While Li Qiu led the Shenyou Army westward to Shuofang, two divisions of the Huben Army escorted captured grassland bandits and a group of horses back to the vicinity of the capital.

Li Xin, Zhao Bingzhang, and others also returned to the capital.

The outskirts of Beijing.

Looking at the large number of warhorses, Wang Qinggu, commander of the Third Division of the Tiger Army, frowned and said, "Your Majesty, how are these warhorses being sent to Liaodong? Does our Third Division also need to go to Liaodong?"

"you?"

Li Xin paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, "You Tiger Legion don't need to go. We still have missions to perform in the capital!"

"so,"

Li Xin thought for a moment and said, "Select people who can ride horses from the new recruits near the capital and from the militia, and have them send the horses to Liaodong."

These men can also serve as reserves for the elite cavalry and the cavalry units, supplementing the cavalry ranks!

"yes!"

Wang Qinggu quickly agreed.

"His Majesty,"

Zhao Bingzhang, standing to the side, chuckled and said, "Why not train these new recruits and militiamen in the outskirts of the capital, giving them some cavalry combat skills? That way, it will be much easier and more convenient to go to Liaodong!"

Moreover, once we arrive in Liaodong, we'll be able to fight on the front lines!

"Not bad, not bad!"

Li Xin patted his head and couldn't help but laugh.

Zhao Bingzhang's idea was equivalent to training a cavalry force near the capital.

That's a really good idea!

Li Xin agreed and immediately instructed the Third Division of the Tiger Army to relay orders to local militia units to begin recruiting riders.

Li Xin, on the other hand, returned to the capital.

Shortly after Li Xin returned to Beijing, good news came from the Beijing Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau.

The production lines for the Yanning Type 1 breech-loading rifle and the Yanning Type 1 breech-loading cannon have been completed and put into operation!

Upon hearing this news, Li Xin was overjoyed and immediately led his guard regiment toward the Beijing Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau.

As soon as they arrived at the Beijing Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau, Xu Hedou and others came out to greet them.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Everyone quickly bowed in greeting.

"Please rise quickly!"

Li Xin helped everyone up and asked, "I heard that the production line for the new type of guns and cannons has been completed and put into operation?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Xu Hedou nodded and said, "The new rifles now have three production lines, all in simultaneous production. Your Majesty, this way please!"

As they walked, Xu Hedou explained, "Compared to flintlock rifles, the production process for the new rifles is more complex. However, it's simple to operate, and many components can already be mass-produced using standardized methods. Currently, each production line can manufacture thirteen new rifles per day!"

Thirteen?

Li Xin nodded slightly and said, "So, with three production lines, that's thirty-nine pieces a day! That's quite a good output!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Xu Hedou nodded and said, "We have produced nearly two hundred units in this period of time. After testing, the quality and precision are all up to standard."

With that, the group walked into the rifle production workshop.

Looking at the busy people in the workshop, Li Xin greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, thank you for your hard work!"

The busy workers bowed to Li Xin as he walked in.

Upon seeing this, Li Xin quickly stopped them, saying, "No need for formalities, work is the priority, let's get to work! Get up!"

After helping everyone up, Li Xin said, "You've all worked hard. Manager Xu, please make sure the workers have extra meals and take good care of them!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Xu Hedou quickly agreed.

After inspecting the production line, Li Xin was very satisfied.

After inspecting the rifle production workshop, Li Xin said, "There are only three production lines now, which is still too few. Once everything is running smoothly, we need to add more production lines! We need to increase production to at least several hundred or a thousand rifles to meet the needs of the various armies for equipment replacement!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Xu Hedou nodded and replied, "During this time, I recruited workers to continue building the production line. In addition, as per His Majesty's previous instructions, the Dongning Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau and the Liaodong Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau are also setting up new rifle production lines as required."

It is expected that the Dongning Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau and the Liaodong Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau will be able to put the new rifles into production before autumn!

"very good!"

Li Xin smiled and nodded.

The Yanning Type 1 breech-loading rifle was modified from modern breech-loading rifles.

This type of firearm represents a significant leap forward compared to flintlock rifles. Most importantly, this production line can also be used in the production of other rifles subsequently.

Therefore, Li Xin instructed various bureaus to cooperate with the Beijing Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau to build production lines.

Only when the production of new rifles increases can the replacement requirements of various armies be met.

It should be noted that after the major expansion of the army last winter and this spring, Li Xin now has an army of four to five hundred thousand troops!

With such a massive force, even if a thousand new rifles were produced every day, it would still take one or two years to equip all the major armies with them!

And in a year or two, Li Xin might have an army of one or two million!

This output is still too low!

However, Li Xin knew that one must eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time, and these things could not be rushed.

Haste makes waste!

Li Xin understood this principle.

At this moment, the group arrived at the warehouse.

Looking at the neatly stacked boxes in the warehouse, Li Xin quickly stepped forward, opened one, and took a look.

Li Xin smiled broadly.

Inside the box were rows of brand-new Yanning Year 1 breech-loading rifles!

Li Xin picked up a new-style rifle, weighed it in his hand, and aimed it forward.

Um!

good!

This style is not too different from the guns that Li Xin remembered!

"Where is the guard regiment?"

Li Xin waved his hand and said, "Have the First Battalion come over and equip them with the new rifles!"

"Let's grab some bullets and head to the shooting range to try out the new gun!"

After changing into their uniforms, the soldiers of the First Battalion of the Guard Regiment, carrying their fixed ammunition, headed towards the firing range outside the Beijing Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau.

Upon arriving at the firing range, the soldiers followed the instructions, began loading bullets, cocking the guns, and then aimed at the targets in the distance.

"shooting!"

At the battalion commander's command, soldiers pulled the triggers one by one.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The crisp sound of gunfire rang out, and bullets pierced the air, hitting the target.

"This new rifle is really good! It's much easier to operate than a flintlock rifle!"

"At that time, the soldiers will no longer need to use the three-stage firing method; they can fire as long as they have loaded their bullets!"

"It's also much simpler to operate than a flintlock musket!"

...

The soldiers were buzzing with excitement, all filled with joy at the new rifle.