Chapter 55: Forty Heaven-Shaking Thunderbolts

“I have already ordered forty Heaven-Shaking Thunder mines to be transported from Weishan Pass.” Wei Fangyun asked, “Have you heard of the Heaven-Shaking Thunder in the capital?”

The so-called Heaven-Shaking Thunder was a type of triggered landmine, containing gunpowder and iron shards inside. For the current Great Liang, the cost of production was exorbitant—not because of the raw materials, but primarily because making them required too many skilled craftsmen.

Whether during storage, production, transport, or deployment, there was a high possibility of explosion, which could lead to the death or injury of one's own soldiers.

Furthermore, the instability of these devices was manifested not only in their tendency to explode but also in their high likelihood of misfiring.

This was the reason why, despite possessing them, the Great Liang could not yet use them on a large scale.

However, the lethality and the thunderous sound of the Heaven-Shaking Thunder were remarkably effective when dealing with the Yan cavalry.

“I have heard the officials from the Ministry of Works mention them.” Meng Changqing had not only heard of them but had also witnessed their power with his own eyes.

The reason the military now had a specialized Artillery Corps responsible for the management of Heaven-Shaking Thunder and other gunpowder weapons was an idea Meng Changqing had devised for the Crown Prince.

The pay for the Artillery Corps was much higher than other branches of the military, as the risks were greater and the regulations more stringent.

Wei Fangyun said, “The forty Heaven-Shaking Thunders will arrive here by tomorrow morning at the latest. Since you have heard of them, you must know their power. You must instruct your men to guard them closely and manage the local civilians under your command; they must not go near them under any circumstances.”

“Your subordinate understands.”

“I only hope these forty Heaven-Shaking Thunders prove useful,” Wei Fangyun said. “If we can use them to break the Yan cavalry, there is still a chance of victory. If not... Changqing, let your wife stay at my Liangzhou Prefectural Office for a period of time.”

“It seems, Uncle, that you are certain the Yan army will attack soon,” Meng Changqing said. “Your nephew is foolish; I would like to ask for your guidance.”

Wei Fangyun sighed. “Scouts report that the pass at Tuozhou, which previously blocked the Jiewan, has fallen. Now that the Yan people occupy Tuozhou, their military strength is no weaker than that of the Great Liang. That pass had been well-defended until now, yet it suddenly fell. Why do you think that is?”

Meng Changqing’s expression turned solemn. “Please wait a moment, Uncle. I will have my mother pack her belongings immediately. I must trouble you to look after my mother for a few days.”

“Go on.”

Meng Changqing lifted the hem of her padded coat and ran, charging straight into the pit where Lady Wen and the others were located.

“What happened?” the two women asked, pausing their work.

“Mother, Mother, hurry and pack your things. We are going to the Liangzhou Prefectural Office with Lord Wei.” Meng Changqing leaned against the low table. “The Jiewan and the Yan army may attack simultaneously.”

“Alright, we’ll leave right away.” Liang Jiuqiu immediately went behind the curtain to pack her belongings, taking only gold, silver, and valuables in the critical moment.

But when she emerged clutching a small bundle, the Madam was still sitting steadily on her stool.

“Madam?”

“And you?” Lady Wen asked Meng Changqing. “Are you coming with us?”

Meng Changqing wanted nothing more than to leave immediately, but her hands clenched and unclenched several times before she finally said with difficulty, “I cannot leave yet.”

“If you do not leave, neither will I,” Lady Wen said. “No matter where you are, Mother will be with you. I will never leave you to face this alone.”

Liang Jiuqiu sat down with her back to them in frustration. “Could you not have said those things before I started packing? You two cannot bear to part, but do you think I can bear to part from you?”

“Mother, Mother,” Meng Changqing urged, “war is no joke. Swords and blades have no eyes; how can I feel at ease if you are here?”

“Changqing.” Lady Wen took Meng Changqing’s hand. “Do not be anxious. Let me ask you: how do you plan to settle the more than thirty thousand civilians and the two thousand guards outside?”

Coincidentally, today was the sixth day. Ordinarily, the civilians should have been allowed to go home to visit their families, but the day before yesterday, Meng Changqing had issued an order to cancel visiting times and suspend shift rotations.

If he were truly a benevolent official, he should have immediately notified all the civilians to retreat to Yangmen County.

But he had long since stated that he was not a benevolent man.

“Mother, if I let them retreat to Yangmen County, then this city wall will never be completed,” Meng Changqing said. “It is getting hotter by the day. Once the Yan army completely shakes off the Jiewan, their attacks on us will only increase. There are only five miles left—only five miles until the wall is finished.”

“How long will it take to complete these five miles of wall at minimum?” Lady Wen asked again.

“At least five more days.”

Lady Wen asked again, “What if we cancel the three shifts and have the thirty thousand people work day and night without stopping?”

“It will still take five days,” Meng Changqing said. “Working day and night will only make the people more exhausted. Not only will it be inefficient, but accidents will become more likely, and the more people there are on a construction site, the harder it is to supervise.”

“In that case, the only thing you need to solve is these five days,” Lady Wen said. “No matter who you have to ask or what method you have to use, you must endure these five days.”

“I naturally know that, but you...”

“I am not leaving,” Lady Wen said stubbornly. “Mother is not old. Although I do not know martial arts, I am not a frail woman. If your father can wield a sword to kill enemies, why can't I? Besides, the Imperial Guards are here. If we truly reach a desperate situation, they will naturally find a way to take us away. Changqing, since you are staying, no one can leave. I, your mother, and the rest of the Meng family—not a single person can move. Once one person hides away, you will lose the ability to command these thirty thousand people.”

Meng Changqing slowly crouched down. “I truly regret it.” She regretted her pursuit of quick success; she clearly could have waited and observed. What did the refugees of Beishan County have to do with her?

“Do not regret; regret affects your fortune.” Lady Wen pulled her up. “Mother does not think you have done anything wrong. In this life, one cannot predict everything with certainty. We can only plan and prepare more, but even so, if things deviate from our expectations, what then?”

Ever since Meng Changqing had been old enough to remember, she had frequently heard Lady Wen say these words: “First, calm down, then adjust.”

“Right.” Lady Wen took a cloak from the rack. “Come, take me to see Lord Wei. I wish to thank him for his kindness.”

Seeing the three women approaching, Wei Fangyun asked in surprise, “Madam, you are well, but why have you not brought any luggage?”

Lady Wen stepped forward and bowed to Wei Fangyun. “I have come to thank General Wei for his care of the Meng family, and to thank him for his continued protection of Changqing.”

Wei Fangyun hurriedly returned the bow. “I dare not accept such a formal greeting from Madam.”

Lady Wen said, “With a great enemy at our gates, Changqing, as the Magistrate of Beishan County, must defend the land with his own body. As his mother, it is only natural that I have no reason to abandon him to save my own life.”

“Madam is noble, but if you stay in Beishan County, will it not only serve to distract Changqing?”

“It will not,” Lady Wen said with certainty. “It is precisely because we are here that he will do everything in his power to keep the enemy outside the walls. If I were to run first, he would falter.”

As the sky turned dusky, Wei Fangyun bowed to Lady Wen. “It is precisely because of Madams like you that the men of the Meng family earn the admiration of the world.”

“Report!” A guard on the city wall raised a flag. “Report! There are moving shadows six miles to the north!”

Wei Fangyun shouted back over Meng Changqing, “Send the scouts on horseback! Scout beyond the city walls!”