For Zhu Jinsong, it was a trivial matter whether each flintlock gun was given ten or twenty more rounds of ammunition, as the accuracy and range of muzzle-loading smoothbore flintlock guns were rather pitiful. Zhu Jinsong himself had no intention of equipping such an outdated weapon. It would be better to sell a large quantity to Chen Tailai, not only to exchange for much-needed silver and laborers in Menglianggu, but also to instill in Chen Tailai the concept of "it's better to buy than to build," which would make it easier to deal with him later if he wanted to get rid of him.
Coincidentally, the scholars under Chen Tailai disliked "clever devices and sinister contraptions," so this transaction between Chen Tailai and Zhu Jinsong could be considered a case of dry wood meeting raging fire, or a wild pheasant encountering a hooligan.
It was a pity that Chen Tailai originally intended to illuminate the moon with his pure heart, but Zhu Jinsong directly threw Chen Tailai's sincere devotion into the gutter.
Zhu Jinsong not only planned to lead Chen Tailai into the ditch of "better to buy than to build," but also intended to drag the Tartars along with him.
After careful consideration, the "Menglianggu Gazette" published a piece of good news: the Hongyipao cannons manufactured in Menglianggu had abandoned the traditional smoothbore design and adopted a brand-new rifled barrel design, which far surpassed previous Hongyipao cannons in both range and accuracy.
Yang Huaizhen, the head of cannon manufacturing at the Baihang Cliff Arsenal, stated in the article that Menglianggu would mass-equip these highly advanced cannons in the future, striving to send the Tartars back to their homeland beyond the Great Wall within ten years.
Then Agui and Mingxing were shocked.
The rebel forces under Zhu, who already lacked cannons, were difficult enough to deal with. If they were to be equipped with more advanced Hongyipao cannons in large quantities, what would the Qing dynasty do?
Of course, Agui and Mingxing were not without doubt about the truth of this information. However, judging from previous issues of the Menglianggu Gazette, its role for the rebel leader Zhu was similar to that of the imperial gazettes for the court; it was unlikely they would joke about such matters.
Therefore, this meant that the rebel leader Zhu might very well have developed more advanced Hongyipao cannons.
Agui's hand, holding the teacup, trembled slightly, and his gaze towards Mingxing was filled with anger: "Can you tell this Imperial Commissioner how many scholars under your jurisdiction as Governor of Shandong understand the manufacturing of cannons and firearms?"
Before Mingxing could answer, Agui continued, "Send people to try and infiltrate Menglianggu to investigate the situation."
However, with Agui's words, Mingxing's expression became even more grim: "We have already sent several waves of spies before. Which time was not like a dog chasing a meat bun, and you still want to send more?"
Agui grunted, gritted his teeth, and finally made up his mind: "Send them again! However, the previous ones were all from our subordinates. This time, we will directly have the Nian Gan Chu send people. I refuse to believe that those rebels in Menglianggu can see through the experts of the Nian Gan Chu?"
Mingxing also became determined and seconded, "Yes, this time let the Nian Gan Chu send skilled people! I also don't believe those rebels can see through the Nian Gan Chu's experts!"
...
Achang'a was a Nian Gan Bai Tang.
Compared to the Ming Dynasty's Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Nian Gan Chu was far less renowned. In terms of power or strength, it was far inferior to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Even so, not just anyone could join the Nian Gan Chu. A strict requirement for official members of the Nian Gan Chu was that they must be of "Baoyi" servant origin, to ensure their loyalty to the Great Qing Emperor.
Ach'a was a Baoyi servant from the Lower Five Banners. He joined the Nian Gan Chu in his childhood and, after more than ten years of rigorous training, Ach'a finally became a glorious imperial secret agent.
Logically speaking, Agui, the Imperial Commissioner, could not command Ach'a. After all, no matter how formidable an Imperial Commissioner was, he was still just an Imperial Commissioner. Ach'a, as a Baoyi servant of the "Qian Long Old Dog," did not need to pay him any heed.
In Ach'a's opinion, his greatest role should be to infiltrate Menglianggu or Yanzhou Prefecture, and seize the opportunity to chop off the heads of Zhu Jinsong or Chen Tailai, rather than investigating the details of the Hongyipao cannons. This was simply using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken.
Unfortunately, while Ach'a could ignore Agui, he could not ignore Fuk'anggan.
Therefore, Ach'a still came.
He passed through Tai'an Prefecture and Yanzhou Prefecture. After more than ten days of travel, Ach'a finally arrived at Wutai Ji.
Wutai Ji was not far from Menglianggu.
Looking at the village not far away, Ach'a's somewhat worried heart finally relaxed a little.
It seemed that the people sent by Agui and Mingxing before were too stupid, otherwise, how could this Nian Gan Bai Tang have arrived near Menglianggu so safely?
As Ach'a walked towards the village, he pondered how he could disguise himself as a potential recruit and blend into Menglianggu, and how he could find out the details of the Hongyipao cannons.
Upon entering the village, Ach'a found a few old men chatting at the village entrance and approached them, asking, "Grandfathers, I'm planning to join the army in Menglianggu. Do you know how to get there?"
The old men exchanged glances. One of them, smiling, asked, "Where is the young man from? Why do you want to join the army in Menglianggu?"
Ach'a's face darkened, and he said in a low voice, "My family is from Tai'an. Originally, I didn't plan to join the army or resist the Qing. Later, when the Tartars were suppressing Menglianggu, my family suffered from the war. My entire family was killed by the Tartars, and only I, who was working outside at the time, escaped."
"My home is gone, my relatives are gone. I thought, if I cannot avenge them, am I still considered a human?"
"Later, I also thought of joining Governor Chen Tailai, as he was closer to my home. However, Governor Chen always sided with the gentry in everything. Only the great leader of Menglianggu truly cared for us poor people. So, I thought, if I were to join the army, I should join Menglianggu."
The old men exchanged glances again. The leader sighed slowly and said, "This cursed world, these cursed Tartars! However, I won't hide it from you, you won't be able to join the Menglianggu army by going like this."
Ach'a was startled and asked, "Why? Is Menglianggu not recruiting soldiers anymore?"
The old man smiled and said, "Recruiting, of course Menglianggu is recruiting soldiers! After all, they want to drive the Tartars back beyond the Great Wall. How can they not recruit soldiers? Let me tell you, the Tartars have sent many spies to try and sneak onto the mountain before. Later, the great leader said that they would not recruit soldiers like before. Only those from our villages, whom we know well, can go up the mountain."
Ach'a nodded, his expression becoming even more dejected: "Then it means I will never be able to go to Menglianggu in my life, and I won't be able to avenge my family."
The old man shook his head and said, "Don't rush, don't rush. I don't think you look like a Tartar spy. You can stay in our village for now. Tonight, I'll talk to the people from the Farmers' Association, and they will send you up the mountain, alright?"
Ach'a was overjoyed and immediately knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly to the old man to express his gratitude: "Thank you! Thank you! If it weren't for you, old sir, I wouldn't be able to avenge my family!"
The old man quickly helped Ach'a up and smiled, saying, "Alright, alright, your bow is quite respectful, young man. So, go to my house in a moment, and I'll get you something to eat. Then I'll go find the people from the Farmers' Association."
Ach'a quickly refused: "I dare not. This year, my Tai'an region suffered from drought, and I imagine your Yizhou region is no better. Everyone's life is difficult. I have sweet potatoes with me, so please don't waste your grain, old sir."
The old man laughed heartily and held Ach'a's hand, saying, "Young man, young man, with your words, my old heart is satisfied.
"However, since our great leader came to Yizhou Prefecture, not only has the oppression of the Tartar government ceased, but our great leader also led people to dig wells for our village and to plant sweet potatoes. Therefore, the drought has not affected us much, and our harvest is much better than yours."
"If you don't believe me, ask these old geezers. Which of them doesn't have several hundred catties of grain? Giving you a meal is nothing."
"Young man, if you are willing, when you reach Menglianggu, please convey our regards to our great leader, alright?"
Ach'a nodded repeatedly, filled with gratitude and tears: "Please rest assured, old sir, I will surely convey your regards to our great leader!"