Great Song

Concentrating on staying at home "Knowing that this matter has to be done", Zhen Qiong almost forgot all the errands on her body.It was only when the new supervisor of the Armed Forces Supervision sent someone to invite him that he remembered that there was still such a job as a consultant.

However, sitting in her own imperial carriage and being sent to the northern suburbs by the guards, Zhen Qiong realized that things were different from what she thought.Looking at the stretch of houses in front of him, he showed a dull expression: "It's only been a few days, how did you build such a big workshop?"

I saw a large open space next to the originally secluded royal garden, built more than a dozen houses, and a continuous courtyard.The material hills in the distance are piled up even higher, apparently unfinished.Is this scale really a repair workshop?Why does it look like a city is being built?

The person who came to greet Zhen Qiong was a supervisor surnamed Su.Over forty, with a long beard, looks very elegant, looks very official, but treats people politely.Listening to his question, he explained patiently: "This workshop is not only for making gunpowder, all the equipment for siege and defense of the city will be made here. I am afraid that there will be thousands of craftsmen in the future. What's more, things like rockets, thorns and fireballs must be tested. The effect can only be seen after passing through. Therefore, in the future, city walls, gate towers, and camps will be built, and the site will be larger.”

I see.Zhen Qiong understood, also, when he made explosives, he had to actually blow up a mountain of dirt. Of course, he had to try other equipment to know the power.

"Explosives are forbidden to be circulated outside, and gunpowder is still used as a name now. The workshop is located inside, and the Taoist priest is invited to move." Supervisor Su made a gesture of invitation.

Zhen Qiong came here just to guide the monitoring, and she has no objection.A group of people continued to walk in, the closer to the gunpowder factory, the more sentry posts, almost as few as a military camp.Seeing this situation, Zhen Qiong was a little afraid that they only cared about martial law and neglected safe production.Unexpectedly, when he really entered the workshop, his doubts disappeared in an instant.

"Separate and purify the ingredients? Good idea!" Zhen Qiong couldn't help but praise.

I don't know who arranged it, but the workshops of the three kinds of medicinal materials were separated, and the distances were not quite close.Grind and purify separately, and the finished materials are transported for preparation.This alone can reduce many hidden dangers.Moreover, water tanks were placed inside and outside the courtyard, and there was a river not far away, obviously also to prevent fires.

"The Taoist priest once said that fire cannot be seen in explosives, but the refining of charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter all requires fire. Naturally, it is better to separate them first." Supervisor Su did not take credit, and led Zhen Qiong to the yard where the saltpeter was refined.

I saw a large group of artisans busy purifying medicinal materials in the courtyard.Washing, grinding, boiling, and separating out in vats, several waves of people perform their duties, it seems to be orderly and comfortable.

Pointing to the large pot being boiled aside, Supervisor Su asked: "I have also seen the craftsmen's method of making refined nitrate, using radish to boil it, but to absorb moisture and prevent moisture? Why not use lime?"

If you can tell about moisture absorption and moisture resistance, you must have actually studied the prescription.Zhen Qiong inevitably looked at it differently, and explained: "It's not just for absorbing moisture, but also for absorbing the impurities in the saltpeter. Lime is strong and easily reacts with saltpeter, so it's not good to use it."

Supervisor Su nodded thoughtfully, and said again: "When I ordered people to test the explosives in the past few days, I found that the explosives were filled too much, or the holes were too small, which would weaken the power. What's the point?"

This question is professional, Zhen Qiong said: "An explosion needs air, so it can't be sealed. It's like if a candle is placed in an airtight porcelain jar, it will go out after a while. Without air, the effect will naturally not be good."

The other party also seemed to know the principle that a candle must have air to burn. After thinking for a while, he asked, "If so, wouldn't it be better to make medicine powder into medicine pellets?"

This person can!Apart from Shen Kuo, Zhen Qiong was the first time to see someone with such a quick response, and couldn't help being a little happy: "Naturally it is better. Gunpowder particles are easier to detonate and easier to transport, but I haven't made it before, and you need to think about it in private."

He only knew that gunpowder granules needed to be pounded with water, but he had never really studied how to do it.After all, this kind of thing is a controlled product, even a Taoist temple would not touch it easily.However, with such meticulous observation and good practice, gunpowder grains should not be a big deal to him, right?

With Zhen Qiong's approval, Supervisor Su also nodded happily, and invited him to the innermost dispensing workshop.There is no noise of people coming and going here, only a few older craftsmen are carefully weighing the incoming materials and mixing them together according to the ratio.

"Prepared medicinal materials will be packed in porcelain bottles and placed in the warehouse. Open flames are strictly prohibited here, and stacking of medicinal jars is strictly prohibited. Registration and body searches are required when entering and exiting. There are also fireproof and explosion-proof earthen walls. What do you think?" After taking Zhen Qiong to look around, Supervisor Su asked.

"Not bad." Zhen Qiong nodded while watching, this protection was much stronger than she thought.Needless to say, the arrangement on the bright side even considered the smoke and dust. Sprinkling water in the courtyard from time to time can avoid dust and slightly curb the static electricity.I don't know if it was a coincidence, or Supervisor Su also knew the dangers of dust and static electricity.

After looking around, Zhen Qiong finally found a loophole: "This house is well built, and it is far enough away from other workshops, but there is no lightning guide pillar, so if encountering thunder fire, there is still a certain danger."

"Leading Thunder Pillar?" Supervisor Su was stunned for a moment, and then asked, "But things like Zhenlong and copper tiles?"

The owl kisses on the beams are used for lightning protection, so they are also known as "Zhenlong".Copper tiles are the method of lightning protection handed down from the Tang Dynasty, which is to install a piece of copper fish tiles on the roof to prevent lightning strikes.There are even some temples that, when building pagodas, will build a Leigong Pillar that goes straight to the bottom of the pagoda, leading the sky fire into the underground "Dragon Cave".It's just that I didn't expect that such a low workshop would have to be equipped with this thing.

"After all, this is a gunpowder depot. It's not convenient to install a lightning rod on the roof. It's better to be safe. Build a taller copper pillar farther away. It's enough to draw away the sky fire during thunderstorms." Seeing that he didn't understand, Zhen Qiong explained road.

Supervisor Su heard this, but frowned and asked back: "Then how to install the lightning rod?"

Wait, there aren't even lightning rods here, are there?Zhen Qiong suddenly realized: "The so-called lightning rod is to put a tall and pointed copper vessel on the roof, and then lead a copper wire to bury it in the soil. The lightning will be absorbed by the metal and scattered underground, so that it will not be struck by lightning." , set fire to the house."

Supervisor Su pondered for a moment, then suddenly read a sentence: "Lei Zhen Gong Ji Shanyin Hengshan Baolin Temple, the brakes were broken in all directions, and the Buddha's face under the tower was burned by electric fire, but the windows were the same. Thunder and lightning like gold but not wood. Such a simple truth, It’s really embarrassing to ask a Taoist priest to teach.”

Seeing his educated appearance, Zhen Qiong couldn't help feeling a little complacent, coughing lightly: "If you're really afraid of fire from the sky, you can still use 'non-ash wood' to make tiles and lay them on the roof."

Supervisor Su obviously also knew the "non-ash wood" that is invulnerable to water and fire, and nodded immediately: "Thanks to the Taoist priest for reminding! If this thing is useful, it should be reported to the officials."

Back then, the Zhaoying Palace in the Yuqing Dynasty was burned clean by thunder and fire. If the lightning rod and the non-ash wood were really useful, the officials would be happy, right?

Consciously being educated, Supervisor Su sighed: "I thought the Taoist priest was only good at alchemy, but I never thought of doing research on these. I happened to order someone to make two new firearms. I don't know if the priest would appreciate it?"

Zhen Qiong has always only stayed in the alchemy room, and she has never seen a firearm used in battle, so she immediately nodded enthusiastically.

Since it was an experiment for a new firearm, it was not good to be in the workshop, and everyone moved to the distant school field.The imitation city gate has not yet been built, and it looks like a moat has to be dug out. I don't know if the emperor has not given up the idea of ​​blowing up the city wall.The few people did not stop, and went straight to the deeper shooting range.

On the platform made of dirt, there was a row of feathered arrows.Each arrow is tied with a bamboo tube that looks like a firecracker.There is no need for a bow and crossbow, just stand on the bracket, and there are long lead wires.

"This is the newly made rocket, Daoist, let's take a look first." With that said, Supervisor Su ordered someone to light the fuze.

After hearing a few "swish", the rocket flew out, plunged into the haystack in the distance, and caught fire.

This unusual rocket made Zhen Qiong raise his eyebrows: "But the bamboo tube is divided into two chambers, filled with kerosene?"

When the rocket flew out, there was only a long and sharp sound, but no explosion.When it landed in the haystack, it burned very violently. The bamboo tube must have done something wrong.

Superintendent Su laughed and said, "It really can't be hidden from the Taoist priest. This rocket has slightly changed its recipe, using the recoil force of the explosives as a guide to make the rocket fly farther. When it falls, it will ignite kerosene. miraculous."

As he said that, he ordered someone to bring another firearm: "There is another firearm, which is similar to a rocket, but it is not filled with kerosene, but fireworks instead."

This firearm is quite different from a rocket. It was not set alight on a shelf, but was held by a soldier in his hand.After the powder was ignited, a ball of fire burst out from the paper tube with a whoosh, and it exploded when it reached the sky, but it was still red.

Isn't this a thunderbolt?Zhen Qiong was a little confused, what kind of weapon is this?

Supervisor Su saw that he was puzzled, and patiently said: "This thing is for passing on credit. If the army is divided, it can be of great use with the telescope."

Now that several groups of soldiers and horses are acting at the same time, they can only rely on mutual understanding.If there is such a signal flare, can't we find out whether the friendly forces are in place?If you encounter an enemy situation, you can also use this as a belief, so that you won't be caught off guard.

Zhen Qiong suddenly said: "Then it's better to make more colors. I also have a prescription here, you can refer to it for details."

Seeing the two prescriptions written down by Zhen Qiong, Supervisor Su really admired: "Thanks to the guidance of the Taoist priest, in this way, the design of firearms will be twice the result with half the effort."

After thinking for a while, he said hesitantly: "I've been thinking about one thing recently. If you put too little medicine, it can propel the rocket far away. But if you put too much medicine, the rocks that can be exploded will crack. Then What if there is no more and no less? Can you use the force of the recoil to shoot something..."

Isn't this artillery?Before he finished speaking, Zhen Qiong understood: "Of course it can. If the copper tube cannon is big enough, it might blow up the city wall."

The other party's eyes lit up: "The Taoist priest also thinks this is okay?"

Uh, Zhen Qiong suddenly got stuck: "This, I can definitely do it, but I don't know how to make guns."

Although he knew that there was such a thing as artillery, he had never done it at all.How to deal with the barrel, how to embed the lead wire, how much charge should be loaded so as not to explode the barrel, or what height the muzzle should be lifted to hit the enemy, he was completely at a loss.

Supervisor Su said sternly: "It's okay. I also ask Daoist Zhen to follow me into the palace and report this matter to the officials."

So Zhen Qiong entered the palace again.

"The artillery that the Taoist priest said can really be made?" Unexpectedly, Zhen Qiong brought good news just after taking office, and Zhao Xu was also overjoyed.

The previous idea of ​​attacking the city with explosives failed, which really frustrated him.Unexpectedly, a better one came out!If there is a killer weapon that can blow down the city wall from a long distance, why worry about Xixia's injustice? !

Zhen Qiong hurriedly said: "I'm afraid it's a bit difficult to blow up the city wall. There are too many ingredients, maybe you didn't kill anyone, you might blow yourself up first. The officials should let people start with smaller cannons."

"What's the use of a small one?" Zhao Xu couldn't help frowning.

He doesn't understand war, but he always understands the truth that a big cannon is dangerous or a small cannon is dangerous.With a light cough, Zhen Qiong said: "If the cannon is small, wouldn't it be possible to put the horse on the battlefield? It seems to be okay to fire two cannons in front of the formation. But the cannonballs are not as good as bows and crossbows. The range depends on the calculation. You have to find someone Come and count to be able to fight..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Supervisor Su standing beside him cupped his hands and said to the emperor: "As long as the cannon is made, I can calculate the range."

Zhen Qiong was shocked!What's the matter, this guy can even count ballistics?Isn't he just a military supervisor?

Unexpectedly, the Son of Heaven did not doubt this person's ability at all, he clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Su Qing is really a minister! I will leave this matter to you two. However, it is of great importance, so it must not be spread outside!"

Su Song bowed and said yes.He originally thought that he was going to be an envoy to the Liao Kingdom.Who would have thought that the emperor would have assigned him to the Military Weapons Supervision Department to be in charge of this new government office.Now that you have obeyed the emperor's orders, you must do your errands well.While preparing for the siege operation, he also had to see the amazingly powerful explosives with his own eyes.Unexpectedly, he also found some fun from it.

He was ordered to compile the book "Tu Jing Materia Medica", read all the collections in Jixian Museum, and read many books about gunpowder.But from ancient times to the present, no one can make the prescriptions so concise and see the effect of each step like Daoist Zhen.This breaks away from the method of "monarch, minister and assistant envoy", and there is no specious Taoist lingo.But getting rid of the stereotypes, refining medicine is surprisingly simple.That's right, this gunpowder is designed to kill wounds, but not cure diseases, so why make a fuss about it?

It was precisely because of this that after he achieved a small success, he immediately invited Zhen Qiong to come to the door, wanting to discuss what he had gained.Unexpectedly, in just half a day, I learned a lot, and even got a new errand, how can I not make people happy?

But Zhen Qiong was not so happy, she left the hall in a daze, and sighed.Didn't you agree to only be a consultant?How come there is another cannon-making errand?He is not familiar with this thing, and he doesn't know how long it will take to get it done.Alas, it was all because of my own carelessness. For a while, I thought Supervisor Su was nice and smart, someone who could talk...

"Daoist Zhen, this cannon-making workshop will also be located in the northern suburbs, and I will trouble you to make two more trips in the future." Su Song laughed.

Zhen Qiong glanced at him weakly: "I don't understand these things very well, and Supervisor Su will take care of them."

Seeing Zhen Qiong's appearance, Su Song also laughed.Others are overjoyed to be valued by the emperor, but this trail looks like it has been cheated by others, and I don't know if I thought it was harming him.It's just that this guy is really talented. When making cannons, he had to bother him, and now he needs to be coaxed.

Su Song thought to himself, and Zhen Qiong also thought about it.After taking two steps, as if remembering something, he suddenly said: "The projectile projectile is not a straight line, and it is quite complicated to calculate the angle of elevation. Supervisor Su may take some time, right?"

"It's not difficult. I will develop an algorithm based on the gun type and projectiles, and it will be done in a while." Su Song smiled slightly.

Almost choking to death, Zhen Qiong slumped her shoulders again: "Isn't supervisor Su in charge of the military inspection? It seems inappropriate to patronize the gunpowder industry?"

Su Song nodded: "The Military Weapons Supervision also needs to be reorganized. There is also an eight-ox crossbow, and a telescope can also be installed on the crossbow to improve the accuracy. If you press another mechanism and step on the string, you can save a lot of manpower... ..."

Hiss, Zhen Qiong suddenly felt her scalp go numb, wait, why is this feeling so familiar?

Swallowing his saliva carefully, he asked, "What did Supervisor Su learn...ah, no, what casual books do you like to read on weekdays?"

This group of people must have learned all the Four Books and Five Classics, and they can only ask what they like.

Although I don't know what Daoist Zhen asked this for?Su Song still smiled and replied: "I have dabbled in medical books, and also read some local chronicles and miscellaneous notes. But the most common thing I read is astronomy and easy numbers."

Sure enough, isn't this exactly the same as Shen Kuo?Zhen Qiong just wiped her face.Why do you always run into guys who are good at investigating things?It’s okay to be lazy now QAQ

The author has something to say: Su Song is one of the greatest naturalists and scientists in ancient times, proficient in medicine, machinery and astronomy.Those who have seen the hairpin tassels should have a little impression of the "Water Astronomical Observatory". This is Su Song's masterpiece, known as "the originator of the medieval astronomical clock".And the "Tu Jing Materia Medica" edited by him can also be regarded as the predecessor of "Compendium of Materia Medica".A boss whose achievements are not inferior to Shen Kuo, and who is also many times smarter than him, Qionger, are you afraid =w=