Wei Ya witnessed the whole process of forging, and he could be sure that these seven craftsmen were a little skilled, and from a distance, they could see that they had built copper Ge that was very sharp, without a rough appearance, and the quality was up to standard, but he also found a big problem, that is, the technology was backward, the efficiency was too low, and it was also a waste of bronze.

And it took more than two hours to start exercising from scratch, how many hours a day? Twelve, plus rest, can make up to four copper Ge a day, this can not rest, the efficiency is too low, even if a hundred craftsmen, a day is only four hundred copper Ge, and it is necessary to install wooden handles, which is time-consuming work.

The efficiency is too low, if according to their speed, they can't keep up with the development of Wei at all, you know, Wei today's 5,000 army, half of them are using old weapons, armor too, these must be updated as soon as possible, and not only need Ge, but also need bows and arrows, shields, and even crossbows, chariots and other weapons.

Speaking of crossbows, Wei really didn't have them, and there were no chariots, there was no way, making crossbows was very complicated, requiring extremely high craftsmanship, and the cost was also high, making a crossbow was relatively high compared to making five bows, as for chariots, the cost was higher, chariots were big things, a hundred craftsmen, at most five chariots were built a day, and they had to be pulled by war horses, and the cost of a chariot was five times that of cavalry!

But even so, Wei Li is also determined, Wei must have a chariot, not why, the main reason is that the chariot is too fierce, the chariot can carry three soldiers, these three soldiers perform their duties, one drives with a short sword, one holds a bow and crossbow for long-range shooting, and the last person holds a bow and crossbow for long-range shooting, in addition, the chariot is also equipped with a gonggu duo cymbal (Duo cymbal: a musical instrument similar to a bronze bell) to ensure the communication and combat command of the army.

Not only that, but sharp thorns were placed on the wheels and sides of the chariot, and if anyone was hit by the chariot, there was basically no chance of escape.

The combat effectiveness of the chariot is very strong, if it is engaged with the infantry, it may be a reunion that directly determines the trend of the war, even if it is a cavalry, it does not dare to confront the chariot army head-on, so the chariot is a big killing weapon, and all countries with similar strength will engage in chariots.

It's a pity that Wei's current national strength can't form a chariot army at all, so he can only take his time first and do a good job of the basic army.

Wei Li walked to the side of the copper Ge built by seven craftsmen, because it was soaked in cold water, it was not very hot, so he gently picked up the two copper Ge and looked at it carefully, sure enough, at a glance, he could see that there was a problem, which was not a quality problem, but a size problem.

One copper Ge is slightly larger, and one copper Ge is slightly smaller, and the error is very large!

"Why is this bronze different sizes?" Wei Li frowned, raised his eyes and looked at Kong Yiji and asked.

This is a very serious problem, the weapon pays attention to a feel, a soldier is used to the same light and small weapons, will be very skilled, wartime combat effectiveness will be very strong, and if the habitual weapon is broken and damaged, replaced with a light and small different weapon, it is not very handy, let me ask, if the weapon is not smooth, all the time battlefield, how much combat effectiveness can be played?

When Kong Yiji heard this, he did not show surprise, but replied as he should; "The king doesn't know, the craftsmanship and strength of each craftsman are different, and the things they create will naturally not be the same, different sizes, which is really a normal thing!"

"This is not going to work, you have to build weapons of the same weight and size, and you can't mess them up!" Wei Li said very dissatisfied.

When Kong Yiji and the seven craftsmen heard this, they all showed embarrassment, how is this the same, Master Kong also said just now, the craftsmanship and strength are different, and the things created cannot be exactly the same, there must be differences.

"When I was a child, I lived in the market, and I once saw a master forger, when he was teaching apprentices the craft, which mentioned weapons, he said, if you want to make the utensils exactly the same, you must first create a template, and then boil the bronze into copper water, and then pour the copper water into the template, and when the copper water solidifies, you can take out the molded utensils directly from the template, no need to temper, just polish!"

"Lone was hiding in the corner and listening, and was discovered, and then the forging master drove him out and scolded Lone, because of this scolding, Lone always remembered, and Lone now thought, if you make a weapon model first, according to which forging master will make it, won't you be able to create a weapon of the same size and weight?"

"And in this way, you can reduce the time of exercising, and you can also save a lot of materials, why not?"

Wei Ya vaguely informed Kong Yiji of the principle of the "lost wax method".

The lost wax method, also known as the "investment mold method" (Xiguan Copper Art), is a precision casting method for bronze and other metal objects.

Lost-wax process:

(1) Use beeswax to make a model of casting, and then use other refractory materials to fill the mud core and apply the outer model.

(2) After heating and baking, all the wax molds are melted and lost, so that the whole casting model becomes an empty shell.

(3) Then pour the molten liquid into it, and then cast the utensils.

The lost wax method was not a secret in Wei Li's previous life, and the lost wax method would be mentioned in the history class of primary school students, and Wei Li naturally knew it.

"This..."Kong Yiji was shocked, and the seven craftsmen also showed a look of horror, without him, as an excellent craftsman, they are very familiar with the matter of exercise, Wei Ya said, they all understand, they all understand the mystery of this method.

"You can use beeswax to make a casting model, and then use other refractory materials to fill the mud core and apply the outer fan, after heating and baking, the wax mold is all melted and lost, so that the entire casting model becomes an empty shell, and then poured molten liquid inside, it will be cast into a utensil!" Wei Li explained in detail.

"Your Majesty, with all due respect, have you learned forging before?" Kong Yiji asked cautiously.

He felt that the king had definitely learned it, maybe he had learned it from the forging master in the king's mouth, otherwise how could he be so clear about this method.

"Haha!" Wei Li chuckled, deliberately revealing the color of memory and said: "Originally, Lone has always wanted to keep this secret, you are so curious, Lone just said, although which forging master drove Lone out and scolded, but Lone will secretly listen every day, Lone has no interest in forging, and it is just fun to eavesdrop!" ”

"I see, then king, which master forge is where now? If this master forge comes to the Ordnance Division, with his attainments, he will definitely be able to create stronger and better weapons! Kong Yiji said with admiration on his face.