Wanli 1592

Chapter 479 Xu Guangqi is full of guilt
"A flintlock without a match?"

Xu Guangqi looked at the blunderbuss in his hand, stroked it carefully, and looked it up and down. When he saw the ignition setting, he was quite interested. He stretched out his hand to take the flintlock, turned the wheel vigorously, and handed it to Xu Guangqi.

"It has no gunpowder, so don't worry about it going off."

Xu Guangqi took the firecracker a little cautiously, then moved the muzzle of the gun away, pulled the trigger with his finger, and with a bang, the flint hit the fire and shot a string of sparks, which hit the fire door directly. If there is gunpowder in the fire door, it must be ignited, thereby igniting the musket and achieving the purpose of shooting.

"Exquisite! This thing is exquisite. It doesn't need a matchlock or an open flame, so I don't know how much trouble it saves. Xu saw the bird gun at the garrison in his hometown. The soldiers often complained that the matchlock burned too fast, or they carried a matchlock on their backs. It is inconvenient to use, the south of the Yangtze River is humid, and the north of Saibei is very windy, so it is not convenient to use the bird gun, if there is such a gun, it will be of great benefit to the country!"

Xu Guangqi's eyes flashed with surprise: "Can Xiao Hou make this gun?"

The young man nodded: "When the Dongwu Kingdom was pacified, the Dongwu Rebellion once hired a Franjiyi musketeer team to assist in the battle. After those Frangjiyi were killed, one of them Having got this kind of flintlock in his hands, Xiao Hou felt very important, and used his wealth to recruit craftsmen to copy it, and the copy was finally successful."

"Great! Great! If there is this blunderbuss, the burden on the Jiubian and Liaodong garrisons will be greatly reduced! If this blunderbuss can be used in the Ming army, the combat effectiveness of the Ming army will be greatly improved! Xiaohou's move will benefit In the present age, merit lies in the future! Your Excellency, please accept the next obeisance for Xiao Hou!"

Xu Guangqi stood up excitedly and bowed deeply to the young man. The young man quickly stood up to avoid it, and then helped Xu Guangqi up.

"Don't get excited, Mr. Xu, there is one more thing you haven't seen yet."

Xu Guangqi raised his head and asked suspiciously, "What else?"

The young man raised the muzzle of the flintlock and brought it to Xu Guangqi's eyes, motioning him to look into the barrel of the gun. Xu Guangqi looked inside suspiciously.

"Huh? There seems to be something in the gun barrel...this is..."

Xu Guangqi stuck out his finger and stuffed it into the barrel of the gun. He almost stuffed his finger into it and couldn't get it out.

The young man smiled, and said: "This is called rifling, and it is also a magic weapon that Xiao Hou obtained from the flintlock in the hands of Franjiyi. Mr. Xu also knows that the barrel of the birdcage and the flintlock are the same, but they are different. The most important thing is to stimulate the runner used, and this rifling is an important object comparable to the runner.

When using bird guns, gunpowder and lead bullets need to be loaded into the muzzle of the gun, compacted with a cleaning rod, then ignited and ignited, and the shot is successful. The width is wider.

Therefore, when the gunpowder ignited, the lead bullet rushed out of the gun barrel, and the shooting direction was much different from what we expected. It was basically impossible to know where it flew after fifty steps, and the accuracy was extremely poor. "

Hearing what the young man said, Xu Guangqi also nodded.

"Yes, some veterans have said that for new recruits, you may not be able to shoot accurately at [-] paces, let alone [-] paces. The shooting accuracy is extremely low, and you often don't know where you fly when you shoot.

Although the lethality is greater than that of a bow and crossbow, the range is too short. If you face the Mongolian Jurchen cavalry head-on, the fire will not be used, and the blade will be necked. bird gun. "

The young man said: "That's right, Xiao Hou was deeply aware of the weakness of the bird gun on the Korean battlefield, so after arriving in Burma, he started to study the rifling.

You see, the role of this rifling is to allow lead bullets to be shot in a fixed direction, which has greatly improved both shooting accuracy and range.

When we use this kind of rifled flintlock, the lead bullets we use are like this. You see, they are slightly larger than the barrel. To use them, you need to use this kind of mallet to knock the lead bullets into it! "

The young man took out a lead bullet and a small wooden mallet from the box, and told Xu Guang to knock the lead bullet in. Xu Guangqi's eyes lit up when he saw it.

"Those veterans and master craftsmen all said that with this rifling, when the buckshot is shot out, it will be shot directly in a straight line. With the aim, it is not like the bird gun without rifling, which is shot in all directions. Flying randomly, the accuracy and range of this rifled gun are far superior to those of the bird gun.

Also, here is the rear sight, and here is the front sight. When shooting, the soldiers aim with one eye, aiming in a straight line between the front sight and the rear sight, and the shooting accuracy is greatly improved. We have done experiments, and this rifled flintlock can hit More than two hundred steps, but also farther and more accurate. "

"Two hundred steps?!"

Xu Guangqi was amazed: "There is such a magic weapon in the world! Firearms are so powerful? This... this is simply..."

Having said this, Xu Guangqi frowned suddenly.

"If Franjiyi snatched it from his hands, doesn't that mean that Franjiyi already possesses this kind of artifact? And it has already been installed?"

The young man sighed in his heart, Ye Gong and Xiao Hou really knew people, they both talked about Xu Guangqi's concern for the country and the people and his long-term vision, others would only lament how amazing this gun is, but he could think of the use of the Fran robot The threat that this firearm poses to Daming.

"Please don't worry, sir. Xiaohou has sent a fleet of ocean-going fleets to visit the continent of Europe, the homeland of the Francoids in the Western Taixi region. The specific information we have learned is that the main weapon used by the Francoids so far is still the bird. Guns are not more advanced than those of Ming Dynasty, although this kind of rifled flintlock is powerful, it cannot be mass-produced."

"Xiaohou has already been to the continent of Europa? This... how can this gun not be mass-produced?"

"Not to mention that the craftsmanship is extremely demanding. Rifling is not something that ordinary craftsmen can do. It takes a lot of time for experienced craftsmen to do it. Xiaohou has only owned five or six hundred pieces of such flints in the past three years. The cost of a rifled flintlock is about six taels of silver."

"Six taels of silver? So expensive?"

Xu Guangqi estimated the price and swallowed.

"Yes, so, even if the output can keep up and can be produced in large quantities, the cost is too high. Therefore, so far only the Xiaohou Guards can be equipped with this kind of firearms. Most of the Ming army in Myanmar are still using bird guns. In one point, Franz is the same as us, so don't worry about it for the time being."

Xu Guangqi nodded, "Oh".

"Sir, there is also this, you see."

The young man took out another object and handed it to Xu Guangqi. Xu Guangqi took it and looked at it, very surprised.

"Is this... a knife? A dagger? Or a short sword?"

Xu Guangqi has never seen such a knife. It is quite sharp, with two sides, but it is a bit short. It must be shorter than the saber used by ordinary people, but it doesn't look that short, so it is very strange. It doesn't look like it. A weapon used by one person, say it is long, is not enough, and say it is short, it is not enough.

Xu Guangqi looked at the young man suspiciously.

"This is not a dagger, nor is it a dagger. This thing is called a bayonet, and it is used together with this flintlock. Look here, there is a device for loading and unloading the bayonet."

The young man showed Xu Guangqi the small devices under the barrel of the flintlock. Xu Guangqi was quite surprised when he saw it. After installing the flintlock, Xu Guangqi immediately noticed that the gun had grown a lot, and it looked like a short gun!
The kind that can assassinate the enemy!
The young man was holding the flintlock with the bayonet attached, stood up, and held the flintlock flat for Xu Guangqi to see.

"The role of this bayonet is to use it to protect the pistol when the enemy rushes to the front or the flintlock can't shoot in an unexpected situation. With the bayonet on, even if the blunderbuss cannot be used, it will not be a problem at all. Burning fire sticks can kill and defend, Xiaohou even compiled and practiced a set of bayonet skills for the guards to learn and use."

Xu Guangqi stood up quite excitedly, took the flintlock in his hand, and couldn't help looking up and down.

"Today, Xu has gained some insight. He used to think that the bird gun was really useless, but seeing this flintlock today, Xu is really a frog at the bottom of the well. I don't know that there are so many wonders in the world, but firearms have reached such a level! See it this way Come on, in a few decades, wouldn't swords, guns, swords and halberds have to be discarded?"

"Sir, what you said is too much. The thing that our ancestors have for thousands of years, you can't just use it if you don't use it. The weakness of this firearm is also great. First of all, it can't rain. Once it rains, nothing can be used. So we Even if the soldiers had firecrackers in their hands, Xiao Hou gave each of them a machete, and if the firecrackers were no longer usable, they would draw their swords and fight hand-to-hand."

Xu Guangqi nodded and was full of admiration: "Xiao Hou's thinking is really far-reaching. He can think of it to such a degree. If the imperial court can popularize this thing, why should I worry about the injustice of the northern captives? If Taizu Chengzu had such a sharp weapon during the Northern Expedition, Now there are no more Mongolian Jurchens! Alas!"

As he spoke, Xu Guangqi showed worry again.

"The current situation is like this. It is not Mr. alone. It is not a flintlock that can be changed by a single blunderbuss. No matter how many blunderbusses, no matter how powerful the weapon is, if a person is blunt, tired, lazy, and greedy, the weapon is useless. In the end, the weapon still needs people. To use it, everything still depends on the person.”

The young man memorized what Xiao Ruxun had taught him by heart, and repeated it to Xu Guangqi.

When Xu Guangqi heard it, his face showed worry, and Shaoqing turned into a look of depression.

"Even if Xu Guangqi has the heart to save the country, it's just one move. If he speaks lightly, even if he is a Jinshi, if he doesn't win the Three Tripods, if he doesn't win the Shuji, he won't be a Hanlin, and if he doesn't stay for 30 to [-] years, he won't be able to realize his ambition. Even if you have what you have learned, there is nowhere to use it. Your Excellency’s words are true, and Guangqi is ashamed!"

Then Xu Guangqi looked at the young man.

"Did Xiao Hou say that just now?"

The young man nodded with a wry smile.

"It's exactly what Xiao Hou said. I know only three to five hundred characters, which Xiao Hou forced us warriors to learn. In Burma, Xiao Hou forced every officer with a military rank to know at least three hundred characters, and soldiers to learn at least three hundred characters. If you know a hundred characters, otherwise you will have to hit the board. Everyone is forced to learn. The more you know, the more rewards you will get.

Xiao Hou also recruited some old scholars from all over the country to come to Burma to teach us warriors and teach those children how to read, saying that it is not too important for us to read or not, but at least we must be able to read and write. If you can understand the imperial edict, you will not be easily deceived by those who are interested. "

Xu Guangqi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled wryly for a while.

"Since ancient times, most of the rebels have started by bewitching the people. There are 30 scholars in the world who live on the emperor's food for free. They are not even as good as a warrior. A warrior can even educate the people and enlighten the people's wisdom, so that the people will not be easily deceived. The scholars of my generation Still fighting for power and profit in that imperial court day in and day out! Rumors spread everywhere and everyone panicked!"

Holding the gun in his hand, Xu Guangqi stood up long.

"Reading is not to educate the people, what kind of books are you reading? What kind of official are you to be an official if you don't make decisions for the people? What Ye Gong said is true, what Ye Gong said is true!"

Seeing that the fire was coming, the young man took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Xu Guangqi.

"Mr. Xu, Xiao Hou said, if when talking about the things just now, Mr. Xu can think of the threat of Franji barbarians to Daming, the help of sharp weapons to Ming, and the disadvantages of court officials' party struggles, it proves that Mr. Xu has the heart of worrying about the country and the people and the talent of benefiting the country and the people.

Then let me hand over this letter written by Xiao Hou to Mr. Xu. Xiao Hou said that he really appreciates Mr. Xu's ability to read books without reading dead books. He can think of making profits for the people and is willing to do things for the people. of scholars.

He didn't dare to delay Mr. Xu's future, he didn't dare to delay Mr. Xu's participation in the examination, but he just hoped that if Mr. Xu was free in the future, he would come to Burma to have a look and take a walk, maybe Mr. Xu would gain something. "

The young man offered the letter with both hands, and Xu Guangqi's lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he didn't say it.

After a moment of silence, Xu Guangqi put down his gun and took the letter with both hands.

"Guangqi understands, please thank Xiaohou on behalf of Guangqi."

"I will definitely bring it to you next time! Mr. Xu, Xiao Hou gave you this flintlock gun as a gift. Xiao Hou said that given the current financial situation of the imperial court and the thoughts of officials, it is impossible for this gun to be used in the Ming army within ten years. Not only is it useless to take it out early, but it will cause trouble for the upper body, so I ask Mr. Xu to handle it carefully."

Xu Guangqi looked at the letter and the gun silently, took a deep breath, and nodded.

"Xiaohou loves so much, Guangqi has nothing to repay, and I feel deeply ashamed."

"Mr. Xu doesn't need to be ashamed, as long as Mr. Xu still has Ming Dynasty and the people of Ming Dynasty in his heart, that's enough, and Xiao Hou will be very happy."

Xu Guangqi was full of guilt, so he could only sigh deeply.

(End of this chapter)