Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 168 Far-reaching Impact
Technological progress can really change the world. Just by adding rifling, the range and accuracy of firecrackers have been greatly improved.

Emperor Chenghui was an emperor who knew military matters and had been on the battlefield. Looking at the tests that were still going on, he did not rush to go over. Instead, he patiently waited for Captain Long to come over and report the results.

The distress on Jia Lian's face was visible at a glance. Even if the muzzle-loading gun was rifled, it was still a muzzle-loading gun.

Continuing the testing process was a disaster.

When shooting accurately at the beginning, it could still fire five rounds intermittently, but after three rounds it stopped.

The barrel is so hot that you have to stop and wait for the temperature to drop before you can continue shooting. Otherwise, the fire will start burning as soon as the powder is poured in. The shooters tested are all veterans, so they naturally don't make mistakes.

The leading shooter suggested that for subsequent range tests, wait for the barrel to cool down first. Jia Lian wanted to use water to cool down, but when he thought about thermal expansion and contraction, and then thought about the craftsmanship of this era, he gave up this idea.

I had no choice but to wait patiently. After almost five minutes, the target moved to 300 steps. Without a sight, it would be difficult to hit the target at this distance. Even if I hit it, it would be the result of blindness.

Sure enough, the 300-step shooting results were simply unsightly. Of the six targets, only two had marks of being shot.

There was no point in continuing to test the range. Jia Lian stopped the range test and started the next round of durability testing.

After speaking directly to Emperor Chenghui, his mood stabilized, right? Rifled guns had long been introduced from the West. The only changes were the shape of the bullet and the addition of a piece of cork at the end of the bullet. Is it difficult? Almost no difficulty.

"The Eagle Ocean is a silver coin made by the Spaniards in colonial Mexico. Spain, the world's great empire in the past, has long since declined. The imperial court should explicitly ban the circulation of Western silver dollars. The only currencies that can circulate in the market are currencies officially determined by the imperial court. Small-denomination currencies can be Casting silver coins gradually replaced copper coins. For large amounts of currency in foreign trade, official bills could be issued without the need to take out silver coins. At that time, Western merchants would charge a customs fee for money, and the current suppliers would charge another one for withdrawals. The merchants of this dynasty must pay attention to the amount of customs declaration fees. I think one thousandth is a good ratio. Let’s get back to the topic.”

Can you imagine that others are fools? Moreover, according to Jia Lian's words, it is not difficult to draw the conclusion that the West is already ahead of the Zhou Dynasty in terms of strange skills and tricks. Today's Great Zhou is not intruded by the West, perhaps because it is too far away, or it may not be taken care of for a while. After all, Great Zhou is a huge empire, and it does not dare to act rashly without absolute certainty.

But at this time, Jia Lian cannot fully agree with him just to flatter him. He must stick to his own opinion to avoid delaying important events.

Just keep firing as long as you can, until the barrel explodes.

Jia Lian looked around, Emperor Chenghui turned his head, Qiu Shian immediately waved his hand covertly, and the people around him immediately stepped back ten steps away. Jia Lian then whispered: "I take England, the strongest country in the West, as an example. This country is founded on industry and trade, strengthens its army through industry, and makes its country rich through trade. England has a trade surplus all over the world, but when it comes to this dynasty, it is not far away The goods shipped thousands of miles away could not be sold and could only be rotted in warehouses. Since Western countries were eager to buy goods from this dynasty, merchants from various countries could only buy gold and silver by ship. This has been going on for more than two hundred years. This situation led to a large amount of silver entering the Central Plains. This was the basis for the use of silver as currency in the previous Ming Dynasty. Zhang Juzheng gave up the right to interpret the currency, which has caused disaster to this day."

Emperor Chenghui listened very seriously. For the first time in front of Jia Lian, he did not control his expression and frowned slightly thoughtfully.

Emperor Chenghui nodded and motioned for Jia Lian to continue.

Emperor Chenghui's thoughts wandered a little far, and he couldn't help but ask: "I know that the Western countries are not big. I learned from some missionaries that the Western countries have unrealistic illusions about this dynasty, and they often use land as a means of transportation. "Heavenly Kingdom. Will the threat from the West really happen?"

Jia Lian tried his best to explain the problem clearly and make it more serious.

Therefore, the West's strength relies on industrialization. Because it is strong, other things that are not strong are also called strong.

Emperor Chenghui's eyes immediately turned red. He immediately heard that there was a lot to be done in it, and couldn't help but ask: "Right now, we are working overtime to mint coins, but they still can't meet the market demand. I listened to Long Jinwei's report. The Yingyang silver dollar spread from the West appeared early in the century."

"After the bullet is fired, its trajectory is an arc. The farther the distance, the more obvious this arc is. Objectively speaking, the current fire gun can hit the target at 300 steps, which shows that these shooters are very good. They are definitely The elite of the Shenji Battalion. Next, Weichen will calculate the muzzle velocity of the gun before the wedding, and then make a sight. This will greatly improve the future development direction of the gun. , should be rear-mounted integrated ammunition.”

After all, a time traveler knows all too well that the West has been able to dominate the world since it entered industrialization. Not to mention the distance, the Ottoman Empire, which spanned the Eurasian continent, almost eclipsed Vienna in its heyday. Such an old empire turned into a sick man in the face of the Western powers that entered industrialization.

However, Jia Lian still had an idea. He asked someone to bring the blackboard over and draw a schematic diagram with chalk.

"Three hundred steps can still cause damage. Fire gunners only need to practice diligently and complete five rounds of shooting as quickly as possible. The rest is just a pile of people. Are you overly worried about what you said?" Emperor Chenghui This simple and crude method is absolutely effective on the battlefield.

Jia Lian came to Emperor Chenghui and reported the results of 300-step shooting. Emperor Chenghui frowned and said: "Being able to hit the target and penetrate an inch-thick wooden target shows that 300-step still has penetrating power. Why is the hit so good?" few?"

Jia Lian really didn't know how to answer, because he couldn't explain it clearly in words, and some words had not been heard by people in this era.

"I don't know anything about military affairs. I only know that my predecessors have a poem: Shoot the man first, shoot the horse; capture the thief first, capture the king." On the battlefield, there are dozens of masters who can shoot accurately at 300 steps, scattered everywhere to keep an eye on the enemy. Weichen believes that once he gets it, this gun has an advantage in range compared to the current fire gun, but the threshold is not high in terms of technological advancement. "

At this point, seeing Emperor Chenghui's focused expression, Jia Lian continued: "Westerners also mint silver coins. I think we should order that Western silver coins are not allowed to circulate in the market. From now on, Western merchants who want to trade must first bring gold coins, silver coins or gold The silver must be exchanged for silver coins of the current dynasty before it can be circulated. The court has the final say on how to exchange it.”

"Western countries regard trade as the lifeblood of their countries, but they have been running a unilateral trade deficit with China for a long time. Over time, the other country's gold and silver will inevitably be unable to make ends meet, which will lead to a shortage of currency and affect its domestic economy. Western merchants are all pirates. The same is true for the nature of the country. If you can't do business with your country, you will naturally have the idea of ​​​​grabbing. Western countries have been in a state of war for a long time. For example, England and France have the so-called Hundred Years War. In order to win the war, both sides spend a lot of time. A lot of energy has been spent on improving weapons. The ships are getting bigger and bigger, and the range and power of firearms are constantly improving. If this dynasty stagnates, it will only be a matter of time before someone comes. It is necessary to bring guns and guns to the door, even if it is just a robbery on the coast, over time, the court will definitely be in trouble if there is another natural disaster, and the ruts will hit the face. "

A person's ability is very limited. Seeing that the foundation laid by Taizu is still there, Jia Lian had the idea to use the foundation left by Taizu to promote partial industrialization in the Great Zhou Dynasty. At least in military terms, we should be as close as possible.

It is too difficult to expect bottom-up changes in the Celestial Empire in the short term. It is possible to rely on imperial power to carry out top-down changes.

"Strengthening the army costs a lot of money." When Emperor Chenghui mentioned money, his head hurt again.

"Yes, we need to consider it in the long term." Jia Lian did not put pressure on him with words. People like Emperor Chenghui planted a seed in his heart. The seed would take root and sprout out of the ground without watering or fertilizing.

"In any case, Aiqing has made meritorious service, and all the craftsmen have also made meritorious service. I must reward him." Emperor Chenghui put aside the difficult things for the time being and solved the immediate matter first.

Jia Lian hurriedly said: "I am still young, your majesty must not go too far. But these craftsmen can be rewarded heavily by your majesty." Worried that Emperor Chenghui would be impulsive and give himself some incredible reward, Jia Lian hurriedly put out the fire.

"How can we not reward him for his merits?" Emperor Chenghui also had a headache. Jia Lian's contribution was the greatest, and all the craftsmen were rewarded. How could he not be rewarded?
Jia Lian already had a countermeasure and said with a smile: "Your Majesty can issue an edict. If you have spoken in advance, when the ministers inherit the title in the future, they will not be demoted."

It doesn't matter if you don't want any reward, otherwise others will misunderstand that you are not aiming too far.

Even so, Emperor Chenghui also heard something else, and said with a playful smile: "That's okay. I didn't expect that you have the ambition to restore the glory of your ancestors. It's very good, very good."

Jia Lian was a little confused when he heard this, but his face looked like he was impressed by the emperor's words, and he laughed twice.

What is the glory of ancestors? Of course he is the first generation Rongguo Gong of the Jia family.

Just look at the Ningguo Mansion next door and you will see that Jia Zhen was fucked to the third level.

It can be seen that the imperial power has been continuously reducing the levels of titles. Jia Lian's request is a future, and it is really a mistake.

This is what Emperor Chenghui thought. Is it okay for young people to have no ambition? Jia Lian's exposed ambition is just to restore the former rank of Duke Rong, which is completely within the scope of acceptance. If you really have no idea at all, the so-called loyal character really has to be a question mark.

Restoring the former title of Rong Guogong is the so-called filial piety.

The character of a loyal minister and filial son was firmly established by Emperor Chenghui. very good!

Emperor Chenghui showed a satisfied smile: "I also hope to see this day."

The test lasted a whole day, and it was finally over. The final result was not too important to Emperor Chenghui. After all, the current war mode, with five salvoes fired from three hundred steps away, could withstand casualties without collapse. The army does not exist at all. If it really exists, it is the army of the undead.

When the two armies faced each other, it was common to see those with 30% casualties and collapse. Those with 30% casualties who could not collapse were the Iron Army. Those with 50% casualties who could still fight were the Steel Army. Those who fight to the last man are not the imperial army, but private servants. If it is a small scale, with a few hundred people being able to hold up the sky, and if it exceeds the number of 500 people, the court will ask you if you want to rebel.

Based on the experience of foreign wars, when the Zhou army was fighting in the field, the opposing army could not survive 30% casualties without dispersing. Some of Jia Lian's ideas seemed to Emperor Chenghui to be groundless worries. In more than two hundred years before the Ming Dynasty, there was only one Qi family army.

Any army dubbed the X Family Army will be regarded as a private soldier by the court.

The imperial court's defense against private soldiers was much stricter than its defense against foreign enemies.

Don't talk about destroying the Great Wall. There is no logic for such a superior creature as imperial power.

At that time, even if the emperor still trusts the X family's army, the civil and military officials of the court will unite to strangle such an army.

If it can be dismantled, dismantle it; if it cannot be dismantled, it will be physically destroyed.

Reason, why should I reason with you? Those officials in the Ming Dynasty said that you are worthy?

Jia Lian has his own modern understanding of the military model. He does not plan to speak out now. Instead, he plans to wait until Wang Ziteng returns to the court before speaking out.

Modern people are all too aware of the harm warlords do to the country.

Warlords play with the laws of the dark jungle. How do I know if you will kill me first?

This is why Jia Lian earnestly advised Wang Ziteng in his letter to resign from all positions in the Beijing camp.

The gunfire in the test finally stopped, and the final test results came out. The average number of shots fired by the six rifles was in the early 100s. The lowest number was 105 times, and the highest number was 113 times.

This number is generated under high-intensity shooting and cannot be compared with normal conditions.

Emperor Chenghui was already very satisfied with this figure. After all, in the current war, it would never happen that a gun could explode. What's more, under the attack of a fire gun with this range, it doesn't take five rounds, but three rounds to make the opponent collapse.

Jia Lian, however, could not show any satisfaction, and couldn't help but remind Emperor Chenghui that the envoys should not miss Western countries during their missions. Be sure to check it out and buy some weapons over there.

If gun barrels that are drilled directly into round steel have appeared in the West, then we must be more vigilant and must master the craftsmanship. It can be said that the emergence of this kind of technology is definitely a qualitative leap.

Emperor Chenghui first rewarded the archer with a simple reward, but did not give it to the official.

On the Yiqian Craftsman side, all team leaders, no matter how big or small, are given official positions, with the high ones being assigned to the eighth rank and the low ones to the ninth rank.

Nearly ten officials were released in one breath, and the craftsmen group suddenly became a sensation. The last time craftsmen were awarded officials was the last time.

Neither Emperor Chenghui nor Jia Lian expected the far-reaching impact of this act of granting officials to craftsmen. The craftsmen's side was a little better. The civil servant group and the noble group were really stimulated.

(End of this chapter)