Munitions Empire

Upon hearing Tang Mo’s counter-question, a smile appeared on Mathews’ face. He was very confident in his expertise and began with a laugh, "I think, maybe it’s just me? Hahaha! Did I guess right? What an interesting little fellow."

"Close enough. Anything else to add?" Tang Mo did not conceal anything and nodded in acknowledgment of Mathews’ guess. He too was curious to see how far Mathews could get relying solely on experience.

Mathews continued, "The idea of using metal cartridge cases isn’t unique to you."

He glanced at Tang Mo, and upon seeing a hint of surprise in the other’s eyes, he continued with a smile, "Don’t underestimate the craftsmen of this world; they are much stronger than you think. They are very creative and haven’t confined their own thinking."

"Even the Shireck Consortium has invested a large amount of money in true firearms reform. They have a dedicated assault team, brimming with new ideas every day." After explaining, Mathews pointed at himself, "I was once part of such a team, but I soon left."

"Oh?" Tang Mo was indeed interested in this gossip and looked at Mathews, eager for him to continue.

"My philosophy didn’t quite align with theirs, so ultimately, I was driven out," Mathews said with a self-deprecating smile before returning to the topic of firearms design, "In fact, ten years ago someone had already proposed using metal cartridge cases to achieve fixed charges, allowing soldiers to reload as quickly as possible in complex battlefield environments."

As he spoke, he gestured with his hands, "Metal cartridge cases have many benefits. They can be reloaded quickly, allow for breech loading, and even waterproofing—practically a perfect choice for bullets."

Tang Mo nodded. It seemed that Mathews knew quite a bit about fixed ammunition, and he mentioned many of its advantages.

Mathews did not show the slightest timidity, and said directly, "If you want me to say it, then I’ll tell you."

He stretched out his hand, making a number one gesture, "First, the problem lies in processing—manufacturing metal cartridge cases is very troublesome. Under normal circumstances, to produce qualified bullets, you need a very complicated manufacturing process."

As he spoke, his eyes filled with regret, "This limited the production of bullets... Of course, what also limited the production was the production of metal itself... Using expensive metal cartridge cases meant definitely higher costs, and coupled with the difficulty in processing, the price was unbearable!"

This is the helplessness of weapons developers—sometimes, not every advanced weapon will be purchased by everyone.

Most often, the people or nations using weapons will pay more attention to cost-effectiveness and other aspects. Hence the inevitable compromise: soldiers consider the Tiger tank the best, while generals believe the best tank is the T-34.

"Anything else?" Tang Mo looked at Mathews as if he were a pile of glistening gold, asking with a laugh. He was no longer evaluating Mathews; he was mining, excavating the most dazzling treasure in the world.

Mathews was ready to answer any question and continued, "There’s also the issue of gunpowder! The gunpowder currently in use, no matter how finely it is ground and impurities removed, still leaves behind a small amount of residue after combustion."

"This residue remains in the gun chamber and gun barrel, severely affecting a firearm’s second shot! If we do not improve the gunpowder, and only enhance the cartridge cases, it’s simply a waste of time!" he explained with a sense of resignation.

Improvement in firearms entails simultaneous advancements in propellant, bullet design, firearm design itself, and the evolution of tactics.

The innovation in propellants has spurred the development of bullets, which in turn has resulted in changes in firearm design. And the constant evolution of tactics has also indirectly determined changes in firearms.

The development of weapons is often constrained by stagnation in several aspects at once. Therefore, making a breakthrough in just one aspect usually ends in vain.

To achieve progress in these areas requires a great deal of time accumulation and countless experimental explorations. Without this buildup, real evolution cannot be achieved.

The arrival of Tang Mo caused progress in so many aspects all at once, which was the fundamental reason he was able to get ahead of the Shireck Consortium!

"Muskets can jam due to the residue in the chamber and barrel after repeated shooting; they can burst! The final experimental result was that the action of cleaning the chamber still had to be maintained. The steps of loading the firearm were not significantly simplified, and the rate of fire did not increase markedly.

Compared to the massive investment, such an improvement was too minor," Mathews concluded with an expression of desolation in his eyes.

"Hmm, you’re right," Tang Mo agreed with Mathews’s series of analyses because he knew they were correct. As a "future man" who had witnessed everything, Tang Mo certainly wouldn’t doubt Mathews’s words.

"Another thing, the primer ignition device of the metallic cartridge... This is the fundamental reason why metallic cartridges have not become widespread! You’re well aware that you invented fulminate of mercury, and before this substance existed, dreaming of a simple, safe, and effective bullet firing mechanism was just that—a dream!" Finally, Mathews looked at Tang Mo again and said earnestly.

"Hahahaha!" Tang Mo burst into laughter, knowing that Mathews was praising him because the primer device he had invented was truly the ultimate in simple and convenient bullet primer solutions!

It was an absolute certainty; even over a hundred years later, the basic design of firearm primers remained essentially unchanged. The only difference was that the primer material had been switched from the rather unsafe fulminate of mercury to other substitutes.

After Mathews accurately guessed a series of weapon design schemes, he looked at Tang Mo with admiration and said, "Honestly, I really want to lift your skull and see what’s inside your head... You’re truly a genius, a... great genius."

With the tone of an adorer, he evaluated Tang Mo’s feats, "Before I met you, I had never seen someone with such a terrifying ability to improve in the field of mechanics. People like you simply shouldn’t exist. Even if a team was given one of your steam engines to disassemble and study carefully, it would take them at least a year to fully understand it!"

"Thank you for the compliment!" Tang Mo made a gesture that belied humility, accepting the heartfelt worship from Mathews.

Mathews clearly hadn’t planned to stop there and continued, "But I also know that you’re extremely skilled in the field of chemical alchemy! I know you’ve produced many remarkable things in that little storeroom of yours that no one is allowed to enter! So I’m even more baffled by you. Normal people often need years or even decades to master a skill, but you... are only seventeen!"

"You could also consider me a monster..." Tang Mo said, smiling as he made a clawing gesture.

"I’d rather believe you’re the god of craftsmen," Mathews laughed and pointed at Tang Mo, saying, "Do you know? I always had faith that someone could make a weapon capable of continuous firing... That’s why the designers at Shireck thought I was crazy, and indeed, I didn’t have the ability to convince them.

They drove me away, believing I was a madman, because they felt that rapid-fire weapons were divine arms, technologies that were impossible for mere mortals to master."

"Now, you can," Tang Mo pointed at Mathews, telling him.

Mathews waved dismissively, unconcerned with the thought of going back to convince those fools, "But I don’t deign to persuade them anymore! One day, they will see with their own eyes Tang’s weapons crushing their junk on the battlefield, and at that time, they’ll realize that everything I said was right!"

"Mm-hmm." Tang Mo very much agreed with this point of view; if debates were useless, then let the guns argue on the battlefield. The louder the voice, the more convincing it would be.

Looking up at Tang Mo, Mathews’s eyes were filled with fervor, "Honestly, for an old man like me to meet a patron like you at my age, it’s truly a very fortunate thing. If you’re willing, please accept this misguided fool. I will serve at your side and become your most loyal servant."

"Can I trust you?" Tang Mo asked Mathews in the noisy workshop.

Mathews swore solemnly, "Of course, I swear upon the name of Mathews, willing to become your follower until the end of my life. From today on, you, Tang Mo, are my master!"

"Then, Mathews, welcome to officially joining Tang’s Weapon Workshop," Tang Mo smiled down at the robust old man who might be just over four feet tall and said with the same gravity.

"Thank... thank you..." Mathews was a bit shy, his face covered with a beard, so Tang Mo couldn’t see the Dwarf blushing.

However, Tang Mo had initially planned to show Mathews the new drawings he had finished, so he turned his head, signaling for Mathews to follow, "Since you’re willing to offer your loyalty, then come with me, I’ll show you something good."

"Sure thing, Master," Mathews responded heartily to Tang Mo and started to follow him.

Now it was Tang Mo’s turn to feel a bit awkward; he still wasn’t quite used to being called "Master." So he halted, beginning somewhat uncomfortably, "Uh... that title..."

"What’s wrong with that title?" Mathews looked at Tang Mo, puzzled, and asked back.

"Nothing, nothing... Come on!" Tang Mo adjusted for a moment and finally decided to make use of the title with a historical air, gesturing again for Mathews to follow.

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