Sun Chengzong has always attached great importance to artillery. He believed that firearms could make up for the lack of mobility of the Ming army. Sun Chengzong also knew a lot about the firearms in the Ming army. He had seen the two people mentioned by Xu Guangqi carrying artillery. Then

It is a kind of artillery carried by two people. It is very convenient to carry, but the range is very unsatisfactory, only one mile away.

Sun Chengzong couldn't help thinking that if granular gunpowder was used according to Xu Guangqi's statement, the range of the two-person cannon could be two miles. The two-mile range was already the range of the Little Frankie Cannon.

Compared with Little Frankie, it is more convenient to carry, which naturally plays a vital role in improving the combat effectiveness of the Ming army.

As for the big Franchi machine gun Xu Guangqi mentioned, Sun Chengzong is naturally familiar with it. This Franchi is a breech-loaded cannon, consisting of a child blunderbuss and a mother blunderbuss. Because of the special characteristics of the shells, the rate of fire of this artillery is very high.

Fast, sub-cannons (cannon shells) are loaded from the rear, and the firing interval is short. When firing shotgun shells, one shell contains 500 bullets, which can block a 60-meter-wide front, and its power is amazing.

Sun Chengzong also liked this kind of artillery very much. It was a sharp weapon against cavalry. When Qi Jiguang faced the attack of the Mongolian Tatar cavalry, he used this kind of Frankie. At most, two hundred artillery pieces were used together.

Fire shotguns, and no cavalry of any kind will be able to rush over.

However, after the Three Great Conquests of Wanli, the imperial treasury became increasingly empty, and the results of Zhang Juzheng's reforms were exhausted. The imperial court had not cast such artillery on a large scale for many years. Originally, the entire Ming Dynasty army had about 4,000 Frankie cannons of various types.

But many of them are no longer in use. There are actually not many such artillery in the Ming army now.

If this kind of artillery can really be improved to solve the problems of range and transportation, it will definitely be a magic weapon for all battlefields. But everyone in the court knows that the cost of casting such artillery is too high. I am afraid that the national treasury will be overwhelmed!

Thinking of this, Sun Chengzong couldn't help but look up at Emperor Tianqi. He didn't know how expensive firewood and rice were when he was no longer in the family. He hoped that his majesty would have his own way. In Sun Chengzong's view, if he wanted to solve the problems of the Ming Dynasty and improve the current situation, which was difficult to recover from, reform was the only way.

. But now he doesn’t know what Emperor Tianqi thinks. Since ancient times, reform has been an issue that everyone must be careful about.

While Sun Chengzong was deep in thought, Emperor Tianqi nodded slowly and said to Xu Guangqi in a deep voice: "Have you studied the rifling issue I told you about? Is there any progress?"

For any person of later generations, as long as they have a little understanding of military affairs, they will be familiar with rifling. It can be said that the emergence of rifling is a qualitative leap in the entire firearm, and it is possible to fully replace cold weapons. Of course, there is rifling.

Emperor Tianqi doesn't need to think about the muskets now. The equipment is too backward. If it is carved manually, the success rate is too low. Even if the success rate can be improved, there is no way to solve the problem of speed.

Emperor Tianqi sometimes regretted, why didn't he study science and engineering? Even if he knew how to turn a lathe, it would be fine! But he could only sigh.

After pondering for a moment, Xu Guangqi shook his head with a wry smile, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I am currently developing it. There has been some progress, but there is still a little distance from success."

This result had long been expected by Emperor Tianqi. If it were really that easy, the rifling would have appeared. However, Emperor Tianqi was very confident that as long as he told Xu Guangqi and the others about this thing, these wise people would definitely be able to create it.

come out.

Nodding slowly, Emperor Tianqi said softly: "Don't be too anxious about this. Take your time. This is not something that happens overnight."

Sun Chengzong on the other side nodded in agreement. As long as you have this goal and work hard towards it, you will be successful sooner or later.

After glancing at Xu Guangqi, Emperor Tianqi said with a smile: "Xu Aiqing, this is not why I came to you. You are now the minister of the Ministry of Industry, right?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Although Xu Guangqi didn't know why Emperor Tianqi asked this, he could only reply respectfully. Although Xu Guangqi is the minister of the Ministry of Industry, he rarely goes to the Ministry of Industry, just to make things easier.

Looking back at Wang Chengen, Emperor Tianqi said in a deep voice: "According to the edict prepared by the Chief of Ceremonies, Xu Guangqi is promoted to the rank of Ronglu Dafu, with the title of Minister of Processing, and is specifically allowed to serve in the cabinet!"

Everyone in the hall was stunned. Xu Guangqi had reached the sky in one step. Although there is only one vacant position in the cabinet for the Grand Bachelor, and that is the Grand Bachelor of Dongdong Pavilion. Even the Grand Bachelor of Dongdong Pavilion is also a Grand Bachelor! Doctor Ronglu is

It is a prose introduction from Yipin, which has no real meaning, but the title of Minister of the Processing Department is meaningful later. Although in the Ming Dynasty, this was just a false position, but it was very useful in Xu Guangqi's case.

"My lord, Xu Guangqi, thanks the Lord for your kindness. Long live my emperor!" After a slight pause, Xu Guangqi quickly knelt down on the ground and said loudly.

Emperor Tianqi walked down slowly, gently helped Xu Guangqi up, and said in a deep voice: "I see everything Aiqing does, and I will never be stingy with rewards for those who have done their best. For those who are true

Those who serve the country and the people, I will definitely put them to good use."

Looking back at Sun Chengzong, Emperor Tianqi said in a deep voice: "Sir, after the imperial edict is passed down, the cabinet must handle it as soon as possible."

"Your Majesty, don't worry!" Although Sun Chengzong is not in the capital, and cabinet matters are handled by Liu Yijing, the second assistant to the cabinet, no one dares to underestimate Sun Chengzong, the first assistant to the cabinet.

Glancing at the person behind Xu Guangqi, Emperor Tianqi said in a deep voice: "The reason why I came to Aiqing today is not about firearms. Last time I told Aiqing that I hoped that Aiqing would find me someone who knows how to build ships. I don't know about love."

How is your search going?" As he spoke, Emperor Tianqi glanced at the young man behind Xu Guangqi.

"Back to Your Majesty, I have found you!" Xu Guangqi saluted Emperor Tianqi, then pointed at the young man behind him and said.

Emperor Tianqi nodded. At this time, Emperor Tianqi and Sun Chengzong began to look at this person up and down. The only impression they had on Emperor Tianqi and Sun Chengzong was that this person was really young. He only looked a few years old, but he was energetic.

The god is pretty good, he looks neither arrogant nor impetuous. Facing Emperor Tianqi and Sun Chengzong, there is no trace of nervousness on his face. This indifference is already rare for his status.

Seeing the man kneeling on the ground, Emperor Tianqi slowly walked back to the back of the Long Bookcase and asked in a deep voice: "Xu Aiqing, why do you recommend this person?"

Xu Guangqi smiled softly and said seriously: "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, don't avoid relatives when doing internal affairs, and don't avoid enemies when doing external affairs. This person's name is Sun Yuanhua, and he is my disciple."

Emperor Tianqi and Sun Chengzong were both stunned. Neither of them expected that this person was actually a disciple of Xu Guangqi. It seems that this person is extraordinary. As a disciple of Xu Guangqi, he must have two skills. Now that he dares to recommend him, he must be very happy.

The right candidate.

With a playful smile, Emperor Tianqi said in a deep voice: "Sun Yuanhua, your teacher must have told you what I want you to do, so tell me what you think!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! The student's home is at home. He once studied with the teacher in Jiading. Because of the teacher, the student got to know a lot of Westerners. And because he grew up by the sea, he loves boats. Later he met many

The students have studied the warships of hope with great concentration. There are many aspects of the Frankian warships that are stronger than the Ming warships, and there are many aspects that are not as good as our Ming warships." Sun Yuanhua said very carefully, and stopped here.

Now, he wants to see Emperor Tianqi’s attitude.

Emperor Tianqi already felt that this Sun Yuanhua was talented. After all, he had been exposed to Western opera and was able to see two cultures equally, which was rare in this era. Seeing Sun Yuanhua stop, Emperor Tianqi said in a deep voice: "Get up and continue.

explain!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Sun Yuanhua stood up and said in a deep voice: "The students have collected a lot of information on the shipbuilding of the Ming Dynasty, a lot of information on Frankian warships, and also studied some information on water and naval battles.

The students came to a conclusion. There is only one factor that determines the outcome of today's naval battles, and that is strong ships and powerful guns." Sun Yuanhua's voice was not loud and his tone was very calm, but what he said shocked Emperor Tianqi's heart.

This simple truth will be understood by later generations, but not many people have this vision in this era! After pondering for a while, Emperor Tianqi asked in a deep voice: "Then what do you think should be done to build a powerful navy?

"

"Back to Your Majesty, the student feels that building a warship must be strong. We can combine the Frankian warships with our own shipbuilding technology to develop a new type of warship. The student already has an idea, but it has not been implemented yet. In addition, the student has an idea, but it has not been implemented yet.

It's a matter of artillery. If the improvement of Frankie's cannon is successful this time, maybe new artillery can be installed on the warship." Liu Fenghua finally understood that when the teacher mentioned Emperor Tianqi, Xu Guangqi would praise him with the words "Mingjun Holy Lord, can you?"

The emperor who has such vision must be a wise master.

Emperor Tianqi nodded slowly and said in a deep voice: "In this case, this shipyard cannot be placed in Liaodong. It is too far away from the capital, and the transportation of artillery will be a problem in the future." Emperor Tianqi will never put artillery in Liaodong for manufacturing.

, things that determine destiny like this must be kept here by yourself.

Sun Chengzong on the side was stunned, saluted Emperor Tianqi, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the best place to build a ship is in Tianjin, which is close to the sea and closer to the capital."
Chapter completed!