Chapter 923

The setting sun’s afterglow pierced through the academy’s glass windows, reddening the faces of the students.

After explaining the issue of steel-cased bullets, Xiao Ming further explained the issue of bullet rim taper. The drawback of steel-cased bullets was that they were prone to jamming. Changing the rim taper could improve this drawback.

Of course, this was merely an improvement. Besides addressing the problem of steel-cased bullets, he also decided on lead-core copper-jacketed bullet heads and copper primers. These two materials could not be replaced by steel.

For this bullet production, Xiao Ming did not set the standards too high. This was because using copper-cased bullets was wasteful in this era, and crude firearm production was easy. Even if the use of steel-cased bullets led to a higher damage rate, it didn’t matter. This was one reason he chose copper-cased bullets.

“Your Majesty, the production of these metal bullets is a huge undertaking.”

When Lin Wentao walked to Xiao Ming’s side, he couldn’t help but shake his head. The machinery involved in the afternoon’s explanation was complex and diverse; it could not be achieved overnight.

Xiao Ming understood Lin Wentao’s meaning. He said, “Entrust some of the machinery factory’s machines to other students. You are a top mechanical talent, so you should naturally focus your energy on the most difficult areas. I know this set of production machinery is very difficult, so I will give you time, but not too long.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will hand over everything I can to others when I return, and focus on this research,” Lin Wentao said, bowing.

Song Changping then said, “Once metal bullets are produced, firearms are sure to undergo major changes. This is truly exciting!”

“That’s right, Your Majesty. The principle for bullets and cannonballs is the same. If bullets can have metal casings, so can cannonballs. I, your humble servant, now have a sudden realization: cannonballs should also change like bullets. This way, the difficulties of breech-loading cannons will be easily resolved.”

Chen Qi laughed as he spoke.

Xiao Ming smiled faintly. When the industrial foundation accumulated to a certain level, a technological explosion was an inevitable outcome.

He gave Chen Qi an approving look, then said to Song Changping, “Once metal bullets can be produced, your military factory must produce that weapon for me to deal with cavalry. This cannot be delayed.”

Song Changping’s spirit lifted. He understood Xiao Ming’s meaning. This continuously firing weapon had actually been in his conception for a long time, until Xiao Ming affirmed it.

“I will bear it in mind,” Song Changping said.

After chatting with the few for a while longer, Xiao Ming returned to the imperial palace. He had roughly outlined the plan for today; the rest would require Lin Wentao and the others to implement it.

Besides the metal bullets that would appear with the age of electricity, Xiao Ming now had many more things that could use electricity, such as radio, telephones, and cameras. However, these things clearly needed to be developed step by step.

…

London, Britain.

While the Great Yu Empire was cheering for the advent of the age of electricity, technological development here never stopped. As steam engines became widespread in various British industries, more research on steam engines was also underway.

However, the arrival of the Great Yu Empire defectors clearly hinted at an acceleration of this process, which invigorated the entire British nobility. Especially after they successfully replicated the Conqueror Musket and its fuse.

“A small change in bullet shape can cause such a change in firearms. This is truly astonishing! Perhaps we can use this batch of new weapons and shells to send those rebels in the North American colonies to hell!” Foreign Secretary Paxton was full of confidence after observing the Redcoats’ drill with the new firearms.

Cordia stood beside Paxton. He said with a solemn expression, “I think the most crucial issue now is not North America, but the relationship between Britain and the Great Yu Empire. In my opinion, we should abandon our current hostile relationship with the Great Yu Empire and seek to improve relations to promote Britain’s technological development. Undoubtedly, the Great Yu Empire’s technology is now in some respects ahead of ours.”

“Oh, come on, Cordia. You’re an excellent scientist, but you’re not a politician. If the world’s colonies are a cake, then the world’s cake has basically been divided up by Europe. So, the rise of the Great Yu Empire as an industrial nation will inevitably come to snatch the cake we’ve eaten. This is the irreconcilable conflict between us, not anything else. Because once we lose all our colonies, Britain’s interests will be severely harmed.”

“Does the competition for interests between nations always have to end in war?”

“Basically, yes.” Paxton’s expression was somewhat grim.

In truth, the entire British nobility was now very uneasy about the rise of this Eastern Empire, and at the same time, they were unable to predict its next move.

Just as they had done to stir up trouble in Europe, they instinctively wanted to use other countries to hinder the Great Yu Empire’s rise. However, the Great Yu Empire had thwarted their conspiracies time and again.

The only thing to be thankful for now was that the Great Yu Empire was too far away from them, and they still had ample time to prepare.

“So, sending people to the Great Yu Empire to study abroad is also out of the question?” Cordia said with some regret.

“No one lets a bunch of thieves into their home to study. Now, in the eyes of the Great Yu Empire people, we are thieves,” Paxton shrugged.

Then he turned to Murphy, who was watching the commotion. “I think we should talk to Tsarist Russia and have them create some trouble for the Great Yu Empire.”

“That’s not necessary. They are greedy enough; sooner or later, they will clash with the Great Yu Empire.” Murphy was fiddling with a new firearm. “At that time, perhaps we can sell them some weapons. That would be a sure-fire business.”

Paxton gave a thumbs up. “No wonder you’re the Prime Minister of Britain. I just hope Tsarist Russia doesn’t lose too badly.”

With that, the two suddenly burst into laughter.

…

Morgan City.

Vasily wiped the blood from his saber. At his feet lay three Guandong people in pools of blood. From Nerchinsk all the way to Morgan, establishing strongholds, they plundered, burned, killed, and did everything imaginable. In their eyes, these natives were still uncivilized, like beasts in the forest. They were very skilled at massacring these barbaric tribes.

Because this was how they conquered Siberia. Now, they were ordered to march south, and this fertile land would soon become Tsarist Russia’s territory.

“Vasily, could what they say be true?”

A fair-haired, blue-eyed young man said to Vasily, “They just heard from these three natives that there is an army with firearms stationed in Jianzhou City to the south.”

“Ivan, when did you become so timid? You’ve seen these natives’ armies before; five hundred men are enough to send them scattering in all directions. The most important thing now is how much we can plunder and take back. I don’t want to come back empty-handed this time.” Vasily said with a cold, sinister smile.