From Corsica to the Fourth Rome

After confirming that the experimental weapon could fire normally, Lawrence and Cui Farley did not sit idle, but seized the time to test the various performances of the weapon in the next few days.

Due to historical habits, Lawrence temporarily named this new type of musket a rifle. The word rifle comes from the English rifle, which means rifling.

In order to be installed in the army as a standard weapon, the reliability, service life, production difficulty and other details of the rifle need to be fully considered.

"The hit rate on a humanoid target at a distance of one hundred yards can reach 75%. If the rifling is more refined, it should be improved."

Major Trifari wrote in his notes and said to Lawrence:

"Unfortunately, its production process is much more complicated than that of ordinary muskets. Ordinary apprentices should not be able to carve rifling. Including this kind of special bullet, the precision requirements are higher, and manual production is basically impossible to mass-produce."

Lawrence also nodded in agreement. During these days of experiments, the two found that the difficulty of making mini bullets was much greater than that of the gun itself, and the materials for making bullets were also difficult to find.

The front end part was okay. In order to adapt to the expansion of the rear end, Lawrence decided to use softer metal lead. As for the cork part of the rear end, the two found in the experiment that the best effect was to steam, soften and cut the oak skin to obtain cork.

In mass production, just this process of processing the oak skin may require a lot of manpower.

Bullets are the largest consumption of materials in war. Even under the tactic of queuing to kill, an average of 300 bullets are consumed to hit an enemy.

In addition, soldiers who use this kind of gun need additional shooting learning and training. Neither Lawrence nor Cui Fali expects this weapon to appear on the battlefield soon.

"We probably won't be commissioned into the army in the short term." Major Cui Farley caressed the gun in his hand with regret and asked casually:

“I really want to see it perform in actual combat.”

"Maybe there is a chance." Lawrence pondered for a moment and said:

"I can test this weapon in the patrol, and I also asked the major to help me make ten rifles and corresponding bullets. In addition, there is one more thing I hope Major Cui Fali can promise."

Major Trifari looked at Lawrence with an expression that was extremely serious and serious. Even on the battlefield, Lawrence rarely showed such an expression, so he subconsciously nodded in agreement.

"You should also know the importance of the rifle. Until the right time comes, I hope the existence of this weapon will be a secret between the two of us..."

On February 20, 1768, Corsica's Northern Army observed that the Genoese army had moved its base camp from the Cemou Fortress to Bastia, and had also built simple fortifications in the area around Bastia.

This meant that the Genoese had no intention of retreating to Ximu Fortress. This result made General Nathan and Lawrence relieved. In this way, Lawrence's mission to the Northern Army was successfully completed.

At the same time, the ten rifles and corresponding bullets that Lawrence asked Major Trifali to make were basically completed. After all, the parts of the musket are all ready-made after being dismantled from the scrapped musket, and Major Cui Farley only needs to complete the rifling and bullet making.

In addition, Major Trifari also used rifle craftsmanship on pistols, making a rifled flintlock pistol for Lawrence.

Although the barrel of the pistol is short and the hit rate cannot be guaranteed in long-distance shooting, after several days of shooting training, Lawrence can basically achieve a 90% hit rate against humanoid targets within fifty yards.

In the evening of that day, the soldiers of the 4th Battalion somehow heard the news that Lawrence and Trifali were about to leave. They all coaxed Lieutenant Seth and several other representatives to pull the two to the camp and held a farewell party. .

Although the food at the party was only roast potatoes and simmered wild vegetable soup, every soldier took out the bottle of strong liquor they had been given before, and drank one glass at a time, paying homage to Lawrence and Trefarley without stopping.

Even soldiers from other battalions came one after another to join in the fun. They shared a glass of strong wine from the generous soldiers of the fourth battalion and joined in the procession of raising glasses to salute Lawrence.

Even Lawrence, who was a teetotaler, drank under the heckles of the soldiers and became red-faced. Since he came to the eighteenth century, this was the first time Lawrence had spent such a wanton night.

Finally, under the command of Lieutenant Seth, although he was almost unconscious from drinking, all the soldiers put their shoulders around each other, held hands, gathered around the camp fire, and sang a song in unison to praise Corsica's friendship. folk song.

General Nathan stood in front of the window of the main building of the castle, looking down at the reveling soldiers below. His face was complicated, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

In the early morning of February 21st, although they had not yet recovered from their hangover headaches, Lawrence and Major Trifalley packed their bags early, fearing that the soldiers of the 4th Battalion would leave them behind to drink juniper berries. liquor.

After the two briefly reported to General Nathan, they took two horses from the stables, and then brought a dozen orderlies to carry supplies and act as guards.

Nearly three weeks have passed since Lawrence left Ajaccio. Although he is a little worried about the situation in Ajaccio these days, Lawrence also believes that Sean and Grosso can handle it properly.

If something unexpected happens, they should also send a letter to themselves.

On the night of February 22, Lawrence and his party arrived in Ajaccio.

Although according to the rules, the first thing they did after returning was to report back to Governor Paoli, considering that it was getting late, Major Trifali rested at the station in Ajaccio for one night, while Lawrence returned to his home.

"Sir, you are back!"

Anna opened the door and saw Lawrence outside. Her eyes suddenly lit up. She was so excited that she wanted to take off Lawrence's coat and quickly prepare dinner for him. She walked around in a circle at a loss.

Lawrence also smiled and nodded. After not seeing her for more than half a month, Anna's face was much rosier than before, and the skin that originally looked yellow due to malnutrition had become fairer. She was no longer the little briquette in the slums.

"How's it going, Anna, how are you doing these days?"

"Everything is fine, sir. When I get bored I will go find Mrs. Dora to kill time."

Anna happily took out the bread and jam from the kitchen, suddenly remembered something, and said:

"By the way, sir, I have put the messages you asked me to sort out in the study. Do you want to read them now?"

Lawrence nodded while stuffing wheat bread into his mouth, and couldn't help feeling that Anna had indeed helped him a lot, at least he didn't need to worry about life anymore.

Taking the small pile of letter paper handed over by Anna, Lawrence glanced at it casually.

Anna's handwriting is very beautiful. Although she has not received even a primary school education, it can be seen that she put a lot of effort into writing these letters.