As the government-run and private foundry workshops in Beijing successively achieved mass production, Zhu Hao's self-developed assembled muzzleloader musket was placed in front of him after completing the test.
The Ming Dynasty's research on fire gun technology has actually reached maturity. All Zhu Hao has to do is to improve the barrel, switch to rifled rifles, and start to complete the matching bullets, and realize the evolution from the matchlock gun to the breech gun.
This can be said to be the thing that time travelers are most passionate about, because from a military perspective, this is the greatest improvement in individual combat capabilities, and it is also a sign of progress in the era from cold weapons to hot weapons.
From a certain perspective, in fact, as long as there are complete blueprints for the transformation of firearms, technology is not a big problem. In some war-torn times, even in backward rural areas, there would be various indigenous arsenals that produced muskets.
Ammunition can also be used in actual combat.
The fire gun craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty are not laymen. Their skills have been established and they have been studying this thing for generations. With Zhu Hao's technical support, it can be said that it is easy to transform the fire gun. Some of them have not even been proposed by Zhu Hao.
Craftsmen have ideas for improvement.
This will make mining, smelting technology, etc. much easier.
The whole thing is that the Ming Dynasty has had fire gun soldiers since the founding of the country. The Shenji Battalion has always existed in the future, and Wang Gong Factory is mainly responsible for this. The fire gun supporting craftsmen will force other industries to have more craftsmen, and the technology will be more sophisticated.
"...It's very good. The speed and accuracy are much higher than before. I asked the generals of Shenji Camp and they praised it very much, but I don't know if it is safe and reliable."
Tang Yin personally delivered the improved musket.
Even Tang Yin himself could raise the gun and fire one or two rounds, but the problem of loading projectiles was enough to give people a headache.
Zhu Hao did not take it over and had no intention of trying it himself.
Because he is still not satisfied with the improvements in front of him.
Zhu Haodao: "Now the technology has only developed to the point where it can be assembled as quickly as possible with suitable castings. It still needs to add leads for ignition and shooting. What should I do on a rainy day? And the shooting speed... is far from what I expected."
It only took about half a year for the workshop to improve the fire gun, and the research began before the Xishan Coal Mine was officially put into production.
It's not that Zhu Hao doesn't want to advance... but in the past, as a new science champion, even if he had access to relevant information in time, he could not touch ordnance casually. Iron smelting could also be used by the private sector, but if someone discovered the modification of firecrackers,
Shouldn't he be accused of plotting something evil?
Moreover, if you want to carry out transformation, you must have the cooperation of craftsmen. Zhu Hao would rather improve the loom more, because it can indeed bring him huge economic benefits.
As for the improvements from firecrackers to muskets, there is basically no benefit. It is more like Zhu Hao's technical reserve for the future. Only when he takes office can he really have the strength to intervene and even dominate the military and political power. Then what will he do with weapons?
Improvement is of practical significance.
Now...it's just in the exploratory stage...
Tang Yin said: "Don't ask for too much all at once. I don't even know what the fire gun you envision is like. Isn't this great? Others say that this technological innovation may not be developed in a hundred years."
Several things, but you did it overnight. I also want to ask you where you learned this amazing skill. It seems... I still underestimated you."
Tang Yin said with some emotion.
This matter was finally completed by Tang Yin.
People who had come into contact with Tang Yin all praised Zhu Hao's series of technological improvements as "amazing skills". From making firecrackers to assembling firecrackers, the difficulty of making firecrackers was greatly improved, and the cast iron barrels were used.
, and supporting parts, greatly improving reliability.
As these parts can be disassembled at any time, it is very convenient to cast and repair. Coupled with the improvement in reliability, soldiers get greater safety when using firecrackers. In addition, the sealing is improved, the range is increased, and the filling is
And ignition speed improvement, etc...
Ordinary craftsmen can never imagine that this is the result of one person.
Tang Yin originally wanted to compliment Zhu Hao and ask him to keep up his efforts, but Zhu Hao didn't regard this as an achievement at all. From Zhu Hao's words... Tang Yin felt that Zhu Hao's ideal musket might be an unprecedented one.
"Big Killer"
, I am now amazed at Zhu Hao's ambition to change the times.
"Sir, you have had a lot of contact with merchants in the capital recently. What do they think of the current series of policy measures of the imperial court?" Zhu Hao directly ignored the topic of firecrackers and asked about relationship issues instead.
Tang Yin was startled and asked: "What does it refer to specifically?"
Zhu Haodao: "For example, the current salt policy, His Majesty's enthusiasm for mining, and the formation of the capital's business system... I want to know what they mentioned in front of you."
Tang Yin, as the official executor of the reform of the commercial and trade system by the new emperor's forces, had a very high status in the eyes of merchants. If merchants had any demands, they would tell Tang Yin directly.
Only by knowing what the merchants' demands are, can Zhu Hao prescribe the right medicine easily.
Zhu Hao had asked Su Xigui this question before, but Su Xigui only cared about making money. As for what the Huizhou merchants wanted... Su Xigui would not satisfy them, and it is estimated that ordinary merchants would not raise it either.
As businessmen, it is not a good thing for competitors to know their demands.
Tang Yin sighed: "I don't know how to answer your sudden question. Who has ever paid attention to this? The biggest problem for those merchants is that they have money but no power. Anyone can bully and manipulate them. Now it is
An ordinary tax collector can give them enough to drink from a pot. They want more protection."
"Um."
Zhu Hao nodded, "Does that mean we need policies?"
"Huh? You're pretty good at summarizing. Why do you need to ask me about this? You can figure it out yourself if you think about it?" Tang Yin's attitude was a bit unkind.
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "Sir, if you have nothing to do, I'd better ask more. I want to use those merchants to help us make money, so that the Ming Dynasty will be financially prosperous and the country will prosper. You can reveal to them that the imperial court has signs of opening up the sea and see how they react.
Then...you can tell me again."
"well!"
Tang Yin sighed, "I know you are very thoughtful. Now that you can't show your face, why don't you let me stand up? Forget it, who asked me to accept your many suggestions and realize my original wish? Let's agree first, I will only be responsible.
I will help you reveal the news and spread the word among them. As for what their purpose is, I won’t think about it. I have been too tired recently and have many things to do.”
Zhu Hao said: "Ask your friends to help you. For example, Wen Zhengming is only responsible for running errands now, which is too unqualified. I think he really wants to make progress in his official career. It is best to find an official position... Why don't you just do it?"
The post of Ambassador Guangjiku that you once held was handed over to him. I will mention this matter to His Majesty."
Tang Yin thought about it, and it seemed like there was something interesting about it.
Looking for someone to help him is his good friend Wen Zhengming, and Wen Zhengming is determined to be an official. Being an ambassador of Guangjiku and belonging to the Xinhuang faction should be a great gift to Wen Zhengming, right?
"Then I'll talk to him later."
Tang Yin had a little more motivation.
Since becoming an official, Tang Yin finally had the opportunity to bring some conveniences to the people around him, and he felt as happy as "one person can achieve enlightenment, chickens and dogs ascend to heaven".
Although being an official is not about face, if he can support his friends, Tang Yin will still feel that his face will be glorious.
…
…
Ambassador Guangjiku was not a high-ranking court official to begin with, and no one cared about the appointment or dismissal of such an official position.
When Tang Yin first entered the court, Zhu Si symbolically asked the courtiers for their opinions. Now even if the new emperor hands over this position to Wen Zhengming, others will understand that Tang Yin is cultivating assistants, and no one will jump out to object.
This is not the time when Tang Yin first entered the court and became an official.
At that time, the focus of civil servants' defense was to prevent people from the Xingwang Palace system from infiltrating into the court to prevent something from scratch.
Now that Tang Yin has become a member of the Ministry of Industry, the emperor will definitely promote Tang Yin again in the next step, and the new emperor's abilities have been fully demonstrated in all aspects. No one will care whether someone becomes the ambassador of Guangjiku, or this Guangjiku. Who is Ambassador Ku from the new emperor?
It only took two days from the time Zhu Hao raised this matter with Tang Yin to the time Wen Zhengming was officially appointed as the ambassador of Guangjiku.
Wen Zhengming hurriedly went to Tang Yin to express his heartfelt gratitude, and even entertained Tang Yin at the wine shop.
.
At the wine table, Wen Zhengming poured wine to Tang Yin.
Tang Yin smiled and said: "This official position is not very high. You also know that I have done it before, reaching the ninth rank. This is just an opportunity to enter the official career. I hope that your official position will be further improved in the future."
"very good already."
Wen Zhengming sighed: "Brother Bohu, after all, you are born in Juren. You have worked hard in the palace for many years. Now you are rewarded. At that time, God will reward your hard work. For a member like me to be able to do such a job, I have no regrets in this life." .”
Wen Zhengming knew it very well.
Although the position of Ambassador Guangjiku is only for officials who manage sulfur, saltpeter, etc., it is a real vacancy. It doesn't matter if anyone can't get this position.
Wen Zhengming, a medical student, was able to get this position entirely because of Tang Yin's help.
"By the way, Brother Bohu, I heard that the imperial court intends to increase business taxes recently? But I don't know if it is really the case?" Wen Zhengming revealed the news.
Tang Yin asked in surprise: "Who said that?"
"Well... there are such rumors among the merchants in the Jiangnan area, which makes people panic. They also say that the imperial court is now tight on money and food, and wants to build more water and land customs everywhere, and cleverly set up blinds to collect taxes. Many merchants dare not go there anymore. Going north, I feel that if the imperial court changes its policy on business affairs, the provinces such as Northern Zhili and Henan and Shandong will be the first to bear the brunt."
Tang Yin shook his head: "I've never heard of it... Logically speaking, no. His Majesty is very concerned about business affairs, but he has never made any attempt to extort money... It should be a rumor."
Wen Zhengming nodded: "Then we should put the rumors to rest. If they continue to spread, I'm afraid it will be detrimental to traveling merchants and the exchange of goods."
"Um."
What did Tang Yin think of?
Zhu Hao had just told him that he should know the demands of merchants in a timely manner, and now let him know that the people were spreading rumors and spreading rumors, creating a demonic trend.
It may not be that the political opponents deliberately caused trouble, but it may be that the previous coal mine auction caused too much noise, which caused all kinds of suspicions among businessmen. Businessmen have always been the most direct recipients of policy changes, and their information channels and adaptability are not Other professions can compare.