“Field cannons?”
Chen Qi’s expression turned serious. Now that Xiao Ming personally came to discuss this, it meant the Qingzhou army would soon be able to use these field cannons.
When Chen Qi saw the Dutch dragging their field cannons in Dengzhou, he realized their military technology was still behind Europe’s, since the Dutch cannons were basically the same as the contemporary Napoleonic field cannons.
The appearance of Napoleonic-style weapons at this time showed that Europe in this timeline had advanced about fifty to sixty years ahead of the real historical period.
This assessment aligned with Chen Qi’s judgment. If so, he had to focus and catch up. Europe’s progress was society-wide, while his own progress was limited to a few workshops in Qingzhou.
“Yes, field cannons—and Napoleonic field cannons at that. You’ve probably seen them in textbooks. Napoleonic cannons come in two types: twelve-pounders and six-pounders. The twelve-pounders are used for sieges; the six-pounders are used in battles between armies,” Xiao Ming reminded him.
Chen Qi nodded. “I remember. The six-pounder field cannon barrel is 1.52 meters long, caliber 93 millimeters, weighing 389 kilograms. The twelve-pounder barrel is 1.6 meters long, caliber 117 millimeters, weighing 556 kilograms. But, Your Highness, the Napoleonic field cannons are all cast in bronze. These can even withstand double the explosive force. Should we also cast ours in bronze?”
“Qian Dafu found a copper mine northwest of Qingzhou, so we now have enough copper to make field cannons. But the number of cannons won’t be large. I am willing to invest. In three months, I need thirty six-pounders and twenty twelve-pounders,” Xiao Ming said.
Chen Qi pondered. “In that case, we need to recast the iron molds and manufacture carriages.”
“Exactly. I brought you the Napoleonic cannon blueprints. With your current craftsmanship, manufacturing Napoleonic cannons won’t be a problem,” Xiao Ming said.
Taking the blueprints, Chen Qi studied them carefully. These were more detailed than those in the textbook.
Xiao Ming wasn’t hiding anything; he simply used modern textbook methods to teach the basics. The real detailed field cannon blueprints weren’t in the textbooks.
After all, too much detail would be a leak. It’s like how everyone today knows nuclear weapons release energy through fission, but not everyone can build an atomic bomb.
Textbooks are for teaching—not technical manuals.
“Are there no problems now?” Xiao Ming smiled. Sometimes it’s not the lack of technology but lack of creativity. Now that Chen Qi fully understood the field cannon structure, and with the current iron mold casting tech, producing Napoleonic field cannons was feasible.
The key to production was the carriage design, which he now provided in detail. With that solved, no more problems remained.
Chen Qi studied it for a while and praised, “This carriage is ingenious. It lets the field cannon be mobile under horse traction and supports the cannon’s base. The downward-bent structure resists ground pressure so the cannon doesn’t shift much when firing. No problem this time.”
Chen Qi looked enlightened. Xiao Ming relaxed and said, “Start manufacturing iron molds now. When the copper arrives, begin production. These field cannons are not just for the Dutch—they’re also for the barbarians.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Chen Qi replied solemnly.
With naval cannon handover completed and mortar experiments done, production could start. Now Chen Qi had plenty of time to focus on field cannons.
After discussing this, Xiao Ming felt relieved. Wang Xuan’s news said the Dutch had built a star fort in Ryukyu. Without field cannons, a strong assault on the fort would cause heavy losses. But now, the situation was different.
While Xiao Ming ordered the military workshop to produce field cannons, the Dutch fleet had already arrived in Ryukyu.
The fleet docked at the pier. Claire and Rhodes headed to Fort Zeelandia, their fortress in Ryukyu, not far from the pier.
Claire’s face was gloomy, clearly thinking about something serious. Rhodes looked very displeased. After retreating from Dengzhou, the enemy fleet had not pursued them.
Yet the powerful enemy fleet remained deeply in their minds, shaking their confidence at sea.
After walking about ten li inland, they saw a typical European star fort.
Built over five years since their occupation of Ryukyu thirty years ago, the fort was two li long and wide, shaped like a pentagram. Each point had a bastion with cannons able to cover one another.
“The count has returned,” a sentry shouted from the wall as the iron gates slowly opened.
Dutch soldiers guarding the fort saluted Claire.
Inside, some local natives with black hair and yellowish, somewhat lean skin were carrying rice. Since occupying Ryukyu, the Dutch had forced the natives to grow rice and sugarcane.
These were the products they sold to Europe.
“Count Claire, you must make a decision now. What shall we do?” Rhodes asked.
Claire scowled, “What else? Surrender to this Prince of Qi and accept their terms?”
“Our soldiers are scared. We’re too far from home and face too many powerful enemies. This Prince of Qi has a strong fleet, flintlock-equipped soldiers, and cannons on the walls. Our weapons might be more advanced, but we can’t win by numbers, especially if our fleet can’t protect us. I’ll be trapped here,” Rhodes said.
“Coward! Are you ready to run now?” Claire sneered.
Rhodes defended himself, “I’m not scared. We must find reinforcements or we won’t stand against this Prince of Qi. We should ask the British for help. After all, we’re all Europeans.”
“Is that so? Replacing one villain with another to chase away a scoundrel?” Claire grew more displeased. “Rhodes, you’re scared out of your wits. You’d better rest.”
Rhodes knew Claire was trying to dismiss him. He said, “Count, please reconsider carefully.”