"Commander Su, there is something important going on."
Su He saw Su Que coming to him and asked Su Xiong to continue training. He walked towards Su Que.
Su Que is only fourteen years old this year. He is too young to go to the front line and stays with him as an orderly.
"Su Que, something happened in the village."
"Uncle Wuniu wants to see you for something."
When Su He heard that Su Wuniu was looking for him, he immediately rushed to the arsenal.
Su Wuniu is a blacksmith and is responsible for managing the newly established arsenal.
The main items of the arsenal now are black powder and bronze cannon.
Su Wuniu led the village craftsmen to try to make black powder and bronze cannons according to the methods given by Su He.
The cave dwellings near Su Wuniu's house in the west of the village were transformed into arsenals, and all the craftsmen in the village were recruited to work here.
When Su He came to the arsenal, he saw Su Wuniu with a dark face and half of his hair burned off.
"Uncle Wuniu, how is the situation now? I'm not saying that black powder is extremely powerful. You should stay away during experiments."
Su He asked eagerly that black gunpowder was crucial to his cause of rebellion.
Now that the war between the East and the West has entered the age of firearms, swords and spears have been eliminated, and queuing to kill is the pinnacle tactic of this era.
The technical requirements for making muskets are very high, but the technology for making black powder and bronze cannons is relatively simple.
It's gratifying to succeed in an attempt, and it's a gain to experience when you fail.
With cannons in hand, you have the ability to defend cities and attack fortresses.
Otherwise, we can only learn from the thieves and rely on their lives.
"Black gunpowder has been successful. The formula you gave is amazing."
Su Wuniu sighed with emotion, and took Su He into the cave where the gunpowder workshop was located.
As soon as I entered this cave dwelling, the strong smell of urine hit me, making me sneeze.
Su He observed the gunpowder manufacturing process, where the assembly line operation method he proposed was implemented.
Each person is only responsible for one process. In addition to ensuring the proficiency of the craftsmen, more importantly, it maintains confidentiality.
The method of making black powder is similar to the existing method in the Ming Dynasty, but the formula is improved.
Because during the bumpy transportation of ordinary black powder, raw materials with different weights will separate from each other.
When the soldiers got their hands on it, they found that this kind of black powder was extremely weak, and the uneven combustion of the gunpowder caused the firearm to explode.
Coupled with the corruption of Ming Dynasty officials, the firearms cut corners.
The officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty generally did not like to use firearms, preferring to use cold weapons.
Su He observed the process of the workshop and every step was completed according to the craftsmanship.
The craftsmen in the village are generally illiterate and have no ability to innovate.
But according to the process he designed, there is still no problem in simple manufacturing.
Su He took the granular gunpowder just made by the gunpowder workshop.
He took the pellets of gunpowder and walked outside the cave, poured the pellets of gunpowder on the ground, and lit it with a fuse.
Su He observed that granular gunpowder burned very quickly, produced less smoke when burning, and had no large residue after burning.
He couldn't help but clapped his hands and praised: "Uncle Wuniu, you have done a very good job. With the granular gunpowder, our team's combat effectiveness will be doubled.
The arsenal must increase production and produce as many grains of gunpowder as there are raw materials. "
Su He was more concerned about the bronze cannon and asked: "How is the manufacturing of bronze cannons now?"
When Su Wuniu saw Su He's expectant expression, he felt a little frustrated. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeves and said:
"Commander Su, the mines and grenades you asked us to make are very simple.
A landmine is just a big iron box with some scraps of iron inside.
The grenade has a wooden handle and an iron head, and the iron head is partially cast. If the technology is not good, there are air holes on it, but it is easier to explode.
These two weapons can be made by just an apprentice. There are many apprentices in the factory and the output is considerable. "
When Su He listened to Su Wuniu's introduction, he was not surprised.
Landmines and grenades are both monkey products manufactured based on the current technical level of craftsmen.
Now there are no pressure fuses and pull fuses, so we can only rely on match ropes to ignite.
Using them to deal with the soldiers of the Ming Guard is powerful enough.
Su Wuniu continued: "The casting process of bronze cannons is very difficult. Based on your ideas, I chose various methods such as clay molds, sand molds, and bronze molds. The bronze cannons cast were all unqualified."
Su He was not surprised at all when Su Wuniu and the others failed to forge the cannon.
Su Wuniu is just a blacksmith in a small village. He usually only makes some iron farm tools, but his skills are limited.
"What problems did you encounter?" Su He asked directly.
“We encountered too many problems, and I basically don’t understand anything, so we still need to find a craftsman who can cast cannons to guide us.
The bronze cannon we cast is full of air holes, and the chamber will explode as soon as the gun is fired.
The cannon cannot be made by relying solely on the strength of our village. "
Su Wuniu directly said that he was not good enough to make a bronze cannon.
No excuses, if it doesn't work technically it just doesn't work.
"I understand, Uncle Wuniu, do you know anyone in the county who can cast cannons?"
Su He was very satisfied with Su Wuniu's answer. He must be more practical when managing the arsenal.
"In our county, only Blacksmith Zhang from the guard station can cast cannons. Nine out of ten cannons he cast exploded.
But when he was drinking, he revealed that the superiors only gave him the iron material for three cannons, and he could not make up for it at his own expense. He could only cast it and make do with it. "
After Su He heard what Su Wuniu said, he now understood that he could only give up cannon casting temporarily.
Even if the technical level is not enough, it cannot be forced. What he understands is the direction of industrial development.
Su He knew very little about specific process issues. What little knowledge he had left could not match the productivity of this era.
Cannon casting can only be started when there are enough talents.
"Uncle Wuniu, your arsenal is now producing large quantities of granular gunpowder, landmines, and grenades.
At the same time, you melt all the copper coins into bronze blocks and save them for later use as materials for casting bronze cannons. "
Su He ordered Su Wuniu Arsenal to do the next work.
Su Wuniu's eyes widened and he said heartbrokenly: "So many copper coins, all melted, this is all money!"
“Only when copper coins are cast into bronze cannons can they achieve their greatest value.
Uncle Wuniu, you don’t have to worry about money, just carry out my orders. " Su He ordered in a serious tone.
Casting bronze cannons is a waste of money, but there is no other way. They are rebels, and force is much more important than money.
Bronze cannons have many advantages. They are simple to cast and not easy to explode.
The raw materials are abundantly stored, including copper coins for daily use, which are extremely easy to obtain.
Its biggest disadvantage is that it is cast using money, which is too expensive.
Smelting technology has not been improved to produce cheap and tough steel.
Bronze cannons will not be eliminated.
Cannon is the god of the battlefield and the most powerful weapon for attacking fortresses.
Without artillery, they would not be able to capture fortified cities and passes.
The Ming army had cannons in their hands. If they don't have the means to compete with the Ming Dynasty's official army.
Then we can only follow the example of thieves and wander around, unable to maintain a stable base.
Without a stable base for rebellion, it would be impossible to farm, carry out education, and develop industry.
There is no logistical support, and it is too difficult to win the battle.
