Of course, the reason why the success rate of making cannons is so low is because of the clay sculpture method used.
To put it simply, it is a clay mold, pour molten iron into it, and then form a cannon.
Later, this method was transformed into the lost wax method, which made the copper wall thinner, lighter and more resistant.
But it only improved the power of the artillery, and the success rate was still not high.
This method was later brought to the Qing Dynasty by Kong Youde, so that during the Songjin Battle, its artillery was even more numerous and more powerful than the Ming army.
I have to say, this is very sad.
"You're right!"
Wang Xi sighed and insisted: "But you can't use iron!"
"The bubble problem is actually easy to solve."
Zhu Yixi shook her head slightly and said confidently.
Immediately, he took Wang Xi outside to an empty place with no one around. He couldn't help but said:
"Have you ever thought that the surface of the clay mold is uneven, so iron cannot be used, so bronze is the last resort."
Zhu Yixi took a breath and said seriously: "Then, won't iron molds work?"
"Iron mold?" Wang Xi was startled, and then he was overjoyed. His eyes rolled and he was speechless.
After a while, he came to his senses and murmured: "Why didn't I think of that?"
As he spoke, he stroked his long beard and said with a smile: "After the clay model is made, it will take a long time to dry completely. It will take about a month from the start of construction to the firing of the cannon. If it rains or is cloudy, it will take even longer."
"Back then, Duke Wen Ding (Xu Guangqi) built hundreds of cannons, and it took him half a year to complete it. If he had thought of Tie Fan at that time, I'm afraid it would have taken less than half a month."
"What's even better is that the iron mold is not as rough as the clay mold, so cannons can also be cast from iron."
"You, this is a genius idea, how did you come up with it?"
Wang Xi said with curiosity on his face.
"This?" Zhu Yixi thought for a while and then said: "During this period, I saw craftsmen using clay molds. Once it rained, it would be difficult to do it, so I thought that iron molds can be shaped without having to be dried in the sun."
"This method is correct!" Wang Xi said with satisfaction: "Your method is not only highly effective in making cannons, but also replaces copper with iron, greatly reducing the cost."
The price of copper is ten times that of iron. If you make your own iron, the price difference is even more than ten times higher.
In other words, even if the yield is almost the same, the cost price of a two-thousand-pound red cannon is at most four hundred taels.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yixi couldn't help but smile, and he immediately said eagerly: "My lord, back then the cannon-smiths went to enslave the union to build slaves, which made the cannons extremely powerful. This iron method cannot be leaked."
"There are also many intruders and spies, so we have to guard against them."
"What do you think?" Wang Xi thought for a moment and was convinced.
"Right near the plague camp, deploy a few clever apprentices and craftsmen to build cannons in secret."
"It works!" Wang Xi nodded and said with appreciation: "It's good to prevent the situation from getting worse."
At this time, Zhu Yixi breathed a sigh of relief, and the red cannon was finally solved.
However, the problem of muskets, or flintlock guns, still exists.
After thinking for a while, Zhu Yixi continued: "The flintlock gun, which is a self-generated fire gun, could you give it a try?"
"Flintlock gun?" Wang Xi was stunned for a moment, and then he came to his senses after listening to his explanation. He couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "Although spring steel is more difficult, it can be obtained, but flint is difficult to find."
"Flint is not good, there are many misfires, only three or four out of ten guns can be made, and the cost is high, so the imperial court did not adopt it."
Zhu Yixi sighed, the price alone was enough to make Emperor Chongzhen give up.
"How much does a flintlock gun cost?"
"Each one is nearly 10 taels, and the bird gun is only 2 taels. Moreover, each of the squatting tiger cannons is only about 15 taels. The imperial court realized that instead of equipping flintlock muskets, it is better to build more squatting tiger cannons."
Zhu Yixi thought for a moment and realized that officials do know how to settle accounts. This is indeed the case. This is how Lumi Gun was eliminated by Bird Gun back then.
The so-called bad money eliminates the good money, it’s nothing more than that.
Thinking, he has two thousand troops, if he prepares flintlock muskets, the misfire rate will be so high, the price will be so expensive, and there is little rain in the north, bird muskets are really better than flintlock muskets.
"Although there is less rain in the north, there is still some rain, so it is necessary to launch guns."
Zhu Yixi said seriously.
"If it rains, don't you just wear a hat?"
Wang Xi said strangely.
Zhu Yixi was speechless.
The efficiency of flintlock muskets is much greater than that of matchlocks. It takes three minutes or one and a half minutes to organize a large-scale army of flintlock muskets, which is enough to compete with the oncoming cavalry.
To put it bluntly, in the time it took for the matchlock to be fired, the flintlock gun was fired five or six times, and the effect was very different.
"Just make a thousand rods!"
Zhu Yixi really didn't want to explain to this mechanical expert, so she couldn't help but said: "Don't worry about money, I will take care of it."
Immediately, Zhu Yixi thought that after spending so much money, our Governor Sun couldn't see it!
For subordinates, political achievements must be obvious and easy for leaders to see.
"You first build ten 100-pound French cannons, and they are double-barreled."
Zhu Yixi hurriedly said: "In addition, just like the red cannon, with four wheels, just use an iron frame to make it, and it will be ready in ten and a half months!"
Compared with the Tiger Crouching Cannon, the Folan Cannon has stronger field capabilities, is fast, has fast heat dissipation, is relatively lightweight, has a long life, and is not easy to explode. The key is that it is made of iron.
Naturally, it became the mainstream artillery.
"Okay!" Wang Xi nodded and sighed slightly: "I will not hesitate to help my army."
Zhu Yixi was quite moved. She felt a little sorry for being such a boss.
However, this is a critical moment, and we can only wrong him.
It was natural for Zhu Yixi to decide whether the relocation of firecrackers or artillery was appropriate, and there was no objection.
After inspecting Jiangying Camp, Zhu Yixi rushed to the General Medical Office without stopping.
Everything here is in order. The old veterinarian Qian Taoduo and Zhu Mou, one in charge of daily life and the other in charge of finances, can be said to complement each other.
"Chief doctor, you are here!" Qian Tao Tao stood up and greeted him respectfully.
"Is the General Medical Office okay now?"
Zhu Yixi looked at the clean and tidy environment and asked directly.
"There are only so many patients in the army. But recently, the number of doctors sent by Anmin Medical Center has increased to two, and they have been taking turns. The situation has improved a lot!"
Too much money, holding tea in hand, and said with a flattering smile.
"Oh?" Zhu Yixi was a little surprised, and then smiled with relief. The General Medical Office has been stabilized, and the addition of doctors will not affect it.
Although it is a bit excessive, the General Medical Office is just a stepping stone after all.
"Sect Master!" Zhu Mou ran over happily, not paying attention to the fact that the people on the side had too much money to flatter him. Instead, he called "Sect Master" enthusiastically and raised his chin to show his different status.
The money was too much and he didn't take it seriously. He still stood respectfully.
"The plague camp is in urgent need of herbs. Do you have enough for me?"
"They are all ordinary medicines, and they are all ready."
Zhu Yixi looked at the two of them and said seriously: "This recipe must not be spread out, remember it!"
"As ordered -" The two nodded seriously, their voices loud.