The industrial foundation of this era is really a bit desperate. It can be said that there is nothing to do. Now, I can’t even find the most commonly used drill bit. What should I do?

Yang Cong couldn't help but fall into deep thought. Since the drill bit cannot work, he could only make a fuss about the barrel material.

In addition to iron, what other common metal materials are there? Don’t think about this issue. In addition to iron, the most common metal materials are naturally gold, silver, copper and iron.

Is it OK to use gold as a gun?

There is no need to think about this problem, it is certainly possible. Later generations often show off their golden guns, which proves that there is definitely no problem using gold as a gun.

The problem is that gold is too expensive, even he can't afford it.

The same is true for silver. It is okay to use it as a gun, but he can't afford the cost.

It seems that copper can only be used to replace it now. Although copper is not cheap at this moment, the cost is barely within his tolerance. Of course, it would be even better if there is a copper mine in Xuanfu Town. In that case, there would be no need to spend any money. Just ask someone to mine and smel.

Thinking of this, he asked tentatively: "Sir, why don't we replace it with copper and use copper as the barrel, what do you think?"

When Wang Xuan heard this, he was stunned and used copper as the barrel?

He really didn't consider this question. The main reason is that copper is coins now. Isn't copper coins just made of copper?

However, there is no problem with using copper as the barrel, because copper is much softer than iron, so it is not that troublesome to process.

He pondered for a while before he said carefully: "This is not a big problem, but this copper itself is expensive and the imperial court is strict in control. We may not get so much copper to build gun barrels."

This is not a big problem. Although copper is valuable, it is not as important as the country and the country. Yang Cong believes that Jiajing is not so stingy. As long as copper can be used to replace iron with gun barrels, he asked impatiently: "Is there a copper mine in Xuanfu Town?"

Wang Xuan thought about it and then said cautiously: "There is a copper mine near the Chi Castle under the jurisdiction of Longmenwei. However, it has been sealed by the imperial court. Chi Castle is specially used to guard copper mines. It is difficult to mine the copper mines there. Not to mention the heavy taxes, it is difficult for those mining prisons to serve. It is rumored that many people have lost their money there and no one dares to take over them later, so the imperial court sealed the place."

Of course, Yang Cong understood what Wang Xuan meant. With the greed of eunuchs, he could not do anything. It is very likely that those who had to cover copper mines there would not only have to bear the taxes of the court, but also gave part of the dug copper to those greedy mine prisons. In this way, they naturally had to wear no pants to pay.

How to solve this problem? If he applies to Jiajing, Jiajing will definitely agree. However, this mining supervisor is bound to be indispensable. If Chen Hong's confidant is sent, it will be miserable. The means of coercion and inducement cannot be used all the time.

Meng Chong's one made him worried. He was really afraid to threaten and tempt another one. If it was heard in Jiajing's ears, he still didn't know what Jiajing would think.

It seems that we should think of a way to ask Jiajing not to send Chen Hong’s confidants to prevent this trouble before it happens.

Yang Cong thought for a while, then stood up and said, "Okay, let's discuss it here today. I'll find a way to get some copper and make a sample."

After saying that, he turned around and walked out.

There is a reason why he is so anxious, because during this period he either intercepts the Tartar cavalry in the kitchen fort or supervises the work in the Xuanhua Factory and rarely goes home. Zhang Zhen and Lu Ling'er are a little unhappy.

Although these two beautiful wives didn't say anything, he saw the clues. Anyway, it wouldn't be possible without a new copper musket at this moment, so he simply chose to go home to accompany his wife, and at the same time, he thought carefully about how to send a trouble-saving eunuch to come.

There is no entertainment these days. The way he accompanied his wife was to call both of them to the study and write and draw with them to enhance his relationship.

Zhang Zhen and Lu Ling'er were naturally very happy when they heard that Yang Cong wanted to write and draw with them again. Lu Ling'er even showed off the results of practicing calligraphy these days in front of him.

It turned out that Yang Cong was not here these days, and Lu Ling'er felt very bored, so she focused on practicing calligraphy. Not to mention, she was still very good at concentration. She has made great progress in writing with one hand. Not to mention her calligraphy attainments, she has achieved neatness and beauty.

When Yang Cong saw her words, he couldn't help but feel moved.

It would be better to ask her to write a letter and secretly arrange Chen Hong and Meng Chong. At that time, Jiajing will probably have to consider it if he sends eunuchs to him.

Thinking of this, he pretended to be surprised and praised: "Oh, the word Ling'er is so well written. It has a bit of a good style. I'm afraid that time will be better than you."

When Zhang Zhen heard this, he couldn't help but look confused. How could Ling'er's word be better than you? You are the top scholar.

When Lu Ling'er heard this, she jumped up from the chair happily and said happily: "Really, really, is my handwriting really that good?"

Yang Cong nodded without hesitation and said, "Of course it's true. Otherwise, you can write a letter and try it. Your parents, your brother, and the emperor will probably praise you."

As soon as he said this, Lu Ling'er became even more excited. She hadn't written a letter to her home yet. Of course, she wanted to try writing such a fun thing.

However, when she pulled out the letter paper, picked up the pen, and was about to splash ink, she was embarrassed to find that there was no ink in her belly. How should she write this letter?

Seeing this, Yang Cong immediately reminded: "Do you miss your parents, your brother, or the emperor?"

Lu Ling'er nodded repeatedly and said, "Of course I want to."

Yang Cong smiled and said, "Isn't this happening? You can also write about your life here. I believe that your parents, your brother, and the emperor all want to know how you live here."

Lu Ling'er nodded again and said, "Yeah, yes, just write these."

However, she nodded her head and didn't write because she still didn't know how to write.

Of course, this is not a problem for Yang Cong, the top scholar. He immediately began to teach Lu Ling'er how to express his miss and how to describe his life here. Zhang Zhen, who was standing by, also helped her to describe her little daughter's thoughts. The three of them got together, and you said, I said, soon, Lu Ling'er wrote several pages in a scattered manner.

Finally, Yang Cong seemed to have accidentally started complaining about Meng Chong.

This eunuch is indeed too much. He always makes trouble and stops himself from mining because he accidentally offended Chen Hong.

When Lu Ling'er heard this, she was naturally very angry. She immediately gritted her silver teeth and said that she would sue this guy in front of the emperor.

So, under Yang Cong's guidance, she arranged Meng Chong and Chen Hong again.
Chapter completed!