"Your Majesty, yes," Bi Maokang quickly agreed.
As Bi Maokang spoke, someone came over and brought something over.
This is indeed a pistol, only as long as a human forearm, but very thick. The muzzle is even as big as a bowl, and it is very heavy.
This thing doesn't look like a pistol at all, but rather like a clumsy short cannon.
Bi Maokang explained, "Your Majesty, this is just a first-generation sample. The square box at the bottom is where the marbles are stored. There's a push rod next to it. After firing, you push the push rod up, and the marbles will be pushed into the chamber."
"The propellant is in the back. There's a switch here. Just flip the switch and the ammunition will leak out. And here's the flint. Just pull the trigger and the flint will ignite the gunpowder, which will push the pellets out of the chamber. It can fire about thirty pellets at a time, killing everyone in front of it."
"But there's a problem now. We can't solve the airtightness problem. If the gunpowder leaks out, it can easily ignite the gunpowder in the gunpowder chamber when ignited, causing the entire broken gun to explode. We're still trying to find a solution, and we can't mass-produce it for the time being."
No matter how Zhu Youxiao looked at this thing, he felt it was neither fish nor fowl.
Seeing His Majesty's expression, Bi Maokang explained, "Using granular gunpowder is an easy solution, but it's prone to jamming. We're also working on a solution. Once that's resolved, improvements should be possible."
After hearing Bi Maokang's words, Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Very good, we should be bold in trying."
Although this thing looks nondescript, it actually has some very advanced concepts in it. For example, it uses gunpowder to push out steel balls, which is how shotguns are made.
If it could be made, it would be a really good thing, but the current size is not suitable.
In a word, if we can't solve the problem of metal fixed ammunition, many things will be impossible.
"Study it slowly, don't be impatient." Zhu Youxiao instructed and handed the heavy thing in his hand to the person next to him.
It was really tiring to hold this thing in your hand for a while, and Zhu Youxiao's arms were sore.
"Let's go to the next place and take a look." Zhu Youxiao said.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Bi Maokang agreed and turned around to lead the way.
After crossing several more courtyards, we finally reached the courtyard at the back. Apparently, the distance between the two research departments was far enough.
Pointing to the courtyard in front of him, Bi Maokang said, "Your Majesty, this is the Artillery Research Institute."
Zhu Youxiao nodded and followed Bi Maokang inside.
After stepping in, there was a spacious square. In front of them were various cannons of different sizes. Judging from the material, they should have been made of steel instead of copper.
A large part of the Baigong Institute's efforts are actually spent on material research and development. Because only by improving materials can costs be reduced, they are very attentive to this.
In fact, at this point in time, the Baigong Academy could no longer continue with the muzzle-loading guns.
The Baigong Academy was capable of manufacturing large and small caliber cannons, even muzzle-loading cannons that fired shotgun shells. The Baigong Academy also had no problem manufacturing the historical Red Coat Cannon, the only issue being the materials.
Now the material problem is no longer a problem in the Baigong Institute, so their main research direction has been placed on fixed-mounted artillery shells.
There is no way to solve the problem of metal fixed shells, and it is difficult to significantly increase the power of artillery.
"Your Majesty, regarding the explosive, we have already produced mercury fulminate, but we haven't been able to mass-produce it. We will continue to work on this. We have already produced a metal fixed-shell projectile."
Bi Maokang said in front of Zhu Youxiao: "But if we want to mass-produce it, it will probably take a long time."
Bi Maokang really couldn't make a guarantee in this regard. The gap between the prototype and mass production was too large, and there were still many problems to be solved with the previously made fixed-type artillery shell.
Zhu Youxiao looked at Bi Maokang, nodded, and said, "Don't worry, take your time. If you can accomplish this in five years, it will be a great achievement."
Although Zhu Youxiao told Bi Maokang a lot of things, what Zhu Youxiao said was just a result. The specific research process still needed to be carried out by Bi Maokang and others.
The things here are too complicated, but having the answer will save some effort in the process of deriving and solving the problem.
Bi Maokang quickly bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty. I understand."
Seeing that Zhu Youxiao did not show any disappointment, Bi Maokang finally breathed a sigh of relief and said excitedly: "Your Majesty, we have already produced the rocket you mentioned."
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