Chapter 401: Monkingo Cannon 2
Simon walked around the testing ground inspecting the Monkingo Cannon before coming to stand beside Bjorn as he patted his left shoulder.
"You have done well Bjorn, this Monkingo Cannon will go a long way in our fight and businesses. I hope we can have 300 Cannons ready by next year." Said Simon with a smiley face."
But he remembered something and asked. "Can this Monkingo Cannon withstand the powerful impact of a gunpowder explosion? Will the clay pot not be blown away to pieces?"
Strictly speaking, the Monkingo Cannon was kind of a modern-day invention. This kind of direct-fire artillery is truly a firepower that is like an exploding cannonball. As such, the combination of the gunpowder can, and the Monkingo Cannon can exert its true power. Because the gunpowder canister is already equivalent to a bomb.
The only disadvantage of it, is its difficulty in controlling the time when the gunpowder cans explode. When the gunpowder cans were used to attack the city last time, many gunpowder cans either exploded early or were delayed at the top of Blackwood City, and even misfired.
According to Benjamin, it would have been good if only half of the gunpowder cans had actually exploded at the top of the city.
It is precisely because of the instability of this original blooming bomb that blooming bombs were not favored by the military when they first appeared. Especially the blooming bombs on battleships that need to be ignited are equivalent to a time bomb.
Because once stored improperly, it is easy to send one to their grave.
"My Lord, I forgot to inform you about something. The gunpowder can was not able to withstand the firepower of the gunpowder explosion, so the military workshop made up a hollow iron sheet for it.
When he was done talking, Bjorn waved his hand calling over a Craftsman to come before giving him an order to go get the wooden box. Inside the wooden box was a small round iron ball which was shown to Simon.
Seeing this small iron ball the size of a baby’s head, Simon suddenly laughed out loud. This was the original explosive bomb called a time bomb in the West, and it was also the legendary explosive bomb that was lost in the Old Dynasty.
This kind of explosive bomb is an iron ball. There is a lead in front of the iron ball that goes into the inside of the iron ball. The gunner cuts the lead according to the distance to achieve the purpose of the explosion. Therefore, it is as unstable as gunpowder can be.
This most primitive explosive ammunition was rarely equipped in the ammunition of Western armies, accounting for only one-tenth of the ammunition at the time.
"Well done! You have done well, but the explosion time of this kind of shell is unstable," Simon said with a light smile.
He was not angry, but happy. In any case, these were explosive bombs. This was an improvement by the military workshop. Only with this foundation can they continue to develop the next set of explosive bombs.
Simon’s words made Bjorn look ashamed, "My Lord, one of the reasons why we have been experimenting with the Monkingo Cannon is the problem of shell explosion. I found that using the Monkingo Cannon to fire such shells is very dangerous, and it is not even as good as throwing stones."
"You should probably put a hollow wooden tube in the bullet hole and stuff the slow-burning match in the tube while rotating the wooden plug. Extending and shortening the length of the burning match rope will be safer than directly inserting the match rope into the bullet hole." Simon said.
Since Simon was able to invent the fuse, he could only improve the safety and methods of this kind of explosive ammunition. The problem with this kind of explosive ammunition is that the gunpowder in the barrel directly ignites the match, so no matter the length of the match, it will be fired. The vicinity of the hole is ignited, and because of this, the shell can become dangerous.
By inserting a hollow wooden plug, the length of the burning match rope in the plug can be adjusted by rotating it, so that the stability of the blooming bullet is higher.
However, this kind of blooming ammunition has not yet reached the level of the Napoleonic period in the 19th century. It can only be said to be a generation and a half of blooming ammunition.
"Yes, yes, why am I short-sighted and stupid?" Bjorn asked no one in particular as he whirled around excitedly after hearing this. "My Lord, I will try to study this kind of corked cannonball." He added.
Simon nodded and did not bother with Bjorn. He knew that once Bjorn found a new idea, he would study it throughout the day and into the night without sleep or food. Talking to him at this time was no different from talking to a dead piece of wood.
After seeing the ever-inspired Monkingo Cannon, Simon did not depart immediately but went directly to the artillery workshop. At this time, the craftsmen in the artillery workshop were producing artillery.
Due to the increase in demand for the exportation of the artillery products this year, the iron molds in the artillery workshop have now tripled, and the artillery for export is being produced day and night.
At the same time, the number of the other two types of iron molds has also increased threefold. One of them is the city defense artillery currently being used in Brambleford, and the other is used by the naval gun.
Because the Galleon ships require a large number of artillery pieces this year, the production of naval guns is also in full swing. The twelve newly added Gallon ships require at least a thousand artillery pieces. This is not only a heavy task for the military workshop, but also a financial burden. A huge expense.
Even if the cost of a thousand artillery pieces is two thousand caps, this is something that can only be accomplished with two million caps of silver, and this does not include the cost of ammunition and shells.
Simon let out a slight sigh. He almost slammed his face with his palm.
It is precisely because of this that he decisively ordered a defensive posture against the Reavers. He cannot continue to fight like this because the economic benefits brought by fighting the Reavers are too small. If this continues, the war will drag him into the mud.
It was also because of money that he sold firearms. If he didn’t sell arms, how would he get the money to make cannons and guns?
After walking through the artillery workshop, he gradually made up his mind to continue to expand the sales of export-type artillery in the country. At the same time, the export sales of matchlocks guns must also be put on the agenda. It is not easy for this military workshop to achieve profitability.
He sighs again. The matter of funds weighs on his shoulders.
After coming out of the artillery workshop, Simon entered the musket workshop. At this time, Gru Simpson was supervising the production of muskets.
In the workshop, he saw some craftsmen already assembling matchlock guns. It seemed that Gru Simpson rushed out quickly, and his now working with the order I passed to him. Well done!
"Greetings My Lord... Gru Simpson said before speaking. "My Lord, with the rate at which we are producing the matchlock gun, I can beat my chest and proudly say five thousand matchlock guns can be ready in months for delivery." Said Gru Simpson with a confident voice.
Simon picked up an assembled matchlock gun and looked at it. This kind of matchlock gun has no bayonet, only a barrel, which is much inferior to a flintlock gun.
Compared with the profits of artillery, this matchlock gun is more profitable, so Simon places great importance on the export of matchlock guns. He narrowed his eye slightly. "Now that the gun workshop has a business, how about considering expanding production like the artillery workshop. Each type of gun is responsible for its own part... In this way, there wouldn’t be any Production mishap as time goes on."
Gru Simpson nodded, obviously buying this idea. "My Lord, I will immediately send for it to be arranged as you wish."
"This production is one thing while the development of the new set of guns can’t be delayed any longer. Bjorn has already devised and set up the Monkingo Cannon. So you should work hard on improving the range and aiming of the flintlock guns." Simon said.
"Yes, My Lord. As we speak, the team under your command is currently carrying out research on how to make this new set of firearms you issued. I believe it won’t be long before My Lord will set eyes on this new invention more powerful than any." Gru Simpson said.
Looking at the busy workshop, Simon glanced at Gru Simpson with a look of admiration in his eyes. Gru Simpson has always been very honest. Whatever he set his heart on doing he always tried to get the best out of it. With this new development set in motion.