"Listen to your junior uncle."
Gongshu Chou spoke calmly.
They all believed in Ning Que unconditionally.
After all, this boy was well-read and knew everything. Even the craftsmanship was something Ning Que was adept at. Back in Dafeng, he invented stirrups, saddles, and horseshoes, making Dafeng's cavalry unrivaled. He also developed siege weapons like the giant stone cannon and even mastered the use of kerosene, leaving them in awe. Even Gongshu Chou couldn't match his skills.
"Okay then, I'll have someone prepare it today!"
"Don't worry yet."
Ning Que smiled and waved his hand.
Sanhetu is a good thing, comparable to cement in ancient times. He had actually wanted to make cement, but his skills were limited and he couldn't really make it. He had mixed it privately many times, but due to limited tools and incorrect proportions, the effect was not even as good as Sanhetu.
As far as the firearm workshop is concerned, mortar is actually sufficient because it is more waterproof and moisture-proof than ordinary cement.
"We're mainly looking at firearms today."
"Hehe, don't worry, little master."
Gongshu Jia smiled heartily.
He stepped forward and said confidently, "Ever since the firearm blueprints arrived, I've been leading the Gongshu people in replicating them. The two Master Hai brothers have provided a lot of materials, so we've finally fulfilled our mission. We now have over a hundred matchlock rifles and over thirty flintlock rifles. However, flintlock rifles are more difficult to build, especially since the flint and firing pin are much more delicate. Currently, only I and a few master craftsmen can handle them."
"That's good."
Ning Que nodded with satisfaction.
Flintlock rifles are more difficult to manufacture.
But the effect is also significantly greater.
The flintlock rifle is arguably the forefather of modern firearms. Its principle was already quite comprehensive, requiring continuous improvement. The flintlock's firing speed far surpassed the matchlock, making it perfectly adequate for today's era.
Gongshu Jia clapped his hands.
Soon some of the tribesmen came forward.
"Get two arquebuses and a flintlock."
"Remember to bring ammunition."
"promise!"
"Young Master, shall we try it out front?"
"Um."
Gongshu Jia led the way in front.
There is also a special shooting range in the workshop for testing.
At this time, the tribesmen also sent muskets and ammunition.
"I remember Junior Master mentioned that the amount of gunpowder shouldn't be too much or too little. If you load too much gunpowder, it's easy for the barrel to explode; but if you load too little, it won't be powerful enough. If you rely entirely on manual loading, especially on the battlefield, accidents are very likely to occur. So I thought about whether there was a way to test the optimal amount of gunpowder first and then load them in advance according to the quota. So, I figured it out..."
Gongshu Jia clapped his hands as he spoke.
The craftsman behind him came forward carrying a wooden box.
Ning Que opened it and was immediately greeted by the pungent scent of gunpowder and tung oil. Inside was gunpowder wrapped in oil paper, the shape of which was remarkably similar to later bullets. Each piece of oil paper was cone-shaped, seemingly perfectly arranged.
“Not bad!”
Ning Que suddenly laughed.
This is commonly known as fixed ammunition, which emerged soon after the development of the flintlock. The advantage of fixed ammunition is that it greatly reduces the risk of barrel explosion while maintaining the firearm's power. Crucially, it's convenient, allowing the gunner to avoid worrying about the amount of gunpowder, simply carrying it with them.
Ning Que casually picked up a flintlock rifle, unpacked the gunpowder, and loaded it into the barrel. He removed the wooden rod from the barrel and compacted the gunpowder. He raised the barrel and aimed at the distant target. He slowly pulled the trigger, engaging the flintlock and flint. A clear spark flashed, and a fiery flame erupted from the barrel. Lead bullets erupted in a shower, similar to a shotgun, focusing not on accuracy but on range. Several scarecrows were struck, and the target thirty paces away was also damaged by the bullets.
“Hiss… so strong!”
Gongshu Chou suddenly took a breath of cold air.
He had witnessed Ning Que's experiment with the musket.
The flintlock, coupled with fixed ammunition, significantly reduced preparation time. While matchlocks typically took a long time to prepare for the next round, flintlocks were much quicker. Crucially, they were easy to use and could be traded for firepower, effectively creating a suppressive firepower. Furthermore, their power was further enhanced, with the lead bullets capable of killing at a distance of fifty paces.
"Brother Gongshu, your son has performed remarkably well." Ning Que smiled as he tossed the flintlock rifle to someone beside him. "As for these fixed-charge bullets, I had originally planned to tell him about it after we got here. I didn't expect him to have already thought of it, even knowing to wrap them in thick paper soaked in tung oil. Plus, putting them in a special gunpowder box will also make them waterproof and moisture-proof."
"Um."
Gongshu Chou nodded.
Looking at Gongshu Jia, a hint of approval flashed across his face.
After all, he is his eldest son whom he has high hopes for!
He will definitely be able to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the Gongshu family in the future!
"I also thought of it based on their use."
Gongshu Jia scratched his head in a simple manner.
Ning Que looked at the rest of the flintlocks and matchlock rifles.
"How about this? There's no need to build any more matchlock muskets. From now on, we'll focus on crafting flintlock muskets. You don't have to worry about the materials. Just remember to build them according to the standard."
"standardization?"
"Take this flintlock rifle, for example. Break it down into its individual components. Identical components must be made of the same material and have the same size and weight. This allows for easy replacement of components, but it also places higher demands on the casting process. Each craftsman can contribute to their own strengths. For example, the carpenter is responsible for constructing the wooden handle, while the blacksmith crafts the projectile and barrel. Finally, the master craftsman is responsible for assembling the entire weapon, which also prevents leaks. After all, each person is only responsible for a small part, and only the true master craftsman knows the entire process."
Ning Que smiled and began to tell the story.
This is actually standardized assembly line production.
It’s actually very difficult to do in this era.
This means that unified weights and measures need to be used, and all instruments must also be of unified standards.
"The advantage is that everyone has their own responsibilities, and confidentiality can be maintained. Certain difficult components can be assigned to master craftsmen. Artisans with lesser skills can be responsible for simpler parts, such as wooden handles and barrels. This saves time and prevents getting stuck on a particular component. As for these matchlock rifles, they can be used for training in the future. The main force of the subsequent army will use these flintlock rifles. Gongshu Jia, you must produce more fixed-load ammunition in the future. Produce as many as you can, even if you have to work overtime. Also, tell the craftsmen that as long as they do a good job, I will never treat them unfairly!"
"good!"
Gongshu Jia nodded solemnly immediately.
He knew that Gongshu Chou was placing the entire future of the Gongshu Family on Ning Que. While risky, if successful, the Gongshu Family's position would be as secure as Mount Tai, making them the most powerful family in the Nine Provinces from now on!
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