Xu Guangqi didn't seem to know what this department did, so he couldn't help frowning, and asked slowly, "I don't know what your majesty's responsibilities are?" What should a minister do? ”

Looking at Xu Guangqi, the Emperor of the Apocalypse slowly said his thoughts and said, "This firearms factory is a department that I am preparing to establish temporarily, and it will not be open to the public for the time being, and it needs to be carried out in private. The main work of this department is research, whether it is military firearms or civilian equipment, as long as it is useful. Of course, the main research direction at the moment is military firearms, and Aiqing's responsibility is to be responsible for recruiting talents, whether Han or Western, as long as they can be used, they will be recruited. For these people, I will give them generous salaries every month, and once someone succeeds in research, I will give them a heavy reward. Of course, the most important thing at the moment is to cast artillery and firearms, and the first thing Aiqing has to do is to understand the current development of firearms in the Ming Dynasty. The Emperor of the Apocalypse told Xu Guangqi a little about his ideas, and then looked at the thoughtful Xu Guangqi with anticipation.

Xu Guangqi was already excited in his heart at this time, since this department was directly responsible to the emperor, then he could not be constrained by anyone. It's just that making cannons and transforming muskets is a major matter, and there is a lot of gold and silver in the materials required, Xu Guangqi hesitated for a while, but still expressed his concerns, and said: "Your Majesty, making cannons and improving firearms are both huge things, if it is spread out, I am afraid that the treasury will not be able to bear it!" But if you make a small fight, it won't be effective. ”

Looking at Xu Guangqi's embarrassed appearance, the Emperor of the Apocalypse smiled and said, "It's October soon, I give you two months to put these together, and tomorrow I will take you to see the place." Not counting this year, I will give you a million taels of silver next year, I don't know if it will be enough? The money is transferred directly from my inner treasury, and you can always ask if you don't have enough space to use it. "For the things that will settle down in the future, the Emperor of the Apocalypse will never hesitate to spend money, what's the use of asking for money when people are gone.

Hearing the promise of the Emperor of the Apocalypse, Xu Guangqi's heart was suddenly overjoyed, if there was such support from the emperor, he believed that he would definitely be able to make better firearms, and his research for so many years would definitely be able to play better.

"Your Majesty is wise, and the minister will definitely live up to Your Majesty's expectations." At this time, Xu Guangqi really didn't know what to say, so he could only express his excitement in this way.

Early the next morning, the Emperor of the Apocalypse did not go to court but came to the imperial village in the east of the city. Huangzhuang can be said to be the emperor's private land, which is vast and well-guarded, and not far from the capital, but it is the best address of the Royal Academy of Sciences.

In order to avoid the news being exposed, the Emperor of the Apocalypse and his entourage were all dressed in civilian clothes, accompanied by Xu Guangqi, the admiral and eunuch Wei Chao of Dongchang, and Luo Sigong, the commander of the Jinyi Guard.

"Xu Aiqing, I am going to build the Royal Academy of Sciences here, I don't know what Aiqing thinks?" The Emperor of the Apocalypse looked at the vast imperial village in front of him, and turned back to ask Xu Guangqi.

Xu Guangqi's mood at this time has no other words to describe except excitement, this has always been his dream thing, and he doesn't know how to say it at this time.

"Luo Aiqing." The Emperor of the Apocalypse glanced back at Luo Sigong, who was following behind him, and said with a smile.

"The minister is here." Although he didn't know what the Emperor of the Apocalypse was going to do when he came here, Luo Sigong knew that he only needed to do it, and as for other things that shouldn't be asked, don't say hello.

"I have given you a task, here you send a thousand households of brocade guards, and bring five hundred brocade guards to garrison here. Remember that it is very confidential at this time, and no one is allowed to leak it, once the news is leaked, I will ask you about it. "For this place not only to be built but also to do a good job of secrecy, the Emperor of the Apocalypse did not hand over this matter to the Ministry of Industry precisely for the sake of secrecy.

"Your Majesty rest assured, the minister knows." Luo Sigong was very happy at this time, Jin Yiwei could only be more powerful if he had the emperor's trust. Being able to participate in the emperor's secret affairs can show the emperor's trust in himself.

"Your Majesty, the old slave thinks that such a confidential matter should be handed over to Dongchang! After all, Jin Yiwei is the pro-army of the Son of Heaven, and I am afraid that the momentum of such a clear transfer is not small, and it is difficult not to leak the news. The Wei Dynasty was not idle during this time, he knew a little bit about the emperor's summoning of Luo Sigong many times, and he was naturally reluctant to hand over this matter to Luo Sigong. Although Dongchang and Jinyiwei only served the emperor, the struggle between the two yamen has not stopped since the beginning of their establishment.

Luo Sigong was very depressed at this time, although what Wei Chao said was very good, but this was clearly grabbing merit and competing for favor.

Looking at the way the two of them were fighting, the Emperor of the Apocalypse smiled slightly, and only with competition can there be progress, so he said to Wei Chao: "What Gonggong Wei said is not unreasonable. ”

Hearing the Emperor of the Apocalypse say this, Luo Sigong's heart sank, and the Emperor of the Apocalypse continued: "In this way, these five hundred brocade guards have all changed into civilian clothes and patrolled around here. In addition, the East Factory mobilized 100 people to guard the Huangzhuang to guard the safety. After speaking, the Emperor of the Apocalypse turned his gaze to the Wei Dynasty and said: "These hundred people, you have to be selective, not only strong in martial arts but also reliable, but if there is any leakage news, you are the only one who asks." ”

Seeing that the Emperor of the Apocalypse had finished arranging, Luo Sigong and Wei Chao's eyes suddenly met together, Wei Chao smiled profoundly, and Luo Sigong snorted coldly.

"Xu Aiqing, I recommend a person to you, this person is called Bi Maokang, a Jinshi in the twenty-sixth year of Wanli, and he has very insight into the manufacture of firearms. I will transfer him to your side to be your deputy, and I hope you can work happily together. At this time, the Emperor of the Apocalypse remembered another person, this Bi Maokang is very famous in history, although he was born in Jinshi, but because he did not form a party, his official road has not been smooth. Now he should be at home, and he is famous because he invented a very advanced firearm, which is the flintlock pistol.

"Back to Your Majesty, this Bi Mao Kangchen has heard of it, and it is rumored that this person is well-versed in the West and likes to invent and create, but the minister has not seen him." Xu Guangqi has heard of the talents of the Ming Dynasty, and this Bi Maokang is also a person in their circle, so he has naturally heard of it.

"In that case, that's the best. By the way, has Aiqing ever heard of a flintlock pistol? "The arquebus used by the Ming army at this time, which can also be said to be an improved arquebus, was called a bird gun. However, the flintlock pistol was undoubtedly very advanced compared to the arquebus, and the European troops at this time had begun to be equipped with flintlock pistols, and only when this gun was produced could it be possible to build a modern army.

The third chapter is here, asking for recommendations, asking for collections