As the weather gets colder, the coppersmiths are finally going to start making clay molds for their cannons. Li Yan came to the foundry and took a look at the preparations of the coppersmiths.

The data for the cast cannon was finally finalized before, and the cannon cast this time was five feet (about one meter six) in length, two inches and five minutes (about eighty millimeters) in caliber, and two inches (about sixty-six millimeters) in thickness. The barrel at the rear was three inches (about ninety-six millimeters) thick, tapering from back to front, and at the muzzle position it became two inches and a half minutes thick, so that the weight of the gun would not be too far back. Both the muzzle and the tail of the gun leave room for the front sight and illuminator.

Everything was tried, Li Yan didn't dare to make the barrel thinner, if something went wrong, all the preparations would be in vain.

"General Li," Master Mu asked, "what kind of pattern do you want to put on the barrel?" ”

Li Yan thought for a while, waved his hand, and said with a smile: "Forget it, just get your names on it." If the cannon casting is successful this time, it will be regarded as giving you a name, and if something goes wrong, it will also cure your sins. ”

When Master Mu heard this, he also smiled and said, "Then thank the general for letting me wait for my name to go down in history." ”

Li Yan said with a smile: "You can do it with peace of mind, even if it fails, let's do it again." Also, the tiger squat cannon has to make a few more molds, and the iron mold also has to be made. That cannon has lower requirements and a much higher probability of success. ”

"The villain understands, please rest assured general." Master Mu nodded and replied.

Li Yan didn't disturb the coppersmiths' work anymore, and he went to the blacksmith's workshop next to him.

He went directly to the small room where Blacksmith Zhou was doing the experiment. Now Blacksmith Zhou is basically concentrating on testing and building the bolt, and his apprentices can finally create a short barrel, although the pass rate is less than fifty percent, but this is also a lot of progress.

"Childe is here." Blacksmith Zhou saw Li Yan come in and greeted him.

Li Yan nodded and asked, "How is it, has it been made?" ”

Blacksmith Zhou pointed to a handcuff that had already been made and said, "I have changed the size of a few parts, and now it is okay to get it." However, there are still cases where you don't get angry, and there are always two or three times out of ten times that you can't hit it. ”

Li Yan frowned and said, "Have you found the reason?" ”

"Not yet." Blacksmith Zhou said helplessly: "Since the probability of ignition can be successful, it shouldn't be a problem with the bolt." ”

Li Yan picked up the handcuff and looked at it, and said, "Could it be a flint and steel problem?" Even if you hit it with your hands, you have to hit it a few times a few times. ”

Blacksmith Zhou nodded and said, "Well, this is the only possibility." As long as you get some high-quality flint and steel, you should be able to increase the firing rate. By the way, the length of the flint and steel should also be adjusted in time, so as not to hit the iron after wear. ”

Li Yan asked, "Have you tried it?" What about firing projectiles? ”

"After a few shots, there should be no problem with safety." Blacksmith Zhou didn't dare to pack the ticket, after all, the grip was not far from the tail of the barrel, no more than the three-eyed gun, and the distance between the barrel and the hand. If something goes wrong, you might blow up your hands.

Li Yan didn't dare to try it himself, so he ordered: "Bring gunpowder and projectiles, let's go to the test site to try." ”

"Oh, okay, I'll explain." Blacksmith Zhou agreed, hurried to explain to a few stewards, and then followed Li Yan.

And Li Yan also asked people to go to the gunpowder workshop, called Ma Chaodong and the three of them together, and went to the artillery test site together.

After arriving at the test site, when all the personnel have arrived, the test begins. After loading the ammunition, the soldiers at the test site fixed the handcuffs on a platform, placed the target at a distance of thirty paces, and then pulled the trigger far away with a rope.

There was a "pop" sound, a puff of white smoke rose up, and the target thirty paces away moved, and the surface projectile hit the target.

After that, the handcuffs were taken down, the ammunition was loaded, and the experiment continued. Twenty were fired, five of which were not fired. As long as the striking iron is re-loaded and fired again, it can basically be successfully launched. Only once, after two successive failures, was the third launch launched.

This barrel is the barrel of the original three-eyed gun, so the gunpowder and projectile are the original. However, after changing to a handcuff, it is easier to shoot and the accuracy is improved.

Li Yan asked Ma Chaodong: "The gunpowder you have finalized, do you reduce some charges for the gunpowder?" ”

Ma Chaodong replied: "The new gunpowder is more powerful than the old gunpowder, but it should be no problem to use it on the gun, but it can increase the range." However, we still have to test it ourselves before we can settle it. ”

Li Yan instructed: "It's still the original requirement, thirty steps to be able to penetrate the armor." It is still necessary to make the projectile and gunpowder into oiled paper packets, and the gunpowder in it must not only have ******, but also include ignition gunpowder. The gunpowder is on the mouth, the projectile is at the bottom, and finally the projectile is put into the barrel, so that the oiled paper can also be put in, so as to enhance the airtightness. ”

"The lowly position understands," Wang Renhui and the other three clasped their fists and said: "The lowly rank will do its best to do a good job." ”

Li Yan instructed Blacksmith Zhou: "If it is finalized, start production." Make five of them and give them to the powder shop so that they can test the amount of gunpowder. ”

Blacksmith Zhou reminded: "This still needs to be cooperated by the carpenter's workshop." ”

"Let's go, let's go to the carpentry workshop and talk to them." Li Yan said anxiously. The successful test firing of the handcuff is a big deal. In the future, the long fire gun will be made, and the power will be much greater than the current crossbow arrows. Add to that the artillery, and it's invincible.

A group of personnel followed Li Yan and came to the woodworking workshop.

At this time, the carpentry workshop was relatively idle, the spare gun and ammunition trucks were ready, and the tower had already been built, but they had nothing to do. Now many carpenters are making some knick-knacks out of leftovers, so that they can exchange some grain and meat dishes for the Chinese New Year. They themselves felt that they had taken the food and salary given by Li Yan in vain, and they were a little reluctant to go.

After Li Yan came, he told them about asking them to make handguards and gun handles, and Master Huang immediately happily agreed.

"Gee, everybody's idle." Master Huang said: "If Gongzi doesn't give him any more work, we won't be able to take the salary from Gongzi anymore." ”

Li Yan nodded and said, "You are busy this time, as long as the fire gun is finalized, you will have no time to rest." ”

"It's better to be busy, it's better to be busy." Master Huang said with a smile: "I made all the wooden pieces of this handcuff, and I have kept the size, so I can start making it immediately." ”

Li Yan reminded: "Make five first." Don't dig the hole with the strip first, this strip is too thick, as long as the head in front is as big as it is now, and the rest of the place should be thinner, and the current handcuff is still a little heavy. Wait until the blacksmith has settled down the rules, and then give you the size. Elsewhere, there may be some changes. ”

"Okay, no problem." Master Huang nodded in agreement.

Li Yan reminded Blacksmith Zhou again: "Add a crosshair and a door." ”

"Yes, I wrote it down." Blacksmith Zhou immediately nodded in agreement.