King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

Chapter 174 What kind of gun is this? Let’s play for Fourth Brother!

Zhu Yuanzhang approved several memorials.

Suddenly I remembered something.

Head up.

I saw Zhu Xi, Zhu Di and Zhu Tan walking out of the palace.

"Tan'er, we forgot to ask you, where are the 50 shi of food now?"

Zhu Yuanzhang also knew that so much food might not arrive as quickly as Zhu Tan.

The first is that the speed of transportation is slow, and it takes time to raise food and grass.

However, the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang arranged this matter for Zhu Tan was because his confidante Wu Waner's family was the largest grain store in Shandong!

In fact, after cooperating with the Lu Shang Salt Company, the Wu family collected grain and hoarded land across the country in order to obtain salt. After the decline of the Shanxi merchants, the Wu family had become the largest grain store in the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, 50 stones of food and grass is difficult for others, but for Zhu Tan, it should not be a problem.

the other side.

Zhu Xi and Zhu Di couldn't help but look at each other in shock when they heard Zhu Yuanzhang's words.

Zhu Xi couldn't help but take a breath of cold air.

No wonder my father dotes on his tenth brother and assigned him a mission of 50 stones of food in one breath!
Transporting it from Shandong would probably cost 40 taels of silver!
Suddenly he wasn't so jealous anymore.

Zhu Di also laughed dumbly.

At one time, 50 stones of military rations were transported to the court, which basically provided all the food and grass needed by the Ming army in the early stages of the Northern Expedition.

The tenth brother is really capable!
No wonder he can be so arrogant and domineering, so what if he indulges in pleasure? After spending so much money for the court, isn't it natural for him to enjoy himself?
It is a bit redundant to persuade him myself.

Father will always be on his side.

Zhu Tan shook his head when he heard Lao Zhu's words and said with a smile: "Back to my father, the food and grass have not been transported yet."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly and said, "Oh? It didn't arrive? Is it because of lack of money? Or lack of food?"

Then he sighed and said: "You should have told us earlier if the shipment didn't arrive! Aren't you delaying the military flight? Fortunately, we have stored a lot of food in Jiubian, so we don't have to use yours!"

Zhu Tan said with a smile: "The food and grass are still on the way. I am thinking of transporting it by land. With so much food, the loss is too great, so I will simply transport it by sea! King Lu and Wei have also boarded the ship. They should arrive within the next two or three days!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned and frowned: "Shipping? Are you a little too brave? What should you do if you encounter wind and waves? What if you encounter Japanese pirates? Can your Lu Wangwei know how to fight at sea?"

Zhu Tan smiled and said: "It's better to encounter Japanese pirates and kill them easily! But I think they don't dare to come!"
As for the storm
Father, in fact, the previous dynasty also used sea transportation every year, transporting grain from the south to Peiping every year, and the loss in a year was less than half, which is really insignificant. This time, my son used large ships that can transport ten thousand stones of grain, and even more No need to worry about wind and waves! On the contrary, water transportation and land transportation consume more! 50 shi of grain, calculated by sea transportation, the cost is about shi.

But if it is transported by land, it will probably cost 200,000 shi! Water transport.”

Zhu Tan smiled.

Nowadays, Peiping is not the capital city. It does not have such a large population and does not have such a large demand for food. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, which was very smooth during the Yuan Dynasty, has now accumulated a lot of siltation.

Many flight segments are no longer possible.

Zhu Yuanzhang knew it well and asked again: "How does the speed of sea transportation compare with land transportation?"

Zhu Tan smiled and said: "Of course sea transportation is faster! Sea transportation can be done day and night, but land transportation cannot! And so many civilians and strong men are delayed for a long time, which is incomparable with the efficiency of sea transportation!"

These grains will be unloaded at the pier of Haijin Prefecture (today's Tianjin) in a few days, and then they will be transported by land. Father, don't worry! "

Only then did Zhu Yuanzhang smile.

Originally, he was a little dissatisfied with Zhu Tan's use of shipping to save money.

After all, military and state affairs cannot be delayed for a moment. If Zhu Tan cherishes money, in Zhu Yuanzhang's view, the situation is still too small.

Nowadays, it seems that shipping by sea is not only fast, but also cheap.

Then there is nothing more to say.

All I can say is that this guy is really capable!
Zhu Yuanzhang looked not far away.

Zhu Xi and Zhu Di were looking in their direction, frowning and humming: "What are you looking at! I have nothing to do and learn from you ten brothers! As brothers, do you have the nerve to be compared with your younger brothers?"

Whoever performs well in this Northern Expedition, we will also give him a princely salary! "

Zhu Di sighed.

Since I was a child, I learned to fight from my father-in-law Xu Da, how could I understand these things?

Zhu Xiang looked even more helpless.

In fact, I can make money myself, if I don't consider the life and death of the people in the domain.
However, after all, he is not as good as Lao Shi!
Seven or eight days later.

In today's Peking City.

Although the excitement of the Spring Festival has passed, the cold climate still has a firm grip on the city. In the chilly atmosphere of spring, the willow trees on both sides of the street barely spit out a few bits of green, as if they were trembling in the cold air.

In the morning, the mist shrouded the mountains in the distance, making the whole city seem to be shrouded in a mysterious veil.

Pedestrians wore heavy cotton-padded coats with tightly closed collars and hurriedly walked on heavy cotton-padded shoes. Everyone's face showed a tense expression to resist the cold.

From time to time, vendors push wooden carts, which are filled with firewood and charcoal, making a squeaking sound, in order to supply every household to ward off the severe cold.

In a corner of the market, in front of the steaming food stalls, several customers sat around, holding hot mutton skewers or stewed soup with their hands, trying to get a bit of warmth from them.

Occasionally, the laughter of children comes from deep in the alley. They are not afraid of the cold, with rosy cheeks, chasing and playing, adding a bit of vitality to this cold early spring.

In the city of Peiping, although the Spring Festival lanterns are still hung at the entrances of high-end houses, they have lost the liveliness of the festival, leaving only the swaying and loneliness when the wind blows.

The cold wind blew by, bringing with it the rustle of leaves on the street corners, which seemed to tell the loneliness and waiting of early spring.

In this climate, everyone and every family spent the early days of the Ming Dynasty day after day in their own way, looking forward to the arrival of the real spring.

of course.

Even these ordinary people.

I also felt that Beiping City was unusual at this moment.

After all, in Beiping City at this time.

There are only a few hundred thousand people.

But armies from all over gathered together, numbering no less than 20.

In addition to the King of Qin, the King of Jin, the King of Yan, the King of Qi, and the King of Lu, several major vassal kings gathered here.

There are also famous generals such as Song Guogong Feng Sheng, Ying Guogong Fu Youde, Yongchang Hou Lanyu and so on.

Zhu Tan has been living in the house arranged for him by Zhu Di for six or seven days.

Before this, the prime minister of the Yuan Dynasty lived here.

Zhu Tan walked out of the room bored.

Sighed slightly.

Without the princess, my loneliness of hundreds of millions of dollars would really have nowhere to rest!
suddenly.

There was a sound of horse hooves.

Dozens of soldiers who came from Prince Lu's Mansion in Yanzhou, riding sweaty horses, seemed to be rushing all night. These soldiers had gleaming armor and spears, but what attracted Zhu Tan's attention the most were the dozens of new muskets between their shoulders and backs!

All the soldiers fell from their horses.

Reported to the guard at the door.

Zhu Tan was very happy when he heard this and summoned him immediately.

soon.

The soldiers walked in with their guns on their backs.

"Your Highness, this is the firearm made by Mr. Tao. He said that you will be satisfied, and please take a look at it!"

The leader, Xiao Qi, held a musket and handed it to Zhu Tan respectfully.

Zhu Tan took the musket, his hand felt heavy and he almost dropped it to the ground.

If Zhu Tan hadn't paid some attention to exercising on weekdays, he would have been almost unable to hold the gun!

Even if the gun butt is made of wood, it still weighs more than 20 kilograms!
Zhu Tan held this heavy musket firmly and immediately felt its unique characteristics.

Although the weight is surprising, that's due to the materials and construction it's made of. The body of this musket is made of selected heavy-duty steel, and its surface has been treated with a special process, which not only improves durability but also gives it a unique jet-black color. This deep black color not only reflects its powerful combat attributes, but also reveals a calm and firm temperament.

The smoothbore design of this musket is its biggest innovation. This design simplifies the internal structure, which not only makes the musket easier to produce and maintain, but also increases the muzzle velocity of the bullet to a certain extent, thereby enhancing the range and penetration. Moreover, compared with the front-loading matchlock gun, the loading speed of the smoothbore gun has also been significantly improved, which is crucial for rapid and continuous shooting on the battlefield.

The gun stock is made of selected hardwood and has been carefully carved and polished to retain the natural texture and color of the wood, making it both beautiful and practical. The wooden butt not only provides a good grip for the gun owner, but also effectively alleviates the recoil generated when shooting, reducing the impact on the shooter. Especially in winter, the wooden stock is less likely to conduct cold than the metal part, which increases the comfort when holding the gun.

The trigger of this musket is designed to be simple and exquisite, with a sensitive touch and can be fired with just one click. This design significantly improves the accuracy and convenience of shooting. Although it is heavier, for specially trained soldiers, the design and weight are just enough to ensure stability and accuracy when shooting.

The more Zhu Tan looked at the gun in front of him, the happier he felt!
Wanhu’s efficiency is really good!
He actually completed his mission.

He looked at the small flag in front of him and asked: "How many muskets have you brought this time? Have you brought other muskets? Since the strength of the barrel of the musket can already withstand the granular gunpowder, then the artillery should be made as well Is it okay? Did you bring it too?”

The flag official was full of admiration when he heard Zhu Tan's words.

In fact, he didn't understand many of the contents of Zhu Tan's question.

For example, what is granular gunpowder, and what does the steel of the barrel have to do with the artillery?
His Royal Highness King Lu actually knows all these things clearly.

He is the lord of the vassal, and he has to do so many big things on weekdays, but he still knows how to do these craftsmen's things!
Fortunately, Wanhu had already taught him what he should report.

He only set out on the road by remembering it firmly.

Even if Zhu Tan didn't ask him, he would still say it.

He immediately replied: "For your Highness, Mr. Tao asked me to tell your Highness that the new muskets were probably all ready when I brought them to His Highness, and they will definitely be sent to Peking in time! In addition, the new artillery is also here. In the process of casting, the time will not be much later than the new musket! Even if you can’t equip the full complement of Lu Wangwei, you can still equip most of them!”

When Zhu Tan heard this, he smiled with satisfaction.

"Okay! Let me try this musket!"

soon.

200 steps away, a sergeant placed a bottle, and everyone looked at Zhu Tan eagerly.

Zhu Tan was stunned when he saw this, and then put down his gun.

Everyone was confused and looked at Zhu Tan doubtfully.

Zhu Tan laughed and scolded: "Who do you think I am? A sharpshooter? Can I hit a bottle with 200 steps?"

Everyone also laughed dryly.

Today's muskets, because the bullets are smaller than the barrel, are highly random after being fired, and can easily fly around. Under normal circumstances, a distance of sixty or seventy steps can be said to be accurate, and only half of it can be said to be accurate at a distance of 100 steps. The hit rate is good. As for hitting a bottle in 200 steps, even a sharpshooter has to rely on luck! This is a flaw in the weapon itself and has nothing to do with people.

Therefore, the real power of a musket is not its accuracy, but its fire coverage.

Zhu Tan can actually install rifling on the gun. Once the bullet rotates out at high speed in the rifling, it will have a fixed direction. In this way, it will not only hit accurately, but also hit far.

But Zhu Tan considered that in this era, let alone muskets, the three-eyed blunderbuss and Japanese matchlocks of the Guan Ning cavalry in later generations were both capable of crushing the Mongolian cavalry. Why should he popularize rifled guns?

It is better to keep this core technology in our own hands and not leak it out.

Otherwise, in a few years it will be much more difficult for you to find peace with Heaven.

Soon, 300 steps away.

Everyone erected a large wooden sign more than ten meters long and seven or eight meters wide.

This is Zhu Tan's request.

He just wanted to see how powerful the musket was, mainly the range, and how powerful the musket could be at such a long range.

Fortunately, the mansion is big enough.

soon.

Zhu Tan raised the loaded gun and pulled the trigger.

"Click!"

The flintlock mechanism was activated, igniting the gunpowder in the gun.

boom--!
After a crisp gunshot.

There was a hole in the wooden board 300 steps away!

The gun in Zhu Tan's hand was still steady.

the other side.

Zhu Di, who was walking towards the yard, was startled by the gunfire.

Why does Lao Shi still have this hobby?
Do you practice firecrackers in the yard when you have nothing to do on weekdays?
but
Firegun?

Zhu Di's eyes lit up.

He had always been interested in firearms.

He even repeatedly suggested to Zhu Yuanzhang to establish a firearms unit in his Yanshan Guard.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that one was that the cost of firearms was too high, and the other was that current firearms were only average in power, and they were delicate to use and were afraid of rain and moisture. It was really meaningless to build an independent firearms unit, so he did not agree.

Zhu Tan was startled by Zhu Di's appearance.

He almost beat the future Emperor Yongle to death!
But then I thought about it again.

In all likelihood, he will take the lead in Fengtian Jingnan in the future, and there is no telling whether he will be Emperor Yongle or not.

Besides, the fourth brother in front of me has only mediocre government affairs abilities. Basically, all major civil affairs in the Yongle Dynasty were done by his executive deputy emperor Zhu Gaochi. It might not be a good thing to really let Zhu Di become the emperor.
Zhu Di quickly walked towards Zhu Tan and said with a smile on his face: "Tenth brother, I have nothing to do today, so I wanted to come and chat with you. Unexpectedly, I heard the sound of a gun in your house. Why are you playing with a gun? Brother Study with you?"

As he spoke, Zhu Di looked at the musket in Zhu Tan's hand.

Then I couldn't move my eyes away anymore!
This jet-black gun body, exquisite carvings, and long barrel give people a very dangerous temperament as a whole.

And this kind of temperament is what fascinates Zhu Di the most!

Zhu Di's eyes were fixed on the musket in Zhu Tan's hand, and he asked word by word: "Where did this musket come from? It looks novel! Give it to Fourth Brother for me to play with?"

(End of this chapter)