GBP Chapter 376 Zhao Hui’s Doubts
Chapter 376 Zhao Hui’s Doubts
The area of Shangjun has unique considerations for the production of unscrupulous cannons.
The requirements for this gun barrel are not extremely demanding. The key point is that the base must be thick enough to withstand strong impact force.
As for the production of the shells, it is relatively simple. The presence or absence of tail fins does not seem to affect their launch.
This does have obvious advantages compared to the mortars manufactured in Luancheng.
However, Luancheng's mortars are incomparable to this unscrupulous cannon in terms of accuracy.
Moreover, the explosives used in the artillery shells manufactured in Luancheng are far more powerful than this kind of homemade explosives.
Shangjun designed such weapons in response to local conditions due to limited conditions.
On this side, Yan Ruxiang acted quickly and submitted the blueprints and other important information to the court.
On the other hand, he worked tirelessly to build factories and make full preparations for the production of these weapons.
Tannin took advantage of this rare opportunity to purchase a large amount of auxiliary materials needed to make explosives.
After all, there are differences in the production processes on both sides, and Zhao Sheng’s demand for these materials is extremely urgent.
In the imperial palace, in the solemn and dignified Chuigong Hall.
Zhao Hui sat on the dragon throne. After receiving Yan Ruxiang's memorial, he first read it carefully and then handed it to Fan Wenyuan beside him.
"Qing Jia, do you think this is feasible?"
Zhao Hui stared at Fan Wenyuan closely, with a hint of inquiry in his tone.
Fan Wenyuan took the memorial respectfully and read the text carefully.
He knew that the attachments also contained important correspondence such as manufacturing drawings, so he said calmly:
"Your Majesty, since Shangjun is willing to manufacture it, why not let them do it? However, I think our Ministry of Works should send someone to supervise it? It would be best if we could also produce some for the court."
Zhao Hui raised his eyes slightly and glanced at Fan Wenyuan, with a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes.
Then he looked at the other ministers.
The meaning of this glance was very clear. He was quite dissatisfied with Fan Wenyuan's statement.
The other ministers did not know what Fan Wenyuan was reading, and they did not dare to interrupt him rashly. For a moment, the hall fell into a brief silence.
Zhao Hui then slowly spoke, "We only need to obtain some iron embryos. As for the rest, the journey is long and the transportation is inconvenient, and accidents are very likely to occur along the way."
When Fan Wenyuan heard Zhao Hui's words, he suddenly realized that his words were inappropriate. He quickly lowered his head and said, "I was inconsiderate. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Zhao Hui didn't respond, but changed the subject: "Minister Wei has been very effective in organizing the cabinet and handling court affairs in a timely manner. I hope you can continue to work hard."
Since Wei Rong resigned from the post of prime minister, he still held the second-rank official position in the cabinet, but his actual power was limited.
Hearing Zhao Hui's praise, he quickly stepped out and said, "I thank Your Majesty for the praise, but the cabinet is limited in manpower, and some matters are difficult to handle in detail. If there are any shortcomings, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Zhao Hui thought to himself: Is this what I mean? It's just moaning for no reason.
But now that things have come to this, he still needs to respond to Wei Rong's words.
"My dear minister, there is no need to be modest. If you are short of manpower, do more. If that doesn't work, add two more people. However, the court is currently short of people. When someone is available later, I will recommend someone to you."
Zhao Hui's words immediately blocked Wei Rong's idea of recommending someone.
After all, when the time comes, some people will be replaced in the cabinet positions, and certain people cannot be allowed to occupy positions for a long time, otherwise many problems will arise.
After finishing the matters at hand and before leaving the court, Zhao Hui ordered Fan Wenyuan and Lu Xiang to go to the imperial study.
Lu Xiang came to the imperial study, and Wang Defa respectfully handed him a blueprint.
"Minister Lu, please take a look at this blueprint. Can it be built?"
Zhao Hui's eyes were full of anticipation.
The blueprint was incredibly lifelike, with detailed dimensions and intended uses. Lu Xiang took just one look and knew the answer.
"Your Majesty, with such detailed dimensions and a known purpose, it is certainly possible to manufacture it. However, I am a little confused about this so-called cannonball."
Lu Xiang frowned slightly, his face full of confusion.
"What's wrong?"
Zhao Hui asked.
"The Ministry of Industry once studied the mortar shells shipped from Dingzhou. Their shape matches this drawing, but their structure is different."
As Lu Xiang spoke, he observed Zhao Hui's expression.
"Oh? What's the difference?"
Zhao Hui asked again, his expression becoming more focused.
"I don't understand why the fuse is at the head of the shell, while the fuse of the mortar is at the bottom. Also, if it's a shell, why does it have to be inserted from the top of the barrel after ignition? Unlike the artillery we manufacture, which needs to be weighed down with linen?"
Lu Xiang asked out all the questions in his mind in one breath.
"Uh!" Zhao Hui was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to answer.
"Well, try making a few shells according to the blueprints. If you have any questions, write them down and send them to the Prince of Dingzhou in Luanzhou. He will explain them to us."
Zhao Hui said after thinking for a moment.
After listening to Zhao Hui's words, Lu Xiang felt that they made a lot of sense, so he respectfully replied, "Yes," and then said nothing more.
"Prime Minister, please cooperate with Minister Lu to handle this matter as soon as possible. This is a major matter, especially the structure within. It may seem simple, but it actually requires caution."
Zhao Hui looked at Fan Wenyuan with a serious tone.
Fan Wenyuan understood that the emperor had a hidden agenda, which was that he wanted his son to learn from him.
"I understand your majesty's intention, and I will certainly follow your instructions."
Fan Wenyuan responded quickly.
Lu Xiang, who was standing by, was confused, but he also knew that this was not something he should worry about.
After the two left the imperial study, Lu Xiang couldn't help but ask Fan Wenyuan:
"Prime Minister Fan, I have never troubled you with weapons before. Why today?"
Fan Wenyuan smiled slightly, knowing the doubts in Lu Xiang's heart, and answered patiently:
"There are some things that even I, an old man, can't do anything about. But I, your son, do have a way to solve them. Your Majesty's arrangement today actually hopes that I will handle it."
"Oh..." Lu Xiang seemed to understand the reason.
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the son-in-law of the emperor had no specific duties. At most, he would protect the emperor at critical moments, work for him, or block swords in front of the carriage.
When Fan Wenyuan returned home, he immediately sent someone to the Prince Consort's residence to bring back his son Fan Xitong.
"That's what happened. The Emperor wants to find out why the interior of this cannonball is so simple."
Fan Wenyuan explained to Fan Xitong with a serious expression.
After listening to his father's words, Fan Xitong thought for a moment and then said:
"I believe what Zhao Sheng gave Shangjun was just a schematic diagram. There must be some traps inside. To prevent the schematics from being leaked, some key points can only be passed on orally and are not written down."
After listening to his son's words, Fan Wenyuan nodded with satisfaction, obviously agreeing with Fan Xitong's analysis.
"This time you need to go to Dingzhou again and find Mr. Zhao to ask if he has more detailed drawings."
"It just so happens that I'm also going to Dingzhou, and then I'll take a detour to Bingzhou. Since this matter is so urgent, I'll leave a trusted servant at home with me. If there's any news, I'll have him bring back a letter."
"So good."
Fan Wenyuan was overjoyed and immediately ordered his servants to prepare wine and food so that he could have a few drinks with Fan Xitong that night.
Seeing his father so happy, Fan Xitong was also in a good mood. He stayed at the Prime Minister's residence that night, drank and talked with his father, and talked about the father-son relationship.