Chapter 46 Ordnance Manufacturing
Xiao Jingzhan looked at the complex diagrams spread out on the stone table, pointing to several key points with his finger. His voice was calm yet carried an undeniable air of authority: "Range and power must be guaranteed; this is the key to defeating the Northern Di cavalry. If the mechanisms are complex, simplify them; if the yield rate is low, improve the manufacturing process! As for the balance issue, find skilled craftsmen to adjust the structure! I'm giving you half a month. If there is still no progress, everyone in the Arsenal will be punished for negligence!"
The two officials were sweating profusely and responded repeatedly, but their faces showed difficulty, clearly indicating that the matter was extremely troublesome.
Su Jingyu had been listening casually, but when she heard words like "complex mechanisms," "balance," and "vibration," her heart stirred slightly. In her previous life, she had enjoyed reading various books in her spare time, including those related to ancient mechanical principles. Although she wasn't an expert, she still vaguely remembered some of the basic concepts.
Seeing her husband's worries about the military, and hearing the official's difficult words, she couldn't help but think about it more.
She hesitated for a moment, then whispered a few words to Yun Shu beside her. Yun Shu understood, quietly withdrew, and soon returned with a clean sheet of Xuan paper and a charcoal pencil.
Su Jingyu took the paper, turned her back to the Crown Prince and the others, and sketched a few lines on the paper based on her memory and vague concept. She made some marks on the crossbow arm, the linkage mechanism and the base support, and wrote a few small words next to it: "Simplify and reduce the effort with leverage; move the center of gravity forward and add counterweight to reduce shock."
She drew very quickly, only sketching, not a detailed drawing. After finishing, she gently folded the paper, handed it to Yun Shu, and whispered a word of instruction. Yun Shu nodded, took the note, quietly walked to He Yong's side, whispered something, and handed the note to him.
He Yong was taken aback for a moment, took the note, and looked at the Crown Prince hesitantly.
Xiao Jingzhan was engrossed in studying the map when he noticed He Yong's movement and looked up. He Yong quickly stepped forward, presented the slip of paper with both hands, and whispered, "Your Highness, it was sent by Consort Su. She said... it might be of some use."
A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Jingzhan's eyes as he took the paper and unfolded it. When he saw the simple yet incisive diagram and annotations on the paper, his pupils suddenly contracted! He was knowledgeable in military affairs and immediately recognized that these few strokes and words pointed directly to the core problem in the current manufacture of crossbows!
"Simplify complexity and leverage to save effort"—this is the key to solving complex mechanisms and improving efficiency! "Forward-positioning the center of gravity and adding counterweights to reduce vibration"—this is an excellent approach to achieving a clever balance and reducing vibration!
This approach is completely different from the current mindset of craftsmen who simply patch up existing complex structures; instead, it optimizes from the fundamental principles! Although it is only a directional hint, it is like a bright lamp lit in the darkness!
A surge of immense joy and unbelievable pride welled up in Xiao Jingzhan's heart! His Yu'er... even had such discerning eyes in arms manufacturing?!
He suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed intently on the corridor below. Su Jingyu happened to be looking over as well, meeting his shocked and ecstatic gaze. She smiled shyly, shook her head slightly, and gestured for him not to make a sound.
Xiao Jingzhan took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and tucked the note into his sleeve. When he looked at the two Ministry of War officials again, his expression had returned to calm, but the shrewdness in his eyes was even stronger.
He pointed to several points on the diagram, his voice steady and powerful, carrying a clear and enlightened quality: "The mechanisms here and here are too complex. They can be simplified by referring to the lever principle, striving to achieve maximum efficiency with the simplest structure. To balance the crossbow, the center of gravity needs to be shifted forward. Consider adding appropriate weight to the front of the crossbow arm to counteract the recoil vibration during firing... As for the specific implementation, you all go back immediately and summon the chief craftsmen of the Imperial Workshop. Based on this idea, within three days, you must come up with a new improvement plan for me!"
The two officials, who had been frowning, were stunned when they heard that His Highness the Crown Prince had proposed such a clear and incisive direction for improvement in such a short time. They were then overjoyed, as if they had suddenly seen the light! His Highness is truly a genius!
"Your Highness is wise! We are foolish! We did not think of this! We will do it immediately!" The two men were so excited that their voices trembled. They quickly kowtowed and accepted the order, and hurriedly left with the map, as if they had found a guiding light.
Once the outsiders had gone far away, Xiao Jingzhan immediately stood up and strode back to the corridor. He waved away his attendants, pulled Su Jingyu up from the balustrade, and hugged her tightly in his arms, his strength almost making him want to meld her into his very bones.
"Yu'er...you are truly...my precious darling!" He whispered in her ear, his voice hoarse with excitement, filled with undisguised joy and pride. "Do you know that with just a few words, you have solved a problem that has troubled the Ministry of War and the Directorate of Works for months!"
Su Jingyu was almost breathless from his embrace, her cheek pressed against his firm chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat. She felt a mixture of sweetness and amusement: "Your Highness is too kind. I was just reading some random books and having random thoughts; please don't take it seriously..."
"Of course! How could I not!" Xiao Jingzhan loosened his grip on her slightly, cupped her face in his hands, and gazed at her with burning eyes, as if trying to draw her in. "My dear, you always manage to give me such wonderful surprises!"
He couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her lips deeply, filled with excitement and love. The kiss was brimming with admiration, pride, and an indescribable tenderness.
Not far away, a wet nurse was pushing a stroller. Little Chengyu, who was in the stroller, seemed to sense his parents' joy and waved his little hands, giggling.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the crabapple blossoms, bathing the two embracing figures in warmth and radiance.
...
"Your Majesty, a messenger from General Zhang Yi, the General Who Guards the Nation, arrives with an urgent message!" The Minister of War rushed into the hall, carrying a report of victory. "A great victory has been achieved on the northern frontier! Three thousand enemy heads have been beheaded, and over a hundred li of lost territory have been recovered!"
The Emperor was overjoyed and slammed his hand on the table, exclaiming, "Excellent! Minister Zhang truly deserves to be called a pillar of our Great Sheng!" His gaze swept over the Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan, who stood solemnly in the hall, and he said meaningfully, "Zhan'er, General Zhang's daughter has been a concubine in your Eastern Palace for nearly two years now, hasn't she?"
Xiao Jingzhan's eyes flickered slightly, but his expression remained unchanged: "Yes, Father Emperor."
The Emperor stroked his beard and chuckled, "A daughter of a military family, she must be quite like her father. General Zhang has rendered great service this time; I am truly gratified."
Having said all that, how could Xiao Jingzhan not understand? He nodded slightly: "Your subject understands. General Zhang is loyal to the country, and your subject will certainly make proper arrangements for his daughter."
The emperor stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction. His son had always been insightful, and he knew that some things were best left unsaid.
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