In fact, the principle of arquebuses and flintlock pistols, as long as later generations, basically understand. Emperor Chongzhen still wanted Bi Maokang to say, because he was very strange, why there were flintlock pistols at the end of the Ming Dynasty, but the Ming army was not equipped with flintlock pistols in large quantities in the end?

It should be said that as long as you are not a fool, you can understand that the flintlock pistol will be better than the arquebus, right? "Your Majesty, this self-generated system is a flint fire. The flint is caught in the mouth of the hammer, and here it is ......" said Bi Maokang, pointing with his finger, "pull the trigger, strike the hammer down, and the flint will spark and fall on the ignition powder, and it will shoot a lead bullet." ”

After explaining the principle a little, Bi Maokang seemed a little hesitant, but finally pointed to the hammer part and continued: "The most important thing here is that the hammer reed needs to be strong enough to ensure that the flint will hit enough sparks to splash down. If you can ensure that sparks are splashed down every time you fire, the power of the self-generated fire will be revealed. ”

Speaking of this, he seemed a little embarrassed: "Your Majesty, the minister has tried many times, and the spring blades currently used for firing must be made of steel with sufficient toughness. At present, the toughness of my general steel is not enough, and the probability of success is only three or four out of ten. ”

Speaking of this, he hurriedly added: "Your Majesty, if you use good steel, you can achieve a success rate of more than eighty percent." ”

Speaking of this, his gaze left from the self-made fire gun, looked at Emperor Chongzhen, and said with a slightly embarrassed look on his face: "But this kind of good steel, each catty is about three or four taels of silver, and the output is not high." ”

If the success rate of the musket is only about 30 percent, that is, only one out of every three shots may ignite, it will be dangerous when facing the enemy. This point, even Emperor Chongzhen, who has never been on the battlefield, understands this truth, let alone Bi Maokang, who is very familiar with muskets.

In other words, this flintlock pistol is actually very simple, and you can understand it when you say it. But to make a good flintlock pistol, it will be difficult. The qualified spring steel sheet used for the flintlock pistol must at least meet the medium carbon steel standard of later generations, and at this time, even the drill bits for drilling the barrel are generally used mild steel. It can be seen from this that there are actual objective reasons for the invention of flintlock pistols in the late Ming Dynasty, but the lack of large-scale military deployment.

This is not only true of the Ming Dynasty in the East, but also in the West. If you really want to talk about it, the flintlock pistol was first invented by Westerners, but it was not until the end of the 17th century that the West's large-scale military deployment was carried out. Even in the mid-17th century, King Louis XIV of France forbade the use of flintlock pistols or the guillotine.

It can be seen that the flintlock pistol is not something that can be used if you want to!

After Emperor Chongzhen asked about the shortcomings of this flintlock pistol, he did not disappoint Bi Maokang, he just smiled and said: "Bi Qing invented this self-generated fire gun very well, although the price will be much more expensive because of the spring plate. But if there is a problem, we must solve it, and we can't waste food because of choking......"

As soon as he heard this, Bi Maokang was immediately excited. Listening to the emperor's meaning, his hard work will not be in vain, and he will pay for it.

"The blacksmith shop of the Ordnance Bureau began to solve the problem of suitable steel, first, how to reduce costs, and second, how to increase production? Qing has to grasp these two points personally. If there are any difficulties, or what resources need to be mobilized, please report to me. Emperor Chongzhen commanded.

First, Emperor Chongzhen at this time understood the power of scientific and technological progress better than the original Emperor Chongzhen, and knew that flintlock pistols would be the trend of the future; Second, at this time, the finances of the Ming Dynasty were far easier than in the original history. Although it is still difficult at the moment, and money is needed everywhere, Daming Construction Bank has been established.

Just like now, I only heard Emperor Chongzhen explain to Bi Maokang again: "At present, the Ordnance Bureau and the War Bureau will be self-financed, if the Ordnance Bureau is insufficient, you can go to the Daming Construction Bank for a loan." In this way, the new army will purchase 100 qualified self-generated firearms for training purposes. I ordered the chief instructor of the new army to sign a contract with the Ordnance Bureau, and then Hou Qing took the contract to the Daming Construction Bank for a loan. In the early stage, the capital for the production of qualified self-generated firearms was also available. How is it? ”

To be honest, Bi Maokang is really a little unaccustomed to this model. For him, it was more customary for the emperor to grant money directly. However, this new method, the emperor has already pointed out the way, and he will not object, as long as the problem of funds can be solved, what kind of appropriation or loan?

Bi Maokang does have a talent for firearms, and after this self-generated firearm was solved, he was even more confident, and was ready to wait for the matter of the self-generated firearm to be completed, and then carry out the research on the bead firearm.

He can see that as long as the thing is really good, the emperor will definitely support it, and even help with ideas to solve difficulties. With such a good emperor here, he will no longer have to worry about firearms research.

In the end, Emperor Chongzhen also deliberately explained again and again: "The firearms I want must be excellent." The requirements of all components must be superior. This is a small matter related to the safety of the use of soldiers, and it is so big that it is the key to determining the outcome of the war, and it must not be sloppy! ”

When Bi Maokang heard the emperor's request, he couldn't help but be even more surprised. So, he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, the key to the cost of this self-generated fire gun also depends on the gun pipe. The minister inspected the arquebuses in the inventory of the Ordnance Bureau before, and the wrought iron used in the raw materials of the guns was about five catties of wrought iron smelted from 10 catties of crude iron, which were all inferior products! Generally speaking, the fire guns in our Ming army are to use one pound of wrought iron smelted from five to seven catties of crude iron. Of course, ten catties of crude iron smelted into one catty of wrought iron is the best grade. Your Majesty, then the raw materials for this self-generated fire gun ......"

When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he said without hesitation: "Of course, you have to use high-grade products!" As I said, ordnance is a matter of great importance, and it must be made according to the best. The factors that affect the cost can be rewarded to see if there is a solution. Only in this way can Daming's scientific and technological strength keep pace with the times! ”

When Bi Maokang heard this, he was very convinced of the request set by Emperor Chongzhen, and immediately agreed, bowed down and withdrew from the palace to get busy.

Emperor Chongzhen watched him leave, thinking in his heart, this flintlock pistol is a fall, and it should be regarded as a fist product of the Ordnance Bureau, right?

And what about the War Bureau? Emperor Chongzhen thought for a while and decided to let the War Bureau study artillery. He immediately confessed and offered a reward to solve the problem of two artillery, one is the weight of the artillery, and the other is the cycle of artillery production. Whoever can solve the problem, no matter what the status, will be rewarded!