Yin Feng, who just arrived in Taiwan last night, took Magalo early this morning and rushed to the factory area in the east of Taiwan City, which has begun to take shape. The mercenaries and craftsmen from Siam and Macau who arrived earlier have been
Assigned to the factory area.
On the way, Zeng Jingshan stopped Yin Feng and his party: "Hey, you can't do this. You don't go back to the company headquarters first when you get to the field. There are many things waiting for your decision."
Yin Feng said with a smile: "Third brother, isn't this an urgent matter for Hong Maoyi? There's nothing we can do about it. In this case, you and I will go to the factory area together and we can talk while we have something to do."
Zeng Jingshan walked side by side with him, while briefly reporting to him some company affairs. Zeng Jingshan is indeed a business talent cultivated by the Zeng family since he was a child. In the past few years, he has increased his knowledge and broadened his horizons overseas with Yin Feng.
It is easy to accept some of Yin Feng's ideas. He does things in an orderly manner and is more meticulous and thoughtful than Yin Feng. He is definitely a good role as the general manager of the company.
"By the way, that missionary named Bao has been here for almost half a month. He is wandering around and messing with those in Anping and those who believe in foreign religions. It's not a problem." Zeng Jingshan said very dissatisfied. After passing by Luzon
After a near-death experience on the island, Zeng Jingshan had a deep distrust of Western religions and Westerners.
"The missionary named Bao? Oh, Baradas, haha, I'll meet him at the company headquarters later. He might be someone who can serve us!"
Zeng Jingshan shook his head, expressing disbelief.
The factory area is separated from the residential area by a straight street. The water source is introduced through the artificially dug river. The factory area is divided into three neat areas by the river: the company-owned civilian factory, the company-owned weapons factory, and other commercial or private establishments.
This is Yin Feng's idea. Not only can it be easier to manage, this artificial river can also be used as a water source for the factory's production and as a water source for fire prevention and extinguishing.
The weapons factory is surrounded by a simple brick wall. It is a large square courtyard that is heavily guarded. It is like a city within a city. The defenders here are all Chinese, pirates and pirates who have experienced the Battle of Luzon Island and were rescued by Yin Feng.
Sailor Musketeers.
A black-clothed guard opened the door and allowed Yin Feng and others to enter the weapons factory. First there was a small open space, and in the center of the small square stood a large blue background with Chinese characters of the China Company. On the left side of the door was a row of newly built buildings.
Each red-tiled bungalow has a large tank filled with water at the door, separated from other areas by a rope. Outsiders are strictly restricted from entering with weapons, except Yin Feng. This is a gunpowder workshop.
To the right of the gate is a continuous work shed, where many people are doing carpentry work. Behind the carpenter's shed, separated by a brick wall, is an iron work shed where people are making cold weapons such as bows and arrows, swords, guns, swords and axes.
Directly opposite the gate is the firearms factory. At the moment, in the corner of the large shed of the firearms factory, a large group of people, including Francois from the West and local craftsmen, are arguing about something.
What they faced together was a drawing of a flintlock musket spread out on the long table in front of them.
This drawing was drawn by Yin Feng. The specific design combines information from previous lives and objects captured in Luzon, and is based on the flintlock gun improved by Frenchman Marat Rouge after 1620.
The flintlock gun captured by Yin Feng and others in Luzon was said to have been first invented by bandits in the Spanish Pyrenees in the mid-16th century. It was called the Micklet gun at the time, meaning "bandit gun"; the reason for this is
After the traditional matchlock is lit in the dark night, its dazzling fire and strong smell of gunpowder are often easily discovered by thieves who steal things or rob in the middle of the night. However, new revolver guns are expensive, such as Yin
The kind of revolving pistol that Feng had on hand could only be used by nobles, and bandits could not afford it. Therefore, this kind of flintlock gun that fired by hitting each other with flint clips and ramming irons came into being. Later, this kind of flintlock pistol came into being.
The bandits were recruited by the Spanish government and the earliest fusiliers were established.
During the same period, the Netherlands also invented the earliest flintlock gun, known as the "thief's gun", which was mainly used for protection by chicken thieves who broke into houses. Also due to the shortcomings in the use of matchlock guns, Dutch thieves developed the use of flintlock guns.
The idea of catching fire by hitting a clamp and a striking iron led to the invention of a flint musket with a new structure. People named the gun they invented "the thief's gun", or "Snaphan" in Dutch.
When Yin Feng drew this drawing, he often sighed: Great inventions always come from roosters and dog thieves!
The biggest difference between a thief's gun and a bandit's gun is the structure of the powder cap: the former is manual and the latter is automatic.
The powder cover of a thief's gun must be opened and closed manually, which increases the shooting operation procedure. In addition, tools must be used to tighten the screws of the flint clamp.
The bandit gun is different. Its ramming iron and powder cap are installed together. Once the ramming iron hits the flint clamp, the flint will automatically fall down and the powder cap will automatically open. Moreover, the screws of the flint clamp can be tightened by hand. Because
The bandit gun has a simple structure, so its cost is also low.
However, bandit guns are prone to misfires or explosions due to many mechanical failures. The procedures for thief guns are a little more complicated before firing, but the probability of misfiring is very small. When these two types of flintlock guns were introduced to France, the musket craftsmen of the town of Liqui in Normandy
, Marat Rouge was appointed by French King Louis XII (reigned 1610-1643), a musket enthusiast, and finally designed and produced a new tunnel gun; this was popular in the world for nearly 300 years.
Year's flint musket.
The earliest flintlock gun in China also came from the West. Bi Maokang's "Illustrated Weaponry" was published in the eighth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty (1635 AD) at the end of the Ming Dynasty. The "self-generated fire gun" contained in this book is a kind of flintlock gun.
This is the earliest flintlock gun recorded in Chinese literature. It was almost 80 years later than the Spanish invented the flintlock gun. The emperors of the Ming Dynasty may have been interested in woodworking, but no one had ever been interested in firearms.
Yin Feng's design was basically based on the Brujuwa design passed down by later generations. He shamelessly plagiarized something that Brujuwa had not yet had time to invent, thus creating a new era in the world's musket history.
Based on Brujowa's design, he made many improvements to the gun based on the experience of later generations, such as lengthening the barrel to ensure full combustion of gunpowder, installing a sight, reducing unnecessary weight, using walnut wood, etc.
The whole wooden support is made of high-quality wood, and the caliber can be changed to improve shooting accuracy and range. There is also a design for fixed ammunition.
He included a bayonet bayonet design that was not supposed to appear for another 80 years.
The bayonet is called the blunderbuss sword in China. The blunderbuss sword appeared in China during the Jiajing period, but it was not popularized and used. It disappeared from Chinese history after its appearance and was never mentioned again in the history of wars in the Ming and Wei Dynasties.
It's just that the "sword" is inserted into the muzzle of the gun and cannot be fired at the same time. Abroad, in Bayonne, a city in southwestern France, documented records mention that the bayonet was first used here in 1647. The same goes for French bayonets.
After the musket fires the projectiles, the bayonet is attached and used as a long gun. The bayonet handle is inserted into the barrel to fix it, so it cannot fire bullets at the same time. This kind of bayonet is the so-called inserted bayonet. French fortress expert Van Ban (
In 1688, Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban developed a sleeve-type bayonet that was placed outside the barrel: there was a protruding latch outside the barrel. After the bayonet was put on, it was twisted into the groove of the barrel and fixed, so that the musketeer could install it.
After the bayonet is attached, ammunition can still be loaded from the muzzle.
The biggest controversy between Chinese and foreign craftsmen regarding this flintlock musket is the trigger-linked flint clamp mechanism and the design of the bayonet.
As early as the beginning of this year, Li Yue, the son of blacksmith Li Dayu, the leader of the Manila Artisans Guild, was appointed as the industrial director and weapons factory manager. After Li Dayu died in the battle under the city of Manila, his apprentices and assistants followed Li Yue to Taiwan.
Li Yue raised funds and invested in shares in the name of all southern Fujian craftsmen. He was determined to avenge his father and brothers, and he was very passionate about being in charge of firearms manufacturing.
However, the manufacturing of firearms in the Ming Dynasty was controlled by the government. Several emperors in the early Ming Dynasty listed its manufacturing technology and operating methods as cutting-edge military secrets, which did not allow more people to understand and master them, let alone civilians and
Local officials made them without authorization and used them at will. The manufacture of firecrackers could only be carried out in the Military Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Industry and the Ordnance Bureau of the Imperial Household. It was not until the 14th year of Zhengtong (1449) that the imperial court lifted the ban on local production of firecrackers.
The ban was only limited to important border areas, and the quantity and type were strictly controlled. Fireguns were regarded as "artifacts" in the Ming Dynasty. The manufacture of fireguns was often mysterious. According to convention, the manufacture of fireguns could only be arranged in
It is carried out in spring, and an "auspicious month and auspicious day" must be chosen.
Although the Li family has been a craftsman family for generations, they have only made cold weapons for the imperial court and officials, and have never had experience in making muskets and muskets.
Fortunately, what the Chinese do not lack most is the ability to imitate. The Archbishop of Manila, who baptized Li Dan, once said: As long as any Spanish product is seen by Chinese craftsmen, they can produce identical or even better similar products.
The Chinese's ability to copy the enemy has become more and more developed after hundreds of years. Even high-tech fighter jets can be copied... Yin Feng handed one of the captured flintlock rifles to Li Yue, and the craftsmen dissected it.
A month later, an identical flintlock gun appeared in front of Yin Feng, and it was also capable of firing.
However, this kind of flintlock gun is an early "bandit gun", and the production process seems to be very complicated. Since the barrel is drilled out on the rolled iron rod by hand, the production of just one barrel requires a skilled blacksmith who takes a long time.
It took a month or more than half a year until Yin Feng went to Macau. Although Li Yue used the best craftsmen, the entire weapons factory had only produced a total of 20 flintlock muskets.
This drawing was drawn by Yin Feng before he went to Macau. He was a little too hasty and wanted to make a practical flintlock gun and equip it for his escort. The problem was that Li Yue and others had not yet completely sorted out a plan.
It is indeed a bit difficult for them to immediately upgrade to the production of the next generation of flintlock muskets with a complete production process of flintlock muskets. Until now, they have not been able to produce a successful sample based on the drawings.
It was not until the arrival of Portuguese mercenaries and craftsmen that there was hope of solving the problem. After all, they were very familiar with the production process of matchlock guns. No matter what kind of gun, the barrel and buttstock were the same, with slight modifications according to the characteristics of the flintlock gun.
Production can basically be completed. However, in Yin Feng's drawing, the bayonet and the new fusillade mechanism aroused controversy between the Chinese and foreign groups.
Since the Chinese translator from Macau was not familiar with the terminology of musket manufacturing and did not understand the southern Fujian dialect, it was completely confusing both sides of the debate. Yin Feng listened for a long time, but he was not familiar with the Portuguese terminology about industry and muskets.
He didn't quite understand and couldn't figure it out. He had to drag Li Yue out of the crowd first.
Only then did Li Yue notice Yin Feng and the others, and he quickly saluted them: "Captain Yin, Mr. Zeng, I made you laugh, I..."
Yin Feng smiled and quickly interrupted his apology: "It's okay, you can tell us what we are arguing about?"
It turned out that they were arguing over two issues: the probability of success of this kind of trigger firing flint and then igniting gunpowder, and whether the bayonet bayonet could withstand an assassination attempt.
This kind of discussion and quarrel is not surprising in Yin Feng's view; in the original historical trajectory, although France was the first to make practical flintlock guns, it banned the equipment of such guns in the mid-17th century because the generals and kings suspected
Can a few sparks from flint ignite gunpowder? There is a similar experience in the development history of the bayonet.
Yin Feng said bluntly: "Brother Li is an old craftsman, I shouldn't say more. However, I have a suggestion: why not make things first, and then verify your problems in actual use, and then consider solving them."
What’s the method?”
When problems are discovered and solved in practice, Li Yue and others actually did not think of this relationship for a while.
After Yin Feng solved some problems in the firearms field, he went to the gunpowder workshop again. When he came out, he said to Zeng Jingshan: "Third brother, we will produce large quantities of gunpowder and bullets in the future, and we may also produce cannonballs, so we have to
Move the firearms factory out of here; find a place on a tributary of Jishui Creek or on the edge of Zengwen Creek. In the future, the firearms factory will be an important department of our company."
Zeng Jingshan didn't quite understand: "What do you mean? We all feel that too much money has been spent on firearms, and there is no return for this! We can buy these firearms from the Fo Langji people, why bother
Do you want to produce everything yourself?”
Yin Feng was very surprised by Zeng Jingshan's thoughts: "I know this is an investment that will not see any returns in the near future, but have you ever thought about it; if one day we have a conflict with the Fo Langji people at sea, who will sell it to us?"
Firearms? Besides, in addition to equipping ourselves with firearms, the excess can be sold to those small southern countries in Southeast Asia, and won’t we make back the money?”
Zeng Jingshan sighed: "Even if you are right, the company does not have much money at the moment. Most of the merchant ships that went to sea for trade have not returned yet. We will soon have to deal with the red barbarians here. Money will be spent in large sums. I really
It’s so stretched!”
Yin Feng was startled: "When I left, didn't I still have 800,000 taels of silver in cash? Apart from the monthly labor and food money for workers, we can't touch it. We..." He saw Zeng Jingshan shaking his head and said with a wry smile: