Lu Ming

Chapter 603 Crowley's Fantasy Journey ([-])

Mortars have a long history, ranging from simple catapults in the 13th century to German 450MM Karl siege guns in World War II.

Regardless of ancient or modern times, the design idea of ​​all mortars is the same: short range, large firing angle, and high ballistic arc, used to bombard city defense fortifications.

In a word: wherever there is city defense, there are mortars.

It was such a super large caliber gun that appeared in Fort Hongji.Although Gronde has a short range of only 500 meters, it is very powerful and can continuously fire heavy projectiles with a caliber of more than 48 pounds to hit the opposite fortress.

In the seventeenth century, the 170mm mortar had exceeded the 48-pound caliber and was definitely the largest caliber in the world.

Although there were large-caliber cast artillery in Europe at this time, the smelting and casting technology was backward, and it could not meet the combat standards set by a certain force for artillery.

The "Gelongde" door unveiled today with the hijab lifted was originally an experimental product of the Dayuan Military Foundry.

It is a pity that after verifying a series of casting and forging processes related to large metal parts, this finished cannon, as well as several other experimental products with similarities and minor differences, were thrown into the warehouse to eat ashes.

No way, although the quality of the experimental products fully meets the combat standard, the field transportation environment in the 5th century was harsh, and the army did not need equipment weighing more than [-] tons. When these big guys climbed inch by inch to the launch position, the front could not be determined The city was knocked open two days ago with explosives.

However, things are unpredictable.After signing the agreement with the Annan people, the army suddenly discovered that the big guys in the warehouse could really come in handy to help the Zheng family go south according to the agreement.

As for the shortcomings of the big guy, the Annan people definitely don't care.In this era, a random siege can be fought for months or even years, and the Annan people have enough time and manpower to move the big guys to the front line and knock the tortoise shells of the "rebels".

The army only needs to send military instructors and artillery crews.

So a big guy was urgently loaded onto the ship.As for the evil name on the cannon, it was ordered to be printed on it by some people who missed the old world as early as the casting.

Seeing this fierce, majestic, mighty and rough cannon, many guests present today felt confused.

Many of them originally thought that the military clauses in the treaty that helped Annan "unify" were most likely used to fool Annan people: maintaining Annan's "North-South rule" is not a way for outsiders to manipulate the indigenous people and maintain "long-term peace and stability" Best option?

Today, however, this cannon broke the stereotype.

Each family counts their accounts.For the traversers with different fundamental purposes, the colonialist's differentiation/coexistence rule mode is completely unsuitable for them.

The purpose of passing through the forces is to replace them, so instead of wasting time and effort to pay off the separatist regimes one by one, it is better to let the other generation fight among themselves to determine the winner, and then make it easier for Li Daitao to stiffen the means.

Anyway, it's not their own people who died, so the Annan people like to dominate the world, so let's do it.

The slander is all the slander, after the guests present saw the handover ceremony of the cannon, they still applauded and congratulated in accordance with the etiquette (the etiquette brought by the traverser).

The two civil and military officials who came to Hongji Fort to evaluate the implementation of the military aid agreement on behalf of An Nanguo also had smiles on their faces.

The Annan people really did not expect that the Ming people were so committed to keeping their promises, and the powerful weapons of the country were sent over like this.

Therefore, General Annan, who was in charge of accepting the incident, announced on the spot that all the troops on the outskirts of Hongji Fort would be withdrawn by tomorrow at the latest.In addition, the new army will be formed as quickly as possible, and a team of Mingren instructors is welcome to guide.

That's it, it's done.

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A series of military and political actions by an evil force interfering with An Nanguo has come to an end at this moment.As for the second stage after that, it was a time of hard work, and it could be regarded as opening a new chapter.

Back to the moment.After the arms donation ceremony is over, the official business is done, and it is time for a relaxing banquet.

Soon, some servants in clean blouses transformed the venue.The square array of chairs in the center spread out, and the layout formed a tea reception form surrounded by circles around the round table.

The guests scattered and sat together according to their nationalities.Old William and Crawley were undoubtedly at the Dutchman's table.

This side is still looking for a seat, and there is a steady stream of fruit, tea, wine, coffee, tobacco leaves and simple snacks on the table.

Seeing all kinds of tea and snacks on the white cotton table, Crowley was in a trance at this moment, as if he had returned to his hometown in Yorkshire.

At that time, every spring flower viewing season, nearby manor owners and minor nobles would come to visit Crowley's house.Gentlemen and ladies also sat on the sunny lawn, served by well-trained servants, tasting vanilla lemon juice and biscuits, and the time was leisurely and lazy.

The next moment, Crowley's contemplation was interrupted, and a beautiful blue and white porcelain cup appeared in front of him: "Taste it, Crowley. This is a unique oriental drink called 'tea'" .

Hearing this, he took the cup, looked at the green tea water and the erect tea leaves in the cup, and Crowley took a sip lightly.

He quickly gave an evaluation: "There is a plant aroma and bitter taste, a bit like coffee, and it looks good."

Old William said with a smile: "This is a unique oriental drink. Like coffee, orientals use it to refresh themselves."

At this time, other Dutch people at the same table also participated in the topic.Like all small talk, however, the conversation in the Dutch quickly turned from tea to silk and bleach.Then it moves on to artillery, commerce, and navigation, and finally, unsurprisingly, to the situation in East Asia.

During this process, although Old William and Crowley frequently participated in the discussion, their attention was secretly placed on the main table not far away.

Finally, after communicating with a group of Dutch businessmen for a long time, Old William saw the scene he wanted to see: several groups of visiting guests left the main table one after another, and the two Annan officials finally left.

The next moment, Old William hinted secretly: The opportunity has come.

Crowley got up knowingly, tidied his clothes, and then walked back and forth to the main table with Old William.

The so-called main table is undoubtedly the table occupied by the crossing crowd.

Since there were a lot of people who came to Annan this time, the main table was made up of three long tables, which were also filled with various refreshments, fruits and drinks.

"Hahaha, dear friends, the living old William sees you again!"

Old William, who looked like a reunion after a long absence, used a weird accent before he came to the table, and his Chinese with grammatical errors made a head start.

Most of the time travelers at the main table knew old William.After capturing the Dutch business house on Dayuan Island, Old William, as a high-ranking prisoner, wandered around on crutches every day, chatting seriously with many time travelers.

At that time, the people who traveled through the island had just run to the island to become kings, and they were still in the stage of sluts, so they were basically approachable, far from the appearance of today's masters, and everyone can be regarded as "old friends".

Seeing old William, many people raised their glasses and said hello: "William, you've come to East Asia to sell abductees again!"

Seeing his undiminished popularity, Old William's beard grew even higher: "The cane is a testimony of our friendship, and it is not for sale. I brought a lot of Indian horses this time, and they are all charming, and they have already been shipped off the ship. "

"I saw the horse. It's a Mawari horse with curled ears. That's right. They were all accepted by the army."

Li Hao, who was a master of science and engineering in his early years and now works in the Ministry of Commerce, asked with his legs crossed, "But I remember that the Ministry of Commerce also sent you a job. Have you completed it?"

"My dear Lee, never doubt Mr. William's credit!"

When Old William said this, he tilted his head to signal Crowley, and the latter took out a stack of parchment from an Indian rhinoceros leather bag on his waist.

This stack of parchment is extremely related to goods, and it is another project undertaken by Old William in the Crossing Congregation besides horses.

What project?Saltpeter, Indian saltpeter.

In other words, although Old William has always been able to obtain goods in short supply from a certain force, there is also a price to pay for this, such as the horse transportation this time.

Ordinary businessmen, the army would not entrust them to collect and transport stallions in India. The risks involved are too great. If they are not careful, the horses will be wiped out due to plague and other reasons, which will cause the advance payment here to be in vain.

In addition, regarding materials such as stallions and saltpeter, because they involve strategic directions, the traversing forces usually do not make much fanfare, and only entrust "old friends" who have "tested" to do it.

Old William was such an old friend.

The parchment he took out today is the investigation report on the origin of saltpeter that he spent several months writing in various cities along the coast of India.

The report was comprehensive, and William Sr. investigated the saltpeter origins in parts of India to the best of his ability.For this reason, he did not hesitate to go deep into the inland of India, personally visited and recorded the situation of the place where the saltpeter was produced.

The next moment, Li Hao reached out and picked up a piece of parchment, and looked at it carefully.

At the same time, several hands stretched out from the side one after another. .

Saltpeter is an extremely important strategic resource.Not only the Ministry of Commerce, but also the Ministry of Agriculture, the military, and the chemical industry were all concerned about the information about saltpeter, so the stack of parchment was quickly taken away.

"good."

After looking at it for a while, Li Hao first expressed his appreciation for the content on the parchment: beautiful English cursive characters, clear entries, and detailed records of saltpeter production in Indian states.

If the content of this information is true, it will have an important impact on the "government" in formulating the saltpeter plan in the future.

"William, do you have a sample?"

Old William replied respectfully: "In the cabin of the Lady Jacob, there are 4 Rusters of saltpetre. According to the instructions of the Ministry of Commerce, they are classified according to the place of origin."

"Very well, William, it seems that you have copied again this trip! This report is very important!"

"Gentlemen, it's all thanks to my English nephew Crawley. Old William, as you know, is a poor fellow from the Luxembourg countryside who never learned to write."

Crowley, who was cleverly introduced by Old William, could only forcibly put away his surprise at this moment and face the Eastern nobles—he was dumbfounded before, because the few people who got the parchment were all serious. Looking at the English cursive characters written by himself.

Crowley swears, they're not pretending!

God, when did English become so popular?Or in the far east?

(End of this chapter)