Chapter 253: Managing the Firearms Division

Shenjing, North Drill Ground of the Five Military Battalions.

The entire North Drill Ground has been cleared of personnel, and an earthen embankment more than half a person high has been built.

On the open ground in front of the embankment, many life-sized wooden figures and targets are densely erected.

Behind the embankment, under a yellow silk canopy, several officials from the Ministry of War and the Firearms Supervision of the Ministry of Works surround Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

Liu Shizhen, Deputy of the Firearms Supervision, shows a round object to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

"Your Majesty, please look. This is the porcelain thunder shell that I have created according to the conception and drawings of Jia, the Assistant Secretary."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao curiously takes the object from Liu Shizhen's hand. It is a round porcelain jar, with fine vines wrapped around the surface, and it has a comfortable feel when held in the hand.

In the center of the porcelain jar, a hollow pillar stands upright, and it is unknown what its purpose is.

Liu Shizhen explains: "Your Majesty, please look. The formed porcelain thunder will have black gunpowder filled into the hollow pillar, and a fuse will be led out."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao knows that Gu Yankui, Minister of War, was once a capable general in the army. He is mature and cautious, and his words and actions are always methodical, with very few empty words.

In fact, the best materials for the porcelain thunder shell are rubber and pig iron. Using rubber to make the porcelain thunder shell not only avoids the disadvantage of being fragile but also makes the thunder body lighter and easier to carry.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asks again: "What is the purpose of wrapping the outside of this porcelain thunder with fine vines?"

Everyone discovers that the surfaces of these wooden figures are embedded with dense iron filings and broken porcelain, which is chilling to look at.

Jia Cong also has soldiers bring one or two wooden figures from around the center of the explosion for Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and the officials participating in the drill to examine.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and the others only hear a loud noise like the earth shaking and the mountains moving. The power is very astonishing, and it is mixed with some "whooshing" strange sounds.

Since this porcelain thunder can receive such earnest words from him, its power must be extraordinary, which makes Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao quite expectant of the effect of this porcelain thunder.

The wooden figures at the center of the explosion are instantly shattered. This movement is much greater than the momentum of a firearm firing.

After Jia Cong and Liu Shizhen explain the structure of the porcelain thunder to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, they begin the on-site demonstration.

Gu Yankui, Minister of War, says: "Your Majesty, if you see the explosive power of this porcelain thunder, you will definitely be even more pleasantly surprised. This object is incomparable to the power of swords, guns, and arrows."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao smiles: "Jia, your wonderful ideas and meticulous thoughts are truly breathtaking. To think you could come up with such a strange object."

"It's just that rubber grows mostly in the countries of the Southern Barbarians. I have roughly calculated that the transportation costs are too expensive, and rubber smelting is not easy to master."

Jia Cong has Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and other officials retreat to a distance of two zhang behind the earthen embankment.

The dense wooden figures and targets on the open ground seem to have suffered a thunderbolt from heaven. Like a sharp sickle cutting through wheat waves, a large area falls down instantly.

"Fill the area around the pillar with iron filings, and finally seal the opening of the porcelain thunder to form it. When using it, light the fuse, throw it out with all your might within five breaths, and you can cause massive damage to the enemy army."

Following the instructions of the squad leader, he lights the fuse of the porcelain thunder in his hand and throws it out with force, landing exactly between the pair of wooden targets.

Moreover, the surface of the porcelain thunder is smooth, and after being wrapped with fine vines, the grip is better, allowing it to be thrown further.

"We have discussed with the craftsmen many times. At present, it is still in the stage of preparation. Using porcelain thunder is the most economical and effective, and it is convenient for rapid and mass production."

A fully equipped firearm soldier quickly runs behind the earthen embankment.

Jia Cong, who is on the side, explains: "Reporting to Your Majesty, porcelain is fragile. The outside of the porcelain thunder is wrapped with fine vines to prevent the thunder from falling and breaking the shell before it explodes when thrown."

"And pig iron cast thunder has great lethality, but it involves iron and stone smelting, and the cost will be higher."

This is the pressure of the porcelain thunder explosion, causing the wrapped iron filings and broken porcelain to fly everywhere, causing the damage effect.

If what was attacked by the porcelain thunder just now was not wooden figures but real flesh and blood, it would definitely be instantly shredded and die.

Thinking of this, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and the others, although they are all people who have seen many battles, cannot help but feel a chill.

People always have an involuntary awe for things they do not understand deeply.

They are all used to the damage effects of cold weapons such as swords, guns, and arrows. Even with firearm damage, the wounds are not much different from swords and guns.

But the damage mode of the porcelain thunder completely exceeded their imagination.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asks with a solemn face: "How many of these porcelain thunders have you built, and how are they stored and guarded!"

Liu Shizhen is stunned for a moment when he sees the strange look on the Emperor's face, and he does not fully react.

Jia Cong, however, understands the meaning of Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's words and hurriedly replies: "Reporting to Your Majesty, fifty of these porcelain thunders were trial-produced. Five were used in yesterday's first round of demonstrations."

"Three were taken out of the warehouse for the drill on the drill ground today, and the remaining forty-two are in storage. I have already asked the Marquis of Zhongjing to select five loyal and reliable captains to be specifically responsible for guarding the stored porcelain thunders."

"Every morning and evening, Deputy Liu will personally count the number of porcelain thunders in stock. If there is any loss, the five guarding captains will be punished together!"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's expression relaxes slightly after hearing Jia Cong's answer, but he is still somewhat uneasy and says:

"This object is unheard of and is a weapon of war. The method of construction must be kept secret!"

"Promise the guarding captains a large reward. Once the stored items are missing, the guarding personnel will be punished and executed!"

Everyone present feels a chill in their hearts after hearing these words from Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, but they also understand the reason why the Emperor is so cautious.

The damage mode of this porcelain thunder is too sinister and terrifying. If one or two were lost, it would be a huge hidden danger that is difficult to predict.

Although there are no major events within the Da Zhou territory now, the border troubles have never completely ceased.

In the north, there are the Jurchens; in the west, there are the remnants of the Mongols; the Guangdong region is also often harassed by the countries along the Western Sea; and the chaos of the Japanese pirates on the East Sea coast is difficult to quell.

If the porcelain thunder were known to the enemy chieftains too early, or even if they learned the method of construction, the consequences would be unimaginable.

It might even lead to the embarrassing situation of being defeated by the enemy before defeating them.

Or someone might use it to assassinate the Emperor. If one were thrown casually, I am afraid that no matter how many Imperial Guards there are, they would not be able to resist...

"Jia Cong, you have made contributions in developing the porcelain thunder and are proficient in the methods of firearms and investigation of things. I promote you to Grade 6B Firearms Supervisor to supervise the construction of porcelain thunders."

"As for other firearm methods, if they can be used in the army as soon as possible, they will also be coordinated and implemented. I have great use for them!"

He sees Jia Cong's stunned expression, as if he is somewhat surprised by the appointment as Firearms Supervisor.

He says again: "You only need to coordinate. Daily affairs will be handled by Liu Shizhen. The matter of observing politics in the Ministry of War remains unchanged. As a son of a military noble, you must not abandon the foundation of bravery."

In fact, although Jia Cong does not hold a real position in the Firearms Supervision, he has been participating in the recruitment of Western experts, firearm research and development, and other matters.

However, he is only a scholar, and being granted the qualification to observe politics is already an extraordinary favor. Under normal circumstances, at such an age, it is impossible to be granted a real position too early.

For Jia Cong, the matter of the firearm craft was only intervened in because of the situation when he was in Jin Ling.

His plan for himself is to take the path of a civil official. Otherwise, why would he spend so much effort to take the imperial examination?

Now it seems that he has gone a bit off track.

Moreover, being suddenly promoted is really a bit abrupt, and it even makes people feel a sense of urgency.

On the way back from the North Drill Ground, he sat with Gu Yankui, Minister of War, for the whole journey. After some conversation, he learned some of the inside story.

In fact, during his daily observation of politics in the Ministry of War, he often came into contact with the Ministry of War's reports and knew quite a bit about border troubles and national affairs.

It's just that some of the latest information is not something he can easily come into contact with at his level.

Now that Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao has suddenly promoted him to Firearms Supervisor, Gu Yankui, Minister of War, knows the reason well and naturally revealed some inside information to him.

Since the beginning of spring, due to successive years of snow disasters and spring droughts in the lands outside the pass, the various Jurchen tribes have been under pressure for their livelihoods. They have formed parties and cliques, their westward expansion into Korea has been blocked, and they have repeatedly invaded the borders to plunder.

The various military towns in Liaodong have repeatedly suffered impacts from the Jurchen tribes, and a great war is on the verge of breaking out.

The various Jurchen tribes were born between the White Mountains and Black Waters, occupying the geographical advantage. Successive years of natural disasters have forced them to fight for survival, stimulating a fierce and ruthless spirit, and their archery and equestrian combat power is extremely strong.

In contrast, the Da Zhou soldiers and generals have been in peace for too long, and they are already unable to keep up.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's promotion of the way of firearms is to make up for the lack of combat power, strengthen the army, and sharpen the soldiers, so as to quell border troubles and stabilize the country.

And Jia Cong has a reputation for expertise in firearms, and he happened to catch up with the success of the porcelain thunder drill. At the current situation, his appointment as Firearms Supervisor became a matter of course.

In fact, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao appointed Liu Shizhen as Deputy Firearms Supervisor but had always left the position of Supervisor vacant, having had plans in his heart for a long time, just lacking an opportunity.

(End of chapter)