Chapter 480 Hot Air Balloons and Cannons

Li Chengqian stood at the highest point of the Daming Palace, holding a retractable tube in his hand, putting one end in front of his eyes and aiming the other end at the distance.

The distant scene was very clear, and he could clearly see the scenery outside Chang'an City.

Li Chengqian looked at the monocular telescope in his hand with satisfaction. This was the result of the research institute's two-year-long efforts.

A telescope is an optical instrument that uses lenses or reflectors and other optical devices to observe distant objects. It uses the refraction of light passing through the lens or the reflection of light by the concave mirror to enter the small hole and converge into an image, and then pass through a magnifying eyepiece to be seen. It is also called a "thousand-mile mirror".

The first function of a telescope is to magnify the angle of distant objects so that the human eye can see details with smaller angular distances. The second function of a telescope is to send the light beam collected by the objective lens, which is much thicker than the pupil diameter (maximum 8 mm), into the human eye, so that the observer can see faint objects that were originally invisible.

The monocular telescope in Li Chengqian's hand is a most common telescope with two lenses in a tube.

With this telescope, the army can observe the distant scene through the telescope during the march and fight, and can discover the enemy's traces before the enemy.

At that time, whether it is attacking or retreating, it will be of great use.

The lens of the telescope is made by grinding and polishing glass to make optical glass, and then making it suitable for making telescope lenses.

Then install it at both ends of a tube, and the telescope is completed.

As for making glass in this way, it is impossible to do it with the current level of the Tang Dynasty, let alone making telescopes.

The first generation of telescopes was made in 1608 by Hans Lipper, an unknown optician living in Middelburg, the Netherlands.

The people of the Tang Dynasty didn't even know what glass was.

It was simply a fantasy to expect them to be able to make telescopes.

None of the above is important. What is important is that Li Chengqian is a time traveler and knows the materials for making glass very well.

Li Chengqian called all the craftsmen over and asked them to smash and mix all the raw materials such as quartz sand, feldspar and limestone.

After high-temperature melting, burning into liquid, putting it into the mold, and going through cooling, polishing and other processes, the glass lens is completed.

Li Chengqian only has theoretical knowledge and has never actually made anything in this area.

Therefore, how to do it specifically requires the hard work of the craftsmen. Finally, two years later, according to the theory said by Li Chengqian, the first telescope was made.

This is the monocular telescope in Li Chengqian's hand.

"Let the research institute make more of these telescopes. In the future, when the generals lead their troops to war, they will be given such telescopes."

"And strictly control the telescopes and use them as important strategic materials. It is forbidden for civilians to use them, and such secrets cannot be leaked at will. Anyone who dares to leak secrets will be punished with nine generations of his family." Li Chengqian ordered.

"Don't worry! I will do this myself!" Wang Quan said.

Seeing that Li Chengqian attached so much importance to the telescope, he was worried about letting others pass on the message, so he went there himself.

"Have the other things been made? I can't wait to see them." Li Chengqian said.

In addition to making telescopes, Li Chengqian also ordered the research institute to make hot air balloons and cannons.

He decided to send troops to aid Tuyuhun and fight against Tubo, and he would use these magic weapons.

With these magic weapons, not to mention defeating Tubo, even invading Qisu would not be a problem at all.

"The research institute has sent news that the large Kongming lanterns and new weapons have been manufactured." Wang Quan said.

"Have they been tested? How are the results?" Li Chengqian asked.

"The large Kongming lanterns have been tested many times. First, they were tested with dead objects. After there were no problems, they were tested with animals. After there were no problems, they were finally tested with humans."

"After all the problems were solved, we started mass production according to your wishes. This is the experimental report of the research institute." Wang Quan handed a report to Li Chengqian, which detailed the entire process of the experiment.

After countless improvements and designs, the hot air balloon that can carry people was created, which is also known as a large Kongming lantern.

After Li Chengqian looked at it, he continued to ask: "How was the experiment of the new weapon? How powerful is it?"

"The experiment of the new weapon has also been successful, but it is a bit heavy and two people can't lift it at all. They have installed wheels on it, so it can be pushed by two people, or pulled by a pole to move."

"After testing, the power of the new weapon is ten times greater than that of the catapult. This is the experimental report of the new weapon." Wang Quan handed the other report to Li Chengqian. "

Let's go! Go to the research institute and take a look. I want to see the effect of this new weapon in person." Li Chengqian said after reading the report.

"I will order people to prepare the ceremonial weapons and go to the research institute." Wang Quan said.

"Don't bother, just go in casual clothes! You don't need to bring so many followers." Li Chengqian said.

"Yes!" Wang Quan responded. Although Li Chengqian said so, he couldn't do it.

On the surface, he selected a few guards with good skills to protect him, but secretly arranged a large number of guards to protect him in secret to avoid any accidents.

Li Chengqian came to the experimental base of the institute, met with the person in charge, and asked to test the new weapon in person.

The person in charge asked someone to bring out a cannon. This was the finished product manufactured after many experiments according to Li Chengqian's personal description.

The cannon has a long barrel, thick wall, and large caliber. The overall shape gradually thickens from the muzzle to the tail, which conforms to the principle that the chamber pressure decreases from high to low when the gunpowder burns.

There are cylindrical gun ears on both sides of the center of gravity of the gun body. The gun can adjust the firing angle with this as the axis, and change the range with the amount of gunpowder used. It is equipped with a front sight and a rear sight, and the trajectory is calculated according to the parabola, with high accuracy.

The overall length of the cannon is about 3 meters, the caliber is 110-130 mm, and the weight is probably more than 1 ton.

"Let's start!" Li Chengqian said.

"Yes!" The researcher replied, and immediately asked the gunner to load the bullet, and then ignited the fuse. A boom was heard, and a round ball was ejected from the muzzle, hitting a distant object, directly smashing a huge deep pit.

After the test firing, the cannon was very effective in siege. A few shots could directly penetrate the city wall, but it could not be used in field battles.

"It's quite powerful! If it can be made lighter and shoot faster, it will be even better!" Li Chengqian said.

"Your Majesty is right. Our research institute has stepped up its research and experiments. In a few years, we may be able to develop the weapon your Majesty mentioned. This weapon has no name yet. Your Majesty, please give it a name." The person in charge of the research institute's experimental base said.

"Let's call it the National Collapse! One shot will cause even the country to collapse." Li Chengqian said.

Li Chengqian gave a few more instructions before returning to the palace.