Chapter 38 38 Portuguese

While Wei Guangde was packing his luggage, several people in charge were talking in the Zhang family's study not far away.

"What kind of weapons do you need? You can ask for them here. As long as they are in the garrison warehouse, I can find a way to get them for you."

Zhang Qing, the commander sitting behind the desk, looked at the people in the room, all of whom were trusted people, and then said to Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng.

It was a bit direct, and Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng couldn't help but look at each other.

What equipment is needed? The two of them talked about it privately when they were free two days ago, but to be honest, in this era, there are really no good weapons to deal with grassland nomadic cavalry.

Infantry has too many shortcomings against cavalry, not to mention the garrison soldiers who lack tactical training, which is even worse.

"Father-in-law, last time we were in Zhenjiang, I saw the seed cannon equipped by the Jingying Guard. I wonder if we can find it? If we can equip a large number of such cannons, we can bombard the enemy continuously and repel the Tartar cavalry easily."

It would definitely be inappropriate for Wei Meng to speak out on this occasion, so it would be better for his brother-in-law to come forward, so when the two looked at each other, Wei Meng winked at Wu Zhankui and asked him to speak.

This was also the method they discussed for several days before finally coming up with an effective way to deal with the Tartar cavalry, that is, the kind of cannon operated by the Jingying troops in Zhenjiang. Each cannon has several cartridges and can be equipped with ammunition in advance.

At that time, they just watched the gunners of the Jingying maintain the cannon from a distance and take out a cartridge from the back of the barrel. After that, the two of them approached and understood what it was.

The back half of the barrel is open, just like the belly of the cannon is exposed outside, which is completely different from the cannons they have seen before.

When using it, put the cartridge directly into the belly of the cannon behind the barrel, fix the position, and then ignite the fuse to fire.

The special thing about this cannon is that it loads ammunition from the back, not from the front like existing firearms.

"You want, you want a Portuguese cannon?"

When Zhang Qing heard Wu Zhankui mention the mother-and-child cannon, he knew what it was.

To be honest, he had heard of that kind of thing before, which could fire multiple rounds of artillery very quickly, and it was indeed a military weapon.

Although he knew it, Zhang Qing still frowned when he heard his son-in-law and his brother-in-law asked for such a sharp firearm, and he was obviously very embarrassed.

"Father-in-law, is this kind of cannon difficult to get?"

Wu Zhankui saw his father-in-law's reaction and asked hesitantly.

However, before Zhang Tongzhi spoke this time, Zhang Shigui, who was standing next to him, said: "The cannon you are talking about is called a Portuguese cannon. It was obtained from the Portuguese in Guangdong during the Zhengde Dynasty. It is indeed very sharp."

When they heard that this cannon was obtained from the Portuguese, both Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng felt depressed.

If we buy it from the barbarians, the price will not be cheap, not to mention such a powerful weapon.

Since the price is not cheap, it is obvious that the Ming army cannot equip too many of these cannons, and they will definitely not get their turn in Jiujiang Guard.

If there are more cannons, you can think about it and know that they must be supplied to the Beijing Camp and the border towns first, but Zhang Shigui's next words gave the two a glimmer of hope.

"Now the Beijing Military Equipment Bureau and the Nanjing Military Equipment Bureau have already begun to imitate this kind of firearms. You see that the Nanjing Beijing Camp uses the Portuguese cannon made by the Nanjing Military Equipment Bureau."

"Brother Shigui, can we get this kind of cannon?"

Wei Meng said excitedly and hurriedly.

"Hey."

The result was indeed a sigh from Zhang Shigui.

"The production of that kind of cannon is not large now, and it is supplied to the border towns and Beijing first. In the south, it is the Nanjing Beijing Camp and some coastal guards, and there are a small number of equipment for trial.

I asked about this kind of cannon before when I visited the Nanjing Duke's Mansion, but I couldn't get it at all."

Hope was completely cut off. Zhang Shigui's words were very clear, and there was no need to think about the Portuguese cannon.

"Moreover, I also heard from people in the Duke's Mansion that the firing speed of this Portuguese cannon is very fast. Each Portuguese cannon is equipped with five to six sub-cannons, which can be pre-loaded with gunpowder and shells. When used, they are fired in turns, and the soldiers behind will reload the fired sub-cannons.

The advantages are very prominent, and the disadvantages are also obvious. The main one is that this cannon cannot shoot far, with a range of less than 200 steps, almost the same as a hard bow.

Although the Military Equipment Bureau has also tried to change it, the effect is minimal.

With such a disadvantage, even if the Tartar cavalry enters the range, they may not be able to finish firing the sub-cannons, and the people have already rushed to the front."

But then Zhang Shigui said: "If there is a city to rely on for defense, there is no problem, and the Tartars can be shot continuously."

After hearing the shortcomings of the Portuguese cannon, Wei Meng actually disagreed. As long as it can be loaded and fired quickly, as long as there are enough cannons, a few rounds of continuous artillery fire can defeat the Tartar cavalry charging on the opposite side.

Don't think that only the Ming army was cowardly. In fact, in the face of life and death, it is easy for anyone to make a choice.

For those who led the troops like Wei Meng and Wu Zhankui, they knew very well that as long as their comrades kept falling, even the strongest people would not be able to bear the fear of death.

However, it seems impossible.

This cannon is so precious that even if Emperor Jiajing really wanted to go north to take revenge, it would only be equipped to the frontier troops who were in charge of the war, and it would not be used by them as transport soldiers.

Moreover, according to their idea, facing the impact of the Tartar cavalry, the lack of cannons would not be of much significance except for the noise.

Yes, the result of several days of discussion between Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng was that Han Xin ordered more troops, the better. With enough artillery, the Tatar charge could be destroyed.

Although it is very suitable for the centralized use of artillery in later generations to carry out key strikes, it is of limited use and all conditions are not met.

Just kidding, equip the transport troops with a large number of main battle weapons. Emperor Jiajing would have done this if his head was caught in a door.

"If it's a small amount, it should be possible to get it out of Nanjing if you put this old face aside. But from what you said, it will require a lot of French cannons, so that's impossible."

Zhang Qing opened his slightly cloudy eyes and glanced at Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng, but he still opened his mouth and directly interrupted their thoughts.

"Uncle Shi, is there any definite news from Mr. Xu? Is our Jiujiang Weitie going to the north?"

After hearing that he couldn't get the Folan cannon, Wei Meng still raised the issue he was most concerned about.

"The regulations set by the Governor's Office of the Fifth Army stipulate that we must escort the grain and grass from Huguang and Jiangxi directly to the front of the army. The only hope now is that the imperial court cannot raise military expenses and troops, so that it is possible for His Majesty to cancel the Northern Expedition. plan."

At this time, Zhang Qing's mood was naturally not getting better. Going to the north to fight was too risky, otherwise he would not have hurriedly summoned his cronies to discuss the matter.

"My father-in-law and Duke Dingguo also expressed their anger, but there was no way, so Yubi appointed him."

Zhang Qing's last words completely blocked Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng's retreat. Now they can only find ways to improve the combat effectiveness of their troops. There is no other way.