Red Mansion Huacai

Chapter 18 Lai Da: This can’t be a good thing!

Firearms developed into the front-loading musket stage, and then divided into two development routes.One is represented by the Minie rifle, which mainly improves the range and accuracy; the other is represented by the Desale breech-loaded striker gun, which mainly improves the rate of fire.

The former developed spiral rifling and conical bullets, while the latter developed flash caps and bolt locks.Later, the two were combined to form a bolt-action rifle.

Flash caps require sulfuric acid, and sulfuric acid requires chemical industry. At this time, not only Dashun, but also Xiyi did not know what chemical industry was.Therefore, the advice Li Weijian could give was nothing more than the Migne route.

Wu Zhaosong was confused, but Yan Fengzhen was proficient in practical knowledge and pulled Li Weijian to talk.

"Why do projectiles need to be tapered?"

"Reduce wind resistance."

"What's the use of the plug at the back?"

"When the gunpowder is fired, the plug is pushed into the projectile, and the rear part of the projectile expands and sticks to the barrel of the gun. In this way, the projectile can go in a straight line when it comes out of the barrel."

"There seems to be a way...but why does the rifling have to be made into a spiral?"

"There is wind resistance. If the projectile does not rotate, it will probably roll over due to the wind resistance if it flies not far. How can it hit a straight line once it rolls?"

"Eh? That makes sense."

Yan Fengzhen turned to look at Wu Zhaosong eagerly, and Wu Zhaosong said: "Since what Jing Wen said makes sense, why don't you ask Fusheng to give you the design? I will report to King Zhongyong. The prince has made the decision and allocated the money, so the Military Academy can do it." Produce one or two."

"It's so complicated!" Yan Fengzhen said impatiently: "I will come back to life and draw a picture. I...I will have money next month, so I can directly hire the Military Academy to build it first and try it out."

Wu Zhaosong smiled and cupped his hands: "Jing Wen is very righteous. If it is really useful, I will definitely report it to the imperial court to show the merits of the two of you."

Yan Fengzhen said: "You can just repay him for the idea of ​​resurrection. What does it have to do with me? I really can't bear the officialdom's pandering. It's better to build something." After a pause, he turned around and looked at himself. Li Weijian was drinking tea next to him: "Fusheng, the one you mentioned last time..."

Li Weijian put down the teacup, smiled and pulled out a drawing from his sleeve, and a measuring tape that made him blind.

"I thought carefully about it these past two days and drew a picture. There are many parts on it. I also asked Lang Zhong to take a look at it and see how much it would cost to make it."

"It's easy to say." Wu Zhaosong took the drawings and tape measure, glanced at them but didn't understand them, and then called a clerk: "Go and call Mr. Chen over."

The clerk hurried away, and soon a skinny old man in his fifties came in.This man had dark skin, his hands were stained with oil, and his official robe was oil-stained and twisted, and he had never worn an official hat.

When he came in and bowed to Wu Zhaosong, Wu Zhaosong asked the clerk to hand over the drawings and measuring tape to Director Chen and said, "Come and see if this drawing can be made?"

"Yes." Mr. Chen squinted and scanned for a long time, then carefully looked at the tape measure in his hand, and suddenly raised his head and asked: "Second Young Master...do you mean to build this water pump according to the scale on the tape measure?"

Talent!Just by looking at the drawings, you can tell what kind of object you are making. This person must be good at making things!

Yan Fengzhen said, "It's not me this time, it's him." He turned to look at Li Weijian and said, "You want to build a water pump after rebirth?"

"Yes, I have some ideas in my mind, but I think they won't work."

Yan Fengzhen nodded and said nothing more. Only the muskets, artillery and even steam engines would attract the second son of the Kou family.As for the water pump, it doesn't rank at all.

Manager Chen frowned and thought: "If it is made more precisely, it should be able to be used. It's just that the curved blade is difficult to make, and it must be made by a master craftsman, and the cost of throwing it is not low."

Yan Fengzhen raised the teacup and said, "Old Chen just gave me the price."

"80 taels."

puff--

Yan Fengzhen turned his head and squirted a sip of tea on the ground. His eyes widened behind his glasses: "How much?"

Wu Zhaosong said with a smile: "Jing Wen also knows the price of the Military Academy. I looked at the parts above and found that they all had to be molded according to the measuring tape. They are hand-made by master craftsmen, so naturally they are more expensive. But since Jing Wen brought them Yes, then let’s reduce it a bit, I think 60 taels is enough. What does Chief Chen say?”

Chief Chen was not happy on his face, but he still handed over his hands and said, "Your Majesty is the one who makes the decision. Any subordinates will be subject to your orders."

"Okay, then it's 60 taels. Send the best craftsman in the courtyard to build it as soon as possible." Wu Zhaosong turned to look at Li Weijian: "When it's done, I'll come back and pick it up with the money. What do you think?"

Li Weijian smiled and cupped his hands: "Thank you very much, Dr. Wu."

Yan Fengzhen put down the teacup and said, "I've finished drinking the tea. Fusheng and I will no longer be an eyesore in front of Wu Langzhong."

Wu Zhaosong smiled and shook his head and pointed a few times, but was speechless.

Yan Fengzhen stood up and picked up Li Weijian: "Let's take you to see the self-ringing bell. That year, the sage Yuji sent people to search for clockmakers in Xiyi. It took three years to invite them from Laoshizi Massa and Kalala. Nine craftsmen. Tsk, the annual salary of the Western craftsmen is higher than that of my father, how can I reason?"

Yan Fengzhen spent all his money building a steam engine. He has been staying in the mansion for the past few days and has been depressed for a long time. He took Li Weijian around.I felt hungry at noon, so I ate some refreshments at will. It was not until the end of Shenshi that I reluctantly returned.

On the way back, Yan Fengzhen was in high spirits. He kept talking here and there, talking about whatever came to his mind, and his words were boundless.Li Weijian agreed, but in his mind he estimated the current level of metallurgy and manufacturing in Dashun.

He saw the crucible making steel, and saw the craftsmen pouring carbon powder into the molten iron to refine high-carbon tool steel; he saw nine Westerners from an unknown country with more than [-] apprentices, holding a single magnifying glass. The lever escapement was carefully installed; I saw the animal-powered forging hammer, clanging a piece of wrought iron into iron bars; I also saw the craftsman cutting out iron cylinders to serve as rollers in the bearings...

Li Weijian vaguely felt that Dashun's top industrial standards at this time were no worse than those in the West. What was worse was the popularity of industrial machinery... After all, manpower was too cheap.

Li Weijian knew that he could not follow the example of the Westerners in promoting colonial development, which would cause a shortage of manpower and give birth to the Industrial Revolution.All he could do was to make technological breakthroughs first, popularize steam engines first, and then push Dashun to expand outward.

My previous life was mediocre, so I don’t need to ask for too much in this life. I only hope that Dashun can bring the entire Nanyang into the territory before I die, and this trip will be considered a worthwhile one.

"Resurrection, resurrection?"

"Huh? Oh..."

"Tsk, why are you distracted?"

Li Weijian smiled and said, "I just thought that there seemed to be something wrong with my water pump."

Yan Fengzhen said: "Don't think about it. The inner government has gathered the most skilled craftsmen from all over the world. Even if there are some mistakes, they can fix them for you. That old Chen was just a great craftsman. He figured out a crankshaft connecting rod six years ago. The saint was very happy and directly The master who was awarded the sixth rank. Since Old Chen didn’t say anything just now, I think your water pump can be built.”

Li Weijian only agreed.

Yan Fengzhen said again: "It's getting late now, why don't you and I find a place to have a casual bite."

"Brother Jingwen, aren't you in a hurry to go home?" Yan Fengzhen said at a loss for words: "Today, my mother said that she would cook in person..."

Li Weijian understood. He opened the curtains and saw that the carriage had already passed Yongding Gate. This place was very close to Jia's mansion. He didn't know if there were any delicious restaurants or restaurants nearby, so he said, "Brother Jing Wen, if you don't mind, come to my small courtyard." How about a casual bite?"

He originally said it politely, but after Yan Fengzhen raised his objection, he asked Yan Fengzhen if there was anything he could eat nearby.Unexpectedly, this Yan Fengzhen is a real person. He nodded immediately after hearing this: "That's fine. I heard about Jia's rich clothes and fine food early in the morning, and I'm going to see it today."

Now that Yan Fengzhen said this, Li Weijian couldn't refuse it anymore.The car rattled, and after a moment it arrived at Ningrong Street in front of Jia's mansion.

When he arrived at the gate of Rongguo Mansion, an unfamiliar doorman came forward with a smile and bowed: "Fourth Master Jian, could you please move your feet and take a few more steps? The door hinges of the two corner doors here are a little rusty. , waiting to be replaced tomorrow.”

There are four gates in the south of Rongguo Mansion. The main gate is open for all important events. There are two corner gates on both sides. Jia Sheyuan has another corner gate.

Li Weijian usually comes in and out through the east corner door. Firstly, it is close to the stables. Secondly, the west corner door is next to Jia Zheng's outer study. The second master's Taoist style is really hard to get close to.

After thinking for a while, he decided to lead Yan Fengzhen into the mansion through the corner door next to the upper courtyard in the northeast, so as to prevent Yan Fengzhen from being recognized by Jia Zheng's Qing guests, which would cause another trouble.

So Li Weijian nodded and told Wu Haiping, who was accompanying him, to go to the east corner gate. He turned around and got into the carriage again, ordering the driver to continue moving forward.When they arrived at the entrance of the private alley, the alley was so narrow that no carriage could enter, so everyone got off the carriage and walked.

I could vaguely hear the noise in the Ningguo Mansion, and then someone yelled: "I want to go to the ancestral hall to cry for your Majesty. I hope you will give birth to these beasts! Every day, the house steals the dog, plays with the chicken, and crawls on the ground." Climbing ashes, raising a brother-in-law and raising a brother-in-law, what don’t I know? Let’s ‘fold our arms and hide them in our sleeves’!”

Um?Is it Jiao Da who is scolding the public and exposing his shortcomings?

Yan Fengzhen was stunned for a moment, and then he sneered: "It's a blessing that I've been through such a long time. I have to climb ashes and raise my brother-in-law. Isn't the Ningguo Mansion behind this wall?"

Li Weijian just smiled and shook his head without saying anything.At this time, he is living under someone else’s roof and it’s hard to say anything.

As we moved forward again, it was already dark, and we saw three people walking towards us in the distance.Li Weijian didn't realize it yet, he was just talking to Yan Fengzhen. Xiu Ying, who had been following him, looked back and suddenly felt something was wrong.

"Sir, something doesn't seem right!"

"Ok?"

"There are people blocking the place in front and back, I'm afraid they don't have good intentions."

Li Weijian and Yan Fengzhen turned around quickly, and sure enough they saw two men walking quickly at the entrance of the alley, holding short sticks in their hands, which showed that they were coming with bad intentions.

Yan Fengzhen was immediately annoyed: "Okay, there is a strong man Jian Jing in the most beautiful place in the capital! I must..."

"Brother Jing Wen, let's talk about the rest later. Let's get past this level." Li Weijian looked at Xiu Ying with a sullen face: "How many can you deal with?"

Xiu Ying said quickly: "I can deal with two of them with bare hands. If the young master asks me to use darts, it will be hard to say."

"You are allowed to use darts, deal with those behind first!" Li Weijian pulled Yan Fengzhen and turned around to leave.

Xiu Ying responded, turned around, took out a willow dart from her sleeve, raised her hand and struck after seven or eight steps!
Perhaps it was the first time I threw it at someone, and the two darts were slightly off target. One dart pierced the thigh of the man on the left, and the other darts pierced the arm of the man on the right carrying the stick.

After screaming twice, Li Weijian dropped Yan Fengzhen and ran away: "Look after my friend!"

"Yes!" Xiu Ying responded. She carried three willow leaf darts with her, but now only one is left.But he saw him holding the willow leaf dart in his palm, arranging his posture and bluffing at the three people running towards him: "Look at the hidden weapon!"

The three people running towards him immediately stopped and retreated in fright. At the same time, Li Weijian flew up and kicked the idler in the chest. He picked up the short stick from the ground, swung it up and hit the green-skinned cheek of the middle escort in the thigh.

With a groan and a scream, Li Weijian didn't give up. He stepped forward and knocked the fallen man unconscious with two sticks. He picked up the fallen short stick, then turned around and ran back to help again.

"Xiu Ying, follow up!"

Xiu Ying reached out and took the short stick, her confidence suddenly increased, and she immediately approached the three people with a willow leaf dart in one hand and a short stick in the other.

The three people blocking the alley were having an internal fight at this time. The sturdy man in the middle waved his hands repeatedly: "A little girl and two poor men, follow me!"

The two people didn't think so and stopped talking. The man on the left simply said: "Ni Er, this deal is different from what you said earlier. Why is this little girl still secretly talking about it?" Qingzi?"

The one on the right also said: "We brothers can't do it, you have to do it yourself!"

As soon as the words fell, the two men turned and ran away.Ni Er among them hesitated for a moment. Before he could figure out whether to leave or stay, Li Weijian and Xiu Ying rushed over. Two short sticks flew up and down. Ni Er raised his arms to block them twice before being knocked over. land.

Yan Fengzhen, who was trembling with anger and fear before, regained his energy, ran over and kicked him randomly a few times, and yelled: "Father Yan Xiyao, you dared to rob me after eating a bear's heart? I think you don't want to live! Hey~"

The last sound came from Yan Fengzhen, who slipped on his foot and stumbled twice before being held up by Li Weijian.

Yan Fengzhen became increasingly angry and turned towards the entrance of the alley and shouted: "Old Zhou, go call the Shuntian government officials and put all these thieves in jail!"

The coachman Lao Zhou heard the noise and hurriedly came over to check, and then went to look for the Shuntian Mansion Yamen servant with a tigerish face.

Ni Er, who was on the ground, huddled up with his head in his arms. Whenever he made any move, Xiu Ying on the side would hit her head with a stick.

Yan Fengzhen shouted to himself: "There are such murderers in the most good place. Where is the law of heaven? Where is the king's law?"

The shouting soon attracted the servants of the Jia family to come over and take a look, but they saw a group of servants and a man approaching quickly.

The man, who was over fifty years old, approached Li Weijian and slightly cupped his hands: "Fourth Master Jian, what happened to those people shouting and drinking here?"

"You are--"

When Li Weijian asked for an explanation, a servant said, "This is Grandpa Lai, the chief manager of our Rongguo Mansion."

"Shut up!" Lai Da scolded: "Who dares to call me grandpa in front of the master?"

Li Weijian cupped his hands and said with a smile: "It turns out to be General Manager Lai. My friend and I wanted to take the side door in the alley to go back to the small courtyard, but unexpectedly we ran into a strong man who cut the path. Fortunately, I have the skills of a two-handed cat, otherwise I would have been beaten. Sap.”

"Is this happening?" Lai Da was furious: "Come on, take these thieves away and torture them before sending them to the official!"

Li Weijian sneered in his heart. Before he could speak, Yan Fengzhen on the side stopped: "Wait a minute! Can the housekeeper of Jia Mansion still abuse lynching?"

It was getting dark, and Lai Da couldn't see Yan Fengzhen's face clearly, but when he saw his extraordinary clothes, he immediately raised his hands and said, "May I ask who this young master is -"

Li Weijian smiled and said, "This is my good friend, whose surname is Yan. His father is Mr. Yan, the Minister of Punishment."

Lai Da's heart skipped a beat, knowing that things might not go well now!
　Timing error, manual update.Please read on Monday~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)