The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 96 Tao Chengdao: Your Highness is truly a genius!

The Ming army had already been equipped with numerous firearms and cannons!

Even in the thirteenth year of the Hongwu reign, six years earlier, Emperor Zhu had issued a special edict clarifying the organization of firearms for the Ming army.

The regulations stipulated that for every 100 military households, there should be 10 commanders, 20 swords and shields, 30 bows and arrows, and 40 spears.

In other words, one in ten soldiers was equipped with a firearm.

Even in the Yunnan campaign, the Ming army was able to achieve a great victory, and firearms played a huge role in that!

From the fifth year of the Hongwu reign to the nineteenth year of the Hongwu reign, in just fourteen years, the Ming Dynasty produced nearly 30,000 handguns by relying on the Arsenal and the Baoyuan Bureau.

This demonstrates their technological capabilities!

It also represents the most advanced firearms technology of that era!

Unfortunately, after the fall of the Ming Dynasty, they were ultimately unable to preserve all of this!

Tao Chengdao and his son Tao Jingchu were born to be great craftsmen.

He was also the founder of firearms technology in the early Ming Dynasty.

The internal defects will be perfectly clear to you!

As they entered the firearms workshop, Zhu Xiong Ying looked around, waiting for Xiao Tao to finish his explanation.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 20 ...

And gained a more comprehensive understanding of the development of firearms in the Ming Dynasty.

After dismissing his attendants, he leisurely took out a small booklet and handed it over.

"In the past two years, I have read a lot of books on military equipment. As for what I recorded before, it was my idea of ​​improving artillery after summarizing and thinking about it."

"Whether it will be effective or not, we don't know. Mr. Tao is a disciple of Master Tao and has been immersed in this field for many years. He knows the ropes best. Why don't you take a look and see if it's feasible?"

Zhu Xiong Ying told him calmly, indicating that she was indeed confident.

Seeing this situation.

Tao Jingchu quickly agreed, accepting the gift with both hands, but in his heart, he didn't have high expectations.

After all, the study of firearms cannot be based solely on theoretical discussions; it requires hands-on practice.

Upon opening the cover, the first thing you see is the six words "A Brief Guide to Firearms Improvement".

The first chapter then details the optimization of gunpowder.

However, proper sorting, uniform proportioning, drying and shaping, and moisture-proof storage are essential.

Tao Jingchu was deeply attracted after only a couple of glances.

Upon flipping to the "Essential Methods for Improving the Handgun," it was mentioned that gunpowder and bullets should be loaded into the submachine gun, and replaced after each use to solve the fatal flaw of slow reloading in the heat of battle. It also included improvements to the powder compartment and other design elements.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he had an epiphany.

In the early Ming Dynasty, the fire tube was originally filled with gunpowder and iron pellets through the tube opening.

However, due to uneven inner diameter and limited precision, gas will leak out from the gaps during firing, resulting in short range, weak power, and slow loading.

The concept of the imperial heir mentioned by the eldest grandson, in terms of function and other aspects, can precisely solve these problems!

And with existing technology, it is certainly feasible to try!

When you see the trigger being fired, and the method of aiming at the sights.

Tao Jingchu's breath hitched for a moment.

If the methods used here can be proven to be effective, why can't they be improved?

When he got to the last few chapters, which discussed artillery improvement, Tao Jingchu lost track of time and read them even more attentively.

I am particularly interested in the method of casting cannons with an iron core and a bronze body, that is, the inner tube is made of wrought iron and the outer body is cast in bronze to reduce weight!

I put down the booklet and looked to the side.

Only then did they realize that the emperor's eldest grandson had already sat down, drinking tea and resting, with a young eunuch standing respectfully beside him.

Tao Jingchu took a deep breath, quickly bowed, and said, "Your Highness's teachings have greatly benefited me!"

"From this day forward, I will lead all the craftsmen and students of the firearms workshop to adjust its regulations and structure, and strive to produce a prototype as soon as possible —"

Talking to professionals is definitely much less tiring.

In fact, the improvement methods he summarized were mostly inspired by firearms from hundreds of years later.

With the existing technology of the Ming Dynasty, it is not difficult to manufacture it.

Moreover, for craftsmen like Tao Jingchu, the principles involved were not too far removed from the actual process, making them easier to understand and manufacture.

We must develop it as soon as possible so that it can be used in battles such as the Northern Expedition to conquer a great Ming Dynasty!

Furthermore, the improvement of crossbows was discussed and explained in the crossbow workshop before we came to the firearms workshop!

What is written on paper is ultimately superficial.

Whether it can be completed in the end depends on these "fierce craftsmen" in the early Ming Dynasty!

Zhu Xiong Ying put down his teacup, nodded, and said, "Mr. Tao has done his best for the country and its people, and he has achieved results. We should thank our Emperor for his efforts."

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"However, in this process, there's no need to rush; safety must always come first!"

"Don't be afraid of failure; taking it one step at a time is the most important thing!"

Tao Jingchu bowed and said, "Your Highness's teachings will be firmly remembered. I will proceed with utmost care and caution, and dare not be careless in the slightest!"

To convey the meaning.

He also personally handed over the strategy for improving firearms.

Before leaving, Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile, "Speaking of which, I have the utmost respect for Master Tao!"

"After some time, I intend to pay a visit to the Tao family in person."

He had been thinking for a while that he should find an opportunity to visit Tao Chengdao, the "Ten Thousand Households".

Don't risk your life because of that "flying dream"!

Left and right, the university has gotten on the right track.

In three to five years, after all the practical disciplines have been perfected, we will gather talented people from all over the world.

I asked Zhu De for permission to compile the "Hongwu Encyclopedia"!

So, we should keep Old Tao's as a treasure!

Tao Jingchu was simple and honest by nature.

Upon hearing this, he couldn't hide his excitement and hurriedly said, "Your Highness's presence is an honor for the Tao family!"

That night, at the Tao residence.

After returning home, Tao Jingchu hurriedly recounted to his father what he had seen and thought during the day.

Seeing his son's excitement.

Tao Chengdao remained silent, seemingly glued to his chair, with only his arms trembling slightly.

Half an hour passed.

He tugged at his white beard and muttered, "I've studied firearms for decades, always thinking I'd reached the pinnacle of this field!"

"But after hearing what you said today, I realize that the eldest grandson of the emperor is truly a genius!"

In his early years, he used his firearms skills to seek refuge with the current emperor.

He followed them closely, participating in every battle, from the naval battle at Fanyang Lake to the siege of Jiangnan!

Even after the emperor achieved great success, he was always thinking about how to make the fire-fighting system far-reaching, accurate, and ruthless, so that it could become a decisive weapon to determine the fate of the world.

Today, the ideas provided by the imperial grandson have opened another door—

But how old is he?

After the initial amazement.

Tao Chengdao suddenly realized what was going on and then thought it was perfectly normal.

Who is the eldest grandson of the emperor?

That was the eldest grandson of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang and the maternal grandson of the former General Chang!

One of these two men was incredibly charming and had conquered an empire, which attracted him to join his cause.

One who is brave and invincible, he is the god of war of his time.

Their descendants will certainly not be ordinary people.

"father!"

After his father finished speaking, he stood there stunned.

Tao Jingchu couldn't help but call out softly.

Tao Chengdao snapped out of his daze, his expression suddenly becoming extremely solemn. He said, "Go and find my old court robe, which I've kept hidden away at the bottom of my trunk, and carefully piece it together!"

Tao Jingchu asked in surprise, "Father, why do you need court robes? You haven't been to the palace for almost ten years, and you resigned from your official post long ago. The Emperor has also granted you permission to enjoy your retirement at home—"

Tao Chengdao glanced sideways and sneered, "What do you know! That was before! Now that the Crown Prince trusts you and our Tao family so much, entrusting the entire matter of firearms improvement to you, how can we hide at home and let you shoulder the burden alone?"