Thinking about firearms, Xiao Ruxun felt a little depressed.
"Our great China has been using firearms since the Tang Dynasty. Five to six hundred years ago, we are the ancestors of firearms. Why is it that our firearms are not as good as those of the Western Barbarians? Whether it is the musket or the Francs, these firearms are superior to the firearms that I, Daming, used in the past. Even the ships used by the Barbodes rhododendri are superior to the ships of I, Daming. Think about how powerful Zheng He was when he sailed to the Western Ocean. Now, it is rare to see a treasure ship, not even a slightly larger warship. The ship of 500 tons is actually the largest warship!
Father-in-law, when Son-in-Law was fighting the Japanese pirates in Korea, the reason why he was able to defeat the Japanese pirates at sea was not because of the strength of the Daming Navy, but because the Japanese pirates were too weak. Their ships were even lighter than the ships of the Daming Navy, so they were unable to carry cannons. Their long-range firepower was only the musket. When they used the musket to attack our ships at sea, their range was not as good as the Francs. Before the lead could hit, our Francs had already blasted them into the seabed, and the Japanese navy was completely annihilated.
However, Son-in-Law remembered that decades ago, the Barbodes rhododendri of the Francs used those fast and large ships that could carry dozens of cannons to invade my Daming Navy. Our navy also suffered heavy casualties. If it was not for the favorable timing and geographical location, how could we have defeated the Francs with our old ships? Especially that centipede ship, Son-in-Law has also seen it. It can carry dozens of cannons and move as fast as the wind. Compared to my old ships, not only is it faster, but its firepower is also stronger.
A few decades ago, the Franci people were able to reach such a level. Then, decades later, our Great Ming Dynasty is still using the firearms and ships from decades ago, and they are still the most elite weapons. Moreover, have the Franci people improved their ships and firearms again? Will they be able to far surpass our current equipment? If we were to fight again, would we still be able to win? Every time Son-in-Law thought of this, he couldn't help but toss and turn restlessly in bed, unable to fall asleep. "
Yang Zhao thought for a moment and said, "Ji Xin, are you worried that you will encounter Franco's Barbodes rhododendri when you pass through Southeast Asia?"
"We should meet them. The Francis have occupied many islands in the Nanyang, built cities, enslaved the local natives, and regarded them as their own territory. They have already established a firm foothold. If the Great Ming's fleet conflicts with them when they go south, I'm worried that we will encounter unnecessary trouble. They came from afar, so the performance of their ships must be far better than the Great Ming's ships. The Great Ming still doesn't know how sophisticated their weapons are. Even if I'm prepared, I can't predict the consequences."
Xiao Ruxun said worriedly.
Yang Zhao shook his head.
"Ji Xin, you don't have to worry so much. This old man deduces that the Francis were defeated by us decades ago, so they are already afraid of the Celestial Empire. They should not attack us again in a short period of time. In addition, this time, our army will be marching south with great fanfare and majesty. With their small ships, they may not dare to provoke our tiger's whiskers. Here, our army is not going to crusade against them, so they have no reason to attack our army."
Xiao Ruxun did not comment on this point of view.
"That may be the case, but Son-in-Law thinks that we must be vigilant. These Barbodes rhododendri are greedy and cunning, and they have sharp weapons in their hands. When they see our army heading south, even if their target is not them, they will still be vigilant. Son-in-Law does not want to fight with them, but Son-in-Law is very interested in their firearms and ships. If possible, Son-in-Law will try to get their firearms and ships, especially cannons. In battle, cannons are too useful."
Yang Zhao said, "Ji Xin, won't this be too dangerous? The barbarians are cunning. They will definitely keep these weapons safe. How can they give them to you for no reason? Your main task is to pacify the Dongwu Kingdom. You cannot start a war with the Barbodes rhododendri at will. Otherwise, the outcome will be unpredictable, and it will be hard for you to explain yourself. "
Xiao Ruxun nodded and said, "Son-in-Law naturally knows this. Son-in-Law only has this thought in mind. In fact, when we returned to the capital, Son-in-Law had already ordered people to develop a new type of musket. On the battlefield in Korea, Son-in-Law had encountered many situations where the musket could not be used due to the heavy rain. If this happened in the Annan region, it would be even more common. Son-in-Law feels that no matter what, we have to think of a solution."
Yang Zhao sighed and nodded his head helplessly. "The ministers of the imperial court do not care about the affairs of the nation. They only think about coming and going, fighting here and there. They spend their precious time fighting for fame and wealth. This is something that one cannot help but feel distressed. However, this is something that cannot be helped. Ji Xin, this old man will not say too much. You must be careful. Do not act on your own and cause a major incident."
Xiao Ruxun nodded, indicating that he understood.
Early the next morning, Xiao Ruxun accompanied Yang Caiyun for breakfast. He asked Yang Caiyun to chat with her sisters-in-law to relieve her boredom. He brought his bodyguards and rushed out of Beijing, heading straight for the military camp outside the city.
As early as when he was in Liaodong and Korea, he had gathered a group of craftsmen who were willing to follow him. Most of them were blacksmiths. He told them what he knew that could produce high quality steel and told them to use the existing technology to slowly explore the technology to produce high quality steel. This would create the foundation for the production of qualified flintlocks and heavy cannons in the future. These blacksmiths were all funded by Xiao Ruxun alone. He arranged them in the military camp under the name of the Ningxia military blacksmiths.
Xiao Ruxun used to be very interested in firearms, but he didn't have enough military technicians under him, so he could only slowly explore the manufacturing methods of firearms from books. Although he eventually succeeded in manufacturing modern firearms, the Great Ming Dynasty didn't have the same amount of help as that abandoned military factory back then. He didn't have that many instruments, and he didn't know how to manufacture them. He only knew that with the current technology, if he didn't first produce qualified steel and qualified springs, he couldn't even think about making a flintlock.
Therefore, he had always been very concerned about the quality of steel. He had experienced the terrible technology and output of the Daming Ministry of Works in Ningxia. In order not to let this group of idiotic teammates ruin him, he had to find a solution himself. However, when it came to technology, he was a novice. He could talk and draw pictures, but if he really had to do it himself, it would be better for the blacksmiths of the Daming Ministry of Works. He knew how to solve it, but he could not interfere in the process of solving it. He could only trust the blacksmiths of the Daming Ministry.
Moreover, without modern tools, it was almost impossible to imitate modern firearms. It was impossible for him to make the Japanese and Czech guns in the Daming Ministry. He could only climb the technology book bit by bit. At most, he could use his own theory to add a buff to the climbing speed of the Daming Ministry. He really could not do anything else.
Therefore, he could only follow the old path. From the flintlock gun to the matchlock gun, and then to the flintlock gun. After the flintlock gun, he would use the flintlock gun's mechanism and the primer technology to give a new lease of life to the flintlock gun.
In fact, the existence of Xiao Ruxun was actually a big bug. He knew how to walk, how to do, and how to guide, which was much faster than those foreigners who were still trying to figure it out.
No matter what, as long as he solved the problem of steel quality and springs, he would be able to make flintlocks!
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