Rise From the Humble

Seeing that Ou Zhige was eager to study gunpowder, Zhu Pingan stood up and said goodbye in an understanding manner.

Next stop, Zhang Hong.

The same process, the same routine, the same courteous corporal, the same greetings and chatting about home affairs, and then inadvertently revealed that he had once been in charge of the Hanlin Academy Library, which contained hundreds of firearms classics, as well as the latest and latest research and development of the Ming Dynasty. The cutting-edge and most secret firearms classics, and of course the more than ten firearms classics on Europa, Franconian, Red-haired Yi and other foreign peoples that have been carefully collected.

"More than ten firearms books on Europa, Folangji, and Red-haired Yi?! Are there any artillery books among them?"

When he heard that there were more than ten firearms books of Europa, Franco, Hongmao and other foreign peoples in the library of Hanlin Academy, Zhang Hong's hand holding the tea cup couldn't help trembling, and the tea was spilled, and he was not excited at all. Weaker than Ou Zhige.

He was someone who once went to Nanyang to steal artillery from the Hongyi. After stealing artillery from the Nanyang for a period of time, he knew that although the Hongyi and others were barbarians and did not know etiquette, their muskets and artillery were far ahead of the Ming Dynasty.

"Of course, there is. There is also a book dedicated to studying an artillery called the Folang machine gun. The book records that 'the bullets are falling like rain and are invincible. The cannon is made of copper, because it is cast by the Folang machine gun.' It's called the Folang machine gun. I'm quite interested in the Folang machine gun. Before the Folang machine gun, all Ming artillery had to be loaded with gunpowder in the front, and it couldn't fire continuously. After firing one round, the gun had to cool down. The practical use limitations are quite large, and the Folang machine gun is equipped with a sub-gun. When firing, the sub-gun loaded with gunpowder is loaded into the mother gun. After firing, the sub-gun is discarded and another sub-gun can be fired. Several sub-guns can be fired quickly. Replacement can greatly increase the firing speed, which is of great benefit in actual combat. Oh, there is also a book that records an artillery called the Hongyi Cannon. It is more than two feet long and weighs two or three thousand kilograms. It can be fired several miles away and is extremely powerful. .”

Zhu Pingan replied without hesitation, and at the end he mentioned Hongyi Cannon.

After listening to Zhu Pingan's words, Zhang Hong couldn't help himself with excitement. The Fo Lang machine artillery described by Zhu Pingan was completely correct, and when he stole the Hongmaoyi artillery in Nanyang, he had seen it on the bow of the Hongmaoyi ship. He once saw the "Red Yi Cannon" described by Zhu Pingan. Although he did not know that the cannon was called the Hongyi Cannon at the time, the three-foot-long cannon left a deep impression on him at that time. This shows that the real thing in the Hanlin Academy Library is There are classics about Europa, Red-haired Yi and other foreign artillery.

In order to improve his artillery skills, he left his hometown and traveled to Southeast Asia, where he learned how to make artillery under the auspices of the Red Mao Yi.

Although he racked his brains and tried his best to learn a lot of techniques from the red-haired barbarian, he still had to steal the skills from the red-haired barbarian. Without the comprehensive guidance of the red-haired barbarian, he still did not master the art of firearms such as the Fo Lang machine gun.

If he were to evaluate it himself, he would probably have only learned about 50%. The effectiveness of the Franco machine gun he copied was far inferior to the real Franco machine gun made by Hongmaoyi, which made him feel very unwilling.

How can I not be excited now that I heard that there are more than ten books on Europa, Red-haired Yi and other foreign firearms in the Hanlin Academy's library?

"Although it is a bit abrupt, I wonder if you, sir, could study these classics at that time and still remember their contents now."

Zhang Hong asked excitedly.

Zhu Ping'an told Zhang Hong what he said to Ou Zhige again. He had a good memory. He had a lot of time at the time and read it several times. He still remembered about 70% to 80% of the content.

"I also ask you to teach me about foreign artillery. I, Zhang Hong, will only obey your guidance in this life. I will not dare to disobey your words."

Zhang Hong, like Ou Zhige, knelt down excitedly, expressed his loyalty to Zhu Pingan and asked Zhu Pingan for advice.

The reason why Zhang Hong and Ou Zhige both knelt down to express their loyalty may be because they were from humble backgrounds and had nothing to offer, so selling themselves to others was the only bargaining chip they could use.

"Master Zhang's words are serious. Please get up quickly. Master Zhang is our master craftsman from the Zhejiang Army. I naturally know everything I can say."

Zhu Pingan helped Zhang Hong up and told Zhang Hong what he had said to Ou Zhige again to reassure him.

"Please enlighten me, sir. I, Zhang, will definitely live up to your expectations." Zhang Hong said with a serious look on his face, clasping his fists.

"I've read a lot about artillery. It's been so long and I'm a little confused at the moment. Let's talk about whatever comes to mind. I'll come here often to discuss it with Master Zhang in the future. I think there must be two mother guns for the Folang machine gun. The rear sight is installed on the side, which can assist aiming and increase the hit rate, Master Zhang must be aware of it."

Zhu Pingan took a sip of tea and said slowly.

"Yes, the red-haired Yi was so whimsical that he added a rear sight to the gun body, which greatly improved the hit rate. Our artillery has never had this device, and it can be used as a reference for other artillery to increase the hit rate."

Zhang Hong nodded vigorously and replied.

"Yes, some of the Red Mao Yi's ideas are of great reference value. For example, they added steel hoops to the cannon body to hoop the cannon body like a hoop. According to the records in his book, they can effectively imitate artillery blasts."

Zhu Pingan gave another example.

"Oh, that makes sense. Steel hoops can be added to prevent the artillery from exploding. Although it cannot be prevented 100%, it can certainly be greatly reduced." After hearing this, Zhang Hong was deeply inspired and nodded repeatedly.

"Regarding the Fo Lang machine gun, our Ming Dynasty's latest and most cutting-edge artillery books have also studied it. Regarding the Fo Lang machine cannon, our Ming Dynasty's capital military warfare bureau has also tested it many times, innovated, and obtained several practical results. Specifically, I can't remember it well, but I only remembered three points. The first is that the sub-gun must fit closely with the mother gun; the second is that when aiming with the rear sight of the Franco machine gun, you must use the three-point-one-line method, that is, the sight The door, front sight and target should be connected in a straight line; the third is more practical, adding a wooden handle to the gun for easy loading, unloading and fixing."

Zhu Pingan continued.

"I have also noticed that the sub-gun fits the mother gun closely. At three points and one line, the sub-gun with a wooden handle is indeed the capital's military strategy. It really deserves its reputation." Zhang Hong said with admiration, and he was deeply inspired.

"I won't say much more about the superficial truth about the Fo Lang machine gun. The addition of lugs on the gun body to facilitate the transfer. But there is one thing I want to talk to Master Zhang." Zhu Pingan's tone became serious.

"Please teach me, sir." Zhang Hong cupped his fists and bowed deeply.

"There are more than ten firearms classics written by foreigners such as Europa and Folangji. Many of them mention the artillery caliber doubling technology, saying that it is one of the fundamental principles of artillery. This technology must be followed when making artillery." Zhu Ping'an said with a look on his face. Said solemnly.

"Artillery magnification technology? The fundamental principle of artillery, which must be followed when making artillery?"

It was the first time in Zhang Hong's life that he heard the term "artillery double diameter". He opened his mouth in surprise, as if he was reading a book from heaven.