Zhu Jingyuan wanted to see what the so-called "self-propelled armored shield vehicle" was. Zou Bingtai thought about the imperial edict in Zhu Jingyuan's arms, and finally nodded and said:
"The latest ordnance is confidential information. Although the armored shield vehicle's confidentiality level is not high, of course ordinary unrelated officials cannot see it.
"But His Highness has the right to act expediently, and all ministries must work together, so he has the right to check and understand, but he cannot take it away..."
After Zou Bingtai finished speaking, he arranged for his men to go to the database to get the schematic drawings and actual photos of the "self-propelled armored shield vehicle" and handed them to Zhu Jingyuan beside him.
After Zhu Jingyuan took a rough look at it, he was basically sure that this thing was almost an early tank, and the idea of inventing a tank by himself was in vain.
"Just... this kind of thing has been created before, but it cannot be made public because it is kept secret, so I don't know about it..."
Zhu Jingyuan felt a little unwilling. Unexpectedly, the first time he used the golden finger, he fell directly on the confidential information, and then asked with more curiosity:
"May I ask Da Sikong, which great craftsman invented this shield cart?"
Zou Bingtai smiled with emotion and explained:
“Initially, it was Li Rui, the head of the Arms Department, who was inspired by the cars sold by the consortium and started the design project of a mechanically powered self-propelled shield vehicle.
"The original intention of the project was actually to design a vehicle more suitable for battlefield use, or a self-propelled shield vehicle equipped with mechanical power.
“During the design process, some craftsmen suggested that once the shield car itself has enough power, it can be equipped with more iron armor, and we can even try to cover it all with iron armor.
“Another craftsman imagined that the conventional rifles originally carried by shield troopers could be replaced by rotatable machine guns or even small artillery mounted directly on the roof of the vehicle.
“Later, other craftsmen suggested it, and after testing it was confirmed that the tread strips are more suitable for battle formations than the wheels.
"The subsequent upgrade design is still continuing, and the next plan is to replace the main engine with a more powerful one and carry a more powerful artillery.
"So the design of this self-propelled armored shield vehicle can be attributed to Master Wang, but it is only the first credit. All participating craftsmen have received awards and promotions.
“It is not someone’s original invention, but His Highness came up with a nearly complete design on his own, which is truly a genius.
"If His Highness has not already taken on a more important position, otherwise I would really like to invite His Highness to come to the Ministry of Industry for practical training."
Zou Bingtai's praise was sincere. This armored shield car was an upgrade from the traditional shield car, a plan slowly optimized by a group of people.
However, Zhu Jingyuan directly mentioned the most critical designs of "full armor coverage", "installation of artillery", and "track drive".
If Zhu Jingyuan was a great craftsman, he would be able to complete the final design by himself. He is indeed a genius.
The surrounding Ministry of Industry officials also had similar thoughts. After listening to Zou Bingtai's words, they all nodded in admiration and emotion.
The officials of the Arms Department and the craftsmen have been working together for so long, and after putting the things they made on the battlefield and actually having an effect, they felt a sense of accomplishment.
As a result, Zhu Jingyuan, a half-year-old child, gave the final correct answer completely by himself.
It's hard not to be surprised.
Zhu Jianyan, who was sitting next to him, asked in disbelief after figuring out what happened:
"Does Da Sikong mean that Jingyuan's own wild ideas coincide with the designs of the great workers in the Ministry of Industry?"
Zou Bingtai stroked his beard and said with a smile:
"It is indeed a coincidence, and it brings together the ideas of many craftsmen, but Your Highness is not fooling around..."
Zhu Jianyan looked at his son in confusion and was speechless for a long time.
He has shown extraordinary talents since he was a child, and he was often called a genius by teachers of various subjects early on.
What happened today once again refreshed Zhu Jianyan's father's understanding of his precious son's genius.
As for Zhu Jingyuan himself, he didn't care at all about everyone's praise.
After hearing Zou Bingtai's introduction to the design process of the self-propelled armored shield vehicle, Zhu Jingyuan came out of his unwillingness and disappointment that his idea was cut off first, and slowly thought about some things.
The "tanks" of this world do not rely on someone's extraordinary talent, nor do they rely on the advice of travelers who just copied it mechanically.
It was figured out by the great craftsmen native to this world, based on the existing industrial foundation and technology accumulation.
It can be regarded as a natural product after having basic technology.
Such a result is obviously far more important and meaningful to the entire empire and even the world than the forced creation led by oneself.
This shows that this empire has truly embarked on an independent and sustainable self-improvement industrial development path. Without the blessing of time travelers, it will not decline quickly.
Zhu Jingyuan's mood and way of thinking gradually changed with the emergence of these thoughts.
Then Zhu Jingyuan asked with expectation:
"So Da Sikong, has this armored shield vehicle been installed on the front line? Have the Governor's Office and the Ministry of War given feedback on its use? How is the effect on the battlefield?"
Zou Bingtai stroked his beard and nodded with a smile:
"It is said to be very good. It can assist the infantry to advance quickly and break through barbed wire fences and trench defense lines. After being deployed, it achieved considerable results..."
The moment Zhu Jingyuan heard the words, he was naturally a little happy, and then he immediately became confused again:
"Then why is the frontline battle situation still so anxious now? There is no obvious and decisive victory..."
Zou Bingtai seemed very surprised by Zhu Jingyuan's question. He shook his head helplessly and said:
"According to the Ministry of War and the Governor's Office, it has indeed played a very good role, but after all, it is just a weapon.
“It can help frontline generals and soldiers gain advantages on local battlefields, but it is not enough to determine the outcome of the entire war.
"His Highness seems to have too high expectations for the armored shield vehicle, but... our Ministry of Industry does not know much specific information.
"For more details and specific usage of the armored shield vehicle, His Highness can go to the Governor's Mansion and the Military Aircraft Department for consultation."
At the same time, Zhu Jianyan and several accompanying officials from the Ministry of Industry looked at Zhu Jingyuan with similar expressions of incomprehension.
Zhu Jingyuan looked at everyone's reactions and was very surprised. After a few seconds, he slowly figured out that he had entered a misunderstanding.
Zhu Jingyuan actually knew that early tanks from the First World War era could not play a decisive role in trench warfare.
The reasons may be various, such as: small number, weak power, slow speed, low reliability, limited endurance, low mechanization of the troops, inability to support large-scale operations, etc.
But when talking about tanks, I still instinctively think of the Blitzkrieg of World War II.
The sense of anticipation for tank combat rests on the steel torrent of Sud and Germany.
But the people in the world around him obviously have no relevant knowledge.
Of course, they can't imagine now how important the tank clusters and mechanized troops will be.
Of course they now feel that cooperating with the infantry on basic tactics to break through the enemy's barbed wire fences and trench positions is already considered a "very good" effect.
They simply couldn't understand their expectations for the armored shield vehicle.
