Chapter 812: Meeting in Changcheng

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On the Drill Ground, Zhao Xu held the Qin-series Rifle level and pulled the Trigger.

A puff of blue smoke drifted out from the muzzle and the Breech Bolt, and the smell of Gunpowder permeated the air.

"Eight rings!" Before long, the soldier checking the target ran over from one hundred meters away, a smile on his face.

"Your Highness is truly formidable; this first shot is already eight rings." Wang Ying gave a thumbs up.

Zhao Xu smiled lightly.

This Rear-loading Rifle was a Rifled Musket, and the Front-loading Rifle was also a Rifled Musket; only the method of loading was different.

In the past, when he had leisure time, he would often practice shooting.

Although he could not compare to the sharpshooters in the army, he considered himself to have some level of skill.

Not yet satisfied, he pulled back the Breech Bolt, inserted another paper-cased Bullet, aimed at the target, and fired another shot.

After firing ten Bullets in succession, he took out his Pocket Watch and glanced at it; it had taken just over a minute and five or six seconds.

And while shooting, he had adopted various postures.

Standing, kneeling, lying prone, sideways, and so on.

None of these movements affected the loading.

Regarding this, he was very satisfied.

Once the Prince's Personal Army was equipped with the Qin-series Rifle, they would no longer need to stand to reload on the battlefield in the future, exposing themselves to danger.

Most importantly, they would be able to adopt more flexible tactics.

"What is the approximate effective range?" Zhao Xu asked.

Although he was clear that the effective distance of the Qin-series Rifle was about what he had predicted, he still wanted to ask.

"About six hundred and fifty meters," Wang Ying replied, his expression dimming slightly; this was the only thing he was dissatisfied with.

The Front-loading Rifled Musket manufactured using Converter Steel could reach an effective range of nine hundred meters.

Zhao Xu said nothing.

He actually hoped that the Xitu Guo would be misled by the nine-hundred-meter effective range of the Front-loading Rifle.

In this way, they would reject the Rear-loading Rifle for a longer time, allowing him to take more advantage.

Next, in order to introduce the structure of the Qin-series Rifle to Zhao Xu, Wang Ying dismantled the entire Breech Bolt.

Zhao Xu understood it perfectly, but having never seen the physical object, he was still interested.

In fact, the Breech Bolt of a Rear-loading Rifle was just a rod with a handle.

Inside the rod was a firing pin connected to a spring.

When loading, one pulled the rod backward to expose the chamber and inserted the Bullet.

Then one pushed the rod forward, with the metal handle resting against the notch to block the chamber.

Pulling the Trigger caused the spring to pop out, and the firing pin struck the Percussion Cap.

"Not bad. Now only the hurdle of mass production remains. This matter cannot be delayed. This Prince needs to provide the Qin-series Rifle to the Prince's Personal Army as soon as possible. The first batch of thirty thousand must be delivered within three months," Zhao Xu said.

Wang Ying and the two old craftsmen beside him exchanged glances and nodded solemnly.

They never liked to make excuses; for tasks assigned by the Yan Wang, they would only do their utmost to complete them with quality and quantity guaranteed.

"Yes, Your Highness," Wang Ying replied.

Thinking of something, he added, "Your Highness, since there is a Rear-loading Rifle, naturally there should also be a Rear-loading Cannon. We might as well develop them together."

Zhao Xu nodded.

Like the bolt-action structure of the Rear-loading Rifle, the Rear-loading Cannon of this era also began with a bolt-action structure.

The principle was the same, so naturally, they could attempt to develop it next.

In this way, on future battlefields, his army's rate of fire for both muskets and artillery would be double that of the enemy, or even more.

Of all the martial arts in the world, only speed cannot be broken.

The new-style muskets and artillery would surely teach his enemies a harsh lesson on the battlefield.

After giving these instructions, Zhao Xu left the Armory Bureau.

Wang Ying and the others had a heavy task, so he would not disturb them.

At the same time, in Changcheng.

The arrival of a delegation dispelled the anxiety and decadence that the loss of Jinling City had brought to the monarch and ministers of Wu.

In the temporary palace, Liang Kai's sighs turned into laughter.

"Brother Dou, the past is the past after all. Do not mention it again. As long as we can unite and deal with the Yan Wang from now on, that is enough." In the palace garden, palace maids shuttled through the courtyard, serving all kinds of Fine Wine and delicacies.

After the news of Jinling City being breached reached Changcheng, he had suffered from insomnia for nights on end.

Occasionally, when he closed his eyes, he would be startled awake immediately.

In his dreams, the Yan Prince Army had breached Changcheng and captured him.

It was not until Brook arrived and brought him a piece of bombshell news that he recovered, feeling inexplicably excited, and held a banquet to entertain everyone.

"Many thanks for Your Majesty's great grace," Dou Wei said with a smile. He was now willing to address Liang Kai as Your Majesty to gain Liang Kai's trust.

Liang Kai nodded with satisfaction and looked at Tiemuta, the smile on his face deepening. "With the clans united as one this time, and with the full support of the Northern Di, the Yan Wang will be unable to handle the consequences."

Tiemuta was amiable.

Now, the Northern Di no longer dared to be arrogant. Before eliminating the Yan Wang, they decided to temporarily stand on equal footing with these clans and face the enemy together.

So he said, "Being able to resist the enemy together with the clans of Da Song is the honor of our Northern Di."

Liang Kai was stunned for a moment, but seeing Tiemuta's sincere expression, he was overjoyed.

Brook's gaze wandered over the three men's faces, and he smiled. He said, "With the help of the Frankish people, it should not be a problem for Nanping to join us. Since we are gathered here, why not discuss how to deal with the southward advance of the Yan King Army? We absolutely cannot suffer defeat after defeat like in Jinling City again."