We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Seeing Ma Jing like this, Li Che patted him on the shoulder and explained: "General Ma, don't think too much. It's not that I don't trust you."

"The manufacturing process of these flintlock rifles is unique. Each one has a unique serial number. It is our army's top secret and is strictly prohibited from being disclosed."

"The northwest is located in the border area, bordering Tubo, and the situation is complicated."

"Even if one of them accidentally falls into enemy hands and is copied by the Tibetans, it will be a catastrophic disaster for Daqing. We must be on guard!"

In fact, what Li Che said was half true and half false.

The flintlock rifles used by the Fengtian Army today are all mass-produced on assembly lines. Each part is exactly the same size, and the parts can be disassembled and used immediately on another gun.

Even if it falls into the hands of the enemy, it doesn't matter. For a gunsmith who doesn't master the core technology, it is harder than climbing to the sky to imitate it.

But the principle of the musket is not that complicated. It is impossible to imitate it exactly, but it is possible to make a low-quality product.

Ma Jing was also an expert on military affairs, and he understood the pros and cons of this matter after a moment's thought.

Although disappointed, he also understood. He nodded and said, "Your Majesty has thought it through. It is I, Meng Wang, who has been reckless."

"However," Li Che changed the subject, a smile reappearing on his face, "hand grenades, land mines, explosive packs, etc. can be provided to you in large quantities."

"These things rely primarily on the power of gunpowder. Even if the Tibetans occasionally seize one or two, the precise ratio of the gunpowder inside them is definitely beyond their ability to decipher."

After a sudden turn of events, hope rekindled in Ma Jing's eyes.

Grenades and explosives will do. He is not a greedy person. As long as he can kill the Tibetans, it's fine!

Ma Jing couldn't help but ask, "May I ask how much Your Majesty can allocate to me?"

Li Che waved his hand and said proudly: "Although the army currently has a large reserve of gunpowder, we still need to prepare for the southward march, so we can't move lightly."

"But I can directly allocate it to you from the armory outside the Great Wall. First, I will give you 10,000 hand grenades, 3,000 land mines, and 100,000 kilograms of gunpowder. How do you think?"

"Mr. Duo? One... Ten thousand grenades?!"

Ma Jing was stunned and his head was buzzing.

He originally thought that such magical weapons must be extremely rare, and it was a great favor for the emperor to give him a few hundred of them.

Unexpectedly, the emperor asked for the money in units of ten thousand, and gave it to himself as a gift for free.

"Isn't it enough?"

Ma Jing hurriedly said: "Enough, enough, Your Majesty, I really..."

"Don't worry, this isn't the end yet!" Li Che continued, "There's also the artillery. This thing is complicated to operate. Even if I give it to you, it's useless if no one knows how to use it."

"How about this? I will send two fully-formed artillery battalions with you to the northwest, including twelve artillery pieces and thirty light mortars."

"These artillery units are under your command. You can command them in combat, but the specific operation and maintenance of the artillery must be handled by professional gunners. Do you think this is feasible?"

Ma Jing was so excited that he was shaking all over. He had never dared to imagine such strong support in his dreams.

Ma Jing, Ma Jing, what kind of Feng Shui treasure land is your family’s ancestral tomb buried in that has earned it such great love from two generations of emperors?

He fell to his knees again with a thud, his voice choked with sobs:

"Your Majesty has shown such great grace. I, Ma Jing, swear to heaven that I will guard the northwest gate for your Majesty for the rest of my life!"

"If you break this oath, you will be punished by heaven and earth!"

Li Che was about to go forward to help him up, but a personal guard came over quickly with a worried look on his face.

"What's the matter?" Li Che asked.

The guards bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the patrol outside the city reports that they have spotted a small group of people, flying the banner of the fake imperial court, heading towards Luoyang!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Jing on the ground immediately jumped up and said, "Well done! Your Majesty, why would you bother to take action against these few thieves?"

"I am willing to kill this enemy chieftain for Your Majesty as a token of my loyalty!"

After saying that, without waiting for Li Che's response, he rushed to the edge of the training ground, jumped on his horse, and grabbed his heavy mountain axe.

Then he kicked the horse's belly and rushed out of the training ground like an arrow.

"General Ma!"

Li Che looked at Ma Jing's hurried back, feeling both amused and helpless.

How could a commander-in-chief of an army be so rash?

On second thought, Ma Jing acted like this more out of loyalty.

It seems that the Northwest Army has had a hard time in recent years, which has been difficult for him.

Li Che was worried that this commander, whom he had finally won over, would be in trouble, so he quickly ordered Yue Yun and others beside him, "Quick! Follow him and see what happens. Don't let General Ma suffer any loss!"

He also climbed onto the Black Wind, followed closely by his generals and personal guards.

At the same time, a hint of doubt arose in my heart.

Yuzhou has been basically taken, and the remaining cities have closed their gates for self-protection. How could the imperial court team dare to attack Luoyang directly?

. . . . . .

At the same time, on the official road not far outside Luoyang City.

Du Fuchen and his companions, exhausted from the journey, finally saw the majestic outline of Luoyang City in the distance.

Du Fuchen breathed a long sigh of relief, and his tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

In the past few days, they have been traveling day and night without stopping, for fear that the imperial capital will notice that he has dismissed his servants and send troops to chase him.

Fortunately, the journey was safe and sound.

Du He, who was beside him, had long since lost his resistance when he set out.

The hasty journeys these days made him feel like he had lost half his life. His face was pale and his eyes were staring blankly.

However, on the way, Du Fuchen explained to him the truth that Du Jiashi actually worked for Li Che.

Du He was shocked at first, but then he remembered that he had met Li Che when he went to Fengguo.

That decisive and murderous demeanor still frightens him to this day.

The fear in my heart gradually turned into a sense of security. It was naturally terrifying to be an enemy of such a lord.

But if you can serve him, it would be a great honor.

Seeing Luoyang City in the distance, Du He felt all his fatigue disappear.

He turned to Du Fuchen and said, "Father! You and the troops should slow down a bit. I am a fast runner. I will go ahead and scout the way ahead so that the city gate guards can be prepared!"

Du Fuchen was just about to tell him to be cautious and not to show off, but Du He excitedly whipped his whip, urged his mount to leave the team, and galloped towards the Luoyang city gate.

He thought of informing the emperor of the news that his father had come to join the army, and maybe he could even show his face in front of the emperor.

He was thinking happily when he saw the city gate open in the distance.

A burly general wearing armor in the style of the Northwest Frontier Army and holding a terrifying giant axe rushed out of the city like a whirlwind.

The general's face was filled with murderous intent, and his eyes were like lightning. He instantly locked onto the suspicious individual who was galloping towards him alone.

Ma Jing was just worrying about where he had no place to show his loyalty, but when he saw a guy dressed like a son of an official rushing towards him without knowing the danger, he was overjoyed.

He raised the axe in his hand and a ferocious smile appeared on his chubby face.

Ma Jing: "Hey! That traitor is sneaking around. Take this axe from Grandpa Ma!"

Du He: ???