Long-range artillery fire was inaccurate and the warships could not carry many guns. Zhu Youxiao believed that this was a misunderstanding and that changes could completely change the situation.

In Zhu Youxiao's idea, if the pursuit of a very long range is not followed, but the gun barrel is made shorter and thinner, the gun will be much lighter and the naval warships will be able to carry more guns.

The invention of the cartridge case greatly improved the accuracy of the coordination between the shells and the barrel; by shortening the barrel, the caliber could be increased, allowing the firing of larger and more powerful shells.

Anyway, the heavy red cannon is said to be able to fire for several kilometers, but it doesn't matter if you hit it! The bombardment depends entirely on luck, which is actually just a momentum.

According to the intelligence and information collected by Zhu Youxiao, in real naval battles, the actual engagement distance between ships is usually within a few hundred meters.

Since this was the case, Zhu Youxiao confirmed his idea and ordered the Guangdong Arsenal to cast a cannon with a shorter barrel and larger caliber, and named it the Haiwei heavy cannon.

According to the data of the sample guns cast by the Guangdong Ordnance Bureau, the weight of the Haiwei heavy gun is only one-third of the Red Cannon of the same caliber, but its power is comparable within a range of three to four hundred meters.

That's it. Zhu Youxiao sent a secret letter to Shen Yourong, telling him the data of the new artillery. Needless to say, put bayonets on the cannons and overwhelm the enemy with numbers!

Speaking of bayonets on cannons, the Beijing Ordnance and Gunpowder Bureau began to manufacture three to five hundred kilograms of falconet cannon.

Although the falconet lacked range and power, its rate of fire was an undeniable advantage. Weighing only three to five hundred kilograms, it was considered a light artillery piece, and with the right gun carriage, it could be pulled by a single horse.

That’s right, this is the equipment specially provided for cavalry artillery, which mainly uses shotgun shells to carry out close-range rapid bombardment on the enemy.

According to the latest training report of the cavalry artillery, it only takes about half a minute from arriving at the battlefield to setting up the artillery for bombardment.

This is already an astonishing speed. One can imagine how the situation would change if cavalry artillery suddenly arrived on a fierce battlefield, set up artillery and fired thousands of projectiles at the enemy in a very short period of time.

Zhu Youxiao had just built an ammunition cart that could be used with artillery, and was looking at his work with great pride. Well, it was made of wood, in miniature.

Li Chengcheng examined it carefully and said with a smile, "Is the Emperor making this toy for the little prince and princess? It's so ingenious that it can be pulled by sheep, right?"

Zhu Youxiao blinked his eyes and laughed, "I will make a pushchair tomorrow, and a small wooden horse for riding later. And..."

Li Chengcheng looked at the emperor who was immersed in his imagination and smiling happily. Thinking that in the near future there would be a cute little prince or princess to add to his happiness, he couldn't help but pursed his lips and felt happy for the emperor.

Wang Tigan stood respectfully beside him, his face filled with a smile even happier than the emperor's.

After telling the story for a while, Zhu Youxiao laughed and stopped talking. He patted the ammunition cart with a look of unsatisfied interest, his eyes full of tenderness, as if a baby was lying on it.

Finally putting aside his idle thoughts, the emperor walked out of the workshop and strolled leisurely in the palace under the bright sunshine.

"Your Majesty." Wang Tigan smiled flatteringly and approached, saying, "Today, Imperial Physician Yang is in the palace for another routine consultation. He will report back with good news soon."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "A month has passed so quickly that I can't even remember the days."

There was a sudden pause, and Zhu Youxiao seemed to remember something.

It’s been a month, I wonder how those guys are doing, it’s time to go and check on them!

………………

"Mr. Song--" Xu Fuyuan called respectfully and softly, and his attitude did not change even when facing Song Yingxing, who looked a little disheveled.

Song Yingxing was concentrating on melting lard in a small pot, and some unidentified substances were piled on the table next to him.

The lard in the pot was completely melted. Song Yingxing added some lime and stirred it with a wooden stick for a long time before lazily turning his head and asking impatiently, "What's the matter?"

Xu Fuyuan smiled and said, "Excuse me, Mr. Song, I blew air into lime water and it became turbid at first, but then it became clear. What happened?"

Song Yingxing rolled his eyes, glanced at Xu Fuyuan, and said disdainfully, "There's an explanation in the book, go read it yourself."

Xu Fuyuan gave a bitter laugh and said, "I don't understand!"

Song Yingxing snorted and said, "Read the book a few times and you'll naturally understand. Don't try to take shortcuts, or you'll gain nothing and waste this opportunity."

Xu Fuyuan scratched his head and wanted to ask more questions, but was interrupted by a sudden scream.

This row of rooms are various laboratories, or workshops.

The sound came from the next room, and Xu Fuyuan remembered that it was Zhang Yitai busy inside. Thinking something had happened, he hurried over.

Several people rushed over and pushed open the door to see Zhang Yitai dancing with joy. Judging from his expression, the scream just now was not quite accurate to describe it, it should be a scream of surprise, or a cry of extreme joy.

"Brother Zhang." Xu Fuyuan stepped forward, pulled Zhang Yita's sleeve, and asked anxiously, "But where are your burns or cuts? Do you want to call a doctor?"

Zhu Youxiao had anticipated that these people would be in a hurry when they started the experiment, and some minor injuries and accidents were inevitable, so he specially arranged for a doctor to take care of them.

Zhang Yitai laughed heartily, pushed Xu Fuyuan aside, and said, "Why call a doctor? I'm fine."

As he spoke, he showed the small object in his hand to Xu Fuyuan, and said with great joy, "So there really are things in this world that are invisible to the naked eye. Even a drop of water can hold such mysteries. As the Buddhists say, 'One flower, one world.' That's not just bald talk."

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