The Firearms Department ordered Yang Zaibo to sigh and said: "The main reason is that we have never found a new mine for fire salt and are mining the old mines. The mines in Laojunshan, Sichuan, are almost exhausted, and the Qinzhou mines are becoming more and more difficult to mine.
The output is low, and tens of thousands of kilograms of gunpowder were used just to research the Iron Fire Thunder. The consumption was so staggering that even though the Iron Fire Thunder was successfully developed, our mineral resources were about to be exhausted."
"I remember you started looking for new mines in Hedong last year. Is there any progress?"
"There are three mining areas in Hedong. The Luzhou Mine and Jinzhou Mine have both been mined by the Jin soldiers. The only hope is the Daizhou Mine. There are still large reserves in the mine. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of kilograms of ore can be mined and then purified.
There will be 80,000 to 90,000 kilograms of pure fire and saltpeter, and we are already recruiting people to make equipment and strive to mine it in May and produce the first batch of gunpowder in July."
Chen Qing shook his head, "Water from afar can't quench my thirst nearby. I need it for training now and can't wait until July."
At this time, Zhao Xiuwen, who had been silent all this time, said: "Maybe there is a way for me to be humble!"
Several pairs of eyes looked at him and said in unison: "What can we do?"
Zhao Xiuwen smiled and said: "We are short of gunpowder, but the imperial court has enough gunpowder."
Chen Qing was startled, "I didn't remember you saying that the government and the public were short of firearms."
"Your Highness, the imperial court only has a shortage of firearms, which does not mean there is a shortage of gunpowder. I work as a clerk in the Ordnance Supervision Bureau, and I know that the imperial court has more than 100,000 kilograms of gunpowder in stock."
"Why not make firearms? Didn't I give you the blueprint of the soft match rope and exchanged the blueprint of the thousand-step gun with you? Isn't it enough to have the soft match rope?"
Zhao Xiuwen shook his head, "We only made a few thousand gunpowder barrels and then stopped making them because a very strange thing happened and the imperial court ordered the production of gunpowder barrels to be stopped."
"What's weird?"
"We made matches and gunpowder barrels according to the drawings and gave them to the army for use, but the feedback was very bad. They said that when the match was lit, the gunpowder barrels exploded instantly, and the armies were afraid to use them anymore. Then the weapons inspector found the reason and found that the drawings had been
The original drawings given to us by His Highness have been lost, and we can't find them."
Guan Shigu immediately reacted, "Is there a mole?"
"Yes! Someone must have stolen the original blueprints to Jin Guo, and then switched our existing blueprints. There is something wrong with the blueprints, and the match rope is wrong."
Chen Qing said with a smile: "The drawing of the match rope is not important! As long as the principle is known, the craftsman can make it after a few more experiments."
"But the civil servants of the imperial court did not think so. The Zhizhengtang stopped the production of gunpowder barrels and wanted to track down the culprit. However, after a year of investigation, nothing was found. The matter was left unsolved and two weapons supervisors were replaced.
Lingdu was afraid of taking responsibility and refused to approve the restart of the development of gunpowder barrels. The craftsmen were transferred to make other firearms. Now that the armistice agreement has been signed, no one cares about this matter. "
"Then what?"
Chen Qing asked with a smile: "You mean, we buy gunpowder from the imperial court? I don't think the imperial court will sell it to us."
Guan Shigu shook his head and said: "It is not realistic to buy from the imperial court. It will take two or three months to come and go, and there will be negotiations. Even if the imperial court agrees to sell, it will be half a year later, and it may not be agreed yet."
Zhao Xiuwen said helplessly: "Even in a humble position, I can only think of this method!"
At this time, Chen Qing rolled his eyes and said with a smile: "You reminded me, I can indirectly exchange gunpowder with the court. Does Zhang Jun definitely have a firearm in his hand?"
Zhao Xiuwen said quickly: "He has it! His army is the largest consumer of gunpowder. His warehouse has at least hundreds of thousands of various firearms and tens of thousands of barrels of gunpowder."
Chen Qing smiled slightly and said: "Then we will exchange kerosene for him. He will naturally find an excuse for training and then ask for gunpowder from the court. Anyway, he has always been very generous with the court's things."
Guan Shigu frowned, "I'm afraid I won't have enough time. Zhang Jun is in Luzhou, and it will take two months to come and go."
Chen Qing waved his hand, "That doesn't matter. What matters is how much gunpowder do we have in stock now?"
Zhao Xiuwen hesitated and said, "There are still 800 barrels and 4,000 kilograms in the warehouse!"
"More than four thousand pounds!"
Yang Zaibo, the commander of the Firearms Department, quickly added: "There are still 30,000 kilograms of gunpowder in the warehouse of the firearms workshop, ready to be used to make iron fire thunder!"
"That'll be easy!"
Chen Qing immediately concluded: "All the gunpowder in stock will be used to restore it into gunpowder barrels for me to use for training. Then I will ask Zhou Kuan to send people to negotiate with Zhang Jun, transport all his gunpowder back, and continue making it."
Iron Fire Thunder, the Iron Fire Thunder currently in stock should be able to last for a while."
Lu Wei said quickly: "There are more than 3,000 iron fire thunders in the warehouse now, which should be enough."
Unexpectedly, the most thorny issue of gunpowder shortage could be solved in one negotiation, which really made Chen Qing feel gratified. He smiled at Zhao Xiuwen and said, "It's Zhao Shuling's suggestion that's better. I'll take credit from you this time."
Zhao Xiuwen worriedly said: "As a humble official, I am worried that Zhang Jun will not agree to the exchange. If there is no gunpowder in the future, it will be a big trouble."
Chen Qing said lightly: "That's because you don't understand Zhang Jun very well!"
When he returned to his mansion, it was already dark. Chen Qing was really exhausted. It was not because of physical fatigue, but because he had consumed too much mental and mental energy. When he came to his study, he lay down on the soft chair and didn't want to move.
He suddenly felt a pair of small hands standing behind him and gently beating his shoulders. He slowly opened his eyes and looked back, but it was his precious daughter Chen Xue who was beating his shoulders seriously!
Chen Qing's heart softened, he patted her little hand and asked with a smile: "Why are you here, baby?"
"Mom said that daddy is very tired and asked everyone not to disturb you. I just want to give daddy a shoulder massage. Does daddy feel comfortable?"
"Good boy, Daddy is very comfortable. Who taught you this?"
"I saw Si Niang often beating my father on the shoulders and pinching his head, but I couldn't do it."
Chen Qing stretched out his hand to pinch his baby daughter's cheek and said with a smile, "Why did you grow up so suddenly and stop being naughty?"
"Xue'er is very well-behaved to begin with!"
Chen Qing smiled happily and said: "Xue'er squeezed dad's shoulders, and dad suddenly became energetic. Go and tell mom, just say dad is hungry and thirsty, wants to drink tea, and wants to eat!"
"I'll tell mom!"
Looking at his daughter's cute figure running out like a gust of wind, Chen Qing couldn't express the love in his heart. He finally realized that his daughter was his father's little cotton-padded jacket.
Not long after, Lu Xiu and Alian walked in quickly, carrying hot tea and food.
"I was still thinking about letting my husband sleep for a while, but I didn't expect the little one to come and say that daddy wants to drink tea and eat. Has she secretly come to pester you again?"
"Xue'er was so good today!"
Chen Qing ate a big meal and asked with a smile: "She came secretly to give dad a slap on the shoulder, which made me regain my strength all of a sudden."
"Hey! The sun came out in the west today."
Lu Xiu was also surprised and said: "She performed very well today and didn't get into trouble!"
In Lu Xiu's understanding, a daughter would only come to her father for help if she got into trouble. This was strange today.
Chen Qing was really hungry. He finished the meal like a whirlwind and took a sip of hot tea. He felt comfortable all over.
"I'm so exhausted today. I ran to Bashang to give a demonstration to a group of generals, personally trained the soldiers for more than an hour, and then ran back non-stop to discuss important matters. I haven't been as tired as I am today in a long time."
"Guardian, let me pinch your shoulders and head for you!" Alian volunteered.
Lu Xiu glanced at her and said, "My husband is very tired today, so I'll give him a squeeze on his shoulders and head so that he can rest early."
Lu Xiu was warning Alian to be considerate of her husband's body and not to do anything he shouldn't, and Alian obediently agreed.
Lu Xiu packed up the food box and left. Alian stood behind her husband and gently squeezed his shoulders.
A refreshing fragrance hit his nose, and a small fire ignited in Chen Qing's heart. He held her hand and said with a smile, "You haven't served me like you did before for a long time."
"Of course Alian is willing to serve the officials, but the princess has already said it just now." Alian was a little embarrassed.
Chen Qing smiled slightly and said: "She was just talking. If she really meant it, she wouldn't have let you stay here alone. Ah Lian, sleep with me in the study tonight."
"A-Lian obeys your order. I'll go explain to the wet nurse and I'll be back right away."
Yu Lian hurried away, and Chen Qing found that since Yu Lian had her son, she did not cater to him as wildly as before, but became a little reserved. Didn't she know that she liked her former wildness? Tonight