Jiang Wan looked at the firecracker in his hand and returned it to him: "Folangji people are making that kind of cannon in Haojing'ao..."
Tang Ruowang's face froze: "Commander, that is a huge cannon of over twelve pounds. Making such a cannon is not something I can complete alone..."
Seeing that Jiang Wan's eyes seemed a little disappointed, Tang Ruowang said quickly: "However, we can start with something smaller, such as a three-pounder cannon. If the commander gives me enough materials and manpower, I might be able to give it a try!"
A three-pounder, that’s not too small!
Jiang Wan silently did some calculations in her mind. This is a term passed down from the Folangji people. Using the weight of the cannonball instead of the caliber, basically how many cannonballs can be fired, then the caliber of the cannon can be calculated.
A one-pound cannon has a caliber of about 36.7 millimeters. The so-called artillery shell is a large musket projectile. This doesn't mean much. If it is three pounds, it has a caliber of about 50 millimeters. How much is this?
It’s a bit interesting.
Of course, if a cannon of more than 12 pounds like that of the Folan Machine can be built, it will start with a proper caliber of 75 millimeters. If such a shell is hit, even if it is a solid bullet that relies on kinetic energy to kill, it will be hit.
When you get into the crowd, you can sweep away a large area.
That would be very intimidating.
Of course, as we all know, the bigger the cannon is, the harder it is to make it. This is inevitable. Even if Zhao Yuan has a family background, he has been studying firecrackers, and has not easily dabbled in the casting of cannons. Technology is the key, and once the casting fails, the waste will be countless.
Thousands of kilograms of bronze and a lot of manpower and time, the cost is far greater than just a few muskets.
It can be said that without the support of the imperial court, it would be impossible for anyone among the people to study this cannon.
Of course, the imperial court would not allow private research into such a dangerous thing.
As if he knew his worries, Tang Ruowang took the initiative and said: "Commander, Tieshan City is one of the few cities in North Korea that produces iron ore and copper ore. If the commander is worried about materials, Tieshan City has enough.
The materials can be used to make cannons!”
Thinking about the continuous production of caltrops for almost seven or eight days, a large number of fine iron ingots were melted down to make countless low-tech stuff, Tang Ruowang felt a little distressed, tens of thousands of kilograms, a full tens of thousands of kilograms
Iron ingot!
"Where's the gunpowder?" Jiang Wan asked: "The gunpowder my army uses to fight cannot allow you to repeatedly test and cast cannons. Moreover, if you purchase gunpowder from the Ming Dynasty, it will be troublesome and expensive!"
He now regrets that when he was in Yan'an Mansion, he didn't get the recipe for his improved gunpowder from Zhao Yuan. However, even if he wanted it, Zhao Yuan might not give it to him. Besides, Zhao Yuan, that technical lunatic,
He has always been on the road to improving gunpowder and fire guns. Even if he got the recipe at that time, he might have improved a new recipe now, but he doesn't have to regret it too much.
"Just ask the fleet to buy me some saltpeter! North Korea should be able to find other materials," Tang Ruowang looked at Jiang Wan faintly: "I have already said that I know a little about these things. A person who knows firearms,
The commander-in-chief will never think that he doesn’t even know the formula of gunpowder!"
"Okay!" Jiang Wan raised his eyebrows excitedly: "What you need, manpower, come back and write a detailed list, and I will have someone prepare it for you. My troops are stationed over in Pyongyang, and your four naval regiments
Just as Tieshan City and Pyongyang are at each other's horns, stay at Tieshan City and you will be fully responsible for this matter! You don't have to worry about other affairs of the legion. You will be directly responsible to me for this matter!"
"How long will it take for me to see results!"
Jiang Wan said: "Iron ore is produced in Tieshan City, and naturally there are all the objects for iron smelting. Once the materials are available, you can start to do what you want to do. Start with the three-pounder cannon and build me a
Approval it, and if possible, build it in a bigger one!"
"If it's a three-pound cannon, within a month, I can let the commander see the cannon produced in Tieshan City!" Tang Ruowang said reservedly: "If it is to be built on a larger scale, it will have to be tested many times!"
"Tell me what you want!" Jiang Wan smiled slightly. The emperor was not short of hungry soldiers. Tang Ruowang was a priest who traveled thousands of miles from Europe to the Ming Dynasty. He definitely did not learn from Lei Feng. He was not an internationalist fighter, so
, he must ask for something.
"I hope to preach in the army!" Tang Ruowang said frankly: "If possible, I hope to build a small church for me in Tieshan City. After all, I need such a sacred place to pray to God!"
"Preaching in the military...?" Jiang Wan raised his head, with a hint of vigilance on his face: "Mr. Tang, do you know what you are talking about?"
"I don't mean to provoke the commander-in-chief, I just feel that God's glory shines on the world without distinguishing between nobles and civilians, soldiers and common people!"
Tang Ruowang said very seriously, looking at Jiang Wan with his green eyes, calm and pure, which reminded Jiang Wan of Keselly's big green Kazilan eyes.
"I won't lie to you. The last person who spread other religions in our army has been arrested and punished by me, including their believers!"
Jiang Wan shook his head: "My army fights for me and fights for me. If they believe in other religions, then on the battlefield, do they listen to my orders or the will of their gods?
"
"I'm sorry, I can't promise you, even though I still really hope you can build a cannon for me!"
A look of disappointment flashed in Tang Ruowang's eyes, but Jiang Wan's answer was not unexpected, and he knew that the other party would definitely refuse, so he still had the next best option.
"What if it is only limited to Tieshan City and the Fourth Marine Corps?" He said: "Strictly speaking, except for the officers appointed by you, Commander-in-Chief, the Fourth Marine Corps is actually a mercenary group. They only fight for money.
Instead of fighting for you!"
“There is no contradiction between God’s will and their pursuit!”
"Only limited to the Four Marine Corps!" Jiang Wan thought for a while: "And it must be a normal missionary. There must be no force, no inducement, and you must not force the mercenaries to believe in religion because of your status in the legion!"
"Of course it is!" Tang Ruowang said calmly: "If you are not willing to serve the Lord, then you are definitely not a devout and qualified believer. How can such a person be worthy of being favored by the Lord!"
"I promise you!" Jiang Wan nodded: "I will order Mei Xiaofei to let him and the Fourth Marine Corps fully cooperate with you. Moreover, when your Fourth Marine Corps recruits new members, you can also recruit some non-combatants.
Personnel, help you cast the cannon!"
He said earnestly: "This winter, my army may face a powerful enemy attack. I hope to see the cannon you made appear in the hands of my soldiers before the enemy attacks!"