Chapter 6, Issuing Orders for Relocation
"Why is there a craftsman at home? What does that wretched child intend to do now?" Li Siwen asked coldly
The intention arrives faster than one might imagine
Liu A-si shook his head firmly, saying, "I am certain there is none; a lowly person does not dare to speak recklessly with the Fifth Young Master."
Under a elm tree in the front yard of the Li family, a craftsman from the Military Equipment Supervision stood respectfully with his hands down in front of Li Qinzai, who was holding a blueprint and explaining it in detail
Wu Tong smiled and said, "Fifth Young Master must have come up with some novel invention, summoning the craftsmen from the Armory to create it."
"Are you certain that there is no strong bow capable of hitting a target with precision from a distance of more than one hundred paces?" Li Qinzai pressed for clarification
......
Li Qinzai came to his senses and exclaimed, "What expensive urine? What urine is so expensive?"
Hesitantly pointing at the component on the blueprint, the craftsman carefully remarked, "If this is equipped on a strong bow... can it truly reach two hundred paces?"
Thus, Li Qinzai also rose and bowed to Li Siwen, saying, "I have come to pay my respects..."
Liu A-si shook his head and let out a laugh
Staring at the fading figure of Li Qinzai, Liu A Si sighed and murmured softly, "What a pity..."
Until late at night, Li Qinzai was busy writing and drawing in his room. No one knew exactly what he was creating. Some bold servants cautiously pressed their ears against the wall outside, only to hear Li Qinzai inside the room occasionally chuckling softly, and at other times, erupting in a fit of rage, tearing the paper into shreds, crumpling it into a ball, and throwing it out the window
The range of bows and arrows in the Tang Dynasty is evidently still at a relatively primitive stage
Liu A-Si awkwardly said, "I am unaware, it was Steward Wu who mentioned it. Everyone in the residence knows that a few years ago, Steward Wu became acquainted with some high-level individual who taught him a superficial method for treating excessive internal heat. Since then, Steward Wu has been searching throughout the residence, specifically looking for those suffering from excessive internal heat to prescribe remedies..."
Under the corridor not far from the front yard, outside the screen wall, and within the hall columns, the servants of the Li family gathered in groups of three to five, watching the discussions between Li Qinzai and the craftsmen not far away
In addition to Li Zhen, the eldest son of Li Zhen, who serves as an official outside, and his grandsons Li Jingye and Li Jingyou, all those in the residence, including Li Qinzai, came out to welcome and kneel to receive the imperial edict.
"Ahem, Fifth Young Master, I heard from Steward Wu that soaking a small amount of dried chrysanthemums and licorice in water daily can... um, can make your urine as clear as a spring." Liu A-si hesitantly suggested
Is a hundred paces the range of all the bows and arrows in the army? Are there bows with a longer range?
The craftsman chuckled and said, "Young master, you are being amusing again..."
The most obscure and difficult classical text was read aloud by the eunuch, and judging by the unpleasant expressions of the Li family members, it was evident that the content of the imperial edict was not praising Li Qinzai for his handsome appearance and good character
......
I am in trouble! I have boarded a pirate ship
It is unclear why the Fifth Young Master has undergone such a drastic change in temperament; this transformation is naturally much more approachable for the members of their retinue, and they are also pleased to witness this development
The Li family originally hailed from a lineage of military leaders, and the head of the family was the most renowned general in the Tang Dynasty. Naturally, the officials of the Duke's residence and the Military Equipment Bureau maintained a good relationship.
The craftsman began to sift the chaff again, his body trembling as he bowed, saying, "I will do my utmost! I will exert myself to the limit! By tomorrow morning at the latest, it will be completed!"
The meaning of that imperial banquet is that the court officials' discussions are too harsh for me to bear, I apologize, but I must deal with your five grandsons!
In the past two days, rumors have been rampant among the servants in the manor. It seems that the Fifth Young Master cannot escape this calamity. Perhaps in a few days, there will be an imperial decree from the Emperor, and the outcome of the Fifth Young Master being exiled a thousand miles away is unlikely to change
The craftsman, though skeptical, still responded respectfully due to Li Qinzai's status
While the subordinates were unaware of what the Fifth Young Master was actually doing and were gathered together whispering among themselves, Li Qinzai in the room suddenly burst into a loud laugh
However, the Fifth Young Master ultimately caused a tremendous disaster, implicating the entire Li family, and even the old duke was left in a state of embarrassment by the court officials, unsure of how to respond
Li Qinzai and *Tu* were about to say something when they suddenly heard a commotion outside the main door. Turning their heads to look, they realized that Old Man Li Siwen had returned from outside
Li Qinzai sighed and said, "Of course, it is to increase the range of the bow and arrow, turning a range of 100 steps into 200 steps. On the battlefield, when the two armies face each other, having a range that is half superior to that of the enemy, isn't that appealing?"
Do you understand the drawings? Go back and work through the night to complete them. I trust you know that I am currently in trouble and may very well be sentenced to exile for a thousand miles. If you have not finished the work before the exile, I will take you along with me for a thousand miles.
A privileged and indulgent aristocrat, and a humble yet skilled arms craftsman
Liu A-si let out a sigh of relief
Liu A-si uncomfortably smacked his lips
Seeing the craftsman trembling all over like a sieve, Li Qinzai laughed heartily, patted him on the shoulder, and said: "Just kidding, do your best."
The materials are very important. Remember that the bow limbs must be made of mountain mulberry wood. The bowstring consists of six materials: hemp, horn, sinew, and glue, among others. The materials must be sufficient to ensure that it can draw at least 8 stones without breaking. You should understand this, right
Looking at Li Qinzai's back, Liu A Si shook his head
Clearly, accuracy from a hundred paces away can only rely on luck
This father is truly utterly disappointed in himself, and his indifference has become his greatest act of mercy
Before he could finish speaking, Li Siwen walked past him, completely ignoring his greeting as if he were air
The attentive butler, Wu Tong, who accompanied Li Siwen into the inner residence, cast a sympathetic glance at Li Qinzai, yet continued to eagerly escort Li Siwen inside the dwelling
Li Qinzai was stunned for a long while, and after a while, he did not utter a word
A bow and arrow with double the range, if known to the current rulers and ministers of the Great Tang, should... perhaps... be able to mitigate punishment
Li Qinzai has also come to understand some of the rules of this world, where it is essential for elders and juniors, as well as between fathers and sons, to observe proper etiquette and decorum
The craftsmen from the Armory were soon summoned
Since it is an unchangeable fact and a matter of record, for Li Zhi, it is better to act sooner rather than later
The next morning, the main gate of the British consulate suddenly swung open.
Li Qinzai, with a serious expression, said: "Since you are aware of such confidential matters, we should establish a military order. If this does not succeed, I cannot be held accountable with my life, can I?"
The desire of the soldiers in the army for territorial expansion is even greater than during the Zhenguan period. If a long-range weapon with double the range were to be added to the battlefield, its significance to the emperor and the army would be self-evident
The meaningless conversation came to an end. After greeting Liu A-si, Li Qinzai turned and returned to the inner courtyard.
Li Qinzai vaguely remembered that if a small device were added between the bowstring and the bow arm, the shooting range could at least double
After leaving the palace and returning home from the banquet, Li Yan had not seen Li Qinzai, and it was evident that he had resigned himself to the reality.
Li Qinzai, the grandson of the British nobleman Li Zhen, displayed a lack of virtue in his conduct, possessed a rebellious nature, and exhibited a thin character. He showed disrespect towards the late emperor and held the imperial authority in contempt. It was decreed that he be relocated to Lingnan immediately, and he shall not return to the capital for five years
The bold servant crouched down to retrieve the paper that Li Qinzai had thrown out of the window. After unfolding and piecing it together, he discovered that it was covered with a variety of strange and peculiar drawings, seemingly depicting the blueprint of a certain component
Leaving Li Qinzai's line of sight, she circled around the front hall and arrived at the secluded path in the backyard garden, where Li Siwen, who had remained silent for a long time, finally broke the silence
Recently, Li Zhi hosted a banquet for Li Yan at the Taiji Palace, which can be considered a subtle advance notice.
The eunuch slowly unfolded the imperial edict, and behind the incense table in the front courtyard, the atmosphere suddenly became tense and stagnant
The grievances between father and son left Wu Tong unable to interject, and he could only smile awkwardly
The craftsman widened his eyes in astonishment: "A range that can be doubled? Is it due to this object? This... Young Master, this is a matter of great importance for the military, and one cannot speak lightly of it"
Li Qinzai stared at him seriously and said, "No, this sentence is serious"
The craftsman was taken aback and stammered, "The head of the person on the little man's neck?"
"Did I deceive you into thinking there is money to be made?" Li Qinzai glanced at him and said, "The blueprints are just like the illustrations in a book; by following the designs to manufacture the components, you will know whether what I said is true or false."
The present Tang Dynasty is a time of vibrant vitality, with the military displaying its sharp prowess. Li Zhi is particularly ambitious, secretly harboring a strong determination to surpass the late Emperor Taizong and step out of the shadow of his father's civil and military achievements
Li Siwen's face flashed with a hint of anger as he said in a deep voice: "Wretched child! Even after causing such a great disaster, you still do not cease your actions! The Military Equipment Bureau manufactures weapons for the nation; when has it ever been the time for this debauched and indulgent scion to make use of them? Utterly outrageous!"
The craftsman's face instantly turned pale
Li Qinzai, mingling among the crowd, understood after hearing the whispers of the Li family beside him
Li Qinzai swore earnestly, "I swear by the hair on your head that I will definitely succeed!"
Li Qinzai glanced at him and said, "Interesting." The comment clearly came from the craftsman's heart, very sincere; he got my sense of humor, he understands me
"Wu Tong, convey my order to the old man, instructing the craftsmen to return and behave themselves, and not to indulge this young scion in his mischief"
Its shape is both flat and elongated, with a groove in the middle, mechanical components, and buckle slots at both ends, one end larger and the other smaller. When viewed from the front, it appears flat like a duck's bill, with a mechanical spring secured between the upper and lower parts.
The craftsman respectfully nodded and said, "I understand, there are ready-made eight-stone strong bows in the Armory, which can be taken and slightly modified."
After the eunuch announced the decree, he quickly cast a glance at Li Qinzai among the crowd receiving the edict, then smiled and helped Li Yan up, continuously bowing in greeting.
Two people huddled together to talk, and the scene looks completely out of place, utterly mismatched
Today, the young master of the Five Young Lords behaved strangely; instead of taking medicine for his fiery temperament, he was instead engaging in meaningless chatter with those military men at the entrance.
Unfamiliar with this world, Li Qinzai is uncertain whether the range of the bow and arrow is truly limited to one hundred paces.
This child truly lives up to the notorious reputation of being a scoundrel, as a casual dig reveals a deep pit.
"The young gentleman truly has a knack for *illustrated* books... Haha, quite amusing indeed"
Wu Tong could only respond with a submissive agreement
Despite carrying a significant burden, Li Qinzai surprisingly had the leisure to calculate the range of bows and arrows from the Tang Dynasty, truly a sign of his carefree nature
The craftsman's rhythm of sifting the chaff suddenly relaxed, as he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and forced out an unappealing smile
Butler Wu and the servants stepped forward to lead the horses and assist with the stirrups, respectfully greeting and inquiring about their well-being
In the front yard, Li Qinzai explained for nearly half an hour, yet the craftsman still looked bewildered.
Since this young master of the Wu family got into serious trouble and was intermittently taught a lesson by Er Lang several times, both his temperament and character have become quite strange, as if he has become a different person, making it difficult for others to adapt
Uh, young sir, please forgive my ignorance; I am but an old fool. What exactly is the purpose of this object
A eunuch dressed in a deep purple official robe held a yellow silk imperial edict high above his head as he confidently walked into the Duke's residence
Li Qinzai nodded, no wonder that old lecher was peeking at him while he urinated, not afraid of getting a needle's eye
Then the door opened, and Li Qinzai stepped out, commanding his servants to quickly find the weapons craftsmen
Returning to his own bedroom in the inner quarters, Li Qinzai instructed someone to bring paper and pen, then closed the door, remaining inside all day without coming out, even his meals were delivered by the maid
Liu A-si pondered for a moment and said, "There are five strong bows made of stone, not many in number, all held by robust soldiers in the army. Their range can reach beyond one hundred and forty to fifty paces, but the accuracy beyond one hundred paces..."
In previous lives, I have seen some educational films produced by the central bank, which mentioned that the shooting range of ancient bows and arrows was relatively primitive, just over 100 meters. It was only after the improvements made by the Song people that significant progress was achieved in shooting range
Li Qinzai was not embarrassed; he merely sighed
Li Siwen, with a blank expression, entered through the side door, circled around the screen wall, and walked towards the front courtyard
After all, the discussions and accusations in the court have been growing louder, and it can be said that the grievances among officials are boiling over. If the emperor hesitates to take action due to Li Yi's achievements, it would also be a detriment to the authority and majesty of the imperial power