, if you have more of these, our Red Robe Army…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Great General Wei, sensing the situation was turning unfavorable, stepped forward and continued, “Wang Ye, such a valuable item should not be without our garrison’s share!”
Ming Yu was left feeling exasperated, “There are no extras right now. The craftsman workshop’s capacity is too limited, it cannot handle large orders. I will build a dedicated military workshop, separate from the craftsman workshop, for mass production of military equipment. Only this way can we increase the production rate. Besides, the first batch has other purposes.”
The need to renovate waterways for constructing a stable required to build the cavalry training grounds could be significantly expedited with the new technology.
However, with Ming Yu’s clear explanation, Great General Wei understood that he couldn’t have it immediately, and he couldn’t rush the matter. So after some consideration, he laughed and said, “Alright, we won’t rush it for now. But Wang Ye, the shields and glaive-spears for the Guard Battalion shouldn’t be kept under wraps. Most of our garrison troops are infantry, and with these two treasures, we won’t have to fear the barbarian cavalry anymore.”
However, Ming Yu furrowed his brow, as he had some reservations about this statement.
“Don’t underestimate the barbarian cavalry,” Xie Yixiu chimed in.
Great General Wei snorted a couple of times, thinking that Xie Yixiu didn’t understand the situation. “You guys in the Red Robe Army have top-notch weapons and armor, and your horses are one in a thousand. Naturally, you would say that.”
Ming Yu also nodded, indicating that he shared Xie Yixiu’s perspective. “Great General Wei, while these weapons may be effective against cavalry, we cannot solely rely on external factors.”
The Guard Battalion had undergone special training. Without strong and resolute hearts, how could they not be afraid when faced with the approaching iron cavalry, let alone maintain their composure and remember their assigned tasks?
Courage and resilience were essential traits to confront cavalry and respond effectively.
Great General Wei smiled and said, “Of course, Wang Ye, I have a small request to make.”
Ming Yu felt a sudden jolt of surprise and looked at Great General Wei with curiosity.
Without waiting for Ming Yu to inquire further, Great General Wei leaned in and said with a smile, “Your Guard Battalion has been training new recruits all along, right? I was thinking, why not select some soldiers from our garrison to train alongside the Guard Battalion? After all, training is training. Whether it’s new recruits or garrison troops, it’s all part of the training process. It’s a win-win situation. What do you think, Wang Ye?”
He had indeed noticed that the Guard Battalion had transformed from a group of inexperienced nobles into an elite force, thanks to the training methods employed by Ming Yu.
He recalled the initial training exercises between the garrison and the Guard Battalion, where the garrison troops couldn’t measure up. He believed that Ming Yu’s training methods could benefit the garrison as well.
“This is…..” somewhat difficult! The Guard Battalion was relatively small, so how could it accommodate a significant number of garrison troops? Additionally, the garrison soldiers were different from new recruits.
Seeing Ming Yu’s hesitation, Great General Wei continued, “Wang Ye, we are all soldiers of the Great Yan, all serving to protect our homeland. Let’s consider each other as a family, we can entrust these troops to Commander Mo. They will be treated just like the new recruits, and any lack of respect or disobedience to orders will be dealt with, whether by punishment or reprimand. I won’t protect them if they make mistakes.”
He had made up his mind. He didn’t expect every soldier in the garrison to be as formidable as the Guard Battalion, but there were some promising individuals among the garrison troops who had decent personal abilities. If they could undergo the specialized training of the Guard Battalion, they could bolster the garrison’s overall capabilities. Whether they formed their own unit or led squads, they would help change the garrison’s current situation.
This idea wasn’t a sudden whim but a carefully considered plan that had been on his mind for a long time. The garrison needed to change, and the Wei family had faithfully guarded the border for generations, earning the emperor’s trust and respect.
However, since his generation, the Wei family’s younger generations had shown shortcomings, and there was no one capable of taking his place in the next generation. He had been anxious about the Wei family’s decline and the lack of a worthy successor. This opportunity was a chance for a few of the younger family members to learn some skills within the Guard Battalion, potentially achieving some military accomplishments that could preserve the Wei family’s reputation.
In a way, it was a bit of a personal agenda; after all, who wouldn’t want the outstanding younger generations in their family to continue the family’s glory?
Ming Yu furrowed his brow, pondering the feasibility of the proposal. He wasn’t sure whether agreeing right away might have any implications for the Guard Battalion.
“Why don’t you ask Commander Mo for his thoughts, Wang Ye?” Xie Yixiu suggested, seeing Ming Yu deep in thought.
That was a good point. The Guard Battalion was under the management of Mo Jiang now. Asking for the primary leader’s opinion would be the best course of action. Ming Yu silently breathed a sigh of relief, casting a grateful glance at Xie Yixiu.
“Great General Wei, what General Xie said is reasonable. After all, the training and management of the Guard Battalion have been entrusted to Commander Mo. You and Commander Mo can discuss this matter,” Ming Yu replied with a smile.
“Does that mean, as long as Commander Mo agrees, Wang Ye won’t have any objections, right?” Great General Wei squinted his eyes, already feeling certain about the outcome.
Ming Yu nodded with a smile, not showing any intention to prepare his subordinates for another challenge. Only Mo Jiang felt his ears burning, wondering who had been talking about him.
The experiments were completed, and everyone had departed. Great General Wei went directly to find Mo Jiang.
Before leaving, Xie Yixiu, still concerned about the spy issue, discreetly mentioned to Ming Yu, “Wang Ye, we still need to thoroughly investigate Liangcheng. It’s essential to root out the enemy’s spies one by one.”
“We’ll conduct the necessary investigations, but there’s no need to uproot them all. In fact, I think it might be wise to keep some of them,” Ming Yu suggested. Seeing Xie Yixiu frown in disagreement, he continued, “If we eliminate them all at once, the enemy may just send new spies. It would be better to keep some familiar faces and simply keep a close watch on them. Moreover, these individuals might have their uses for us.”
Xie Yixiu quickly grasped Ming Yu’s intention and gave a slight, knowing smile. Indeed, it would make things easier. If they couldn’t completely eliminate the spies, they could use them to transmit information that they were willing to reveal.
“Very well! Do you need the Red Robe Army’s assistance?” Xie Yixiu asked.
Ming Yu’s expression held a playful smile in the corners of his eyes and lips. “Is the Red Robe Army skilled at handling such trivial matters? But, there’s no need to trouble the Red Robe Army. His Majesty has sent the Jingwei Imperial Guards to assist, they are more than capable. These are the specialties of the Jingwei Imperial Guards.”
With the Emperor sending the Jingwei Imperial Guards to support him, Ming Yu had ample manpower at his disposal. These elite troops were skilled at gathering information, and there was no need to involve anyone else.
Xie Yixiu nodded in agreement, realizing that Ming Yu was right. He had asked impulsively but now saw that Ming Yu’s wings had grown stronger, he didn’t need as much assistance as before.
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