"Steel can be made into steel after a hundred refinements" comes from Chen Lin's "Ode to the Military Forces" of the Three Kingdoms Dynasty: "Kai Zedong Hu Que Gong, fine steel can be refined a hundred times." Wang Dingbao of the Five Dynasties "Tang Zhiyan·Zhiji": "Xiao is like steel that has been refined a hundred times, and cannot be suppressed."
Refining steel is a unique steel-making process of the ancients.
Steelmaking has already been produced in the Spring and Autumn Period, and the initial steel was sponge iron. When making steel, sponge iron is put into the furnace and allowed to carburize under heat. After it reaches a certain temperature, it is taken out for forging. This is the earliest steel to be forged. The more times it is repeatedly forged, the harder the steel becomes. Therefore, craftsmen set a certain number of heating and forging as a formal process, and it became an important step in refining steel.
During the Qin and Western Han Dynasties, a new technology of frying steel with pig iron appeared. Craftsmen changed the smelting process to using fried steel or wrought iron as raw materials, which further developed the technology of smelting steel.
According to ancient records, cannons were mostly made of wrought iron and bronze.
Wrought iron is the later equivalent of mild steel.
But there is a big gap between the two compared with steel. Zhang Xiu used the knowledge of later generations to start large-scale steel-making. The technology of steel-making was already available during the Han Dynasty. Large-scale steel-making was not difficult. With the production of steel, Zhang Xiu can free up his hands and feet to do things.
The country had enough money. With a wave of his hand, Zhang Xiu allocated another three million taels of silver to the firearms camp to specialize in the research and development of firearms in the deep mountains and old forests. In the same five years, two things had to be developed, one was the famous flintlock gun of later generations, and the other was the cannon.
Although the power of the Sky Cannon Cart has reached the peak of this era, Zhang Xiu is not satisfied with this. He has spent a lot of money to produce more powerful firearms. Zhang Xiu, who comes from later generations, knows the power of firearms. If the gun is successfully developed, it will be a nightmare for the cavalry.
The production of gun barrels and cannon barrels is naturally impossible to complete by forging. After all, it is absolutely impossible to manufacture this thing with the current level of craftsmanship. Although there is no craftsmanship, there is still a way to do it, and that is to use molds to make it.
The principle is very simple. First make an iron mold, then pour molten steel into the mold. After cooling, you can get a complete artillery piece. Of course, this method also has a disadvantage, that is, the inside of the tube is uneven, and the inside and outside of the tube can only be polished by hand.
In his previous life, Zhang Xiu had some knowledge of flintlock guns. He had some memory of their general appearance and some of their principles, but it was very difficult to make them.
Zhang Xiu drew a sketch of the flintlock gun, summoned the skilled craftsmen of the firearms camp, told them the manufacturing principles of the flintlock gun, and asked them to work together to develop the flintlock gun. Zhang Xiu decreed that if he could develop a flintlock gun within five years, he would be rewarded with a thousand gold coins and a title.
With such a huge temptation, the craftsmen of the Firearms Camp worked hard to delve into research.
soon.
With the help of molds, the earliest barrel was manufactured.
The surface of the gun barrel poured from the mold has small bumpy particles. After careful polishing by the workers, the originally rough barrel became smooth and bright. Although it is not as good as those of later generations, it still meets Zhang Xiu's expectations.
"Not bad!"
After playing with the barrel for a while, Zhang Xiu smiled with satisfaction, "The barrel is actually the most important part of the entire flintlock gun. We already have some foundations in the research and development of gunpowder. Steel balls are not difficult to make, even if steel balls are not good. , iron beads can also be substituted. The most difficult thing is to make the barrel. If the barrel is not made successfully, it will easily explode and the firearms battalion will not be able to be established!"
Zhang Fu sat below and listened respectfully to Zhang Xiu's words.
This Zhang Fu is the manufacturer of the Hongtian Cannon Cart, and the later research and development was led by Zhang Fulai. This Zhang Fu is none other than Zhang Lu's son. The Zhang family in Hanzhong has been studying elixirs for many years. From the founder of Tiandao Sect, Zhang Ling, his father Zhang Heng, to Zhang Lu, Zhang Lu's son Zhang Fu, they have studied the art of alchemy for four generations and have a very good understanding of the three formulas of gunpowder.
When Zhang Xiu was developing the Sky-Hunting Cannon Cart, the first thing he thought of was the Zhang family and his son.
Zhang Lu was addicted to cultivation and was unwilling to leave the mountain, so he asked his eldest son Zhang Fu to come down to assist Zhang Xiu in developing gunpowder. Although Zhang Fu had no research on gunpowder, he was very familiar with the three raw materials for making gunpowder. Under Zhang Xiu's guidance, black gunpowder was quickly developed.
Zhang Fu was also out of control on the road to researching gunpowder.
For this development of flintlock muskets and cannons, Zhang Xiu appointed Zhang Fu as the governor of the firearms battalion, who was fully responsible for the research and development of firearms. Today, the produced gun barrel will be presented to Zhang Xiu for review.
Seeing that Zhang Xiu was satisfied, Zhang Fu laughed: "Your Majesty, don't worry, Weichen must carefully research and develop the flintlock gun, but..." Zhang Fu stopped before he could speak.
Zhang Xiu looked at Zhang Fu: "If you have anything to say, I will definitely support it if you can."
Zhang Fu smiled brightly: "Your Majesty, I observe that the structure of the flintlock gun is exquisite and unparalleled. Although I know the craftsmanship of gunpowder and steel, I do not know the art of mechanism. I heard that the Queen..." At this point, Zhang Fu smiled brightly. Fu looked at Zhang Xiu secretly with a gleam in his eyes, and when he saw that Zhang Xiu was not angry, he continued: "... I have read "Liujia Secret Text" and "Mozi" well, and I know the ingenious mechanism. If the empress takes action, I’m afraid it will be twice the result with half the effort.”
Qian Song, who was also coming from the opposite side, heard Zhang Fu's words and his scalp was numb with fear.
Zhang Fu actually wanted to ask the Queen to take action. This was so bold!
Why didn't he discuss it with himself on the way here? If he had known this earlier, he would not have entered the palace with Zhang Fu. It was too dangerous.
"Ah! Yuan Wei (Zhang Fu's nickname), you are so brave!" Zhang Xiu laughed and scolded, "You dare to hit the Queen's attention, so you are not afraid that I will kill you in anger!"
Zhang Fu is neither humble nor arrogant: "For the emperor's plan and for the great peace, I am loyal, honest and courageous, with a clear conscience and no fear!"
"good!"
Zhang Xiu admired Zhang Fu's courage, "Based on your Zhang Yuanwei's words, I agree. However... the Queen has a distinguished status and cannot leave the palace. You will bring the issues that require the Queen's help to the palace and let the Queen The empress is studying in the palace."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Zhang Fu and Qian Song breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.
Huang Yueying is very famous for her trap skills. I heard that the continuous fire of Kecheng's heavy crossbow was made by the empress. With her help, the research and development of the flintlock gun will go a step further.
Zhang Xiu stood up slowly.
The two of them hurriedly stood up, bowing slightly and standing with hands hanging down.
Zhang Xiu took the barrel of the gun and said: "The barrel will be produced according to this style, Yuanwei! You have to work harder on the research and development of gunpowder. The ignition conditions of this flintlock gun are higher than the ignition conditions of the sky-blasting cannon. You must Gunpowder was developed before the flintlock was developed.”
"Weak ministers will no longer live up to the emperor's high expectations!" Zhang Fu promised.
Zhang Xiu nodded: "Kneel down, I have to go to the queen and ask her to take action!"
