Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 199 Who's Afraid of Who? [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"I want one of these self-propelled muskets!"

In his excitement, Yan Maoqing immediately made the decision on his own.
"There should be some ready-made gun barrels in the arquebus range by now. You should make a few prototype self-propelled arquebuses as soon as possible, test-fire them, and then put them into production!"

"However, I have one more request: that a bayonet be added to the lower part of the musket, also made of fine iron."

"The bayonet should be made into a three-sided, prismatic structure, about eight inches long, extending five inches beyond the barrel. It should be sheathed in peacetime and drawn for combat in wartime."

While speaking.

Yan Maoqing had already picked up a pebble and squatted down to draw a cross-sectional pattern of what would later become a triangular bayonet.

The alloy technology of that era was far from reaching the level of later generations, so the strength and toughness of cold weapons were naturally incomparable to those of later generations.

Therefore, Yan Maoqing chose a triangular bayonet whose structure itself could provide a lot of strength and stability, and which could easily penetrate iron armor even with only high carbon steel. He also shortened its length to make it more robust and durable.

As far as he knew, the triangular bayonets that appeared in later generations were about forty centimeters long.

The eight inches he requested was less than thirty centimeters. If it was also made of the fine iron used to manufacture muskets, even if it still couldn't compare to the strength and toughness of later military bayonets, it should be sufficient for current use.

If I had to point out any drawbacks to the triangular bayonet...

In other words, this type of bayonet has a single function. Apart from stabbing, it lacks functions such as cutting, sawing, and cutting, and can no longer meet the field combat needs of later armies.

However, no one can deny that for a long time afterward, this type of bayonet was a star bayonet widely used in the army and a deadly weapon on the battlefield.

The new Celestial Empire was only gradually phased out several decades ago...

As for why the triangular bayonet wasn't designed to be detachable and reassembleable, Yan Maoqing had thought about it carefully.

If it is a detachable and assembleable form, more design work is required to ensure the stability of the connection between the bayonet and the musket, which will undoubtedly increase the difficulty of manufacturing.

Furthermore, it is well known that the more parts a machine has, the more prone it is to malfunction and damage during use, and the more unnecessary costs it incurs.

As far as Yan Maoqing knew, when bayonets first appeared in later generations, they were all directly fixed to muskets in order to avoid these problems.

"This……"

The craftsmen, including Liu Dafu, looked at Yan Maoqing, who seemed inexplicably excited, but they exchanged bewildered glances.
“Sir, although we do not know your official rank, our arsenal is ultimately under the direct jurisdiction of the Armory Bureau, so I’m afraid…”

The implication is that this matter still depends on Eunuch Feng, the head of the Bureau of Armed Forces, and even if Yan Maoqing holds a high official position, it would be difficult for him to interfere with the Bureau of Armed Forces.

After all, Eunuch Feng was the emperor's inner court official.

Without the Emperor's decree, even the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet would probably not be able to boss around Eunuch Feng.

Even if these craftsmen dared not offend Yan Maoqing, they would absolutely not want to offend Eunuch Feng, just as the saying goes, "A local official is more powerful than a distant one."

Also.

There are some truths they would never dare to say aloud.

Even if they were stupid, they would have already realized that the "self-generated arquebus" they created was clearly simpler in structure, easier to load, and more convenient to operate than the matchlock gun. Even the flint was cheaper than the matchlock, which required a special process of soaking and drying.

However, the Ordnance Bureau rejected it outright and strictly prohibited its manufacture. In fact, there were other practical reasons for this.

These eunuchs lacked the ability to improve muskets, but they were adept at making money through the manufacture of firearms, and quite prolific at it.

Putting everything else aside, the "matchlock" used in matchlock guns alone involves enormous profits that outsiders cannot see.

This thing is not only a consumable item used in huge quantities.

Moreover, it has indescribable "advantages" such as being eaten by insects and rodents, having a short shelf life, and being damaged by moisture.

The things that those people like most are things that have these "advantages".

Flint doesn't have these wonderful "advantages," so how could it be easily adopted by those in power? Those people aren't stupid; they're quick-witted!
"You can rest assured, I will handle the matters above. You just need to follow my orders."

Yan Maoqing smiled without any concern.

"In addition, in order to manufacture a sufficient number of 'self-made arquebuses' as soon as possible, I will send over a batch of ready-made foreign arquebuses. You can modify these ready-made foreign arquebuses first."

"As for you... you invented the 'self-generating arquebus,' so you are all heroes of our Great Ming, the pillars of our Great Ming."

“I will certainly petition the Emperor to commend you and request that he bestow rewards upon you.”

He knew that with the current manufacturing technology of the Ming Dynasty, the most time-consuming and mentally taxing part of manufacturing arquebuses was the barrel.

This matter is recorded in both the "Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty" and the "Exploitation of the Works of Nature".

At this time, when manufacturing gun barrels, two iron pipes of different sizes were first rolled from refined iron, with the larger one covering the smaller one, so that the two fit together tightly. Then, a steel drill was used to drill a gun barrel with a smooth and straight inner wall.

The process of drilling muskets required extreme precision; each person could only drill about one inch per day, and it would take roughly a month to complete one musket. Therefore, even the most skilled craftsmen could only produce a maximum of 13 muskets per year while maintaining quality and quantity.

Even with such efficiency, it would take at least a month to produce the 2500 self-generated muskets he needed, even if 2,500 skilled craftsmen worked simultaneously.

The Armory obviously doesn't have that many skilled craftsmen, so Eunuch Feng wasn't lying about this matter. It might really take half a year for the Armory to replenish the remaining muskets he needs.

However, if there is a ready-made gun barrel, it would be much easier to modify it.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Dafu and the other craftsmen still dared not agree.

This matter is not something anyone can guarantee with their own words. Without the Emperor's decree or Eunuch Feng's document, these insignificant people cannot make decisions on their own.

Otherwise, if Yan Maoqing leaves, they will still be the ones getting punished and having their salaries docked. How could they possibly expect any reward from the Emperor?
Even if things escalate further, even if it leads to their family's ruin and death, it's just a matter of a single word from above.

Just as both sides fell silent.

"Minister Yan, I have fulfilled my mission! I have fulfilled my mission!"

Once again, their voices preceded their arrival. At that opportune moment, Eunuch Feng led in the young eunuch who had just been chased out of the courtyard by Yan Maoqing. He then glared at Liu Dafu and the others.
"Liu Dafu, you guys seem to have a lot of free time. Don't you have any work to do?"

"Please forgive us, Eunuch Feng, we were just about to begin work..."

When Liu Dafu and the others saw that Feng Jinzhong's expression was unfriendly, they immediately felt a chill and scattered like birds and beasts into the gun factory room.

At this moment, Feng Jinzhong turned around, bowed to Yan Maoqing, and said with a smile:

"Minister Yan, I just went to the Imperial Horse Administration to discuss this matter with Eunuch Cao. Eunuch Cao also has considerable difficulties. He dares not disregard the Emperor's safety and has misappropriated the imperial guards' firearms without authorization."

"However, I also spoke to Eunuch Cao about Minister Yan's difficulties, and I shamelessly begged him to find a way to grease some palms and solve Minister Yan's urgent problem."

"Fortunately, Eunuch Cao was not an unreasonable person. After thinking for a long time, he finally came up with a solution that would satisfy both sides."

"The foreign arquebuses that the Imperial Horse Administration took from the Armory a few days ago have been delivered to the Fourth Guard Battalion for deployment, but the Fourth Guard Battalion has also replaced a batch of old-style arquebuses as a result."

"Many of these old-style muskets are still usable, but they will have to be destroyed when they reach the end of their service life and melted down into refined iron for remanufacturing."

"If Minister Yan has no objections, Eunuch Cao agrees to lend these old-style muskets to Minister Yan for training purposes. Once the Armory has replenished Minister Yan's needs, these old-style muskets will be returned to the Imperial Horse Administration for destruction. What does Minister Yan think?"

This was a delaying tactic devised by Feng Jinzhong and Cao Zhen.

The number of new foreign muskets was definitely insufficient, and the two of them were afraid that Yan Maoqing would actually use the privileges of the Western Depot to investigate.

So they decided to take some old equipment from the armory of the Fourth Guard Battalion to appease them and get through this matter first.

"hehe."

Upon hearing this, Yan Maoqing guessed that there was probably a significant problem involved, and then let out a cold laugh.
"Eunuch Feng, do you and Eunuch Cao think I, Yan, am just a beggar who came here to ask for food?"

"We have already done our best to help, why is Minister Yan pressing us so hard?"

Even Buddhas have some temper. Although Feng Jinzhong didn't have the ability to command the court, he was still a prominent figure among the palace officials.

He thought he had made a huge concession and given Yan Maoqing enough face, but he didn't expect Yan Maoqing to be so stubborn and unwilling to give him any face at all. At this moment, his expression and tone turned cold.

Until this moment.

He was still not worried at all about Yan Maoqing going to the Emperor to complain.

Because his delivery of the foreign-made musket to the Imperial Horse Administration was in accordance with regulations.

Moreover, the Imperial Horse Administration's refusal to transfer the foreign muskets to Yan Maoqing was also out of "loyalty" to the Emperor, and was in accordance with the system.

On the contrary, Yan Maoqing's actions seem "disloyal," not only not in accordance with the system, but also suspected of deceiving superiors and subordinates, going against the Heavenly Gang, and having ulterior motives!
When the Emperor learned of this, how could he not have a public opinion?

As for the Court of Imperial Sacrifices using the special privileges of the Western Depot to investigate the Bureau of Armory and the Imperial Horse Administration... that depends on whether they cooperate or not, and whether the Emperor allows it.

"Loyalty" versus "disloyalty".

The emperor's "inner official" was facing off against Yan Maoqing, an "outer official".

Furthermore, in this incident, the Bureau of Armory and the Imperial Horse Administration were completely in the position of "compromising and making concessions," while Yan Maoqing was the perpetrator who "abused his power to bully others."

If the matter reaches the Emperor, how could he allow Yan Maoqing to continue his reckless behavior?
Even taking a step back.

Even if things really get out of control, they have already come up with other solutions that can destroy all evidence against them and settle all accounts in one fell swoop!

(End of this chapter)