eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 455 Introducing Artillery
In May of the second year of Zhengde, Wu Wending, the general judge of Changzhou recommended by Wang Shouren, went to Beijing to see the emperor.

It was basically impossible for an official like him to see the emperor.But Zhu Houzhao attached great importance to Wang Shouren's opinion, and Wang Shouren recommended him.

However, after a little understanding, Zhu Houzhao realized that Wu Wending had indeed done some important things when he was serving as the general judge in Changzhou. .

This battle made him famous in Yingtian Mansion.So people gave him the title of "Strong Official", and it was said that Wu Wending was extremely powerful, especially his arm strength, and he liked horseback riding and archery.

In the actual history, Wu Wending followed Wang Shouren to put down Ning Wang Zhu Chenhao's rebellion. He was highly valued and ranked first in terms of merit.

However, Zhu Houzhao couldn't remember such a detailed history, but Wang Shouren mentioned this person, and looking at his official resume, he was actually called a shrewd and powerful little official, so he no longer doubted the ownership of the navy commander.

In fact, everyone in the court said that it was a navy teacher, but Zhu Houzhao felt a little guilty: eight boats, so few people, where is the teacher?I'm afraid some Yangtze river water bandits are more powerful than this.

But what can be done, he, a descendant, will never allow Daming to miss the age of great voyage.

Jingli's decree is that March has passed, and Wu Wending was given half a month to complete the handover and pack his luggage, and then set off for the north. On the way, he saw many "field teams" going to the countryside.

For a small official who had fought Wei Guogong for the land of the people, this scene still shocked him deeply.

I am looking forward to the trip to the capital even more in my heart.

It's a pity that when he arrived in the capital, Wang Shouren had already been ordered to govern Shaanxi, and military and state affairs could not be delayed, so naturally he would not wait here specially for him.

Wu Wending walked around the capital, thinking that if he couldn't see Wang Shouren, maybe he could pay a visit to Wang Jia.Both he and Wang Shouren were Jinshi in Jiwei in the 12th year of Hongzhi, and the examiner at that time was Wang Jia. Speaking of which, he can also be called Wang Jia's disciple.

But the two trips were all empty. The cabinet was busy with the division of land, and Wang Jia had no time.

So I had to give up.

In this way, Wu Wending could only wander around in the city that never sleeps by himself. He didn't know anyone well in Beijing, but if there was any relationship, he wouldn't be awarded a small position as a Changzhou promotion official even if he was a Jinshi.

The position of promoting an official is poor even among local officials.

In May, the city that never sleeps is already quite bustling, with upturned eaves connecting one piece, low houses and tall buildings in a patchwork pattern, red lanterns hanging in the sky everywhere, festooned with lights, and the world is bustling.

At this time, the hottest thing under the emperor's feet was that Duke Bao Zhu Hui was arrested because he offended His Majesty. Not only the occupied fields were returned, but the title of Duke Bao failed to be retained, and he was demoted two levels in a row After that, his son Zhu Qi took over the title of Uncle Funing.

But Bao Guogong himself was imprisoned, and no one has pleaded for mercy so far.

After hearing these things, Wu Wending felt very happy.

He sat on it like this for a while, when a tall and thin middle-aged man with a goatee walked in, glanced at him from downstairs, and then walked up quickly.

This person was still dressed in silk and satin, with a weak air, as if he was sick, but he was very polite in his words and deeds, "Your honor is Song Ziwu Shitai?"

Wu Wending didn't know him, but he knew him, so he still replied, "Exactly."

"Oh, my lord, Gongsun Bei, whose name is Xingwen, is the head of the Yu Heng Qing Officials Department of the Ministry of Industry."

Yu Heng cleared the official department?Although Wu Wending didn't hold a post in Beijing, he still dabbled in various yamen of the imperial court.The Department of Officials of Yu Heng Qing of the Ministry of Industry has the responsibility of 'manufacturing military uniforms and weapons, firing ceramics, and smelting and casting utensils'.

When such a person finds himself at this time, he must have come prepared.

"I have met Master Gongsun. Master Gongsun seems to recognize me?"

"I know." The man with the goatee rolled his eyes and smiled, "The newest thing in the capital right now is the Daming Nanyang Company, and the next newest thing is the Daming Navy with only eight ships. The prime minister of the Nanyang Company advised the court to buy more Warships, to guard against pirates. Brother Shi Tai, many people recognize you when you enter Beijing this time."

Wu Wending was still a little surprised by this.

"A lot of people recognize me?"

"A general judge in Changzhou was suddenly promoted to the commander of the navy. You are also concerned with how much money the Nanyang Company will have next year. Of course, it is attracting attention."

Wu Wending smiled heartily, "Wu has been an official for several years, and this is the first time that so many people care about him. It feels good."

Gongsun Bei was a little surprised, everyone said that this person has the reputation of a strong official, it seems that he has a bit of courage.

"Master Gongsun, I don't know why you are looking for me?"

"Oh, I came here to help Brother Shitai."

Wu Wending drank his tea, unmoved.

Gongsun Bei didn't hesitate any longer, he took out a piece of yellowed paper from his cuff, and there was an image outlined in black ink lines on the paper.

Looking carefully, it is a four-wheeled vehicle with a barrel at the bottom and a tapering neck...

"Cannon?! Is this a cannon?" Wu Wending recognized it at a glance.

"It is. And it is a relatively heavy artillery that is different from the Baizi Gun. In the first year of Zhengde, His Majesty ordered the manufacture of more sophisticated firearms. The Baizi Gun is cast from refined copper, about four feet long, and the Chinese and Tibetan medicines are one liter and five combinations. Equipped with a hundred bombs, it would be extremely powerful if defending the city on land, but it would be a bit light when it was at sea."

The Baizi Gun is a kind of light artillery. It cannot be said to be useless at sea, but the distance is not close enough to hit it to a certain extent.But in this year, this kind of firearm is still equipped on the navy, and it is better to have nothing.

That's why Gongsun Bei took out something new. He pointed his index finger and said, "For this cannon, I specially asked the people who went to sea for advice. This is what the Frangji people used. It is called a copper hair stick. It weighs five hundred pieces." It can shoot four catties of lead, which is so powerful that anyone who touches it will die!"

Only this kind of thing looks like a regular sailor on a boat.At present, the fleet equipped with a few hundred guns is really only able to fight water bandits who lack firearms...

Wu Wending looked at this thing with some confusion,

The navy is different from the army on land. How to fight naval battles is a matter of knowledge, but in any case, even laymen can realize the importance of artillery.

After all, you always have to hit someone first.

But for such an important matter, a person who rushed past Zibao's house suddenly mentioned it to him, which made him a little suspicious.

So he asked: "Since you have this treasure, Master Gongsun can present it to His Majesty, and His Majesty will have a decree."

Gongsun Bei smiled, but he was sincere, "Brother Shitai, to tell the truth, this thing... I haven't made it yet. The Military Weapons Bureau is under the jurisdiction of Yu Hengqing's official department, but there is a lack of craftsmen for new things. But nothing came of it."

Wu Wending wanted to give him a blank stare,
Didn't make it, you told me so much, isn't it a waste of effort!
Gongsun Bei hurriedly said: "But I can assure you that this kind of artillery exists in this world, and it is on the boat of the Frangji people! As for... I tell you to tell your majesty, brother Shitai, please listen to it." I'm going to be in a hurry if I don't make it, wouldn't Your Majesty be even more anxious?"

No matter how eager you are to do meritorious service,
Then you can't fool His Majesty the Emperor with the picture on the paper!
Wu Wending understood, "So Master Gongsun is afraid that he will ask Zai to go down to the sea to grab one of these cannons for you."

"Snatching will hurt your peace. If someone is killed or injured, it's not beautiful. You can buy it. As long as you buy one, the Military Weapons Bureau can give Brother Shi Tai ten or a hundred doors. This is also for the navy. Shi Tai Brother has seen people before, so he must know that apart from people and ships, the most important thing for this navy is firearms."

"I will consider it next time."

After Wu Wending finished speaking, he got up and left the place.

He probably figured it out, this person wanted to come up with a new trick to claim credit from the emperor, but he couldn't make it, so he wanted to let him do it.Just kidding, if labor and capital really get such a cannon, we won't go to your majesty, will we?
In fact, Gongsun Bei hasn't finished speaking the truth yet. He wants to persuade Wu Wending to tell His Majesty that he wants such a thing. The imperial decree is to make it. It will be more likely to be done in this way. This matter cannot be said to be easy.

No way, Gongsun Bei sighed and folded the picture and put it away.

After Wu Wending left, another person came to this table and sat opposite Gongsun Bei.

"How? What did you say?"

"Empty-handed, it's hard to win people's trust. We have to figure out a way to introduce it ourselves. Simply, talk to someone from Franz."

The atmosphere in the imperial court was clear. If he, the head of Yu Hengqing's officials, wanted to make further progress in the officialdom, he had to make contributions where the emperor cared. That's why he was so concerned when the emperor mentioned firearms more than a year ago.

"Hurry up!" Gongsun Bei felt a little nervous, "Let's do our best to finish this matter!"

===
Bronze hair sticks were introduced by the Portuguese roughly in the late Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty and the early Jiajing period.It is one of the most important artillery before the red cannon is installed, and it is usually installed on the bow of large ships.

(End of this chapter)