This was not the first time Ricci had been to Xiao Ruxun's military workshop. As an unrelated person, Xiao Ruxun had allowed Ricci to enter his workshop. This was not some advanced technology, nor was it black technology, so there was nothing to be ashamed of.
Daming firearms could be found in Europe these days, and some were even more advanced than Daming. Only Xiao Ruxun had the chance to learn from others.
However, Ricci had been impressed by the rigor and formality of this military workshop more than once. It was hard for him to imagine that such a formal, rigorous, and clean military workshop could appear in China, where science and technology were not valued.
The craftsmen were responsible for the matters of the next level, and each level was in charge of the next level. If there was a problem, they would first ask the higher-ups, and then the lower-ups would be held accountable. Sometimes, the punishment that the higher-ups received was even more severe than the lower-ups.
Therefore, the higher-ups here were all more nervous and stressed than the lower-ups. This was completely different from the way the Ministry of Daming handled the problem by looking for a scapegoat. If there was a problem, the first person Xiao Ruxun would hold accountable would definitely be the head craftsman in charge of the area, and then the craftsmen who did the actual work. Xiao Ruxun felt that the main reason for the substandard products was the lack of supervision and guidance from the higher-ups.
If the lower-ups had poor craftsmanship, they would have been able to tell at a glance, and they would have reported to the higher-ups to remove them. Why did they allow them to produce so many substandard products? The authority to supervise the quality is in your hands, but you actually ignored it. There must be something wrong with you!
This system had been in operation for a full year, and there had been no complaints from the army.
It should be known that the Zhennan Army under Xiao Ruxun's command had to undergo shooting training every day. On this point, Xiao Ruxun was terrifyingly stubborn. Basically, a year before the establishment of the military workshop, he had mobilized a large number of people to search for lead ore in the mountains. Once they found lead ore, they would seal it up and make lead bullets for the army to practice.
Elite soldiers were equipped with finely crafted swords, daggers, and crossbows, which were suitable for small-scale battles in the mountains. There was also a group of 100 soldiers armed with flintlock guns stationed here to protect the safety of the area. At the same time, they were also monitoring the craftsmen to see if they would commit any malfeasance.
With such strict and standardized management, Ricci felt that it was impossible to produce substandard products. With Xiao Ruxun's investment, the firepower and training level of this army had long surpassed that of the Spanish army. This battle really could not be fought. Otherwise, when the Ming Army's overwhelming artillery shot over, it was estimated that the Spanish army on the island would doubt their lives.
Ricci shook his head and followed a guard into the workshop. They entered a room where a group of old masters were hammering and grinding something. Xiao Ruxun's back was facing Ricci. Ricci didn't know what he was doing.
Ricci walked forward.
"General Xiao, I have completed the task you entrusted to me."
Xiao Ruxun did not move.
"General Xiao? I have completed the task you entrusted to me. "
Xiao Ruxun still did not move.
Ricci could not help but take a few steps forward.
Suddenly, Xiao Ruxun turned around. He held the gun with both hands and pointed the black muzzle at Ricci. Then he pulled the trigger. Bang. Ricci was caught off guard and was shocked. He screamed and took a few steps back, falling directly to the ground.
"Hahahaha, Mr. Li, I am just playing with you. There is no gunpowder or lead bullets. What are you afraid of? You will not die! "
Xiao Ruxun laughed with an unscrupulous look.
Now, Ricci felt as if ten thousand wolves were galloping through his heart.
"General Xiao, you should not make such a joke too much. It is very scary."
With a feeling of surviving a disaster, Ricci patted his chest fiercely. Xiao Ruxun reached out and pulled Ricci up.
"They just made a few good guns. I will take them to have a look. Haha, what a good gun. It is accurate and powerful, but the firing speed is not enough. There is no suitable ammunition. It is really hard to accept that such a good gun can not be used on a large scale. They just have to make up the numbers with those inaccurate guns. Alas!"
Ricci could not help but criticize a few words in his heart. If this kind of rifled gun could have the same firing speed as the smoothbore gun, would the existence of the smoothbore gun still be necessary? Besides, it is not so easy to make the rifling. You have so many craftsmen, but you can only make a few hundred of them.
"General Xiao, I have completed the task you entrusted to me. Now I am back to report to you."
Ricci could not help but bring the topic back to the original point.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Ruxun had a stunned look on her face.
"Entrusted? When did I entrust you with anything? Why didn't I know? "
Ricci had a doubtful expression on his face.
Xiao Ruxun looked at him for a while and then laughed.
"I am just teasing you. Don't mind it."
Then, Xiao Ruxun walked out of the workshop and went to the beautiful scenery outside.
Leaving Ricci with a dull expression for a while, he then chased after Xiao Ruxun.
How did General Xiao become like this in such a short period of time?
When Ricci chased after him, Xiao Ruxun stood outside and admired the surrounding green mountains and clear waters. This workshop was built in a valley. There were mountains on both sides of the valley and lush vegetation. It was a very secret place. Without a guide, it was basically impossible to reach this place. Even if you arrived, you would not be able to walk out of this place. As long as there were people with bad intentions, the more than 100 hidden sentries around this place were definitely not to be trifled with.
It was precisely because this place was very safe that Xiao Ruxun stood outside under the protection of Ma Wei to enjoy the scenery. At the same time, he also breathed in a bit of cool air. It was a bit too hot on the flat ground. Only in the mountains could it be slightly cooler.
Ricci chased after him outside. Before he could say anything, Xiao Ruxun spoke.
"Are the Spaniards willing to return all the Han people to this Marquis?"
Xiao Ruxun's serious expression made Ricci doubt his eyes and memory.
His memory was obviously very good, but why did he only remember the strange look of Xiao Ruxun just now?
Shaking his head to get rid of the distracting thoughts in his mind, Ricci nodded and said: "Yes, General, the Spaniards have agreed to return all the Chinese people to you. You can send a ship to pick them up. They will take the initiative to cooperate with you and will not hinder you."
Xiao Ruxun looked back at Ricci.
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