Since the Yuanchun wedding was completed, Jia Lian returned his main focus to his official duties.
He has been in charge of the Military and Horse Division for two years, and it has been run very well by him. It is no exaggeration to say that it is a headquarters. Therefore, apart from daily routine work, and occasionally teaching and cleaning up some wealthy people in West City, there is nothing else.
Therefore, what consumed his most thoughts was the Shenji Camp Firearms Bureau.
On this day, he was in Shenji Camp, discussing with Wu Youquan and others how to connect gunpowder and bullets (bullets) together to achieve the purpose of rapid loading and truly solve the disadvantage of long firing gaps of muskets.
"Sir, can you wrap the lead balls and gunpowder together with oiled paper? When firing, the soldiers only need to bite open or puncture the paper package and then load it into the barrel of the gun. This will also eliminate the need to load the lead balls separately.
And the time of gunpowder…”
A senior craftsman from the Musket Battalion suggested this after receiving numerous lessons from Jia Lian.
Wu Youquan's eyes lit up and he thought the suggestion was good. He looked at Jia Lian and said, "Master Hou, this method seems to work... I really can't understand what Master Hou means. You need to use copper or iron shells to hold gunpowder and set it in lead.
It’s not difficult to find the back of the bead, but how to ignite the gunpowder inside?”
Although Wu Youquan is very passionate about firearms and has ideas, his thinking is all about how to improve firearms. In his concept, "bullets" are round beads, whether they are iron, copper or lead beads. However,
It's a matter of cost and quality.
He couldn't imagine that bullets had to create structures like firearms.
Facing Wu Youquan's rhetorical question, Jia Lian was also a little silent. He just knew that it was very low to simply use round beads as bullets. After all, although he was not a military fan in his previous life, as an ordinary person, he also knew that bullets are composed of bullets, bullet casings, etc.
, I think the gunpowder is installed in the bullet case, so that the bullet can be loaded into the firearm and can be fired immediately.
However, Jia Lian had forgotten, or simply did not understand, how gunpowder contained in a metal bullet case was activated. Therefore, he was unable to come up with a practical solution when faced with inquiries from "firearms pioneers" such as Wu Youquan.
So, facing the eyes of more than a dozen craftsmen who were eager for advanced knowledge, Jia Lian felt guilty for a while, but still acted enigmatically:
"Well, let me think about this issue again, and you can think about it again... For the time being, let's try according to Deputy Wang's idea and see how it works..."
I think that the exquisite, efficient, and fast bullets of later generations were created after countless pioneer experiments and battlefield tests. Even if Jia Lian knew the existence of this thing, producing it from scratch was not what he imagined.
So easy.
If a small problem is not clarified, it will hinder the progress.
However, Jia Lian is not in a hurry. The current need is that he only needs to be one step ahead of others. As for taking ten steps and a hundred steps forward, it is naturally best if he can do it, and it doesn't matter if he can't...
Come to think of it, if he really built things like airplanes and rocket launchers, not to mention scaring the "powers" in the west to the point of pissing their pants. As for himself, he didn't believe he had this ability. He regretted not studying military industry or something.
While they were discussing, they suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from outside: "This is where he works? It's too shabby, what does it smell like! Tell me... Um, what's your name?"
"Go back to the Four Emperors, uh no, go back to His Highness Prince Xiao, humble post Bian Hong..."
"Haha, let me tell you, Mr. Bian, did you deliberately embarrass Jia Lian because of your seniority, so you exiled him to this corner?"
"His Royal Highness Xiao Wang is joking. How dare you do this in a humble position? It is actually the Marquis of Zhenyuan who likes to study firearms and takes the initiative to take charge of the firearms bureau. With his humble background, how can he dare to embarrass the Marquis of Zhenyuan..."
Through the wall, Jia Lian seemed to be able to see Bian Hong wiping his sweat.
No need to ask, Jia Lian knew who was coming, so he winked at Wu Youquan and others, who were a little surprised, and told them to start working first, and then got up and went to the gate.
Sure enough, they saw two other people in the Shenji camp watching the command in the huge craftsman's room. When they saw him coming out, they hurriedly reported: "Sir, His Highness the Fourth Prince has arrived. Your Majesty, the Commander-in-Chief, has asked you to..."
"Well, I understand."
Jia Lian raised his hand and responded. He had already seen the figures of Zhang Shuo brothers and the fourth prince.
"Haha, Jia Lian, you are indeed here!"
It has been several years, but in Jia Lian's eyes, the fourth prince is still the same little kid he was before. But this little kid can't be offended yet!
Shaking his head secretly, Jia Lian hurried forward to greet him: "I have met Mr. Xiao, second brother Shuo."
It is clear that the status of the prince is higher than that of the prince, but the fourth prince seems to particularly like the title "Prince Xiao" and also likes people around him to call him that.
"Hey, Jia Lian, what are you busy with all day long? It takes a lot of effort to find you!"
The fourth prince had no intention of meeting Jia Lian. As soon as they met, he patted Jia Lian's saluting hand, walked around and looked at him, and even poked his head into the craftsman's room. When he saw that there were all kinds of people inside, they were still exposed in the autumn.
The rough man with his arms was burning the boiler and forging iron, making ping-pong bang-bang noises, and couldn't help but curl his lips.
Looking back, he saw Bian Hong and others watching helplessly. He waved and said, "You all can go, I came here specifically to see him, so you don't need to be in the way."
Bian Hong and others wanted to say something else, but seeing the fourth prince's eyes glaring, they could only retreat angrily.
"I heard from my imperial sister that you are improving firearms, which are the kind of things that make "Peng" and "Peng" sound loudly. I heard that they are very effective. Can you let me see it? Anyway, I don't believe you.
What the imperial sister said is so exaggerated, why should we rely on it to decide the outcome on the battlefield in the future? If we don't fight with real swords and guns, how can we win by just two bangs of these black sticks? If that's the case, it's really boring."
The fourth prince is obviously a passionate young man. He even has a longing and yearning for the battlefield. He has no idea about the cruelty of the battlefield. Jia Lian doesn't care about him. Anyway, he yells a lot, but as long as Emperor Ning Kang is still alive, this kid will go to the battlefield and cause mischief.
The chance is basically zero.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Zhang Shuo also smiled and said: "We also came to see the power of firearms."
"In that case, I'll make arrangements right now."
…
On the school field, when Jia Lian arranged for hundreds of officers and soldiers to fire a volley according to the "four-stage" method, the fourth prince and others looked at each other in shock as they looked at the pile of wooden rakes that had been beaten into a sieve.
"This, it feels different from the firecrackers I played before... By the way, this thing is called a firecracker, right?"
"Back to Your Highness, we now call it a 'musket' because it fires faster, has a longer range, and is more powerful than the previous fire blunderbuss."
Not to mention the identity of the fourth prince, even the Zhang Shuo brothers, whose father is also a doctor in the Ministry of War, and is in charge of the Ministry of War, have been studying firearms in the past six months, and many things and materials have been collected and withdrawn thanks to the help of this second uncle. Therefore,
, Jia Lian naturally did not hesitate to show the power of firearms as much as possible in front of them.
People in this era despise firearms. If we delve deeper into the origin, we have to slowly change their views step by step.
The fourth prince went down to inspect it personally and found that the wooden rakes were even thicker than the targets used for ordinary bows and arrows, and he complained in his heart.
Zhang Tao even sneered and said: "What's the use of being powerful? It takes so long to shoot once. If I had that skill, I would have killed the enemy with a bow and arrow."
Jia Lian did not explain or refute Zhang Tao's words, but looked at him with a smile: "How about I give you one for fun?"
"really?"
Zhang Tao's eyes flashed subconsciously, but he immediately realized that his face was as red as a pig's liver, and he didn't know what to do.
It turned out that Jia Lian had long discovered that when those bright muskets were displayed, Zhang Tao was the most eager and curious one. He grabbed one and studied it, and was reluctant to put it away for a long time.
Maybe he thinks it's true that the reloading speed of this thing is slower than that of a bow and arrow, but if nothing else, the sound of firing a musket is something that no man doesn't like.
What he doesn't like is Jia Lian.
In the past, he was always disliked by the old man because of his small stature. Later, when Jia Lian came over, the comparison became even more obvious.
In addition, Jia Lian always bullied him, which made him always against Jia Lian.
Although he has "deep resentment" against Jia Lian, he still likes to study all powerful weapons. He thought that if Jia Lian was really willing to give him a musket to play with...forget it, how could this stingy guy really give it to him?
thing.
So he said disdainfully: "It is shameful to fail to keep one's word."
Because of his angry look, he was obviously angry because he wanted something he didn't get. Not to mention Jia Lian, even Zhang Shuo and the fourth prince found it funny.
The fourth prince liked to get involved in this kind of thing. He smiled and said: "That's right. A man must keep his word. Jia Lian, you can't keep your word. No matter what others say, it's your cousin. You are the cousin."
Brother, you might be stingy."
Jia Lian shook his head and said, "It's true that I am his cousin, but this boy has never really called me cousin from the beginning to the end. I am also very embarrassed."
Jia Lian didn't lie. Unless he was in front of the old man and couldn't hide, Zhang Tao would reluctantly call him "Second Brother". In private, it would be good if he didn't stare. Jia Lian felt that this kid was a bit
Need to clean up.
Therefore, Jia Lian deliberately ordered his men to fetch two wooden boxes.
"Hey, what is this?"
Following the fourth prince's question, Jia Lian opened the first one, revealing a gilded and colorful musket inside, which was only one-third of the length of a normal musket. In the grid next to it were bottled gunpowder and fire starters.
"This is a special musket made by my craftsmen from fine copper mixed with gold. Although it is less powerful, it is compact and easy to carry and play with. If the Fourth Highness does not want to give it up, I would like to give it to the Fourth Highness for fun."
The fourth prince thought about it for a moment, then immediately smiled and said: "Okay, I just happen to think this thing is a bit interesting..."
So Jia Lian taught the fourth prince how to use this musket on the spot. The fourth prince had a good understanding and quickly figured out how to play this thing, and then looked at another box with a similar appearance.
"What is this?"
"Oh, this one is made of fine copper. It's far inferior to your Highness's. If Your Highness likes it, feel free to take it. If you don't like it, I'll keep it and give it to others."
With that said, Jia Lian casually opened the box and showed it to everyone, especially Zhang Tao, the same golden gun inside, except for the different color, which was not bad at all in terms of exquisiteness.
The fourth prince could not see what Jia Lian meant. He had already accepted Jia Lian's benefits and was very happy to cooperate. "Forget it, I have this one, so I don't want that one."
"good."
Jia Lian immediately closed the box and handed it to the man next to him.
Zhang Tao was a little anxious.
His liking for those three-foot-long spears was limited, but this short, golden musket was too eye-catching.
It would have been fine if Jia Lian hadn't said he wanted to send him off, but it was so frustrating.
He pulled his brother's sleeve, but Zhang Shuo only gave him a helpless look.
"Take it away."
"yes."
Seeing that Jia Lian's soldiers had already taken a few steps away, and there would be no chance at all if it was too late, Zhang Tao finally couldn't bear it anymore: "Slow down!"
"Um?"
Facing Jia Lian's doubtful gaze, Zhang Tao's face twisted, and he finally took a step forward, cupped his fists at Jia Lian and said, "Little brother, I've seen second cousin Lian!
Is this okay?"
Her little eyes were full of anger, like a little daughter-in-law who had clearly been insulted but had to compromise.
The fourth prince and Zhang Shuo couldn't help laughing.
Jia Lian said: "What's all right? Oh, you want this musket, right? Well, for the sake of you rarely calling me cousin, it's okay to give it to you, but..."
Zhang Tao was completely angry and stared at Jia Lian, as if he would fight against Jia Lian if he dared to tease him.
"But this musket is a military object after all. You have no official position and no quota for personal soldiers. It's really difficult for me to call you cousin."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Jia Lian is bullying Zhang Tao, who is young and ignorant. In fact, except for specific military weapons and equipment such as heavy crossbows and heavy armor, the court will never allow private production by the private sector.
Except for private collections, as long as the quantity and regulation of other weapons are within controllable limits, the court will not pursue them too closely.
As for muskets... at least until muskets show their absolute superiority over bows and arrows, the court will most likely not ban them among the people.
Even nowadays, there are still hunters among the people who use simple fire guns to hunt in the mountains.
Zhang Tao didn't know what was going on inside. For a moment, he felt that what Jia Lian said was reasonable, and his face was full of disappointment. This kind of thing that he clearly liked was placed in front of him, but he was not qualified to have it. Everyone who has experienced it knows that feeling.
Zhang Shuo couldn't bear it any longer and responded: "You have forgotten that my grandfather is a first-class uncle and has soldiers under his command..."
"Well, that's right!" Finally Zhang Tao wasn't too stupid. He patted his thigh and looked at Jia Lian:
"Jia Lian, it's in vain that Grandpa Fei likes you so much. Now that you have such a thing, you don't know how to honor him?
To be honest, I don't care about your useless stuff at all. I just thought that my grandfather had been in the army all his life and loved collecting all kinds of weapons, so I was going to take it back to show him.
Just tell me whether you want to give it or not!"
The more Zhang Tao talked, the more confident he became. In the end, he looked at Jia Lian with a confident face, as if if you don't give it, I will sue you later for being heartless and unfilial.
"Do you really want it for me? Don't think about keeping it for yourself. I will ask you when the time comes."
"Of course, you can ask whatever you want."
I will definitely not steal it for myself. I will do it openly and I will not be afraid to ask. If asked, I will just say that I borrowed it from the old man. Zhang Tao feels that although he has fallen out of favor, his grandfather still loves him and will not snatch such a gadget from him.
.
If grandpa really likes it, he can just let him rob Jia Lian again. I'm afraid Jia Lian won't refuse.
Jia Lian smiled and waved his hand, asking Zhang Yong to give the thing to the boy.
Zhang Tao suddenly felt like he had found a treasure and hurriedly took it to the edge for inspection. Grandpa didn't say that he was small and suffered a loss when fighting with others because his strength was not as strong as others, but with this thing it was different. He felt that this thing was for him.
However, if someone else is big, it will be easier to hit him. If he is small, others will not be able to hit him, hehe.