Chapter 22: Plotting to Manufacture Their Own Weapons

  Half a month later, Yang Xiuqing sent Zhao Qingquan to deliver 50,000 taels of silver and took away all the 10,000 captives.

  Qishan was delighted, but Yang Xiuqing couldn't be happy.

  For the overall situation of the Northern Expedition, Yang Xiuqing could not send troops for the time being and could only suppress his anger in his heart. He had to wait for another opportunity to take revenge later. After all, he had lost a great general and a younger brother, both of whom were trusted confidants, and it was impossible to let things go like this. Qi Shan received 100,000 taels of silver and gave the soldiers in the army an extra month's pay, which made the soldiers in the camp rejoice for a long time.

  The Jiangbei camp then returned to calmness.

  The Taiping Army defended Yangzhou without going out to battle, and there was no fighting at the Jiangbei camp.

  At this time, the war in the north was raging like wildfire.

  In early September, Li Kai-fang and Lin Feng-xiang led soldiers to Baoding, directly threatening Beijing. The news was sent back to Nanjing, where Li Kai-fang was granted the title of Ding Hu Hou and Lin Feng-xiang was granted the title of Jing Hu Hou.

  From the title, it shows the determination of Taiping Army to sweep away the Qing government.

  But these things have nothing to do with Li Zhen.

  At this stage, Li Zhen only thought about training the 120 soldiers of the sharp knife special forces, teaching them to read and write, and instilling new ideas in them. The only thing that made Li Zhen regretful was that he had no money to use, could not leave the Jiangbei camp, could not buy new equipment, and still had to rely on big knives and long guns to fight.

  It was comforting for Li Zhen to see more and more soldiers who could read.

  As for Huang Shi Hai and Huang Hu, the two were Li Zhen's key targets for cultivation. They learned more content. Not only did they read books with soldiers, but also recited "Sun Tzu's Art of War", "Sun Bin's Art of War", "Wei Liaozi" and other military classics to enrich themselves. The entire Sharp Blade Special Forces had not only a fierce and brave spirit, but also a scholarly atmosphere.

  "Ah!!"

  The tent door curtain was rolled up, and Huang Shi Hai walked into the tent, bowed to Li Zhen and said: "Sir, the foreigners have arrived at the Jiangbei camp with the foreign guns and ammunition. Qi Shan has ordered you to receive him."

  "Alright, I'm going!"

  Li Zhen was overjoyed in his heart and left the camp with a smile, after leaving the camp he welcomed Ma Su into the army.

  One thousand guns, one million bullets, all stored in the warehouse.

  At the same time, Qi Shan also brought out the silk and tea he had bought, and after the exchange was completed, Ma Si only had a few hundred taels of silver left on him, but Ma Si was extremely excited.

  "Hey Li, won't you invite me to sit down?" Ma said with a smile after they finished shaking hands.

  Li Zhen waved his hand and said: "Please!"

  It so happened that Li Zhen also had something to say to Ma Su, and the two of them came to the tent one after the other.

  After sitting down, Li Zhen said straightforwardly: "Brother Ma, you are a member of the Beretta family, but currently not valued. You need to keep working hard. Have you ever thought about opening a weapons manufacturing base in China, purchasing steel and minerals from China for processing, then manufacturing guns and cannons for sale, developing the Chinese market?"

  Ma's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he said: "Dear Li, your suggestion is good, I also agree with it. However, you think too simply and easily, most skilled craftsmen who manufacture weapons have families and are not willing to cross the ocean."

  "Mas, this is in line with the interests of the Beretta family, isn't it?" Li Zhen said.

  Ma nodded in agreement with Li Zhen's words.

  As a family that makes weapons, the Beretta family would not be satisfied with the status quo. Moreover, Mars thought about stepping onto a bigger stage and wanted to execute this plan.

  Li Zhen saw Mas's movement and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

  As long as you're enthusiastic about it, everything will be easy.

  Li Zhen said calmly, "Masu brothers, you can bring the equipment for making weapons to China and persuade the workers and scholars who make weapons to come together. As long as they are willing to come, money is not a problem. Once they arrive in China, we two can set up a factory together, with my support, you will be successful."

  Ma said with gritted teeth: "Li, I admit you've convinced me. When I return to Italy, I will report back to the family and work hard to fulfill your ideas."

  Li Zhen stretched out his hand and said, "Wish us a pleasant cooperation."

  "It was a pleasure working with you!"

  Ma and Li shook hands tightly, both smiling.

  For Li Zhen, it was obviously not enough to just buy firearms and ammunition, as he always had his neck held by others. So Li Zhen wanted to be self-sufficient and manufacture his own firearms and ammunition. The arrival of Mauser gave Li Zhen an opportunity to set up a factory in China. Especially since Mauser was a foreigner, with just a bit of packaging, the Qing dynasty's dignitaries would be intimidated and dare not seize the benefits obtained by Mauser.

  For Ma Si, Li Zhen's words were in line with his thoughts.

  Expand the family business and achieve his own career, this is what Ma Si has been looking forward to.

  They clicked immediately and became partners.

  Li Zhen stood up, walked to the desk and took out a drawing, handed it to Ma Si, saying: "Brother Ma Si, this is my new design for a revolver. When you return to your country, advise the scholars who study firearms, you can also give them this manufacturing diagram, and then say that I have more ideas, even more ingenious ideas. If they want to know, they can come to China to discuss."

  Li Zhen took out a map, which was a diagram of a mechanical pistol.

  The lever-action rifle was designed in the United States in 1860, pioneering the use of a magazine. This type of rifle has a spring-loaded tube under the barrel that holds cartridges and feeds them one by one into the breech.

  Ma came from a family of firearms and quickly understood.

  His eyes widened in incredulity as he stared at Li Zhen, thinking that this idea was too great.

  However, Mas also had some things he didn't understand, and after asking Li Zhen, Mas admired Li Zhen to the point of being speechless. Mas pointed at the manufacturing diagram, clicking his tongue in praise: "Li, you're truly a genius. My God, what kind of brain could come up with such an ingenious structure, unparalleled in excellence, worthy of being called another revolutionary innovation in firearms history."

  Li Zhen smiled and said that the emergence of pop clips was an innovation in itself.

  Suddenly, Huang Shi-hai walked in and said: "Sir, Qi-shan wants you to go on a trip."

  Li Zhen nodded and let Huang Shi Hai retreat.

  Ma Si did not understand Huang Shi Hai's words and asked: "Li, what's going on?"

  Li Zhen replied: "Mas brothers, the imperial envoy in the camp has something to ask me, I can't keep you company anymore."

  Ma sighed and showed a regretful expression, saying: "Since it's like this, I won't stay either. I'll immediately take the tea leaves and silk to Guangzhou in the south and return home by boat. Dear friend, I hope that when I set foot on this magical land again, you will have become an official of the ruling party."

  Li Zhen smiled and nodded in agreement, saying: "I definitely will, Brother Ma Si. Hope you come back soon."

  Two people reluctantly bid farewell, Li Zhen sent Ma Si out of the camp.

  Returning to the camp, Li Zhen went to Qi Shan's tent. After entering the tent, Li Zhen found that there was only Qi Shan alone, with no other generals, and he made a thousand bows, saying: "Junior General Li Zhen has seen you, sir."

  "Sit down!"

  Qishan waved his hand and let Li Zhen sit down.

  Li Zhen sat on the stool with half of his buttocks, straightening his back and being very respectful. Qi Shan's face showed a smile, and he smiled and said: "Let you not be restrained, but you don't change at all."

  Li Zhen said: "The superior's kindness to me is remembered in my heart, but I cannot violate the rules."

  Qishan smiled and said: "The emperor has issued an imperial edict, ordering this official to return to the capital."

  Li Zhen raised an eyebrow and hastily asked: "The Emperor's summons, could it be that something big has happened?"

  Qishan shook his head and said, "It's not a big deal, just won a battle, the emperor is very happy, so let this official return to Beijing to report on his duties. This official plans to take you with him, what do you think?"

  Li Zhen immediately stood up, knelt down and said: "Thank you, sir, for your cultivation. I will never disappoint your high expectations."

  Although Li Zhen didn't like kneeling down, he had no choice but to do so.

  Showing loyalty requires a show of loyalty. Especially when Li Zhen and Qi Shan return to Beijing together, it's beneficial for Li Zhen. Especially being able to show his face in front of Xianfeng also helps Li Zhen's future prospects.