It was itself an improvement based on Zhao Shizhen's Chedian Gun, utilizing a mother-and-child gun structure.
The Mother-and-Child Gun's main barrel is a heavy-duty barrel utilizing a double-layered composite structure. It is approximately three feet long, with a caliber of about five fen, weighing less than twenty jin in total, features three to four interfaces at the rear for the child guns.
The child guns are small pre-loaded barrels, about seven inches long, which can be pre-loaded with ammunition and sealed to prevent moisture.
The ignition mechanism of the Mother-and-Child Gun is linked to the flintlock mechanism.
The flintlock mechanism is perhaps the most significant improvement Zhu Ci made to the birdlock gun, directly replacing the original matchlock ignition with a more stable flintlock system.
After the improvements, when firing, each sub-gun is paired with an ignition device; pulling the trigger ignites the sub-guns in sequence, causing the pre-loaded primer and ammunition within each sub-gun to discharge.
Replacing the child guns with new ones after they have finished firing still takes time, but it is at least faster than the original birdlock guns.
Zhu Ci could not handle it directly.
After all, they were firearms; even though Fu had already had them inspected repeatedly, he did not dare let the Emperor use the first batch of test subjects directly.
Therefore, he could only stand on the high platform and watch the effects of the shooting.
The Rapid-fire Gun is designed primarily for continuous fire and suppressive fire; after firing, its rate of fire is more than twice as fast as the original Birdlock Gun.
The maximum firing range can reach forty-five zhang, which is just enough to cover medium and short distances, compensating for the weakness of the rocket cannon at close range.
After watching for a while, Zhu Ci turned his head and asked, "How many rounds have you tested? Did many of them explode?"
He believed that it would have been impossible for Fu Chunsheng to present the rapid-fire guns if he had not tested them in advance.
Fu said, "The method Your Majesty mentioned earlier, using copper rings for sealing, works very well; the Rapid-fire Gun rarely suffers from barrel bursts."
Zhu Ci nodded in satisfaction and asked, "When can they be issued?"
“Small-scale production will take about two years, if you want large-scale deployment, it might take even longer.”
Fu had originally been worried that the Little Emperor would be impatient and had wanted to explain further.
As it turned out, after he finished speaking, Zhu Ci nodded and said, "That is already very fast."
With the productivity here, it is already not easy to be able to start small-scale equipment within two years.
It took several months to produce this current batch of three Rapid-fire Guns.
Zhu Ci rubbed his chin. "Sigh, it's not a lack of supply that's the problem, but the inequality of it. Where should we put these things?"
Li Zicheng had once written a letter of protest because the Dongfeng Bronze Cannon was sent to Xuzhou.
Xuzhou is important, Tongguan is also very important. How can His Majesty be so biased?
Thus, Zhu Ci also experienced the difficulties subordinates faced when competing for military equipment.
After he finished speaking, he looked at Fu with resentment. "If only I hadn't had any trouble in Xiaoxian."
The Emperor's Personal Expedition would certainly require the best weapons and equipment; who would dare say otherwise?
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: They actually have the nerve to act spoiled and roll around cutely in front of me! Cat shocked and retreating. jpg
I forgot to update the posting time, so here is a little red envelope~
Next update tomorrow morning at six o'clock~
Chapter 154
Fu remained unmoved: "Your Majesty, these few Rapid-fire Guns should still be left in Nanjing to be issued to the Jinyi Guard."
Oh, the Emperor's personal guards are still called the Jinyi Guard.
Zhu Ci couldn't be bothered to change the name; he was also terrible at coming up with names. As for the reputation of the Jinyi Guard, that wasn't something that could be fixed just by changing a name.
Anyway, all the Jinyi Guard under his command were required to meet the standards of future-generation soldiers; as long as they wore that military uniform, they had to maintain discipline and could not act recklessly, otherwise, every single one of them would be punished.
Anyway, there is time now, so he doesn't have to go out, the Jinyi Guard won't have to follow him to war. This provides the perfect opportunity to strictly enforce discipline and conduct.
As the Jinyu Guard's conduct improved, their reputation also became much better. Although it would take some time for everyone to fully accept them, the Jinyu Guard, when wearing their uniforms in public, was no longer in that state where people would avoid them at all costs.
When they moved out in formation, they would even attract crowds of onlookers.
After all, the Jinyi Guards, marching with their heads held high and stepping in perfect unison, were still quite a striking sight.
Only Zhu Ci himself was somewhat dissatisfied; after all, there was too much of a difference compared to the later era, his height was not very well-coordinated.
But never mind, the Jinyi Guard isn't a ceremonial guard, it would be far too demanding to select them according to the standards of a ceremonial guard from later eras.
Zhu Ci turned his head to look at Fu. "To the Jinyi Guard? Don't be ridiculous, what use would they have for them?"
“The Jinyi Guard is responsible for the security of the Imperial City, so they should have some equipment on hand. These three Rapid-fire Guns might not be of much use anywhere else, but if they remain in the hands of the Jinyi Guard, they can protect the Imperial City.”
Fu paused and said in a low voice, "I am merely taking precautions. During the Late Emperor's time, the Tartars once breached the Imperial City; we must be on guard."
Zhu Ci smiled and said, "Given the current situation, if the Tartars can still fight their way to Nanjing, it can only mean that the entire front line has collapsed."
The current Jiangbei defensive line is nothing like it was during the Hongguang Era.
However, compared to the front lines, the defenses of the Capital were indeed a bit lacking in terms of weapons and equipment.
Zhu Ci thought for a moment and said, "Then give them to the Five Military Camps."
In fact, according to standard organization, these firearms would be best suited for the Shenjinying, but their current supply of firearms is not yet abundant enough to allow the Capital Guards to rebuild a Shenjinying.
The Five Military Camps themselves are the mainstay and core of the Three Great Camps, tasked with the responsibility of defending the capital region.
As for the other camp of the Three Great Camps, it was the Three Thousand Camp, but it no longer exists, as the Three Thousand Camp was originally formed with three thousand Mongol cavalrymen as its core.
Now that the Mongols and Manchus are allied, it is impossible for the Great Ming to use them to form the Three Thousand Camp.
Therefore, this establishment was simply abolished.
Anyway, there aren't even any Shenjinying at the moment, the Five Military Camps don't have many people either.
Fu had no objection; being able to keep the Rapid-fire Guns in the Capital served as a reassurance to everyone.
Zhu Ci looked at the shooting range and then at Fu, the longing in his eyes already very obvious.
He hadn't touched a machine gun in a long time!
Although there is still a huge gap between the Rapid-fire Gun and the machine guns of later generations, it doesn't matter; he can still make do with it.
Fu suppressed the urge to sigh and said with a stern face, "Your Majesty, this really won't do."
Zhu Ci immediately leaned in and said, "Why not? Isn't this quite good? Besides, how can I know how to improve it in the future if I don't personally feel it myself?"
Fu lowered his eyes to meet those bright, sparkling black eyes, for a moment, his breathing and emotions grew chaotic. He subconsciously looked away and said firmly, "No."
Zhu Ci was stunned; Fu rarely spoke to him in such a forceful tone.
He looked at Fu with some suspicion. "Tell me honestly, is there some flaw you haven't mentioned?"
Fu also noticed that his tone was somewhat off and hurriedly took half a step back, bowing in greeting. "This subject has behaved improperly before the Emperor; I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
Zhu Ci lightly patted his hand and said, "To be honest, don't dodge the main issue."
Fu could only say, "No, at least not for now. Didn't Your Majesty also inspect the Rapid-fire Gun?"
Then why did you react so strongly? You nearly scared me to death," Zhu Ci said earnestly. "When lives are at stake, you shouldn't worry about saving face or anything else, especially since there are no recording officials following us right now.
Well, ever since Zhu Ci returned to Nanjing, all major court assemblies have been recorded by historians.
If he hadn't maintained such a firm attitude, even his daily life might have been recorded.
Even so, his life was recorded, even what he ate and how much he ate was recorded in great detail.
Zhu Ci went from finding it difficult to accept at first to simply lying flat later on; he would only forcibly demand that the record-keeper leave when discussing matters privately with Fu.
Fu did not expect that his temporary loss of composure would cause such a massive misunderstanding, he couldn't help but inwardly criticize himself for still lacking mental composure.
Seeing that Fu was unwilling to let him touch the Rapid-fire Gun, Zhu Ci did not insist.
Arguing with the Grand Secretary over such matters was truly a bit too childish.
He turned and walked down from the high platform, with Fu following behind him, looking as if he had something to say but hesitated.
The Little Emperor's mood must not be very good right now, but he didn't know how to comfort him.
Since he was a child, when had he ever had to coax anyone?
After a moment of hesitation, once he had boarded the imperial carriage, he found that the Little Emperor's expression was normal, as if nothing had happened.
Although Fu Ming knew that he should no longer mention this matter at this moment, he still explained, "Your Majesty, firearms are extremely prone to accidents; no matter how safe they are, once an accident occurs, even if I were to die ten thousand deaths, I would still be unable to escape responsibility."
Zhu Ci had already turned the page on this matter in his heart, but he didn't expect Fu to explain it further. He smiled with a hint of surprise, "It's not that exaggerated. I've said it many times, do not mythologize individuals, even me."
Fu's expression was serious: "Your Majesty carries the weight of all the people on your shoulders; you must not underestimate yourself."
The Little Emperor was good at everything, except that even now, he had not realized how important his existence was.
Great Ming's destiny was originally at an end; if it were not for him, the entire Jiangnan would likely have fallen to the enemy by now.
Don't say things like how the overall situation is already decided, or that even if the Great Ming cannot recover its lost territories, its rule in the South is stable and such.
The Little Emperor has already become a banner; as long as he is here, everyone feels at peace.
If something were to happen to him, not only would the imperial court fall into chaos, but it would also be a massive blow to the people's morale.
Fu Cong had been emphasizing this point all along, so why did it feel like it was useless?
In fact, it wasn't that it was useless; Zhu Ci was well aware of that, he just disliked such a situation.
Placing all hopes on a single person is extremely unhealthy for a regime; he wanted to weaken his own influence, but he didn't know where to start.
After all, it wasn't taught in the textbooks!
So Zhu Ci could only pat Fu's shoulder and say, "Alright, I understand."
Fu..
Why does it feel like he was the one being coaxed? This can't be right, can it?
However, the carriage stopped at this moment; they had already arrived at the Imperial City.
After Wu Xia stepped forward to pay his respects, he said, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has sent an urgent report."
An urgent report?
Zhu Ci and Fu exchanged a glance, suddenly feeling an uneasy premonition.