Chapter 107: Learning from the Barbarians to Overcome the Barbarians

Chen Mu observed the steam locomotive carefully. The entire vehicle was about four meters long, its exterior shell riveted from iron plates. The tires were pneumatic, featuring anti-slip treads and valve cores. Numerous threaded components were visible on the machine, indicating that the Cheng family already possessed semi-automatic machining equipment.

The transmission system sat at the front, along with the steering wheels, which helped with traction during turns. The driver's seat was at the front, accommodating only one person, while the rear area was slightly larger, able to seat two.

After a while, a soldier reported back.

“Your Highness, we found two individuals, but they committed suicide.”

Chen Mu nodded. “Good. What about the bodies and their equipment?”

The soldiers brought over the items. Chen Mu examined them and saw two rifles, both flintlocks, though muzzle-loading and relatively outdated.

Soon after, more soldiers filed reports: six men were found, all having taken their own lives. Fortunately, their equipment remained intact and undamaged.

Chen Mu smiled. “Excellent! No guns, no cannons—the enemy has handed them over to us.”

The mission was a complete success. Chen Mu led his troops back to Weishan County. Not a single cart of grain was lost, and the rebel cavalry was entirely annihilated. The enemy had made a great commotion, yet none returned; they likely dared not act rashly again.

However, reclaiming lost territory remained a formidable challenge. The enemy’s artillery was increasing in number, and the Great Xia army could not suppress the city walls. Even with tenfold forces, a direct assault might fail.

After much contemplation, Chen Mu decided to return to the capital to focus on technological development.

He assigned Li Feng to lead ten thousand cavalry along with the Invincible Flying Army to garrison Weishan County. Chen Mu himself took only the Invincible Flying Army to escort the spoils back to the capital.

Chen Mu instructed Li Feng to hold the city defensively, avoid offensive actions, and retreat if necessary to preserve forces.

Upon returning to the capital, Chen Xingtian and others were stunned to see the steam locomotive and flintlock rifles. But Chen Mu assured them he would soon create superior weapons and lead the army to reclaim lost lands.

With the domestic situation now secure—having eliminated the Yintang faction and rebellious noble families—research could proceed without hindrance.

Chen Xingtian wholeheartedly supported the effort, investing heavily to recruit civilian craftsmen. Existing workshops with blacksmiths and carpenters were integrated to form a military-industrial complex.

Most crucially, the Institute of Technology played a pivotal role.

Chen Mu and the institute’s experts studied the steam locomotive and concluded it was neither feasible nor necessary to replicate it. The Great Xia lacked rubber technology and vast rubber plantations, and the locomotive was unsuitable for battlefield use. It would be reserved for research to better understand automotive mechanics.

However, the steam engine itself demanded urgent reproduction.

With two steam engines available, Chen Mu confidently dismantled one for structural analysis. He discovered that its transmission system was markedly superior to those developed by the institute. Though he hadn’t conceived this design initially, his exceptional insight allowed him to appreciate its brilliance.

Chen Mu identified a critical flaw: the engine had only one cylinder, wasting about half the work output. He modified it into a double-cylinder design, nearly doubling its power.

Despite improvements, the engine remained bulky and ill-suited for vehicles but was perfect for steel furnaces. It could significantly raise furnace temperatures and enhance metal smelting efficiency.

This advancement made it possible to manufacture cannon barrels and gun tubes capable of withstanding black powder.

To produce rifles and cannons, beyond metallurgical skill and blueprints, black powder was essential. Naturally evolving this technology might take centuries, but for Chen Mu, it was straightforward.

With knowledge of the basic formula—saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur—he conducted experiments to optimize production.

He also applied wax-sealing techniques to protect ammunition from moisture and improve airtightness during loading. Better sealing increased the initial velocity of cannonballs and bullets, thereby enhancing power and range.

This marked a technological leap beyond the Cheng family’s capabilities.

Chen Mu also improved the flintlock rifle, converting it to a breech-loading design, making loading more convenient and barrel cleaning easier.

During this period, Chen Mu worked tirelessly, losing sleep but finding joy in scientific discovery. All these tasks were completed within just half a month.

The military-industrial complex labored day and night, and once Chen Mu’s blueprints were finalized, prototypes were produced within days.

After another month of testing, adjustment, and production, Great Xia possessed thirty red-coated artillery pieces—ten heavy and twenty light—each mounted on wheels for mobility and equipped with recoil control supports.

There were also one thousand breech-loading flintlock rifles.

In the factory, Chen Mu gazed upon the fruits of their labor with deep satisfaction.

“This is the productivity of Great Xia,” he declared. “This is the strength of our working people. With these, how can we fear foreign invaders?”

Chen Xingtian smiled. “Mu’er, you have done well. Your decisive return to the capital to develop technology has yielded these results.”

“Now we can say for certain that the Cheng family traitors are doomed.”

“This is the difference between preserving the land but losing the people—losing both land and people—and preserving the people while losing the land—retaining both people and land.”

Chen Mu laughed. “Haha… I was the one who told you that.”

Chen Xingtian patted Chen Mu’s shoulder. “Indeed. There is much I must learn from you.”

“Having a crown prince like you makes me proud.”

“If the prophecy that Heaven blesses Great Xia is true, it must be speaking of you.”

Chen Mu responded solemnly, “Rest assured, with me here, no one can shake Great Xia.”

“Moreover, I will ensure Great Xia’s renown spreads farther still.”

“I will make Great Xia’s influence reach every corner of the world.”

Chen Xingtian looked on with pride, as if already seeing an unparalleled emperor standing atop the world.

With everything prepared, Chen Mu led five thousand Invincible Flying Army soldiers, plus five thousand reserves, toward Weishan County.

They trained en route, and after ten days arrived at the county seat. Including the days of production and training in the capital, the artillery and riflemen of the Invincible Flying Army had been training for half a month, mastering the use of firearms and cannons.

Now, they would hone their skills in real combat.

Chen Mu visited the county office and asked the stationed general, “Has the enemy attacked the city? What is the situation?”

Li Feng replied, “Your Highness, the enemy struck the city once a month ago.”

“They brought fifty cannons to bombard the walls. We countered with catapults. Due to the elevation differences, the ranges of our catapults and their cannons were similar, causing mutual damage.”

“The enemy lost half their cannons, but our western wall collapsed.”