Chapter 1982 Departure to Shaoxing

The next morning, when the sky was just getting brighter, Zhu Ping'an helped Li Shu board the carriage and prepared to leave for Shaoxing to take office.

The carriage Zhu Pingan and Li Shu were riding in was a large carriage drawn by two horses. There were Zhu Pingan, Li Shu, Hua'er and Qin'er in the car.

Behind them were seven ordinary horse-drawn carriages, in which sat Aunt Wang and some accompanying ladies and servants. The convoy was escorted by Liu Dadao and other 300 Zhejiang Army knights to protect Zhu Pingan and his party.

As for the other servants and servants in the house, they have left in two batches a few days ago, so that they can rush to Shaoxing in advance to pack up their new homes, install floor tiles, heating and furniture, so that Zhu Ping'an and his party can be there as soon as they arrive in Shaoxing. You can move directly into your new home.

In order to make Li Shu, a pregnant woman, ride comfortably on the road, Zhu Pingan put a lot of thought into the carriage.

First, Zhu Pingan had people wrap the carriage wheels tightly with two layers of cowhide to act as rubber tires to reduce bumps.

Secondly, Zhu Pingan also asked Ou Zhige, a firearms craftsman from the Zhejiang Army Equipment Battalion, to make several thicker copper springs.

Ou Zhige's research on flintlock guns has initially yielded results. He has initially made usable springs purely by hand. Combining the flintlock ideas provided by Zhu Pingan, he made two flintlock samples using springs and flints.

I showed it to Zhu Pingan a few days ago, but the effect was not very satisfactory. The flint firing rate was only about 60%, and loading was as troublesome as a matchlock. You had to stand the flintlock gun up first, and then pour the gunpowder and gunpowder from the muzzle in sequence. The projectile is tamped tightly with a stick, then the ignition powder is poured into the gunpowder pool at the end of the flintlock gun, and then the hammer is moved back, and finally the trigger can be pulled to launch the projectile.

After Zhu Ping'an studied Ou Zhige's flintlock gun, he discovered the problem. The flintlock cover of the flintlock gun developed by Ou Zhige was flat.

When the flintlock gun pulls the trigger, the hammer strikes the flint on the flint cap, causing sparks to ignite the gunpowder and launch the projectile.

The fire sickle cover is too flat, the friction is not enough, and the success rate and amount of sparks generated by flint knocking are insufficient.

Zhu Ping'an suggested to Ou Zhige that he design the fire sickle cover to be uneven to increase the flint firing rate.

When it comes to loading, Zhu Pingan suggested whether it could be rear-loaded. Ou Zhige said he had studied rear-loading, and air tightness was a big issue. He is also studying how to improve the air tightness so that the flintlock musket can be rear-loaded to increase the reloading speed.

Although the flintlock gun is still under research, Ou Zhige has already achieved a considerable level of spring production.

For personal use, Zhu Pingan asked Ou Zhige to make several larger copper springs and install them between the carriage's body and axle. Simply put, it added suspension to absorb shock and make the carriage more comfortable to ride.

In addition, Hua'er and Qin'er also covered the carriage with mattresses, mink blankets, and soft cushions, making the carriage warm and comfortable.

"Well, it actually works. It's much smoother and more comfortable than usual, and it's not so wobbly. I didn't expect that a small spring can have such a big effect." Li Shu sat on the carriage and nestled in Zhu Ping'an's arms. Here, feeling the good riding experience of the carriage, he squinted his crescent-like eyes and said.

"It also has a greater role. It can make firearms even more powerful and invincible, turning the battlefield upside down."

Zhu Ping'an thought about the future scene after the flintlock rifles were installed in the Zhejiang Army, and he couldn't help but said with expectation and emotion.

Once a flintlock gun is installed, you will no longer be afraid of rain. Matchlock guns are basically useless on rainy days. Flintlock guns are no longer afraid of rain. Flint allows flintlock guns to fire anytime and anywhere, and the efficiency and accuracy can be greatly improved. improve.

"I'm a little girl. I can't take care of military and state affairs. I only care about firewood, rice, oil and salt. When I am out of confinement, I will definitely send someone to open a horse and carriage shop in the capital. Those dignitaries and wealthy gentry will definitely not refuse such a comfortable carriage. , I will definitely make a lot of money and save more money for these two little guys. "

Li Shu rubbed her belly with her slender hand, thinking of the future scene of carriages equipped with springs sweeping through the capital, squinting her eyes and smiling like a little fox.

Zhu Ping'an couldn't help but chuckled and shook his head. Li Shu's sense of catching business opportunities was incredible. He was unique in the world and had few rivals.

The last heating equipment, just now, I heard, has already hit the backyards of the mansions of dignitaries in the capital.

Judging from the increasing number of accounts Li Shu looked through, the heating equipment had already made her a lot of money.

Hua'er and Qin'er were in the car, cutting the fruit into small pieces on the small table so that Li Shu could eat it with a toothpick.

After the carriage left Zhu's Mansion, it stopped after walking only one street.

"Da Dao, what happened? Why did you stop?" Zhu Pingan raised the door curtain and asked outside the car.

"My lord, Magistrate Shang and his entourage are here to see you off." Liu Dadao said, cupping his fists.

As soon as Liu Dadao finished speaking, Zhu Ping'an heard the breathless voice of Magistrate Zhao coming from behind him, "Zhu Butang, stay, stay."

Zhu Ping'an turned around and saw Shang Wei, the prefect of Suzhou, who had dismounted and was trotting over, along with a group of subordinate officials.

Seeing Magistrate Shang trotting over, Zhu Pingan quickly got off the carriage and walked towards Magistrate Shang.

"Zhu Butang, why are you in such a hurry to go to Shaoxing to take up your post? We are discussing a banquet for Zhu Butang as a farewell party."

Shang Wei trotted over and said breathlessly.

In ancient times, the six ministers and the left and right ministers were all called Bu Tang. This was a unique title for the first, second, and third leaders of the six ministers. After Zhu Ping'an became the right minister of the Ministry of War, he was also qualified to be called the Ministry of War.

"Master Bu Tang, Master Shang, just call me Zi Hou." Zhu Ping'an cupped his hands and said with a wry smile.

"Haha, in the past I could still call Zhu Bu Tang Zi Hou, but now I can't. You are already the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War and the governor of Zhejiang. Calling you Zi Hou again is not polite." Shang Weiwei smiled and shook his head.

"Haha, Lord Shang, others can't call you that, so can you? If it weren't for Lord Shang's full support and close cooperation, how could Ping An be competent for the position of the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War and the governor of Zhejiang?" Zhu Ping An smiled and shook his head.

"Okay, okay, then I will rely on my old face and call you Zhu Bu Tang Zi Hou in informal occasions. Of course, I still have to call you Lord Bu Tang in formal occasions."

Shang Weiwei stroked his beard and said with a smile.

"Zi Hou, you left too hastily, and you didn't even give us a chance to see you off. If I hadn't just received the news, I would have missed the chance to see you off." Shang Weiwei complained in a joking tone.

"My wife is about to give birth, so I rushed to Shaoxing to settle down." Zhu Ping An briefly explained the reason to Shang Weiwei.

"I see. No wonder Zihou called for us to hurry on our journey." Shang Weishi nodded, and understood why Zhu Ping'an was in such a hurry to go to Shaoxing.