Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

As the saying goes, a county magistrate is not as good as the current manager. Of course, Johann Adam Schall von Bell kowtowed and saluted in order to leave a good impression on Emperor Chongzhen.

But Johann Adam Schall von Bell knew in his heart that the one who could really help him was still the young marshal in front of him.

"Oh? How far has it come?" Zhang Shikang didn't expect to get a surprise as soon as he arrived, so he asked with interest.

"In the past two months, Master Bi and I have tried many times, Marshal, please take a look."

As he spoke, Johann Adam Schall von Bell pointed to a pile of failed experiments not far away. There were about twenty or thirty of them. They were of different colors, some were green, some were yellow, and some were earthy.

“Those are the results of my work with Master Bi over the past two months.

Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, and brass is an alloy of copper, zinc and other metals.

These days, Mr. Bi and I have conducted repeated experiments twenty-eight times, constantly trying to change the ratio of tin and zinc in the copper water, and finally made a breakthrough a few days ago.

Marshal, please look at this last one." Tang Ruowang pointed at the last test piece.

But the barrel of the gun was green in color, so it must be made of bronze, but the color of the gun body was almost the same as that of the Portuguese gun.

"The barrel of this gun is made according to the size and thickness of the gun used by the French.

And the most important thing is that the weight is also the same. Marshal, don’t underestimate the weight.

I think that different metals have different weights, and if we mix and melt them in a certain proportion, and if we can make them the same size and quality, and then observe their color and the sound they make when we knock them, we can restore the bronze cannon. "

As Tang Ruowang spoke, he struck the bronze cannon, and then struck the French 24-pound cannon.

Density, this term immediately came to Zhang Shikang's mind.

Although Europe had not yet systematized its overall technology at this time, it was actually making great strides towards this trend.

For example, the classification of metals, their respective characteristics, the proportions of molten alloys, and the consideration of density, especially the consideration of density, weight and volume. Although Johann Adam Schall von Bell did not go into detail, it is enough to show the technological advantages of Europeans.

This advantage is not only reflected in the technology itself, but also in the thinking.

"Well, very good. Are we going to start testing the gun?" Zhang Shikang stroked the thick gun barrel and said with a happy look on his face.

“My Lord, this cannon still has some flaws, but these flaws have been fixed by me and Pastor Tang.

Look at those craftsmen over there. It will take them another quarter of an hour at most to polish and repair the newly cast gun barrel.

I plan to use this cannon for test firing," Bi Maokang said to Zhang Shikang.

Just now he had heard from Chief Steward Fang that Zhang Shikang had been promoted to the title of Duke of Zhenguo by Emperor Chongzhen. He was surprised, but also full of confidence in the future revitalization of Ming Dynasty firearms.

"Okay, I'll wait here today. We must give it a shot today!" Zhang Shikang said happily to everyone.

He did not disturb Bi Maokang and Johann Adam Schall von Bell from working on the newly cast cannon, but instead took Emperor Chongzhen around to inspect it.

"Your Majesty, do not underestimate this shabby little workshop. The future of our Ming Dynasty may be nurtured in this small workshop. I am not kidding."

Zhang Shikang pointed at the craftsmen around him.

The original team of this workshop in Xishan Camp was just 20 to 30 veteran craftsmen from the Beijing Camp.

Later, Zhang Shikang tricked thirty musket craftsmen from Fang Fengnian of the Ministry of Works, and learned the whereabouts of Mao Yuanyi from one of the craftsmen.

Not long after Mao Yuanyi arrived, he solved the problem of developing the banjo-foot gun and recommended Song Yingxing to him.

Song Yingxing recommended Bi Maokang, who recommended Wang Zheng. In addition, Zhang Shikang also continued to recruit various skilled craftsmen for this small workshop.

Even though he had been away on a campaign for a year last year, wherever he went, he would ask the factory guards to look for craftsmen, and anyone with superb skills would be brought here by him.

So much so that after two years, the number of craftsmen of various kinds in the Xishan camp had reached more than 600.

Although the workshop is not big, and except for the musket which has started small-scale mass production and the improved spinning machine, most of the other projects are in the research and development stage.

But Zhang Shikang believed that as long as he was given time and he controlled the general direction, this place would definitely be recorded in the history of the Ming Dynasty in the future.

Only three or four miles away from here, the construction of the General Manufacturing Bureau is also being vigorously promoted. Once the workshop over there is built, all the personnel and facilities of this workshop will be upgraded.

"Firearms are important, but people's livelihood is also important to the court. I allow you to do it, and I will not take care of the maritime trade, provided that you manage the troops well.

The bandits have not been eliminated, and the Jianlu are still rampant. You must keep these in mind." Emperor Chongzhen looked around the environment and turned to Zhang Shikang.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I won't fall behind. You still don't have a long-term vision.

The people's livelihood depends on us, the people, farming ourselves. Even if we can grow flowers, there is a limit to the revival.

It’s not as fast as going out to sea to rob.

As for the bandits, I will be ready to go out again in June at the latest to wipe out Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong in one fell swoop." Zhang Shikang vowed.

Although this land has nurtured so many people, the nine years of compulsory education taught him that with three mountains, six rivers and one piece of land and limited productivity, it is still too difficult to make a fortune by relying on the primary industry.

Therefore, we must look overseas and vigorously develop firearms and shipbuilding.

But it was obvious that Emperor Chongzhen only heard the last sentence.

"Go to war in June?" Emperor Chongzhen's eyes immediately became hot.

The failure to eliminate the bandits was always a concern for Emperor Chongzhen, but he did not want to disrupt Zhang Shikang's military plans, so when he heard that Zhang Shikang was going to eliminate the bandits in June, he was quite excited.

"Yes, by then, the crops in the south and north of the Yangtze River will be harvested, and the food shortage situation can be alleviated. It is a good opportunity to take a trip to Sichuan." Zhang Shikang said casually.

"I'm waiting for your good news." Emperor Chongzhen's mood suddenly improved.

In a short while, the newly cast copper cannon had been polished.

Bi Maokang asked the craftsmen to assemble the gun mount and gun barrel that had been prepared long ago.

Zhang Shikang immediately ordered his men to bring a field artillery cart. After some effort, five or six horses pulled the artillery cart out of the Xishan camp.

Zhang Shikang, accompanied by a large group of personal guards, protected Brother Chongzhen while following the artillery carriage out.

After walking for about a quarter of an hour, the group arrived at the foot of the West Mountain, which was the temporary artillery testing site selected by Bi Maokang. Several wooden targets had already been installed.

Under the command of Bi Maokang, a group of craftsmen set up the new cannon, then skillfully loaded it with gunpowder, wrapped the iron bullets that matched the caliber with special cloth, and then pressed the shells into the barrel.

A craftsman holding a torch looked back at Bi Maokang and asked for permission to light the fire.

Bi Maokang looked back at Zhang Shikang again. Zhang Shikang nodded and said to Brother Chongzhen:

"Your Majesty, cover your ears, it's so loud."

As he said this, he covered his ears first. This time, Brother Chongzhen listened to the advice and covered his ears as well.

After receiving the order, the craftsman stuck the torch on the tinderbox and ran away.

This was the first test firing of the new gun, and no one knew whether it would explode or cause any other accidents.

Most people hid thirty steps away.

A moment later, a burst of black smoke rose up.

With a bang, the new cannon exploded.

……