I am the leader

On the country road in Zhejiang, more than thirty horses were riding fast horses and running forward quickly along the small road beside the ridge of the coastal fields. The sun was about to set, and there was still a bright sun on the top of the mountain, and there was no sunshine bathing at the foot of the mountain.

When passing a hillside, a knight suddenly turned his head and looked around, suddenly exclaimed in shock, and hurriedly grabbed the reins of the horse. The head of the horse raised his head and neighed, stood up. Dozens of riders in front and behind immediately stopped their horses and waited.

The man dismounted and walked to the side of the road to look at the land on the hillside. After looking at it for a while, he suddenly turned around and asked someone for a knife, and squatted on the hillside to dig.

The seedling leaves spreading against the ground were pushed aside. The man took out more than a dozen large and small red tuberous fruits from a ridge of soil, happily held them to the stream beside the side, washed them with the cool river water, then picked up a piece of "click" and took a bite, and then greeted everyone else with great enthusiasm to try it.

An old farmer carrying a hoe turned out from somewhere. When he saw this, he immediately raised his hoe and rushed over angrily, and shouted from afar: "What are you doing? How do you steal other people's crops?"

A big man with a beard on his face said loudly: "Who steals the crops? We are big... The eldest son just tastes whether this thing is delicious, you old man..."

A young man shouted, "Big Bang Mai, shut up!" As he said that, he walked over and said with a smile: "Old man, I'm sorry, I'm passing by here. Look, the crops are rare and are not the original species of our Ming Dynasty, so I dug them out and taste them."

He looked around happily and said with a smile: "Is this your old land? Well, big stick, pay half a hang of money to pay the old man."

When the old man saw the young man with beautiful eyes and handsome character, not only was his silk robe very expensive, but he also had so many family members following him. It seemed that he must be a young man of great origin, and his anger on his face was restrained.

He put down his hoe and said, "This young master, a little thing from the farmhouse is not worth two dollars. The old man just mistakenly thought it was true... Hahaha, so he is afraid that it will harm the things. This thing is called sweet potato, and it is sweet. If the young master likes it, eat more. If it is not worth it, you don't have to pay for it."

Yang Ling took the copper coins from the big stick and stuffed them into the old man's hand. He smiled and said, "Don't, the old man has worked hard to grow crops. To be honest, I have seen this thing. I heard that Zhejiang is now only planted in military farms. Why do you have it here?"

The old man smiled and said, "Young Master doesn't know. My seedlings were brought from the military households. My son-in-law is a garrison captain. He has been following an adult named Min to promote planting these things in various garrisons. He heard that the yield is high, so he got some seedlings and let the old man plant them to try."

"I can't bear to waste good land. This hillside is full of weeds. It doesn't grow much, so I just came out to plant this one. Hehe, don't say anything. If you don't care, it grows pretty well. Apart from the beginning, the old man didn't take care of it, and he didn't have to feed it, so he grew wildly.

Look at the two ridges next to them, they are a little shorter, only three feet long. The two ridges are dug out of half of the pocket, which is enough for the whole family to eat for several days. This thing is delicious, and the children at home usually eat it as fruits."

Yang Ling smiled and said, "You can't just eat this food, you're not tired of eating three meals a day?"

The old man smiled happily and said, "Of course, I'm eating with other food. This is still the case now, in the famine year. Who is still particular? The grassroots and tree bark of Guanyin is used to fill the stomach. Even people eat it, can they pick and choose?"

He sighed and said, "The big locust plague six years ago. There was no grass growing wherever he passed. If there were such things at that time, would so many people starve to death in the village? Alas! Good thing, the people in the village know that the crops are easy to handle, with high yields and no robbery fields. After the old man told them about the method of cutting off the seedlings, several of them have now cultivated wasteland for trial planting. The planting last month will probably grow in two months."

Yang Ling nodded happily, and pointed to another piece and said, "That... was also obtained from the military camp? Is it called potato?"

The old man turned his head and looked at it, and smiled and said, "Is that called potatoes? The thing is round and like beans, it is just big, and it grows in the soil, so we all call it potatoes here. That thing is not as delicious as sweet potatoes. It is cooked and dipped as a dish. The old man thought about it and cooked it and dried it and ground it into noodles after it is finished."

Yang Ling stood on the ridge of the field with enthusiasm and chatted for a while, and learned about the situation of the local bandits and military camps. After seeing off the old man, Yang Ling looked around the crops and said happily: "It seems that this thing has a foothold in our Ming Dynasty. Shaanxi and Hunan are later mature than here, but there should be a harvest. With a bumper harvest this year, there is no need for the government to force the people to plant it next year.

Nowadays, a little natural disaster and man-made disasters have the greatest impact on the people, which is crop harvest. Food is the top priority for the people. Haha, with these high-yield coarse grains supplemented, the court pays attention to protection and support in civil affairs, and the people's food problem should be solved to a considerable extent."

Liu Dabangcui blinked a pair of mung bean eyes and swallowed, "It's fine if it's fine if it's fine if it's fine. I said, Dashuai, I'm watching the sun set, should we hurry up? If we can't get to Xianxia Ridge tonight, our accommodation and meal problems will not be solved."

Yang Ling glared at him angrily and amusedly, and cursed with a smile: "I told you that it's just playing the piano with a cow and getting on the horse. Let's speed up the journey."

The dangerous Xianxia Pass in the southeast is connected to Fujian and Beijing. The five hundred-mile Xianxia Ancient Road opened by Huang Chao, the soaring general in the past, is the only important way to connect Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong and Guangxi. A line of fast horses disappeared on the horizon with the last sunset.

In the military camp outside Fujian city.

There was a pool in front of him. Adni stood by the pool, holding the thick wooden board with his hands, looking at the water surface with concentration. The water surface was very turbid, but it was also very calm. At this moment, there was a loud bang, and Adni subconsciously shrank his head. When he looked at it again, he saw waves in the pool surging fiercely, and a water column about two meters high had just fallen.

Zheng Lao and Cheng Qiyun also poked their heads out, looking at the turbulent water surface and said astonishingly, "So amazing, I'll make a guy who is several times bigger in this way. As long as I hit it, a big hole will be made under the side of the ship, and the enemy's warship will be sunk.

This thing is great. A mine worth sixty taels of silver can destroy a ship worth tens of thousands of taels, equipped with artillery and hundreds of soldiers and ground warships, and not hurt one soldier. Tsk tsk, I have been playing with firearms for a lifetime, but why didn’t I think I could use firearms underwater? The imperial envoy is really like a god.”

Cheng Qiyun shook the water droplets on her clothes and smiled and said, "What kind of heavenly beings? It's your old man Zheng's ability. I also thought about flying in the sky in a carriage. If you really create it, would you also praise me for being as straight as a heavenly being? Haha, the lord said that day that the boat could also drive underwater. Do you think it's possible?"

Master Zheng smiled and said, "It is a bit incredible, unimaginable, unimaginable. unimaginable. But... I heard from the adults that I thought it was reliable, but because it was a firearm. No one had ever thought about letting this firearm be used in the water before, or did adults dare to think about what others dare not think about."

Cheng Qiyun covered her mouth and smiled, "What dares to think about others, I think it's the ignorant who is fearless!"

Cheng Qiyun dared to make Yang Ling jokes, but Master Zheng didn't dare. He smiled and said, "No matter what, I am happy to see this thing being made bit by bit!"

Adni looked at the water surface as if unheard, frowned and thought for a long time, shook her head and said, "Mr. Yang's idea is really clever. I have never heard of attacking enemy ships underwater. If a suitable mine is created, more than a hundred mines would be worth more than a hundred warships. However, the kind of mine we are making now is still of little use."

She pointed to the water surface and said, "Look. First of all, we need to understand the depth of the enemy ship's draft. The depth of the sea water. When these two items are used on unfamiliar sea surfaces, it is difficult to have enough time to measure it in advance. Also, it is pulled with ropes, and the effective range of the naval gun is at least about 140 meters. How long does it take? Such a long rope is moved by the waves, and it is likely that the enemy ship will cause mines before it arrives. The most important thing is, how can we ensure that the enemy ship will travel along the mine-burning route? As long as it is a few feet away, it will be difficult to blow up the enemy ship."

Mr. Zheng couldn't help frowning and stroked his white beard and said, "Miss's statement makes great sense. It seems that even if this kind of water mine is successfully developed, it will be useless."

Adni shook her head and said, "Otherwise, if such mines are placed near the port terminal, the water level and route will be fixed. Soldiers are manipulated in bunkers on the shore, and the enemy ships cannot be seen or found at sea. Even if there are no heavy troops and artillery on the shore, it can prevent the enemy ships from approaching. It is of no use, but it is not suitable for going to sea to fight."

Zheng Lao Nian Xu pondered and said, "If this thunder can go out to sea to fight, it seems that the iron anchor cannot be used to fix the water level, and human power cannot be used to control the explosion..."

He was walking back and forth in the same place as if he was chanting scriptures, repeating his mouth repeatedly, "You must be able to automatically locate the depth and explode when you touch the enemy ship." After muttering for a long time, Mr. Zheng suddenly lifted his robe and ran wildly, shouting, "Dog, Xiao Luo, bring me the 'a incense stick', 'waiting mines', and 'horse hoof cannon', quickly."

Adnie took a step to follow her, but Cheng Qiyun stopped her with a smile and said, "Old Zheng must have some experience. Don't bother him. He is an expert in Jikuan Manufacturing. Let's take a closer look. When the things look a little bit, let's see how the effect is."

Adni stopped hearing this. The two women slowly walked back to the shade of the tree, sat on the willow chair, picked up the cup to drink tea. Adni glanced at Cheng Qiyun and asked with a little shyness: "Sister Yun, Yang, when will you be back?"

Cheng Qiyun smiled and looked at her, and said, "What? I missed him after only a few days of not seeing her?"

Adni's pretty face turned red and she said coquettishly: "I don't have it, just... just..."

Cheng Qiyun smiled slightly and said, "I know, I understand your mood. Although the people here treat you very well, you also know that it is because of Lord Yang's relationship. If it weren't for him, even if others like you... But that person might not care about your talents at all, and would not respect you like Lord Yang. You will never know where you will go tomorrow, and your heart is full of loneliness and fear..."

Adni's eyes lit up and she said in surprise: "Yes, yes. It's just this feeling, Sister Yun, you can really see through people's hearts, so I have always... been afraid of your eyes. Why do you understand so much? Could it be... a person as smart as you have had experiences like me?"

Cheng Qiyun smiled sadly, held her hand gently, and said softly: "Silly girl, your fate is hundreds of times stronger than mine. If I hadn't met Lord Yang, I wouldn't know what I would be like now."

She raised her head, looked at a corner of the void with a confused look, and said slowly: "This world is a man. A woman's intelligence and beauty can only be used to add icing on the cake to men. If you are lucky, you can meet a man who loves you and respects you, that is a blessing for many lifetimes. A woman cannot control her own destiny at all..."

She sighed and suddenly said to Adni curiously: "I heard from the Lord that in your kingdom, men can only marry one woman, even the king, is that true? It's hard to imagine that the men there... are so amazing."

Adni raised her lips and chuckled, "Yes, they only married one woman home, but there are many lovers outside, many of them... many of them are other people's women."

The two women became quiet and suddenly laughed in silence.

Cheng Qiyun covered her stomach and smiled, "Men are all fishy cats. As long as you give him a chance, hum! Men, there is no good thing!"

Adni said with a smile: "If Yang was a good thing that didn't steal fishy food, would Sister Yun'er still laugh so happily today?"

"Ah?" Cheng Qiyun's face turned red with a hint of shame in her eyes: "This dead girl...!"

She bit her silver teeth, and said with a shameless face, "Adni, you grew up in that place, and now you are in a place like Daming. But you want to share a husband with others. Are you really willing?"

Adni stared at her and pondered for a moment, nodded solemnly, "I do!"

"Sister Yun. If you had been wandering on the sea for three years and survived all kinds of dangers, when you came to a completely unfamiliar place, and when you could never go back to your hometown, then you would not complain about the differences between the customs and habits here and your hometown.

You will only be grateful, thank God for a safe place for you, a person who loves you, and a person who can give you happiness. When God closes the door, he will definitely open a window. I am willing to believe and obey God's arrangements, and hold on to the happiness he has given me. So, I love Yang, and I am willing to accompany him without regrets..., that's that simple."

Cheng Qiyun was suddenly touched by her words. Although the two people's encounters were different, they actually had too many similarities. They also had superb talents and beauty that many women did not have. They were both taller than the sky, their lives were thinner than paper, and they were both people who fell into the world...

After a while, the two of them were wandering and recovered. Cheng Qiyun whispered: "After solving the crisis in the South China Sea, they will set off for inspection in Guizhou and Sichuan, and will not return to Jinling for the time being. Miss Lian'er is about to give birth. She took advantage of the preparation of military affairs and waited for the decree of the capital to visit. The adults left privately, so they would never dare to go back for a long time. I think they should come back in the next few days."

At this moment, a guard rushed over and bowed, "Master Cheng, General He, please go with Miss Adni."

Cheng Qiyun and Adni hurriedly stood up and followed him to the General General's tent. Although General General He's tent was called the tent, since the military camp was a permanent military camp, the tent of the General General was built, which was divided into three rooms in front, middle and back. At the front was the place where the generals were beaten to gather and commanded the army. In the middle was the place where the staff analyzed the military situation and planned the strategy. At the end was the study of the head coach.

Cheng Qiyun and Adni hurried into the big tent, and the front tent was empty. There were only four guards guarding the door. When they arrived at the second floor room, they saw a sand table on the left and a huge concave sink on the right. Many small ship models were floating on the clear water. Navy generals such as Han Wu and Peng Shark were surrounding the sink Mu Jiong formation.

He Bingwen was also standing in it and observing the boat model of both sides manipulating the ground. Seeing her two people coming in, He Bingwen nodded slightly, but did not say anything. The two of them walked over with their feet lighter.

I heard Peng Shark say: "Our Ming Navy's new warships with the Flang machine cannons are naturally enough to fight against Western gunships, but if there is a better way, there is really no need to pay such a big price. Besides, our small lucky ships and old guns cannot be abandoned."

Han Wu nodded and said, "What Mr. Peng said is that, and now the military expenditure is tight. Continuing to cast new artillery and new ships is a bit stretched at least for now. Once the war starts, we should make full use of the original military equipment and let them all work."

Peng Shark said: "I have heard about the details of the Battle of Dulong Island. At that time, Western ships had taken advantage of the weakness of our No. 2 Fu Ship's hull being too large and not turning. If it weren't for the fact that we had too many warships, we would inevitably suffer losses at that time.

Now we have equipped twelve new ships, and the remaining military expenditure can be built three times, according to the spies' reward. The Mantaga Pirates used four warships to capture the island, but since then, six warships have come one after another. In addition, Pedro suffered a secret loss and was unable to figure out our strength for a while, so now he has led the fleet to surrender.

In addition, Hiroshi Miyamoto surrendered them. Their total number of ships was seventeen, slightly more than us. In addition, his skills in artillery control and his experience in naval battles were better than our local navy. If we fight hard with new warships, the chances of victory were still very small. Our advantage was that there were many ships and many types of warships, so we should make full use of them."

A relatively unfamiliar navy general said: "After we repeated the situation of the Battle of Dulong Island. Analyzing the opponent's tactics and characteristics of warships, as well as the lethality of artillery, we feel that there is still a way to win by more ships over less ships."

"Sir, please see, if the two sides start a naval battle, we will use the No. 4 and No. 5 Fu Ship to quickly rush into the enemy formation and divide the Western warships. The small Fu Ship is fast and has agile steering, so you can try to avoid the Western ship's side cannons and attack at multiple directions at the same time, just like this..."

He leaned over the water and moved the imitation of the three-masted ship model of the Western ship. The number of blessed ships, several times smaller than it, encircled it from different angles at a number of times the number of land, shaped like a plum blossom, the Ming warship was the petals, and the Western ship that was divided and surrounded was the stamen in the middle.

No matter how the Western ships turn, the Ming warships that have the advantage in numbers have seized multiple favorable positions, and artillery fire can always be in an attack state. Adni is an expert in this kind of artillery. She only imagined in her mind that once the warships on both sides really formed such an offensive and defensive situation, her face changed.

She had absolutely no affection or sympathy for those Western pirates, but the warships of these pirates were actually almost the same as the Portuguese regular navy. As a soldier, her pride made her unwilling to admit that her own army would be so vulnerable.

She couldn't help but speak, "Sir, this is just a piece of war. To achieve this attack effect, it requires close cooperation between the ships, the sailors' masterful boat handling skills, and the sounds of each ship can be communicated at any time, which is like an arm.... The level of tacit understanding of the fingers is like an arm.

But in fact, we need to equip new artillery, as long as we can build it, we can equip the army at any time. It may take three years or even longer to train such an army. Therefore, once this tactic fails, it will be broken by the enemy ships. Under powerful and dense firepower, these small ships with weak firepower will be destroyed one by one!"

Adni mercilessly pointed out the biggest loophole in this ideal plan: the quality of the soldiers was unable to meet the commander's tactical requirements, and the generals were silent.

"The girl is right, so this is not enough. Fighting indiscriminate wars! We must fight indiscriminate wars! I have been good at fighting indiscriminate wars all my life!" Peng Shayu said with confidence, grabbed a few small boats and placed them next to the Western ship.

Adnie stared at her beautiful big eyes and asked in surprise: "General Peng, what does this mean?"

Peng Shark was holding his stomach and replied with a high spirit: "This is a fire boat and a chain trip ship. If you can burn it, you will burn it. If you can wrap it, you will get in the way. It is enough to offset the slowness of our cooperation."

Adni thought about it and found that this plan was very feasible. In fact, although the ships there were also corners, since the pirates and navy were all living adventures around the sea, it was impossible to carry a small boat that could be abandoned or burned at any time with the ship. Therefore, I never thought of using the ship as a weapon like this.

She smiled bitterly and shrugged, "If so, I think... it's possible."

He Bingwen remained silent until now. He smiled and said, "Okay, then you have some more thoughts. Now, a large number of ships have been brought back from Shuangyu and Guidao, and they are all blocked in the harbor. You can choose some spares from them."

As he said that, he winked at Cheng Qiyun and Adnie. He turned around and entered the inner study. Cheng Qiyun and Adni entered the inner room and saw a military officer wearing a green official suit sitting on a chair with a seahorse embroidered on his clothes.

The civil and military officials in the Ming Dynasty used the "clothing, beasts," and showed their rank rankings. The civil servants embroidered birds on their clothes. The military officers embroidered beasts on their clothes and the seahorse was the ninth-rank lieutenant, the lowest among military officers. Cheng Qiyun didn't know why this little official could sit in General He's tent, and she looked a little surprised.

When the captain saw He Bingwen and them coming in one after another, he immediately stood up and saluted, and said respectfully: "Master General".

He Bingwen sat behind the handsome chair and waved his hand and said, "Don't be restrained, sit down and talk. Tell the matter again in detail with these two girls."

Cheng Qiyun and Adni looked at each other and sat on the chair. The ninth-rank military officer agreed respectfully, sat back on the chair again, and said, "The lieutenant Zhu Lu, the captain of the Oyster Mirror Commander, was ordered to report the news about the Folang Jiren to General He."

Cheng Qiyun and Adnie were immediately excited and leaned forward slightly, listening to his narration.
To be continued...