On the outskirts of the city, the Gunpowder Department.

Arriving at the Gunpowder Department again, Zhu Ying could clearly feel a big difference. Just as he entered, the smell of gunpowder smoke filled the place.

Obviously, in just half a month, the progress of Ye Yueqing's guidance here is quite different.

Zhu Ying's arrival was not announced, and Ye Yueqing rushed over immediately after receiving the news. At this time, Ye Yueqing's face was dark, and it was obvious that he had been experimenting on his own not long ago.

"I've met my boss." Ye Yueqing didn't realize the strangeness on her face, and became a little excited when she saw her boss's expression.

"It seems that the progress of the matchlock gun is going well." Zhu Ying walked up to Ye Yueqing, took out the handkerchief from his arms, and handed it over.

Instructing Ye Yueqing to wipe it off.

There was a blush on her dark face, and Ye Yueqing realized that there was something strange on her face.

After taking the handkerchief from her employer, she was still a little reluctant to use it, but under his gaze, she turned her head slightly and began to wipe it carefully.

After wiping, looking at the dirty handkerchief, Ye Yueqing lowered his head and said, "After my subordinates clean it up, please give it to my boss."

Zhu Ying nodded lightly, did not continue on the handkerchief matter, and then asked, "What's the situation with the matchlock gun now?"

Hearing his boss ask about the matchlock gun, Ye Yueqing immediately cheered up and began to report:

"Following the instructions of my boss, my subordinates began to dismantle and build the matchlock gun, especially the power-charging lathe made by carpenters from the War Bureau. The progress is now very fast."

As Ye Yueqing explained, Zhu Ying gradually began to understand the current production situation of matchlocks, and also understood why the gunpowder department smelled so loud.

Before Ye Yueqing came, Zhu Ying had given independent instruction on matchlocks and even gunpowder.

Of course, Zhu Ying's teachings were mostly theoretical, such as the disassembly and assembly of matchlocks, gunpowder proportions, and purification.

The most important thing is about the power lathe.

These carpenters who came here are all masters. In the Ming Dynasty, almost all carpenters who can work in the war bureau have inheritance.

When Ye Yue took stock of her requirements, in just two days, the carpenters jointly built an animal-drawn cart that could polish gun barrels.

Several styles even appeared directly.

Carpenters in today's Ming Dynasty are very similar to scientists of later generations, not to mention the two hundred great carpenters, all of whom are at the level of master craftsmen. They can make many things with ease.

Don't underestimate the wisdom of the ancients. If you understand the mortise and tenon structure, you will know how superb the carpenter's skills are. Things like animal-drawn lathes are really not worth mentioning.

In the eyes of carpenters, this thing is actually no different from a textile cart.

Several animal-drawn lathes appeared for matchlocks and fire bombs, and soon these lathes were produced in large quantities.

Except for the previous sample matchlock guns, which were made of fine iron, the current matchlock guns are all made of copper.

After the animal-drawn lathe was built, the assembly line processing concept passed on by Zhu Ying was also well arranged by Ye Yueqing.

After completing the production of matchlock guns and fire bombs, Ye Yueqing turned his attention to the purification and proportioning of gunpowder.

In the past six or seven days, experiments have been carried out in stages to refine the gunpowder ratio.

"The output of matchlocks has now begun to increase. After refining the steps, many apprentices got started very quickly, especially the rifling in the barrel. Carpenters also made new methods."

"Currently, the production of matchlock guns can be at least 500 pieces per month. When the scale is increased later, more can be produced."

Ye Yueqing said with some excitement. From only a few dozen pills per month, to now 500 pills per month, and even thousands later.

It won't take long before it can be equipped on a large scale in the army.

After finishing speaking, Ye Yueqing said with some annoyance: "It's just that the ratio of gunpowder has not made much progress yet. My subordinates have changed it many times, but I still don't feel the power has changed. It seems that the difference is not much."

Hearing this, Zhu Ying comforted and said: "You are already very powerful. To reach this situation in half a month is far beyond my imagination."

Zhu Ying was really shocked. He came here just to see if there were any mistakes in the animal-drawn lathe, or to use the memory of his previous life to give some pointers to speed up the progress.

However, he didn't expect everything to go so smoothly. The process was faster than he imagined.

In fact, Zhu Ying didn't know that this had a lot to do with the current situation in Ming Dynasty.

First of all, Zhu Yuanzhang attached great importance to firearms and armaments, so no matter what type of work he was doing, the salary offered by the Military War Bureau was relatively generous for the current Ming Dynasty.

In terms of quality, Zhu Yuanzhang had extremely strict requirements. All armaments produced must be engraved with the manufacturer's code name. Once defective products appeared, they would be held accountable.

With a two-pronged approach, the Ming Dynasty War Bureau gathered a large number of outstanding talents, and the accountability method also forced everyone to not take it lightly when working.

With such a foundation, everything can go so smoothly. If it were changed to the end of the Ming Dynasty, it would be extremely good to achieve this result in a year and a half.

"Tell me about the gunpowder ratio, what kind of experiment it is." Zhu Ying couldn't help but ask.

Ye Yueqing replied: "According to the method given by my boss, I refined it according to the ratio of mononitrate, disulfide, and charcoal, and reduced other impurities as much as possible, but it has no effect yet."

Zhu Ying nodded. Naturally, the best formula for gunpowder cannot be experimentally discovered at once, but there is a general direction for this thing and it shouldn't take long.

"Take your time, summarize the previous ratios, and record all the methods. Naturally, it won't take long." Zhu Ying advised.

Hearing this, Ye Yueqing said helplessly: "It's just that my boss and subordinates tested these formulas and found that the differences in power seem to be about the same."

Zhu Ying frowned and asked, "How did you conduct the formula test?"

Ye Yueqing didn't think much and directly stated his own method.

Zhu Ying couldn't help but smile after hearing Ye Yueqing's method.

No wonder there was such a strong smell of gunpowder smoke in the gunpowder department. It turned out that Ye Yueqing was trying to save money, so the proportions were directly put into the ammunition, and he tested the matchlock gun by the way.

"How can you test the formula like this? You can't see the change in power at all." Zhu Ying said.

"What should I do, subordinate?" Ye Yueqing asked vaguely.

Zhu Ying explained: "Subtle changes are difficult to reflect on fire bombs. At this time, you can increase the dose of gunpowder and use artillery to test the formula. The effect of the artillery blast will be more obvious."

Hearing this, Ye Yueqing suddenly realized that she had gotten into trouble. She had not thought of such a simple truth, and she felt a little ashamed.

"You have done a good job. The research and development of firearms does not make a huge leap overnight. I believe that under your leadership, the Gunpowder Department can achieve success soon."

Seeing Ye Yueqing's expression, Zhu Ying couldn't help but smile and said comfortingly.

"My subordinates must do their best." After being praised by her boss, Ye Yueqing felt that her whole body was full of energy.

Next, Zhu Ying and Ye Yueqing chatted for a few words and prepared to leave.

It is estimated that starting from next month, the Xuanjia Guards will be able to introduce fire gun soldiers.

Seeing that Zhu Ying was about to leave, Ye Yueqing hesitated for a moment and then said: "My boss, regarding Princess Zhao Xiangxi of Korea, my subordinates recently discovered that she is very active in the field of firearms and seems to want to explore the secrets of firearms."

"Especially the matchlock gun and the gunpowder formula, my subordinates are worried that they will be leaked."

Speaking of this, Ye Yueqing added hesitantly: "Zhao Xiangxi has participated in the production of matchlocks, fire bombs, and gunpowder formulas, and has made many useful suggestions, so I ask for instructions on how to deal with it."

Zhu Ying heard this and said with a smile: "If she can speed up the progress of the matchlock gun, there is no need to separate it. Besides, a small and rich Zhao family can jump up and down the water."

After finishing speaking, Zhu Ying thought for a moment and continued: "Tell her, if she can follow up on the formula of matchlocks, fire bombs, and gunpowder, she will have enough credit."

"The Zhao family in Fengyang, Goryeo, can provide some care."

Hearing this, Ye Yueqing also lost his mind.

During this period of time, Zhao Xiangxi completely put down her body and stayed with Ye Yueqing.

From a psychological point of view, as a woman, Ye Yueqing was suddenly given an important responsibility by her boss. This put a lot of psychological pressure on Ye Yueqing, and she was very afraid that she could not do well.

Zhao Xiangxi was already good at sociability. At this time, the familiar Zhao Xiangxi gradually became Ye Yueqing's friend, or best friend.

Ye Yueqing's thoughts are still very upright. Even though her favorability towards Zhao Xiangxi has increased recently, she must explain it to her employer when it comes to Zhao Xiangxi's identity.

Fortunately, the boss didn't have much dislike for Zhao Xiangxi. Otherwise, Zhao Xiangxi, who knew too many secrets, would only be able to destroy flowers with ruthless hands, as far as Ye Yueqing was concerned.

Daming Palace, Huagai Hall.

Many speculations about Zhu Ying's identity by the princes and grandsons soon reached Zhu Yuanzhang's ears.

"It seems that the identity of our eldest grandson will be spread soon. By the way, Quan'er and Yunwen, Yunxi and the others haven't said anything yet."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked Liu He, the eunuch and eunuch responsible for the ceremony.

Liu Helai was responsible for collecting and conveying these palace news.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Seventeenth Prince and the two His Royal Highnesses have not disclosed the identity of His Royal Highness the eldest grandson." Liu He replied respectfully.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "We are not surprised that Quan'er and Yunxi are like this. We never thought that Yunwen would be like this. It seems that the last meeting between Yunwen and Dasun had a profound impact on Yunwen."

Zhu Yuanzhang lamented that under normal circumstances Liu He would not fight.

Jiang Wei also remained silent.

After finishing speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang showed Liu He the memorial he had just read and said: "I will give this coastal information to Da Sun to have a look."

"I obey." Liu He took it with both hands and replied respectfully.

"The development in the Gunpowder Department is beyond our expectations. This girl Yue Qing is quite good. Our eldest grandson has a very good sense. It's you who can find a good girl for our eldest grandson."

We don’t know where to find it now, so it’s better for our eldest grandson to bring it ourselves.”

Zhu Yuanzhang said with some sigh.

Facing His Majesty's reproach, Liu He was terrified.

It's not that he doesn't want to look for it, it's really hard to find.

In fact, more than ten portraits and identities of women were passed on to Liu He, but all of them were rejected by Zhu Yuanzhang.
To be continued...