Chapter Seventy-one Flintlock Gun

  Looking at the building in front of him, Sun Chengzong nodded. He had naturally heard about this place and was also eager to know its secrets. He had made many inquiries, but to no avail. All he knew was that explosions were often heard coming from inside, as if something was being manufactured, and some people even suspected that the Tianqi Emperor had developed a special hobby.

  In the history of the Ming Dynasty, there were too many emperors with special hobbies, and one more Tianqi Emperor was not surprising. All the ministers had ideological preparations for this matter, so although they were curious, they didn't have to figure it out.

  At this time, looking at the smiling Tianqi Emperor, Sun Chengzong knew that this place was not a special place, and it must be manufacturing firearms with the approval of the Tianqi Emperor.

  Following the Tianqi Emperor into the imperial villa, Sun Chengzong was amazed by what he saw. Countless people in white clothes were walking back and forth. Everyone here seemed to be busy, after paying respects to the Tianqi Emperor, they all rushed away with a flurry of footsteps. Many people walked forward with their heads down, not even noticing the Tianqi Emperor. The imperial guards wanted to call out for people to pay respects but were waved off by the Tianqi Emperor.

  It wasn't long before Xu Guangqi arrived, followed by a young man behind him. The Tianqi Emperor knew that this was Bi Sheng. In history, it was this person who invented the flintlock gun of the Ming Dynasty, although slightly later than Europe, but it was made by the Chinese themselves.

  However, due to the fall of the Ming dynasty and the Qing dynasty's suppression of firearms, this advanced weapon lost its chance to be equipped. If it had been widely equipped at that time, later generations might not have turned out as they did. At this time, Bi Maokang was still very young, only in his early twenties, but he looked very mature. The Tianqi Emperor believed that with Xu Guangqi's guidance and his own support, this young Bi Maokang would definitely go further than history had.

  Gently, he helped Xuguang Qi up from his knees and looked at the old man who seemed to have aged even more. The Tianqi Emperor's brow furrowed immediately. Turning around, he said to Chen Hong behind him: "Tomorrow, send some imperial chefs over. From now on, they will be in charge of the food here. Make sure they eat well. You are responsible for this matter. Also, send a few imperial physicians over to stay here and attend to these people at all times. Remember, choose trustworthy people."

  "Yes, I have taken note." As for the matters entrusted by Emperor Tianqi, Chen Hong naturally carried them out, and did so without any discount.

  "Your minister thanks Your Majesty." Xu Guangqi naturally felt the emperor's kindness and was moved to work even harder.

  The group of people didn't linger and walked slowly inside, their destination was the firearms testing ground.

  Looking at the cannons in front of him, Emperor Tianqi was very pleased. These cannons had made great improvements compared to the fire lances of the Ming Dynasty, whether it was firing speed or range, they were much stronger. Flintlock guns had also been produced, although not yet perfect, but still much better than matchlocks.

  Gently handing a flintlock gun to Sun Chengzong, the Tianqi Emperor smiled and said: "My dear minister, take a look at these newly made new-style firearms."

  As for firearms, Sun Chengzong was naturally no stranger. After taking over the gun, he found an unusual place, this gun had no fuse.

  He glanced at Xu Guangqi beside him, and Sun Chengzong slowly raised his gun, gently pulled the trigger. With a gunshot, the target in the distance broke with a loud noise.

  "Good stuff, really good stuff." Sun Chengzong naturally saw the advantages of this gun and said excitedly.

  The flintlock gun strikes the flint against the frizzen, producing sparks that ignite the priming powder, which in turn ignites the main charge. This greatly simplifies the firing process, increases the firing rate and accuracy, is convenient to use, and has a lower cost, making it suitable for mass production.

  Looking at the excited Sun Chengzong, Emperor Tianqi nodded slightly and turned his head to Xu Guangqi behind him: "Ah, I am very satisfied with this flintlock gun, but I know that this is only a flintlock gun used by infantry, and there is another kind of flintlock gun used by cavalry. Although they are all flintlock guns, the size and model are quite different. Your next step is to produce this type of flintlock gun for cavalry use."

  Xu Guangqi nodded slowly and said to the Tianqi Emperor, "Yes, I will definitely get a handle on this matter as soon as possible. The production of flintlock guns has been going well these days, but I don't know how Your Majesty wants to deal with these manufactured guns?" Xu Guangqi had always been curious and worried about this. As the saying goes, a good horse deserves a good saddle, such a good thing would be wasted if it fell into the hands of ordinary people, not to mention being used properly, it might even be sold to the enemy at the first opportunity.

  The Tianqi Emperor looked at Xu Guangqi with a clear expression, and said with a light smile: "This is my own plan. Let people build a special warehouse here to store firearms. You should manufacture 50,000 flintlock guns for infantrymen and 20,000 flintlock guns for cavalrymen. My requirements are not high, give you one year's time, as long as it can be made before the end of the year."

  After some thought about the current production schedule, Xu Guangqi could only shake his head with a wry smile and say: "Your Majesty, this is probably impossible to achieve. The current output of the firearms factory is only about 1,000 flintlock guns per month, and this goal is very difficult to reach."

  "This emperor can rest assured, I will send people to you later. Your current personnel are only responsible for researching and improving the flintlock gun. As for other things, I will find someone else to do them. Also, regarding cannons, my dear minister, in the future, don't manufacture too many of these long-range large cannons. You can stop at manufacturing 100 of them. Your research direction from now on is small-sized cannons, those that are suitable for two people to transport, similar to the Franks' cannons. This is the direction you should focus on manufacturing and improving. Of course, the improvement of large cannons cannot be stopped either. What I need is a smaller volume but more powerful cannon." After a slight pause, Emperor Tianqi continued: "I just said that, you all research well, after some time, I will let the people who manufacture cannons come over."

  Xu Guangqi had no opinion, but Sun Chongzong was fondly stroking the huge cannon, stroking the cold barrel, and his heart was filled with a burning passion.

  Although he didn't know the official in charge of making cannons, Sun Chengzong couldn't help but laugh and asked Xu Guangqi, who was standing not far away: "Lord Xu, can you introduce to me these new cannons that you've made?"

  He glanced at the Tianqi Emperor, saw the Tianqi Emperor nodding, and Xu Guangqi walked slowly to Sun Chengzong's side, smiling: "I am Xu Guangqi, I don't know this gentleman?"

  "Sun Chengzong, I have been fortunate enough to be employed by Your Majesty. I am currently serving in the Grand Secretariat." Although he didn't know what position this Mr. Xu held, from the Tianqi Emperor's demeanor, Sun Chengzong knew that this person was definitely someone the Tianqi Emperor highly valued.

  Today is the third chapter, and the last two chapters will be posted at night. Thank you everyone! Finally, I'm shamelessly asking for votes! I remember that day I announced a QQ group, why didn't anyone join? I'll put the group number in the announcement later!