In the autumn afternoon, the golden breeze blows slowly, at the shooting range of the Jiangnan Arms Manufacturing Branch.
The "bang bang" sound of the gunfire continued, and the armor on the target fifty steps away trembled slightly, and they were penetrated one after another.
"good!"
Zhao Hong smiled and clapped.
After returning from the northwest battlefield, he had to stay in Jinling. The Jiangnan Weapons Manufacturing Branch's research and development of firearms is in progress, and the steam engine has also gained some insights.
"Your Majesty, do you want to try?"
Zheng Tu held the blunderbuss and said respectfully.
"Okay, I'll try it too!"
Zhao Hong picked up the gun with great interest, watched it for a while, and then started a series of shooting preparations.
The texture of the fire gun is uniform and delicate, and the inside of the gun tube is smooth and deep. It seems that the craftsmen put a lot of effort into it.
It is estimated that the gunpowder will be poured from the mouth of the gun into the barrel, and then the gunpowder in the chamber will be compacted with a purge bar. The projectile will be taken out from the belt and loaded into the barrel, and then the projectile will be tightened again with a purge bar. It is estimated that the gunpowder will be poured into the barrel. Enter the medicine room, fill the medicine room, open the fire door cover, light the match rope, stand and aim...
There was a "bang", and smoke filled the air. Due to the aiming device, the armor area on the target was large enough. Zhao Hong still felt that this hit hit the armor next to him.
This operation was so hectic that it even missed the target.
If this were on the battlefield, I'm afraid it would have been shot into a hedgehog by the opponent's archers.
"I go……"
Zhao Hong finally stopped being violent.
Although he was very dissatisfied in his heart, he could not deny everyone's hard work on the surface. This is the limitation of the times. Naturally, we cannot just randomly build a few AK74s and kill everyone like later generations.
"Your Majesty, this is all the work of the branch officials and craftsmen, mainly Zhang Langguan and Yan Craftsman. However, the fire blunderbuss is a little lighter, and the blunderbuss tube can be thickened and lengthened. In this way, the range is estimated to reach seven or eight Ten steps, or even a hundred steps can break the armor."
Zheng Tu said softly from the side, feeling slightly proud.
It is easy to say that in terms of mechanical manufacturing, it is not easy to get the emperor's praise.
The emperor himself is a manufacturing master.
Behind him, the officials and craftsmen of the Jiangnan Arms Manufacturing Branch were all smiling, and they were all excited to receive a "good" compliment from the emperor.
"Zheng Tu, everyone, the shooting process of the fire gun does not seem to be easy. If we were to confront the Tatar army, my soldiers would probably be killed by the other side's archers before they had even shot a few times."
Zhao Hong looked at the wrought iron firecracker in his hand and laughed.
Pour the powder, charge it, compact it, load it, and clip the match rope. When shooting, first open the fire door cover, then light the match rope, aim and then pull the trigger to fire.
Let’s not talk about the range. It takes at least 1 to 2 minutes to complete this set of shooting movements. In such a long time, the opponent's archers are enough to shoot at least 2 to 3 times. Such a fire gun soldier is at a huge disadvantage.
"Your Majesty, I am so stupid that I have let you down!"
Zheng Tu's face quickly turned red.
Things in the northwest were over, and preparations for the establishment of the Lizhou Arms Manufacturing Branch had been completed. Tian Yi returned to Jinling as early as possible and continued to study the manufacture of fire guns.
I originally thought that there was already a prototype, but it seemed that it was still far from the emperor's requirements.
The officials and craftsmen also had dark faces and remained silent. Everyone was depressed.
In the final analysis, the hard-working Huogun still failed to catch the emperor's eye.
"No, no, no, this has nothing to do with you. New things always have to go through countless explorations, and it is not easy to succeed. It is already good to be able to make a firecracker in such a short time!"
Noticing the changes in the expressions of Zheng Tu and everyone else, Zhao Hong laughed and comforted everyone.
Those who could develop fire guns were all skilled craftsmen of the Song Dynasty. They belonged to a group of people who worked hard and were high-level intellectuals. One sentence negated everyone's long-term efforts, but it chilled their hearts.
"Zhang Haowen, a member of the Ministry of Industry, and the craftsmen of the Ordnance Department developed the fire gun with strict obedience. You two took the greatest credit and were rewarded with 200 guan. The others were each rewarded with 100 guan. Zheng Tu, as the chief officer in charge of this matter, also rewarded money. 100 strings. All rewards come from the Fengzhuang Treasury."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the gift!"
Zhao Hong's words immediately made the officials and craftsmen, who had been in a dull atmosphere just now, smile.
The Fengzhuang Treasury is the emperor's private inner treasury, and the emperor's rewards are much more glorious than ordinary rewards.
Zhen Dexiu and Wei Liaoweng looked at each other and secretly admired them.
The emperor's move was a win-win for the officials and craftsmen of the Jiangnan Arms Manufacturing Branch.
"Having said that, our current fire cannons can also be used on the battlefield, but they can only defend cities. They are still not the best. They need to be improved to shoot faster and be more powerful to achieve the function of field battles."
Zhao Hong pressed his hands, and everyone became quiet and listened carefully.
"As for whether the fire gun is too heavy or too light, ask some soldiers who have been trained in the army to find out the weight that most people can accept. This is the standard."
Zhao Hong thought for a moment and said to everyone:
"I have some things that need to be mentioned. Maybe this will be the focus of my work in the next five years."
Work focus, five-year plan, these two words are more suitable, and everyone is accustomed to it, and it is no longer clouded.
Zhao Hong's eyes turned to Xiang Zhendexiu.
"Is everyone here?"
Since fire guns are mentioned, the research and development of spontaneous fire guns has been put on the agenda.
"Your Majesty, everyone is here."
Zhen Dexiu couldn't help but feel refreshed. The emperor was about to give guidance and help all sentient beings.
Zhao Hong nodded slightly and stepped forward, and everyone followed closely.
Spontaneous firecrackers were only part of it. Using certain large projects to promote the military and economic development of the Song Dynasty was the right way.
The steam engine caused the industrial revolution in the 18th century. Until the beginning of the 20th century, it remained the most important prime mover in the world, and later gradually gave way to internal combustion engines and steam turbines.
It is currently under research and development and needs to increase its research and development efforts.
Self-propelled muskets, pull-tube grenades, breech-loading artillery, rifled muskets, rifled artillery, explosive bombs, explosive bombs, etc.
Research and development is coming soon and needs to be put on the agenda.
Matches, mechanical clocks, etc., including thermometers, seemed to be included in the plan for the next five years.
Perhaps it would be better to call it the first five-year development plan of the Song Dynasty.
Back in the lobby of the Jiangnan Arms Manufacturing Branch, Zhao Hong thoughtfully drew on the blackboard based on the knowledge in his mind.
The following group of official and unofficial skilled craftsmen who were transferred from all over the country all held notebooks in their hands and stared intently at Zhao Hong dancing on the blackboard, while they nervously recorded the work themselves, as piously as the desert draws sweet springs.
"The shooting process of the matchlock is too cumbersome and is subject to wind and rain. If something can be done about loading ammunition and igniting, it will improve many shortcomings such as slow shooting."
While Zhao Hongshang was drawing a sketch of the self-propelled gun and fixed-loading bullets on the paper, he did not forget to give careful instructions.
"" The front end of the gun tube is equipped with a center, and the rear is equipped with a rear sight, forming an aiming device, three points and one line, this is correct. The gun butt should be changed to a curved position, so that when firing, the face can be placed close to the gun butt to aim and shoot. The blunderbuss tube should be longer, and the length should not be less than 5 feet. In this case, the gunpowder will be fully burned in the chamber, generating greater thrust, and the projectile will have a longer range. In addition, the barrel must be made of fine iron to ensure it is strong and durable and will not explode when fired. "
These are all obtained from the Internet in later generations, and I am lucky enough to remember them.
After explaining the details of the manufacturing process, the sketches of the self-propelled gun and fixed bullets have also been completed.
"See, this is a self-igniting gun. The principle is very simple. Pull the trigger, the flint falls, quickly hits the iron sheet, generates sparks, and the sparks fall into the gunpowder pool, ignite the gunpowder, and launch. In this way, there is no need to worry Even if it’s windy or raining, you don’t have to worry about being spotted by the enemy during a sneak attack at night because it’s all red dots.”
Zheng Tu nodded repeatedly and laughed sheepishly.
He has never been on the battlefield, so naturally he is not very clear about the details on these battlefields.
"Fixed bullets are even simpler. Once the amount of powder is fixed, the gunpowder and projectiles are packed together, stuffed into the barrel together, and compacted with a rod, which saves at least half of the time of loading ammunition."
According to the memory in his mind, Zhao Hong asked Zheng Tourer to pay attention.
In fact, he only understands the surface, that is, the basic principles. As for how to make it and the problems in the manufacturing process, it is left to these craftsmen to solve.
The experts are among the people! This sentence is applicable at any time and at any time!
"Your Majesty, I probably know the secret. I will discuss it with the craftsmen when I get back and start working immediately. However, making the barrel is too troublesome. Unlike the artillery, which is cast in a sand mold, so..."
Zheng Tu hesitated, while Zhao Hong's face was stern.
"Speak directly!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Zheng Tu spoke quickly.
"Your Majesty, when making blunderbuss tubes, one usually rolls fine iron into two iron tubes, one large and one small, and wraps the larger one around the smaller one so that the two are tightly attached. Then a steel drill is used to drill the blunderbuss tubes. The process of drilling blunderbuss is troublesome. Each craftsman can only drill about 1 inch per day, and it takes about a month to drill a blunderbuss tube."
One piece a month!
"You are racing the tortoise and the hare!"
Zhao Hong said it angrily. He thought for a moment and then said:
"Have you ever thought about using water power to replace manpower? You can fix the drill bit and the iron bar, and use water power to drive the drill bit. Wouldn't it be more uniform than manpower, and the blunderbuss tube will be smoother and straighter?"
Zhao Hong's words made Zheng Tu nod his head repeatedly with an excited expression on his face.
"What your Majesty said is that when I get back, I will arrange it and work with the craftsmen to find a way to make a self-propelled gun as soon as possible!"
In the Jiangnan Ordnance Manufacturing Branch, many machines rely on water power, such as coal washing, hydraulic fans, hydraulic hammers, cement raw material crushing, etc.
The emperor is an expert in hydraulic power, so it would be a pity not to use these ingenious techniques.
"Take your time, there is no need to rush these things. Spawning a firecracker is just the first step. I still have some things to say."
Zhao Hong thought about it and drew on the paper what future generations of pull-tube grenades would look like.
"Today's thunderbolts are all ignition type, which is very inconvenient. Is it possible to make the wooden handle of the thunderbolt hollow, so that the pulling wire is pulled, rotates and rubs in the pulling powder, causing the pulling powder to catch fire. If it is done With this kind of pull-tube thunder, soldiers don’t need to light it on the battlefield, they can just pull it.”
"Pull-tube thunder!"
The officials and craftsmen were all shocked. Everyone looked at Zhen Tianlei's sketch intently and pondered in their hearts.
"Yes, the long handle of the Zhentian Lei is hollow, and inside is a pulling match, a friction plate and a fuse. When the pull rope is pulled, the friction of the friction plate ignites the fuse and detonates the Zhentian Lei. And Lin'an Matches on the market are relatively similar.”
During the Southern Song Dynasty, there were already vendors selling matches everywhere in the streets of Hangzhou. At that time, people cut pine wood into small pieces, as thin as paper, and spread sulfur on the wood pieces, which was called hair candle or quenching.
This is what the military officers use as a backup weapon, except that it uses the principle of re-ignition, which is different from matches.
"There are also breech-loaded artillery, explosive bombs, matches, steam engines, etc. Starting today, these projects will be put on the agenda as the development focus of our Song Dynasty court in the next five to ten years!"
Zhao Hong looked at the crowds of officials and all the skilled craftsmen below.
"I want to mobilize skilled craftsmen from all over the country to overcome these problems together. If it doesn't work in 3 years, it will take 5 years. If it doesn't work in 5 years, it will take 10 years. Until this problem is solved!"
Increase R&D strength and investment. No matter what era, the saying that technology is the primary productive force will never go out of style.
Looking at the approximately two cubic meters of boilers in front of him and the steam engine with serious hand marks, Zhao Hong was dumbfounded.
The steam pressure of the boiler is not high, and the crank of the steam engine is turning weakly.
Is this a joke or a joke? Can this drive trains and ships?
Is it too radical to develop a steam engine 500 years ahead of schedule?
If word spreads that the steam engine cannot be built, he, the emperor, will be completely embarrassed.
Zhao Hong squatted down and looked at it carefully.
The principle of a steam engine couldn't be simpler, and the Dasong Iron Works has also smelted good steel that can withstand the pressure of high-pressure boilers. Now, it’s time to find out the problem and solve it.
"Your Majesty, the performance of the steam engine is not good. The main reason is that the sealing of the boiler is not strong, resulting in insufficient power."
Zhao Ruteng, who specializes in steam engines, said cautiously from the side.
Looking at the emperor's face, he knew that he was not doing well.
Sealing?
Zhao Hong nodded, feeling suspicious.
When Watt invented the steam engine, there seemed to be no electric welding, rubber seals and the like. However, if the thermal efficiency of the boiler is not high, the steam engine will not really work.
"Have you ever considered using hot riveting?"
Thoughts flashed through his mind, and Zhao Hong suddenly asked about Zhao Ruteng and the craftsmen around him.
"First drill holes in the connection area, then heat the rivets to make them less hard, and then connect them. I'll show you."
Zhao Hong drew and wrote on paper, and many technicians and craftsmen quickly understood.
"Your Majesty, this is a good idea! But we need to recruit a group of students and train them well!"
Xin Yong, another technician replied excitedly.
Zhao Ruteng and Xin Yong, both of whom were Jinshi in the second year of Xingqing, finally volunteered to work in the Jiangnan Arms Manufacturing Branch to engage in the research and development of steam engines.
"Mr. Zhen, this year we will recruit 200 people from various schools in the Song Dynasty. No, recruit 300 people into the Jiangnan Weaponry Manufacturing Department. We will also mobilize 200 iron smelting craftsmen to specialize in the research and development of steam engines!"
Zhao Hong nodded and immediately made his decision.
A mature industrial system must have a large number of skilled workers, otherwise it will be impossible.
