Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

By now, the new heavy artillery factories in Nanjing and Suzhou had officially begun production. The No. 3 Artillery Factory, located north of Nanjing, was particularly important. This factory not only continued to produce the four-pound bronze cannons urgently needed by the army, but also manufactured iron naval guns ranging from 12 to 24 pounds for use by the Ming navy.

An artillery test site was specially built around the artillery factory to facilitate the testing and improvement of new artillery. There was even a battleship shooting center on the riverside for the navy to use.

When Zhu Cilang and several generals arrived for their inspection, the head of the No. 3 Artillery Factory was conducting a test firing drill with a team of artillerymen. The artillerymen had a clear division of labor, loading, aiming, and firing with smooth and precise movements, clearly professionals.

With a thunderous roar, a four-pound cannon erupted with flames, and the shell whistled into the wooden shield cart ahead, instantly shattering it. On the test field, targets made of various materials, including wooden dummies of armored soldiers and iron shields, were placed to test the penetrating power of the shells.

With repeated test firings, the results proved that neither wooden nor iron shields could withstand the bombardment of four-pound cannons for too long. This result made Zhu Cilang very satisfied, indicating that the product quality of the artillery factory met the standards.

"That's right." Zhu Cilang nodded slightly and said, "On the battlefield, even if the military formation is sophisticated, it still needs the support of firearms. What I want is not only a well-organized military formation, but also a powerful force that can defeat powerful enemies with artillery."

Upon hearing this, Liao Qi, the director of the artillery factory, hurried forward to report, "Your Majesty, the production of four-pound, twelve-pound, and twenty-four-pound cannons has stabilized. We estimate that we can produce dozens more within six months, enough to equip the army."

Zhu Cilang nodded slightly, but still unsatisfied. He looked across the testing ground, where another crucial experiment was underway: ricocheting. Besides hitting their target directly, solid shells could also exploit the ricochet effect at long range, bouncing off the ground and continuing to inflict damage.

This tactic was widely used in Western artillery warfare, but the Ming army was still in the exploratory stage of mastering it. Therefore, a key goal of this experiment was to test the optimal use of ricochets at different ranges and angles.

Following instructions, the artillerymen adjusted the elevation of their guns, experimenting with different distances to ensure the shells continued to ricochet after their initial impact. After repeated trials, they discovered that on relatively hard ground, the shells could ricochet two or three times, each time still packing a powerful punch. This made them particularly effective against densely packed enemy formations.

If the shooting angle can be accurately controlled on the battlefield so that the shells bounce off the enemy's front row after landing and penetrate the rear formation, a large number of enemies can be effectively killed and the enemy's morale can be greatly undermined.

Zhu Cilang witnessed the experiment and, after a moment's contemplation, said to the accompanying generals, "If this method can be refined, it will significantly increase the lethality of our artillery. In future artillery training, ricochet shooting must be incorporated into mandatory training. The General Staff should also compile a dedicated artillery tactics manual to ensure closer coordination between battle formations and artillery fire."

This test ultimately confirmed the conclusion that the four-pounder, in terms of power, rate of fire, and mobility, was more suitable as the main artillery piece for a field army than other calibers. Its portability allowed artillerymen to adjust positions more quickly, while its range and lethality more than compensated for the firepower deficiencies of infantry phalanxes, making it a vital supplement on the battlefield.

Zhu Cilang had already made up his mind. He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance with a gaze as resolute as steel. He knew that with the continuous improvement and mass production of these artillery pieces, the Ming army would completely break free from the shackles of traditional cold weapon warfare and enter a new era.

After listening to the report from workshop manager Liao Qi, Zhu Cilang's eyes narrowed slightly, and he slowly spoke, "How do you record and store this test data? How do you plan to use it?"

While the development of the four-pounder cannon was based on a proposal for improvement based on collected data, the true determinant of artillery combat effectiveness lay not only in the quality of the cannon itself but also in the inheritance of cannon-building techniques, the standardization of artillery training, and the summary and promotion of future artillery tactics. These were his true concerns and the key to whether the Ming Dynasty could establish a future advantage on the battlefield.

Liao Qi cupped his hands and replied respectfully yet confidently, "Your Majesty, every bit of data from these artillery tests will be recorded on-site by clerks at the test site, verified in real time by the artillerymen, and reviewed and verified by the workshop craftsmen. After the experiment is completed, we will organize a three-way discussion among the test site, the artillery team, and the workshop to analyze any problems encountered and propose improvement plans. This will then be compiled into a book for future reference."

Zhu Cilang nodded slightly after hearing this, but quickly asked, "What if we encounter a problem that cannot be solved immediately?"

Liao Qi's expression remained calm as he continued, "The artillery factory boasts many experienced craftsmen, and the artillery team boasts battle-hardened gunners. Thanks to their research, most of the problems encountered during artillery testing have been addressed. However, the most troublesome issue isn't technical, but rather errors in the literature. Many imported Western books on cannon casting and operation often contain errors in translation. This is especially true of materials translated by imperial officials, which frequently mix up units of measurement and distances, leading to discrepancies of 30% to 40%, or even more in serious cases."

He paused briefly, a look of helplessness in his eyes, and continued, "Just two days ago, a new gunner was loading his gun according to the prescribed dosage of gunpowder in the manual, and it nearly exploded, killing him! Fortunately, the veteran artilleryman next to him intervened in time, preventing a tragic accident."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang raised his eyebrows and snorted coldly, "How ridiculous! Has no one at court ever verified these books? Relying on a bunch of mistranslated information, aren't we pushing our Ming artillery into a fire pit?" Liao Qi's panic was visibly growing. He immediately said, "Your Majesty, the data recorded in the book isn't completely wrong. It's because of differences in gunpowder formula, barrel caliber, and manufacturing materials that the gunpowder and firing angles need to be adjusted. Furthermore, the calculation methods for chamber volume and chamber pressure vary between different gun types. If you blindly copy them, you'll end up with inaccurate range at best, and even a barrel explosion and casualties at worst."

After listening to this, Zhu Cilang looked thoughtful for a moment. He understood that if the Ming Dynasty's military industry wanted to truly catch up with the world's advanced level, it could not simply rely on foreign knowledge, but must establish a complete military industry system that suits itself.

"The artillery craftsmen in Fujian and Guangzhou provinces are highly skilled, and the quality of their artillery pieces is quite reliable," Zhu Cilang said slowly. "But to systematize and standardize artillery, relying solely on word-of-mouth transmission between master and apprentice is ultimately insufficient."

"Your Majesty, you are absolutely right." Liao Qi nodded quickly. "Currently, the artisans in workshops across the Ming Dynasty mostly rely on master-apprentice training. While experienced craftsmen possess exceptional skills, developing a comprehensive theoretical framework for these techniques remains a significant challenge. Furthermore, many artisans are illiterate. Without first equipping them with basic literacy skills, it will be difficult to establish standardized manufacturing processes."

Zhu Cilang frowned slightly, pondering inwardly. While the craftsmen's skills were exquisite, they had long relied on experience, lacking systematic theoretical analysis. This resulted in the same cannon, manufactured in different workshops, having slight variations in caliber, weight, and even barrel thickness. These minor errors, on the battlefield, could potentially affect the cannon's accuracy and firing stability.

"A complete set of military industry standards must be established," Zhu Cilang said solemnly. "Not only must standard artillery sizes, formulas, and loading methods be established, but systematic training manuals must also be compiled for artillerymen so that gunners can master scientific firing methods rather than relying on experience. More importantly, these craftsmen must be literate."

Liao Qi was stunned at first, then nodded solemnly. "Your Majesty, your considerations are extremely thorough. If we don't teach our craftsmen to read and write first, even the best theories will remain on paper and will be difficult to implement."

Zhu Cilang's gaze was deep as he continued, "It's not just reading and writing. They also need to master basic metrology, otherwise they'll make the same mistakes as court officials when translating books. If the Ming Dynasty can't establish a complete set of scientific craftsmanship standards, future artillery development will only fall into a vicious cycle—cannons will become heavier and more complex, with more and more fancy decorations, but their range, accuracy, and durability will continue to decline. Even the most basic caliber ratios and moduli will be unclear."

This reminded him of the Qing Dynasty. During that era, the Qing army relied on European missionaries to forge artillery. However, due to the lack of a true scientific system for artillery, the artillery became increasingly larger and heavier. There were even cases of cannon barrels exploding after firing, causing self-inflicted damage.

What is even more ironic is that many artillery manufacturers do not even know the caliber of the guns they make and can only rely on "experience" to match the shells. How can such a military-industrial system support a strong army?
Thinking of this, his eyes turned cold, and he said in a firm tone, "Immediately establish 'Craftsman Schools' in the artillery factories in Nanjing, Suzhou, and Zhenjiang. Starting with literacy, measurement, and basic mechanics, gradually train a group of skilled workers who can read and calculate! At the same time, establish 'Artillery Schools' to allow gunners to systematically learn practical skills such as shooting, calibration, and rangefinders. The manufacture of artillery in the Ming Dynasty cannot remain at the stage of artisans passing down the artillery from generation to generation. Instead, we must establish a complete scientific system that can be inherited and developed!"

Upon hearing this, Liao Qi immediately responded, "Your Majesty is wise! I will do my utmost to run the Craftsmen School and the Artillery School successfully and live up to your trust!"

The innovation of artillery is not only an upgrade of weapons, but also a reshaping of the military industry system. When this system is truly established, the entire military power of the Ming Dynasty will be completely transformed!
Zhu Cilang stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze steadily scanning the group of craftsmen and artillery officers before him. He knew full well that these people might not have complete confidence, and their actions would largely depend on his attitude.

Therefore, his tone was serious yet patient, and he looked at everyone with a sharp gaze and said slowly:
"These processes and data must be proofread one by one, without any negligence. If you find any contradictions between the records in several books, do not rely on subjective speculation, experimentation is the only criterion. Even if the results of an experiment meet expectations, it must not be repeated once, but must be verified repeatedly and tested multiple times to ensure the authenticity and reliability of the conclusion. Errors are not terrible, as long as they are within a reasonable range, they are normal. As for money and materials, if they are insufficient, feel free to request an increase in the budget. Every extra penny you spend here will increase our soldiers' chances of victory on the battlefield. As long as it can improve the combat effectiveness of our Ming army, these investments are worth it."

These words shook the artillery and artillery officers. Since ancient times, artisans have held a low status, and technological innovation has often been constrained by funding, manpower, and the ruler's attention. Now, the emperor's personal promise—no need to skimp on money, only precision and effectiveness—undoubtedly gave them immense confidence and motivation.

Zhu Cilang saw that everyone's expressions were touched, nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and continued:
"Your responsibilities are not just to cast and test cannons. More importantly, you must organize, summarize, and inherit the theories in those books, supplementing and revising them through practical experiments. Ultimately, we must form our own artillery system, enabling the Ming Dynasty to establish a complete scientific and rigorous combat system in all aspects of cannon casting, use, operation, and deployment. These achievements will not just be theories on paper, but must be put into practice, studied and improved by craftsmen, and mastered by artillery training, so that our firearms can unleash their maximum power on the battlefield."

When he said this, he glanced at the older craftsmen, then at the young officers, and added solemnly:
"There's no need to rush for success. No great undertaking can be accomplished overnight. Laying a solid foundation will take at least three to five years, perhaps even longer. I have the patience, and you too must be patient and guard against arrogance and impatience. The foundation we lay today will impact the strength of Ming's military for the next ten, twenty, or even a hundred years. Every improvement and every conclusion you make paves the way for the future."

These words expressed not only hope for the crowd before him but also a strategic plan for the development of the entire Ming Dynasty's firearms system. Zhu Cilang understood that the development and application of artillery was more than a simple technological innovation; it involved a comprehensive system encompassing tactics, production, training, and even strategic planning. Only through perseverance, continuous experimentation, summarization, and optimization could artillery truly become a formidable force for the Ming army.

Upon hearing this, the craftsmen saluted one after another. The artillery officers also stood in awe and said in unison, "Your Majesty, rest assured. We will live up to your trust!"

(End of this chapter)