Perhaps it was sincerity or flattery, but Zhu Yixi still sounded comfortable.
The Carpenter Camp is now under the Gong Cao of the Military and Political Department, and Wang Yu is also the chief of the Gong Cao.
After moving to Xiangyang, the continuous input of minerals from the Nanyang Basin caused the scale of Jiangying to continue to expand.
"The Han River in Xiangyang has abundant water power, and hydraulic forging is more suitable than Hanzhong."
While being supported, Wang Xi said with a smile on his face: "Only pig iron can keep up with it. Forging knives, swords, etc. is a piece of cake."
I saw only one tributary where a dam was artificially built and intercepted, and then several hydraulic pendulums were formed.
The principle is the commonly used hydraulic rice pounding among the people, but it is replaced by a giant hammer weighing hundreds of kilograms.
In this way, a lot of manpower is saved, and a hundred people can be beaten with one blow.
However, if you want to mass-produce plate armor, it is a joke and a rumor.
After the large iron plate is formed, craftsmen still need to hammer it into shape, which saves 70% of the time than before.
Historically, mass production of plate armor had to wait for the invention of the roller mill.
"Plate armor is simpler, just put it on like clothes."
Zhu Yixi looked at the heated scene and couldn't help but said: "It's simple and fast. If it doesn't work, I just use a mold and pour it."
"Ordinary soldiers don't need to be too particular. Cotton armor and the like are for the elite."
When fighting against rookies like Zuo Liangyu and Zhang Xianzhong, the rate of wearing armor is extremely low, so five thousand heavy infantry can resist tens of thousands of people.
However, the Manchu and Qing Dynasties were different. Ordinary soldiers wore leather armor, while elite soldiers wore cotton armor. The increase in combat power was difficult to measure.
"water?"
Wang Xi was shocked. This was molten iron poured directly into the mold, making it look like a production hoe. Is this still armor?
"Having a layer of iron skin is at least better than leather armor."
Zhu Yixi said without hesitation: "The speed of cotton armor and plate armor must be increased. With an army of 100,000, by the end of the year, the armor rate will reach 30%."
"Thirty thousand tools?"
Wang Xi was startled and trembled: "How much does this cost and how much iron does it cost?"
"There is no need to delay the muskets."
Zhu Yixi sighed and said: "I will call you two thousand more people. Mr. Wang, time will not wait for me. This is an order that must be completed."
"Yes!" Wang Xi took a breath and said: "Your Highness, the artillery in Macau is well-known. If you are urgent, we can purchase some."
“Guangdong, Macau!”
Zhu Yixi murmured, and then he said: "The cannon foundry in Macau costs money, but it is worth it if it can shorten the time."
At the end of the inspection, Zhu Yixi also learned the true output of the craftsman camp:
Five hundred muskets, five hundred flintlock muskets, five thousand knives and five thousand guns each, thirty Franco cannons, one hundred squat tiger cannons, and ten red barbarian cannons.
Thousands of cotton armors, thousands of leather armors.
Skip the others.
Huguang has been a major ironware producing province since the early Ming Dynasty. Among them, Huangmeiye in Qizhou Prefecture and Xingguozhi in Wuchang Prefecture are both large mines with an annual output of one million kilograms.
As long as it is integrated well, it is no problem to double it several times.
Moreover, as early as the 10th year of Jiajing, Guangdong Province produced 30 million kilograms of iron, and even formed a large-scale iron smelting and casting center in Foshan Town with tens of thousands of workers.
Therefore, pig iron is completely enough, as long as you have money.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yixi was quite happy.
The South has been developed for thousands of years. Whether it is agriculture or handicrafts, it has surpassed the North. If there is a confrontation, the North will never be able to do it.
On the other hand, Zhao Shu directly told the envoys of the Nanjing court: King Hanyang only wants King Yu.
"Jiannu also has a King of Yu named Duduo. Wouldn't it be a conflict?"
"conflict?"
Zhao Shu smiled: "Jiannu tried to occupy the Central Plains, and his false destiny was false. How can we admit it?"
"Besides, when my king kills Duduo, won't there be only one King of Yu in the world?"
Hearing this, the envoy was also shocked by these words and hurriedly raised his hands and said: "What about Zuo Mengeng, Mr. Zuo?"
"When the time comes, release them naturally."
"When will the time come?"
Zhao Shu took a sip of tea and said calmly: "It depends on God's will!"
The special envoy was angry: "You are entertaining the court."
"That's not the case. In fact, Mr. Zuo is happy to stay in Xiangyang and we have not detained him."
Zhao Shu made an excuse and said: "We have wanted to let him go for a long time, but Master Zuo wants to stay, so we have to do it!"
The special envoy was helpless and left in a huff.
…
News leaks are always sudden.
Within a few days, the news that King Hanyang was going to be King of Yu spread throughout Huguang.
It cannot be ruled out that the Nanjing envoy leaked the information.
The Military and Political Affairs Department did not suppress this, nor did it admit it. Public opinion would naturally dissipate in just a few days.
Zhang Shenyan, who decided to settle in Xiangyang, was shocked when he heard this:
"King Hanyang, is he in a coma? King Yi is so good, why should he fight with Jiannu?"
Thinking about it, he gave his own reason:
It must be that there were no well-informed civil servants around King Hanyang, even those with Jinshi background, so he made such a mistake.
Thinking like this, he felt really hot in his heart.
After staying in Xiangyang for several months, he saw the unique yamen and the achievements of King Hanyang in regaining Sichuan. His favorable impression continued to rise.
"Wen Cheng, what do you think of Xiangyang?"
He turned his head and asked the servant beside him.
"This -" Wen Cheng tilted his head, thought for a while, and then said: "I don't understand that either. I just feel that although Xiangyang is not as prosperous as Nanjing, it is really comfortable to stay here."
"There are not so many beggars, there are no people buying and selling children, and the ground is very clean."
"Governing a government is completely different from governing a country."
Zhang Shenyan couldn't help but defend himself aloud, saying that he was still more attached to Nanjing in his heart.
"But, sir, if you can't govern a city, how can you govern a country?" Wen Cheng couldn't help but wonder.
"That's true!"
Zhang Shenyan was stunned. These words reminded him.
After walking around and walking around the courtyard for several times, he gritted his teeth and clapped his hands and said, "If things go on like this, King Hanyang will be more and more betrayed by the imperial court."
"He doesn't have anyone around him who is a gentleman and has a long-term vision. I'm afraid he will suffer a big loss in the future."
Wen Cheng laughed in his heart when he heard this.
Having been with him for more than ten years, he certainly understands his master's thoughts.
It's nothing more than a warm heart, but reluctant to give up face.
After all, he was the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Nanjing. After resigning, he joined the King of Hanyang. His face was so shameless!
"As it should be."
Wen Cheng couldn't help but echoed: "King Hanyang needs a gentleman like me to guide him, otherwise he may not get into trouble in the future."
"Nonsense!" Zhang Shenyan's cheeks turned slightly red. After scolding him, he sighed: "I am a minister after all. How can I come to your door so easily like that person who recruits talents?"
This is too priceless, and if you get it easily, you will often not cherish it.
Wen Cheng rolled his eyes and said hurriedly: "Sir, I have been studying with you as an official for more than ten years. I have already mastered the skills of being an official. It is no problem to become a county magistrate."
"Why don't I go to the Talent Recruitment Hall, and once I'm on the list, I can then recommend you to the superiors. Wouldn't it be a matter of course?"