On the twentieth day of the first month, Hu Yue's special envoy Chu Bi arrived auspicious.

first visited the princess's family, and then according to the regular process, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a request to see King Jixiang.

At that time, Wang Xuan was shooting at the shooting range, and it was delayed.

This time he came specifically to test the gun, and the Musket Research Institute came out with three new products, one short, one medium and one long.

The short one is naturally a pistol, thirty centimeters in length, with a double-barrel design, which can fire two rounds at the same time, but it is inconvenient to reload, so it can only be used as a killer weapon, and he plans to equip each officer with one.

The middle model is a standard rifle, or the original size, but the excitation device has been improved, and a thin and short wire is directly extended from the pill bag to the flint, and the firing pin hits the wire on the flint, and the bullet can be fired instantly after igniting the wire.

The advent of high-quality springs has made it possible to enclose ninety percent of the space in the powder excitation chamber, and the impact of wind and rain weather is not as great as before.

The longer version is a new sniper rifle, which is an astonishing 1.5 meters long and equipped with a double scope.

Wang Xuan used this gun to shoot three big birds to make snacks, and had dinner with team leader Liu Zhan, team members Xu Bao, Tian Jiaozuo, and Li Hua.

If you say which of these three guns is most anticipated by Wang Xuan, it is undoubtedly the standard medium rifle, Wang Xuan officially named it the Type 04 General Purpose Rifle, and the pistol and sniper rifle are also named according to the same naming rules.

In addition, the company plans to officially separate and outsource firearms, and send the handles (wooden), stocks, mechanical sights, springs, barrels, etc. to the corresponding factories of Kichijo, and 404 are only responsible for the manufacture and assembly of the most critical parts.

According to the current market, the cost of a whole gun is around 85 gold coins, mainly in labor.

Although the Type III steam engine has been tried in the Heavy Industry Park, it is limited to the lack of processing equipment and too low precision, resulting in only some relatively rough work, such as grinding after barrel drilling.

In a word, the machine does rough machining, and then relies on the experience and skilled technology of the workers to carry out the finishing processing.

If the 20,000 Jixiang infantry were all reequipped with Type 04 rifles, Wang Xuan estimated that it would cost about 15 million, not counting the logistics support and ammunition supply.

Although the potential of the gun has not yet been fully exploited without systematic and comprehensive testing, Wang Xuan still insists on mass production.

After the plan is set, the step-by-step process is simple.

For example, the pilot production line near the lake embankment of the research institute can be used as a research line, and is not responsible for the production of mass-produced guns.

For example, in order to obtain military orders, supporting factories will increase investment in research and development, commission product quality, and promote scientific and technological development in disguise.

The reason for mass production ahead of schedule is because Wang Xuan always believes that the best test is actual combat.

Under the condition that the opponent does not have a musket, Jixiang can take the first step to explore a series of combat plans to give full play to the maximum effectiveness of the musket.

Step by step, wait until the other party has a musket, and Jixiang is ahead of the opponent in terms of tactics.

As long as he always maintains a leading position in technology and equipment, Jixiang will not be afraid of any provocation under his leadership.

After he was full of wine and food, Wang Xuan went to the military headquarters and held another meeting, and the matter was completely settled, and 1,000 standard rifles should be manufactured in two months, and the matching 100,000 round-tipped hollow iron bullets would be completed.

This is not a small amount, after the release of the military order, the related manufacturers have bids, at the end of January finalized the contract of 26 suppliers, 04 standard rifle finally to mass production.

Chu Bi, who had been hanging for half a month, ignored the dissuasion of the Xiangyuan guards, took a stool from nowhere, and sat at the north gate to wait for Wang Xuan.

On the first day of the second lunar month, Chu Bi finally met the auspicious king himself who he 'thought about in the morning', and asked Jixiang to provide artillery technology.

Wang Xuan was not surprised, Great Xia had developed the first generation of artillery, as long as it was on the ship, the lower reaches of the Beixingyao River would never be peaceful.

Not to mention that the navy can't go ashore, the tributaries of the Beixingyao River, which is called the mother river by the Hu Yue people, extend in all directions, nourishing hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of grassland, and raising tens of millions of Hu Yue people.

Wang Xuan was not in a hurry to invite Chu Bi to sit down, it was a snack and a fruit, completely ignoring his red face that was already in a hurry.

After organizing the language a little, Wang Xuan took a moment to say: "Artillery technology will not be sold, and no matter how high the price is, this is the bottom line." ”

Chu Bi hurriedly said: "But Great Xia has already built artillery, what's the point of Ji Xiang still holding on to technology?"

There is some truth in saying this, but Wang Xuan shook his head and said: "It is the first generation of imitation of the Jixiang Type 1 artillery, and it is inferior to the Type 1 in terms of workmanship, life, and power, so our technology is still unique." ”

Chu Bi was anxious, and said with some doubts: "We are allies, we should help each other, and Hu Yue only needs the technology of the first type of artillery, and the key accessories still have to be purchased from Jixiang, you have a better type of second artillery, what is there to worry about?"

Wang Xuanxin said, the three types of artillery will be installed.

But this can't be talked about with Chu Bi, so he plans to understand it with emotion and reason, and after a little difficulty, he said: "How are the talents of Daxia compared to Hu Yue?"

"Crushing momentum. ”

Wang Xuan asked again: "How is the development of Great Xia compared to Hu Yue?"

"Out of reach. ”

So Wang Xuan said lightly: "There are more talents than Hu, and the economy is stronger than Hu, and even they can only imitate inferior first-generation artillery, even if they are given you technology, can you build it? Since you can't build it, the technology you bought at a great price is just a pile of blank paper, what's the use?"

It is said that beating people does not slap people in the face, and scolding people does not expose shortcomings, Wang Xuan's words slapped Chu Bi fiercely, and then pressed him to the ground and rubbed it in anger until he forgot that he was still a person.

Chu Bi originally wanted to fight again, not to say whether he could build it or not, it was the right thing to get the technology in hand first.

But after thinking about it, King Jixiang had said it so bluntly and ruthlessly, he knew that this matter was no longer possible, and after sighing deeply, he asked in a low voice: "How much can you sell to Hu Yue?"

Wang Xuan did not answer positively, but asked Hu Yue how much he wanted to buy.

Chu Bizi hoped that the more the better, to be able to crush the self-produced artillery of Great Xia, of course, the more the better, so he opened his mouth to be a thousand, choked out the dried fruits that Wang Xuan had in his mouth, drank water and took a deep breath, and it took a while to recover.

"You really dare to ask for it, let's not talk about the price, do you plan to block all these thousand guns in the small fortifications at the border, let alone a thousand guns, I will obey you if you can put down a hundred guns. Besides, do you have so many artillerymen that it takes at least two years to train artillerymen who can control a thousand guns, and buy this cannon back as an ornamental item for two years? Also, a cannon was originally sold for 50,000 gold coins, and 1,000 guns are 50 million, so you are not afraid of bankruptcy?"

Every word Wang Xuan said was like a hammer hitting Chu Bi's heart, and his face became more and more pale.

The artillery of the six northern collars of Great Xia was also purchased from Jixiang, for which they had suffered a lot, if it weren't for these annoying artillery guards at the fortress, I am afraid that the northern granary of Great Xia at this time has changed the surname Hu.

At the beginning, because of the artillery incident, the two sides had an unpleasant quarrel, but in the end they shook hands and made peace.

In fact, Chu Bi also knew that the fundamental reason why Jixiang sold the Great Xia artillery was to support the weakened Great Xia against Hu Yue, not for the so-called money at all.

This is a balance, I am afraid that Da Xia, who has lost too much blood, is not Hu Yue's opponent, and I am worried that Hu Yue's tail will not be able to fall, and he will eventually become an auspicious enemy.

But now that Daxia can also produce its own artillery, Hu Yue's position is embarrassing.

The alliance with Jixiang was originally to contain Daxia and prevent it from going all out to the north, and by the way, let Jixiang train some talents for them, although fewer and fewer people return to China every year, but they are also available talents and help the kingdom a lot.

Now that the balance of power between the two sides has been broken, Chu Bi and King Hu Yue are very sure that in order to maintain the balance between the two sides, they will definitely agree to the request to buy artillery.

And so it was, but I didn't expect artillery to be so expensive.

I don't have that kind of technology for self-production, and I don't have the money to buy it in large quantities, even if I have 50 million, I'm afraid that with the dirty ideas of the mascot, I won't agree to export enough artillery to break the balance of the number, at most a few hundred guns will soar into the sky.

Thinking of this, Chu Bi had to bite the bullet and say: "If you don't consider Hu Yue's purchasing power, how much can Jixiang sell?"

Wang Xuanxin said that the entire Jixiang Army does not have a thousand artillery pieces, and only the Navy has them.

But it was a naval gun, and if it was eliminated and sold to Hu Yue too much, I was afraid that it would be counterproductive and self-defeating, so that Hu Yue's strength on the border would overwhelm Daxia, which would not be beautiful, so he said: "Thirty guns are supplied every month, at most ten months." ”

Chu Bi lowered his head and counted whether the three hundred artillery pieces could hold the border, and the scene fell silent.

Wang Xuan thought about it, and planned to sell the army's in-service naval guns to Hu Yue, anyway, they didn't pursue any accuracy, and hundreds of salvos relied on battlefield coverage.

50,000 yuan per door is not a loss, and 15 million is just enough to complete the army's redress.

After Chu calculated the meeting, Chu Bi asked Wang Xuan what the unit price of each cannon was.

Wang Xuan reported 50,000 yuan, and the other party bared his teeth when he heard it.

"This is a new gun that has been removed after the replacement of naval guns, with a longer range, greater power, and a longer service life, and if it weren't for the alliance, 50,000 would not have been bought. ”

Chu Bi was in the mood to listen to Wang Xuan talk about his feelings at this time, so he shook his head vigorously, and said with words in his mouth: "It's too expensive, it's too expensive, Hu Yue can't afford it." ”

Wang Xuan didn't let go, he wasn't afraid that the other party wouldn't buy it, the situation was here, and he had to buy 100,000 doors in a hurry, so he said: "Of course, you can also use the equivalent goods to offset the payment." ”

Wang Xuan remembered the matter of changing the dogskin for the plane, and said it in his heart.

This makes Chu Bi difficult to answer.

He is too expensive, he is willing to bargain, Wang Xuan said that he was embarrassed, Hu Yue is rich in livestock is known to the world, is it possible to open his eyes and say nonsense, saying that livestock is not enough for his own consumption?

Wang Xuan saw that the other party didn't answer, so he smiled and said: "It's okay, anyway, it's not in a hurry, we all think about it, and it may not be possible to say that there will be a better solution, and we will talk about it in five days." ”

Chu Bi left Xiangyuan in a daze, and after going to Hu Yue's Jixiang Embassy, a group of people gathered up.

And Wang Xuan asked several bigwigs from the military to come to the meeting.

After Wang Yu, Qin Chao and others heard that His Majesty was going to sell second-hand guns again, they remembered the routine a few years ago, but Zhao Qiang was overjoyed, so he almost raised his feet in agreement.

Naval guns pursue accuracy and range, which results in a barrel life that is often not high.

In the current low-intensity naval battles, it is extremely difficult to change equipment in time, unless a few naval battles like the people of the same color in the southern continent are replaced with gun barrels at a standard frequency, and in the face of asymmetric forces such as natives and pirates, even if the barrel is thick.

At present, if he wants to sell the army's second-hand guns to Hu Yue, the guns on his own ship will naturally have to be supplied to the army, and the new guns will naturally have to be installed on the ship.

Wang Yu said: "It's a good thing, but I'm afraid that Daxia will have an overreaction, do you want to do some preliminary work?"

Wang Xuan said: "No, the defense line of Xinbei Town will send another regiment and an artillery battalion over, and the inland river fleet will strengthen the frequency and duration of patrols at the mouth of the North Xingyao River, and do targeted drills, Xia Zhoucheng will understand the auspicious meaning." ”

Zhao Qiangle's two eyes were almost out of sight, and he said loudly: "Your Majesty's move is extremely appropriate, I tolerated it eight years ago, but as a result, the city was almost ruined; ”