How to solve the problem of transportation and storage of picric acid explosives may be difficult for others, but it certainly not for Zhu Youxiao.
Because this matter has become a secret disclosed in later generations. Of course, in the Ming Dynasty, it is impossible for anyone to know.
This secret is actually very simple. In fact, many technologies that are not yet understood are sometimes very simple.
Many examples tell everyone that such a simple secret can sometimes cause a war, or even a war that lasts for years.
The secret is to paint the inside of the shell and attach a thick layer of paraffin wax to isolate the direct contact between picric acid and the shell. This simple, clever and cheap method solves a big problem.
Although the paraffin will fall off over time, making the picric acid explosive unable to be preserved for a long time, it can at least be guaranteed to be used.
Moreover, as a large number of consumables, can the shells be stored until the day when the paraffin falls off?
For Japan at that time, their national strength was weak and their output was very small, so they had to think about this in many aspects.
This ingenious gene was also continued in the design of the later Type 38 rifle, and a dust cover solved the problem of isolating the rifle from sand and dust.
Now Zhu Youxiao can just take it and use it, which is also suitable for current productivity.
Picric acid is easy to manufacture and inexpensive, yet also powerful. Once the problems of transportation and storage are solved, there are no other problems. It's a very good gunpowder, perfect for making metal-fixed artillery shells.
This gunpowder, invented by the French, eventually became popular in Japan. Actually, the French knew the importance of this substance and only wanted to sell it to the Japanese as a finished product, not allowing them to conduct their own research or even to manufacture it.
But the Japanese did not give it away for free. When visiting the French factory, there was a man named Sadakiya Tomioka.
At that time, Tomioka Sadakyo acted humble and studious. He carefully picked up a handful of bitter acid crystals and rubbed them. He looked at them carefully with his eyes, smelled them with his nose, and felt the texture carefully with his hands. He was just about to put them in his mouth to taste them, and then he put them back as if nothing had happened.
Back at the Japanese delegation's residence, Tomioka Sadakyo carefully picked out a small piece of picric acid powder from his fingernail. After several twists and turns, this precious powder was finally handed over to Shimose Masayoshi, a technical master of the Naval Ordnance Manufacturing Institute, in September 1888.
It was just this tiny bit of powder that was eventually researched and utilized by the Japanese, and it became the famous Xia Lai gunpowder.
In Europe, where it originated, due to the lack of transportation problems, they instead mastered the more powerful nitroglycerin explosives and created high-precision TNT. TNT is more stable, and picric acid explosives are eliminated from history.
With the current strength of the Ming Dynasty, it is too difficult to produce nitroglycerin explosives; on the contrary, picric acid explosives can be produced in large quantities.
Zhu Youxiao had known about this matter for a long time and had received the report. However, he did not expect Bi Maokang to make such rapid progress, not only to make metal fixed shells, but also to make mortars.
Judging from the situation nearby, there should be heavy artillery over there.
Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but stand up and said to Bi Maokang, "Since we are ready, let's fire a few shots and see how it works."
After hearing this, Bi Maokang naturally did not dare to neglect it and quickly said, "I will arrange it immediately."
"Go ahead." Zhu Youxiao nodded and said.
In reality, Bi Maokang had gone down to make some arrangements. He had no choice but to make them. This experiment was originally an internal one, so everyone was relaxed and harmonious. They took the attitude that even if they failed, it wouldn't matter. They'd failed before, too, over the years.
But the current situation is not like this. The current emperor has come. Who could have thought that the emperor would come here at this time?
After arriving here, His Majesty wants to watch them conduct experiments. It would be terrible if something messed up happened.
If the experiment can be successful and Your Majesty can see the results, it will naturally be a good thing.
Bi Maokang hurried to make arrangements, and at the same time, he explained what he was going to do, asking his men to be more careful and not make any mistakes. He wanted to achieve a success and make His Majesty happy.
Zhu Youxiao certainly knew what Bi Maokang was doing, but he did not stop him.
Having been the emperor for such a long time, Zhu Youxiao was very clear about one thing, that is, you must give your subordinates the opportunity to perform, and you cannot let them have no chance to perform. Then, when they perform, you should give them some appropriate rewards and praise them.
Such things are very important to them, and this sense of honor is also very important to them. So Zhu Youxiao not only did not stop it, but encouraged it, sitting there quietly and showing an expression of anticipation.
Soon, Bi Maokang arranged everything.
Although Bi Maokang went to make arrangements, the current situation did not allow him to take too long. After all, he could not let His Majesty wait here for a long time.
Bi Maokang returned soon and said, "Your Majesty, everything is ready."
"Okay, come on." Zhu Youxiao nodded and said excitedly.
Taking the telescope from Wei Chao's hand, Zhu Youxiao sat and waited excitedly.
As for the idea of a closer look, Zhu Youxiao never mentioned it. The reason was simple: his subordinates would never allow him to go, and bringing it up would only serve to argue.
Moreover, the mortar has just been developed and is very dangerous. An accident might happen at any time.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
