Chongzhen Chat Group

In fact, the principles of matchlocks and flintlocks are basically understood by future generations. Emperor Chongzhen still wanted to let Bi Maokang speak, because he was curious about one thing: why did the Ming army not equip flintlock guns in large quantities even though there were already flintlock guns in the late Ming Dynasty?

It should be said that anyone who is not a fool can understand that a flintlock gun is better than a matchlock gun, right? "Your Majesty, this self-generating system is ignited by flint. There is a flint in the mouth of the hammer. Here..." Bi Maokang pointed while saying, "Pull the trigger, hammer down, and sparks will appear from the flint." , if it falls on the ignition powder, it will shoot lead bullets."

After briefly explaining the principle, Bi Maokang seemed a little hesitant, but in the end he pointed to the hammer part and continued: "This is the most critical point. The hammer reed needs to be strong enough to ensure that the impact force is strong enough. The flint collides with enough sparks to splash down. If we can ensure that sparks splash down every time it is fired, the power of this self-generating fire gun will be revealed."

At this point, he seemed a little embarrassed: "Your Majesty, I have tried it many times. The spring leaf currently used for firing must be made of steel with sufficient toughness. At present, the toughness of our steel is not as good as that of Ming Dynasty. It’s not enough, the probability of success is only three to four out of ten.”

Having said this, he quickly added: "Your Majesty, if you use good steel, you can achieve a firing success rate of more than 80%."

Having said this, he looked away from the self-made firecracker and looked at Emperor Chongzhen, with a slightly embarrassed expression on his face: "But this kind of good steel costs about three or four taels of silver per kilogram, and the output is not high. .”

If the firing success rate of a musket is only about 30%, that is, only one shot in every three shots may catch fire, it will be dangerous when facing an enemy. Even Emperor Chongzhen, who had never been on the battlefield, understood this, not to mention Bi Maokang, who was very familiar with muskets.

In other words, this flintlock gun is actually very simple, and you can understand it once you explain it. But it is difficult to make a qualified flintlock gun. Qualified spring steel sheets used on flintlock guns must at least meet the medium-carbon steel standards of later generations. At this time, even the drill bits for drilling gun barrels were generally made of low-carbon steel. It can be seen that there are practical and objective reasons why the flintlock gun was invented in the late Ming Dynasty, but there was no large-scale army deployment.

This is not only true in the Ming Dynasty in the East, but also in the West. To be honest, it was Westerners who invented the flintlock first, but it was not until the end of the 17th century that large-scale armies were deployed in the West. Even in the mid-seventeenth century, King Louis XIV of France strictly prohibited the use of flintlock guns for this purpose, otherwise he would be guillotined.

It can be seen from this that the flintlock gun cannot be used just because it wants to be used!

After Emperor Chongzhen asked about the shortcomings of this flintlock gun, he did not disappoint Bi Maokang. He just smiled and said: "Bi Qing invented this self-generating fire gun, which is very good. Although the price will be much more expensive because of the spring blade. But there are We have to solve the problem, and we can’t stop eating because of choking..."

Upon hearing this, Bi Maokang suddenly became excited. Listening to the emperor's wishes, his hard work will not be in vain, and he will be rewarded for his efforts.

"You ordered the Ordnance Bureau's blacksmith shop to start solving the problem of suitable steel. One is how to reduce the cost, and the other is how to increase the output? You must personally handle these two points. If there are difficulties or what resources need to be mobilized, although Report to me." Emperor Chongzhen ordered.

History is now different from the original. First, Emperor Chongzhen at this time understood the power of scientific and technological progress better than the original Emperor Chongzhen, and knew that flintlock guns would be the future trend. Second, Ming Dynasty's finances at this time were also far better than before. Take it easy on history. Although it is still difficult at the moment and money is needed everywhere, Daming Construction Bank has been established.

Just like now, Emperor Chongzhen told Bi Maokang again: "At present, the Ordnance Bureau and the Military War Bureau will be responsible for their own profits and losses. If the Ordnance Bureau lacks funds, they can go to the Daming Construction Bank for loans. In this way, the New Army will provide qualified personnel We will first purchase one hundred self-generated fire guns for training purposes. I ordered the chief instructor of the new army to sign a contract with the Ordnance Bureau, and then you will take the contract to Daming Construction Bank for a loan. You will use it in the early stage to produce qualified self-generated fire guns. The capital is already there. How about it?"

To be honest, Bi Maokang is really not used to this model. For him, he is more accustomed to direct allocations from the emperor. However, the emperor has already pointed out the way to this new method, and he will not object. As long as it can solve the funding problem, who cares whether it is a grant or a loan?

Bi Maokang is indeed talented in firearms. After the self-generated fire gun was solved, he was even more confident and prepared to wait for the self-generated fire gun to be resolved before conducting research on the continuous fire gun.

He could see that as long as the thing was really good, the emperor would definitely support it and even help with suggestions to solve difficulties. With such a good emperor, he no longer has to worry about firearms research.

At the end, Emperor Chongzhen specifically stated over and over again: "The firearms I want must be of high quality. All parts must be of the highest quality. This may be as small as the safety of the soldiers, or as big as the key to determining the outcome of the war. Absolutely no carelessness!”

Bi Maokang couldn't help but be even more surprised when he heard the emperor's request. So, he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, the key to the cost of this self-generated fire blunderbuss depends on the blunderbuss tube. I have inspected the matchrope blunderbuss in the inventory of the Ordnance Bureau. The wrought iron used for the raw material of the blunderbuss tube is about 10 Five kilograms of wrought iron are smelted from five kilograms of crude iron. These are inferior products! Generally speaking, the muskets in our Ming army require five to seven kilograms of crude iron to be smelted and one kilogram of wrought iron is ready for use. Of course, Ten kilograms of crude iron can be smelted to produce one kilogram of wrought iron, which is the best quality. Your Majesty, then the raw material for the blunderbuss tube used in this self-generating fire blunderbuss..."

When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he said without hesitation: "Of course we must use the best quality! I have said that ordnance is of great importance and must be made according to the best. Factors that affect the cost, you can give a heavy reward. Let’s see if there is a solution. Only in this way can Ming’s technological strength keep pace with the times!”

When Bi Maokang heard this, he was very convinced of Emperor Chongzhen's request. He immediately agreed, bowed out of the palace, and went to work.

Emperor Chongzhen watched him leave, thinking to himself, this flintlock gun was finally found, and it should be regarded as the flagship product of the Ordnance Bureau, right?

What about the war situation? Emperor Chongzhen thought for a while and decided to let the Bingzhan Bureau study artillery. He immediately explained and offered a reward to solve two artillery problems, one was the weight of the artillery, and the other was the artillery production cycle. Whoever can solve the problem, no matter what their identity, will be rewarded!

The next chapter should be in the evening.