"It's all because of Zhangsun Chong's nepotism. He thought that I was Lord Chancellor's man and left I idle. It just so happened that I was preparing to forge a new weapon found in Gao Chang, so I took the opportunity to return to the Firearms Surveillance Bureau. After hearing about Merton's peerless weapon, I already had new inspiration and will definitely be able to forge it. Even if Zhangsun Chong invited me, I still wouldn't go!" Xue Rengui held his head high and said stubbornly.
"So Zhangsun Chong has already found a suitable candidate for deputy general." Meton said thoughtfully. As the son of an aristocratic family, Zhangsun Chong couldn't stay in the army and command the Firearms Army. He must have a suitable deputy general to take charge of the Firearms Army on a daily basis, just like he did before.
Xue Rengui couldn't help but look embarrassed and silently lowered his head.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried horse hooves rang out as a group of people hurriedly came to the front of the firearms department. They dismounted from their horses and said, "I heard that Chancellor Mo is taking office today. I am the deputy general of the firearms army, Sun Wukai, and I have specially come to apply for firearms."
"Sun Wukai!" Meton couldn't help but look surprised. He didn't expect that the deputy general Zhangsun Chong found was Sun Wukai.
Mo Jiazi and Zhangsun Chong had a grudge. In addition, Zhangsun Chong snatched the Firearms Army from Mo Jiazi's hands. Naturally, he didn't want to lower himself to Mo Jiazi, so he sent the newly appointed deputy general of the Firearms Army, Sun Wukai, to ask for gunpowder weapons.
Meton laughed and said, "Zhangsun Chong is really blind. He actually put you, Sun Wukai, in an important position and abandoned the real Sun Wu."
"Ah!"
"How can I be compared with Sun Wu?" Xue Rengui couldn't help but blush. He didn't expect that Lord Chancellor would really stand up for him and promote him to the level of Sun Wu.
Modun glanced at him and said, "Of course you can't compare to Zhangsun Wu. At most, you can be considered a good general. Charging and breaking through enemy lines is not a problem, but you can't lead an army by yourself. Of course, in the new firearms army, other than me, you can be considered a rare talent. Zhangsun Chong not using you is his loss."
Hearing Meton's evaluation, Xue Rengui couldn't help but feel proud. He didn't feel ashamed. instead, he was very satisfied with the title of a good general.
"Humph! Marquis Mo is looking down on me too much. "
Sun Wukai couldn't help but coldly snorted and looked at Xue Rengui.
Xue Rengui looked back. The old and the new Deputy General of the Firearms Army immediately looked at each other. From each other's eyes, there was a strong smell of gunpowder.
"Whether it's a mule or a horse, you will know after walking it. It's just that my Firearms Army is pitiful." Meton sighed.
Sun Wukai said proudly, "The Firearms Army's matters will naturally be handled by me, General Sun. There's no need for Marquis Mo to worry about it. Marquis Mo and the Firearms Supervisor only need to provide the firearms for the Firearms Army. The Firearms Army will naturally prove itself.
"Give me the list of weapons!" Meton waved his hand and didn't argue with Sun Wukai.
Sun Wukai understood that Mo Jiazi was the first person to save the emperor. He was deeply trusted by Li Shimin. In addition, he needed the Firearms Supervisor's help. Naturally, he understood the situation and handed over the list of weapons needed by the Firearms Army.
Meton looked at the list of weapons and nodded, "These weapons aren't difficult. It's just that the Firearms Army will suddenly expand by three times. The Firearms Supervisor doesn't have so much inventory. Within a month, it will definitely be ready for the Firearms Army."
Sun Wukai couldn't help but look at Meton in surprise. He didn't expect that Meton didn't have the slightest bit of difficulty. Instead, he agreed.
"After all, the Firearms Army came from the hands of this Chancellor. This Chancellor will naturally remember this and want to make the Firearms Army stronger." Meton seemed to have seen through Sun Wukai's heart and said indifferently.
Sun Wukai couldn't help but feel proud. He cupped his hands and said, "Merton is righteous."
"However, although these firearms can be prepared for you, there are conditions." Meton continued.
Sun Wukai was happy. He knew that this wouldn't be easy to pass.
"Merton, please speak clearly!" Sun Wukai said.
Merton said, "There is no need to talk about the importance of firearms. I believe you also know that this is the empire's biggest secret. Therefore, the Firearms Army and the Firearms Supervisor's responsibilities must be clearly divided. The Firearms Supervisor is responsible for producing firearms while the Firearms Army is responsible for using firearms. This is the reason why His Majesty divided the Firearms Supervisor into two."
Sun Wukai nodded solemnly. As a person in the military, he naturally knew the importance of firearms.
"Not only that, gunpowder weapons are extremely powerful and impossible to guard against. There are also foreign spies constantly spying on the Firearms Surveillance Bureau and the Firearms Army. Therefore, we are determined not to let any gunpowder leak out. Therefore, every time the Firearms Army uses gunpowder, they must report the quantity and type of gunpowder to the Firearms Surveillance Bureau in advance. Furthermore, they must be used under the supervision of the Firearms Surveillance Bureau. Furthermore, after the training, all gunpowder weapons must be sealed and guarded by the Firearms Surveillance Bureau's personnel. No one in the Firearms Army is allowed to possess or steal gunpowder weapons. Otherwise, they will be dealt with according to military law," Morton said solemnly.
Sun Wukai's expression turned ugly. Nominally, the Firearms Army had already been separated from the Firearms Surveillance Bureau. However, Zhangsun Chong had failed to interfere with the Firearms Surveillance Bureau. Instead, the Mohists had used gunpowder as a reason to interfere with the Firearms Army's affairs.
Modun could naturally see that Sun Wukai was unwilling. He couldn't help but snort coldly, "Gunpowder is a top secret. Once gunpowder weapons are leaked, even Zhangsun Chong won't be able to bear the responsibility, let alone General Sun."
Sun Wukai said with a hoarse voice, "What if it's not leaked from the Firearms Army, but from the Firearms Supervisor?"
Morton laughed heartily. "What's so difficult about that? Every time a firearm is forged, there's a serial number printed on the inside. We can clearly find out where and when the weapon came from, which craftsman made it, and where it went. When the time comes, we'll be able to find out the truth."
"Merton has thought about it carefully, but this is not something I can decide. After returning, I will report to General Zhangsun Chong and then make a decision." Sun Wukai lowered his head and said. The only one who could compete with Mo Jiazi was Zhangsun Chong. One of them was the most outstanding among the sons of the aristocratic families, and the other was the most outstanding among the sons of the hundred families. The power behind them was similar. In addition, they were both deeply trusted by the Emperor.
Meton nodded and said without care, "Of course. If you are not willing, you can submit a memorial to His Majesty and ask His Majesty to make a decision."
"In that case, I will take my leave!" Sun Wukai bowed and said.
Zhangsun Manor.
Zhangsun Chong couldn't help but feel satisfied, sweeping away his previous decadence.
The reputation of the Firearms Army that he commanded was even greater than when Meton commanded it. He was the head of the sons of the aristocratic families and was supported by the Zhangsun family and Li Shimin's favor. Whether it was the Ministry of War or the Ministry of Civil Affairs, they all gave the Firearms Army the green light.
The entire Zhangsun Manor could feel the change in Zhangsun Chong. This made Zhangsun Wuji nod to himself. Zhangsun Chong's change was not in vain. He took the risk of offending Mo Jiazi and the Emperor to obtain the position of Firearms Supervisor and Firearms Supervisor for Zhangsun Chong.
"General Zhangsun!" Sun Wukai hurried to the front of Zhangsun Chong. Seeing Zhangsun Chong return empty-handed, he couldn't help but frown and said, "What's wrong? Mo Jiazi wants to make things difficult for the Firearms Army and purposely took away the firearms."
Zhangsun Chong knew that Mo Jiazi would feel uncomfortable if he robbed the Firearms Army. It wasn't surprising that he would make things difficult for them. However, he wasn't afraid. He had the Emperor's imperial edict. If Mo Jiazi purposely made things difficult for the Firearms Army, he wouldn't hesitate to submit a memorial to Mo Jiazi in Taiji Palace.
Sun Wukai shook his head and said, "Mo Jiazi didn't take away the firearms. Instead, he said that they can be forged in a month. Let the Firearms Army receive them."
Zhangsun Chong was surprised. He didn't think that this trip would go so smoothly. He couldn't help but reveal a proud smile and said, "At least he knows what's good for him."
"However, Mo Jiazi made a request. That is, the firearms used by the Firearms Army must be supervised by the Firearms Supervisor. Otherwise …"
Before Sun Wukai could finish, Zhangsun Chong suddenly flew into a rage and said, "The Firearms Supervisor has to supervise the Firearms Army. That Mo Jiazi's hands are too long!"
"Mo Jiazi used the smell of gunpowder as an excuse!" Sun Wukai said helplessly.
Zhangsun Chong said angrily, "Only he knows that gunpowder is a state secret. How can I not know? How can I leak secrets like that? Why didn't Mo Jiazi let the Firearms Army supervise? No, I must submit a memorial to Mo Jiazi. Mo Jiazi is using his position to avenge a personal grudge."
"Idiot, what do you have to submit a memorial to Mo Jiazi? In terms of rank, he is a fourth rank official. You are a fifth rank official. In terms of nobility, he is a Marquis. What about you? You will only become a Duke after the Old Man dies. By that time, Mo Jiazi's nobility will be no less than the Old Man's. Besides, gunpowder came from Mo Jiazi. If Mo Jiazi wants to leak secrets, he will be assassinated by the Tubo Turks. Furthermore, do you think that the Firearms Supervisor has no one to supervise? Why is Bing Jing Si Deng Chong in the Firearms Supervisor? Most of the firearms in the Firearms Army are from the Hundred Horsemen. Why did you chase away Xue Rengui, who was originally from the Hundred Horsemen? Why did you submit a memorial to Mo Jiazi? "Suddenly, a stern voice came from outside the room. Zhangsun Wuji walked in with a wooden face.
"Lord Zhangsun!" Sun Wukai quickly bowed.
"Father! Are you going to let Mo Jiazi bully your son? "Zhangsun Chong said unhappily.
Zhangsun Wuji looked at the childish Zhangsun Chong and thought about Mo Jiazi's maneuvering in the Imperial Court. He couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. However, he still patiently said, "Although Mo Jiazi and you are both deeply trusted by His Majesty, Mo Jiazi is the absolute authority when it comes to gunpowder. Otherwise, why do you think His Majesty can't wait to reinstate Mo Jiazi? In this aspect, you can't compare to Mo Jiazi. Even if you submit a memorial to him now, what do you think His Majesty will think? Mo Jiazi's reason for supervising the Firearms Army is all for the sake of the Tang dynasty. What are your intentions for not being willing to accept the supervision?"
"Your son …" Zhangsun Chong opened his mouth. He wanted to refute but he couldn't say anything.
Zhangsun Wuji shook his head and said, "Even if His Majesty mediates, if it's not Mo Jiazi supervising the Firearms Army, it will be Bai Qi supervising the Firearms Army. Not only will you not be able to get rid of it, you will also leave a bad impression in His Majesty's heart. You have to know that you control the most confidential Firearms Army of the Tang dynasty. Once you leave a bad impression in His Majesty's heart, do you think you can still control the Firearms Army?"
Zhangsun Chong was instantly speechless.
"Besides, although Mo Jiazi supervised the firearms of the Firearms Army, he didn't embezzle your firearms and didn't interfere with your military power. If you want to get rid of Mo Jiazi's influence, then you have to lead the Firearms Army well. When you prove yourself with great achievements, no matter how great Mo Jiazi's contributions are, it will only be a wedding dress for you." Zhangsun Wuji advised.
"Your son understands!" Zhangsun Chong took a deep breath and said solemnly.
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