[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-766":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1206055,1561,"Chapter 766: The Hall Rocket","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-766",766,"\u003Cp>What Wang Dou had in mind was the later-era Hall rocket, an improved version of the Congreve rocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Chinese rocket technology spread to the Arab states, it gradually reached the nations of Europe. During the wars against Napoleon, Colonel Congreve, an artillery officer then serving at the Woolwich Arsenal, believed rockets were the best weapon against Napoleon and set out to research them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His inspiration came from Indian rockets. In Wang Dou's view, those rockets closely resembled the later-era \"Sky-Piercing Rat\" firecracker. Congreve's major breakthrough was using metal instead of bamboo or wood to construct the rocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The successfully produced Congreve rocket had a main body about one meter long, a pointed tip, and a slender frame. A balance pole four to five meters long was attached at the rear. Its range could reach five or six li, and it could carry solid, explosive, or incendiary warheads, among others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Congreve rocket required no cannon to launch, had a much faster rate of fire than artillery, and its manufacturing process was not complicated. It proved itself in various wars. For his outstanding contributions, the British government granted Congreve a title of nobility, and he was also elected as a member of Parliament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the Congreve rocket still had many flaws, the main one being extremely poor accuracy. At the Battle of Waterloo, Wellington assessed the Congreve rocket's effect this way: \"Compared to Napoleon's cannon fire, our own rockets pose a greater threat to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, later on, the Englishman Hall set about improving the Congreve rocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His improvement was also quite simple. He removed the several-meter-long balance pole and attached three inclined stabilizing spiral plates at the rocket's tail. When the rocket launched, aerodynamic forces would cause it to spin continuously, thereby achieving stabilization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, there were small holes at the rocket's tail. The gas ejected from the burning gunpowder would also keep the rocket spinning, making it fly straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this simple improvement, the Hall rocket became many times more accurate than the Congreve rocket. During the Opium Wars, it proved highly effective against Senggelinqin's tens of thousands of Mongol cavalry and remained in use all the way through the Second World War.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Wang Dou's view, the Hall rocket was not actually very technologically advanced and was quite crudely constructed. The craftsmen of Xuanfu Garrison could definitely produce it. It was more a matter of a flash of inspiration, the breaking through of a thin layer of window paper, much like the fixed loading of gunpowder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there were still technical issues. The rocket body needed to be made of iron, and rolling the tube posed a certain difficulty. If the iron sheeting was of uneven thickness, it could easily make the center of gravity unstable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this was no harder to produce than firearms or cannons, the rocket's power lay in large-scale use. If the cost was too high, it would be meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou fetched a pencil and began writing and sketching on the paper. In his later life, he had mainly studied history and geography. Matters of military history and ordnance, though he had browsed them, were mostly buried deep in his memory. Now, prompted by Zhou Xianglu, he rapidly wrote and drew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The basic structure of the Hall rocket was a tube filled with gunpowder, much like the body of later-era rockets. However, at the front were the gunpowder and fuse. The outer skin of the pointed tip had many small holes; when the rocket pierced or struck a target, flammable material would squeeze out of these holes and ignite a large fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the rear was the propellant charge, and at the very tail was a spin stabilizer, all provided for use with a launch rack or launch tube. Because of the rocket's recoil, it could be launched on land or from warships, unrestricted by terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou busied himself while the craftsmen watched reverently from the side. In the craftsmen's hearts, the Grand General was a master of the highest order. Although Wang Dou was only a master in theory — in terms of hands-on skill, he could not even forge a single waist knife or a single arquebus — this did not diminish his standing in their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, many of the past ordnance designs for Xuan Garrison and elsewhere had incorporated pointers from Wang Dou. Often, just a word or phrase from him would bring sudden enlightenment, saving them many detours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In everyone's mind, the Grand General knew everything about astronomy, geography, and equipment manufacture. They had initially marveled at Wang Dou's endless stream of ideas, but now they had grown accustomed to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, now that Wang Dou had another flash of new inspiration, everyone around him watched in utter silence, carefully pondering. Such an opportunity was rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the draft Wang Dou had drawn, a buzz of discussion immediately arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xianglu, Li Maosen, and the others were veteran craftsmen after all. At a glance, they understood the function of that rotating device at the rear of the large rocket. Zhou Xianglu adjusted his spectacles and hesitantly asked, \"May I ask the Grand General, is this object modeled after the function of an arrow's fletching?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou's drawing skill was naturally far superior to these craftsmen's. It was drawn clearly and understandably, recognizable at a glance. After all, people of the later era possessed an inherent logic and clarity of expression, something that manifested unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at this clear drawing, Zhou Xianglu was the first to raise a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled and said, \"Correct. These few pieces can make the rocket spin as it flies out, keeping the rocket body stable and balanced at all times, just like the effect of the feathers on an arrow shaft.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought to himself that the ancients were indeed no more foolish than later generations, seeing the function of this spin stabilizer at a glance. And with this thing added, it was just like the effect of the bows and arrows used by soldiers, with feathers added at the rear to provide balance and stability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was precisely because of this that master archers could shoot through a willow leaf at a hundred paces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an arrow is shot, it is actually also constantly spinning, though the rotation appears indistinct. And the reason it can spin is because of the arrow's fletching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crossbow bolts have no feathers, so their accuracy is far worse than that of arrows. One never hears of shooting through a willow leaf at a hundred paces with a crossbow bolt — later-era crossbows, of course, do not count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that's how it is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Yuanlong murmured as he looked at the diagram. His mind felt as if struck by lightning; a great door seemed to open before his eyes, and countless thoughts spread outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carefully examined the draft Wang Dou had drawn. The rocket's external shape resembled a long spear or an arrow — so it was originally for the convenience of spinning... Spinning? So arrows were constantly spinning in flight? Why had he never noticed this before? Why had he never thought that this was how arrows achieved stable flight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And... the Grand General was brilliant. Indeed, such an external shape for the rocket was suitable for spinning and keeping the rocket body stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imagining the Divine Fire Flying Crow constantly spinning, he shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Spinning, yes, wonderful...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xianglu's eyes likewise lit up. This immediately solved the large rocket stability problem that had been giving him such a headache. Why had he never thought of it before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand General's words truly awakened the dreamer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, numerous questions surged in his heart. He pondered. Such an external shape, and made of iron — although this made the large rocket much more stable in launch, it still presented many difficulties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, more propellant would be needed, more iron material would be needed, and the required gunpowder would need to be more powerful. The Divine Fire Flying Crow, though packed with gunpowder inside, flew to the target, exploded, and burned. Because its external shape was bamboo and wood, this was relatively easy. To burst open an iron casing...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly noticed those small holes at the rocket's tip. His mind raced, and he understood their function. But even if it didn't burst open, there still seemed to be a lot of trouble. Looking at this rocket, it actually wasn't so easy to manufacture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to open his mouth to ask. He looked at Wang Dou with the reverence of a schoolboy facing a university scholar. Lai Yuanlong and the others were also impatient to seek guidance. Seeing their eagerness, Wang Dou waved his hand: \"No need for many words. Work out the specifics yourselves in detail.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said flatly, \"Bring brush and ink!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly, brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were laid out before Wang Dou. Wang Dou flourished the brush and wrote in large characters: \"Equip One Generation, Develop One Generation, Pre-research One Generation!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the characters he had written, Wang Dou finally said, \"The Ordnance Department is the think tank of our Xuan Garrison's military industry. Your task is to continuously develop sharp weapons for my Jingbian Army, adding wings to the soldiers' battles like a tiger given wings. I do not ask much of you, only these twelve large characters. If you cannot develop something for a time, it does not matter, but you must devote your hearts to this effort.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Yuanlong looked at the diagram excitedly, like a child who had received a beloved toy. He said solemnly, \"Rest assured, Grand General. We will certainly exert our utmost efforts and not disappoint the Grand General's expectations. This rocket diagram will also be classified as top secret by the Ordnance Department.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded: \"If this rocket is successfully made, it shall be named the Zhou-style Rocket, to honor the achievement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After various Jingbian Army weapons were completed, Wang Dou often named them the Lai-style Arquebus, the Li-style Arquebus, and recently Zhong Xiancai's Zhong-style Cavalry Carbine, and so on, to encourage their sense of pride and boost their enthusiasm for weapon development. This rocket would be the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone's gaze turned to him. Zhou Xianglu was greatly alarmed: \"This is all the Grand General's achievement. How dare this humble one steal the General's credit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou laughed heartily and walked out the door. Zhong Diaoyang and the others hurriedly followed. From afar, Wang Dou's parting words drifted back: \"This credit is meaningless to me. Your ability to continuously produce results is the best repayment to me, Wang Dou! Repayment to the countless people of Xuan Garrison and the Protectorate!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope that in the not-too-distant future, thousands upon thousands of Zhou-style Rockets will soar into the air, shooting toward enemy camps and enemy formations, clearing away all obstructing foes for my Jingbian Army...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Wang Dou's figure recede into the distance, his voice fading away, Zhou Xianglu was suddenly overcome with surging emotion and could not help but choke with sobs. To die for a true friend who knows you — what more was there to say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Yuanlong looked at him and said in a deep voice, \"I have nothing more to say. I only hope that all of you gentlemen will strive hard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added, \"Right, regarding the safety regulations and rules, let's hold a meeting within the department first...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Han Chao and Qi Tianliang, having seen Wang Dou out, also returned. Their faces were grim, and they both said in deep voices, \"Meeting!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, Wang Dou had been buried in mountains of paperwork. The development of Monan and the integration of the Protectorate required his review and signature on many matters, especially regarding fund allocation. Every few days, there were also endless meetings of all sizes. Sneaking away to the ordnance factory for a stroll was one of his few pleasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the foundation of Xuanfu Garrison was now in place, and many feasible scientific and technological research projects could be put on the agenda. It would no longer carry the suspicion of pulling up seedlings to help them grow, which had made Wang Dou hold back earlier. The technological development of Xuanfu Garrison was about to enter a period of explosive growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The registration for Protectorate officials was also drawing to a close. The Protectorate's first civil service examination would be held in Xuanfu Garrison. What questions to set, which ultimately had to be reported for Wang Dou's approval, was being finalized. He had recently been designing a mathematics problem to introduce into the upcoming civil service assessment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this mathematics problem would stir a great wave of trends throughout the entire Great Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the Grand General's residence and seeing the pile of official documents before him that all needed his signature, Wang Dou frowned. \"A headache.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no way around it. Although the establishment of the Shogunate had lightened his workload to the greatest extent, many matters were unavoidable. After all, the heads of each department only held a portion of the authority, and an endless stream of documents kept coming from Ye Xi's side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's time to find a chief steward and set up an inner cabinet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thought flashed through Wang Dou's mind. Just as he was continuously signing the word \"Approved\" and stamping his great seal, a soft cough came from outside the door, followed by Zhong Diaoyang's voice: \"Grand General, Vice Protector-General Li and Provincial Governor Zhu request an audience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou let out an \"Oh,\" then smiled. After being left to cool his heels for several months, had Old Li finally lost his patience?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, \"Please show Vice Protector-General Li and Lord Zhu to the main hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment's thought, he added, \"Also invite Director Ye and all members of the Civil Affairs Department to the hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>∷Fast Updates∷ ∷Plain Text∷\u003C\u002Fp>",2328,"2026-06-03T14:06:10.567Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","da0e6364aaa62d80d4c61bc0fe022820f9627fb5f2d181d83864f5ccad9c5ef1","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-767","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-765",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]