The gunpowder production on Tianfei Island in the Song Dynasty has maintained the highest gunpowder output in recent months. Due to the tight current situation, finished firearms are no longer made here and have become a specialized production base for gunpowder. However, in this era, gunpowder production still has to be restricted by raw materials, and the output cannot increase upward.

Wang Jinghui was also very worried about the supply of gunpowder. In this era dominated by cold weapons combat, gunpowder weapons were originally subordinate and assisting. However, given the huge effect of gunpowder weapons in defending and siege wars, Wang Jinghui himself promoted the fire-making catalysis, the installation of gunpowder weapons in the Song Dynasty has far exceeded the historical level. The use of firearms was unprecedentedly valued by the Song Dynasty military. The backward work workshop-style production level of Tianfei Island, under the attention of war and the high-level ruling, Nissan black gunpowder has reached the level of twenty stones (one stone in the Song Dynasty is about kilograms)!

Wang Jinghui was very happy with the rapid development of the Song Dynasty military industry, especially the rapid development of firearms in recent years, but it also made him very troubled - firearms were undoubtedly "noble" weapons in this era, and the cost was still too high. Although he had used various means, such as selling firearms to Goryeo and even Japan, in order to calm the current high cost of firearms, the cost of a thunder has dropped to 300 cents. If we consider the comprehensive effect of selling weapons, then the Da Song Dynasty equipped with such a firearm can be reduced to 100 cents.

Although the threshold for firearm equipment has been lowered, the current problem is that Dasong is willing to expand the scale of firearm equipment, but the raw materials for making firearms are very scarce! The solution is either. The best way is to speed up the control of sulfur balls, and obtain a large amount of sulfur, saltpeter and other resources required to make gunpowder. If you are lucky, you can further reduce the cost of gunpowder.

Wang Jinghui ran to Tianzhu Island several times. He had the power to enter and exit Tianzhu Island at any time. There were only four or five people with this power in the Song Dynasty. In addition to improving the ingredients of gunpowder, the most important thing was that the establishment of Tianzhu Island was advocated by Wang Jinghui. This was entirely to strengthen the confidentiality of the gunpowder formula - it was always the same. The type of firearms is of course very important, but without gunpowder, everything is useless. At least through the information feedback from the Intelligence Bureau, Wang Jinghui knew that the Dangxiang people had suffered such a great loss after eating firearms. Xingqing Prefecture and the Jianing Military Office had already offered sky-high prices to find the secret of the gunpowder formula for the Song Dynasty, but the Khitans who made him feel even more terrified were more enthusiastic about this place.

King Jinghui of Liao had never relaxed. Although he knew that the Liao Kingdom could no longer pose any threat to the Song Dynasty, the lean camel was larger than a horse. Although the Liao Kingdom was weak, it was still the most powerful country in this era. If the Song Dynasty did not have a solid city wall and exquisite city defense tactics, it would not be able to compete with the Khitans on the plains. What made him more relieved was that in this time and space, the rule of the Liao Kingdom was not greatly affected by the high-level rule of the Liao Kingdom, except for the worsening of the Liao Kingdom's economy.

What made Wang Jinghui most interesting was that all the signs showed that the ruling senior leaders of the Liao Kingdom did not have much interest in gunpowder, because the Liao Kingdom also had gunpowder now, but the tactical thinking of the Liao army was still dominated by cavalry combat. Although the Khitans themselves knew very well. The Song Dynasty on the opposite side wanted to take back the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun at all times, what could be comparable to the cavalry in the plains? Before the Song Dynasty had the ability to launch a war of 100,000 units, the Khitans simply ignored the Song Dynasty, let alone in terms of cavalry tactics and qualities, who could compare with the Liao Kingdom? This determined that although the Khitans were surprised by the role of firearms, they had not yet reached the height of the importance attached to Xingqing Prefecture and the Jianing Military Office. The Khitans who were interested in firearms were not in Dading Prefecture, but in Kaifeng, the Bian capital!

"The Liao Kingdom is not without talented people!" Wang Jinghui calculated in his mind that he naturally did not dare to care about the confidentiality of gunpowder. He really couldn't imagine what changes would happen in history if the Liao Kingdom mastered the technology of producing gunpowder in the Song Dynasty. But this was definitely not good news for the Song Dynasty in any case.

Fortunately, all the military gunpowder in the Song Dynasty was produced on the Tianfei Island, and Tianfei Island was made like an iron barrel by Wang Jinghui. Not to mention being able to go to the island, it would be harder to climb to the sky even if it was close. If anyone could succeed under such complete anti-theft measures, Wang Jinghui might really hit the wall.

The clue that the Khitans value gunpowder was reported by the secret spies from the Song Dynasty who were in the Dading Prefecture of Liao Kingdom. When a senior official of Liao Kingdom played chess with his friends in Fahua Temple, he told Xiao Youdan, the envoy of Liao Kingdom to the Song Dynasty, to suggest Yelu Hongji to develop firearms as a joke. This Zen Master Puzhi was a monk who was selected from the Daxiangguo Temple to the Liao Kingdom to "transmit the scriptures". He did not preside over the Dading Prefecture spy network, but he still told his "apprentice" and passed the news back to the Song Dynasty. Any information about gunpowder formulas was paid attention to by Wang Jinghui. The Intelligence Bureau joined hands with the Imperial City Department to conduct a detailed investigation of Xiao Youdan, the envoy of Liao Kingdom to the Song Dynasty. The conclusion was that this guy secretly bribed a group of Song Dynasty officials and tried every means to spy on the military production of gunpowder in the Song Dynasty.

There are many officials in the third rank on Xiao Youdan's list of officials who were bribed by the Song Dynasty. Unfortunately, in the face of Wang Jinghui's anti-theft measures, they all returned in vain. It was a pity to buy high-ranking officials like Sima Guang, Wen Yanbo and Wang Anshi to serve the Liao Kingdom. The information shows that Xiao Youdan has sent people to Chuzhou. Starting from the Chuzhou Maritime Warehouse Office, they want to know why the Song Dynasty had such sufficient raw materials to expand gunpowder production.

Xiao Youdan's action immediately attracted Wang Jinghui's attention. The Liao envoy who was exiled by Yelu Hongji and was not valued immediately rose to his mind by several levels. The gunpowder formula can greatly enhance the power of gunpowder and make the firearm more valuable for war. However, the only way to enhance the war value of firearms is not the only way to improve the war. Any weapon still depends on whether it can be produced in large quantities. If it cannot be produced in large quantities, the impact on the war is still very small. You can count on a machine gun to change China's history, of course, unless he kills the other party's emperor or important minister-level figure.

Even though the Liao Kingdom did not have the best formula, as long as it had sufficient raw materials, it could still equip firearms on a large scale. The Liao Kingdom also had the ability to produce firearms. In history, there were several firearms that did very well in this regard. Even the prototype of the thunder was born in the Liao Kingdom! That was very bad for the Song Dynasty. Especially in early November last year, the Liao Kingdom sent an envoy to congratulate the Song Dynasty on the birth of the Empress Dowager. When passing by Hebei, he accepted a gift from Han Qi.

It was not a sporadic exercise of using firearms, but a real-life military exercise of firearms. Except for the use of incendiary bombs made of oil, other firearms were exhausted by Han Qi. A military exercise killed half of his inventory! A large number of firearms scared the Liao envoys. In the past, the Liao envoys were domineering even in the capital of the Song Dynasty, but this time it was abnormal. The Liao envoys, full of firearm explosions, were respectful in Kaifeng, Bian capital, which made Emperor Zhao Xu and the emperor were very satisfied.

Xiao Youdan was disappointed in the gunpowder formula, but if he could figure out where the raw materials for the Song Dynasty could produce gunpowder on a large scale came from, it would be a great gain. You should know that the sulfur and saltpeter resources of the Liao Kingdom were even more embarrassing than the Song Dynasty. The cost of producing firearms there was even higher. It could reduce the cost and make it widely used in siege wars. This was still very tempting for the top leaders of the Liao Kingdom's rule. It was precisely because of the high walls of the Song Dynasty that the Liao Kingdom had to maintain a mysterious balance with the Song Dynasty. This balance has lasted for decades. Although the strength of the Liao Kingdom was much weaker, the top leaders of the Liao Kingdom did not have the ambition to annex the world as in the era of Empress Dowager Xiao. However, the top leaders of the Liao Kingdom were still very happy to be able to deal with the Song army.

The raw materials of the Great Song Dynasty gunpowder have undergone great changes in the past six months under the promotion of Wang Jinghui. After learning that the small overseas country of Sulfur Ball actually has rich sulfur and saltpeter resources, Emperor Zhao Xu, Wang Anshi, Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo immediately read out the Chuzhou Maritime Bureau to strengthen trade with sulfur and saltpeter. The importance of the rule of the top leaders caused the Song Dynasty gunpowder raw materials to undergo great changes in a short period of time. 60% of the raw materials of the Tianfei Island relies on imports from sulfur balls. The number of imported materials in such a large area is unknown to the people, but it is not difficult to inquire. Xiao Youdan easily knew that the resources of the sulfur balls are an important basis for the military industry of the Great Song Dynasty firearms.

Wang Jinghui's intelligence network is a teleporter transmission of information. Xiao Youdan's spy was still on the way back to Biandu. Since learning that Xiao Youdan, a dangerous person, was so concerned about the Dasong firearm, Wang Jinghui has also devoted the same "care" to Xiao Youdan without hesitation. The power of the Imperial City Department under Emperor Zhao Xu is still strong. Although the range of activities of the Imperial City Department rarely leaves the Gyeonggi Road, at least in the Song Dynasty, where local officials did not bow their heads when they saw the Imperial City Department's waist cards? Wang Jinghui's intelligence bureau is still not as good as the Imperial City Department in this regard. This time, he can monitor Xiao Youdan so closely. Thanks to the strength of the Imperial City Department. With the communication advantages of the Intelligence Bureau, he was almost one step faster than Xiao Youdan.

"This Liao spy cannot be kept. He must be asked to disappear before he enters Kaifeng City. Otherwise, letting the Liao country know the source of sulfur and saltpeter may be detrimental to our Song Dynasty!" Wen Yanbo said with his hands down.

"The source of gunpowder raw materials is of great importance. This Liao spy cannot be kept!" Wang Anshi said.

"Ginger is still the old man!" Wang Jinghui complained on the side. He didn't expect that Wen Yanbo would use the special term "disappear" of the gang boss in later generations, almost making him laugh in public in Funing Hall. However, no matter how joking, people who can gain a foothold in the high-level rule of the Song Dynasty and can still stand in this position after decades of ups and downs in the officialdom, even when Wang Anshi and Wen Yanbo face serious business, the methods they use are not as legitimate as later generations imagine.

When Wang Anshi's new law was questioned a few months ago, Wang Anshi began to take the idea of ​​the Imperial City Department and wanted to rely on the spy organization to suppress opposition remarks. However, the cooperative relationship between the Imperial City Department and the Intelligence Bureau made Wang Jinghui realize this problem early and failed after obstructing it. Although he later learned that Wang Anshi had nothing to do with this matter, it was all created by Wang Yun, who liked to play with power, but without Wang Anshi's head, Wang Rong dared to do this?!

"What do you think?!" Emperor Zhao Xu turned his gaze to Wang Jinghui. Sima Guang, Wen Yanbo and Wang Anshi were also watching him because this information was submitted by him. This meeting was to discuss Xiao Youdan's spy in Chuzhou, so his suggestions were very important.

"It is not difficult to let this spy disappear. According to the distance, it will take two days for this spy to enter the city and have enough time to silence! However, it is easy to silence, but Xiao Youdan will definitely send a second one. The third spy will go to Chuzhou. It is not a decimal to buy saltpeter and sulfur from sulfur balls. As long as he finds someone to go to Chuzhou, he can know it. So it is impossible to prevent it. I think it is better to be different!" Wang Jinghui said.

After Wang Jinghui received this news, he thought about silence, but he gave up. He was unwilling to waste his energy on the useless things. Xiao Youdan kept sending people to watch him. Besides, a cautious and visionary opponent like Xiao Youdan would kill his spies and make him more cautious. It would be difficult to catch his tail in the future. It would be better to go with the flow and use it as bait to seek greater benefits.

"The Khitan also has a fleet, and they smuggled to the north of the Song Dynasty. The Maritime Trade Fleet and the escort fleet of the Maritime Trade Fleet have also encountered Khitan pirates. It is reported that the Khitan also has a naval army, so this must be guarded!" Wen Yanbo said.

Wang Jinghui turned around and smiled at Wen Yanbo and said, "Does Lord Wen think it is the Khitan naval army that is powerful, or is it the navy of my Song Dynasty that is even more powerful?"

"Although the two armies have never fought, our Song Dynasty escort fleet can deal with these Khitan pirates without any effort. I think our Song Dynasty naval army will be even more powerful!"

"Sage, the sea is different from the land. The Song Dynasty may be inferior to the Khitan on land by cavalry, but it still emphasizes weapons and navigation technology at sea. No matter which Khitan is, it is far inferior to us. Therefore, the Khitan cannot cause any harm to the Song Dynasty at sea. Even if they buy sulfur and saltpeter, they will not want to transport it back!"

Emperor Zhao Xu nodded after hearing this, and said with a smile: "Your dear seems to have not fulfilled your wishes, and there must be a plan for you. Even if you say it!"

Wang Jinghui bowed and said, "Master, the Song Dynasty has been buying saltpeter and sulfur from sulfur balls to make gunpowder on a large scale since last year. Now it seems that the cost of firearms has dropped by one third on the original basis. However, as the number of purchases increases, the prices of these minerals sold to me by the Song Dynasty are also increasing. The cost saved by these one-third is likely to be compensated because of the rise in the trade of sulfur balls! The price of ore increases because of the large amount of purchases in the Song Dynasty and the mining of sulfur balls cannot keep up for the time being, but more importantly, the sulfur ball wants to make a fortune by taking advantage of the increasing demand for minerals in the Song Dynasty. People are not satisfied with the snake! Master, don't forget that the sulfur ball also surrenders to the Liao Kingdom, and holds the mineral resources urgently needed by the Song Dynasty. This is not in the interests of the Song Dynasty!"

After hearing Wang Jinghui's words, the people in the Funing Palace couldn't help but tighten their eyebrows. The continuous rise in sulfur balls of land and ore prices did touch their hearts. Since the Song Dynasty began to purchase sulfur balls of minerals, the price of ore has more than doubled in just half a year. When Wang Jinghui suggested that the Song Dynasty should develop its power to overseas countries last year, the original driving force that could touch them was that the Song Dynasty had very lacked resources overseas. The sulfur balls of sulfur balls of saltpeter reduced the cost of the Song Dynasty's firearms in a short period of time, so they naturally did not want to rise again. Moreover, if the sulfur balls learned to make gunpowder, what should we do in the future? This is a very important hidden danger to the prosperous sea trade of the Song Dynasty!

"What good plan do you have to solve it?" Emperor Zhao Xu asked. Although he realized that the sulfur ball was a little wrong and that the Liao Kingdom also wanted to play the sulfur ball, he knew that since Wang Jinghui had told the problem, there would naturally be a solution.

"Turn the tiger and swallow the wolf! I used the country to deal with the sulfur, and then the Song Dynasty came forward to clean up the mess! No matter how the situation develops, there is no doubt that the authority of our Song Dynasty is at all. The power of the Liao Kingdom and the sulfur ball at the sea is not the opponent of our Song Dynasty. When the situation develops to the end, it depends on the face of our Song Dynasty's naval army!" Wang Jinghui said.

"The prince-consort means not to intercept spies from the Liao Kingdom?" Wen Yanbo asked back.

"Yes, we must generously let the Liao Kingdom know that the raw materials of the gunpowder produced by the Song Dynasty depend entirely on sulfur balls. Only in this way will the Liao Kingdom be willing to dispatch the navy army to suppress the sulfur balls. The Song Dynasty can get what we need from it - either directly incorporate the sulfur balls into the territory of the Song Dynasty, or send garrisons to the sulfur balls to force the king of the sulfur balls to supply the Song Dynasty ore in a cheaper way. Whatever you want is to do, it will be decided by the Song Dynasty!"
Chapter completed!