novelapdf 106. Military power
106. Military power
The first rays of morning sunlight shone on the workshop area of Seven Wonders Manor, and the clanging of blacksmiths' hammers echoed throughout the area. Lin Mo stood in the center of the workshop, watching the craftsmen busily working on the crossbows ordered by the Ministry of War.
"Master, at the current pace, completing three hundred Swiftwind Crossbows by the end of the month shouldn't be a problem," the workshop manager reported. "It's just that the supply of refined steel is a bit tight. It seems that the Imperial Guard is secretly putting pressure on several mines, restricting the sale of raw materials to us."
Lin Mo's expression remained unchanged: "Activate the backup channels and purchase from the Shen family's mines in Jiangnan. Also, have the secret guards investigate who within the inner guards is behind this."
"Yes." The steward accepted the order and left.
Lin Mo walked to a nearly completed crossbow and ran his hand over its cold body. In his memories from his previous life, this type of crossbow played a vital role in the border army, but it was precisely because of its supply of military equipment that Seven Absolutes Manor was targeted by the Imperial Guards, ultimately leading to its annihilation.
In this life, he not only has to prevent the tragedy from repeating itself, but also use the arms trade to completely dismantle the power of the Imperial Guard.
"Master, the special envoy sent by the border army has arrived," a disciple announced.
Lin Mo straightened his robes: "Please come to the main hall."
Upon entering the main hall, a general in military uniform with a curved sword at his waist was already waiting. Seeing Lin Mo, he clasped his hands in a salute: "This humble general, Han Xiong, commander of the vanguard battalion of the border army, has come by order of the Prince of Zhenbei to oversee matters concerning the crossbows."
Lin Mo returned the greeting: "General Han, you've come from afar, you must be tired."
Han Xiong was a burly man with a dark complexion, clearly a seasoned and valiant general. He cut to the chase: "Master Lin, the border troops urgently need these crossbows. Recently, the activities of the foreign tribes have been frequent, and our scouts have encountered their cavalry on several occasions. The existing crossbows are not long enough, which is a significant disadvantage."
Lin Mo gestured to his disciple to bring over a completed Swiftwind Crossbow: "General Han can try it out himself."
Han Xiong accepted the offer without hesitation, took the crossbow, and walked into the courtyard, aiming it at the target 280 paces away. The crossbow bolt pierced the air and hit the bullseye.
"Excellent crossbow!" Han Xiong's eyes flashed with surprise, but he immediately frowned. "However, this crossbow is quite heavy. Will it be convenient to carry during marches?"
Lin Mo was prepared and signaled his disciple to demonstrate the disassembly. In just a short while, a complete Gale Crossbow was disassembled into several parts and packed into a specially made bag.
"Each disassembled component weighs no more than ten pounds, making it easy for soldiers to carry," Lin Mo explained. "Assembly also only takes about half an incense stick's time."
Han Xiong finally smiled: "Master Lin's considerations are thorough; I admire them."
Over the next few days, Han Xiong stayed at Seven Absolutes Manor to personally supervise the production of crossbows. Lin Mo took the opportunity to talk with him several times, gradually figuring out the situation of the border troops.
"The Prince of Zhenbei has been in poor health in recent years, and military affairs are mostly handled by his deputy." At a banquet, Han Xiong drank a few more cups and became more talkative. "However, the Prince is quite dissatisfied with the court, believing that the Ministry of War is withholding military pay and that equipment supplies are delayed."
Lin Mo's heart skipped a beat: "Oh? Is that so? Minister Cui of the Ministry of War has always valued the border troops; this shouldn't be the case."
Han Xiong snorted coldly: "Isn't it all because of those people in the Imperial Guards who are causing trouble! They've controlled the Ministry of Revenue's allocation of grain and salary, deliberately delaying the border troops' supplies."
Lin Mo poured Han Xiong a full glass of wine: "General Han, although Seven Absolutes Manor is a martial arts sect, it also cares about the soldiers on the border. If the border troops need anything, please feel free to ask."
Han Xiong glanced around and lowered his voice: "Master Lin, to be honest, what the border army lacks most right now is not crossbows, but a lightweight crossbow cart that can move quickly. The foreign cavalry comes and goes like the wind, and we lack effective means to counter them."
Lin Mo immediately recalled a piece of equipment from his previous life called the "Flying Wolf Ballista." He had developed it later, and in this life, he could use it ahead of time.
"General Han, Seven Absolutes Manor might be able to solve this problem." Lin Mo took out paper and pen and quickly sketched out a draft of the Flying Wolf Ballista. "This kind of ballista can be quickly disassembled, transported by warhorses, and after assembly, it can fire ten crossbow bolts in succession, specifically to deal with cavalry."
Han Xiong's eyes lit up: "Master Lin, this...this is truly a godsend!"
"However..." Lin Mo changed the subject, "The manufacture of this kind of crossbow requires special technology, and it would be best to produce it locally at the border to avoid transportation difficulties."
Han Xiong immediately understood Lin Mo's meaning: "Does Master Lin wish to establish workshops on the border?"
"Exactly. Seven Wonders Manor can send craftsmen to provide guidance, and the border troops can contribute manpower and resources to produce the goods together," Lin Mo said. "This will not only solve the problem of crossbow supply, but also provide a livelihood for the people on the border."
Han Xiong slammed his hand on the table in excitement and stood up: "Brilliant! Brilliant indeed! I'll write a letter to the Prince of Zhenbei right away!"
Ten days later, the first batch of three hundred crossbows was ready. Han Xiong personally escorted them back to the border. Before leaving, he gave Lin Mo a bronze tiger tally.
"Master Lin, this is a token of the border army. With this token, one can pass through all the fortresses on the border without hindrance," Han Xiong said solemnly. "The Prince of Zhenbei has agreed to set up workshops on the border. Once I have made the necessary preparations, I will ask the Master to send someone over."
After seeing Han Xiong off, Lin Mo stroked the tiger tally in his hand, pondering his next plan. Establishing workshops at the border would not only provide equipment for the border troops, but also provide an opportunity to lay out a strategy at the border and prepare for dealing with the internal guards in the future.
"Master, a letter has arrived from the capital." The disciple presented a confidential letter.
Lin Mo opened the letter and saw that it was written in Zhao Yuanwu's handwriting. The letter mentioned that the Imperial Guard was very dissatisfied with the contact between the Seven Absolutes Manor and the border army, and had already dispatched a special team to sabotage the crossbows being transported to the border.
"As expected, he couldn't hold back any longer." Lin Mo sneered.
He immediately summoned Lin Feng, the commander of the secret guards: "Take a team and secretly protect the crossbow convoy. The inner guards might make their move halfway there."
"Understood, Your Highness." Lin Feng accepted the order. "Master, if we encounter any of the Imperial Guards..."
"Kill them without mercy." A cold glint flashed in Lin Mo's eyes. "Remember, do it cleanly and efficiently, and don't leave any evidence."
Three days later, Lin Feng brought back news. The crossbow convoy was indeed attacked while passing through Black Wind Gorge. A group of masked men attempted to set fire to the crossbows, but were stopped in time by the guards. In the fierce battle, three of the attackers died, and their bodies were disposed of.
"Judging from their martial arts style, they are indeed from the Imperial Guard," Lin Feng reported. "They use a special kind of kerosene that is very difficult to extinguish once it is lit."
Lin Mo nodded: "Well done. Don't make a fuss about this; I have my own plans."
A few days later, news came from the border that the crossbows had arrived safely. Han Xiong expressed his gratitude repeatedly in his letter and invited Lin Mo to go to the border as soon as possible to discuss the construction of the workshop.
Meanwhile, spies in the capital also sent back important intelligence: the Imperial Guards were secretly mobilizing their forces, seemingly planning some major operation.
As night deepened, Lin Mo stood alone on the observatory at the highest point of the manor, gazing northward. The border army line had been initially established; the next step was to leverage this force to gradually dismantle the power of the inner guard.
The hatred of his past life, the schemes of this one—everything is proceeding according to plan. But he knows the real battle has only just begun. The Imperial Guards will not stand idly by while Seven Absolutes Manor grows stronger; even fiercer conflicts lie ahead.
The night wind rustled his robes. Under the moonlight, his gaze grew even more resolute. He was determined to win this game, not only for revenge, but also to rewrite the fate of Seven Absolutes Manor and his past life.