Chapter 196 The Problem of Gunpowder

The time for the few people to talk soon came to the dinner party, and Fang Xuanling naturally stayed in the palace. This was not unusual for a prime minister of a country.

"I heard that you used a new thing on the grassland. Is it the gunpowder you mentioned before?"

After talking about serious matters, the emperor began to inquire about gunpowder. Originally, Li Xiang was going to present it to the emperor, but because of Tuyuhun's incident, the matter was delayed. What's more, the emperor didn't take it to heart at that time, thinking that it was a gunpowder. The power of the thing is not that great, it is purely exaggerated by Li Xiang.

Li Xiang had already thought about what his grandfather was thinking. Gunpowder is a monopoly in this era. Although Li Xiang is willing to make the Tang Dynasty live a better life, the current Tang Dynasty does not belong to Li Xiang. , so the gunpowder must be held in one's own hands.

"It is indeed the gunpowder that my grandson mentioned before."

According to Li Shimin's opinion, Li Xiang must be cunning. Even if he took the initiative to ask questions, this kid would never admit it. Unexpectedly, he admitted it like this, but Li Shimin didn't know how to go on.

"We have also heard that this kind of gunpowder is very powerful. This is one of the reasons why His Highness won the victory on the grassland. If all the armies of our Datang Dynasty are equipped with this kind of gunpowder, then the national power of our Datang Dynasty will increase by at least one degree in the future. More than times, if the surrounding countries saw such powerful weapons, would they still dare to have a dispute with me, the Tang Dynasty?"

Of course Fang Xuanling knew what Li Shimin was thinking, so he immediately turned to this matter.

"The Prime Minister is right, but gunpowder is as valuable as gold. If all the armies of the Tang Dynasty had to equip it, the cost would be huge."

Li Xiang's words immediately extinguished the heat between these two people.

If the value of gunpowder is equal to gold, then there is really no way to equip it on a large scale. As for the value of gunpowder, the two of them have also guessed that it must be very expensive, but it will definitely not be equal to the value of gold, but now they have no secret recipe. , everything is in Li Xiang's hands, and naturally Li Xiang will do whatever he says.

However, according to reports from frontline spies, gunpowder is indeed very precious. Officers at all levels have strict requirements on their subordinates. All gunpowder is usually weighed. Any loss of gunpowder must be explained in writing. If If you can't explain clearly, no matter what your background is, you must accept strict punishment.

"Grandpa, don't believe it. What my grandson says is true. This is the material for gunpowder..."

Li Xiang immediately took out a piece of paper from his pocket, which recorded the materials of gunpowder. Of course, the materials on it were half true and half false, and some of them were added by Li Xiang himself.

Li Shimin quickly asked Wang De to take it over, holding it in his hand as if he had found a treasure. Although Li Shimin had never heard of some materials, among the few materials he knew, they were indeed very expensive. If they were prepared according to this formula, although It's not the same as gold, but it's not far off.

"Some of these materials are extremely rare. Even if we bother to buy them, we can't buy too much. That's why Sun'er agreed to negotiate with them on the Tuyuhun matter. If there is enough gunpowder, Sun'er will definitely Immediately lead the troops south and defeat Tuyuhun."

What Li Xiang said was half true and half false. In fact, he had enough gunpowder, but when the major families seized Li Xiang's fruits in Tuyuhun, Li Xiang was already arranging this matter. Since you want If you swallow this apple, then I have to make this place a poisonous apple.

"You should collect this thing first. The imperial craftsmen probably won't be able to make it, but you must not let it out. Since it is so rare, it will be kept in your army for the time being. As for the consumption, please report it directly to the Ministry of Revenue. It is only around the palace. Can some be placed on the city wall?"

Li Shimin thought of the Xuanwu Gate Incident. If someone wanted to launch another coup, Li Shimin was now completely sure to suppress it, but if there was such a powerful force, wouldn't he be more sure?

"It is indeed a very good idea to shoot down from a high position on the city wall. My grandson immediately arranged for people to buy them at strategic points on the city wall. However, my grandfather needed to find someone to guard them, especially gunpowder. If it is not used every day, If weighing falls into the hands of someone with ulterior motives, the safety of the palace will be in danger..."

Gunpowder is a double-edged sword. Li Xiang puts all the gunpowder in the hands of the system soldiers, so there is no need to worry about the gunpowder flowing out, not even a tael. But in the hands of Li Shimin's people in the palace, this may be a problem. It's hard to say.

"Then you make preparations for the time being, and I will arrange the rest."

Although Li Shimin has not yet truly seen the power of gunpowder, he has already collected part of the memorial, and he can naturally deduce that when placing such a thing in the palace, he must be careful and careful. No one who is not his close confidant can use it.

Fang Xuanling was a little disappointed next to him. Although he knew that Li Xiang might be causing trouble here, anyone would probably do it. After all, this is not a gadget. If it can be convenient for the entire Tang Dynasty, then the border defenders It can be reduced by more than half, and the court's expenses can be reduced accordingly.

Now that Li Xiangyuan is also placed in the imperial city, this can be regarded as giving them an opportunity. If the craftsmen can develop it, the cost may be lowered.

Of course, Li Xiang also knew what they were thinking, so what he brought out was some rudimentary black powder. This kind of thing has limited power. Even if you can develop it, it will be ten or twenty years later. In the meantime, we have already Now that we have switched to smokeless gunpowder, we are naturally not afraid of you mastering this technology. We will definitely lead the world in terms of technology, and we must have it in our own hands.

Although the meal did not meet their respective requirements, it was still very perfect. Li Xiang was given thirty days of leave, including his soldiers, and he would take office in the Beiya Forbidden Army thirty days later.

"Your Highness."

Li Xiang and Fang Xuanling left the Qinzheng Hall together. Fang Xuanling basically would not take the initiative to speak, but after walking down the hall, Fang Xuanling took the initiative to call Li Xiang.

"Can the housing minister give you some advice?"

Li Xiang, the think tank of the Tang Dynasty, humbly bowed down to ask for advice. This person influenced almost all policies during the Zhenguan period, and he was no ordinary person...