PFC Chapter 1416 The Rebel Army Will Surely Win!
Chapter 1416 The Rebel Army Will Surely Win!
Just as the weapons manufacturing workshop was making intensive preparations, Chang Yuchun returned to the city with twenty elite brothers. They were travel-worn, but their faces were filled with excitement.
Upon seeing Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Qiwu, Chang Yuchun exclaimed, "Fourth Brother, Brother Qiwu, I'm back! The abandoned mine in the deep mountains west of the city indeed has saltpeter, and the reserves are quite abundant. I've already led men to collect a considerable amount, enough for us to make firearms for a while."
Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed: "Yuchun, you've worked hard! You've made a great contribution in this search for saltpeter! Quickly take the saltpeter to the weapons workshop and let the craftsmen start making gunpowder as soon as possible."
Chang Yuchun replied, "Yes, Fourth Brother!" After saying that, he directed his men to transport the collected saltpeter to the weapons manufacturing workshop.
Looking at the mountain of saltpeter, Zhu Qiwu was filled with excitement: "With this saltpeter, our firearms production can proceed smoothly. Fourth Brother, once the weapons manufacturing workshop has produced a large number of advanced weapons and firearms, we will launch a preemptive strike and deliver a heavy blow to the Yuan army!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes gleamed with determination: "Seventh Five, you're right! Now that our forces are gradually expanding and our equipment is becoming increasingly sophisticated, it's time to take the initiative. However, before we launch an attack, we must plan carefully to ensure that nothing goes wrong."
Just then, a soldier rushed over and reported, "Fourth Brother, a small Yuan army squad of about fifty men has been spotted patrolling the area outside the city."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "This Yuan army squad's sudden appearance here is probably not well-intentioned. Seventh Five, what's your opinion?"
A sly glint flashed in Zhu Qiwu's eyes: "Fourth Brother, this is a perfect opportunity. We can take this chance to test the power of the weapons and firearms made in the weapons manufacturing workshop, and at the same time, we can give this Yuan army squad a taste of their own medicine and let them know that our rebel army is not to be trifled with."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly: "Seven Five, what specific plans do you have?"
Zhu Qiwu leaned close to Zhu Yuanzhang's ear and whispered, "Fourth Brother, we can send a small team to ambush them on the only road outside the city. Once the Yuan army team enters the ambush, we can first use crossbows to shoot them and disrupt their formation, and then use firearms to attack and annihilate them in one fell swoop."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes revealed approval: "Seven-five, this plan is excellent! Let's do it this way. Dazi, you select twenty elite brothers, carry the newly made crossbows and firearms, and ambush them on the only road outside the city according to Seven-five's plan. You must annihilate this Yuan army squad."
Xu Da clasped his hands in a fist and accepted the order: "Yes, Fourth Brother!" After saying that, he turned around and selected his men to prepare to go to the city to ambush.
Zhu Qiwu watched Xu Da's departing figure, his heart filled with anticipation: "Brother Xu, you must win a brilliant battle!"
Before long, Xu Da led twenty elite brothers, carrying bows, crossbows and firearms, and quietly left the city, ambushing them on the only road outside the city.
Time passed slowly, and the sun gradually began to set. Finally, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar, and a small Yuan army detachment slowly came into view.
This small Yuan army unit, mounted on tall horses, clad in armor, and wielding long swords, marched arrogantly towards the city gate. They were completely unaware of the danger that was silently approaching.
As the Yuan army squad entered the ambush, Xu Da gave the order: "Fire!" Instantly, twenty arrows rained down on the Yuan army. Caught off guard, the Yuan soldiers were struck by arrows and fell from their horses, their formation immediately thrown into chaos.
Upon seeing this, the Yuan army squad leader shouted, "There's an ambush! Everyone be careful!" He then brandished his long sword, attempting to organize the remaining Yuan soldiers to launch a counterattack.
However, Xu Da would not give them that chance. He ordered again, "Firearms attack!" The elite soldiers quickly lit their firearms and hurled them at the Yuan army.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" After several loud explosions, firearms detonated among the Yuan army ranks, flames soaring into the sky and smoke billowing everywhere. The Yuan soldiers were blown to pieces, screaming in agony, and immediately routed.
Seeing that the time was ripe, Xu Da shouted, "Charge!" and led twenty elite brothers to charge towards the Yuan army like tigers descending a mountain. Wielding swords and spears, they engaged in fierce close combat with the remaining Yuan soldiers.
After a fierce battle, the fifty-man Yuan army squad was completely annihilated, with not a single soldier escaping. Xu Da looked at the Yuan soldiers' corpses scattered on the ground, a victorious smile spreading across his face. He ordered his brothers to clean up the battlefield, collect the Yuan soldiers' weapons and horses, and then returned to the city with news of the victory.
Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Qiwu were overjoyed to learn that Xu Da had successfully annihilated a Yuan army squad. Zhu Yuanzhang patted Xu Da on the shoulder and praised him, "Dazi, you did a great job! This battle not only tested the power of our newly made weapons and firearms, but also dealt a heavy blow to the Yuan army and greatly boosted the morale of our rebel army."
Xu Da chuckled and said, "Fourth Brother, it's all thanks to the brilliant strategies of Brothers Seven and Five. I was just following their instructions. Besides, all the brothers were brave and skilled in battle, which is why we were able to achieve such a victory."
Zhu Qiwu said with a smile, "Brother Xu, don't be modest. You commanded the battle well, and the brothers fought bravely. Everyone deserves credit. However, we cannot be complacent because of this victory. The Yuan army will not give up easily and will definitely send more troops to deal with us. We still need to continue to strengthen our forces and weapons production to prepare for greater challenges."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly: "Qiwu is right. Dazi, go and comfort the brothers who participated in this battle, let them rest well and recuperate. At the same time, distribute the captured Yuan army weapons and horses to improve the equipment level of our rebel army."
Xu Da accepted the order and left. Zhu Yuanzhang then turned to Zhu Qiwu and said, "Qiwu, you need to keep a close eye on the weapons manufacturing workshop to ensure the progress and quality of weapons and firearms production. Now that we have saltpeter, we can speed up the production of firearms. Strive to produce more advanced firearms as soon as possible so that our combat power can reach a new level."
Zhu Qiwu patted his chest and assured, "Fourth Brother, don't worry, I'll go to the weapons manufacturing workshop right away. I will strictly supervise the process to ensure that the weapons and firearms produced are of the highest quality."
After saying this, Zhu Qiwu hurriedly headed to the weapons manufacturing workshop. The workshop was bustling with activity. The craftsmen were working diligently; some were forging swords, some were making bows and crossbows, and others were researching firearms.
Zhu Qiwu moved between the different areas, carefully observing the craftsmen's work. When he arrived at the firearms production area, he found several craftsmen huddled together, seemingly encountering some problem.
Zhu Qiwu stepped forward and asked, "Brothers, what's wrong? Have you encountered any problems with firearms manufacturing?"
One of the craftsmen frowned and said, "Brother Qiwu, when we were making firearms, we found that the gunpowder burned too slowly, which greatly reduced the power of the firearms. We tried many methods, but we couldn't solve the problem."
After pondering for a moment, Zhu Qiwu said, "Brothers, I have an idea. We can add a mixture of charcoal powder and sulfur powder to the gunpowder, adjust the ratio, and see if it can increase the burning speed of the gunpowder." The craftsmen looked doubtful: "Brother Qiwu, will this work? We've never tried this method before."
Zhu Qiwu smiled confidently and said, "Brothers, why not give it a try? Sometimes, new methods can bring unexpected results. If we succeed this time, the power of our firearms will be greatly enhanced."
Inspired by Zhu Qiwu's confidence, the craftsmen nodded in agreement: "Alright, Brother Qiwu, we'll try it out according to your method."
So the craftsmen began adjusting the gunpowder formula according to Zhu Qiwu's advice. After some trials and improvements, they finally succeeded in producing gunpowder that burned faster.
When they loaded the new gunpowder into the firearms for testing, there was a loud "boom," and the projectiles fired by the firearms were so powerful that they shattered the distant target.
The craftsmen were overjoyed and cheered, "We did it! We did it!"
Looking at the successfully tested firearms, Zhu Qiwu smiled with satisfaction: "Brothers, you guys are amazing! With this new gunpowder, the power of our firearms will be greatly enhanced, and they will definitely play a huge role on the battlefield."
Just then, Xu Da rushed over and excitedly said, "Brother Qiwu, good news! Fourth Brother has decided to take the initiative and attack a nearby Yuan army stronghold. He sent me to inform you to prepare some advanced weapons and firearms as soon as possible for the brothers going on the expedition."
Zhu Qiwu's eyes lit up: "Brother Xu, this is a great opportunity! Don't worry, I will arrange for the craftsmen to work overtime to make weapons and firearms, and I will definitely prepare the best equipment for the brothers going to war."
After saying this, Zhu Qiwu summoned the craftsmen, conveyed Zhu Yuanzhang's decision, and encouraged everyone to work together to produce enough weapons and firearms as soon as possible.
Upon hearing this, the craftsmen all expressed their willingness to work overtime to contribute to the uprising. As a result, the weapons workshop was brightly lit, and the craftsmen worked tirelessly through the night.
After a night of hard work, the craftsmen finally produced a batch of advanced swords, bows, crossbows, and firearms. Looking at these brand-new weapons and firearms, Zhu Qiwu was filled with confidence: "With this equipment, we will definitely be able to capture that Yuan army stronghold and deal a heavy blow to the Yuan army!"
The next morning, Zhu Yuanzhang led his rebel army, armed with newly made weapons and firearms, in a grand procession toward the nearby Yuan army stronghold. Zhu Qiwu also followed in the ranks, feeling both excited and nervous.
When the rebel army arrived at the Yuan army's stronghold, they found the city walls to be tall and sturdy, heavily guarded. The Yuan soldiers stood on the walls, armed with bows and crossbows, ready for battle.
As Zhu Yuanzhang rode on his horse, looking at the Yuan army stronghold before him, he shouted, "Brothers, today we will capture this stronghold and let the Yuan army know the might of our rebel army! Everyone, fight bravely, overthrow the Yuan Dynasty, and restore the Han dynasty!"
Upon hearing this, the rebel soldiers raised their arms and shouted: "Overthrow the Yuan Dynasty and restore the Han Dynasty!"
At Zhu Yuanzhang's command, the rebel army launched an attack on the Yuan army's stronghold. Xu Da led a team of elite soldiers, armed with siege ladders, and charged towards the city wall. Braving a hail of arrows from the Yuan army, they struggled to climb the ladders, attempting to scale the wall.
Seeing this, the Yuan soldiers began shooting arrows and hurling stones at the rebels climbing the ladders. Arrows rained down from the city walls, and stones flew everywhere, causing heavy casualties among the rebels.
Seeing this, Zhu Qiwu was extremely anxious. He shouted, "Brother Xu, use firearms! Disrupt their formation!"
Upon hearing Zhu Qiwu's shout, Xu Da immediately ordered, "Firearms attack!" The rebel soldiers quickly lit their firearms and hurled them at the Yuan soldiers on the city wall.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" After several loud explosions, firearms detonated on the city walls, flames soaring into the sky and smoke billowing everywhere. The Yuan soldiers were blown to pieces, screaming in agony, and their formation was thrown into chaos.
Taking advantage of the situation, Xu Da led his elite troops to speed up their ascent of the siege ladders and quickly reached the top of the city wall. There, they engaged in fierce close combat with the Yuan army, swords flashing and blood splattering everywhere.
Meanwhile, Zhu Yuanzhang led other rebel soldiers in a fierce attack on the Yuan army's strongholds from all directions. Armed with swords and bows, they fought a desperate battle against the Yuan army.
After a fierce battle, the rebel army finally broke through the Yuan army's defenses and stormed into the stronghold. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the Yuan soldiers laid down their weapons and surrendered.
Looking at the captured Yuan stronghold, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled victoriously. He shouted, "Brothers, well done! Today we have successfully captured this stronghold, greatly weakening the Yuan army's power in the vicinity. This is the result of everyone's concerted efforts and valiant fighting!"
Upon hearing this, the rebel soldiers cheered, "Fourth Brother is mighty! The rebel army will surely win!"
Looking at the bustling scene before him, Zhu Qiwu was filled with emotion. He knew this was just the beginning, and many more challenges awaited them. But he firmly believed that as long as his brothers worked together, with their advanced weapons and firearms, they would surely be able to overthrow the Yuan Dynasty and establish a new one.
Just then, Xu Da walked up to Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Fourth Brother, we have discovered some important supplies and intelligence in the stronghold. One piece of intelligence indicates that the Yuan army is gathering forces and preparing for a large-scale counterattack against us. We must prepare to respond as soon as possible."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Dazi, tell me the details of the intelligence. We need to formulate a corresponding battle plan based on the movements of the Yuan army."
Xu Da nodded and reported the details of the intelligence to Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Qiwu. After listening, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Qiwu fell into deep thought.
Xu Da cleared his throat, his expression grave. "Fourth Brother, Seventh Five," he said, "according to intelligence, the Yuan army has assembled a force of up to 100,000, personally led by the renowned Yuan general Wang Baobao. Wang Baobao is a brilliant strategist and utterly loyal to the Yuan Dynasty. His all-out effort this time indicates his determination to wipe out our rebel army in one fell swoop." (End of Chapter)