"Xiao Wu, it seems that the mass production line of this 'rifled gun' is still not perfect enough."
"The yield rate is really pitifully low. Now it seems that it is more realistic to first equip the firearms battalion with large-scale 'muskets'."
In the Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau, Mu Ying, Zhu Fan, and Zhu Su once again walked out of the test firing range. The batch they tested this time were rifled guns mass-processed by improved lathes. However, whether it was because the accuracy of the lathe was still not enough, or there was something wrong with the mass production process of the bullets, among the twenty rifled guns, only one gun met the air tightness requirements, and it shot a terrifying range of more than 800 steps.
Among the other guns, three even exploded, and seven of the bullets deviated from their trajectory. This time the test firing of the rifled gun was a complete failure.
"The accuracy of lathes and assembly lines is indeed a big problem." Zhu Su touched his chin. "However, smoothbore guns will eventually be eliminated. Only rifled guns with longer range and higher accuracy can truly create a generational difference between our Ming Dynasty and other countries."
"Rifled guns are the future, and research and development must not stop."
"But after all, there is still a shortage of talents... In the Imperial College, those students who study intensive science still have too short a study time, and they are still not useful."
"Perhaps it will take a few more years, when Daming has enough talents to invest in research and help us lay a solid foundation for technology, and we will be able to break through the mass production problem of rifled guns."
Seeing that Zhu Su was a little discouraged, Zhu Fan patted him on the shoulder. "Lao Wu, it's okay. We are still young, so we just have to take it step by step."
"After all, there are a few rifled guns that have passed the test firing. After these guns are carefully inspected and the material structure is stable and there is no risk of explosion, we can select some elites who use muskets during the night and put them to the test. It is equipped for the use of these elites.”
"The rifled gun has an accurate range of five hundred steps and has excellent armor-piercing capabilities. I remember that you once asked your eunuch Gou'er to snipe the thieves' general with a bow and arrow? This tactic is very suitable for use with these rifled guns. .”
"Our Ming army equipped with rifled guns will definitely become a nightmare for enemy generals on the battlefield. This is enough to change today's battle situation."
"Moreover, we have successfully achieved mass production of muskets, and at the same time fully adopted tunnel firing technology. Even in unfavorable weather conditions such as rain and snow, the firing rate can be 70%. Such a firearms unit with a three-stage firing The new firearms tactics will be enough to greatly enhance the combat capabilities of our Ming army."
"If it doesn't work, we can try to apply rifling technology to artillery first. The barrel of artillery is thick and rifling is easier than that of firecrackers."
"That's right!" Zhu Fan's words made Zhu Su excited. "Third brother, you are really a genius! With rifled artillery, its range and stability will be greatly increased. In this way, whether it is attacking a fortified city or fighting a fierce battle on the sea, our Ming Dynasty can rely on the power of heavy artillery to be as strong as others. .”
"Guns and guns are from the same family... Third brother, you are so crazy!"
Zhu Fan smiled, with a little pride in his expression. These days of envisioning and researching with his two brothers made him feel more fulfilled than ever before. Perhaps the people of Lao Zhu's family had hidden talents as craftsmen. Zhu Fan's attainments in craftsmanship and physics were already slightly ahead of Zhu Su's.
"If this new type of artillery can be successful and cooperate with the 'Tiger Crouching Cannon' we have developed, then our Ming army will be invincible when attacking cities and territories." Mu Ying also said with a smile.
The "Tiger Crouching Cannon" is a new type of artillery that they have tinkered with before. The prototype is the artillery used by the Qi Army to deal with Japanese pirates. This gun is light in shape and is mostly used in mountain warfare. When used, it is like a tiger squatting, and its function is similar to that of later mortars. However, it can also be filled with gravel and other objects to be used as a shotgun. If a rifled cannon with an extremely long range is successfully developed, the Ming army will set up a position when facing the enemy. The rifled cannon and the tiger crouching cannon will be one far away and one close, one for attack and one for defense. .
If the enemy is defending the city, use rifled artillery to bombard it; if the enemy goes out to attack the city, use tiger crouching artillery to bombard it...
If they are unable to advance or retreat, there is no other way but to kill them!
Even though Muying had always been calm, her face turned red with excitement when she thought about such a scene.
Even if the three brothers started researching how to cast cannons, everything in the government had been stable in the past few years, so there was no need for the three of them to worry about it. The three of them, An Anxin, were also used to being technical geeks, and they would immediately spend sleepless nights and study on it as soon as they had an idea. its feasibility.
But today was a little different from usual. Not long after we discussed it, I saw a palace official hurriedly rushed to the Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau: "Can His Majesty the Fifth Prince be here?"
"Your Majesty has a decree. Your Majesty Xuan will go to the Jinshen Hall to pay homage immediately!"
Zhu Su was stunned for a moment. Although he had often been in and out of the palace in recent years, most of the time he went straight to the harem and chatted with Lao Zhu, Queen Ma, and his eldest brother Zhu Biao. Occasionally, he teased his eldest nephew Zhu Xiongying, who was growing up day by day, and had secret trysts with Xu Miaoyun, who often visited the textile factory in the palace. But it’s been a long time since I’ve been to Jinshen Hall, where Lao Zhu usually works.
Could it be that something big happened?
Zhu Fan and Mu Ying did not dare to neglect and hurriedly urged Zhu Su to go first. Zhu Su quickly followed the small yellow gate to the palace. When I arrived at the Jinshen Hall, I saw that the eldest brother Zhu Biao, the fourth brother Zhu Di, Liu Bowen, Li Shanchang and several other officials who were now in charge of power in the court were all there. There were also some slightly younger officials standing with Zhu Biao. They must be the cabinet or the newly promoted officials from the six ministries in recent years. Among the military officials, several princes, marquises, etc. in Beijing are also listed.
Lao Zhu was still wearing the clothes he wore when he went to the imperial court. Only then did Zhu Su remember that today was the day he was looking at the sun. It seems that after attending the imperial court in Fengtian Palace, Lao Zhu summoned all the important ministers here before he could change his clothes. I don't know what happened.
"Lao Wu, you're here." Seeing Zhu Su entering the palace, Lao Zhu's face relaxed and he waved to greet Zhu Su to come in. Zhu Su gave a brief salute to Liu Bowen, Li Shanchang, Feng Sheng and other elders, then nodded to his eldest brother Zhu Biao, and then came to Lao Zhu. "Father, I urgently summoned my children here, but what's the important matter?"
"There is indeed something important." Lao Zhu said. A chamberlain brought an exquisite book to Zhu Su: "This is the credential sent by the Japanese Kingdom today."
"You are quite familiar with the affairs of Japan, so we called you over to discuss the details with everyone."
"Japan's credential?" Zhu Su's heart skipped a beat. He took the credential, opened it and read it carefully. Sure enough, it is the credential of the Japanese state written in Chinese characters. It is obvious that this credential was written by someone who was proficient in Chinese culture. There are many arrogances in it, making it quite difficult to read.
The general idea is that a great traitor has appeared in the Japanese country, and the power has been taken by the thieves. Emperor Changqing of the Japanese country was helpless and asked the Ming Dynasty to send heavenly soldiers to help his country eliminate evil and rectify its origins. Emperor Changqing is willing to respect Ming Dynasty as his master from generation to generation and never betray him.
Zhu Su was overjoyed. This did not happen in history. It must be the arrangement of Yao Guangxiao and Gao Qi that worked! He raised his head and said: "The Japanese country is asking for help. Isn't this a God-given opportunity for our Ming Dynasty to demonstrate the power of the superior country and eliminate Japanese troubles forever? Is there anything to learn more about?"
"It's not that simple." Lao Zhu shook his head and asked someone to hand over another memorial. "Look at this again."
(End of chapter)
