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“That’s truly a laughable suggestion,” someone stood up and said. “Do you want them to become farmers and shepherds? Over time, they’ll form their own new power, and they’ll think that land belongs to them forever!”
“That’s why they should rotate every two years,” Hedy responded without hesitation. “Regular relocation reduces their sense of ownership. This isn't a big issue.”
“No,” Mr. Rucellai interjected with a disapproving expression. “The point isn't rotation, it’s combat readiness. The reason mercenaries are so expensive is because they need training and practice for battle. If they get used to being shepherds, when war comes, they’ll be as foolish as hedgehogs.”
Hedy signaled for her subordinates to distribute the printed strategic summaries, showing no sign of backing down.
“This can also be resolved.”
“On one hand, the soldiers responsible for farming and grazing should be split into two groups, rotating every six months. We can also instruct the mercenaries to break new ground and cultivate more wheat.”
“On the other hand, our focus in warfare shouldn’t be on weapons and manpower.” She paused, emphasizing her point. “Instead, we should seek the assistance of gunpowder.”
“No, Miss Medici,” Mr. Rucellai shook his head. “The Venetians employ light cavalry from Dalmatia and Greece, and the power of crossbowmen and longbowmen cannot be underestimated. As for the firearm you mentioned, although it is easy to make, it cannot even kill a horse.”
“Is she talking about the matchlock?” Lorenzo furrowed his brows. “Sforza showed me a similar weapon, and I’ve heard it’s even more powerful than a firearm.”
“It’s a flintlock rifle, sir,” Hedy turned towards the side door and signaled for her attendants to bring in her old friend. “In Florence, we have an incredibly talented and exceptional firearms designer.”
As the side door opened, Leonardo da Vinci walked in, holding a crossbow.
The weapon in his hands was completely different from any firearms people had seen before.
Both firearms and matchlocks required loading ammunition from the muzzle, but this rifle had a mechanism near the handle, and there was no awkward match cord hanging from the front.
Not only that, but behind da Vinci were two attendants carrying a hollow iron door.
“Allow me to demonstrate,” da Vinci said.
Lorenzo nodded slightly, signaling for them to open the large door and let the audience watch the demonstration in the courtyard to the south of the meeting hall.
The iron door was secured with stones and placed on the flat ground, not far from which a few pigeons hopped around in the shade.
Da Vinci held the long gun, demonstrating its construction to the gentlemen, and in front of them, he loaded three rounds of ammunition into it.
The weapon's principle was to use a spring mechanism and gunpowder to propel the ammunition with immense force, achieving the purpose of long-range killing.
The bullets might not cause large holes in the bodies of men or horses, but the impact would immediately create a large cavity in fragile flesh, and with limited means of first aid and blood-stopping, this force would be fatal.
Da Vinci had been researching this for some time, but with Hedy's inspiration, he created an even more intelligent flintlock mechanism.
When he pulled the trigger, the striker would, thanks to the spring’s action, force the flint to strike the fire pan with great force, igniting the powder and firing the shot.
Compared to this seemingly outdated flintlock rifle, people of this era were still using match cords to ignite the powder—a thick, long rope, like an elephant’s trunk, that hung from the muzzle all the way to the ground, burning constantly, and when it ran out, it had to be replaced.
Even a small modification was enough to create a completely different effect and improvement.
People cautiously hid at a distance, with only Hedy standing behind Da Vinci.
Her blue gown glistened like an iris in the sunlight, and her cascading black hair had soft curls, elegant yet full of vitality.
This weapon was something she and Leonardo had designed and tested together.
It was powerful enough, and deadly enough.
“Three.”
“Two.”
