"It's okay for the bullet fragments to fly out on both sides and down, but the fear is to ...... up," the officer of the War Department who was present at the scene was not less interested, and asked: "Can you bend the edge of the top edge of this steel plate?" ”

"Yes, you can, but you don't know, this kind of carburized hardened manganese steel processing is more troublesome, and hot rolling into a flat piece like this is the most cost-effective."

"What is the approximate price of such a set of armor?"

A clerk replied in a deep voice: "Eight circles for thin plates and thirteen circles for thick plates, which are fine." But the vest jacket is expensive, it is laminated with eight layers of nylon, and the defective rate is still high. A set down, estimated to cost hundreds of dollars. ”

Ordinary carbon steel is not expensive, and the same size of low-carbon steel plate is only a few yuan, but this kind of silicon-manganese-nickel alloy steel is naturally not ordinary, not to mention that it has to go through a carburizing and hardening process.

After all, nylon 6-6 is a new type of chemical fiber that has only begun to be mass-produced in the past two years, and the cost really cannot be reduced, and the purchase price is very expensive.

Nowadays, the market price of a pair of stockings is about two yuan, and the cost price is also a few corners.

[Picture]

But stockings are so light and thin, how many nylon fibers are consumed in total? The fabric used in the vest jacket is made of eight layers of nylon fibers densely laminated together, and the price can be imagined.

At present, this kind of protective gear has not been mass-produced, so the purchase price cannot be reduced, and a set of individual protective gear is about 102 yuan.

This is more than the purchase price of a Type 21 bolt-action rifle, which is still very expensive in all fairness.

"However, there are not many front-line units in a division, so we can distribute them in a centralized manner." Zhou Changfeng walked over and calculated: "Each regiment has nine infantry teams, each division is twenty-seven, as well as scouts and engineers, according to thirty teams, it is five thousand sets. ”

As a result, he reluctantly added: "Well, it's actually quite a lot." ”

A Ming Army infantryman's full set of weapons and equipment is only 193 yuan - 88 yuan for rifles, 21 yuan for military uniforms, 20 yuan for military boots, 12 yuan for steel helmets, 10 yuan for bayonets, 6 yuan for sapper shovels, 11 yuan for gas masks, water bottles, military blankets, ponchos, first aid kits and other miscellaneous items, totaling 25 yuan.

Even if the price is reduced due to mass production, it will be 450,000 yuan based on 5,000 sets per division and 90 yuan per set.

You must know that the purchase price of a 34-type 20.8mm anti-aircraft gun is only 7,400 yuan, and a 34-type 112mm howitzer is only 21,000 yuan.

If the members of the Advisory Council knew that these individual armor could withstand dozens of artillery, they would probably veto it without even thinking about it.

The army officer surnamed He glanced at Zhou Changfeng and said: "To be honest, Zhou waits for the edict, ancient and modern times are different, in ancient times, soldiers and horses who were not equipped with armor were vulnerable, but now with these protective gear is just icing on the cake." Those politicians are different from what we see, their hearts are black. ”

The armies of the major powers are not universally equipped with this type of protective gear, and they do not fight the same war?

Knowing this premise, according to the cold perspective of politicians, individual bulletproof armor is actually a big loss.

According to the statistical conclusions of later generations, the popularization of body armor can significantly reduce the death rate, but not the disability rate.

Imagine a shell falling not far away, wearing body armor can ensure that the vital parts are not injured, but the limbs will still be injured.

If those who should have died in battle turned out not to die but were disabled due to their injuries, this means that the government will continue to bear their living expenses for a long time and give them preferential treatment, otherwise the morale of the army and the people will be unstable.

In contrast, those who died in battle only need to be paid a pension, and they will be paid a hundred. Even if some preferential treatment is given to family members, the amount is small.

"This mode of thinking can't be said to be wrong," Zhou Changfeng said after a two-second pause, "but... Some situations don't lend it that way. ”

The perimeter is certainly inclined to be widely equipped, but the high cost of this set of protective gear is really unacceptable.

And this thing is a consumable, and after several big battles and small battles in a row, it may be damaged by more than half, and it has to be replenished.

In the next half hour, everyone hurried to complete the preliminary test before descending the mountain.

A total of 34 sets of protective gear were tested, half using lightweight inserts and half using heavy-duty inserts.

The test method for light inserts was to fire 10 rounds from a captured Thomson submachine gun at a distance of 50m, followed by 5 rounds at a distance of 10m.

The heavy insert fired two rounds from a Springfield rifle at a distance of 400m, then two rounds at a distance of 200m, and finally two rounds at a distance of 50m.

One of the former's sets failed the test, and it disintegrated after being hit by a series of .45ACP pistol rounds, and the humanoid target was visibly injured. The pass rate is 94%.

Three of the latter failed the test, basically because they were broken after being hit by a series of 7.62×63mm Springfield rifle rounds, and failed to block the last few rounds. The pass rate is 82%.

This test is actually not rigorous, it is a bit harsh, after all, it is unlikely that multiple bullets will fall in the same place in actual combat.

What's more, the 30-06 Springfield rifle cartridge used by the Americans is one of the most powerful - the muzzle kinetic energy reaches 3900J, which is 200J more than Mauser's sS and Mosin Nagant's 54R.

Overall, the results are good.

In the past, several types of armor like ancient half-length armor developed by the Ming Dynasty were not only incomparable to it in terms of bulletproof ability, but also the troops also reported that they were "cumbersome and affected tactical movements", which was quite chicken.

These simple vest-style individual protectors don't have these problems and fit perfectly.

After all, it was the design form that was adopted by all countries in later generations after decades of exploration, and it can be said that it has taken decades of detours to copy it now.

Crossing the river by feeling the stones? No, no, no, just jump over for now.

Looking at these individual armor with excellent test results, Zhou Changfeng was really a little reluctant, and it would be a pity if he couldn't generalize it.

He thought for a while and muttered: "If you really can't do it, you don't need nylon laminated fabric, just use canvas, the protective effect is almost a little worse, first ensure the quantity." ”

It was just an ordinary night for him, but on the other side of the continent, on the plains of Western Europe, I don't know how many people couldn't sleep all night.

The Ming Legation in Paris reported that the local atmosphere has become increasingly tense, and in recent days, the large and small demonstrations have hardly stopped, and fierce clashes have broken out between many teams.

The next morning, Zhou Changfeng efficiently summarized the latest military intelligence report in the past two hours, and then went to the Zhaoren Hall as a routine.

The war in Europe progressed faster than he expected, and even though he knew that the French had only held out for thirty-eight days, he was still amazed at the current situation.

Historically, the French army has organized several brave and resolute counterattacks, but now they have not seen it at all.

With the strong support of large-caliber railway guns, the German Army Group Mannheim broke through the Maginot Line from the front.

The 5th Panzer Division went all the way to the depths alone, directly crushing a French infantry division that had just gotten off the train and had not had time to deploy at Boncourt.

And in the middle line, Luxembourg no longer exists. The 3rd Mountain Infantry Division of Army Group Koblenz passed through the Ardennes Forest and began to form under the fortress of Sedan, with a steady stream of follow-up armies following suit.

It is reported that a small number of German paratroopers of unknown names appeared in southern Belgium and were engaged in fierce battles with the Belgian 1st Cavalry Division.

“…… That's the situation over there, the United States and Australia are negotiating in Melbourne on defense matters. ”

When Zhou Changfeng came to the door of the eastern second room of the Zhaoren Palace, he could vaguely hear the voice of the foreign minister.

At this time, Su Yiyi, who was holding a tray, also happened to come over from the side.

"How long has it been since Elder Yu Ge went in?"

"Half an hour, but he's quite busy, so wait a little longer."

Catching a glimpse of sliced oranges and apples on the white-glazed porcelain plate on the tray, Zhou Changfeng couldn't help but ask curiously, "What is a good day today?" And the fruit? ”

Damn, this is a different treatment, Zhu Lingjing's woman has never invited me to eat fruit!

"......" Su Yiyi, who was speechless, was silent for a few seconds before replying: "This is what Your Majesty wants himself." ”

Just as the two were talking, Yu Shenhua pushed the door and walked out.

Zhou Changfeng immediately bowed, and Su Yiyi also bent his knees slightly.

"Zhou waits for the edict, the United States plans to send the newly formed division to Australia, and the commissioner will arrive in Melbourne in a few days, you should know the news, right?"

"Yes." Zhou Changfeng nodded, "The 41st Division reorganized by the National Garrison is now reorganized, and after a short training, we will go to Seattle to board the ship." ”

The official translation of the National Guard by the Ming Dynasty was not the National Guard, but the National Garrison.

He added, "And it seems that there will be another division to strengthen the Hawaiian garrison." ”

Hearing this, Yu Shenhua gently "tsk", "There are a lot of affairs, I'll be busy first." ”

After he left, Su Yiyi and Zhou Changfeng knocked on the door to ask for instructions, and then walked into the east room.

Inside, Zhu Lingjing was staring at a large-scale map of Western Europe, with several reports spread out on the imperial case.

"After a night, how is the situation in the West going?" She asked intently.

"The situation was extremely poor against Britain and France, and the German army broke through the northern section of the Maginot Line from the front with the help of giant artillery, and the three fortresses of SFL, SFE, and SFMA were all captured, and the SDA fortress was divided and isolated, but it was still resisting."

"As of this morning, the gap is about 25 kilometres wide and 13 kilometres deep on average. Four infantry divisions have been stationed, securing the breakthrough. One of the armoured divisions ventured into a long drive and penetrated sixty kilometers on its own, crushing the French reinforcements of a division of Boncourt. ”

"There are also large forces in the Ardennes Forest, where the German vanguard has been operating and setting up offensive positions around the Sedang fortress, and there are rumors that a large number of German tanks are also passing through the Ardennes Forest. This one... Your Majesty, I personally think that the credibility is very high. ”

Zhu Lingjing, who was expressionless, asked, "Is there any hope that the opening will be blocked?" ”

This situation is outrageous, the French have worked hard for more than ten years, spent countless money, and applied many high-tech, even if such a line of defense is not impregnable, but blocking ten days and half a month is the least, right?

As a result, it was broken through in a day or two, and a fifty-mile hole was torn open.

Zhou Changfeng shook his head very firmly and replied: "There is basically no hope, and a small number of strategic reserves cannot stop the German army." Most of the main French forces were concentrated on the northern route, and it took time to return reinforcements, and they exceeded the maximum capacity of the railroads. ”

This sudden turn of events was almost beyond his expectations, not to mention the Ming monarchs.

There is unconfirmed gossip that organized armed citizens have appeared in individual streets and alleys of the Paris district, and some people are even piling up and building barricades?

"There is no instability in the city of Paris, and the battle seems to be decided, and the current French government is about to fall." Zhu Lingjing closed her eyes and covered her forehead, and after a full ten seconds, she continued: "This is also unexpected by the Americans. ”

The ripple effects of France's rapid defeat are unimaginable, and then Spain and Portugal will be able to stay out of the way?

In that case, from Western Europe to Eastern Europe, from Gibraltar to the Urals, all of them will be ▇▇▇ forces, which can be described as the red land of the European continent, and only the British Isles will struggle for a period of time before finally succumbing.

The Americans' dream of picking peaches will certainly not come true, unless they are willing to get involved in the war in Europe in advance.

For Da Ming, it seems that it is completely possible to wait and see for a while?

If the United States is determined to get involved, it may be able to make concessions on Australian ownership.

After talking about the war in Europe, Zhou Changfeng mentioned the matter of bulletproof armor to Zhu Lingjing, and complained a few words about politicians.

"Money is small, and the impact of the future is another matter, no matter what, you have to win."

"Huh." Zhu Lingjing, who was full of disdain, said: "Those people have always been like this, they have not changed since ancient times, so shrewd and calculating, haven't you thought about the consequences if you fail to win in the end?" ”

Zhou Changfeng said helplessly: "I think there are some things that can't be thought of in this way......"

"Yes, but some people just think that they are far-sighted, so they are complacent, but they don't know that it is very selfish to always look at things like that, and their eyes are shallow, and there are especially many such stupid things in the Advisory Council, and there are seven or eight times out of ten Ming Councillors, and they have no integrity." Zhu Lingjing judged.

Even putting aside the natural balance between the monarch and the parliament, she was very unpleasant to the members of the Ming Advisory Council.

The King James Councillors didn't say that they were basically good babies who had nothing to do, and they didn't expect them to be of much use.

There is a huge difference between the upper and lower limits of elected legislators, and there are also people who are serious about serving the people, but it is impossible to stand that most of them speak with money, and some strange remarks often come up.

As for the special councillors, the average quality of these literary giants, famous doctors, great scientists, and great educators is much higher, but unfortunately there is a serious situation of academic problems.

The problem of learning valves is too big, and she is pessimistic that it is now unsolvable. I don't know if there is any hope for it to collapse like the gate valve family thousands of years ago.

The corners of Zhou Changfeng's mouth twitched, and he said with a smile: "Your Majesty, you are going too far, aren't you?" ”

Zhu Lingjing, who had just complained about it, only felt relaxed and happy now, and was about to solve the plate of oranges cut into petals, when she heard this, she glanced at him.

"What, you still want to give them a message?"

"No, no, no, I don't dare to eat inside and out." The latter said: "How can a loyal person like a minister sway from side to side. ”

(End of chapter)