After staying in Tieshan City for a few days and meeting Li Zicheng and others, the only thing Jiang Wan had left in North Korea was to wait and see Tang Ruowang cast the first three-pound cannon.
He knew that Tang Ruowang dared to tell him that he could cast a cannon, and that this was most likely true. However, if he did not see Tang Ruowang cast a cannon with his own eyes, he would feel uneasy.
Tang Ruowang still used the casting method to cast the cannon. The difference between the Western cannon-making technology and the Ming Dynasty cannon-making technology was not as big as Jiang Wan imagined. However, in the process of firing the molten iron, Tang Ruowang
The method used is much more complicated and sophisticated than the traditional craftsmanship of the Ming Dynasty.
Jiang Wan knew that the difference between iron and steel was the difference in carbon content. In the continuous smelting of refined iron, impurities were removed to obtain steel. However, even the Ming Dynasty was not luxurious enough to use a large amount of steel.
The extent of cannon building.
If steel can be mass-produced and used to make a large number of elite weapons, the profit ratio will undoubtedly be more cost-effective than building a cannon weighing several thousand kilograms. Therefore, the Ming Dynasty cannon-making mainly uses iron and steel.
copper.
Anyway, Tang Ruowang is the only one under Jiang Wan who knows these techniques, and there is a large amount of pig iron in Tieshan City that Tang Ruowang can waste, so neither of them will feel bad about it anyway.
After nearly prodigal experiments and many iterations, Tang Ruowang finally changed from a theoretical king to a hands-on expert. Three polished and bright three-pound cannons appeared in front of Jiang Wan.
All that's left is to test-fire.
The test firing site was chosen less than a mile outside the city. On that day, not only many people from the mercenary group came to watch, but even the Korean people in Tieshan City came out boldly to join in the fun.
I heard that this cannon was built in Tieshan City. Not only Shen Juncen and others were related to Yourongyan, but also the Korean people felt that this matter had something to do with them. At least, such a cannon was built in Tieshan City.
I always put some in there, so that if bandits come to attack next time, maybe the people in this city will not have to abandon the city and flee.
One thousand steps, eight hundred steps, five hundred steps, a pile of earthbags appeared at three distances as targets.
With an earth-shattering roar, the earth-bag target a thousand steps away was blown into the air, and all kinds of debris in the earth-bag flew up into the air under the bombardment of the artillery shells. It looked very powerful.
Jiang Wan looked at the situation in the distance and smiled slightly. Each of the three cannons fired five times, and at least half of the fifteen shells hit. This was already a very good result.
Tang Ruowang must have done something under those dirt targets. Otherwise, if a bunch of solid bullets were hit, there shouldn't be such a big movement. However, it doesn't matter. After all, there are so many people watching, and there are a bunch of iron balls.
It hit the mound, but there was no movement and not much to see.
After a short pause, the craftsmen cleaned the barrel, cooled it down, then reloaded the cannon and fired again.
This time the target was a target eight hundred paces away.
This time, the hit rate has been significantly improved. Of course, when the shell hits the target, the sound of the explosion is even more beautiful.
There are still five shells per gun. After two test firings, the three three-pound guns are now the main ones. There is no explosion in the chamber and no barrel failure. The performance is very good.
When the target 500 steps away was eliminated again, Jiang Wan listened to the cheers all around and looked at Tang Ruowang, who was sweating profusely and instructing the craftsmen to inspect and maintain the cannon, and suddenly felt a little dazed.
Under such strength, the three cannons did not have any problems, and they can be directly delivered to the army for use. It seems that the greatest value of this priest to him is not his knowledge of various languages, nor his astronomy, geography and theology.
His accomplishments in this area are in the production of artillery!
I have found a treasure.
"We must ensure Mr. Tang's safety at all times!"
He whispered to Mei Xiaofei: "From now on, he will be guarded by people you trust day and night. His firearms workshop, without your permission, not even Koreans are allowed to enter. All the people in the workshop are allowed to enter."
All craftsmen must be reliable!"
Mei Xiaofei nodded solemnly: "I understand!"
"Also, if he has any request, as long as you can fulfill it, agree to him!" Jiang Wan thought for a while: "I promised him about the missionary matter. In terms of other money and women, I must ensure that he is satisfied!"
"Commander, if Mr. Tang is so important, just take him back!"
Mei Xiaofei said: "It is safer to build cannons on Pi Island than here. We can also transport these iron and other things back!"
"Yes!" Jiang Wan nodded: "But not now, let him practice here and make a batch of usable firearms for you in North Korea. By then, our fleet should be almost expanded.
It’s huge!”
Jiang Wan pursed her lips and smiled. By that time, the new ship promised by the Fan family should be arriving soon.
This was an exciting day for Tang Ruowang, and it was also a day for Jiang Wan to completely feel relieved about the matter. If nothing unexpected happened, Jiang Wan would leave Tieshan City and return to Pidao tomorrow. After being out for more than ten days, for Jiang Wan
This has been a long time, and there are so many things going on in Pidao. It is definitely not appropriate to be away for too long.
However, the prerequisite for him to go back tomorrow is that nothing unexpected happens.
That night, an accident happened as promised.
The person Li Zicheng sent to deliver the message arrived directly at Tieshan. The message was not for Jiang Wan. Li Zicheng was not sure whether Jiang Wan had left.
The news is for Mei Xiaofei, asking Mei Xiaofei to be on guard. A large number of Tatar cavalry have descended from Pyongyang City. They seem to be specifically targeting them. Pyongyang City is already ready to fight the enemy.
Be prepared, but here at Tieshan City, we must also beware of an attack by the Tatars.
After all, the Tatar cavalry marched very fast, and they might have appeared at Tieshan City overnight.
"Commander, please go back to Pidao first. Let me and Li Zicheng handle the matters here!"
After receiving the news, Mei Xiaofei had a serious look on his face: "If the Tatars are really coming for us, then they will definitely come to Tieshan. If Xiaosan Village is lost, our ship will not be able to pass.
Coming!"
"I'm not at the point where I'm going to run away when I hear the Tatars are coming!"
Jiang Wan shook his head and looked at the message in his hand: "It is suspected that the Tatars have a general at the level of the capital, two generals, and nearly three thousand cavalry. This formation is a bit big!"
His face was also somewhat solemn: "This is just the enemy's forward. If there are others like the Meng Eight Banners cooperating with them, then there will be too many troops to invade North Korea this time!"
"With this scale, it would be enough to invade my island, let alone come to North Korea. Are these Tatars really coming for us?"