Chapter 69 The Power of Technology (Central)

"How many 1806 rifles and rifles can we produce every month?" Xiao Jie asked Jett, the director of the gun factory who accompanied him to inspect. Jett was one of several important assistants to Kofit and a Jew with great experience in corporate management.

"Because our production scale is very small, we can only produce 1,000 pieces in less than a month, which is already our production limit." Jett replied respectfully.

Xiao Jie lowered his head and thought for a while, and then said, "You send someone to contact Marseille Arms Company and ask them to produce the 1806 rifle. We will produce drawings and various technicians, and the final profit will be shared equally. Our field has begun to expand, but we will not produce rifles anymore, and we will prepare to produce other advanced weapons."

"Okay, I understand. I'll have someone go and do it later."

Next, Xiao Jie and his group walked to the development site of the Maxim heavy machine gun, which was a top yard in the research institute. As soon as they walked inside, they saw several people gathering around a large stone desktop and fiddling with a scrapped Maxim heavy machine gun. After seeing Xiao Jie in, several researchers hurriedly saluted him.

"Don't worry about me, you guys continue." Xiao Jie said. So the researchers continued to start their research work.

"Do you know what the reason?" Xiao Jie asked Balar as he looked at the scrapped heavy machine gun.

"The main reason is that the barrel cannot withstand the high temperature during shooting. Yesterday, the barrel exploded after only ten minutes of fire. The supply of the barrel was not smooth and it was often stuck."

After all, it’s still a problem with steel. With the current technological level, it’s good to be able to make such steel. “Have you ever thought about thickening the barrel wall of the barrel? In that case, the effect may be better.” Xiao Jie said.

Balar thought for a while and said, "This may be a solution, I'll ask them to try it." After that, he walked towards the researchers.

Xiao Jie grabbed him and said, "Try again in the future, you can write down the method first. We have to go and see the others later?"

Balar also felt a little excited, so he quickly took out a notebook to record the suggestions Xiao Jie had just given. Xiao Jie suddenly thought that in later generations, such a problem seemed to have occurred when heavy machine guns were first used. At first, water was used to cool the barrel, called water-cooled heavy machine gun, and later, the technology was further improved, called air-cooled heavy machine gun. Thinking of this, Xiao Jie said: "There is another way. We may install a water cover on both sides of the barrel and use water to cool the barrel, which may increase the life of the barrel."

After hearing what Xiao Jie said, Balar's eyes lit up: "Yes! The cooling speed with water is much faster than using air. As long as you are equipped with a special water transporter, the service life of the barrel will definitely be greatly improved." He quickly recorded the words just in the notebook.

Xiao Jie continued: "Although this can greatly increase the life of the barrel, the service life of the barrel is still too low, and there is no way to do it. Judging from the current technology, it is already very good to be able to do this. We can prepare more barrels and replace them immediately after one barrel is scrapped. Although this will cause a pause in shooting, it is much better than not being able to use it after the barrel is scrapped."

"Good solution!" Baral looked at Xiao Jie with admiration, and the pen in his hand quickly recorded what Xiao Jie said. He thought to himself: "Your Highness the Crown Prince is really a genius. The problem that has been trapped in us for so long was solved by him in a few words."

If Xiao Jie knew what Baral thought, he would probably have to find a piece of tofu to kill him. He only relied on knowledge that surpassed the current two hundred years later. This is also his greatest capital. Using the method of replacing the barrel to solve the life of the barrel is also a symptom but not the root cause. To solve this problem, the most important thing is to improve technology, but it is not easy to improve technology!

The next weapon was specially prepared to increase the firepower of infantry. It can be said that its in use greatly improved the combat effectiveness of infantry. This is the second successful product of the institute - grenade. It is also from Xiao Jie's creativity. On the experimental field of the institute, Balar's assistant took out ten grenades. According to them, yesterday's test effect was quite good. The grenade was designed by Xiao Jie based on the style of the grenades of the Eighth Route Army in later generations. The upper part is cylindrical, wrapped in a layer of iron sheets, filled with gunpowder and steel balls. The lower part is a handle made of wood.

In order to see the power of the grenade with one's own eyes, Xiao Jie called a guard, and after telling him how to use it, he asked him to drop the bomb. The guard ignited the fuse, and a burst of white smoke came out from the bottom of the grenade. It was the first time the guard used this weapon, and he seemed a little panicked. The technician next to him quickly shouted: "Aim right in front and throw it out."

The guard quickly threw the grenade in his hand. His arm strength was relatively good, and the grenade was thrown out more than fifty meters. With a "boom", a red light flashed in the test site, followed by a ball of black smoke. He sent someone to check. The wooden targets placed near the place where the grenade exploded were penetrated by shrapnel and steel balls after the grenade exploded. The effective killing area reached more than ten square meters. Xiao Jie was very satisfied with this effect. Think about it, in this era when infantry charged intensively, the killing range of more than ten square meters was so terrifying. If infantry equipped with such weapons in large quantities, it would definitely be the enemy's nightmare. However, the method of making grenades is very simple and the cost is relatively low. It is obvious that the French army's large-scale equipment of such weapons is imperative.

It was the first time that Xiao Jie's guards saw this weapon, and their faces were pale. They obviously also realized that he had the same problem. At the same time, a thought came to his mind: His Royal Highness is really a demon, and he can even design such a weapon. Perhaps he really believes in Satan, and only Satan can create such a terrifying weapon.

At the same time, Xiao Jie was also very conflicted. The large-scale use of grenades and heavy machine guns will undoubtedly lead to great casualties for the war, especially under the current tactics, the power of grenades and heavy machine guns will be maximized. However, if these powerful weapons are not used, France's national strength will be exhausted in repeated wars, and then under the joint attacks of European countries, the empire will inevitably perish. This is also what he does not want to see. Since God has brought him to this era, it will be impossible for him to complete his life mediocrely. He must control his own destiny and master the greatest power. Doing so will inevitably cause disaster for life.
Chapter completed!