34th May, Blade Peak Mountain Range, the valley where Professor Bob conducted his gunpowder experiments.
Thunderous booms resounded continuously, and the deafening sound of cannons reverberated throughout the valley …
Laurist led Master Sid, Professor Bob, Master Falin, and Old Julien, who had also been promoted to Master status, as well as a dozen or so guards, out of the trench. They walked towards the seven bronze cannons twenty meters away.
Laurist realized that he had underestimated the forging standards of this world. Ten days ago, under Sid's guidance, he had seen Old Julian's bronze cannons cast according to his blueprints. Only then did he realize that in less than a month, Old Julian had actually cast twelve bronze cannons for him. Sid said disdainfully that bronze casting was actually the lowest level blacksmith apprentice skill, used for practice. The true highest level of casting was still the fine steel he had forged.
Loriste smiled bitterly. Master Sid's so-called fine steel relied on the continuous hammering of a hydraulic forging machine to refine it. Under the premise that there were no refractory bricks to build a new refining furnace, it was impossible to refine molten steel at high temperatures and use it to cast cannons.
In his previous life, Laurist was only the director of a small handicraft factory. He didn't know how to make steel or cast cannons. However, one of the products of his small handicraft factory was a bronze cannon model. It was the size of a palm and was a very good decoration on his desk. It could even be used as a paperweight. Of course, these small bronze cannons weren't cast, but produced on a lathe.
He remembered that Laurist was very interested in these small bronze cannon models. He wondered why ancient people would use bronze to cast cannons and not fine iron. After going on Baidu and reading some articles about bronze casting cannons, he realized that the ancient people were really smart. Using bronze to cast cannons was much more practical and cost-effective than fine iron. Of course, Laurist couldn't remember the messy data, but the impression left in his mind was that without a certain industrial foundation and before the steel industry was developed, using bronze to cast cannons was the best.
Thanks to the fact that the small bronze cannon model was made according to a real cannon, Laurist could easily restore it. All the data was clearly marked on the blueprints. Old Yu also forged twelve bronze cannons according to his blueprints.
However, after careful inspection, five of the cannons were removed due to the presence of sand holes on the walls or the fact that the cannons were not straight. As for the remaining seven bronze cannons, Lollister ordered the workers to polish the cannons smooth and equip them with mounts. Finally, they were transported to the valley where Professor Bob was testing his gunpowder.
Today was the first test of the cannons. The seven bronze cannons were aimed at a cliff four hundred meters away. Smoke filled the air after the cannon was fired, and the cliff that became the target was also falling rocks …
"Oh my God, isn't this a Magical Crystal Cannon?" Professor Bob exclaimed as he looked at the ravaged cliff in the distance.
"Magic Crystal Cannon?" Buckingham was a little confused. What was that?
"Sir, I've read some records about the magic civilization. It mentioned that mages excavated the ruins of the sky fleet passed down by the goblins and invented a long-range weapon that used magic crystals as its power. It's called the Magical Crystal Cannon, and it can destroy a mountain with one shot. It's said that the largest Magical Crystal Cannon has the power to destroy stars. After the war with the gods, the Magical Crystal Cannons were transported to the God Kingdom. At first, they were very powerful and killed a few gods. However, due to the slow charging and slow reaction speed, the Magic Crystal Cannons were completely wiped out by the surprise attack of the God Kingdom's army … "Professor Bob explained.
"Oh, I see. However, these are cannons, and they can't be compared to the Magical Crystal Cannon. They purely use the explosive force of gunpowder to launch the projectiles, and their power isn't as great as the Magical Crystal Cannon. " Lollister felt that his bronze cannons were too weak compared to the legendary Magical Crystal Cannon.
"Sir, the temperature of the first to third cannons is normal. The tentacles are a little warm, and the cannons haven't shifted. The fourth to sixth cannons are a little hot. The sixth cannons have the highest temperature, and it's shifted the most. It's shifted about twelve centimeters. In addition, there's a small crack on the body of the seventh cannon. The entire body is red and hot, and even the cannons have tilted to the left, away from their original positions … "
The guard who had gone to inspect the seven bronze cannons reported to Lollister with an animal skin folder that recorded the inspection results. Beside him, Old Yu's face was a little red. One cannon had been destroyed in just one test, and this made him, who had forged these bronze cannons, feel very embarrassed.
Lollister smiled and said, "Master Yu, this has nothing to do with you. This is a test of the maximum amount of gunpowder these bronze cannons can carry. The gunpowder in the seventh cannon is about seven times that of the first cannon. The fact that it didn't explode on the spot and only have a small crack shows that the quality of these bronze cannons you've forged is very high."
Following this, Lollister ordered the guards to clean the barrels of the cannons and continue with the test. However, they were now testing the cannons one by one to determine the optimal amount of gunpowder, as well as the range, power, interval, and recovery speed of the cannons' heat dissipation, as well as the durability of the bronze cannons. How many cannons could be fired consecutively to achieve the maximum number of shots, and a series of other tests.
After a few more rounds of test firing, Lollister brought the Masters back to their resting quarters. The guards in the valley continued to test the cannons.
The rumbling of the cannons no longer affected the conversations in the room. Lollister looked at the others. Professor Bob seemed to be deep in thought, and Master Yu looked very excited. He hadn't thought that the bronze cannons he had forged would have such great power. Master Sid was very surprised and eager to give it a try. Perhaps in his heart, the cannons were a new and interesting toy that was worth his time to study. Master Falin had a dejected expression. His face was pale as if he had lost his soul.
"Master Falin, what's wrong?" Lollister asked with concern.
Master Falin replied with some disappointment, "Sir, with the cannons, the ballistae and steel crossbows will be useless in the future. Whether it's range or power, the cannons far surpass the steel crossbow. Moreover, the cannons can continue to develop, but the steel crossbow and ballistae are about to reach their end. I think that when the cannons replace the steel crossbow, my position as a master crossbow maker will be useless, and I won't be able to serve the family anymore. "
So that was how it was. Lollister understood why Master Falin was depressed. He lightly patted Master Falin's shoulder and comforted him with a smile, "Master Falin, some things can't be looked at this way. I categorize steel crossbows and catapults as long range weapons, while cannons are hot weapons. The two are different. You are a true master in the field of cold weapons, and I think the steel crossbow you made is already at the peak of perfection. No one can surpass you in cold weapons. As for cannons, we are all beginners in the field of hot weapons, and we are all at the same level. In the future research on firearms, I will need your skillful hands to make some exquisite parts. Don't worry, the family has always been proud of having a master like you … "
Cold weapons? Hot weapons? And firearms?
Master Sid was interested. "Sir, why do you have to categorize them like this? And what about firearms? Are they cannons? "
Lollister explained, "Things like steel crossbows and catapults mainly use the elasticity and tension of steel to launch projectiles. They rely on their own abilities, so I categorize them as cold weapons.
Cannons, on the other hand, use the explosive force and impact of gunpowder to launch projectiles. Bronze cannons, on the other hand, are used to restrain the explosive force of gunpowder and form a supporting pipe for the impact of the target. They do not have the ability to launch projectiles themselves. Thus, I call all long-range weapons that rely on the explosive force of gunpowder firearms, and they are classified as hot weapons. Of course, my current classification is very crude, and I can only make a general distinction. "
Lollister gestured for everyone to sit down at the table. "Everyone has seen the firing of these bronze cannons, but there are still many tests to be done on them. I want the few of you here to form a firearms research team to first complete the testing standards for the bronze cannons and come up with a complete firing system for these cannons. For example, we can install an aiming device on the bronze cannons and estimate the firing angle based on the distance of the target, and so on. We can complete this work as quickly as possible.
The situation our family is facing is very serious. Previously, Sirovas Island was coveted by the Chikede Merchant Association of the Ford Trade Alliance. Fortunately, the war between the Trade Alliance and the Telimbo Kingdom prevented our family's territory from being annexed. After you complete the testing of these bronze cannons, Master Yu Lian will immediately arrange for people to forge a batch of bronze cannons of the same specifications. I plan to equip these cannons with warships. Only with gunships can we protect our family's territory and maritime interests from being invaded. "
Lollister clapped his hands, and Schwald brought in a box. He opened the box, and inside was the dwarven firearm.
"This is the famous dwarven firearm. Its principle is similar to our bronze cannons, and it also uses gunpowder to fire lead bullets. But because of Professor Bob, it looks like their gunpowder is practically useless. The gunpowder developed by Professor Bob is more powerful than what the dwarves have used for thousands of years. The ratio is more reasonable, and the cost is lower. This is all thanks to Professor Bob. "
Lollister first praised Professor Bob, and then ordered Schwald to hang a few blueprints on the wall. "These are the two firearms I've designed based on the dwarven firearm. One is also a long-barreled firearm, and the other is a revolver. I've marked all the parts and data on them, but these are only my deductions and calculations. They still need to be modified according to the actual situation during the actual manufacturing process."
The two firearms Lollister designed this time were long flintlock muskets. Of course, the firing mechanism was not as exaggerated as the dwarven one, which had a dragon carved into it. The dwarven firearm used a spring, and it was normal for it to misfire three or four times out of ten times. Lollister's flintlock muskets used the mature firing mechanism of flint and steel from his previous world, but he didn't know if these masters could make it.
The short revolver was the revolver from his previous world. The greatest difficulty for Lollister's design was the cartridge and the firing cap, as well as the rifled barrel. Lollister was sure that the skilled craftsmen under him could make the cartridge and the rifled barrel by hand. The cartridge and rifled barrel could be made with some effort, but the firing cap was impossible. However, Lollister planned to leave this problem to Professor Bob to figure out. He didn't want to worry about it himself.
Lollister assigned tasks to the masters and professors under him. Professor Bob was in charge of researching the firing cap, as well as the blossoming bullets fired by the bronze cannons. Master Sid and Master Julien worked together to develop the long and short barrels, as well as the materials used to make the guns. In their spare time, they also researched how to improve the bronze cannons. As for Master Fallin, he was the most dexterous one. He was in charge of making all the firing mechanisms and firing mechanisms.
After assigning the tasks of testing the bronze cannons and developing the two types of muskets to these people, Lollister left the valley in a relaxed manner.
On the second of June, Lollister returned to Rock Castle. Spear, who was in charge of guarding the castle, hurriedly brought Lollister two thick stacks of documents. These were all things that needed Lollister's signature or reports. Lollister sighed and could only throw himself into these troublesome matters.
Schwald knocked on the door and walked in. "My lord, this is a letter that has just been sent from Syrovas Island, as well as the first report sent by Knight Lemud from Morent City. There is also a report about the Trade Union's campaign against the Telimber Kingdom and the second prince's campaign in the Redelis Kingdom."
Lollister perked up. "Let me take a look."
Rummed had brought his three wives to Moronte City at the beginning of April, preparing to set up a paediatrics and gynecology pharmacy. It would become the intelligence gathering center of the Norton Family in Moronte City. It seemed like he was very used to this new position. It had only been two months, and he had already sent his first report.
Rummed first described their arrival at Moronte City and their arrangements. Then, he reported on the war between the Trade Union and the Telimber Kingdom. The second sit-in war had begun. However, this time, it was an army of nearly a hundred thousand soldiers from seven countries facing off against a hundred and fifty thousand soldiers from the Trade Union in the Telimber Kingdom's Feyes Kingdom. The Moriant Journal said that it seemed that the war would not end until the coffers of Trumbull the Seventh had been drained dry.
Then, the second prince's campaign in the Redelis Kingdom was in big trouble. The nobles of the Redelis Kingdom's Worf Province were not intimidated by the second prince's hundreds of thousands of soldiers. They did not respect the second prince. The Second Prince had sent an army of a hundred thousand to wipe them out, but they were outnumbered by the nobles who relied on their geographical advantage. They had suffered a few defeats in a row, and there were even two regiments formed from the surrendered soldiers of the Redelis Kingdom who had rebelled on the spot, which further boosted the nobles' momentum. In the end, only forty thousand of the hundred thousand soldiers returned. It was said that the second prince was so angry that he coughed up blood.
Laurist was all smiles. The longer these two wars dragged on, the more advantageous it would be for the family. He could not wait for those people to fight for eight to ten years.
Putting down Rummed's report, he picked up the letter from Syrovas Island. As expected, Fatty Shi had written another ten thick sheets of animal hide paper, not missing out on anything big or small. The report was extremely detailed.
First of all, the first batch of fur trade with the Peterson Merchant Group had been completed. Of the five hundred thousand gold coins they had received, half a million had been sent back to the family's territory on this cargo ship. The remaining gold coins and the one million kilograms of grain from the Peterson Merchant Group were stored in Syrovas Island as reserves for development.
Secondly, Fatty Shi had reached an agreement with the Peterson Merchant Group. He had given the seventeen sets of iron standard equipment samples and the dozens of magnificent sets of armor and equipment to the Peterson Merchant Group. The Peterson Merchant Group would fight for orders. Of course, the Peterson Merchant Group would not do this for free. They asked for ten percent of the profits, which Fatty Shi had agreed to. In the letter, he said that this was the best of both worlds. The Peterson Merchant Group would fight for more orders with profits, and the Norton family could hide behind and not become a target for others.
Next was about the exploration of the resources on Syrovas Island. Master Sid's eldest son, Delokova, had led people into the volcanic area of Syrovas Island in April to explore. It had only been a little more than a month, and he had already discovered seven types of mineral resources in the mountain area. Among them, there were large reserves of iron and silver. He believed that there would be more discoveries after the exploration of the entire mountain area. Fatty Shi had already decided to convert the refugees' labor force into miners for resource extraction after the completion of the development projects.
In the end, Fatty Shi grumbled a little and told Laurist that his father had already boarded a ship to the north and was preparing to buy a house and open a shop in the newly built port city. He asked Laurist to take care of them and so on.
After reading the letter, Laurist asked Schwald to pack up and rush to the newly built port city. It just so happened that he had to go to the Oxhorn Bay Shipyard to supervise the completion of the newest sailing warship and arrange for the sailors to train with the bronze cannons.
In June, Laurist was still as busy as ever. One day, at the end of June, Schwald rushed in. "My lord, my lord, Syrovas Island is under attack!"
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