At the invitation of John Tang, Zhu Cihong came to John Tong's residence behind the church.

As soon as I walked into the residence, I felt that my eyes suddenly lit up, this place is simply a laboratory, and there are instruments everywhere, most of which are astronomical instruments.

Zhu Cihong also saw a book called "Chongzhen Almanac" on the table where Tang Ruowang worked.

This is a relatively comprehensive introduction to the knowledge of European astronomy, which is the result of five years of research and compilation by Xu Guangqi, Li Zhizao, Li Tianjing, Tang Ruowang and others.

The book contains astronomical theories, astronomical mathematics, and descriptions of astronomical instruments, as well as a large number of concepts of the earth in Copernicus's "Theory of the Movement of Celestial Bodies", including the movements of solar eclipses, lunar eclipses, Jupiter, Mercury, and Mars. Spherical and planar trigonometry is introduced, and the ecliptic coordinate system is introduced in terms of coordinate system.

Two years ago, that is, in the seventh year of Chongzhen, it was officially compiled, and it was the hard work of Tang Ruowang and others.

However, in history, after the compilation of this book, due to the interference of some ideological conservative opposition, it was disputed for ten years, until August of the sixteenth year of Chongzhen, Emperor Chongzhen overrode public opinion and made up his mind to promulgate a new calendar, but the order to issue the "Chongzhen Calendar" has not been implemented, and the Ming Dynasty has fallen.

Tang Ruowang saw His Royal Highness the Crown Prince flipping through this book, and his heart was moved, and he hoped that the future master of the Ming Dynasty would be interested in this book.

Although I don't know if this child can recognize these words, there are many geometric drawings in the book, hoping to attract His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Zhu Cihong felt Tang Ruowang's eager gaze, closed the book, looked at him, and said, "Such a masterpiece should be used by the state." ”

Looking at the somewhat excited Tang Ruowang, Zhu Cihong continued: "This palace does not want the pearl to be dusty, but I also hope that Mr. can do more for my Daming." ”

"I wonder what His Highness wants me to do?" John Tang asked directly.

Seeing that the other party was so happy, Zhu Cihong was not verbose, and said: "I know that Mr. knows how to make Western artillery, and I don't know if Mr. can make some artillery for my Ming Dynasty, like the Hongyi cannon." ”

Although the development of firearms in the Ming Dynasty was good, at the end of the Ming Dynasty, it was already slightly behind the West.

At this time, the armies of many European countries had popularized the installation of flintlock muskets, and the artillery research technology was also stronger than that of China, and the Ming Dynasty purchased artillery from the Portuguese in Macao several times.

"No problem, as long as there is a gun factory, I will teach them to cast the latest artillery."

John Tang was very happy, as the chief helmsman of the Catholic Chinese region, missionary work was also his main job, and if he wanted to successfully proselytize, he had to make friends with the powerful people of the Ming Dynasty.

And His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in front of him, as the future emperor of the Ming Empire, making friends now will definitely be of great benefit to his missionary career.

"Okay, I will ask His Majesty Father to issue an order to re-establish the factory, and you will preside over the cannon casting, and you will not be affected by anyone."

Zhu Cihong knows very well that he has not won the war yet, and it is a little unrealistic to expect Tang Ruowang to let a foreigner take care of those old fritters, and it would be good not to be pitted to death.

Then, Zhu Cihong visited Tang Ruowang's laboratory again, and found that there was a fire gun hanging on one side of the wall, which was different from the fire gun used by the Ming soldiers.

"What kind of firebolt is this?" Zhu Cihong pointed to the special fire gun and said.

John Tang introduced: "Back to Your Highness, this is called a flintlock pistol, which is a new type of firebolt that uses flint to hit and ignite gunpowder, which is produced in Macau Bugarao Cannon Foundry. ”

"You said that the Bugarao Cannon Foundry in Macau already produces flintlock guns?" Zhu Cihong was a little excited in his heart.

The Bugarao Cannon Foundry is a cannon foundry of considerable size, which not only produces cannons, but also cannonballs, gunpowder, and even bronze bells for the hall. After the imperial court learned about it, it sent people to Macao many times to buy cannons.

At this time, Macao was not occupied by the Portuguese, but the Portuguese paid fees, rented some land, and obtained the right to survive in Macao, and many things would be restricted by the Ming Dynasty.

Portugal actually established a stronghold, planted its national flag, and occupied Macau in the late fine weather.

"Of course, the Bugarao Cannon Foundry also has the latest flintlock pistol." John Tang replied that he didn't know why the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty was so interested in firearms.

Zhu Cihong said happily: "I don't know if Mr. can make it?" ”

Tang Ruowang shook his head and said: "Your Highness, it's a pity that the latest flintlock pistol, the Bugarao Cannon Foundry has only been copied for a short time, and the minister has only gotten one, although it is still being studied, but it cannot be imitated at present." ”

Zhu Cihong nodded, expressing his understanding, he just kept the mentality of trying it out, and he was very satisfied with the fact that he could only build an old-style tunnel rifle. So he said, "Then you can make this ordinary flintlock pistol, right?" ”

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, I can't make an ordinary flintlock pistol, after all, I don't usually have time to study this firearm."

Zhu Cihong was very disappointed when he heard this, although he had a picture drawn by Bi Maokang in his hand, it was very difficult and required a lot of time to make a flintlock pistol from the picture.

Seeing the unconcealable disappointment in the crown prince's eyes, John Tang continued: "However, Your Highness, I have a friend who can make it. ”

"Who is it? Please sir introduce me! "Zhu Cihong is a little curious, is there still a master in Daming?

"Your Highness, please wait a moment." John Tang and one of his assistants whispered a few words, and the assistant quickly left, as if he had gone to invite someone.

After a while, a man of about thirty years old, led by John Tang's assistant, walked in.

As soon as he entered, the man said, "Father, I am studying the musket, why are you in such a hurry to find me?" ”

Tang Ruowang hurriedly said: "He Ding, this is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince today, come and come and see you." ”

The man was taken aback when he heard this, but he didn't expect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to come today.

However, although he was surprised, he didn't show much of a disdain, and hurriedly bowed to Zhu Cihong and said, "The grass people have seen His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Chitose. ”

Zhu Cihong hurriedly said: "Mr. doesn't need to be polite, may I ask if Mr. Lingzun is the former Imperial History of the Imperial Capital, the former governor of Denglai, and Sun Yuanhua Sun." ”

The man was stunned, nodded, and said, "Yes, it's my father." ”

Only then did Zhu Cihong determine that the friend that Tang Ruowang said could make a flintlock pistol was Sun Heding, that is, Sun Yuanhua's eldest son.

Sun Yuanhua's sons have been nurtured since childhood, and they are also proficient in the production of firearms, among which Sun Heding is the most powerful. Because Sun Yuanhua was unjustly killed by the imperial court, it is no wonder that Sun Heding was not much moved when he saw him.

Listening to Sun Heding's answer, Zhu Cihong continued: "I heard Mr. Tang say that Mr. Sun is proficient in the art of making muskets, and I am just about to cast a batch of muskets to resist the Tartars outside the Guanwai, so I want to hire Mr. to help." ”

After listening to Zhu Cihong's words, Zhisun Heding immediately shook his head and said: "My father had a will before his death, so that our brother would not be allowed to become an official for life. ”

Because Sun Yuanhua joined Catholicism during his lifetime, John Tang gave Sun Yuanhua the last mass before his death, and at this last moment, Sun Yuanhua asked John Tang to tell his three sons not to complain about the court because he was unjustly killed, not to be an official, and to sort out his posthumous works and pass them on to future generations.