Volume 2: The Capital, I’m Back Chapter 62 New Firearms
"Your humble servant, Li Shulin, the head of the Ministry of Works, kowtows to the emperor, long live the emperor!"
Zhu Qizhen was studying the coastline. When he turned around, he saw that it was Li Shulin from the Ministry of Works who came over.
"No need to be polite, my dear family."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Zhu Qizhen took out the blueprint he had just drawn and said, "I heard that your family has made great achievements in the research of firearms?"
Li Shulin said respectfully: "My father devoted his entire life to the study of firearms. I have only learned the basics through observation and listening."
Zhu Qizhen thought to himself, he sounded quite humble, but I didn't know if he had real talent or not, so I should test him first.
"What do you think of the firearms of the current Shenjiying?"
When Li Shulin heard that the question was about firearms, he felt less nervous and said, "Since the emperor asked, I dare to advise you. The firearms of the Shenji Camp are mainly rockets, muskets and cannons. Rockets are rarely used nowadays. Let me talk about muskets first. Their advantages are..."
Zhu Qizhen interrupted him: "Don't talk about the advantages, just talk about the defects."
"Yes!" Li Shulin paused and continued, "The disadvantages of fire guns are that they are slow to reload and have a short range. When fighting the Mongols, the enemy's bows and arrows have a much longer range than fire guns, and the cavalry attacks very quickly. Often our army only fires once, and the enemy rushes to the front with casualties, and the fire guns are useless."
"Another point is that gunpowder is afraid of water. If it encounters rainy or snowy weather, or in a humid environment, the gunpowder will easily become ineffective."
"I'll talk about the cannon again. The disadvantage is that it's too heavy and inconvenient to move. Also, the technology of the shrapnel shells is not mature yet and they are prone to bursting. Otherwise, the power would be greatly increased."
"Well said!" Zhu Qizhen nodded and said, "Does your family have any ideas for improving these problems?"
Li Shulin continued to talk: "Regarding the improvement of fire guns, we should start with the smelting and forging process, extend the length of the gun barrel, and thus increase the range. In addition, when shooting, we should not rush up in a swarm. I heard that the emperor used the three-stage attack tactic when he fought the main force of the Oirat at Tumu Fort, and the effect was remarkable. This tactic can be further optimized. According to the different types of enemy troops, it can be evolved into a four-stage attack or even a six-stage attack to ensure a continuous firepower."
Zhu Qizhen suddenly asked: "Have you heard of the matchlock gun?"
Li Shulin was shocked and asked, "Your Majesty also knows about matchlock guns?"
As soon as he said this, he felt a little rude, and hurriedly said, "I have heard that the Portuguese have a matchlock gun, which has a range, precision, and firing speed far exceeding that of a fire gun. It can be called a magical weapon, but I have never seen it, which is a pity."
"Come and look at this!"
Zhu Qizhen picked up the manuscript on the imperial desk and Huai En handed it to him carefully. Li Shulin took it and took only one look at it. He was immediately shocked and his eyes widened.
"I have never heard of the kind of firearm that Your Majesty painted before. Could it be a matchlock rifle?"
"Look at the second one."
Li Shulin continued to read and couldn't help but sigh: "The structure of this fire gun is more ingenious. It uses flint instead of the matchlock, which can prevent moisture and can be used on rainy days. It also has a faster firing rate. If it can be successfully developed, my Ming Dynasty will have no worries for a hundred years!"
"How about it, can you do it?"
"This... may be a little difficult..."
Li Shulin stared at the drawings closely, his face showing a mixture of joy and worry. He was happy because he had discovered a treasure, but he was worried because the process was too complicated and difficult to achieve with current technology.
"Such a long gun barrel requires extremely high steel smelting and forging technology. This step alone requires a lot of manpower and material resources. And this... this granular gunpowder also requires a lot of time to experiment..."
Seeing that Li Shulin's eyebrows were almost twisted together, Zhu Qizhen said: "It is not scary to have difficulties. I summoned you here today to overcome difficulties. Since the Portuguese can make it, why can't my Ming Dynasty make it? Are they gods who are born to make matchlock guns?"
Upon hearing this, Li Shulin's expression suddenly changed, as if the door to a new world had opened.
"Your Majesty is right. I am grateful for your advice!"
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said, "From today on, I appoint you as the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Works, in charge of Wanggong Factory, specifically responsible for supervising the manufacture of new firearms. Do you have confidence?"
Li Shulin knelt down excitedly and said in a trembling voice: "I obey your order. Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will never let you down even if it means risking my life!"
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said, "I asked you to supervise the manufacture of firearms, not to risk your life. There is more to come, so keep watching!"
Li Shulin then realized that there were still several pages of manuscript paper in his hand, and hurriedly continued to flip through them.
When he saw this, he was stunned again.
"Why is this type of artillery cast separately? This way, the airtightness of the barrel cannot be guaranteed... Oh?"
Li Shulin, as expected of a man who specialized in firearms, suddenly figured it out.
"I understand. This structure is for portability. Moreover, a main gun with three sub-guns can greatly increase the firing rate. As long as the airtightness problem can be solved, the role of this artillery on the battlefield will even far exceed that of the general cannon!"
Zhu Qizhen said immediately: "I have decided that the research and development of these two types of firearms will be fully entrusted to your family. The required manpower can be directly from the Ministry of Works... No, not limited to the Ministry of Works, not even limited to the court, civilian craftsmen can also be requisitioned. In a word, as long as they are the talents needed by Wang Gongchang, your family has the right to make independent decisions. If anyone tries to stop you, go to Jinyiwei to find Yuan Bin and say that I asked you to go!"
"I obey your order!"
Li Shulin left happily holding a stack of drawings as if they were treasures. Zhu Qizhen suddenly felt that he had found the right person.
Just by looking at the sketch, you can tell the key points. It really is professionals doing professional work.
The research and development of cement and firearms have been arranged, but who should be responsible for this thousands of miles of coastline?
The Ming Dynasty banned maritime operations for many years, and more than 20 years had passed since Zheng He's last voyage to the West. Where could one find a team capable of fighting a naval battle?
"Your Majesty, Captain Yuan is here."
Zhu Qizhen came back to his senses and nodded, "Announce!"
Yuan Bin is currently acting as the commander-in-chief in the capacity of a thousand-householder, but anyone with a discerning eye can see that it will only take a few minutes for him to be promoted to a regular commander.
"Your Highness, Yuan Bin, wishes you well!"
"I'm fine!" Zhu Qizhen unconsciously showed a kind of intimacy when he saw Yuan Bin, "You don't have to be polite, stand up and answer!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Yuan Bin stood up and said, "Regarding the case of Cao Jixiang and others' conspiracy to rebel, I have made some progress. This is the latest confession. Please have a look, Your Majesty!"
Huai En stepped forward and presented the confession to the imperial desk.
"The Qing family is really efficient. They came up with the results in just one day?"
As Zhu Qizhen spoke, he picked up the confession and began to read it.
"This is a matter of treason, so I dare not slack off."
"How could this bastard Cao Jixiang win over so many people?"
Zhu Qizhen put down the confession and continued, "There is nothing to say. Those who should be killed should be killed, and those who should be exiled should be exiled... By the way, remember to look carefully when you search the property. Anyone who dares to embezzle my money will have his property confiscated and be exiled!"
"I obey your order!"
"Wait a moment!"
Yuan Bin hurriedly asked, "Your Majesty, please give your orders!"
Zhu Qizhen suddenly asked: "What is Shi Heng's current situation?"
"Your Majesty, Shi Heng confessed all his crimes, and he also exposed many of Cao Jixiang's followers."
Zhu Qizhen hesitated for a moment, then said: "Bring him to me!"
Yuan Bin asked with some confusion : "Bring it here?"
"Not suitable, right?" Zhu Qizhen thought for a moment and said, "I'd better go there myself!"
"emperor!"
Yuan Bin was even more incredulous and said quickly, "Let me bring him here!"
"I'd better go over there!"
Zhu Qizhen stood up and said to Huai En: "You don't need to prepare lunch for me!"
"ah?"
Huai En opened his mouth wide, at a loss for a moment.
"Fan Zhong!"
Fan Zhong hurriedly walked in from outside the hall, saluted and said, "I am here!"
"Come out with me."
Fan Zhong was stunned for a moment and asked, "Where are we going?"
"Leave the palace and go to Zhaoyu."
Fan Zhong hesitated for a moment and said, "Please allow me to arrange it."
Zhu Qizhen said disapprovingly: "No need to go through so much trouble, just bring a few secret sentries."
"Isn't this... inappropriate?"
"What's wrong with that?"
Fan Zhongru said: "The emperor wants to leave the palace, so he needs to notify the imperial guards to accompany him, and also prepare the carriage..."
"That's enough, that's enough!"
Zhu Qizhen hurriedly interrupted him and said that after all this trouble, it would probably be dark by then.
"Leave the palace in plain clothes and prepare more spies!"
"I will obey your order!"
