The strongest devouring system in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 187 Battlefield Reconnaissance

The 2nd Division has an artillery regiment equipped with twelve large-caliber general-sized artillery pieces and twelve small general-sized artillery pieces. Each regiment has an artillery company equipped with three large-caliber general-sized artillery pieces and six small artillery pieces. Of course, this is an idealized organizational structure. In reality, due to production capacity limitations, there are not many units that can be fully staffed like this.

Most units are only organized at the division level. Especially after several regiments moved south, the increased supply distance means that the regiments moving south can only guarantee sufficient ammunition.

As for artillery, it will only be replenished when there is sufficient transport capacity.

Upon hearing Chen Er's question about the artillery situation, Gao Shun quickly explained to Chen Er, "Currently, the supply situation for the various organizations heading south is relatively good, and the Hai organization's transport forces are continuously transporting ammunition and first-class weapons to the south for stockpiling."

"Considering that our organization's firepower is currently superior to that of other forces, after discussing with General Xiahou, we decided to temporarily store all the newly arrived cannons in five organizational armories built in Yangzhou, Yuzhou, and Xuzhou as strategic reserves, and not to replenish the organization."

Chen Er thought for a moment and said to Gao Shun, "Strategic warehouses are indeed necessary, but production and transportation are more important. The south is too far away. Let's stick to the previous plan."

"Establish a new arsenal in Pengcheng as soon as possible. Draw some key personnel from the Yuyang Arsenal and train some skilled workers from Yuan Shu's former subordinates in Xuzhou to form the Pengcheng Arsenal."

“It would indeed be more convenient to have an arms factory nearby,” Gao Shun said.

"My lord," Gao Shun suggested, "the south is often rainy, and gunpowder frequently gets damp. Although flintlock muskets can still fire when it rains, it still has a significant impact. I suggest that the troops in the south should be equipped with some melee weapons."

Chen Er nodded in agreement. It was just some swords and knives, a drop in the ocean compared to the organizational costs of the district he was in charge of. Besides, not everyone needed to be equipped with these weapons; only a small number of soldiers would be equipped with swords and knives, while most soldiers would use bayonets.

"Airship research has entered the practical application stage, and the south will become the first war zone for testing." Chen Er suddenly mentioned airships, which are actually hot air balloons, but in Chen Er's heart, airplanes are what he ultimately wants.

"But with the current technology, developing an airship is already the limit, not to mention that the district we are managing has not yet developed an airship, but only has relatively large hot air balloons that have been put into practical use."

"However, at this stage, the only use of hot air balloons is for battlefield reconnaissance."

"Airship?" Gao Shun was a little confused. He only realized it was a hot air balloon after hearing Chen Er's explanation, and he was immediately disappointed. However, after hearing Chen Er's further explanation of the airship, he was filled with hope for it again.

If one day the airship can truly achieve what Chen Er described, then he will have another powerful weapon in his possession.

After leaving the Second Division's organizational battalion, Chen Er arrived at the Pengcheng Garrison Regiment's organizational battalion. The Pengcheng Garrison Regiment was reorganized from the original Xuzhou organization. Although its combat strength was not strong, it was still a unit with practical combat experience.

Moreover, after Gao Shun's selection process, the two thousand soldiers left behind by the Pengcheng garrison were relatively elite soldiers, although they were still insufficient compared to the district front-line organization regiment he had organized.

Moreover, they were equipped with flintlock muskets without rifling, which was relatively outdated, but it was sufficient for maintaining local security.

"Are there any gentry from Pengcheng involved in the garrison?" Chen Er asked, as this was his biggest concern.

Gao Shun immediately replied: "There are basically no members of the gentry in the garrison. All the soldiers are low-ranking soldiers selected from the original Xuzhou organization. Only a small number of the organizing officers are sons of gentry."

"However, these people have all been carefully selected, and the battalion commanders of the garrison regiment are all officers of the rank of colonel-level organization drawn from the First Organization, so their loyalty is well guaranteed."

"That's good," Chen Er said. The local garrison is key to maintaining local order. If it falls into the hands of those aristocratic families, it will become a destabilizing factor and affect local order. This is not the situation Chen Er wants to see, especially in an important place like Pengcheng.

"Once the Pengcheng Arsenal begins construction, you should draw several battalions from the First Organization Regiment, along with reserves, to form the arsenal's garrison regiment," Chen Er said to Gao Shun.

Gao Shun immediately replied, "Yes," and kept the matter in mind.

After inspecting the organization camp, Chen Er returned to Gao Shun's organization headquarters in Pengcheng. After gaining a general understanding of the organization's situation in Pengcheng, Chen Er lost interest in the inspection. Having been in the organization for many years, he really couldn't muster much interest in the organization's affairs.

"Gongyi, I'm going back to my room to rest now. Don't bother me unless it's something important."

"Yes, my lord, then I will take my leave." Gao Shun understood that Chen Er was tired. He must have been exhausted after traveling all the way from Qingzhou. He quickly took his leave so that Chen Er could get some rest.

After days of travel, Chen Er was exhausted. He hadn't had a good rest during the dinner last night and the discussions between the three of them. Now that he had some free time, the fatigue immediately welled up from the depths of his mind.

He quickly told Gao Shun that he needed to rest, and after a quick wash, he fell asleep. When he woke up, it was already eight or nine o'clock in the evening.

After Gao Shun parted ways with Chen Er, Zhao Yun had just returned to his residence when he received a report from his soldiers: "Reporting to the General, Lord Chen Deng has sent a visiting card, wishing to pay his respects to you, General."

Zhao Yun was stunned for a few seconds. The Chen family reacted very quickly. They probably noticed Gao Shun and Zhao Yun when they arrived at the teahouse.

It seems the Chen family has quite a few informants in Pengcheng, but this is their home base, so having so many informants isn't too surprising.

Zhao Yun quickly ordered his personal guards to invite Chen Deng in.

"I was unaware of Lord Chen's visit. I apologize for not greeting you properly." Chen Deng entered the courtyard where Zhao Yun was. Zhao Yun quickly got up to greet him and exchanged pleasantries with Chen Deng.

Chen Deng certainly didn't take Zhao Yun's words seriously, but he had come specifically to visit Zhao Yun, and he chose to visit Zhao Yun when Gao Shun and Chen Er were not around, so he must have had a special purpose.

Chen Deng did an excellent job of putting on a show, quickly saying to Zhao Yun, "I apologize for my unauthorized visit, and hope the organization will not take offense."

After saying that, Chen Deng quickly asked the steward in the back to bring out the gift he had prepared and presented it to Zhao Yun: "It's just a small token of my appreciation, I hope the organization won't take offense."