A small soldier of the frontier army in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 774 Hall Rocket
What Wang Dou thought of was the later Hall Rocket, an improved version of the Congreve Rocket.

After China's rocket technology was introduced to Arab countries, it gradually spread to European countries. In the war against Napoleon, Congreve, an artillery colonel who was working in the Woolwich Arsenal, believed that rockets were the best against Napoleon. Weapons, proceed to research.

His inspiration comes from Indian rockets. In Wang Dou's view, the rockets are quite similar to the "Sky-piercing Mouse" firecrackers of later generations. His major breakthrough is to use metal instead of bamboo and wood to make rockets.

The main body of the successful Congreve rocket is more than one meter long, with a pointed head and a slender body. There is a four- to five-meter-long balance bar behind it. The range can reach five to six miles. , incendiary bombs and other warheads.

Congreve rockets do not need to be launched by artillery, and the rate of fire is much faster than artillery. The manufacturing process is not complicated. Elected to Parliament.

Of course, the Congreve rocket has many problems, mainly because of its poor accuracy. During the Battle of Waterloo, Wellington commented on the effect of the Congreve rocket: "Compared to Napoleon's artillery fire, our rockets are threatening to me. Bigger."

So later the British Hall improved the Congreve rocket.

His improvement is also very simple. Instead of the several-meter-long balance bar, three inclined and stable spiral plates are installed at the tail of the rocket. When the rocket is launched, due to the effect of aerodynamic force, the rocket will continue to rotate, thus achieve stabilization.

Moreover, there are small holes at the tail of the rocket, and the gas emitted by the burning gunpowder will also make the rocket rotate continuously and make it fly straight.

This simple improvement made the Hall rocket many times more accurate than the Congreve rocket. During the Opium War, tens of thousands of Mongolian cavalrymen who fought against Seng Gelinqin showed their talents, and they were used until World War II.

In Wang Dou's view, the Hall rocket is actually not high in technical content, and its construction is also very crude. It is completely manufactured at the level of craftsmen in Xuanfu Town. This is more of a birth of inspiration. A thin layer of windows The piercing of the paper is like gunpowder fixed.

Of course, it is not without technical problems. The arrow body is made of iron, and it is difficult to roll the tube. If the thickness of the iron body is different, it is easy to make the center of gravity unstable.

Although this is not more difficult than firecrackers and artillery, the power of rockets lies in their large-scale use. If the cost is too high, it will be meaningless.

Wang Dou took a pencil and wrote and drew on the blueprints. In later generations, he mainly studied history, geography, etc., military history and military industry. Although he had browsed, most of them were hidden in the depths of his memory. At this time, he was touched by Zhou Xiangren , Then write and draw quickly.

The basic structure of the Hall rocket is a rocket launcher with gunpowder, which is similar to the rocket body of later generations, but the front is gunpowder and fuze, and there are many small holes on the tip of the outer skin. The flammable medicine is squeezed out of the hole and causes a big fire.

The rear is propellant as propellant, the tail is a spin stabilizer, and then a launcher or launcher is provided for use.Because the rocket has no recoil, it can be launched no matter on land or on a warship, and the terrain is not limited.

Wang Dou was busy with his work, and all the craftsmen looked on in admiration. In the hearts of all the craftsmen, the general was a master at the master level. He couldn't make a bird gun either, which didn't hinder his status among the craftsmen.

After all, many military designs such as Xuanzhen in the past included Wang Dou's points, and often only a few words were needed to make people suddenly enlightened and avoid many detours.

In everyone's mind, the general knew everything about astronomy, geography, and equipment manufacturing. They were amazed at Wang Dou's endless thoughts at first, but now they are used to it.

Of course, Wang Dou had a new inspiration, and everyone around him watched in silence, only pondering carefully, the opportunity is rare.

Looking at the draft drawn by Wang Dou, there was a buzz of discussion immediately.

After all, Zhou Xiangren, Li Maosen and others are old craftsmen, and they saw the function of the rotating device behind the big rocket at a glance, Zhou Xiangren adjusted his glasses, and said hesitantly: "Dare to ask the general, is this thing imitating the function of bows and arrows? "

Of course, Wang Dou's painting skills are much higher than those of these craftsmen.After all, people in later generations have a kind of logic, including clarity, and this kind of performance is unconscious.

Looking at this clear painting, Zhou Xiangren first asked questions.

Wang Dou smiled, and said: "That's right, these pieces can make the rocket spin and fly out, keeping the arrow body stable and balanced, just like the effect of arrow feathers."

I thought to myself that the ancients were indeed no more stupid than the later generations, and I could see the function of this spin stabilizer at a glance.And once this thing is added, it will be like the effect of the bows and arrows used by the soldiers, adding feathers to the rear, which plays a role of balance and stability.

It is also because of this that the sharp archers have the possibility of piercing Yang with a hundred steps.

After the arrow is shot, it is actually spinning continuously, but it seems that the rotation is not obvious, and it can rotate because of the function of the arrow feather.Crossbow arrows have no feathers, so the accuracy is much worse than that of bow arrows. I have never heard of crossbow arrows that can penetrate Yang with a hundred steps. Of course, later generations of crossbow arrows do not count.

"I see……"

Looking at the pattern, Lai Yuanlong murmured, as if his head was struck by lightning, a door seemed to open before his eyes, and countless thoughts spread out.

He carefully looked at the draft drawn by Wang Dou, and saw that the shape of the rocket was like a spear or an arrow. It turned out that it was for the convenience of rotation... Rotation?It turns out that the arrow is constantly spinning?Why didn't I notice it before?Why didn't I think about it, so that the arrow can fly smoothly?

And... the general is brilliant, it is true that the shape of the rocket is suitable for rotation and keeps the body of the arrow stable.

He shuddered when he thought about the continuous spinning of the Shenhuo Crow.

"Spin, yes, Miao Ye..."

Zhou Xiangren's eyes lit up like this, so he immediately solved the big rocket stability problem that caused him a headache, why didn't he think of it before?

The general really awakened the dreamer with one word.

but……

Afterwards, countless questions arose in his mind. He thought about it. With such a shape and made of iron, although the launch of the big rocket is much more stable, there are still many difficulties.

For example, if you need more booster powder, you need more iron materials, and you need more gunpowder. Although the Shenhuo Flying Crow contains gunpowder, it will explode and burn when it flies to the target. Because it is in the shape of bamboo and wood, it is relatively easy to explode the iron sheet... …

He quickly discovered the small holes on the rocket end, and his thoughts changed, and he understood the effect of these holes.It's just that even if it doesn't explode, it still seems to be a lot of trouble. Looking at this rocket, it is actually not so easy to make.

He just wanted to ask a question. He looked at Wang Dou. Ruo primary school students were as devout as college students, and Lai Yuanlong and others couldn't wait to ask for advice. Seeing their eagerness, Wang Dou waved his hands: "Don't say too much, just be specific." The matter, you wait for your own detailed deliberation."

He said lightly: "Bring the pen and ink!"

Soon, pen, ink, paper and inkstone were placed in front of Wang Dou. Wang Dou swiped his pen and splashed ink, and wrote a dozen large characters: "Equipment generation, research generation generation, pre-research generation generation!"

Looking at the words he wrote, Wang Dou finally said: "Military Science Division is the military think tank of our Xuanzhen Town. Your task is to continuously develop sharp weapons for our Jingbian Army, so that the soldiers can fight like tigers with wings on the battlefield. The general There are not many requests from you, just the twelve big characters above, it doesn’t matter if you can’t develop it for a while, you need to do your best.”

Lai Yuanlong looked at the blueprint excitedly, and if the child got his beloved toy, he said more solemnly: "Don't worry, the general, the staff department will do their best to live up to the general's expectations. This rocket blueprint will also be listed by the Military Science Department top secret."

Wang Dou nodded: "If this rocket is made, it will be named Zhou's Rocket, as a token of merit."

After the various weapons of the Jingbian Army were produced, Wang Dou named them Lai’s Firebolt, Li’s Firebolt, and Zhong Xiancai’s Zhong’s Riding Gun, etc., in order to encourage their pride and increase their enthusiasm for developing weapons. The same is true for this rocket.

Looking at everyone's eyes, Zhou Xiangren was taken aback: "This is all the merit of the great general, how dare the villain take the credit of the general?"

Wang Dou laughed loudly and went out, Zhong Tiaoyang and others quickly followed, leaving behind Wang Dou's words: "This contribution is meaningless to me, you can continue to produce results, it is the most important thing for me, Wang Dou." Good repayment! Repay the countless people in Xuan Town and Duhu Mansion!"

"I hope that in the not-too-distant future, there will be tens of thousands of Zhou's rockets flying into the sky, shooting at the enemy's camp, the enemy's formation, calming the border army for me, and clearing away all obstacles that hinder the enemy..."

Seeing Wang Dou's back going away, his voice faded away, Zhou Xiangren's mood was agitated suddenly, and he couldn't help choking up his voice, "Scholar dies for his confidant, what can the husband say?"

Lai Yuanlong looked at him, and said in a deep voice: "I have nothing to say, I just hope that you will work hard."

He said: "By the way, regarding the safety regulations and regulations, the department will hold a meeting first..."

At this time, Han Chao and Qi Tianliang sent Wang Dou out and turned around, their faces sank like water, and they said in a deep voice: "The meeting!"

……

Recently, Wang Dou has been immersed in the sea of ​​Wenshan cases. The integration of Monan Development and Duhufu requires his approval and signature. For special funding, there are frequent meetings and meetings. Sneaking around in the military factory is one of his few pleasures. one.

Moreover, the foundation of Xuanfu Town has been established, and a lot of scientific and technological research that can be done can also be put on the table. It will not be suspected of overpowering the seedlings as it was at the beginning, and let Wang Dou hide and keep silent. The technological development of Xuanfu Town will usher in a blowout period. .

The registration of officials in the Duhu Mansion is also coming to an end. The first civil service examination in the Duhu Mansion will be held in Xuanfu Town. What questions should be tested will be submitted to Wang Dou for approval. He is currently designing a math problem to introduce the upcoming Civil service examination.

Perhaps this math problem will cause a big stir in the entire Ming Dynasty.

Back at the General's Mansion, Wang Dou frowned when he saw a pile of official documents that needed to be signed by himself, "Headache."

But there is no way. Although the establishment of the shogunate has reduced his work to the greatest extent, many affairs cannot be avoided. After all, the ministers only have part of the power, and a steady stream of official documents are sent from Ye Xizhi.

"It's time to find a steward and set up a cabinet."

This thought flashed through Wang Dou's mind, just as he kept signing the words "agree" and stamped his big seal, there was a slight cough outside the door, and Zhong Tiaoyang's voice sounded: "General, Li The Deputy Chief Protector, and Governor Zhu asked to see him."

Wang Dou let out an oh, and smiled. After months of cold, did Old Man Li finally take it back?
He said: "Please go to the lobby with Li Fu Du Hu and Zhu Gong."

After thinking for a while, he said again: "Director Ye, and all the members of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, please come to the hall together."

(End of this chapter)