The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 210
March [-].

Pray for a rainy day.

The emperor took the monarchs and ministers out of the city, and Zhang Zhou also left the city, but he did not go the same way as the monarchs and ministers who went to places such as the Temple of Heaven and Earth to pray for rain, because he was going out of the city to test cannons.

Along with him, apart from Yang Peng, the eunuch sent by Dongchang, Jinyiwei Commander Qian Shi, Beizhen Fusi Town Fushi Guo Ang, Jinyiwei hundred households Sun Shangqi and several people from the Ministry of Industry went with him.

"Mr. Zhang."

Before the group reached the city gate, Xiao Jing's carriage also rushed over.

Xiao Jing got off the carriage and looked at Zhang Zhou with a smile.

"Didn't Eunuch Xiao follow His Majesty to pray for rain? How could he appear here?" Zhang Zhou looked at Xiao Jing curiously.

Although there are few words in your name, is it appropriate for you, Xiao Jing, as the owner of Dongchang, not to go to pray for rain?

"Hehe." Xiao Jing smiled, "Our family specially accompanied Mr. Zhang out of the city today, and it was also ordered by His Majesty. By the way, our family also asked someone to say hello to Tang Yin and told him that in fact, there are noble people behind him to help , He also said that he would come to thank you and admit defeat to you."

"is it?"

Zhang Zhou didn't think it was important to discuss winning or losing with Tang Yin at this time.

He has too many things to do recently, so Tang Yin should stay where he is so cool.

Xiao Jing walked with Zhang Zhou for a while, and said with a smile: "He knows that it is a great thing to be able to worship your teacher, can he not realize it?"

"Hehe, now I have to consider whether to accept this junior."

Zhang Zhou said, looking at the bustling crowd: "There are quite a lot of people today."

Xiao Jing smiled and narrowed his eyes and said: "Sir, didn't you say so? Today we need to make more noises in the crowd, now not only the people in the capital, but even the people in the entire Shuntian Prefecture know that His Majesty wants to pray for rain. "

Zhang Zhou turned around and took a look at Xiao Jing.

I said in my heart, no wonder you old boy didn't go to the scene of praying for rain. Feelings, you were ordered to observe public opinion?

What else do you want to go out of town with me to test guns?By the way, right?

"Eunuch Xiao, do you plan to change your name recently?" Zhang Zhou asked.

Xiao Jing asked in surprise: "What does Mr. Zhang mean?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "I think the Teng character for Tengfei is more suitable for you, and it may also be helpful for praying for rain today."

"Really?" Xiao Jing smiled wryly.

Where is this going?
"Yan laughed. Okay, let's go back to the carriage, and we'll talk when we get there?"

"you……"

Xiao Jing originally wanted to say, we were riding together, and I happened to tell our family what is so special about this new cannon on the way, why didn't we give him a chance to have a private interview?

……

……

Zhang Zhou was about to enter the court as a civil servant, and he began to gradually avoid contact with internal officials.

Especially private talks, peers, etc...

For nothing else, for the sake of his own reputation, he avoided it as much as possible, although he knew that it might be unavoidable in many cases, who would let the emperor let this group of officials come to greet him and communicate with him when he was free?

A group of people left the city mightily.

This time I did not go to the south of the city, but to the north of the city.

Zhang Zhou was going to test the cannon. If he was with the emperor, others would think he had some bad intentions.

Finally got out of the carriage, the Dudu Mansion also sent someone to bring the cannon, and the British Duke Zhang Mao appeared beside the cannon with his grandson Zhang Lun.

"British Duke? You...why are you here? Shouldn't you be in the south of the city?"

Zhang Zhou frowned and looked at Zhang Mao.

What's the matter with you old man Zhang?At this time, the monarchs and ministers are all praying for rain. As the head of the ministers of the Ming Dynasty, you, the British Duke, actually came from the north of the city?

Zhang Mao said with a smile: "I'm going to show my grandson Zhang Lun more. I heard that Bingkuan was testing the cannons today, so I specially brought him here. This is the request. By the way, Bingkuan, I heard that these cannons are lucky. leaving?"

"You all step back first." Xiao Jing waved his hand, meaning that no one who has nothing to do with him should not listen here.

The details of the Liaodong War were the top secret of the Ming Dynasty.

Guo Ang and others went to the side first, but Zhang Mao didn't mean to push his grandson back. He probably said that my grandson will also be a pillar of the Ming Dynasty in the future, so what can't he listen to?
Zhang Zhoudao: "That's right, this kind of cannon was cast at the beginning of the year. The Wang Gong factory cooperated with the research and casting. Originally, it was intended to finish the casting before February and use it for the First World War. However, due to the complicated casting process, it was not until three At the beginning of the month, only a dozen gates were cast, and this time Wang Qiong, the household doctor, personally escorted them to the twelve gates in Ningyuan as preparations for war."

"Bingkuan, you are really... knowledgeable and talented."

Zhang Mao didn't even know how to describe Zhang Zhou's ability.

Saying that he is an alchemist, he is actually a person who is about to become a Jinshi, and what is even worse is that he still engages in these weird things.

Xiao Jing was puzzled and said: "Mr. Zhang, why is there such a big hole in this cannon?"

Daming made cannons.

However, because the iron smelting technology of the Ming Dynasty was backward, the artillery produced was heavy and ineffective. The quality of the iron was not good, and the density distribution was uneven, so it was easy to explode the chamber. In addition, due to air tightness, this artillery It is mostly used for harassing around 200 meters, sending a big iron ball out, hitting people if it can, and knocking people down if it can't be hit.

The one made by Zhang Zhou was imported from Europe after the middle of the Ming Dynasty, or the "Flang machine cannon" that was obtained from the Flang machine pirates.

"This is the sub-cannon." Zhang Zhou explained, "This is the mother cannon. There is no ammunition added to the mother cannon. The other side is the sub-cannon. After one firing, the sub-cannon can be disassembled and replaced immediately. It can fire four or five cannons at a time, and this kind of sub-cannon is not heavy, even four or five people can move it, and it is more convenient to adjust the direction. It is a sharp weapon for surprise warfare.”

Zhang Mao asked: "Bingkuan, as far as I know, this artillery is the most important thing about airtightness. With such a big gap, can the sub-cannon and the mother cannon match? Then...won't it go far?"

"Try it." Zhang Zhou smiled.

Just kidding?
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, this is not an ordinary Frang machine gun, but an improved version, and the material is no longer the copper and iron that are used in this era, but steel.

Full "steel cannon".

And even the Franc cannon, which was made of poor materials in history, had a range of 500 meters, and even the Hongyi cannon, which became popular in the late Ming war, barely had a range of about 1000 meters.

My improved version of the Franc cannon has a range of nearly 800 meters.

As for the Hongyi cannon... Sorry, I don't have that much steel, and my coal mine hasn't produced the first shovel of coal yet.

And for the time being, that kind of artillery is of little significance to the Daming frontier army, just use some light mother-in-law artillery.

What bike do you want?

……

……

South of the city, the Temple of Heaven and Earth.

After the monarch and ministers arrived, Zhu Houzhao followed behind his father, scratching his head from time to time, as if the prince's clothes made him uncomfortable.

"what is that?"

Zhu Hou looked at the things flying over his head and pointed.

Liu Jin hurried over and reminded: "His Royal Highness, those are bees, they can sting people, please be careful."

Zhu Houzhao said: "That's a bee? I wear such colorful clothes, does it take my clothes as flowers? Ha ha."

Just as he was smiling, he found that his father was looking at him, so he quickly put back the smile on his face.

Keep on being serious.

the other side.

Qin Tianjian Supervisor Wu Hao has come to ask Zhu Youtang: "Your Majesty, you can start."

"hold on."

Zhu Youtang anxiously looked at the sky.

Wu Hao said: "The auspicious time is about to pass."

Zhu Youtang frowned and said, "Wu Qing's family, is it up to you or God to decide this auspicious time? Look at the current weather, does it look like it's going to rain?"

"Yes Yes."

While Wu Hao responded, he was pondering.

It's going to rain?

On this day, although the sky is not clear, there are some clouds floating around, and it seems that the clouds do not show signs of increasing. Could it be that His Majesty's prayer for rain today is to see the effect of "immediate results"?

Praying on this side, is it going to rain on the other side?
Your Majesty, you are overwhelmed by lard, don't you think too much?
……

……

Wu Hao got down from the altar and informed all the ministers to wait.

Liu Jian walked over and said, "Jianzheng Wu, why hasn't His Majesty started praying for rain?"

"This..." Wu Hao was very difficult to answer, "Your Majesty said, we have to wait. There are some things that I don't know very well. Your Majesty may... have other arrangements. The holy will is unpredictable."

Xie Qian came over and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is not waiting for the sign of rain, is he?"

"what?"

Wu Hao wanted to say, how did you, Mr. Xie Ge, know?
Xie Qian said: "The weather is good today, the wind is very light, it is suitable for traveling, but it is not suitable for praying for rain."

"Ah……"

Wu Hao smiled wryly.

Li Dongyang stopped Xie Qian from continuing to tease, and said with a serious face: "Yu Qiao, there are some things that cannot be said casually. Since His Majesty chose to pray for rain today, he has his own intentions. Maybe he is waiting for something."

Xie Qian still couldn't help it, and said with a smile: "Could it be that someone behind the scenes has already started?"

This time it was not only Li Dongyang, but even Liu Jian gave him a glare.

Your mouth is really broken thanks to Yu Qiao.

When Wu Hao can't hear it, you are implying that there is Zhang Bingkuan praying for rain behind you, and your Majesty will wait until the other side is almost praying, and then start here?
Otherwise, why didn't Zhang Bingkuan come?

……

……

North of the city.

The gun test site has reached an open place.

Xiao Jing urged: "Mr. Zhang, let's hurry up, otherwise the rain may affect the test."

Zhang Zhou pointed at the sky with a smile: "It's still early to say that it's raining today. It turned from sunny to cloudy, and the clouds haven't come up yet."

"Yes."

Xiao Jing also looked up at the sky.

Zhang Mao and others were also watching.

Today we say we are here to test the cannon, but in fact, it seems that everyone's thoughts are in the south of the city.

Xiao Jing leaned over and asked in a low voice: "Mr. Zhang, will the rain come down today?"

Zhang Zhou shrugged: "I didn't say for certain."

"Oh! It would be great if I could come down, Your Majesty, for today, but I haven't slept well for a few days. Our family feels distressed when I see it." Xiao Jing had a bitter face, looking forward to it and nervous at the same time.

If it was cloudy early this morning, Xiao Jing wouldn't have to worry so much.

Zhang Zhou smiled and didn't explain anything.

It seems that the emperor knew that he was going to fight in person to pretend to be aggressive, so he was still excited for several days?

I'm afraid you will be excited in vain.

His arrival brought a butterfly effect to history, and the butterfly effect originally talked about "climate"?A butterfly flaps its wings, and a hurricane blows thousands of miles away?
It is difficult to say that the butterfly effect affects earthquakes, but it should not be difficult to affect the weather or something, right?

As for you, Xiao Jing...

Are you eager to see the test gun, or are you anxious to go back and wait to observe the public opinion after the rain?
"Then let's fire the cannon. After the cannon, go home and sleep." Zhang Zhouzhou relaxed and did not go to light the fire himself, but let Jia Laoshui, who was driving the car, go into battle.

Lao Jia is the most suitable for this job.

Of course, just firing a cannon is not enough. If the clouds condense after a while, he is going to carry the cannon and shoot a few more times along the periphery of the capital.

(End of this chapter)