"That's true. It seems the rapid pace of weapon and equipment upgrades isn't always a good thing. As soon as we install new equipment, better ones are developed, causing costs to skyrocket."
"The Song Dynasty is still developing at a much faster pace. Perhaps we should slow down and settle into the steam industrial age first. After thirty to fifty years, we can slowly transition to the electrification age. That will be even better."
"Well, let's take it one step at a time. By the way, Dean Wan from the School of Chemistry reported yesterday that another explosion occurred during their research on saltpeter and sulfur, resulting in one death and three injuries."
Fan Zhongyan scratched his head and asked, "Is this chemistry really that dangerous?"
"have."
Zhao Jun sighed, looked off into the distance, and said, "It's not just chemistry; biology is the same. If protection isn't in place and dangerous bacteria are studied without authorization, there's a chance a widespread epidemic could occur."
"It seems that both chemistry and biology need to be done with caution."
Fan Zhongyan was stunned for a moment.
"We need to be cautious, but sometimes we feel helpless. For example, Nobel survived many deaths and was bombed to pieces before inventing nitroglycerin. If we want progress, people need to make sacrifices."
Zhao Jun was also helpless. Although explosives brought great disasters to mankind, if the Song Dynasty wanted to dominate, it had to take this path.
Otherwise, if the Song Dynasty hadn't researched explosives, someone else would have. Perhaps Song Dynasty chemistry would have stagnated at gunpowder, and a few hundred years later, the West would have developed explosives, which would have led to another round of colonization.
For this reason, he could only let the Song Dynasty move forward on the road of development without any chance of stopping.
After returning to the palace, they reported the results of their morning inspection to Zhao Zhen in the afternoon. The Administrative System Council then planned to mass-produce about 10,000 to 20,000 breech-loading rifles for use by the Bianliang Imperial Guards.
The advantages of this gun are obvious. The loading speed is extremely fast. And because the gunpowder in the bullet is ignited by the firing pin to achieve the propulsion effect, there is no need for a flintlock gun, which has a 30% chance of failure to ignite each time the trigger is pulled.
But since the bullet is propelled by black powder rather than fulminate of mercury or other smokeless powder, it is bound to inherit the shortcomings of black powder.
For example, every time you shoot, gunpowder residue is left inside the gun, requiring constant cleaning. Furthermore, the breech's airtightness is poor, and the escaping gunpowder smoke and gas can interfere with the shooter's aim and, in severe cases, even burn the skin.
Although the School of Physics managed to solve the airtightness problem by using rubber pads, there was no way to solve the gunpowder residue.
After all, in history, before the invention of fulminate of mercury and other smokeless gunpowder, both breech-loading firearms and cannons had such problems. For example, the first breech-loading rifle in history, the Dresser rifle, had such a defect.
This is a question of historical progress. Unless the Song Dynasty overtakes others, its chemical technology advances by leaps and bounds, and it invents fulminate of mercury and smokeless gunpowder ahead of time, they will have to go through it too. There is no other way.
This situation was reported to Zhao Zhen in Chongzheng Hall in the afternoon. Zhao Zhen was very happy. After the meeting, it was basically time to get off work.
But at this time Wang Shouzhong came over and told everyone a bad news - Wang Zeng was on his deathbed.
"What?"
Zhao Zhen stood there in a daze, unwilling to believe it for a long time.
Everyone also looked sad.
Wang Sui, Sheng Du, and now Wang Zeng. Of the original three prime ministers and three referees, plus Yan Shu and Fan Zhongyan, almost three of them are gone.
"Well, let's go and take a look."
Zhao Jun stood up and sighed.
Zhao Zhen smiled bitterly and said, "Shou Zhong, go visit Lord Xiaoxian for me."
"yes."
Wang Shouzhong bowed slightly.
It was impossible for Zhao Zhen to leave the palace in person. In history, when Lu Yijian died of illness, he could only mourn for him in the back garden and suspend court for three days.
Therefore, it was often only the eunuchs who went to check on him.
Everyone left Chongzheng Hall, exited the palace through Donghua Gate, and boarded a carriage heading towards Wang Zeng's residence.
Wang Zeng had been an official for decades and had a wealthy family. His residence was located in Jiazi Lane in the inner city. After going out of Donghua Gate, going east past Huihefang and Zhuganshi, and then north through Yulin Lane, you will reach Jiazi Lane.
In the inner city where every inch of land is valuable, his house is close to the old Caomen in the outer city, which is at the junction of the inner city and the outer city. The house is luxurious and surrounded by dense forests and gardens.
Many prime ministers stopped at the gate of the prince's mansion, and the doorman outside hurried in to call for help. A moment later, Wang Zeng's eldest son, Wang Jian, who served as the Minister of Rites, led several of his younger brothers out to greet them with greetings, sadness still lingering on their faces.
According to the biography of Wang Zeng, written by Fu Bi, Wang Zeng had four sons and three daughters, namely, the eldest son Wang Jian, the second son Wang Gui, the third son Wang Yan, and the fourth son Wang Fu.
Unfortunately, none of Wang Zeng's descendants were as gifted as Wang Zeng, who won the first place in the imperial examination and eventually became prime minister. Nor were they like Lü Yijian's third son, Lü Gongzhuo, who loved learning from a young age and neglected food and sleep. Although he was a meritorious official, he also passed the imperial examination and was expected to become a minister of state in the future.
Having unremarkable offspring is extremely fatal for a political family.
As a result, the Wang family could not prosper, and eventually its descendants became unknown, unlike the Lu family which would prosper in the future.
Led by the descendants of the Wang family, many prime ministers came to the backyard of the palace. Before they entered the door and walked into the yard, they smelled a strong smell of medicine.
It was July, and the fragrance of crape myrtles, pomegranates, and roses in the courtyard, mixed with the aroma of medicine, made people feel dazed.
The door was open and a strong aroma of medicine wafted out of the house.
"Father, the dean and his men are here."
Wang Jian walked into the house and reported to Wang Zeng.
Everyone then entered the room and saw Wang Xiaoxian lying on the bed.
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