Li Yi nodded. Although the gunpowder was deeply loved by maritime merchants and often came to buy it, most of them could only buy a few hundred at a time, and the original inventory did not decrease much.

However, as the world becomes increasingly chaotic, sales will definitely grow rapidly in the future.

Thinking of this, Li Yi said: "Compared to bird muskets, the gunpowder gun is already much easier to use. The maritime merchants who sold it before bought dozens or hundreds of them just to test the waters. When they really realized the benefits, they decided to step up the purchase, so

The military workshop will also allocate a group of craftsmen to specialize in the production of rupsil guns. And now that thunder guns have been used in actual combat, I am afraid that many people already know that Anxin has this kind of weapon. If it continues to be concealed, it will do more harm than good, so the industrial zone developed

While making new fire cannons, we also mobilize craftsmen to cast thunder cannons. Keep them for a long time, and naturally you will have to hand over some of them to those who are interested."

Liu Daxiang said anxiously: "My dear benefactor, is he going to start selling Thunder Guns? But this is our Anxin's most powerful firearm. If someone buys it and uses it against us, what should we do?"

Li Yi smiled and shook his head and said: "Fire guns are just tools, and people are the ones who can really play a role. Without An Xin's unique training method, even if they bought it, they would not be our opponent against us An Xin people. You

Just don’t worry.”

Although Master Liu was still very worried, when he heard what his little benefactor said, he could only nod his head in agreement.

Li Yidao: "You should pay more attention to the situation in the industrial area. The spiral rifling mentioned before is only made by hand, and the production quantity is too small. We also need to think about whether we can make a lathe to speed up the production of blunderbuss tubes."

Liu Dajiang said with some embarrassment: "The processing technology of spiral gun tubes is much more difficult than that of straight ones. Even if I do it myself, I can only make one in a day, and the scrap rate is extremely high."

"The capabilities of human hands are still limited, but machines are not. Instead of working hard to improve the skills of craftsmen, Mr. Liu should find ways to improve the current machine tools and find ways to use machines to make blunderbuss. This is the long-term solution."

Li Yi understood Liu Dajiang's difficulties, but it was precisely because he encountered difficulties that he needed to work hard to solve them.

After these years of growth, craftsmen such as Liu Dajiang have made great progress. Li Yi believes that he has given the direction of the solution. With their intelligence, they will definitely come up with a solution.

After explaining everything, Li Yi personally led a group of brave men to escort the firearms to Cao Minglei's camp.

As the commander-in-chief of Baoding, Cao Minglei must be famous for fighting this time when the Eastern invaders are difficult to control. Li Yi already knew that in addition to Cao Minglei's Baoding officers and soldiers being mobilized, officers and soldiers from Xuanfu and Datong were also mobilized.

For the officers and soldiers of Datong, Li Yi felt that they still had some fighting strength. Their chief officer Man Gui also grew up from the bottom step by step with military merit. He had great military exploits. Although he was a Mongolian, he had become one of the Ming Dynasty military generals.

The mainstay. But Li Yi, the other chief military officer of the Xuanfu, thought he was not worthy of much use.

Hou Shilu was clever and cunning, and it was difficult for him to take on big responsibilities. When he was in charge of the disaster victims at Xuanda Border Pass, he asked him for help many times to suppress the hungry people in Mongolia. However, Hou Shilu not only refused to send troops, but also collaborated with Mangui

Together they conquered the hungry people and gained military glory. Later, Lin Dan Khan of Chahar sent a large army to plunder Dongyang Town. If Mr. Wang Xiangqian had not fought with his seriously ill body, the originally peaceful border would have been in turmoil again.

Compared to them, Li Yi took a high look at the combat prowess of Cao Minglei's soldiers.

Although Cao Minglei was unavoidable in embezzling soldiers' wages, he still knew that he needed to train his soldiers. Later, when he saw the sharpness of Anxin's firearms, he immediately bought some equipment, which greatly enhanced his combat effectiveness.

But even so, it is vulnerable to the Anxin Railway Brigade.

Fortunately, there is some friendship between Li Yi and Cao Minglei. The reason why Anxin's affairs have been so smooth in Baoding these years is Cao Minglei's contribution, and Anxin will pay him dividends every year. This kind of

The cooperative relationship has resulted in a harmonious relationship between both parties.

Going to the barracks, of course, there is an interrogation.

But after hearing the name of Anxin Li Yi, these soldiers did not dare to be presumptuous and ran to spread the word honestly.

When the caravan entered the camp, Cao Minglei personally came out to greet them.

Seeing the firearms on the carriage, he smiled and said: "Zizheng, Mr. Sun's face seems to be very useful. He sent the firearms so quickly."

Li Yi turned over and dismounted, raised his hands to Cao Minglei and said: "Uncle Cao, even if you don't have the face of the teacher, can I still refuse to agree to your request?"

Li Yi's face-saving answer made the smile on Cao Minglei's face become more and more enthusiastic.

He patted Li Yi on the shoulder and said: "Good boy, I didn't help you in vain before. What, this time I go to the capital, do you want to go with me?"

Li Yi smiled and shook his head and said: "I am just a white person now and have no official position, so I will not accompany Uncle Cao."

Hearing Li Yi's words, Cao Minglei said angrily: "Zizheng, I already know about those civil servants who framed you. Don't worry about it. With the Holy Family by your side, it won't be long before you

It can definitely be reused.”

Li Yi smiled when he heard this and said: "Why is Uncle Cao so sure?"

Seeing that Li Yi didn't believe it, Cao Minglei looked around and whispered: "Think about it, you have participated in the three great victories we have fought against the Donglu in recent years. Now that Mao Wenlong is imprisoned, who can resist the Donglu

Apart from Yuan Chonghuan, who is in charge of the Ning army, you are the only one who has been captured. Therefore, once the war becomes tense, the imperial court will definitely reconsider using you to defeat the Eastern captives."

Li Yi did not expect this step. In his opinion, Yuan Chonghuan's next step must be to lead troops into the Pass. By then, with Guan Ning's army there, the Eight Banners Army will definitely be entangled. As long as the two sides are in a stalemate, the Donglu will definitely not be able to hold on.

How long will it take, when the time comes, with Yuan Chonghuan's military talent, the Eastern captives will not be able to escape.

He believed that Donglu would definitely be defeated, but in Cao Minglei's view, this battle was somewhat dangerous.

Seeing that Li Yi was confused, Cao Minglei asked him to enter the military tent.

The two entered the military tent. Cao Minglei said with a smile: "Zizheng, I know that you have followed Yuan Chonghuan in Liaodong for a period of time, and you attach great importance to his ability. But you have to understand that that was only in Liaodong."

Li Yi was slightly surprised and said: "Uncle Cao means that after Yuan Chonghuan leads his troops into the pass, it will be difficult to use his fists and kicks?"

Cao Minglei nodded and said: "You have to understand that there are factional disputes among civil servants, and the same goes for military generals. Yuan Chonghuan accompanied a group of generals from western Liaoning to resist the Eastern invaders outside the pass. He made a lot of money and received a lot of credit. Others.

The commander-in-chiefs in various places have long disliked him. It would be better if the emperor appoints a highly respected minister like Sun Gong to take charge of defense. If Yuan Chonghuan is re-employed, then the commander-in-chiefs will definitely not take his words seriously and will probably want to give him some advice.

Take a look at the three-point color.”

Li Yi frowned and said: "But Yuan Chonghuan is a civilian official, and it is the practice of the Ming Dynasty for civilian officials to control military attachés. If they don't respect military orders, aren't they afraid of death?"

Cao Minglei laughed when he heard this, shook his head and said: "Zizheng, it seems you don't understand military attachés. There is nothing wrong with civilian officials restraining military attachés. But Yuan Chonghuan is only the governor of Jiliao. Even if he is fully responsible for defense, it is only temporary power.

.Just imagine, when this war is over, rewards and punishments will have to be decided by the court. What will happen to Yuan Chonghuan? And now everyone can see that after Qian Longxi was impeached, Yuan Chonghuan will also be in disaster, and there will definitely be disaster in the court.

Someone will punish him, but at this time, who will be afraid of him?"

Li Yi was a little surprised. He didn't expect that although the military attaches were vulgar, they were all smarter than the civilian officials. They actually connected the battlefield situation with the court and analyzed everything comprehensively.

After thinking about it, Li Yi looked at Cao Minglei and said: "But the emperor trusts Governor Yuan. Even if someone wants to scheme, it will be difficult to realize it."

Cao Minglei said: "The emperor trusts Yuan Chonghuan because he hopes that he can restore the Liao Dynasty. Now not only has the Liao Dynasty not been restored, but the Donglu have also invaded the pass. Do you think the emperor will continue to trust him?"

The current situation is complicated, Donglu invaded, Yuan Chonghuan is indeed at fault.

Li Yi was also worried and said: "So, Uncle Cao thinks that the emperor may have many complaints against Yuan Chonghuan?"

Cao Minglei nodded without hesitation and said: "Zizheng, think about it carefully. The emperor previously appointed Yuan Chonghuan as the governor of Liaodong. He asked for money and grain, and met all Yuan Chonghuan's requirements. As a result, the restoration of Liaoning has not yet happened in five years.

Seeing the progress, Donglu invaded the capital. You also know what the emperor's temperament is. Now I am afraid that he is furious, but he still relies on Yuan Chonghuan to prevent him from getting angry. "

Cao Minglei's words are not unreasonable. Li Yi, who has talked with Zhu Youjian many times, understands that although the emperor is stubborn, if he trusts someone, he will fully support him. Once that person betrays his trust, he will be resentful and angry.

punish.

This time the Donglu invaded, Chongzhen may have accumulated a lot of anger towards Yuan Chonghuan. When the Donglu were repelled, there would definitely be a big turmoil.

Seeing Li Yi's thoughtful look, Cao Minglei suddenly smiled and said: "Zizheng, Yuan Chonghuan has suffered, but it is a huge opportunity for you."

"What does Uncle Cao mean by this?"

Li Yi didn't react for a moment and looked at Cao Minglei in confusion.

Cao Minglei immediately said: "Think about it, except for Yuan Chonghuan, there are not many civil servants in the court who know military affairs now. And you are deeply trusted by the emperor and have the status of a civil servant. If Yuan Chonghuan is punished, you can take charge of border affairs.

Apart from you, I'm afraid there is no one else."

Li Yi looked solemn when he heard this, and quickly shook his head and said: "Uncle Cao, I'm afraid this is inappropriate, so please don't say it again."

Cao Minglei laughed and said indifferently: "Look, wouldn't it be a pity not to seize such a good opportunity? I think you still have to think about how to do it. You can't just wait for the emperor to think of you, but also have to do more.

Just show up in the capital."

Li Yi was slightly startled, but he didn't expect that Cao Minglei and the teacher's suggestions were actually the same.

The teacher asked him to socialize more with literati, and Cao Minglei also asked him to stay in the capital. From this point of view, I am afraid that it would be better for him to go to the capital.

Li Yi had already realized before that although he was a civil servant, he was not from a formal official career, so he was not tolerated by the court officials.

This is why when the emperor appointed himself the censor of Qiandu, many ministers opposed him. In the end, he was impeached by most of the scholar-bureaucrats for arresting Mao Wenlong without authorization. He was left isolated and helpless in the court. Although the ministers in the court sympathized with him, they did not do anything for him.

Even if he said a word, the emperor could not protect him. He could only sit back and watch a group of high officials succeed in their treacherous plan, and he was dismissed from his official position as the censor of Qiandu.

Li Yi naturally understood that if he still wanted to be an official in the future, he would have to make some allies among scholar-bureaucrats in the court, so later he specifically used Lu Changfeng to find an opportunity to meet Zhou Yanru.

Both of them were close friends of Chongzhen, and Zhou Yanru was the chief minister of the cabinet that Chongzhen was most satisfied with, and Li Yi was the feudal official that Chongzhen was most satisfied with. He wanted Li Yi to help him promote reforms, so there was something between them.

The basis for alliance.

But Zhou Yanru cannot give himself the power to protect himself in the court. In Li Yi's view, he still needs to find a group of helpers, people who can truly stand in his own interests and speak for himself in the court.

This is why Li Yi conquered the two talents Lin Yuanlei and Yang Changji in the first place, hoping to have his own people to support him in the officialdom.

But right now, the two of them are of no use. The most practical way is to rely on the teacher's connections and their own abilities to build their own strength in Beijing.

Judging from the teacher's attitude, he also had this intention.

Using the political connections and accumulation of the emperor's master Sun Chengzong to pave the way for himself is like a top master passing on his inner strength to himself.

Now that we have met, we naturally want to eat and drink.

Cao Minglei has gained huge benefits from the Anxin Chamber of Commerce and has been tied up with Anxin. He will be both prosperous and humiliated.

Therefore, he frequently told Li Yi some secrets of civil and military officialdom at the banquet, and advised him to strive for meritorious service, return to the court in this chaos, and rise to the top in one step.

He also said that he had received an order from Yuan Chonghuan to lead an army to guard Jicheng and block Huang Taiji's army.

When the time comes, I will definitely try my best to assist Li Yi and earn merit.

After three rounds of drinking, we all had a great time.
To be continued...