"Sir, are there any books in the library of the Hanlin Academy that record the formula of gunpowder? Are there any records about firearms such as thunder bombs and muskets?" Ou Zhige couldn't suppress his excitement and asked impatiently.
"Of course there are. The Hanlin Academy Library is the royal library, and all the most valuable classics of the Ming Dynasty are collected in it. There are hundreds of books on firearms such as gunpowder, muskets, and cannons, and each of them is of immeasurable value. In particular, there are dozens of the latest, most advanced, and most confidential firearms books developed with the combined strength of the Ming Dynasty, and more than a dozen carefully collected firearms books on Europeans, Portuguese, red-haired barbarians and other foreigners, which are even more priceless." Zhu Ping'an replied without hesitation, openly mixing his private goods among them without blushing or breathing hard.
There are naturally books on firearms in the Hanlin Academy's library, but they are all old antiques from the Song and Yuan dynasties, without much reference or inspiration value. There are no latest, most advanced, and most confidential books on firearms developed by the Ming Dynasty. As for the firearms books of European countries, there are not even a single one.
The reason why Zhu Ping'an said this was to find a reason for his knowledge of firearms that was ahead of his time.
Hearing Zhu Ping'an's words, Ou Zhige became even more excited. Oh my god, hundreds of firearms books... dozens of the latest, most advanced, and most confidential firearms books developed by the Ming Dynasty... more than ten carefully collected firearms books about Europeans and other foreigners. It was so exciting, but there was a question. Ou Zhige asked nervously, "Have you read all these books?"
The collection of books in the Hanlin Academy is like a treasure mountain. Lord Zhu once entered the treasure mountain, but I don't know whether he obtained the treasure there. He would not return empty-handed, right? If Lord Zhu obtained the treasure there, then I would have the opportunity to seek advice from him, which would be of great benefit to my research on firearms.
But if Lord Zhu went to the mountain of treasures and came back empty-handed, I would be so heartbroken that I would bleed.
Therefore, Ou Zhige was extremely nervous.
"When I was in charge of the Hanlin Academy's library, I didn't have much official business and had plenty of time. I carefully read and studied these books, especially the dozens of the latest and most advanced firearms books of the Ming Dynasty and the European and foreign countries. I read them several times. I have a good memory. Although I can't say that I have a photographic memory, I can remember most of the content after reading it two or three times. I have read those dozens of firearms books several times, and I can probably remember about 70% to 80% of the content now."
Zhu Ping'an noticed Ou Shangge's expression of nervousness, so he smiled slightly and spoke softly.
Hearing Zhu Ping'an say that he had read it several times and memorized about 70% to 80% of the content, Ou Shangcheng excitedly stood up from his chair, and then without warning, he knelt down in front of Zhu Ping'an and kowtowed sincerely, "Please teach me, sir. I, Ou Zhige, am willing to be your running dog in this life."
"Master Ou, please stand up quickly. There is no need for this. Master Ou is the master of our Zhejiang Army, so I will tell you everything I know. I cannot call you a 'teacher'. I have only read some books and have some knowledge from them. We can discuss and exchange ideas with each other. As for the actual operations such as preparing gunpowder and forging firearms, I have no experience. These still need to be studied and explored by you, Master Ou. If our discussion and exchange can inspire you, Master Ou, and be helpful to the research of firearms, it will be a great thing for our Zhejiang Army, and it will not be in vain for my hard study in the library for several months."
Zhu Ping'an quickly stood up, bent down and helped Ou Zhige up, and said with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, sir. I will live up to your expectations and work hard to research practical firearms." Ou Zhige vowed.
"I read too much content back then, and it was a bit confusing and disorganized for a while. So I'll just talk about whatever comes to my mind. There will be plenty of time in the future anyway. I will come often to discuss firearms with Master Ou." Zhu Ping'an said.
"Please give me some advice, sir." Ou Zhige said excitedly.
"Let's talk about the formula of gunpowder first. Currently, most of the classics record that the formula of gunpowder is 80% saltpeter, 10% sulfur, and 10% charcoal, which is exactly the same as what the European craftsman studied. This is the most common and mature gunpowder formula in my Ming Dynasty, and it is more powerful than other gunpowder formulas. However, I carefully studied the gunpowder formulas of European and other foreign countries, and found that after hundreds of years of research, the foreigners finally determined the gunpowder formula to be 75% saltpeter, 10% sulfur, and 15% charcoal. They call it 'black gunpowder', saying that it is the best ratio of gunpowder and has the highest power. The most important thing is that the most essential advantage of gunpowder is explosion. The purer the gunpowder is, the more powerful the explosion will be. It is forbidden to add oil or other combustion-supporting substances, otherwise the gunpowder will be impurities, greatly reducing the power of the gunpowder. The most lethal force of gunpowder is also explosion, and there is no need to add poisonous smoke or other harm. If poisonous smoke or other substances are added, the gunpowder will be impurities, greatly reducing the lethality of gunpowder. Among the latest and most advanced firearms books in the Ming Dynasty, there is a book that specifically studies the black gunpowder of the foreigners and praises it endlessly. "
Zhu Ping'an picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, and slowly began to tell the story, taking the opportunity to bring out the epoch-making black gunpowder.
"The ratio of black gunpowder is 75% saltpeter, 10% sulfur, and 15% charcoal. If we reduce the saltpeter ratio by 50% and increase the charcoal ratio by 50%, the power will be greatly improved. I will have to study and verify it myself later. If the power of this black gunpowder is really great, the weight of the thunder bomb can be reduced. By the way, there are also muskets. If the gunpowder is increased, the power and range of the musket can also be improved..."
"The foreigners said that the most essential advantage of gunpowder is explosion. The greatest lethality of gunpowder is also explosion. The purer the gunpowder ratio, the greater the power of the gunpowder explosion. It does not require cleaning oil to assist combustion, nor does it require poisonous smoke... I have to study and verify this idea. If this is true, then my previous research has taken a detour. But it doesn't matter. It's not too late to correct it now..."
After listening to Zhu Ping'an's words, Ou Zhige seemed to be possessed by a demon. His face was agitated and he kept muttering to himself.
Zhu Ping'an did not interrupt Ou Zhige and waited quietly for his brainstorming to end.
"I'm sorry, sir. I was so excited that I went a little crazy."
It took a long time for Ou Zhige to come back to his senses from Zhu Ping'an's words and he hurriedly apologized to Zhu Ping'an.
"Master Ou, you are too kind. Oh, I remember that Europeans and other foreigners have a special way of making gunpowder. After they prepare the black powder, they will add water to it and stir it. After drying it, they will use rollers and other tools to grind the gunpowder into granules. It is said that after the black powder is granulated, the power can be increased by nearly twice. In addition, granulated gunpowder is easy to transport, not easily affected by moisture, and has a uniform burning speed."
Zhu Ping'an slapped his head and continued.
"Gunpowder granulation, I seem to have seen it in a book. Granulated gunpowder can actually have such great advantages. It can double the power of gunpowder. No, I have to study it carefully..." After hearing about the advantages of gunpowder granulation, Ou Zhige became even more excited and crazy, and he couldn't wait to study it immediately.