Daqin: When I return from sea, I will offer you a map of the world

Chapter 543: Muskets, artillery and gunpowder, Li Shiqi returns from his mission!
"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhao Si rarely said three good words in a row and looked at Liu Pi: "Is there any room for improvement?"

"Of course there is. Now it's just that gunpowder has made progress. The cannon is still the same copper cannon as before. Naturally, it cannot be finalized. After the gunpowder is improved, there are many interesting ideas here at the Craftsman Bureau that can be tried one by one. In a month, about It can be put into mass production...but if you are not in a hurry to put it into use, I suggest that your highness wait for a while," Liu Pi thought for a moment and said.

The Craftsmanship Bureau is only responsible for research and development, and the real industrial production center is Jiangzuo Shaofu.

In today's Daqin, the craftsmanship bureau is responsible for researching and developing new technologies, establishing production processes and systems, and then sending people to the generals to standardize and train the production processes and systems.

This is why Liu Pi suggested that Zhao Si wait first.

Regarding the artillery, it is obvious that the craftsmanship bureau has not reached its limit yet, and there should be a major breakthrough in a short period of time. The craftsmanship bureau has few people and it is easy to turn around. Once the general master's office is put into large-scale production, the technology will be short. It will be a waste of time, manpower and material resources to update and iterate again within a certain period of time and re-establish the production process.

Although the waste of the same type of work may not be very serious, for a large organization like General Shaofu involving nearly 100,000 people, a small change in direction is still a very troublesome matter.

"It's not a rush...Now that the foreigners are in uniform and the world is at peace, there will be no war in a short time. Artillery is not needed in small-scale wars. The only one that can use artillery at present is the Aviation and Trade Military Mansion, but obviously The Hangmao Military Mansion will not be able to come back in a year and a half," Zhao Si said with a smile.

Moreover, mounting artillery on a ship also requires a certain amount of skill. It can be fired simply by mounting a land artillery piece, but after all, the combat environment is different, and if local conditions cannot be adapted, the effect will be greatly reduced.

As for firing, it is estimated that half of the thirty musket samples produced by the Craftsman Bureau can be fired.

"So confident?" Zhao Si raised his eyebrows slightly.

Zhao Si thought about it carefully and it seemed like that was the case.

In fact, the principle of guns is not that complicated.

"Don't worry, your highness. In fact, one year is considered conservative. If your highness wants to test-issue a sample, it will take far less than a year. Just like today's artillery, it can still be fired if the barrel is thickened, but the accuracy may not be the same." Some of the problems are the same with muskets. In fact, after His Highness proposed the idea of ​​muskets, many young people in the Craftsmanship Bureau started to try it. Currently, there are more than 30 samples in stock, but it is limited by the progress of gunpowder research and development. , therefore no test was conducted.

Compared with many applied technologies, guns are probably the most transparent and simple in principle. If it were not for legal restrictions in modern times, it would not be very difficult to rub hands together.

"To put it bluntly, it's just a fire stick. You can find a blacksmith to make a thicker copper pipe and launch it. If you can only make a fire stick in a year, it would be a shame for His Highness." Liu Pi smiled.

For example, whether it is more accurate or more powerful, the projectile technology is updated and iterated, the gunpowder is updated, and the firing convenience... these are the things that the craftsmanship game needs to work hard for.

"How long will it take to develop practical artillery and muskets?" Zhao Si asked.

It can be seen that the little old man with gray beard is full of confidence.

The year I mentioned means that within one year we can put into practice and start establishing a production system. Liu Pi said with a smile.

"Artillery, guns, and gunpowder are of great significance. It is not just an improvement in weapons and equipment. The entire Qin army will have to make changes in its tactics as a result, from the generals down to the soldiers. All these things must be informed in advance. Not only Gu's father will know, but the entire military will be shocked by this!" Zhao Si said in a deep voice.

"So confident?" Zhao Si asked.

If the war situation were really urgent, then of course they would make do with whatever they could make do with, but today's Great Qin obviously would not be in such a state of embarrassment.

The principle of muskets and artillery is very simple. It is nothing more than firing projectiles through the kinetic energy of explosions. The boys in the Craftsman Bureau all know that. If it is really said, just make a hollow copper tube. As long as it is strong enough and the gunpowder is powerful enough, the projectiles will be able to fire. Launched.

A large part of the reason why Zhao Si found it difficult was that the birth of guns and artillery completely changed the situation of war and the application of tactics.

What the craftsmanship bureau has to consider is actually not the firing, but other issues such as accuracy and range. Individually, these are small issues, but these small issues are brought together on a musket and artillery, and the differences between them need to be considered. The balance and trade-offs...

The difficulty with this thing is large-scale production, which has strict requirements for a country's industrial system.

Simplified, it is actually the same as what Liu Pi said, that is, making copper pipes.

"Within a year!" Liu Biyan said firmly.

The second is the improvement of supporting technology based on the fire stick.

"Okay!" Zhao Si high-fived and praised.

"It's hard for me to think about it, but you guys are sincere. If it were not for the pursuit of credit, the longer the time would be, the better. There would be too much hypocrisy and compromise. I still feel comfortable staying here at the Craftsman Bureau. At least you don’t need to beat around the bush when talking, and there’s no rush for one year. I’ll give you two years. It must be more convenient, more accurate, and more powerful. After two years, the Shaofu will be put into production. I will give you an order. The general will fully cooperate with you," Zhao Si said in a deep voice.

After that, Zhao Si took off the jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Liu Pi.

"In addition, from now on, the craftsmanship bureau will enter the highest confidentiality state. The Guhui will dispatch Jinwu to guard it day and night. The internal access of the craftsmanship bureau must also be reduced. The specific confidentiality regulations will be written to Guhu today. The Guhui will approve it as soon as possible. ." Zhao Si said seriously.

"I understand, but this way..." Liu Pi thought for a moment and asked.

"I understand what you are thinking. The maximum confidentiality status will last for two years. After two years, when the system of the Young Master's Office is improved, it will no longer be necessary. However, in the future, scientific researchers involved in core technologies will inevitably be accompanied by personal soldiers...

Don't worry, it's not surveillance. You are all talents. To a discerning king, they don't mind exchanging a city for the value of a person, so your safety must be guaranteed. "Zhao Si said.

The entire craftsmanship bureau was put under martial law out of necessity, mainly because Daqin's supporting industries and large-scale production had not yet begun, and Zhao Si did not want any news to leak out.

However, after the advent of muskets and artillery, this state of martial law can be canceled and replaced by other protective measures.

"But this has alerted me..." Zhao Si rubbed his eyebrows.

Great Qin's military is unparalleled in the world. If the neighboring countries are not stupid, they will probably not openly provoke Great Qin.

But there is no doubt that they long for Great Qin's advanced technology, and there will be many overt and covert struggles in this regard in the future.

The security projects of espionage organizations, counter-espionage organizations, core technologies and technical personnel all need to continue to be upgraded.

"Your Highness is really... far-sighted."

Liu Pi didn't like thinking about these twists and turns, but he could feel His Highness Taisun's attention.

Although he said that the craftsmanship bureau had no power, the status of the craftsmanship bureau was here, and he was extremely fascinated by the feeling of winning attention and respect with genuine skills without relying on twists and turns.

This is not only true for Liu Pi, but also for the entire craftsmanship bureau.

Those engaged in scientific research are relatively pure compared to those engaged in politics, but it does not mean that they do not have emotions and desires.

In fact... well, this group of real human elites would be crazy to play and imitate.

But fortunately, they don't have this condition now.

After all, the Legalists had suffered enough in the past. Not to mention the Mohists, all schools of thought were big cats or two or three kittens. Every family's vitality was severely damaged, and the Confucianists with the thickest health bars all faced their darkest moment...

Nowadays, all schools of thought are busy recovering their health, and there are naturally some dark side things, but given the current situation, the overall atmosphere is relatively pure. After receiving Liu Pi's assurance, Zhao Si left the craftsmanship bureau in a comfortable state of mind and body. Just as he was thinking about announcing the good news to the First Emperor and letting the craftsmanship bureau show his face, Ji Zhou came over again to report that someone wanted to see him.

"Li Shiqi came back from Jizi North Korea?" Zhao Si asked.

Li Shiqi's mission to Jizi North Korea was already last year. Counting the time, more than half a year has passed.

"Do you want to summon His Highness?" Jizhu asked.

"Of course I have to summon him, let the palace people prepare a banquet, and I will entertain him myself!" Zhao Si waved his hand.

Jizi Korea is located to the east of Liaodong County. According to the geographical division of later generations, in fact, the entire Jizi Korea belongs to the Liaodong region, including Zhenfan Baiyi, which belongs to the territory of Zhuxia. For a long time, Korea has been active in the Liaodong area. , the strategic focus was not on the islands. It was not until the Tang Dynasty that the local government of North Korea completely left the Central Plains and retreated behind the scenes.

So if you really want to say that Korea has a long history, it is also a land power, it is also a farming nation, and even the culture is very different. In addition, Wei Dynasty Korea was founded by the Yan people. It really means that it has the same roots as Zhuxia There is no problem with the source.

But whether it is ancient Korea or Goguryeo, in fact, it has nothing to do with Bangzi. The races are completely different...

Hmm... Strictly speaking, they are still enemies and invaders. If Bangzi's lust for ancient Korea and Goguryeo were known to his ancestors, the coffin board would not be able to hold it down.

It is also a terrestrial cultural circle, and as an area once administratively controlled by the Yan State, it is naturally impossible for Zhao Si to sit back and watch the emergence of these independent regimes.

It's just that compared to the Huns and South Vietnam, Jizi Korea and other Dongyi were placed in the second echelon, but sooner or later they would also be conquered by the Qin Dynasty.

Jizi Korea, as the most well-organized country among Dongyi, was the first to bear the brunt. The presence of the Wei family made it easier for Qin to stir up trouble without starting a war.

Now the Wei family is living under someone else's roof. Previously, they were chased by Li Xin and their vitality was severely injured. The head of the family, Wei Kou, died. Wei Man inherited the Wei family at a young age. However, his vitality was severely injured and the Wei family's vitality was gone.

Ji Zhun, the king of Jizi Korea, was obviously dissatisfied with Wei's defeat in the war. The most important thing was that Wei had provoked the enemy Qin for Jizi Korea.

No matter how happy Wei was when Ji Zhun licked her, how good the friendship was, or how much Ji Zhun trusted Wei, the estrangement during the period gave diplomats room to play.

Zhao Si's order to Li Shiqi was to target this gap. It would be best to force Jizi North Korea and the Wei family to break, or even break out a war.

It was even more bitter and cold outside Liaodong, and Zhao Si did not want the Qin soldiers to use their lives to fill it if it was not necessary.

Now, nearly a year has passed since Li Shiqi left, and it's time to receive the results.

After a while, Li Shiqi arrived at the East Palace under the leadership of Jizhu. The palace people had already prepared several banquets.

As a talent that Zhao Si personally tied up, although Li Shiqi has not been in Daqin all year round, he still occupies the core position of Zhao Si's subordinates and is highly trusted by Zhao Si.

Li Shiqi was obviously greatly benefited from Zhao Si's personal greetings, and Li Shiqi respectfully saluted Zhao Si.

"There's no need to be formal. It's bitterly cold outside the Great Wall. I'm supposed to take care of you. It's a private banquet. You don't have to follow any etiquette. Just talk while eating." Zhao Si smiled and brought up the wine, and Li Shi accompanied him.

After a few glasses of wine, Li Shiqi began to explain his mission to Jizi Korea.

"I still underestimated Ji Zhun's trust in the Wei family before. Even because the Wei family provoked the Qin State, Ji Zhun's attitude was still very tough at the beginning. He even threatened that he would not give up any of his countrymen and would not hesitate to go to war with Qin for the Wei family. "Li Shiqi said.

"In this way, Ji Zhun is not a fatuous king, but if so, why did the Wei family become so big in Jizi North Korea? Is it because he has some capable people around him?" Zhao Si asked.

"Your Highness hit the mark!" Li Shiqi took a sip of wine.

"It was the attention of Jiping, the former Prime Minister of North Korea..." Li Shiqi said.

"Former Prime Minister?"

"Well, he is Ji Zhun's uncle, but his branch is a bit far away, and he has high prestige in the country, but he has already become an official. The Wei family fled from the Yan Kingdom to Jizi North Korea with their clan members. Ji Zhun did not accept them at first. It took Ji Ping's lobbying for the Wei family to gain a foothold," Li Shiqi said.

"It sounds a bit complicated. In fact, Ji Zhun didn't have a good impression of the fleeing Yan people at first." Li Shiqi said.

"It's understandable. After all, after being bullied by the Yan Kingdom for so long, Ji Zhun probably only fully grasped the rights of a king after the fall of the Yan Kingdom." Zhao Si said with a smile.

"Your Highness is wise. Later, after my envoy Jin persuaded me, I roughly figured out the true story. In fact, at first Ji Zhun even refused to allow me to stay in Jizi North Korea and asked me to leave within a time limit." Li Shiqi said with a smile.

"Then how did you do it?" Zhao Si asked.

"I bribed Ji Zhun's beloved concubine..." Li Shiqi said.

"In short, the Wei family's backer was the Prime Minister Ji Ping at the beginning, but later there were some conflicts and it seemed that they broke up. But by that time, Wei Kou had already pleased the monarch Ji Zhun. In short, the relationship between the Wei family and Ji Ping was getting worse and worse. , and later there was a fight, which ended with Ji Ping becoming an official. After that, Ji Zhun put more emphasis on Wei Kou and his son, and began to pay attention to the nobles who had escaped from the Central Plains..." Li Shiqi said.

"In this way, I'm afraid it's for the sake of power. I'm afraid that the prestige of the Prime Minister Ji Ping even interfered with Ji Zhun's power. After gaining a foothold, the Wei family seized this opportunity and completely won the trust of the Prime Minister Ji Zhun.

But in this way, the Wei family is really ungrateful.

But Ji Ping's willingness to suggest keeping the Wei family at this time shows that he does have some talents. It is no wonder that Ji Ping will try his best to make Ji Ping an official.

No matter how good a country is, it seems that it never lacks talents. "Zhao Si sighed.

But it doesn't matter... Li Shiqi can use it as a joke to change the atmosphere, which shows that the strategy has been stable.

Yes, no matter how rubbish a country is, talents will be born. There is never a shortage of talents in the world. It only depends on whether the talents can exert all their abilities.

Generally speaking, most countries cannot do their best.

Talents should not be used, the king is close to the villain...

The rise and fall of big and small countries is actually the same thing, with nothing new.

"Yeah... It's really a waste of effort. Fortunately, Ji Zhun doesn't really believe in the Prime Minister." Li Shiqi shook his head and laughed.

"But I spent a lot of gold and silver, and I also promised to spend a lot..."

"Just withdraw some gold and silver from the Aviation Trade Military Mansion..."

Zhao Si raised his head and laughed!

If you can't spend it, it's just a pile of stones.

(End of this chapter)