Ming Dynasty: Pick up attributes from the battlefield to create the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 352 Flintlock Guns, Red-Coated Cannons, Composite Bows! Revolutionary Weapons Emerge!

"Have you all seen the fine salt made by the craftsmen in my residence?" Zhu Ying smiled, his gaze falling on Yu Xin and the two officials from the Salt Tax Office and the Transport Office.

Hearing Zhu Ying's words.

Yu Xin and the two officials looked at each other with awe.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and even more adept at refining them."

“This fine salt is completely free of impurities, far purer than the refined salt from the salt mine,” Yu Xin replied immediately.

"From today onwards."

"I will hand over the method for refining this fine salt to the Refining Department," Zhu Ying said in a deep voice.

"May I ask, Your Highness the Crown Prince?"

"After this fine salt is refined, I wonder how its price should be set?"

"Is it a few cents more expensive than refined salt?" Yu Xin asked tentatively.

In this day and age.

Refined salt was only available to wealthy families, officials, and nobles. Ordinary people ate coarse salt, which contained many impurities and could not even be considered real salt.

Refined salt, on the other hand, has far fewer impurities, but it is also many times more expensive than coarse salt, making it unaffordable for ordinary families.

"After refining the fine salt, it will be sold at twice the price of coarse salt," Zhu Ying said slowly.

As soon as these words fell.

Everyone in the hall stared at Zhu Ying in astonishment, clearly not expecting this.

"Your Highness."

"Coarse salt is sold cheaply among the people and is mainly used to supply the people's livelihood. So, fine salt is only twice as expensive as coarse salt. Won't the imperial court suffer losses?"

“Salt tax is a large part of the imperial treasury,” Yu Xin said respectfully.

Salt is an essential part of people's livelihood.

"Of course, we must make sure that the people of the world can accept this salt price. Furthermore..." Zhu Ying smiled and said, "Yu Qing, don't underestimate this new method of refining fine salt. Refining it according to the method I gave you will cost less than refining coarse salt. Now it is priced at twice the price of coarse salt, which is enough for the imperial treasury to make a profit."

"This matter."

"And so it was decided."

"From today onwards."

"The salt craftsmen in the Gu family all went to the salt bureau to participate in the refining of fine salt."

"I urge the Ministry of Revenue, the Salt Bureau, and the Transport Bureau to distribute fine salt throughout the land as quickly as possible to supply all the people."

Zhu Ying said with utmost seriousness.

"I accept the decree."

Yu Xin and two salt commissioner officials beside him bowed respectfully.

immediately.

Zhu Ying immediately picked up his pen and wrote down the price of fine salt, as well as the appointment of artisans in the manor.

Liu Lei, who was standing to the side, immediately picked up the imperial edict and handed it to Yu Xin.

"Xiao Han, arrange for the salt craftsmen in your household to go to the salt bureau."

"Go."

Zhu Ying waved his hand.

"Your subordinate obeys," Xiao Han replied loudly.

"I'm waiting to retire."

Yu Xin and the other two bowed respectfully, then withdrew, holding the imperial edict.

"Minister Qin".

"How many craftsmen are currently working in the Ministry of Works to make weapons?" Zhu Ying asked Qin Da, the Minister of Works.

"Return to your highness."

"Currently, there are two bureaus directly under the Ministry of Works that manufacture weapons: the Baoyuan Bureau and the Ordnance Bureau."

"The Baoyuan Bureau is responsible for the manufacture of firearms in our Great Ming Dynasty. Ordinary firearms are manufactured in various prefectures and counties, while artillery is manufactured under the supervision of Yingtian Prefecture."

"Among them, the Baoyuan Bureau has more than 3,000 firearms makers in Yingtian Prefecture, all of whom are skilled craftsmen."

"The Ordnance Bureau was responsible for manufacturing weapons such as swords, spears, bows, and crossbows. The number of people manufacturing these weapons was more than twice that of those manufacturing firearms. There were as many as nine thousand craftsmen in Yingtian Prefecture."

"And these two sections are also under the jurisdiction of the Kyoto military defense garrison," Qin Da reported respectfully.

"From today onwards."

"The Baoyuan Bureau and the Ordnance Bureau were merged."

"It is named the Armory. Although it is under the Ministry of Works, it is directly managed by Prince Ning and directly under my command, as well as the Crown Prince and the Emperor," Zhu Ying said in a deep voice.

In this regard.

Qin Da was startled, clearly not expecting such a significant matter to be settled so soon upon his arrival.

but.

The Emperor has already issued the decree.

The imperial edict issued by the Crown Prince was considered an imperial decree. Once an official of the Ming Dynasty received the edict, he or she shall implement it without further ado.

but.

Qin Da still harbored a degree of curiosity.

"May I ask, Your Highness?"

"Is there some major move involved in merging the Baoyuan Bureau and the Ordnance Bureau?" Qin Da asked respectfully.

"Over the years, I have been secretly recruiting craftsmen to develop new types of weapons."

"It is now taking shape."

"If we want to mass-produce and arm the entire army, we must integrate the power of the Ming Dynasty," Zhu Ying said with a smile.

"A new type of weapon?" Qin Da asked with some doubt.

At this moment.

"Lord."

"All the manufactured weapons have been loaded onto the carts," a royal guard respectfully reported from outside the palace.

"Minister Qin".

"Since we're here, let's take a look at the new weapons made by the weaponsmiths in my household."

"This will also let Minister Qin know why I went to such great lengths," Zhu Ying said with a smile.

"Your subject accepts the imperial edict." Qin Da did not refuse.

The fact that Zhu Ying took it so seriously shows that Qin Da was also very curious about this new weapon.

Outside the Crown Prince's residence.

Thousands of royal guards stood solemnly.

There were even ten carriages covered in cloth, all of them completely obscured, so that their contents could not be seen.

As Zhu Ying led Zhu Quan and the others to the palace, they boarded the royal carriage and headed directly towards the Imperial Guard camp.

Soon.

The location of the Imperial Guard's barracks!
"Your subject, Guo Zhen, Commander of the Imperial Guards, along with all the generals of the Imperial Guards, pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."

The main gate of the military camp.

Guo Zhen and his group of Imperial Guard generals had been waiting there for some time.

The Imperial Guard camp, the largest military camp in Yingtian Prefecture, occupies a considerable area despite being located in the outer city of Yingtian.

They were responsible for the safety of the capital region and the protection of the imperial palace.

of course.

They also had the Kyoto army as a supplement.

But the military systems are different.

He was greeted respectfully by the generals of the Imperial Guard.

Zhu Ying slowly stepped down from the royal carriage.

Zhu Bai, Zhu Quan, and Qin Da, the Minister of Works, also quickly came down.

"Generals, you may rise without the formalities," Zhu Ying said with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The generals replied respectfully.

"Is the test site ready?" Zhu Ying asked Guo Zhen.

"I immediately compiled the edict after receiving Your Highness's decree," Guo Zhen replied promptly.

"Liu Lei."

"All of them were transported to the military camp."

"Prepare for the experiment," Zhu Ying said in a deep voice.

"Yes," Liu Lei replied loudly.

"Since you are all here, let's go and see the new weapons of our Great Ming Dynasty," Zhu Ying said with a smile, looking at the many Imperial Guard generals.

"We obey your command," the generals replied in unison.

Not a moment.

The Imperial Guard's weapons testing ground.

In the past.

All the cannons and muskets that the Baoyuan Bureau possessed were tested here.

After all, firearms are not cold weapons; they carry the risk of exploding. All manufactured weapons need to be sampled and tested to prevent them from going into service and causing problems.

"Your Highness."

"Which weapon should we try first?" Liu Lei asked respectfully.

"Let's take out the compound bow and have a look," Zhu Ying said.

"Yes."

Liu Lei respectfully accepted the order.

A wave of hands.

Several guards directly lifted the black cloth covering a carriage.

Everyone turned to look, their eyes filled with curiosity.

The royal guards carried out a box and placed it next to Zhu Ying. Upon opening the box, they found a bow, something that had never appeared in this era before.

Unlike ordinary longbows.

Two iron auxiliary wheels are also mounted on either side of this bow.

Zhu Ying casually picked up a handful and weighed it in his hand.

Liu Lei immediately handed over an arrow.

Zhu Ying nocked the arrow onto the composite bow and casually pulled back the bowstring.

He drew the bow with ease; for Zhu Ying, the bow was incredibly light.

With a bang, the arrow flew off the bow.

In an instant, the arrow hit the target fifty feet away, and even pierced through the target.

"The force of this arrow is equivalent to that of a five-stone bow," Zhu Ying said slowly, looking at the arrow that had hit its mark.

"Your Highness is wise."

"This bow does indeed possess the strength of five stones. In the future, when our craftsmen have a more mature grasp of the technique, the strength can be further increased."

"The chief craftsman in charge of developing this composite bow said respectfully from the side."

"good."

"I remember your name is Luo Chao."

"You deserve credit for the completion of the composite bow, and all the craftsmen involved should also be credited," Zhu Ying said with a smile, praising the craftsman.

"If Your Highness had not bestowed the blueprints, I would never have been able to create such a divine weapon as the composite bow," Luo Chao said respectfully, bowing deeply.

"I will naturally give you the rewards that are due."

"only."

"The importance of weapons is the foundation of a country."

"You will stay in Yingtian forever in the future, and so will your families."

"Not a single detail regarding weapons secrets may be leaked."

"I can give you wealth and honor, but you must also give me absolute loyalty," Zhu Ying said slowly.

My gaze swept over Luo Chao, and then over the other weapon-making craftsmen.

"We swear to serve Your Highness and the Ming Dynasty to the death," the craftsmen said respectfully as they knelt down.

And aside.

Zhu Quan, however, asked with a hint of doubt: "Xiong Ying!"

"Anyone who can draw a five-stone bow must be a strongman, and a master archer."

"This bow looks strange; I've never seen anything like it before."

Hear the question.

Zhu Ying smiled and threw the bow in his hand at Zhu Quan.

"try it yourself."

"How much force would it take to pull it up?" Zhu Ying asked with a smile.

Zhu Quan did not hesitate. He immediately gripped the compound bow with his left hand and pulled the bowstring with his right.

But it was only for that one moment when it was so easily lifted up.

Zhu Quan was shocked.

"How come this bow doesn't require much force to draw?" Zhu Quan turned to look at Zhu Ying in surprise.

"Your Highness Prince Ning."

"This bow is a divine bow created by His Highness the Crown Prince, and it is called a composite bow."

"These two auxiliary wheels are the key to saving effort."

“Although this bow has a draw weight of five stones, any normal man can easily draw it,” Luo Chao, who was in charge of making the bow, said respectfully.

"Is it really that powerful?"

The generals, including Guo Zhen, watched in astonishment and couldn't help but speak up.

"Today we are here to test our skills."

"All generals, please give it a try."

Zhu Ying smiled and pointed to the box beside him.

"Is there really such a powerful bow?"

"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Guo Zhen didn't stand on ceremony either, and immediately picked up a bow from the box.

After bowing respectfully, the other generals also picked up a handful.

After they tried it out.

It was effortless to pull it up.

Then shoot arrows at the target.

After trying it, all the generals were stunned.

"This bow actually has the strength of a five-stone bow, but it is effortless to draw."

"Let alone an adult man, even an ordinary child could pull it if they tried their best," Guo Zhen said in astonishment.

"If all the archers of our Great Ming were equipped with this bow, what would the situation be like? They would have much more time to aim, and it would be effortless."

"Artifact."

"It truly is a divine artifact."

"Your Highness is wise."

"They actually managed to develop such a miraculous artifact."

"I respect you."

Many of the Imperial Guard generals also spoke to Zhu Ying, expressing their excitement.

As military commanders, they were well aware of what it would mean if the entire army were armed with this composite bow.

"Continue with other weapons."

Zhu Ying smiled and said calmly.

"Flintlock gun."

Liu Lei shouted loudly.

Several more guards brought out a box.

Open it and take a look.

Inside were a dozen or so guns that looked similar to muskets, but were also different.

"Let's begin the experiment."

Zhu Ying nodded in acknowledgment.

Several of the guards did not hesitate.

He immediately took out a flintlock pistol from the box.

He then took out the prepared smokeless gunpowder from the box, poured it into the chamber, and then filled it with iron bullets.

Five guards aimed at the distant target.

At the same time, pull the trigger of the flintlock musket.

Bang bang bang.

Flames shot out in all directions.

Iron bullets whistled out of the flintlock musket.

It hit the target in the distance and pierced through it.

"Your Highness."

"This...this musket doesn't need a match cord?"

Guo Zhen, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but ask.

"This is the new type of firearm."

"I will name it the flintlock gun."

"No external fire source is needed for ignition; flint and steel are placed inside, which can directly ignite gunpowder."

“Originally, firing a musket was extremely complicated, but a flintlock musket can fire iron bullets much faster, causing greater damage to the enemy,” Zhu Ying said with a smile.

"Your Highness is wise."

"Such a divine weapon has been created."

"The composite bow is already a divine weapon, but this flintlock musket is the divine weapon among divine weapons," Guo Zhen said with particular admiration.

"And that's far from all."

"Build a chariot of fire."

"Begin the experiment," Zhu Ying said again.

echoed.

Several guards lifted the black cloth again.

Two war chariots loaded with giant crossbows were displayed, and behind them, gunpowder was added.

"ignition."

Liu Lei gave the order.

Two guards held torches and set the fire chariot ablaze.

Suddenly.

The gunpowder ignited, emitting a powerful recoil.

Bang bang bang!
All that could be heard was a series of vibrating sounds.

On the battlefield between the two machines, dozens of huge crossbow bolts shot forward with terrifying force.

in a blink.

The target in front was destroyed.

Even the many generals who were watching the experiment were all staring in astonishment.

"This chariot."

"Amazing."

"If there were a hundred of these."

"Even if a massive army charged in, they would be instantly routed."

Seeing the power of this fire chariot, the generals were even more astonished.

Zhu Bai and Zhu Quan stared wide-eyed, their understanding completely overturned.

"The last one, the red-coated cannon, and the explosive shells," Zhu Ying said slowly.

This one.

That was the weapon he truly cared about.

In this era, it is absolutely a divine weapon.

Once successful.

The power of artillery will increase dramatically, and future warfare will change.

The so-called defense of a city is a joke in the face of this artillery.

because.

These red-clad cannons are no longer solid projectiles.

……

(End of this chapter)