Chapter 37: 37 surprises
Chapter 37 37 Surprise
After hearing Tang Mo's rhetorical question, Matthews showed a smile on his face. He was very confident in his major, and said with a smile: "I think maybe it's just me, right? Hahahaha! Did I guess it right? Interesting little guy."
"Absolutely. Is there anything else you want to add?" Tang Mo didn't hide anything and nodded to acknowledge Matthews' guess. He also wants to see where Matthews can go with just experience.
Just listen to Matthews continue to say to Tang Mo: "You are not the only one who has the idea of using metal bullet casings."
He glanced at Tang Mo and saw a little surprise in his eyes. He smiled and continued: "Don't underestimate the craftsmen in this world. They are much stronger than you think. They are very creative and Not imprisoned in his thoughts.”
"Even Cyric has invested a lot of money in real gun reform. They have a dedicated team to tackle the problem, and new ideas are born every day." After Matthews finished explaining, he pointed to himself: "I also I once joined such a team, but soon I quit. ”
"Oh?" Tang Mo was very interested in this gossip and looked at Matthews to hear what he had to say.
"My philosophy was different from theirs, so I was kicked out in the end." Matthews smiled self-deprecatingly, and then brought the topic back to the design of the gun: "Actually, someone did this ten years ago It has been proposed to use metal cartridge cases to achieve a fixed charge, so that soldiers can complete loading as quickly as possible in complex battlefield environments.”
As he spoke, he gestured with his hands: "Metal cartridge cases have many advantages. They can be loaded quickly, can be loaded with the breech, and are even waterproof. It can be said to be the perfect bullet choice."
Tang Mo nodded. It seemed that Matthews had a certain understanding of metal fixed-loading ammunition and talked about many advantages of metal fixed-loading ammunition.
However, he still asked an infuriating question in a humble manner: "Then why did you give up?"
Matthews did not show any timidity at all and said directly: "If you want me to say it, then I will say it."
He stretched out his hand and made a one gesture: "First of all, the problem lies in processing. The manufacturing of metal bullet cases is very troublesome. Under normal circumstances, producing qualified bullets requires a very complicated manufacturing process."
As he spoke, his eyes were full of regret: "This limits the production of bullets... Of course, what also limits the production is the production of the metal itself... Using expensive metal cartridges will definitely cost a lot, plus The difficulty in craftsmanship and the price are unbearable! ”
This is the helplessness of weapons developers. Sometimes, it does not mean that advanced weapons will be purchased by everyone.
Most people or countries who use weapons will pay more attention to other aspects such as cost-effectiveness. Therefore, there is a helpless compromise such that the best tank in the eyes of soldiers is the Tiger, and the best tank in the eyes of generals is the T-34.
“Is there any more?” Tang Mo looked at Matthews as if he were looking at a pile of shining gold, and asked with a smile. He is no longer testing Matthews, he is digging, digging for the most dazzling treasure in the world.
Matthews answered all questions and continued: "There is also the problem of gunpowder! The gunpowder used today, no matter how finely ground and impurities are removed, will still leave a small amount of residue after burning."
“These residues remain in the chamber and barrel of the gun, which will seriously affect the second firing of the gun! If you don’t improve the gunpowder and just improve the cartridge case, it is a waste of time!” He explained helplessly.
The improvement of firearms is carried out simultaneously from several aspects such as propellant, bullet design, firearm design itself, and tactical promotion.
The innovation of propellants promoted the development of bullets, and the development of bullets led to changes in gun design. The continuous evolution of tactics also determines the changes in guns from the side.
What restricts the development of weapons is often problems caused by stagnation in several aspects at the same time. Therefore, just making a breakthrough from a certain aspect will only result in failure.
To complete the progress and development in these aspects, it requires a lot of time accumulation and countless people to experiment and explore. Without these accumulations, evolution in the true sense cannot be completed.
Tang Mo's appearance made progress in so many aspects at once. This was the fundamental reason why he was able to get ahead of the Cyric Consortium!
"The gun will be stuck by the residue in the barrel and barrel due to repeated shooting, and the barrel will explode! The final experimental result is that the action of cleaning the barrel must still be retained. The loading steps of the gun have not been simplified much, and the rate of fire has not been Significant improvement! Compared with the huge investment, this improvement is too small." When Matthews said this, there was even a look of loneliness in his eyes.
"Well, you're right." Tang Mo agreed with Matthews's series of analyses, because he knew that these analyzes were correct. As a "future person" who has witnessed everything with his own eyes, Tang Mo certainly will not doubt Matthews' words. "Then there is the ignition and firing device of metal cartridges... This is the most fundamental reason why metal cartridges are not popular! You know very well that you invented mercury fulminate. Before this thing appeared, you wanted to make a simple, safe and effective bullet firing structure. , It’s just a dream!” Finally, Matthews looked at Tang Mo again and said seriously.
“Hahahaha!” Tang Mo burst into laughter. He knew that Matthews was praising him, because the primer device he invented is really the ultimate bullet primer solution that is simple and convenient!
This is simply certain. Even after more than a hundred years, the basic design of the gun's primer has still not changed fundamentally. The only difference is that the material of the primer has been changed from the less safe mercury fulminate to other substitutes.
After Matthews correctly guessed a series of weapon designs, he looked at Tang Mo and praised seriously: "To be honest, I really want to open your skull and see what's in your head. Thing...you are simply a genius, a...great genius."
He commented on Tang Mo's feat in the tone of a worshiper: "Before I met you, I had never seen a person who could have such a terrifying improvement ability in the mechanical field. People like you should not exist at all, even if Give the steam engine you designed to a team and they will take it apart and study it carefully. It will take at least a year to fully understand it!”
“Thank you for the compliment!” Tang Mo made a disrespectful shrug, accepting Matthews’ heartfelt admiration.
Matthews obviously did not intend to end, but continued: "But I also know that you are also very good in the field of chemical alchemy! I know that you have created many amazing things in your small warehouse that no one can enter. Thing! That’s why I can’t see through you even more. It usually takes years or even decades for normal people to master a skill, but you… are only seventeen years old!”
"You can also think of me as a monster..." Tang Mo smiled and made a gesture of showing his teeth and claws.
"I prefer to believe that you are the God of Craftsmen." Matthews laughed loudly, pointed at Tang Mo and said: "You know? I am the one who firmly believes that continuous shooting weapons can be made... so Cyric's designer They regarded me as a madman, and I really had no ability to convince them. They drove me away, thinking that I was a madman. They believed that continuous fire weapons were weapons belonging to gods and were a technology that could not be mastered by mortals. "
"Now, you can do it." Tang Mo pointed at Matthews and said to him.
Matthews waved his hand and dismissed those idiots who went back: "But I no longer bother to convince them! One day, they will see with their own eyes Tang's weapons crushing their rags on the battlefield. At that time, they You will know that everything I said is right!”
"Hmm." Tang Mo agreed with this statement. Since there is no use in arguing, let's let guns and cannons argue on the battlefield. Whoever has the loudest voice will make more sense.
Matthews looked up at Tang Mo, his eyes full of enthusiasm: "To be honest, old man, it is really a very happy thing for me to meet a customer like you at this age. If you are willing, Please accept me, this lost fool, and I will serve you and become your most loyal servant.”
"Can I trust you?" Tang Mo asked Matthews in the noisy factory.
Matthews solemnly swore: "Of course, I swear by the name Matthews, and I am willing to be your follower until the end of my life. From today on, you are my master, Matthews!"
"Then, Matthews, you are welcome to officially join the Tang's Weapons Workshop." Tang Mo smiled and looked down at the strong old man, who was probably only about 1.4 meters tall, and said with the same solemnity.
"Thank you, thank you..." Matthews was a little shy. His face was covered with beard, so Tang Mo didn't see the dwarf blush.
However, Tang Mo planned to let Matthews take a look at his newly drawn drawings from the beginning, so he tilted his head and motioned for Matthews to follow: "Since you are willing to dedicate your loyalty, then come with me. , I’ll show you something good.”
"Okay, Master." Matthews responded to Tang Mo in a naive voice, and raised his feet to follow.
This time it was Tang Mo's turn to be a little embarrassed. He was still a little uncomfortable with the title master. Therefore, he stopped and said somewhat uncomfortably: "Uh... this title..."
"What's wrong with this title?" Matthews looked at Tang Mo disapprovingly and asked.
"No, it's nothing...come with me!" Tang Mo got used to it, finally decided to use this era-flavored title, and tilted his head to Matthews again.
(End of this chapter)