In addition to a large number of grenades, the White Army also sent a weapon test piece, which was the 60mm mortar. This and a simple and practical weapon are definitely a powerful weapon for infantry fire support.

When there was a technical bottleneck in the research of field artillery, Xu Xingxia immediately turned his attention to the mortar. Compared with field artillery, the technical difficulty of mortars is much lower. As long as there is a better steel pipe that can withstand a certain amount of chamber pressure, other technical problems of mortars can be solved easily. [..com]

Sure enough, according to Xu Xingxia's guidance, after several days of research and experiments, Bi Maokang and others made samples of mortars. There was almost no difficulty in the middle. Heng was a mortar shell, which took them half a month. It was mainly a problem of fuses. After concentrating the technical strength of the Ordnance Department and solving the problem of fuses of mortar shells, practical mortars that can be put into the battlefield were born.

The hunting cavalry soldiers didn't care much about this and the appearance. This and the simple weapon, and the appearance, did not look very eye-catching. Except for the very few hunting cavalry soldiers who participated in the on-site test, who knew the power of the mortar, most other hunting cavalry soldiers didn't think that this and a weapon with only one cylinder could exert any power on the battlefield. It was probably not as good as a Chinese rifle.

Mao Wenlong and others didn't care much. When the mortar was sent off the merchant ship, they were also responsible for helping with the transportation. Mao Wenlong, Kong Youde, Liu Xingzhi and others transported more than a dozen mortar barrels and the base plates of more than a dozen mortars in one breath. Mao Wenlong didn't think at all that such a weapon could play. He originally wanted to know Yun Qifeng, but later he thought about it, so he asked Xu Xingxia directly.

Many years ago, Mao Wenlong had been to the capital with his superiors. On the top of the capital, he had seen red-clothed cannons. These cannons bought from Westerners are indeed very majestic on the outside. The long cannon barrels, huge caliber... and heavy cannon mounts all fully demonstrate that they are a powerful weapon. Ten huge red-clothed cannons are set up on the top of the capital... which can indeed give people a strong sense of security.

Compared with the red-clothed cannon, the mortar is simply small. A red-clothed cannon weighs at least 5,000 kilograms. How heavy is a mortar? It is estimated to be less than 100 kilograms! From the perspective of weight, all the mortars brought by the White Army this time are not as powerful as the red-clothed cannon. It is estimated that its combat power is similar to its weight. It is too pediatric.

In Mao Wenlong's opinion, Xu Xingxia might as well transport the red cannons and bombard Jianlu directly. It is said that the ten red cannons in Beijing have been seized by the white army. With the help of ships... it is actually not difficult to transport them from Beijing to Yangguan Fort. Of course... the loading and transportation of the red cannons is indeed not easy. However, it is powerful! What can this and the small and ugly cannons do?

Fortunately, the number of mortar test items brought by the White Army this time was very large. Mao Wenlong pointed out a rough point and found that there were 48 total garages. It is said that due to the low cost, dozens of test items were made. In addition to some being sent to Liaodong... there are also some special ones that have prepared Tianxiang Army, that is, mountain combat troops. In addition, Bayannur Grassland also has equipment. As for the number of shells, they are all loaded with ships, which is almost not counted.

Mao Wenlong came to Xu Xingxia and said tactfully: "Sir, I heard that there are ten red-clothed cannons in Beijing. I wonder if these cannons are still there..."

Xu Xingxia smiled and said, "I have already ordered it to be destroyed."

Mao Wenlong was stunned. What? Ten powerful red cannons were actually destroyed by the white army? God, didn’t Xu Xingxia know the power of the red cannon? It was definitely the most powerful Yihe of all the cannons! The Ming Dynasty finally bought it at the beginning. After buying it, it has been installed on the top of Beijing City and has never been used! Why was it destroyed? He asked unwillingly: "All of them have been destroyed?"

Xu Xingxia nodded affirmatively and said clearly: "All of them have been destroyed. All the weapons and equipment seized by our army in the mainland have been restored to the furnace and destroyed."

Mao Wenlong said regretfully: "If it was not destroyed, how great it would be!"

Xu Xingxia naturally understood what Mao Wenlong meant. It turns out that this guy was thinking about pulling the red-clothed cannons to Yangguan Fort! This guy didn't know the power of the mortars at all, so he was worried for nothing. Those garbage red-clothed cannons, compared with modern-tech mortars, are simply scumbags. Not to mention that there are only ten red-clothed cannons, they are considered to be one hundred red-clothed cannons, and in terms of combat effectiveness, they are not as good as these forty-eight mortars!

Although the range of these mortar test items recently developed by the Ordnance Department is only about two miles (about 1,000 meters), it is far less than that of the red-clothed cannon. The red-clothed cannon has a good range, with a maximum range of more than ten miles (about 5,000 meters). However, the red-clothed cannon is too heavy, inconvenient to maneuver, and the firing speed is slow, and can only fire solid bullets or shotguns, so it cannot use the ever-changing needs of the battlefield.

Relatively speaking, mortars are light and practical, convenient for transportation, simple operation, and fast firing. Moreover, the power of mortar shells is quite good. They are simply the best weapon to deal with enemy infantry and simple fortifications. On a real battlefield, the role of a mortar can play is definitely stronger than several red cannons.

At that time, the Flanger cannons generally had a range of about one mile (about 5,000 meters). When firing at a clever angle, the maximum range could exceed two mile (about 1,000 meters). This range is similar to the range of the mortar. The best quality Flanger cannon is said to be able to hit five miles (about 2,500 meters). However, this is when the Flanger cannon fires a solid bomb. If it is a grape bullet, it will only be three or four hundred meters. Whether it is a solid bomb or a shotgun, it is far less lethal to personnel and fortifications than the mortar shell.

The forty-eight mortars were all commanded by the artillery battalion and were directly under the jurisdiction of Xu Xingxia. After the appearance of the mortar, primitive weapons such as trenchers could finally be completely declared to be out of the battlefield. The bombardment package also exited the battlefield. The original artillery battalion was all equipped with mortars. The artillery battalion commanded Yun Qifeng, who was so fond of this and the new weapon, was thinking about its tricks day and night.

The launching position of the artillery battalion is right behind a circle of earth slopes. The purpose of this is of course to make Jianlu unable to detect the existence of the mortar.

Like grenades, Xu Xingxia must keep it confidential for the time being and prevent Jianlu from noticed in advance. He had to release these gifts suddenly when Nurhaci was most unexpected and give him a big surprise.

According to the latest information, Nurhaci was coming from Zhenwu Fort toward Yangguan Fort. The reinforcements of the Jin army he mobilized were also constantly rushing towards the Yangguan Fort. These reinforcements were all drawn by Nurhaci from the rear of the Jin Kingdom. It is said that for the needs of the front, Daishan and others even armed their own coat slaves and sent them to the front line. Half a month later, the number of Jin troops gathered around Yangguan Fort exceeded 20,000.

In addition to mobilizing reinforcements from Dajinshuo as much as possible, Nurhaci also mobilized some Han surrendered troops. Originally, he had no friendly attitude towards the Han surrendered troops, and was thinking about how to clean them all. As a result, due to the situation, he had to put a large number of Han surrendered troops on the battlefield.

By the way, there were quite a few Ming troops captured by the Jin army, with a total of 30,000 to 40,000 people. There is no doubt that they would be the most ideal cannon fodder for the Jin army and the best choice for consuming ammunition from the white-clothed army. At the same time, they were also the best candidates for operating weapons such as cannons, siege equipment, etc. The Jin army seized many various types of Ming army artillery, but they did not know how to operate them. If they wanted to use these cannons, they had to let the Han surrendered troops operate.

In addition, it is reported that the 30,000 cavalry of the Mongolqin tribe had set out from its tribe and were rushing to the Yangguanbao area day and night. If they arrived before the war, Nurhaci's command would be able to increase at least 30,000 new forces. The Korqin tribe spared no effort to support the Great Jin Kingdom. It seems that it is necessary to beat it up well.

On the way south, Nurhaci sent an envoy to the White Army. The name of this envoy was called Atulai. His negotiation style was very similar to his name, which was to try to cheat. As soon as he met the White Army, Atulai expressed his sincerity in the Great Jin Army, hoping that the two would resolve all disputes through peaceful means. However, no matter how he said he would roll up his tongue, the White Army's response was indifferent.

The Jin army hopes to take advantage of the negotiation opportunity to tie Xu Xingxia to Yangguan Fort so that when the Jin army arrives, they can catch turtles in the jar. How could the White Army not see such an obvious purpose? However, Xu Xingxia is too lazy to expose the other party. Since Nurhaci feels good about himself, let him continue to feel himself!

This time, the Great Jin army came out in full swing and came to Yangguan Fort. If there was no decent record, I was afraid that the Great Jin Kingdom would vomit blood. At this time, it would be no longer important whether it could be saved by the Babuhai. This is related to the future strategy of the two armies, and even the life and death battle between the two major forces. As long as Xu Xingxia can be killed and a heavy lesson will be given to the White Army, even if the Babuhai is dead, there is nothing to do with it.
Chapter completed!