The literary giants of the late Ming Dynasty began by copying books

Fuzhou Prefecture, Fuqing, a seaside school ground.

Wang Wenlong looked at the thick musket in Shen Yourong's hand and asked curiously, "Is this the Turtle Dove Gun?"

Shen Yourong nodded and said with a smile: "Jianyang, you asked me to go to the Spanish to purchase turtle dove guns. I asked Bu Jia Lao about it, but he didn't know what kind of fire guns it was. So I specially sent people to look for it overseas. I just learned that the Spaniards invented a powerful fire gun more than ten years ago. Even in Luzon, you can't see many of them. I thought this thing was probably the turtle dove gun you mentioned, so I spent a lot of money to buy it from overseas. . When I took it back to Fujian and tried it, it turned out that this fire gun had the ability to break armor as Jianyang said. I immediately asked Zhao Sheren to help me imitate it, and now I have obtained more than ten of them. "

Although the Ming Dynasty's firearms development level during the Wanli period was considered first-rate in the world, the firearms popular in the Ming Dynasty at this time still had a big problem, which was that, like all firearms in the early matchlock era, their penetrating power was too weak.

Although muskets had appeared at this time, the demand for crossbowmen in the army was still very large. The reason was that the penetration of matchlocks using black powder as propellant was pitifully low, and matchlocks with a normal charge could not be said to penetrate. With heavy armor, even a thicker cotton coat can block bullets. Even with rifling, there is not much improvement.

After hearing Shen Yourong talk about this situation, Wang Wenlong thought of the world-famous gun from the same period of the Ming Dynasty in history, the Spanish slow-action heavy matchlock musket, and recommended it to Shen Yourong.

Historically, this gun was only popularized during the Chongzhen period. The main reason for its popularity was that it was the only musket in the world at that time that could effectively break armor. The production of muskets also requires complex craftsmanship. In the original history of the Chongzhen period, only Guangdong craftsmen could make turtle dove guns. Because of the special design of the gun, in fact, when the gun was first introduced, it was called "moving hook gun". Later, it was because of Guangdong's The craftsman has some accent, and to others the pronunciation sounds more like "turtle dove gun". This heavy matchlock gun got its more widely spread name in history.

After Wang Wenlong returned to Fujian, he heard that Shen Yourong had really obtained the turtle dove gun, so he came to Fuqing to see what this firearm mentioned many times in history books looked like.

Although this year was the same as in history, Wei Malang of the Dutch East India Company tried to invade Penghu. However, Xu Xueju was well prepared to guard against the Dutch because of Wang Wenlong's reminder. The Dutch did not get any benefits at all. , Shen Yourong took his gunboat equipped with Portuguese artillery to Penghu to show off his force and scared the Dutch away.

At this time, the ocean in Fujian was already peaceful, otherwise Shen Yourong would not have time to show Wang Wenlong the gun.

Shen Yourong picked up the turtle dove gun in his hand and first wiped the gun barrel carefully with a strip wrapped in white cloth. After wiping, he had to carefully check that the white cloth was not damaged to make sure that no yarn was left inside the barrel, and then he wiped the gun barrel carefully. Pour the gunpowder into the barrel, pick up the stick and gently tamp the gunpowder, then load the lead bullet, and then the paper ball for sealing.

Then open the fire door, load the propellant, and close the fire door.

Because the turtle dove gun has a large charge and complicated operation, the entire operation takes nearly a minute.

Just by looking at this operation, you can understand why someone recorded that "A careful person must learn how to deploy a bird gun." In one minute, the cavalry can sprint 300 meters, and the enemy who can't see clearly from 500 meters away is waiting for a bullet. After reloading, I have already rushed in front of me. If I am a little flustered, I will be overwhelmed by the enemy before a bullet is fired. On the battlefield, this requires a very high psychological quality of the soldiers.

Shen Yourong filled the medicine, handed it to Wang Wenlong and said, "Jianyang just fire the gun at the sea. Be sure to hold it when firing, and keep your eyes away from the fire door to avoid hurting yourself."

After finishing speaking, Shen Yourong walked more than ten steps away. Wang Wenlong was also a little nervous. He held up the musket and half-knelt on the beach according to the posture taught by Shen Yourong before. He put the butt of the gun against his shoulder, tightened his arm muscles, and held his breath. breathe.

The structure of the turtle dove gun is very similar to the flintlock gun of later generations. There is a spring on the gun. Wang Wenlong's finger just pressed it lightly, and the gun with the match rope flicked down quickly. After a slight delay, the gun barrel There was a loud bang when he was ejaculating, and Wang Wenlong felt as if someone had hit his shoulder hard with a wooden stick, and half of his body was numb.

"Oh my god……"

Wang Wenlong broke into a cold sweat and said in shock: "The recoil of this gun is too great." It is no exaggeration to say that he almost threw the gun away subconsciously just now.

"Jian Yang is considered strong enough to be able to fire a round with his bare hands," Shen Yourong said with a smile. "Such firearms are usually used on a cart in the military, and at least they need to be equipped with a fork pole."

You old boy didn't say it earlier.

Wang Wenlong asked: "How much does the lead shot of this fire gun weigh?" "The lead shot used weighs one tael, and the larger one is even more useful."

Wang Wenlong was speechless. The warheads of later large-caliber bullets only weighed five or six grams, and the bullets fired by turtle dove weighed more than fifty grams. He finally understood why Shen Yourong ran so far when he was shooting. This kind of recoil is really not something that a muscular shoulder can bear.

While the two were talking, they saw a middle-aged scholar with gray hair walking onto the beach with his hands behind his back.

Shen Yourong immediately waved to the other party and said, "Is Zhao Sheren here?"

"This is..." Wang Wenlong asked.

Shen Yourong replied: "This is the Zhao Changji you often mention in Jianyang."

Upon hearing this, Wang Wenlong quickly saluted the other party with his hands raised.

Zhao Shizhen, also known as Chang Ji, was the most famous firearms expert in the entire Ming Dynasty. As mentioned above, several firearms used in the Wanli War to Aid Korea were invented or imitated by him.

However, Wang Wenlong knew that although this man was very talented in inventions, he was also famous in history books for being arrogant, being eloquent and unreasonable.

Wang Wenlong greeted him and said: "The turtle dove gun made by Zhao Sheren is exquisite and extremely powerful. It is really a magical weapon for peace and stability."

Wang Wenlong wanted to get close to others, but Zhao Shizhen across from him just raised his eyes and glanced at him, then snorted coldly: "Do you know the subtleties of firearms?"

Wang Wenlong was stunned and said: "Although I don't know how to make firearms, I have tried the fire gun made by my husband before, and I know the effect of this weapon, and I admire it in my heart."

"I admire you? Are you just talking about it, but you don't mean it in your heart? There are countless mysteries in my firearm, and it's not something that you, the literate, can get a glimpse of."

Wang Wenlong was speechless after being spoken to. Shen Yourong on the side was also a little embarrassed. Wang Wenlong said: "Sir, you don't have to be like this. I'm just expressing my admiration for you."

When Zhao Shizhen heard this, he didn't give a good look at all. He snorted coldly and said: "No need to show respect, as long as there are no ulterior motives..."

Zhao Shizhen scolded Wang Wenlong, and then walked away with his hands behind his back without saying hello to Shen Yourong.

Wang Wenlong frowned and asked Shen Yourong, "What's wrong with him? I've never offended him."

Shen Yourong shook his head and said, "This has been the case since he arrived in Fujian. Three of the cadres who followed him were scolded and ran away. They were probably stimulated in the capital."

(End of this chapter)