Daming kill

Chapter 212 God of War
In fact, since late April, the Fuchi area has been enveloped by constant artillery fire.

This is the artillery that is gradually mass-produced and tested one by one.

In the long-awaited, the artillery made by the two methods of clay mold and iron mold began to be released in batches almost at the same time.

Originally, the weather in Fuchi has been rainy and snowy since the beginning of February. It stands to reason that the artillery made by Daye County craftsmen using the most conservative clay model method should have entered the stage of gun testing earlier.

It should not be delayed until now.

But the unexpected and the incredible are always unexpected.

The craftsmen in Daye County not only have little experience in producing iron-cored copper-bodied cannons, but even their entire cannon-making techniques are primitive and crude.

This explains why the artillery seized from Huangpi County, which is not far from Daye County, is mainly older or even antique artillery, and then the appearance is so poor, the performance is so low, and each individual is so different. so big.

It's no joke that each gun must use its specific shell.

The Ming Dynasty had good technology, but it did not pay attention to promotion and popularization.At the same time, many advanced technologies and crafts are also regarded as the ability to eat and kept in the hands of very few people.

Coupled with the anti-human craftsman system, craftsmen generally develop the habit of fooling and not striving for excellence.

The final result is that generally low technology is the mainstream, and good guns are actually rare.

It is no wonder that officials and generals in the late Ming Dynasty generally lacked confidence in domestically produced artillery, but highly admired the artillery of Hongmaoyi (Xiyi was called in the late Qing Dynasty, when the whole society knew that Europeans came from the West).

In the end, the craftsmen in Daye County used the mud model method to produce iron-core copper-body cannons, which were almost bumpy and extremely unsuccessful. Song Baolai had to vigorously intervene in teaching and guidance.

This not only led to a further surge in Song Baolai's workload, but also greatly delayed the time for batch production.

And in the end, in order not to waste manpower and strengthen the comparison, they still produced more than [-] old-fashioned cast iron cannons and bronze cannons.

Even if the manufactured artillery is not for testing performance, it is necessary to take out a door for firing test to verify whether it can be used.

Therefore, starting from the end of April, the sound of cannons has become a common occurrence for officials and citizens in Fuchi, and it has also attracted a large number of casual and curious people.

In poor times, lighting firecrackers will attract crowds, let alone setting off cannons!
Of course, the gun test activities were suspended on the day Zuo Menggeng came.

The place where the guns were tested was very close to the dormitory of the cavalry battalion, and it even occupied a large part of the original cavalry training ground.

This caused the cannon to be pulled not only far from the artillery workshop in Wujiaba Mountain, but also to cross the Fushui River.The gun test activities actually had a certain impact on cavalry training.

But this is impossible.

The mountainous and watery terrain of Fuchi makes it the closest large area to the Artillery Workshop except Wujiaba, which is already full of buildings. track.

As for the impact on cavalry training, it is hard to say the pros and cons.

The basic training of immature cavalry is of course preferably on flat ground, but being forced to train on complex terrain can also make them grow faster, and being close to the test artillery field also makes the horses and cavalry very familiar with the sound of artillery.

It was precisely because of the proximity that Zhang Qing proposed to watch the artillery test firing.

When the brothers and sisters arrived at the cannon test field with snacks, they happened to catch up with a batch of cannons being pulled away and a batch of new cannons being pushed into the cannon positions.

Then these new guns are all mounted on big wheels, which are very flexible.

Hundreds of onlookers, consisting of officers, soldiers, and ordinary people who are taking a break from their busy schedules, are excitedly pointing at the periphery.

Although Zhang Qing had brought the cavalry to visit several times at close range, he couldn't help becoming curious, and Zhang Ying, who had never seen a cannon test in the future, was even more curious.

These newly pushed up artillery are prepared to be equipped with the infantry. Due to the newly designed gun mounts, they are completely different from the previous small-wheel and large-frame naval guns and the old-fashioned small-wheel and small-frame guns.

In other words, this time not only to test the gun, but also to test the new gun mount.

Soon, these artillery guns began to shoot under the operation of more and more skilled gunners, and then Zhang Ying, who was watching from a distance, immediately exclaimed.

Those thin cannons mounted on two big wheels can stir up waves of dust three or four miles away, and some even directly hit the target, which cannot but shock the ignorant people.

This is an era of general lack of knowledge.

"One cannon for miles!"

Even many well-informed officials will use this kind of exclamation when they first see artillery that can shoot from a long distance, let alone the majority of civilians.

The impact of the Fran cannon, which can fire continuously and can also shoot nearly a mile away, is even greater.

Zhang Qing also gradually became serious.

Although the strong vibration of the seemingly flimsy large wheel and the obvious receding caused by firing are somewhat disturbing, these gun mounts have undoubtedly withstood the test in continuous fire.

Zhang Qing is actually not surprised by the range of these artillery pieces.

Liaodong, where he has served in the army for many years, is the most indispensable thing is the original and imitation red cannons from Hongmaoyi. It is not uncommon for a cannon to shoot three or four miles or even six miles.

But those cannons are almost without exception thick and heavy, the firing frequency is very low, and it is also difficult to adjust the direction of the muzzle left and right, and it is not suitable for use in the wild except for defending the city.

But the barrels of these guns are much thinner, and the weight is obviously not too big. Although the range is not as good as the red cannon, the firing frequency is much higher, and the left and right shooting directions can be flexibly adjusted. The most important thing is that they can move quickly .

This means that these cannons can be very conveniently used in the field, in front of the two armies.

The practicality and meaning are clearly dire.

Zhang Qing, who was old in the army and experienced in actual combat, couldn't help being serious and even shocked.

Zhang Qing and Zhang Yingzai, who were blocked outside, were shocked, but Li Ping and Song Baolai, who were inside the cannon test field, looked relaxed.

The test of the guns in the past few days made their uneasy mood gradually improve.

A few days ago, the test of the artillery made by the clay model method almost made them break out in a cold sweat.

Not to mention the performance of the more than 20 old-fashioned cast iron and bronze cannons, even with the addition of Song Baolai, half of the cannons cracked and exploded in the first shot, and only seven of them were completed. , which is less than one-third.

Just like this, the craftsmen who made the cannon were still rejoicing.

With the strong technical support of Song Baolai, a total of more than 31 clay molded iron core copper body cannons were produced, but only [-] were usable in the end, and still less than half of the completed cannons.

Although gunpowder with better purification and more scientific ratio may have also acted as a certain "culprit", the dismal results are still very unjustifiable.

It is no wonder that clay model guns must be strictly tested, and one out of ten can be called a national player.

It was not until the iron model guns supported by a large number of new technologies began to enter the test guns that the situation was finally completely reversed.

Although there are still many things that need to be improved, and there are also problems, most of the eighty artillery pieces of the four types of iron model rapid-fire Franco cannons and front-mounted guns that have been produced experimentally have experienced frequent or even More than [-]% of the large charge is still very stable after test firing.

And even the questionable ones didn't have a single blast or sign of a blast.

This excited everyone who participated in the test gun.

Especially the gunners, they finally dared to rest assured to surround the cannon all the time, and they were no longer trembling and cautious as before.

And this further improves the test firing efficiency and firing speed of the artillery.

At the same time, these iron molded cannons of the same type and caliber are almost exactly the same in size, the shells are completely universal, the difference in shooting is small, and the range is far beyond the old-fashioned cannons.

This means that the basic formation of this cannon-making method means that you can start making cannons in this batch and more quickly.

Seeing all this, Li Ping and Song Bao were finally in a good mood.

They all know that with these gods of war, their safety will be further guaranteed.

"Brother, I have more time now, let's make a batch of pistols for the cavalry! You don't want everyone to use the three-eyed pistol, and many people have asked me for this. Before charging, give the opponent a round of firepower, It can be regarded as an advantage." Song Baolai said with a smile on Mimi, seemingly casually.

Li Ping's troops have a good impression of firearms due to the increasing number of blunderbuss equipment, the astonishing momentum during training, and the once brilliant results.

The voice that cavalry should also be equipped with firearms naturally emerged, and it had many supporters, especially the cavalry of the Ming army had a tradition of using three-eyed guns.

Both Ma Yong and Zhou Wen held this position and mentioned it many times in various ways.

Song Baolai, who has always only known the power of firearms, needless to say, he didn't mention it before, but it was because he didn't have time to think about it and didn't want to make trouble for himself.

And Li Ping is still abnormally "conservative" and persistent in this regard, so he is even less willing to be troublesome.

But now, Song Baolai finally had some peace of mind.

The most important thing is that the general immaturity of the current cavalry and the powerful military threat brought by Zhang Xianzhong put him under great pressure.

At the same time, he did receive some encouragement.

This made him feel that he should and needs to take more responsibility.

"I have no objection to experimenting with pistols and developing pistols, but it is meaningless to develop handguns specifically for cavalry. I don't want you to waste your energy doing meaningless things." Li Ping is still the same old saying.

"Our cavalry is weak, and everyone is very anxious. If there is a way to strengthen them, even a little bit is worth it. I have enough energy now, so you don't have to worry about that." Song Baolai insisted this time.

But Song Baolai actually misunderstood, Li Ping's stubbornness and conservatism were not for him.

The usual shooting assessment of modern military pistols is a 25-meter fixed target, rather than the minimum 100-meter fixed or even moving target for a rifle, which is very self-explanatory.

Even so, without serious and rigorous training, it is not easy to hit the target with a handjob.This is completely different from the fact that the rifle can easily hit the target with simple practice or even without practice.

This is determined by comprehensive objective factors such as the length of the pistol's barrel, weight, and the way the gun is mounted, and cannot be easily changed by non-subjectivity.

It is even more difficult to hit a moving target with rapid fire from a pistol.

As for hitting an opponent who is also moving irregularly within a few seconds of hedging time on a bumpy horse, it is even more difficult.

For this question, think about how many meters a horse can run in one second. If you are facing each other, you can run it in a few seconds and you will understand.

In fact, except for a very small number of talented people and luck, it is basically impossible to hit a moving target with a pistol on a moving horse.

This is true of modern military pistols, and one can imagine the situation of antique matchlock handguns.

This must also be the case that the matchlock had been put in place a few seconds ago.

Then do you want the finished pistol?Is it too late to draw a knife or hold a spear?
Handguns, including pistols, have appeared for hundreds of years. Until modern times, it has not been a common equipment for cavalry in various countries around the world. It is by no means a coincidence or unexpected.

It's just not only impractical, but also killing yourself.

The three-eyed blunderbuss was only a flash in the pan in the Ming army and immediately disappeared in the long river of history. It has nothing to do with the backwardness and stupidity of the Qing army.In fact, the rising Qing army was extremely pursuing advanced military technology.

So theory is often good, but practice is always another matter.

This is similar to the situation where a multi-turret tank is vulnerable to actual combat.

But facing Song Baolai's temptation this time, Li Ping remained silent.

He was in a daze watching the gunners' repeated test shots one by one and groups of measuring and recording personnel flying all over the field.

He suddenly realized that, just like these artillery comparison experiments, many things must actually be spoken with examples, using examples and data to derive the truth, instead of telling them what is right and what is wrong.

Moreover, he should not stifle any exploration and knowledge.

Just like one would never know for sure if it wasn't practical without trying too many turreted tanks.

Li Ping's own knowledge is always small, and he needs to inspire people's scientific spirit of seeking knowledge.

Without failure, there is no success.

Science itself is a process of trial and error.

Mistakes and failures themselves are also a kind of knowledge, at least telling you that this way is not going to work.

Thinking of this, Li Ping decided to agree to Song Baolai's request.

But he also made a request.

That is, the trial-produced cavalry pistol must undergo a large number of simulated actual combat tests before being equipped with troops, and the three-eyed pistol was also added to the test.

He will also no longer be opposed to equipping cavalry units with three-eyed guns if the stats are ideal or useful.

Song Baolai, who didn't know why, was of course happy, and immediately came up with several ideas for making hand guns.

When Song Baolai was happily talking about his new ideas with Li Ping, a galloping cavalry interrupted them.

Then, both of them were shocked.

Zhang Qing, who was paying attention to this sudden situation from a distance, immediately had a sudden shock in his heart.

Zhang Qingchu had already had an ominous premonition when he saw the very eager cavalryman, but now the stiff figures of Li Ping and Song Baolai made him completely sure that something bad must have happened.

Notes:

Generally speaking, the effective range of the red cannons equipped by the Ming army is about 250 meters to 3000 meters. There may be a few that can shoot farther, but it must be an exception.It is basically exaggeration and jokes to say that it can hit 10 miles, and it does not conform to the artillery technology at that time.

(End of this chapter)