On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Zhu Cilang visited the Fireworks Department in person.

When the emperor arrived, the Firearms Division was busy making a ball.

As the first six directly affiliated yamen established after the emperor ascended the throne, the Fire Equipment Department has always adhered to one principle, that is, to think about what the emperor thinks and worry about what the emperor is anxious about.

Unlike the Six Ministry, there are people taking shifts even during the Chinese New Year. This is not that Zhu Cilang is not polite to his subjects, but that the Firearms are really important. The firearms it produces can play an important role in the fight against the Donglu.

However, the output of the firearms of the Firearms Department has not been increased, and it is barely enough to be equipped with the Shen Ce Army.

And this is definitely not possible. Not to mention the entire army, the configuration rate of high-quality firearms must reach more than 50%.

Even if you work overtime, it will take at least one year to achieve this goal.

Therefore, it is normal to take shifts during the Chinese New Year. However, Zhu Cixuan also compensated the craftsmen who sacrificed their rest time and offered them three times the wages.

Zhu Cilang always adheres to the principle of how much you pay and how much reward you pay.

Of course, Zhu Cixuan's visit to the Firearms Department this time was not only an inspection and condolence, but also an important decision was arranged.

While receiving the driver, the Firearms Department immediately sent someone to notify the Minister of Works Gao Hongtu.

As the direct secretary of the Firearms Department, he must be with him at this time.

After receiving the report, Gao Hongtu didn't care much and immediately ordered people to prepare sedan chairs and rushed to the Firearms Department.

Fortunately, the Fire Equipment Department was not far from Gao Hongtu's mansion, so he arrived in less than a stick of incense.

After rushing to the government office, Gao Hongtu shook his robe and walked in.

To be honest, he was really nervous.

Is it a good or bad thing that the emperor suddenly arrives at the Firearms Department?

It is said that the power of heaven is unpredictable, and this is truly reflected in today's body.

At first, Gao Hongtu tried to speculate, but later gave up. As a minister, he was better than anything else to do the errands assigned by the emperor.

Gao Hongtu went into the yamen office to salute, and Zhu Cilang also gave the old minister a seat.

He is quite satisfied with Gao Hongtu.

Although this old minister is not as capable as Lu Zhenfei and Wen Anzhi, he at least knows how to work hard.

If you are not talented enough, you will be satisfied as long as you can get things done well.

"At the beginning of the new year, I will ask Gao Qing to accompany him. Gao Qing won't blame me, right?"

Zhu Cilang was in a good mood and said half-jokingly.

Gao Hongtu hurriedly bowed and said, "How dare the old minister? Your Majesty is so diligent. We ministers should devote ourselves to our efforts to share our worries."

This is not because Gao Hongtu flattered him. He counted all the kings of the Ming Dynasty. Who would work hard to deal with political affairs during the Chinese New Year?

"The welfare of all people in the world depends on me, and a sun and moon are pressing on my shoulders. I cannot help but be unduly hardworking."

Zhu Cixuan sighed and continued, "I am here this time to discuss an important matter with Gao Qing."

"Your Majesty, please speak, I will do my best to do it."

Gao Hongtu's heart sank. The emperor came to the Firearms Department to discuss with him instead of in the Ministry of Works, which shows that this matter must be related to the firearms.

"I want Gao Qing to do this."

As soon as Zhu Cixuan finished speaking, the personal eunuch spread out a simple picture drawn with charcoal and handed it to Gao Hongtu.

After taking it, Gao Hongtu looked carefully and said in surprise: "What Your Majesty wants to do is the enemy of ten thousand people?"

Zhu Cilang nodded slightly: "Gao Qing said it well. What I want to do is very similar to what Gao Qing said, but there are some improvements in the details."

The firearms in the Ming Dynasty were very developed, not only reflected in muskets and cannons, but also in various land mines and earth grenades.

There are many types of grenades in the Ming Dynasty, the most famous of which is what Gao Hongtu mentioned.

To make a 10,000 enemy, you must first make a ball shell with dry mud, which must be hollow. Then a small hole is made on the shell surface and the gunpowder is poured in. Finally, the lead is connected to the hole, and a 10,000 enemy is completed.

Its usage is similar to that of a grenade. After the soldier ignites the trigger, he quickly throws it at the enemy and causes damage.

It should be pointed out that because of the characteristics of black gunpowder, it cannot trigger the powerful explosiveness of chemical gunpowder.

Therefore, ten thousand enemies rely more on burning and killing the enemy.

In addition to the enemy of ten thousand people, there was also a grenade in the Ming Dynasty called "Howitzer of the Thieves".

Although its name is a bit weird, it is powerful.

Unlike the shell made by the enemy of 10,000 people, the shell of the howitzer was cast with pig iron, and it was named because its shape resembles a pomegranate.

The cost of this item alone is much higher than that of the howitzer who attacks the thief God Machine and howitzer.

Like ten thousand enemies, there is also a small hole in the shell of the howitzer who attacks the thief, which is also for the purpose of recharging gunpowder. When used, it is also thrown into the enemy formation to cause damage.

It should be pointed out that the howitzer of the thief-killing machine is more explosive than that of ten thousand enemies, probably because in addition to gunpowder, there are also many broken porcelain pieces and tiles mixed inside, and the effect is similar to that of the tiger squatting cannon.

However, no matter whether it is the howitzer of the thief God Machine or the enemy of ten thousand people, Zhu Cilang cannot meet Zhu Cilang's requirements. What Zhu Cilang needs to do is to make grenades produce in a standardized manner, just like fixed-packed gunpowder.

Zhu Cilang briefly introduced the usage of grenades to Gao Hongtu and some key points in the production process. Gao Hongtu nodded frequently when he heard this.

This is also the reason why Zhu Cilang is willing to reuse Gao Hongtu. Leaders may not understand technology, but they must learn humbly.

The officials of the Ming Dynasty, especially the Beijing officials, all had a higher heart than the sky and nostrils.

It is rare for Gao Hongtu to learn with steadiness and humility.

"I heard from Your Majesty that this new style of enemy is not difficult to make. My old minister ordered people to try it out and report it to Your Majesty as soon as possible after it is done."

Zhu Cixuan nodded slightly and said, "In addition to this, I also hope that Gao Qing will make some bombardment in large quantities."

The so-called bomb cannon is similar to the mines in later generations. It is a hair-like land mine that casts shells with pig iron.

Its appearance is not much different from that of ten thousand people, but when used, several bombs are buried in the ground.

When in use, connect the fire lines of several bombers into the fire trough where the steel wheels are fired, and then lead a long wire out of it to the ground.

If the enemy cavalry or enemy soldiers pass by the long line, the steel wheel will trigger the ignition device and then trigger the explosion of the connected cannon, causing damage to the enemy.

The reason why Zhu Cixuan wanted the Firearms Department to mass-produce bombings was to deal with the Eight Banners Cavalry.

Burying such land mines in advance on the road that the Eight Banners Cavalry must pass will definitely exert great power.

Compared with ten thousand enemies, bombing cannons need to be improved in less areas and can be directly mass-produced. Therefore, Zhu Cilang is preparing to set a deadline for Gao Hongtu, and the task must be completed within a time limit.

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Chapter completed!