43 Remediation of the Ministry of Works

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Zhu Yong didn't believe that Yang Sichang dared to allocate a batch of problematic bird guns for him to use. After all, it was an order issued by Chongzhen himself, so Yang Sichang was absolutely very cautious.

Maybe Yang Sichang will personally inspect this batch of bird guns before being transferred to the camp.

The real situation is indeed similar to what Zhu Yong imagined.

Because Chongzhen personally issued an order, the newly appointed Minister of War specially allocated a batch of bird guns from their military armor warehouse, and it was a selection of fine products.

But even so, what Yang Sichang never expected was that there were still defective products among these high-quality bird guns.

Zhu Yong took Peng Hao to the playground, his face gloomy all the way. He knew that the problem was not in the Ministry of War, but in the Ministry of Works.

Before he came here, Zhu Yong learned from historical documents that the Ming army's technology for building muskets in this era was actually relatively mature.

At least, many craftsmen under the imperial court had mature skills in building bird guns.

As long as the materials are sufficient and the funds are sufficient, the bird guns created by master craftsmen will not explode.

But even though the technology of building muskets in the Ming Dynasty was mature, most of the bird guns created by the imperial court were of poor quality.

If you can't get a few shots, you will explode. This makes it impossible for some elite troops of the Ming army to use various muskets, other Ming army troops never use such weapons that harm themselves.

Because the bird guns provided by the Ministry of Works of the Court to the elite Ming army were all high-quality products, while the bird guns provided by the ordinary Ming army were all inferior products.

The reason why so many defective bird guns appear is that officials of the Ministry of Works have corruption, exploitation, pressing, deducting materials, and filling their pockets.

In the end, the craftsmen could only cut the materials when they built the bird gun.

In this way, the wall of the bird gun will become thinner, and it would be strange if it doesn't explode.

After all, the firearm technology in the late Ming Dynasty was not inferior to the West and was also leading the way in the world.

If the court could build firearms that were not exploded, the Ming soldiers would have great advantages in using these firearms, whether they rely on city defense or field battles.

But as a result, the firearm technology is mature, but it can only create a bomb-explosive bird gun. How sad it is.

The root of all lies in the corruption of officials.

Zhu Yong also knew about these things, but Zhu Yong had too many things before, so he didn't care about them. It was not until something happened to the training that he reminded him.

"Damn it, if the new army I have worked hard to train and even went to the battlefield with a firearm that exploded after a few shots, wouldn't it be a death!

It seems that I have to use my knife to rectify the Ministry of Works. If anyone dares to make a name for it again, I will destroy his whole family."

Zhu Yong had a dark face along the way and rushed towards the playground quickly, thinking in his heart.

"Sir, you are here."

Zhu Yong rushed to the playground, and Zhang Dapeng, the director of the Third Department, took the initiative to greet him and shouted respectfully.

"Well, how are the injured soldiers?"

Zhu Yong asked coldly with a dark face.

"The soldier is not seriously injured. The doctor has given him a golden sore medicine and will recover after a while."

"That's good, go and take that explosive bird gun to show me."

"Yes, sir."

A moment later, Zhang Dapeng came to Zhu Yong with a bird gun exploded from the wall and handed it to Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong took the bombed bird gun and asked Zhang Dapeng: "Do you know why this bird gun exploded?"

"Sir, after the inspection of the Beizhi, this bird gun is slightly lighter than other bird guns, and the walls are obviously thinner.

In addition, the soldier accidentally put a little more gunpowder on the gunpowder, and the explosion became more powerful, causing the explosion.

But Beizhi has sent someone to carefully check it out, and the other bird guns are basically qualified, but we still have to find three, similar to this one."

Zhang Dapeng earnestly reported.

"Okay, I understand, you guys continue to train."

"Yes, sir."

When the next morning was held, Yang Sichang, Minister of War, was scolded by Zhu Yong.

"Yang Aiqing, after you go back, you must thoroughly investigate all the stored firearms in the Ministry of War and find out all the unqualified ones inside.

I don't want to see this happening again."

Zhu Yong looked unhappy and said to Yang Sichang.

"Yes, I remember, I promised to carefully check the reserved firearms after I went back."

Yang Sichang hurriedly responded. He had just taken office for a few days and had not yet settled in the position of Shangshu, but Zhu Yong didn't expect to be taken down.

Then, Zhu Yong looked at He Yingrui, the Minister of Works, next to him, with a gloomy face and a low voice: "He Aiqing, do you have anything to say to me?"

"There is a crime."

He Yingrui knelt down and said.

"You are guilty, of course you are guilty."

Zhu Yong roared, He Yingrui knelt down and lowered his head.

"I give you a chance to make meritorious service after you go back, cooperate with the Jinyiwei to conduct a thorough investigation of your Ministry of Works.

Anyone who is corrupt, deducts the silver allocated by the imperial court and receives personal pockets will be arrested.

Firearms, the most important weapon of the country, you dare to create a blow-off, which is simply bold."

After Zhu Yong roared, he vented some anger and said to He Yingrui.

Zhu Yong did not intend to replace He Yingrui, because he, the Minister of Works, had just been replaced by Zhu Yong. Zhu Yong had already asked him to dismiss the Minister of Works before.

When He Yingrui was replaced, it was Zhu Yong who followed Sun Chengzong's proposal.

According to Zhu Yongrang Jinyiwei's investigation, it was found that He Yingrui was not only honest, but also very outstanding in ability and sufficient qualifications. He was promoted to the position of Minister of Works, which was sufficient.

"Yes, Weichen promised that he would assist the Jinyiwei after he returned, thoroughly investigate the Ministry of Works, and find out all the bad sheep, and never tolerate it."

He Yingrui raised his chest and promised to Zhu Yong.

In the next few days, the officials of the Ministry of Works were completely affected.

He Yingrui and the Jinyiwei's thorough investigation were quickly found out that a large number of officials in the Ministry of Works were suspected of corruption, collusion between officials and businessmen, exploitation at all levels, cutting corners and other evidence.

Then, all these officials were arrested, and the entire Ministry of Works basically underwent a major blood change.

At the same time, Zhu Yong ordered a firearm bureau to be separated from the military weapon army, and was specifically responsible for researching and building firearms.

The first general manager of the Firearms Bureau was appointed by Zhu Yong himself as Bi Maokang.

Speaking of Bi Maokang, it is simply famous.

Bi Maokang had already developed a self-generated musket last year, called the flintlock rifle by Westerners.

In the late Ming Dynasty, the one who had the highest attainments in firearms was Zhao Shizhen and the other was Bi Maokang.

It’s a pity that Zhao Shizhen had passed away at this time, but Bi Maokang was still alive, and no one was more suitable than him. Of course, the general manager of the Firearms Bureau was.

The Firearms Bureau’s task is very clear, to build existing firearms and develop more advanced firearms.

Moreover, according to Zhu Yong's subsequent understanding, the various rules and regulations of the Ming Military Weapons Bureau were actually very perfect.

For example, there are rewards for the reward and punishment system and the development of new firearms.

There is also a accountability system. Each firearm created has a number on it, so that the creator can be found. Once problems arise in the future, the creator can be found directly.

But even if the system is improved, the corruption of officials has become unbinding again.

Zhu Yong believed that after the investigation of the Ministry of Industry, no one would seek death. He would dare to embezzle and exploit firearms and cut corners.

In troubled times, only by using bloody lessons to warn those officials and hanging a sharp sword on their heads can their greed be restrained.

Otherwise, without restraint, they will use their power to nourish their greed in their hearts, and in the end there is nothing they dare not do.

Three days after the rectification of the Ministry of Works, Zhu Yong summoned Bi Maokang in the palace, gave him instructions, and listened to some of his reports.

Only then did Zhu Yong realize that the money spent on building a qualified bird gun that is not explosive is 30% to half the price than the inferior bird gun.

In particular, the loss rate of building bird guns is extremely high. Basically, it takes about six to eight taels of silver for each qualified bird gun.

This does not include ammunition, labor and other expenses.

In addition, the cost of building a tiger squat cannon and a Franco machine cannon is also not low.

At this moment, Zhu Yong felt that he had to find a way to make money, otherwise he would have no money to build a firearm if he trained new recruits.

"Bi Aiqing, after you go back, separate the Firearms Bureau from the Military Weapons Bureau as soon as possible. If you have any needs, go find Master Sun."

Zhu Yong looked at Bi Maokang and said.

Bi Maokang quickly responded: "Yes, Master, don't worry, I will separate the firearm bureau as soon as possible and resume work in the shortest time."

"Well, Aiqing is in charge of the Firearms Bureau affairs, and there are two main points next.

1. Organize mature craftsmen to build a large number of bird guns. As for other muskets, they don’t need to be built for the time being. In the future, our soldiers will use bird guns to fight in a concentrated manner.
To be continued...