The Ming Dynasty: A Modern Return, Building an Overseas Empire

Chapter 114 The Surprise of Firearms, The Decision!

Zhu Gaoxu looked at the Director of the Firearms Department, and he already had a rough idea of ​​what was going on.

Having encountered setbacks in both the Shipping and Ironworks departments, Zhu Gaoxu's hopes had dwindled considerably.

"Any progress from the Firearms Division?"

Zhu Gaoxu sighed inwardly, but still asked the question symbolically.

After all, if you invite everyone here and don't say a word, it's bound to alienate people.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Gaoxu saw the Firearms Division Chief straighten his back and couldn't suppress his smile, and he immediately felt hopeful.

Could it be that the Firearms Division has actually produced one?

For a moment, Zhu Gaoxu's gaze became somewhat fiery.

If he actually succeeds, he won't have to be so conflicted now.

"Your Highness, the Firearms Division has indeed made progress, and I was just about to prepare a surprise for you."

"Oh? What is it? Just tell me!"

Zhu Gaoxu smiled, his face full of anticipation.

The others also turned to look at the head of the Firearms Department, while the heads of the Shipbuilding Department and the Ironworks Department clenched their fists, their eyes filled with determination.

"Your Highness, the Firearms Department has not been able to manufacture matchlock guns based on the blueprints and technology you provided."

We have tried many times to overcome the many difficulties of the matchlock gun, but we have never been able to do so.

First of all, the barrel is completely different from that of modern firearms. According to the technology provided by the prince, it needs to be forged and welded into a seamless whole. However, we are still familiarizing ourselves with the quenching process, which has resulted in the barrel's strength not meeting the requirements.

Moreover, the inside of the barrel, that is, the chamber, needs to be repeatedly polished and scraped, which is extremely difficult and time-consuming.

However, with the technology and craftsmanship provided by Your Highness, we can accomplish this with just a little more time.

Besides the barrel, there is the bolt, which contains delicate small parts such as the trigger and spring mentioned by the prince. The drilling, tapping, and forging processes required for its manufacture have now been mastered.

However, the trigger and spring are the only parts that need to be improved, especially the spring. We need to be more stable and have a good grasp of the quenching technology. We are still working on improving them.

In addition, the Firearms Department was waiting for the Ironworks Department to produce better steel to be used in gun barrels, which would further ensure that the muskets would not easily explode.

As Your Highness said, I have now developed better and more stable gunpowder.

The only major problem now is the seamless treatment of the barrel and its strength.

As for the rest, I and the Firearms Department are confident that we can master all the technologies within two months!

Zhu Gaoxu looked at the head of the Firearms Department in disbelief, his eyes even showing a hint of incredulity.

No, didn't this person just say there was progress? Didn't he say he was going to surprise him?

But the matchlock gun still hasn't been made. What kind of surprise is this?

He knew that manufacturing matchlock guns was difficult, not as simple as the internet made it out to be. Precisely because it was difficult, he passed on all the technical skills and techniques.

After all that, the final problem has fallen on the Ironware Department, hasn't it?

But upon closer examination, it seems that the responsibility of the Ironware Department to smelt steel with higher strength, which is the real steel, is indeed correct.

At this moment, the head of the Ironware Department suddenly knelt down.

"Your Highness, I am guilty! I have failed your trust and beg for your punishment."

"We earnestly request Your Highness to grant the Ironworks Department more time. The Ironworks Department is confident that it will be able to overcome this difficulty!"

Zhu Gaoxu did not pursue the responsibility of the Ironware Bureau. Technological progress is not always something that can be achieved simply by saying so.

Just like in modern times, there are clearly heavenly-level techniques in mathematics that can lead directly to the Heavenly Realm, but even if those Heavenly Realm techniques were made public, how many people would understand them?

But Zhu Gaoxu changed his mind and wanted to hit someone again.

The techniques he's giving us now are nothing more than trifling Heavenly Rank cultivation methods.

Just as Zhu Gaoxu was having a headache, the voice of the Director of the Firearms Department came through.

"Your Highness, the good news I have for you is that the Firearms Department has further improved the current muskets, increasing their range, and the fuse and gunpowder have also been improved."

Today, muskets can reach a range of seventy meters, and their rate of fire has also been increased.

In addition, regarding artillery, as the prince said, it should be cast using a mixture of iron and copper.

At the same time, the Ironware Bureau also initially mastered the technology of wrought iron forging, which is no longer the casting technology currently used by the Ming Dynasty.

This method of achieving an iron core and copper body has now achieved initial success.

Regarding the modification of artillery shells, I and the Firearms Department are working diligently to overcome the challenge.

However, a large amount of copper is needed, and the copper supply here is currently insufficient.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu finally smiled, though he seemed somewhat surprised.

He truly hadn't expected that instead of developing a simpler matchlock gun, they would be the first to create this kind of cannon.

Is it because the cannon is larger and requires larger parts, making it easier to cast?

Regardless, Zhu Gaoxu was excited.

Historically, the Ming Dynasty began developing iron-core, copper-bodied cannons in the mid-Ming period. At that time, this technology was more than two hundred years ahead of the West.

Even though the Ming Dynasty later encountered Western firearms and thus took some detours, eventually switching to steel cannons, this technology was always present in the Ming Dynasty.

With an iron core and copper body, it is more robust and durable than a cannon made of steel or copper alone.

Firearms were originally made of bronze.

However, it was gradually replaced with iron later on.

Even centuries later, the iron core and bronze body served as the foundation for artillery.

This technology is remarkably similar to the modern cannon-casting technology invented by the American Rodman.

However, it appeared more than two centuries earlier in the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Gaoxu has now brought this technology to the forefront even earlier.

This is why Zhu Gaoxu was so excited.

Modern artillery, even that of the Ming Dynasty, is essentially just an enlarged version of firearms.

The range is extremely short, only two or three hundred meters. Even heavy artillery has a range of only three hundred meters, and it can't even reach five hundred meters.

Moreover, the shells from this period wouldn't explode.

Either use solid shot to destroy buildings and facilities.

Either use a cluster bomb to maximize its destructive power.

The shells he's working on now are the kind that explode after landing.

Compared to the progress in muskets, Zhu Gaochi was more satisfied with the progress in artillery.

"Excellent! Well done! Everyone in the Firearms Division is commended!"

"The Ironware Division did well; they've mastered quite a few techniques. They deserve a reward this time, but they need to keep up the good work!"

"The Shipping Division also did a great job and was rewarded!"

In high spirits, Zhu Gaoxu immediately began distributing rewards.

After all, only rewards can truly motivate people.

After instructing the three departments to further accelerate development, Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhu Huan.

"Go tell the Shimazu clan to go back and gather all the people from the Shimazu clan who are in charge of the three regions."

Tell him to do it as soon as possible, and I will send someone over then!

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Gaoxu's eyes. He ordered the Shimazu clan to gather all the people together, which would be perfect for him. He could deal with them all at once, saving anyone from running into the mountains.

Although this method was somewhat shameful, Zhu Gaochi believed he had been merciful enough in the face of Japan.

"By the way, gather some supplies for the army."

Zhu Huan's heart tightened; he already knew Zhu Gaoxu's thoughts. He said nothing and immediately went to make preparations.

Zhu Gaoxu then summoned Jin Rong, Qian Xun, and Chen Da.

"You three go down and gather eight thousand troops, preparing for the expedition!"

"yes!"

The three were shocked and retreated excitedly.

Zhu Gaoxu thought for a moment, then smiled inexplicably.

"Someone! Summon Zheng He!"