Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 37 Tie Fan
Of course, the reason why the success rate of cannon making is so low is because of the clay sculpture method used.

To put it simply, it is a mold of clay sculpture, poured molten iron, and then formed a cannon.

Later, this method was transformed into a lost wax method, which made the copper wall thinner, lighter and more durable.

However, only the power of the artillery has been improved, and the success rate is still not high.

This method was later brought to Manchu by Kong Youde, so that during the battle of Songjin, its artillery was even more powerful than that of the Ming army.

It's sad, I have to say.

"exactly!"

Wang Yan sighed and insisted: "But you can't use iron either!"

"The bubble problem is actually very easy to solve."

Zhu Yixi shook his head slightly, full of confidence.

Immediately, he took Wang Yan to the outside, an empty place, surrounded by no one, he couldn't help but said:
"Have you ever thought about the uneven surface of the clay mold, so naturally iron cannot be used, so bronze has to be used as a last resort."

Zhu Yixi took a breath and said seriously: "Then, can't the iron mold work?"

"Iron model?" Wang Yan was startled, then overjoyed, his eyes rolled and he was speechless.

After a while, he finally recovered, and murmured, "Why didn't I think of that?"

As he spoke, he stroked his long beard and said with a smile, "After the clay model is made, it takes a long time to dry. It takes about a month from the start of work to the firing of the cannon. Once it rains or it is cloudy, it will take longer."

"Back then, it took half a year for Duke Wen Ding (Xu Guangqi) to build a hundred cannons. If he had thought of Tie Fan at that time, it would have taken less than half a month."

"What's even better is that the iron fan is not as rough as the clay fan, so you can cast a cannon with iron."

"You, this is a genius idea, how did you come up with it?"

Wang Yan asked curiously.

"This?" Zhu Yixi thought for a while, and then said: "I saw a craftsman using clay formwork during this period, and it would be difficult to make it once it rained, so I thought that the iron formwork can be formed without drying it."

"This method is correct!" Wang Yan said with satisfaction: "Your method is not only more effective in making cannons, but also replaces copper with iron, which greatly reduces the cost."

The price of copper is ten times that of iron, and if you make your own iron, the difference can be nearly ten times.

In other words, even if the yield rate is almost the same, the cost price of a 400-jin red cannon is at most [-] taels.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yixi couldn't help showing a smile, and he immediately said eagerly: "Your Majesty, the cannon-casting craftsmen went to the Baoxie to build slaves, so that the cannons were extremely prosperous. This iron method must not be leaked."

"There are a lot of spies against thieves, so we have to guard against them."

"Then what do you think?" Wang Yan thought for a while, deeply convinced.

"Just near the plague camp, deploy a few clever apprentices, craftsmen, and secretly make cannons."

"It's done!" Wang Yan nodded, appreciating: "It's very good to prevent erroneous things from happening."

Only then did Zhu Yixi heave a sigh of relief, the cannon in red was finally resolved.

However, the problem of bird guns, or flintlock guns, still exists.

After thinking about it for a while, Zhu Yixi continued: "Flintlock, that is, self-generating firecrackers, may you take care of it?"

"Flintlock?" Wang Yan was taken aback for a moment, and only after listening to his explanation did he come to his senses. He couldn't help but smiled wryly and said, "Flint is hard to find."

"Flint is not good, and there are many dumb fires. Only three or four guns can be made out of ten guns, and the cost is high, so the court did not use it."

Zhu Yixi sighed, the price alone was enough to make Emperor Chongzhen give up.

"How much does a flintlock cost?"

"Each one is nearly ten taels, and the bird gun is only two taels. Besides, each tiger squatting gun is only about 15 taels. The court realized that it is better to build more tiger squatting guns instead of equipping flintlock guns."

Zhu Yixi thought about it for a while, officials and gentlemen would indeed settle accounts, that was indeed the case, that was how the Lumi Gun was eliminated by the Bird Gun.

The so-called bad money eliminates good money, that's all.

Thinking, he has two thousand troops, if they all prepare flintlock guns, the misfire rate is still so high, the price is still so expensive, and there is less rain in the north, the bird gun is really better than the flintlock gun.

"Although there is little rain in the north, there is still some, so it is necessary to fire guns."

Zhu Yixi said seriously.

"It's raining, so don't you just wear a bamboo hat?"

Wang Wei said strangely.

Zhu Yixi was speechless.

The efficiency of the flintlock is much better than that of the arquebus. It takes 3 minutes, one and a half minutes, to organize a large-scale flintlock army, which is enough to fight against the oncoming cavalry.

To put it bluntly, it took five or six shots for the matchlock gun to fire, and the effect was very different.

"Just make a thousand rods!"

For this mechanical expert, Zhu Yixi really didn't want to explain, so she couldn't help saying: "Don't worry about money, I will take care of it."

Immediately, Zhu Yixi thought again, after spending so much money, our Governor Sun can't see it!
For subordinates, political performance must be obvious, so that leaders can easily see it.

"You first build ten [-]-jin Franco cannons, and they are double-barreled."

Zhu Yixi hurriedly said: "In addition, like the red cannon, it is equipped with four wheels, and it can be made with iron fans. It will be ready in ten days and a half months!"

Compared with the tiger crouching cannon, the Folang machine gun has stronger field combat capabilities, fast speed, fast heat dissipation, lighter weight, long life, and is not easy to explode. The key is that it is made of iron.

Naturally, it became a mainstream artillery.

"Okay!" Wang Yan nodded, and sighed slightly: "I will not hesitate to help my army a bit."

Zhu Yixi was quite moved, and felt a little sorry for being such a boss.

However, now is a critical moment, and the old man can only be wronged.

The relocation of the firecrackers and artillery is suitable, so it is naturally decided by Zhu Yixi, and there is no objection.

After inspecting the craftsman camp, Zhu Yixi rushed to the General Medical Office without stopping.

Everything is in order here, the old veterinarian Qian Too much and Zhu Mou, one in charge of daily life and the other in charge of money, complement each other perfectly.

"Chief doctor, you're here!" Qian Taitai hurriedly got up and greeted him respectfully.

"Is the general medical department still working now?"

Looking at the clean and tidy environment, Zhu Yixi asked directly.

"There are only so many patients in the army. It's just that the number of doctors sent by the Anmin Medical Center has increased to two, and they come in rotation. The situation has improved a lot!"

Too much money and holding tea, smiled flatteringly.

"Oh?" Zhu Yixi was a little surprised, and then smiled in relief. The General Medical Department has been stabilized, and the addition of doctors will not affect it.

Although it is a bit too much, the General Medical Department is only a stepping stone after all.

"Sovereign!" Zhu Mou ran over joyfully, he didn't care about too much flattering money, instead he called suzerain enthusiastically, raised his chin to show his different status.

Too much money didn't take it seriously, and still stood there respectfully.

"There is an urgent need for herbs in the plague camp, do you have enough for me?"

"They're all common medicines, and they're all ready."

Zhu Yixi looked at the two of them, and said seriously: "This prescription must never be passed on, remember it!"

"Of order—" the two nodded earnestly, their voices resounding.

(End of this chapter)