The next day, it was not yet dawn.

Zhu Ying got up from the bed, finished cleaning up, and went out on horseback.

Yesterday afternoon, Zhu Gaochi sent someone over to inform him that he could finally go to the War and War Bureau and Gunpowder Department today.

Zhu Ying did not know that the reason why it was delayed for two days was entirely because Zhu Yuanzhang was behind it.

Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to see his eldest grandson, but how could he fail to do so?

If he really lost his job, how could Jiang Yu, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, continue to be the leader?

Zhu Ying yearned very much for the Ming Dynasty's firearms.

Firearms in the early Ming Dynasty were two or two hundred years ahead of the world. The most regrettable thing is that the firearms that had been developed in the early Ming Dynasty were affected by various factors.

Until the end of the Ming Dynasty, there was no take-off.

The development of firearms entered a period of prosperity during the Song Dynasty.

Because the Song Dynasty often faced threats from the north and wars continued, it was necessary to innovate in the research and production of weapons. Since the quality of the soldiers was not as good as that of the nomads, let's torture those big bosses technically!

Therefore, at the beginning of the establishment of the Song Dynasty, departments such as the Arms Supervision and the East-West Arms Workshop were established to manage the development of new firearms.

At the same time, in order to brainstorm ideas, the Song Dynasty also ordered "those who know the interests of military weapons in the world" to come to relevant departments to provide suggestions, and those who were adopted were rewarded.

As a result, talents from all over the country came to the capital to offer advice.

Gunpowder, fireballs, rocket making methods, fire caltrops and other items are all magic wands from the Song Dynasty.

In the third year of Baoyuan, Song Renzong ordered Zeng Gongliang and others to write a book summarizing all the weapons of the Song Dynasty. This also allowed future generations to have a glimpse of the complexity and advancement of the Song Dynasty's military equipment. This book is the famous "Martial Arts"

"Jing Zong Yao".

Among them is the earliest biochemical weapon: poison smoke ball.

Although the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty mainly relied on cavalry, they attached great importance to the power of firearms and developed metal controlled firearms and copper fire systems.

This type of fire blunderbuss looks relatively rough in workmanship and varies in size, but the shape is the same: they all have three parts: the front chamber, the medicine chamber and the breech.

The tube is long and slender, and a wooden handle is installed at the end, which means that the gun can be used hand-held. At the same time, real artillery also appeared.

It goes without saying that it is now the early Ming Dynasty.

Speaking of which, the current development of Western firearms was brought over by the Mongol and Yuan conquests of the Eurasian continent.

Zhu Ying rode alone towards Prince Yan's Mansion.

It is now about five o'clock in the morning, and the officials who have gone to the morning meeting have already gathered in front of Fengtian Gate.

The streets were not deserted, but rather lively.

The small stalls and vendors have already begun to take up their positions and prepare for the day's business.

Although it was still dark, many people's houses were lit with lights.

Walking to the gate of Prince Yan’s Mansion,

Zhu Ying saw that the carriage was ready.

Zhu Gaochi was too fat to ride a horse, so he could only ride in a carriage.

"Brother Ying."

Zhu Ying had just arrived, and Zhu Gaochi happened to come out of the gate. When he saw Zhu Ying, he shouted in surprise.

"First Prince, I'll take care of you today." Zhu Ying said with a smile, then got off the horse and handed the reins to the servant next to him.

Zhu Ying pays more attention to these details.

Considering Zhu Gaochi's dignity, it would be a bit impolite for him to ride a horse.

Obviously Zhu Gaochi is also quite sensitive. Seeing Zhu Ying like this, his face smiled even more happily.

"Brother Ying, don't worry. I asked carefully, but I can take Brother Ying in."

Zhu Gaochi said with a smile, but felt a little emotional in his heart.

His edict was personally sent by Liu He, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony.

When Liu He gave the edict, he specifically asked Zhu Gaochi to bring one more person there.

How could Zhu Gaochi not understand the meaning?

"Thank you, eldest prince. Should we go to the War Bureau or the Gunpowder Department first?" Zhu Ying asked.

The War Bureau is in the inner city of the capital, and the Gunpowder Department is on the outskirts of the capital. It takes nearly an hour to get there.

"Of course we go directly to the Gunpowder Department. There is nothing to see in the War Bureau." Zhu Gaochi said.

Zhu Ying felt relieved after hearing this.

At present, all firearms are made in the Gunpowder Department.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two of them headed directly towards the city gate without any further delay.

The predecessor of the Gunpowder Department of the Ming Dynasty was the Baoyuan Bureau.

In the 21st year of Zhengzheng, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the establishment of Baoyuan Bureau, which was mainly responsible for casting Dazhong Tongbao coins.

Since the main raw material for casting Dazhong Tongbao coins and firearms at that time was copper, Zhu Yuanzhang incorporated the firearms craftsmen under his command into Baoyuan Bureau, making Baoyuan Bureau a department with functions such as casting coins and producing firearms.

As the war demand for firearms surged, Zhu Yuanzhang once ordered the Baoyuan Bureau to stop minting coins and specialize in the production of firearms.

This also led to the shortage of copper in the Ming Dynasty, so the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes were developed.

In the eighth year of Hongwu's reign, large-scale wars gradually decreased, and the demand for firearms also decreased accordingly. Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the Baoyuan Bureau to resume minting coins.

In the thirteenth year of Hongwu's reign, Zhu Yuanzhang separated the personnel responsible for the production of firearms in the Baoyuan Bureau and merged them with the departments responsible for the production of swords, guns, swords, crossbows, armor, military uniforms, shields, saddles and bridles and other military equipment to form the Arms Bureau.

Because gunpowder can easily cause explosions, a separate gunpowder department was established.

Zhu Yuanzhang aspired to the world, and firearms played an indispensable role. Whether it was water station or land battles, firearms played a decisive role. Zhu Yuanzhang can even be called the Firearms Emperor.

Zhu Yuanzhang also attached great importance to firearms, and the craftsmen who made firearms were all treated extremely well.

The place where the Gunpowder Department is located is extremely remote and inaccessible.

Arriving at the Gunpowder Department, dozens of cavalry immediately came to investigate.

The leading commander came down to check Zhu Gaochi's edict before bowing and retreating.

After a few miles, we arrived at the gate of the Gunpowder Department.

There are already eunuchs waiting in front, and they have obviously received the news a long time ago.

"Your Highness, please come this way."

Zhu Gaochi got off the carriage, and the leading eunuch immediately came up to him, bowed to Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Ying and said.

Zhu Ying has an extraordinary temperament. Although the eunuch does not know him, he is definitely not an ordinary person who can come to the Gunpowder Department.

The level of rigor here is at the same level as Xiaoling Guard.

In addition to the emperor himself, when other people come, not only the decree is required, but also the communication within the palace is required.

After passing the gate and walking for a few miles, I heard constant banging sounds.

"I don't know where your Highness wants to start." The eunuch from the Gunpowder Department asked respectfully.

Zhu Gaochi turned his gaze to Zhu Ying and signaled Zhu Ying to reply.

Zhu Ying said: "We are not familiar with the Gunpowder Company, so I would like to ask my father-in-law to introduce it."

The eunuch heard this and began to tell.

The Gunpowder Department covers a large area, hundreds of acres of land.

The production of gunpowder and firearms are all done separately.

The factories in the Gunpowder Department are obviously very different from those of later generations. They are all separate buildings with long distances between them.

Different from ordinary houses, it is not entirely made of wood, but is made of glutinous rice lime mortar like a city wall, obviously to prevent accidents.

With the eunuch's introduction and in-depth viewing.

Zhu Ying was shocked.

The firearms manufacturing capabilities in the early Ming Dynasty completely exceeded his imagination.

This place gave him the feeling that it was a scientific research institution of later generations.

Not only is the management orderly, the rules and regulations are extremely complete, but there are also various firearms-related items, similar to the existence of a research and development center.

Zhu Ying's attempt to profit from the craftsmen failed.

The Gunpowder Department sounds like a government office, but in fact it is completely equivalent to a small town.

All the craftsmen's food and clothing are provided here and they are not allowed to go out.

Including family members, they all live here.

There are also exclusive educational institutions here, similar to schools, which can allow the descendants of craftsmen to learn and read.

Among them, what shocked Zhu Ying the most was Zhu Yuanzhang's strict requirements for firearms.
To be continued...