The back door of my house can last until the end of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 342 Louis XIV's Ambition

"However, the credibility of this matter is indeed great. These people are not simple. After so long, we have made a lot of money from them, and the weapons we brought are almost sold.

Their situation has hardly changed since we came here, so these people are naturally upset.Maybe these people really have something bad in their hearts. "Zheng Zhilong said.

Thinking about it, I can understand that Zheng Zhilong is very aware of how much the things he has done since he came here have had an impact on these Western countries.

Originally, these people in the West used traditional weapons and worked desperately. Even if a battle was won or lost, the casualties caused were extremely limited, unlike what is happening now, where hundreds of people are killed and injured at every turn.

It would be fine if these weapons could change the situation, but the problem is that the situation has not changed at all.

Anyone with a smarter mind can see the problem.

Regarding what Charles I said, Zheng Zhilong didn't have any worries in his heart, and he was even a little eager to try and look forward to it.

With such a powerful weapon in hand, there is no need to fear the enemy at all.

In other words, Zheng Zhilong can kill as many as they come, so there is no need to worry.

The night gradually dissipated, and the magnificent Palace of Versailles gradually emerged.

The mist shrouded in front of the palace, and under the rays of the rising sun, it gave people a holy feeling.

About five miles directly opposite the palace, there is a single-family castle that occupies a large area.

Surrounding this single-family castle, there is also a large courtyard.

There are brick houses or thatched houses in the middle of the courtyard, in which Louis XIV brought excellent craftsmen from all over the country, as well as scholars from Western countries.

In order to break through the mystery of Zheng Zhilong's weapon as soon as possible, they gathered these smart people together and worked hard day and night.

Descartes, as the person in charge, is specifically responsible for this matter.

He got up very early today, drawing a picture in his office.

The quill in his hand continued to outline on the yellowed paper, and it didn't take long for him to draw the profile of the Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory rocket.

Not long ago, he had just finished dismantling the rockets of the Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory.

In fact, the structure of the Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory rocket is not complicated, it can be said to be very simple.

It was not a high-tech thing at first, it was just a long and narrow steel pipe with a tail fin.

Apart from the difference between the warhead and the fuel department, there is nothing special about it.

But there is a problem in front of Descartes, that is, the rocket body, with the current French capabilities, there is no way to mass-produce it.

The steel pipes used in the rockets of the Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory are seamless steel pipes. It is not so difficult to manufacture seamless steel pipes in this era.

Of course Descartes can see these problems, so he is doing his best to find a substitute, hoping to find a material or process that can replace the projectile.

But the future is bleak, and it is not so easy to find a substitute for seamless steel pipes.

As for the fuel used in rockets, it is ammonium nitrate plus sugar.

Ammonium nitrate was first produced by German JR Glauber in 1659.

And this Glauber is now in this castle.

However, even if this Glauber can successfully manufacture ammonium nitrate, there is no way to popularize it on a large scale.

In this era, the method of making ammonium nitrate was very traditional.

Ammonium nitrate is generally prepared by double decomposition reaction of ammonium sulfate and saltpeter.

This is not only costly, but also very inefficient. It can be used for other things with little demand, but if it is used to make propellant or explosives, it has no such ability at all.

The large-scale production of ammonium nitrate has to wait until after the industrial synthesis of ammonia.

Not to mention that white sugar in this era is also very precious.

The crushing of agricultural countries by industrial countries is like this. Even if many things are placed in front of agricultural countries, with their strength, there is no way to manufacture them.

Just this small rocket bomb has become a problem that hinders them.

……

This morning, Louis XIV had just had breakfast, and accompanied by Richelieu, he went on foot.

It was not too far from the Palace of Versailles where Louis XIV lived, and there was nothing urgent, so he chose to walk.

Along the way, spring is shrouded, the wild flowers on both sides of the road are lush, and the faint fragrance is constantly floating in the air.

Seeing this scene full of vitality, Louis XIV was in a good mood.

"Spring will eventually come, just like that winter will eventually pass. Although Zheng Zhilong is powerful, we may not be able to defeat him by uniting with all the monarchs in the west. Victory must belong to us. These oriental yellow-skinned monkeys, as long as You are worthy to crawl under our feet!" Louis XIV's eyes were shining brightly.

The Western monarch's view of the East has not changed because of Zheng Zhilong's arrival.

In their minds, the East has already fallen, and they are nothing but dirty yellow-skinned monkeys, far inferior to noble nobles like them.

"This is very true, but the East should not be underestimated too much. There must be something unknown about the country that can manufacture such a powerful weapon. We should be more careful." Richelieu looked cautious. Say.

He is already very old, half a lifetime of hard work and caution have already been integrated into his temperament.

"You're just being too careful, the entire West, so many countries and monarchs, the combined strength is incredible, what enemy can't beat it?

Just like the Crusades back then, all pagans will tremble under our feet, the East has already fallen! "

Louis XIV's eyes were full of spring, and his will was high.

The closer he was to the castle, the faster he was.

When he stopped before the gate of the castle, the will of the whole man was high.

This castle contains the power he desires most.

In this courtyard, Louis XIV saw the Laiyang steel pipe factory rocket bomb that was disassembled into parts, as well as the propellant and explosives poured out.

Craftsmen are constantly experimenting with these things.

Louis XIV didn't bother them, and stood quietly watching from a distance.

This is the moment when he respects these artisans the most.

The entourage who followed behind hurried to find Descartes, the person in charge of the castle.

Not long after, Descartes stood in front of Louis XIV.

"How is it? How long will it take before we can manufacture the weapons used by these yellow-skinned monkeys!" Louis XIV asked.

Descartes frowned tightly, and he looked embarrassed.

"There is nothing unique about this weapon, it's nothing more than a tube with propellant and explosives!" Descartes said.

When Louis XIV heard this, he thought that the manufacture of rockets at Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory was very simple, so he said excitedly: "If that's the case, then quickly open a factory and mass-produce it!"

But what Descartes said next made Louis XIV's good mood disappear instantly.

"Although technically, this weapon seems to be easy to manufacture, but in terms of materials, we may not be able to.

The projectile body of this weapon is very smooth, there is not a single weld or seam on the surface, and the entire projectile body is natural, as if it was made by God.

Judging from the technology we have now, it is very difficult to do it, and it is also difficult for us to copy the gunpowder and propellant inside! " Descartes said truthfully.

The smile on Louis XIV's face gradually disappeared, and finally, he roared loudly like a lion: "What are you talking about? This is the result you have obtained for so long? I spent a lot of money on you, you want What do I give you, you want people to give, you want money to give money, but in the end you gave me these things?"

Louis XIV didn't want to believe that what he valued so much was messed up by Descartes.

If it weren't for the fact that the rest of the matter depended heavily on him, Louis XIV really wanted to chop him up with a knife.

"I don't want to do this either, but there's really nothing I can do." Descartes lowered his head.

"Your Highness, don't be too anxious about this kind of thing. You can always see the results if you take it slowly. This is a long-term thing, and you can't just focus on the gains and losses overnight." Standing behind Louis XIV, Richelieu hastily persuaded .

Louis XIV, with an uncertain face, gritted his teeth.

In the end, he still endured the anger.

"I don't want to say anything now, I will give you time, and I will give you another three months. After three months, no matter what, you must see the copied thing!"

Louis XIV left without saying a word, and left without looking back.

Three months was his deadline, and after three months, it was time for him to attack Zheng Zhilong.

……

Three days later, Louis XIV's sailing ship docked at the port of London.

There is no grand welcome ceremony, and there is no huge band.

Louis XIV boarded the pier with Richelieu and several entourages.

He looked at the city of London not far away, in a daze.

There is fierceness, unwillingness, and ambition in the eyes.

Everything finally became calm, he took a deep breath, and walked quickly towards the city of London.

Not long after, he entered a pub in the City of London.

This is a place specially set up by Zheng Zhilong to accept people who buy weapons.

This time, Louis XIV was in order to buy surplus weapons.

This was a plan that was settled very early on. Regardless of whether Descartes could manufacture it on a large scale, the remaining weapons in Zheng Zhilong's hands must be bought up.

Under normal circumstances, the people who came to buy weapons were cronies or envoys sent by the monarchs. Today, Louis XIV came here in person, which really surprised the staff here.

This news was soon sent to Zheng Zhilong.

This reminded him of what Charles I said before.

The next day, Louis XIV came to visit, and Zheng Zhilong did not refuse.

Windsor Castle is very luxurious, here is the place where the British royal family lived until Buckingham Palace was built.

After Zheng Zhilong lived in Windsor Castle, he began a series of changes.

On the top of the castle, he specially asked someone to open up a Chinese-style pavilion.

There is a stone table and several stone benches in the pavilion, where Zheng Zhilong and Louis XIV are sitting.

Zheng Zhihu stood beside the two of them, holding a teapot in his hand, and kept pouring tea and water for them.

Zheng Zhilong drank a cup of tea, moistened his throat, and said, "Before, I was always an envoy or a confidant. Why did you come here in person this time? It really surprised me!"

Louis XIV looked calm, "Actually, I came here quietly this time, without disturbing anyone.

My purpose is very simple, that is to buy all the remaining weapons in your hands. "

"Oh? Why? There are so many weapons, are you sure your family will eat them?" Zheng Zhilong leaned forward and looked at him with interest.

The main purpose of Louis XIV's visit this time was to buy all the weapons.

"That's right, I came here this time to eat all the weapons.

Your Excellency also knows that the current battle situation has entered into a state of anxiety, and whoever has more weapons in their hands now has a greater chance of winning.

I am still very young, if I fail, then I will face endless humiliation and torture for the rest of my life.

I hope Your Excellency can understand that I want to trample all those monarchs under my feet! "Louis XIV's face shone fiercely.

If Charles I hadn't approached Zheng Zhilong before, then Zheng Zhilong might still believe what Zheng Zhilong said today.

Now, don't believe a word.

Zheng Zhilong quietly shook the teacup in his hand, the clear tea glistened in the pure white cup.

Take a sip to quench your thirst sweetly.

"Have you brought enough money?"

Zheng Zhilong put down his teacup and looked at him with a smile on his face.

Of course, they don't care about Louis XIV's purpose, and naturally they don't fear their union.

Even if they bought all the weapons, they didn't care.

"You know me well. I don't recognize money but I don't recognize people. As long as the money is in place, I will sell it!" Zheng Zhilong said.

"Money is not a problem, I brought it!" Louis XIV said calmly.

"That's good!"

Zheng Zhilong stood up, cupped his hands towards Louis XIV, and said with a smile, "I wish you a happy cooperation!"

After speaking, he left without looking back.

Zheng Zhihu hurriedly followed behind.

"Brother, this kid has problems at first glance, why do we still buy him weapons?!" Zheng Zhihu looked anxious.

Zheng Zhilong said: "We are doing business, as long as he hasn't completely turned against us, the business will continue."

It's like a line in a certain TV series, "If you can't kill me with a single shot, I will come back to life. As long as the price is right, we can still do business."

The strength in Zheng Zhilong's hands is strong enough, so naturally he doesn't care about these things.

Business is still to be done, we can't lose the remaining weapons, can we?

Louis XIV looked at Zheng Zhilong's back with murderous intent.

"I hope that you can continue to be free and unrestrained, and I hope that you can always be so proud, yellow-skinned monkey, you are also worthy of running wild in the west?!"

(End of this chapter)