There are three defense lines in Mobei.
The first defense line, known as Xiashi Tan, is a desolate place. If one wishes to halt the advance of the barbarians, this is the first battlefield.
Xiashi Tan offers no cover, being an open expanse of gravel. It is often overlooked. The soldiers of Zun State, upon spotting traces of the barbarians, would simply abandon it, allowing the barbarian cavalry to easily pass through Xiashi Tan to reach the second defense line.
This is incorrect.
While the barbarian horses are formidable, and Xiashi Tan is indeed unsuitable for fighting cavalry, it is entirely possible to set up defenses and plant hidden traps. Let the barbarian horses taste the sharpness of hidden stakes and caltrops. Their combat effectiveness could be weakened by at least twenty percent.
The second defense line is the former site of Mobei City. Old Mobei residents like to call it Old Mobei City, while others refer to it as the Old City. The current Mobei City is called the New City by them. It was once very prosperous, but decades ago, due to constant harassment from the barbarians at the border, the people suffered the ravages of war, becoming displaced and unable to return to their homes. Thus, it gradually fell into disrepair. The court is not entirely foolish; they knew that if they let Mobei fall into desolation, it would eventually be ruined by the barbarians, leaving not a single brick or tile, turning it into another Xiashi Tan. Therefore, they stationed the army in the Old City and established the New City to the rear.
To encourage the people of Mobei to settle in the New City, the court also implemented policies such as tax exemption and conscription exemption. Anyone who settled in Mobei and contributed to the development of the New City would enjoy these benefits, along with various rewards. Only then did the stagnant Mobei recover to its current state.
From this point alone, the Emperor shows considerable courage. While he may not be an emperor of historical renown, he is certainly not a foolish one.
Li Man’er is a person with strong nationalistic sentiment. In her previous life, her Xuanyi sect members all served their country in various fields. Now that she is a citizen of Zun State, she should contribute her part and not stand by and watch the barbarian cavalry raid Mobei.
Li Man’er first drew the blueprints for a repeating crossbow, and then sketched designs for a blade cart.
Defending a city and attacking one are entirely different. The barbarian royal court is located within the grasslands. To destroy it, one must undertake a long-distance raid, striking directly at the heart of their power. On open plains, directly confronting barbarian cavalry would surely put the soldiers of Zun State at a disadvantage.
The barbarians were raised on horseback, and their horses are stronger than those of Zun State. In such a raid, Zun State would undoubtedly lose. This is why, after so many years, Zun State has been unable to strike directly at the barbarian royal court.
Therefore, siege weapons are temporarily unusable against the barbarians. She only needs to design some defensive war chariots.
A blade cart is a hand-pushed cart with blades inserted, their tips facing outwards, and a long handle at the back for pushing. This type of cart requires no technical skill to operate; it is simply pushed towards the enemy. However, the cart itself is very heavy and requires many people to push. Of course, the casualties it inflicts would not be small.
Blade carts are a desperate weapon for city defense, typically used when the city is breached and large numbers of enemy soldiers are entering. This contraption is useless until the city walls fall.
Liu Ya stood beside her, increasingly alarmed. She dared not look again at what Li Man’er was drawing, and instead diligently ground ink.
After finishing the blade cart, Li Man’er drew a ballista.
The ballista, also known as a bolt shooter, is very powerful. On the correct historical trajectory, it appeared during the Eastern Han Dynasty. For some reason, Zun State does not possess this weapon. She doesn't know where the deviation occurred.
Since Zun State lacks it, there's no need for politeness. She'll simply draw it and use it. It can save many lives!
The structure of a ballista is not complex, mainly consisting of a bed, a windlass, and a giant bolt. It is a useful item for both attack and defense. When defending, the giant bolts shot by the ballista often target the enemy's command vehicles and formations. When attacking, it can be firmly embedded in the city walls, allowing the attacking soldiers to climb upwards using the bolt.
Finally, Li Man’er also drew a gate-blocking blade cart.
This device should be as wide and as large as the city gate itself. It is designed to prevent the enemy from swarming in when the gate is breached, blocking the entrance and also reaping many lives.
As for the "Fierce Tiger Oil Tank"...
That thing is incredibly potent, but unfortunately, it requires petroleum. It is perhaps the earliest flamethrower in the world?
If petroleum isn't available, can something else be used as a substitute?
Li Man’er couldn't come up with an answer immediately, so she decided not to draw it for now.
However, gunpowder should be easy to make, as fireworks and firecrackers already exist at this time. It shouldn't be difficult to create a simple hand grenade.
Li Man’er began drawing the schematics for a hand grenade, and also wrote down the method for making gunpowder.
Sorcerers and Taoists can produce similar items, but their power would certainly not be as astonishing as hers.
After sitting and drawing diagrams for a long time, Li Man’er's wrists were aching severely. She carefully put away all the drawings and instructed Liu Ya, "Do not mention anything about today to anyone."
"Young lady, rest assured, I will not speak a single word," Liu Ya replied, somewhat excited. The items her young lady drew could be called divine weapons and potent arms. Having been on the battlefield and fought in wars herself, she naturally recognized the power of these creations.
However, she dared not look at the later drawings, and she had no idea what else her young lady had drawn.
"Am I not preparing for a rainy day? If the barbarians really attack, they will be sent back without return."
"But young lady, building these things will likely take some time. What are your plans?" Mobei is the territory of the Xiao family. It is impossible to create these things without alarming them.
If the blueprints were sent to the court, it would take an unknown amount of time for the return trip, and it might be too late.
The Li family's desire to claim sole credit for this is likely unrealistic. The best course of action would be to cooperate with the Xiao family.
"You don't need to worry about this. Someone will naturally help."
Liu Ya was skeptical. In the territory of Mobei, was there anyone more influential than the Xiao family?
Indeed, there was.
For matters like this, Li Man’er absolutely could not forget her "golden leg" Qi Yihan! The Ninth Prince was elusive, and capable of being an informant within the Xiao family. It should not be difficult for him to find a place to build these things, away from the Xiao family's surveillance.
Li Man’er pondered for a moment and then asked Liu Ya to cut a small piece of paper. She wrote two lines of small characters on it, then rolled up the paper. From her medicine chest, she took out a bracelet with intricate gold carvings.
Liu Ya was puzzled. She carried this medicine chest every day, how had she never noticed a bracelet inside?
Li Man’er removed her hairpin and used its sharp tip to gently pry at the bracelet. The mechanism was triggered, and the bracelet split open into two halves, revealing a hollow space.
Liu Ya was quite familiar with this type of contraption and did not show any surprise this time.
Li Man’er placed the paper strip inside the bracelet, then restored it to its original form and wore it on her wrist.
"Let's go for a stroll."
It was time to ditch the bracelet.