Steel Dynasty - Chapter 274

[Chapter 274 A cold sweat]

“This is because of the problem of gunpowder.”

It snowed heavily in Qingzhou a few days ago, and it kept falling for several days. Now Qingzhou is covered in snow.

It’s the snow viewing season again, and Xiao Ming spends his free time writing teaching materials in the attic of the palace.

“Gunpowder? So the bronze cannon from Chang’an Equipment Department is fine?” Pang Yukun asked worriedly.

“There is indeed no problem, but there are also problems.” Xiao Ming said calmly. From the appearance of the artillery, he knew very well that someone would imitate the artillery.

Since the Chang’an Equipment Department was able to produce fire barrels, firearms that were indistinguishable from artillery, and the format of the fire barrels was basically the same, it shows that Chang’an’s Equipment Department had mastered a method of molding fire barrels.

It is not difficult to imitate artillery using this method, and in modern times, after the introduction of the Fo Lang machine and the red cannon in the Ming Dynasty, they were quickly imitated, which shows that imitation is inevitable.

That’s why Xiao Ming built an export-type artillery. This kind of artillery was sold to confuse other people and make them think that Qingzhou’s artillery was like this.

However, he is not worried about counterfeiting. Because his artillery uses high-quality steel, its performance can be said to be better than the imitation bronze cannons of this era. Moreover, the cost is very low, making it suitable for mass production.

At this point, Chang’an’s Equipment Department couldn’t do it even if it broke its head.

So even if the copper cannon proves to be as powerful as his artillery, it doesn’t matter to him. The price is here, and if Xiao Wenxuan likes to use such an expensive copper cannon, he can’t help it.

Pang Yukun was confused by Xiao Ming’s words and said, “Your Highness, what’s the problem?”

“Because even if it is copied, the range and power of this kind of artillery are still only the same as those of Qingzhou artillery, and the copper cannon is expensive. One cannon can buy five or six Qingzhou guns, what do you think they will choose?” Xiao Ming said.

“As long as His Highness is willing to sell, they will still buy His Highness’s cheap artillery.” Pang Yukun said.

Xiao Ming nodded, “Yes, who doesn’t like high-quality and cheap things, but this time the copper cannon was tested using the Chang’an Equipment Department’s own gunpowder. The ratio of this gunpowder was wrong, so the power was low. This This led to the failure of the test firing of the bronze cannon, but I believe that the difference in gunpowder will be noticed sooner or later. “

“It’s a coincidence, but we can’t tell the secret now, at least until later .

We will make enough money selling artillery in a few years and they will find out.” Pang Yukun was a little helpless. After all, it is not a pleasant thing for artillery to be counterfeited.

Qingzhou’s patent law can only be applied in the fiefdom, and there is no way to deal with it externally. In fact, Pang Yukun is worried about the sales of artillery, not the fact that other forces own artillery.

After all, the barbarians will probably have artillery, and after Qingzhou sells artillery, other vassal kings will also have artillery.

“I hope so, but don’t worry.” Xiao Ming smiled confidently. His gunpowder was sold together with the artillery.

Artillery can be cast through imitation. The ratio of gunpowder cannot be seen with the naked eye, not to mention that he still has granular gunpowder.

Therefore, the overall composition of his artillery power includes three parts, artillery, ammunition, and shells. Now the Equipment Department has only cracked one of them.

As for the problem of gunpowder ratio, as long as he didn’t talk about it, the Equipment Department would not be able to produce it at all. The other problem was the cannonball. This cannonball seemed like nothing, but in fact it was very learned.

Only a moderately sized cannonball can ensure that after the gunpowder is ignited, the cannonball can be pushed out with maximum thrust, otherwise it will be a leaking artillery piece.

The poor power of the copper cannon this time was partly due to the gunpowder problem, and he estimated that the other problem was also due to the shell.

Generally speaking, the farce in Chang’an made him laugh or cry, but it also showed that Xiao Wenxuan actually wanted to obtain the artillery casting technology.

It’s just that under the current situation, in order to ensure the advantage of the Forbidden Army and prevent others from obtaining the artillery casting technology, he was reluctant to do so.

However, this incident did make him sweat. It shows that low-end products are relatively easy to imitate. When he further upgrades the artillery, he will not be able to imitate it even if others imitate it.

Without mentioning this matter, Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun talked about the events of this year.

The New Year is coming soon, and Pang Yukun means to send some New Year’s goods to the officials in the six states to show his care for the officials and deepen his relationship with them.

This basically has the same meaning as the bonuses given out at the end of the year in later generations. Xiao Ming thought about it and agreed.

After all, after a year of hard work, the officials must have a good year.

However, what kind of new year’s goods to distribute has become a worrying issue for the two of them. Meat is too expensive, and the six states have just resumed agricultural production. There is not enough food for people to eat, and there are not many people raising pigs, cattle and sheep.

There was nothing new about giving food. After thinking about it, Xiao Ming suddenly thought of the textile workshop.

In order to promote the development of the textile workshop, Xiao Ming has made great efforts during this period. As a result, there are more female workers and the quantity has increased. However, more cotton-padded jackets are produced, and there is a backlog of cotton-padded jackets in the warehouse.

During this time, Xiao Ming was preparing to ask the chamber of commerce to sell the cotton-padded jackets, but now that this happened, it was easy.

“A cotton-padded jacket?” Pang Yukun was stunned.

Xiao Ming nodded, “This is also to support the development of textile mills.”

In modern times, sometimes in order to prevent emerging enterprises from going bankrupt, the government will adopt government procurement methods to maintain the survival of enterprises. Now Xiao Ming also has this purpose.

It costs money to pay benefits anyway, so why not spend the money on your own industry?

“In addition to cotton-padded jackets, soap, perfume, and wine can all be considered.” Xiao Ming’s eyes flashed.

Pang Yukun burst out laughing when he heard this, and gave a thumbs up, “Your Highness is wise, in this way, it is equivalent to distributing new year’s goods and making a fortune to the chamber of commerce. Some of this money can also flow into the treasury. It’s really great.” “High.”

“Where, where.” Xiao Ming looked relaxed.

The Chinese New Year is about ten days away, and his mentality has become more relaxed. His Chinese New Year was not very comfortable last year, but this year he will have a more prosperous one.

While the two were talking, Lu Tong suddenly went upstairs and said to Xiao Ming: “Your Highness, the fireworks you asked for are all ready and have been sent to the palace.”

“Fireworks?” Pang Yukun said with a smile: “Since I came to Qingzhou, I haven’t seen fireworks in five or six years, but it seems that I can see them this year.”

Xiao Ming was also a little excited. The fireworks he asked Lu Tong to make were different from those in Chongqing.

Dayu’s fireworks have a single color, the color of gunpowder, but his fireworks have a lot of metal powder added to them.

The fireworks released will become colorful and very beautiful.

(End of chapter)