After Li Yan made arrangements for the troops and made it clear that Li Zhong was responsible for everything, he returned to Qixian with the guards.

This time he didn't stay on the road long, he was in a hurry to go back to see if the iron mold cannon could be used. This is a matter of urgency, and if it can be used, it is necessary to start casting as soon as possible to expand his artillery fleet. The barrel of the Frankie gun they used before had been severely worn, especially when firing grapeshot, which was very worn. Therefore, he has asked Wang Renjie to start thinking of ways to solve the problem, which is not only to be able to effectively hit the enemy, but also to cause little damage to artillery, which is a big problem.

It took him two days to return to Qixian County, which is now more prosperous than before, the market in the county town has expanded a lot more than before, and there are more people on the streets. And people have ruddy complexions and are neatly dressed. Especially for people entering and leaving the city gates, that's even more. People carried grain and vegetables into the city, or went out of the city with cloth, meat and eggs.

"General Lee is back."

"See General Lee."

……

After people saw Li Yan, they all greeted him warmly, some bowed their hands to Li Yan, and some simply knelt down.

Li Yan kept waving his hands and smiled at the crowd on both sides.

Although the people were enthusiastic, they all consciously stood on both sides of the road and gave the street to Li Yan. Li Yan returned home smoothly, it was still half of the afternoon, he had already sent someone to inform the artillery workshop, and he would go over immediately after washing up.

After returning home, Zhang Yi had already returned first, and he asked his subordinates to prepare things.

Li Yan waited in the hall and didn't see Wu Niang and Qiu Niang. It is estimated that the two of them haven't been here for a long time, and they don't have anything to do here anyway.

After a while, the people got everything ready. Li Yan washed up quickly, changed his clothes, and then ate a little snack.

He was eating, and Qiu Niang hurried in with a veil on her head.

"Childe is back?" Qiu Niang said happily: "Why don't you say it in advance." What Childe wants to eat, Qiu Niang prepares it for Childe. ”

Li Yan waved his hand and said, "Don't bother, I still have something to do, I'll leave immediately." ”

At this time, Wu Niang also followed in and said, "Don't worry, you still don't listen." Look now, it's white. ”

Li Yan glanced at Qiu Niang at this time and found that the handkerchief on Qiu Niang's head was wet, and her hair was still dripping from time to time. He waved his hand and said, "Go back and take care of your own affairs first." ”

Qiu Niang said embarrassedly: "It's okay, it's so hot, it's dry in a while." ”

"I don't have anything to do here, I'll leave immediately, you guys go back first." Li Yan said and put the dim sum in his hand into the innermost, got up and walked out

Qiu Niang hurriedly asked, "Childe, will you come back for dinner in the evening?" ”

Li Yan said vaguely: "I don't know, I'll talk about it then." ”

When Li Yan walked away, Wu Niang said with a smile: "Go back quickly, be careful of the wind." People have something to do, and they don't have time to talk to you. ”

Qiu Niang walked back disappointed and said, "I don't expect anything to happen, I just hope to repay my son's great kindness." But as soon as Childe went out, it was only a few months, and I just wanted to cook a meal for Childe and didn't have a chance. ”

"You're not a cook, you think about cooking all day long." Wu Niang said with some amusement.

Qiu Niang said helplessly: "I can only repay my son like this." ”

Li Yan came to the cannon workshop, and Master Niu and Master Mu were waiting at the door.

"It's late, I've kept you waiting." Li Yan clenched his fists and said.

Master Niu said with a smile: "It's okay, it's just a while out, and it doesn't affect the work." ”

Li Yan and the others came inside and went directly to the room where the model was placed.

"Childe, please see," Master Niu introduced, "This is a trial-made iron mold, which is made according to the shape of a three-inch cannon." ”

Li Yan saw some semicircular thick iron plates placed on the ground, with grooves and bosses on the sides, and handles on the outside. He squatted down and looked at it, and the inside of the iron mold was still quite smooth.

Master Niu continued: "These iron plates can be spliced together through these grooves and bosses, and there are a total of six sets of iron plates, plus a bottom monolithic model. ”

Li Yan nodded, and then asked, "Then how to solve the problem of adhesion?" Also, after connecting, is the strength enough? It's going to be erected and cast. ”

Master Niu said: "There is no problem with the strength, the mold seams are very tight, and there is no problem with erecting and fixing." ”

After getting Master Niu's signal, Blacksmith Zhou said: "The problem of adhesion should also be solved, I first made a three-inch spherical model with an iron mold, which was used to make a hollow iron ball, and it has been made." Molten iron doesn't stick, and bronze probably doesn't stick either. ”

"Hollow iron bullets are also made?" Li Yan asked in surprise.

Blacksmith Zhou nodded and said, "Master Niu came up with it, apply a layer of slurry made of fine rice husks and fine sand mud to the inside of the iron mold, and then coat it with a layer of slurry made of fine coal. I'll put a smaller hanging ball in it and cast it. When it cools down, the sand ball is broken and it becomes a hollow iron ball. ”

Li Yan said happily: "Very good, very good." Take me to see it in a moment, and if you put gunpowder and fuses in it, you can make shells directly. ”

Blacksmith Zhou nodded and said, "Well, I have also discussed it with Ma Chaodong, and it has not yet been decided how to get it." ”

Li Yan nodded and asked Master Niu, "When can we start casting?" ”

Master Mu replied, "Tomorrow will do." The copper and the furnace are ready, and the test can begin tomorrow as long as the general agrees. ”

Li Yan immediately clapped his head and said, "I agreed, I'll test it tomorrow!" Be prepared and try not to have any other problems. If that doesn't work, it's easier to find a problem. ”

"Understood, we'll be ready." Master Mu solemnly agreed.

Li Yan instructed: "You guys prepare, I'll come to see the trial production tomorrow." After that, he said to Blacksmith Zhou: "Let's go, let's go see your hollow ball." ”

After that, they came to the blacksmith's workshop. Li Yan looked at a hollow ball and found that there was a hole less than an inch in the iron ball. Although it is hollow, it is still quite heavy in the hand.

"What is the wall thickness?" Li Yan asked.

"Three-point" Zhou blacksmith returned.

Li Yan thought for a moment and said, "Screw the thread on this mouth, and then make an iron pipe, which should be threaded." Put a lead wire in this iron pipe and screw it into an iron ball, and it can be used as a cannonball. As for the ignition method, let's think about it again. ”

"It's a bit difficult to make an iron pipe." Blacksmith Zhou said embarrassedly: "It's not easy to make it the same size. ”

Li Yan nodded and said, "You try hard, you will always find a way." The key is standardized production. ”

"I understand, we'll do our best."

...