(Today is Friday, why don¡¯t you let the monthly ticket in your hand go over the weekend, okay? Look here, look here, look here, vote for the monthly ticket!) Chapter 572: The Chosen One If the arrangement hadn¡¯t been started a long time ago , the good terrain of Zhuque Mountain may not fall into Fang Jie's hands. The Zhuque Mountain, which stretches for hundreds of miles, divides Huangyang Road into two. A large area to the west is blocked by the semicircular Zhuque Mountain, and to the west is the north-south Langru Mountain Range, which is almost circled. Although it was thousands of miles of fertile wilderness, it could be that it was too isolated so the aboriginal people had basically relocated. It was also the only place in the Sui Dynasty where official roads were not established. During the Taiping years, this place seemed a bit remote. There were many tourists in the beautiful mountains, but no one wanted to stay there for a long time. When the world was in chaos, it became the most suitable place for garrisoning troops. There is Suzaku Mountain blocking the front, which is a natural barrier. Although the wasteland behind the mountain has not been cultivated for many years, it can be used as fertile land as long as it is opened. Before Fang Jie went south, Wu Yiyi had already arranged for people to recruit troops in Huangyang Road. About seven or eight thousand people were building strongholds in full swing. The branch of Huangniu River passes at the foot of Zhuque Mountain. Although the river channel narrows, large ships can barely pass it. Fang Jie's first big move after arriving here was to widen the river channel connecting a lake with a radius of dozens of miles to the branch of Huangniu River. , tens of thousands of people were busy working on this matter in the next two months. After the six or seven miles long river channel is widened, large ships can enter the lake and stay. Large ships can enter the branch of Huangniu River but cannot turn around. After opening up the small lake, the lake becomes a water village, and the dispatch of large ships will be much easier. After the project of widening the river channel, another water channel is opened on the other side of the lake, so that the water flow forms a loop, just like a roundabout on a modern highway. The fleet enters the lake from the far entrance and exits through another road. waterways, thus avoiding the danger of river congestion. If the waterway is open, it will be as if the door of convenience is always open for the Black Flag Army. With the ability to transport goods all over the world, needed housing supplies can be continuously delivered from the waterway. The new recruits of craftsmen are building a stronghold on Zhuque Mountain, while the soldiers of the Black Flag Army are constructing a river. In the first three months, Fang Jie had no plans to enter the army. But now there is no need to hide anymore, and the recruitment of new soldiers can be done openly. The people of Huangyang Road hated Luo Yao's left avant-garde, so many people came to seek refuge. Fang Jie's principle of recruiting troops was to choose the best to stay. Both the young and the old were given five kilograms of grain and fifty copper coins and then let them go home. Of course, as a result, many people signed up for the money and food, but the solution was not to be criticized. As long as they did not receive it repeatedly, they would be given out. For such an approach, Wu Daodao and others were full of praise in private. Now that the foundation is not stable, it is indeed a big deal to capture the hearts and minds of the people. Just as Fang Jie said during the discussion, don't let the people think that the Black Flag Army's Zhuque Mountain Camp is populated by a group of bandits and bandits, but an army that loves and protects the people. Only when the local people recognize it can the foundation be truly stabilized. Fang Jie has been keeping an eye on the river during these days. The soldiers are very motivated so the progress is very fast. After the early diversion and other preparations are in place, the speed of widening the river is relatively fast. Standing on the high embankment, Fang Jie looked at the soldiers working enthusiastically below with his clairvoyance and smiled: "After the river is widened, we can build a water village in the lake. General Duan, this is what you are best at. I I'll leave it to you." Duan Zheng smiled and said, "General, from my point of view, this is not a long-term placeand our fleet has more than 200 ships, most of which are Merchant ships, so more trestles are built in the lake to load and unload cargo. As for the water village, it does not need to be too large and strong." Fang Jie nodded: "Yes, this is just a temporary residence, but you can attack and retreat here. You can't abandon it. You have the final say on how to build the water stronghold. If you need manpower, money and food, you just need to ask for it from Mr. Wu." Wu Yiyi said from one side: "I can do the business quickly. That's enough." Fang Jie laughed and suddenly saw a tall figure walking along the river with his head lowered, as if he was thinking about something. Fang Jie pointed at the man and ordered his soldiers: "Go and fetch Andrew. How come this guy has come so far?" This Andrew comes from a place called the Principality of Rus to the east of the sea. He is a merchant from Dongchu and a disciple of Wu Dao. Entrusted to the firearms craftsmen invited. This man was a criminal in the Principality of Rus. Because he was framed and his family property was taken away, he beat someone to death in a rage and was imprisoned. A businessman from Dongchu bought him for one hundred taels of silver and a large Sui porcelain. After that, he recruited several craftsmen who made firearms, all of whom were poor people at the bottom, and sent them to the Sui Dynasty together. He has the typical blond curly hair and blue eyes of foreigners. He is very strong, but he doesn't know how to fight. He once had his nose broken in a pub.?, and the opponent is still a sixty-year-old man. The soldiers quickly went over and invited Andrew over. Andrew heard that General Fang was looking for him and trotted over here. After arriving in the Sui Dynasty, he was very fascinated by the culture of this country. According to his understanding, Fang Jie was a big figure equivalent to a Duke in the Principality of Ross. "Dear Sir, what are your orders when you come to me?" Andrew bowed and saluted with Russian understanding, and he could barely express his meaning clearly in Chinese. "Why did you come all the way so far?" Fang Jie pointed in the direction of the cottage. Andrew replied with some sadness: "I miss my family. Dear Sir, if you have a way, can you bring my family here? I am a criminal, and I will be re-arrested as long as I return to the Principality of Ross." But I still have a younger sister and a younger brother who need me to take care of them. Their lives must be very difficult if I am not with them. That pervert, Old Enge, has long been ill-intentioned towards my sister. I am very worried about them.¡± Oh?¡± Fang Jie looked back at Wu Yiyi and said, ¡°Master Hou, if possible, you can ask businessmen from Dongchu to bring Andrew¡¯s family, as well as the families of several other craftsmen, so that they can be safe. Work with peace of mind." Wu Yiyi said, "We have already sent people to do it, but it is not easy to bring dozens of people out of Russia." Fang Jie nodded: "No matter how difficult it is, we have to do it. OkayAndrew." Fang Jie said to Andrew, "Don't worry, I will definitely bring your family. In addition, I have something to ask you." Fang Jie thought for a while and said, "Now let's make long guns. Things were bought from Dongchu merchants at great prices, such as gun barrels. These things cannot be made in the Sui Dynasty now. Do you think there is a way to transport all the necessary machinery and equipment from the Principality of Rus? "My dear sir!" Andrew exclaimed: "This is too difficultit is under military control. It is too difficult to transport it out. If the guys who manage the warehouse are not greedy for money, there is no way to buy these parts. Come." "There will always be a way." Fang Jie patted him on the shoulder and said, "As long as you can find a way to transport the machine from the Principality of Ross, I will fulfill your request. You know, I have the ability. " Andrew looked back at the scene of tens of thousands of soldiers working on the river, and he was convinced by the other party's words: "I know you have this abilityOkay! I'll try my best to think of a way, butyou can really do it. Fulfill one of my wishes?" Fang Jie nodded: "Unless you want to be the emperor." Andrew shook his head quickly: "No, no, no, I don't want to be the emperor, I just want I just want to make Miss Yinyu mine. Wife, she is simply an angel. I am deeply fascinated by her. If she can become my wife, I will give everything I have to do it!¡± Everyone was stunned for a moment, and the drunkard behind them burst into laughter. I couldn't hold back my laughter. The muscles on Wu Daodao's face couldn't help but twitch a few times, and then he looked at Fang Jie. Fang Jie was obviously stunned for a moment. He was silent for a while, put his arm around Andrew's shoulders and asked seriously: "Andrew, in your hometown, if two men like the same girl at the same time, how to solve it?" Andrew replied : "Duel!" Fang Jie hummed, stopped and looked at Andrew and said more seriously: "How is your relationship with the medical officer in the village?" "Very good, he is a good man! We often drink together, always It was he who invited me to drink your Da Sui Shao Daozi. That wine is too spicy. I still like our Ross Principality¡¯s beer. It tastes great. If I have a chance, I¡¯ll treat you to a drink with sausages. It¡¯s a delicacy in the world. The medical officer said that he will give him a barrel of beer in the future!" Andrew said. Fang Jie said very seriously: "He may have to take care of you for a while" Fang Jie naturally wouldn't really beat Andrew up. Of course, he wouldn't mind doing it if Andrew challenged him. Wu Daodao was not joking when he said that he would betroth Wu Yinyu to Fang Jie. If Fang Jie hadn't pulled Andrew aside half-jokingly, Sanjin Hou might have thrown this stupid man into the mud at the bottom of the river. "This is really difficult!" In the workshop laboratory, Andrew couldn't understand the whims of the solution: "I have now simplified the loading of the long gun as much as possible, so that the speed of firing and loading has been increased by at least one-third compared to before. 1. My dear sir, although the continuous hair idea you mentioned is a genius idea, I really can¡¯t do it. With my current abilities, I don¡¯t think anyone can do it, not just me.??¡± Fang Jie nodded, knowing that repeating firearms were indeed a bit too advanced for this era. The muskets of the Principality of Ross were not as lethal as repeating crossbows. Even if they were equipped with an army, if the enemy had tens of thousands of There is no advantage over arrow arrays and muskets. The range is not longer than that of hard bows, and the power of lead bullets is also small. From now on, this thing can only be regarded as a weapon in mid-range combat, and it requires a lot of equipment. The reason why Andrew keeps studying is because he firmly believes that the times are advancing, and technology is also advancing. Although today's firearms are still very weak, it is impossible to know how heavy the losses will be in the battle between cold weapons and hot weapons in future generations. Forget it. No matter how much the country suffered in this life, he will not forget it. " Fang Jie asked: "What about artillery? Is it possible to build it in the Sui Dynasty? " Andrew shook his head again: "Impossible, there are only a few of us and those apprentices, and it is impossible to cast the artillery without a factory. " Fang Jie couldn't help but sigh. Although he already knew the answer, he was still a little disappointed. There is no mature casting technology in the Sui Dynasty, so he can only think about making artillery. "What if" Fang Jie gestured. He said at once: "If artillery can be installed on warships, then our fleet can easily gain control of the river. " Andrew looked at Fang Jie like a monster: "I really can't believe that you have never left this country. Your thoughts are completely different from others. They are surprised and doubtful when they see these things, but you seem to know many, many things, which is not surprising at all. " Fang Jie smiled and was about to speak when he suddenly heard someone outside saying in a cold tone: "Because he is the Chosen One. The Chosen One knows many things that others don't know since he was born. That is innate. Knowledge is not something acquired. " Fang Jie's heart was shocked. When he turned around, he saw Sang Sasa, the great master of the Meng Yuan Dynasty, appearing at the door.