Chapter 85: The Essentials of Fire Attack

"The Essentials of Fire Attack" is a military weapons series written and compiled by Tang Ruowang during the reign of Chongzhen. It was completed in the 16th year of the Chongzhen reign and is currently undergoing accelerated printing as top-level information from the Military Armory Bureau.
This book is divided into two volumes, with an additional volume titled "The Secret Art of Fire Attack". It encompasses the technological achievements of firearms in the Ming Dynasty and incorporates advanced achievements in artillery technology from the West.
It provides detailed explanations on the production of firearms such as the Franco machine, bird gun, pigeon gun, rocket, and flamethrower. It also introduces various aspects of gunpowder, including production, storage, performance, formulas, as well as the testing, installation, training, and transportation of firearms.
Now, with the addition of Zhu Youjian's designed rifles, mortars, and other internal contents, it can be considered the world's number one military book of this era.
Tang Ruowang took a step forward, "To the Emperor, all the new technologies have been included. In addition, I have a surprise for Your Majesty."
"Oh? Is it a new invention?" Zhu Youjian asked.
John Tong looked into the warehouse and took out a cloth-wrapped object, slowly walking back.
"Is this the new musket developed by Father Tong? Let me have a look!"
Tang Ruowang slowly unwrapped the cloth and revealed a musket. It looks similar to a bird gun, but lacks a firing mechanism and does not have a match cord.
"Your Majesty, this is a flintlock gun! It can be used even in rainy weather without a match cord!" Tang Ruowang said.
Zhu Youjian is truly surprising. Although the armament department can produce rifles now, the output is very low, especially for bullets. Due to technological limitations, the production of crucial components such as primers is even more pitiful.
However, the matchlock gun is different. Many components of it can be used interchangeably with the blunderbuss. In other words, the armory can produce 2000 matchlock guns in a month.
The bird gun is useless in rainy weather because it needs to ignite the fuse before firing.
Compared to the bird gun, the flintlock gun has obvious advantages.
A lightweight and compact smoothbore firearm with a more durable metal barrel, equipped with a mechanism for rear ignition, capable of propelling lead projectiles at a velocity of 305 meters per second, and possessing a killing power comparable to that of contemporaneous heavy matchlock firearms.
Moreover, this type of weapon, which relies on flint striking a steel plate to ignite the gunpowder, has a firing success rate of nearly two-thirds, while the matchlock gun only has half.
In addition, the matchlock gun requires an open flame for ignition, which means that the musketeers must maintain a distance of nearly one meter when lining up, otherwise their own gunpowder may be ignited by their comrades' sparks.
Flintlock guns do not have such concerns, so Flintlock troops can line up shoulder to shoulder in a denser formation, which further increases the firepower of the musket troops per unit area.
John Thomson also developed oval paper cartridge ammunition, greatly improving the firing rate of rifled guns. When the bullet is fired, the paper cartridge fills the gap between the bullet and the barrel, speeding up the loading of gunpowder.
"Your Majesty, thanks to Fan Xuanchao's purchase of springs from Nanyang, we were able to replicate them and produce this flintlock gun," said Tang Ruowang.
Zhu Youjian nodded and held the flintlock gun in his hand, unable to put it down. He asked, "How many flintlock guns can we produce per month now?"
"Originally, we could produce 2400 units per month, but if we follow your Majesty's assembly line process, after my calculations, it should be no problem to produce 5000 units in one month!" Jiao Yu said respectfully.
He is responsible for supervising the production of flintlock rifles and is very clear about the output.
"5,000, by October, my Fire Dragon Army will be ready!"
Zhu Youjian's heart was excited. With such production, a flintlock rifle army of 20,000 can be equipped by early winter, along with a 2,000-strong rifle team, supported by hand grenades and mortars, the Jians who dare to fight will cry for their fathers and beg for mercy.
Zhu Youjian held his flintlock rifle and slowly squeezed the trigger, the sound of gunfire echoing continuously. Listening to this wonderful sound, his heart has already entered the battlefield, imagining the gallant spirit of the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty fighting a decisive battle thousands of miles away.
"Come, find someone to test the gun. I want to see it!"
Zhao Jia hurriedly stepped forward, "Your Majesty, it's a bit dangerous to test the gun here. I will send someone to prepare the training ground!"
"Alright, I'll wait a little longer then." Zhu Youjian handed the flintlock gun to Tang Ruowang and said excitedly, "Father Tang, I will reward you handsomely!"
John Baptist made the sign of the cross and said, "All glory be to God, I do not seek rewards. I am satisfied as long as I can spread the Gospel in Ming Dynasty."
As he finished speaking, several officials followed John Baptist and made the sign of the cross in front of them.
Zhu Youjian saw it and didn't say anything.
Ten years ago, Tang Ruowang assisted Xu Guangqi in completing the "Chongzhen Calendar." Now he has completed the "Essentials of Fire Attack," which has played a crucial role in the progress of Ming Dynasty technology.
And the reason why he does this is precisely to preach and develop the people around him into the religion, which is nothing abnormal.
"Well, since you don't want any rewards, then when the world is stable, I will build a temple in Beijing that is comparable to the Florence Cathedral and St. Petersburg Cathedral for you to preach. How about that?" Zhu Youjian painted a big pie.
Actually, he is not only planning to build churches, but also mosques, temples, and Taoist temples. He just can't say it at this time.
When John Tang heard this, his soul almost flew to heaven to tell God the good news. He said excitedly, "Oh, the holy emperor of the Great Ming, the Lord will surely bless the eternal prosperity of the Great Ming dynasty!"
Emperor Zhu Youjian thought to himself, "If only I were to build a church, it would ensure the eternal continuation of our dynasty. Then, why bother establishing a military bureau?" He did not respond to this thought and instead changed the topic, saying, "Recently, organize the 'Chongzhen Calendar' for me. I am planning to officially promulgate it and distribute it throughout the kingdom."
The "Chongzhen Calendar" is not only a calendar but also contains advanced astronomical knowledge, including theories of the earth-centered and sun-centered cosmologies.
Historically, it faced resistance from the scholar-official class and was not implemented during the Ming Dynasty.
Now that Zhu Youjian has dismissed all civil and military officials, there is no one to stop him. It is a great opportunity to bring prosperity to the country.
By implementing this law, one aspect is promoting a more advanced calendar system, but the deeper purpose is to spread scientific ideas and challenge the traditionally rigid examination system based on Confucian learning.
朱友健还准备等局势稍稳，将赋闲在家的宋应星召到京师，与汤若望等人一起，建立大明科学院，以《天工开物》、《本草纲目》、《瘟疫论》、《农政全书》等科学论著为基础，进行系统的科学普及和教育。
Upon hearing the decree from Emperor Chongzhen, John Tang became even more excited and almost believed that God was guiding Emperor Chongzhen of the Great Ming Dynasty, constantly praying.
During their conversation, an official dressed in a green robe approached from a distance and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, all the firearms have been arranged on the training ground and are ready for inspection at any time."
Zhu Youjian looked at the official in the blue robe, with some impression, and asked, "I remember your name is Jiao Xu, right?"
Hearing this, Jiao Xu was extremely excited in his heart and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"We have talents in the Great Ming Dynasty. I have heard that you basically compiled the 'Essentials of Fire Attack'! During the recent invasion by the enemy, you hid in Father Tang's church and swore not to surrender. I am very pleased with your loyalty."
"I am incompetent and unable to eliminate the bandits for the emperor. I deserve death." Jiao Xu exclaimed loudly.
"You are not a military general. You do not need to personally eliminate the bandits. You are capable of creating more cannons, teaching more craftsmen, and can rival an army of one hundred thousand!" Zhu Youjian encouraged.
See Chongzhen does not blame himself for hiding the church, but sincerely praises himself. Jiao Xu is excited and repeatedly kowtows, proclaiming loyalty.
Then he gets up and respectfully asks Chongzhen to move.
Zhu Youjian nodded and turned to ask Tian Shouxin, "Has Zheng Sen, the son of Zheng Zhilong, arrived? Tell him to come to the campus together."