Chapter 26: Artillery Demonstration

Chapter 26: Artillery Demonstration

TL: Etude

My dear Count Paul Grayman, we deeply regret your fathers death. We were compelled to fight in those circumstances

Port Fran will remain your territory, but if you could bestow it upon us as a place of residence, we are willing to offer our loyalty to you

We will give you half of our quarterly revenue, guaranteeing that you will receive far more than the taxes you used to collect

This was a letter from the Shark Gang, who had entrenched themselves in Port Fran. Paul had it read aloud during a meeting.

After the letter was read, the hall erupted in laughter. The audacity of these pirates, dreaming of carving out their own domain, especially when Aldas army held absolute dominance, was almost comical.

Paul took the letter and tore it to shreds. The very idea is ludicrous.

Not only were the defeated pirates in no position to negotiate, but Paul could never forgive them for killing his father. His reputation depended on it.

My lord, two fully equipped infantry battalions have completed their training. Please order them to reclaim Port Fran and eradicate these pirates, said Bryce, echoing the desire of most officers present.

The Count, however, had other plans. No rush. Theyre like locusts after autumn, their days are numbered. Lets first test our newly developed firearms. If they prove effective, our army will be greatly strengthened, and these blind pirates will make perfect targets for a trial.

The assembly was curious. Firearms and hand grenades had already been eye-openers, and they wondered what new invention the young Count had come up with.

Count Paul was riding high. The paper mill he had constructed near his castle, after day and night efforts, finally produced usable paper and established a viable production process. Ford, the manager, was successfully marketing this paper in the Northwest Bay area.

Nobles and merchants found this new paper affordable and practical. It cost just a few coins for a large stack, ideal for writing, drawing, and record-keeping, much more economical than expensive parchment.

Another major customer for the paper was the monasteries. At this time, monasteries also played a part in education and thus had a significant demand for paper.

The paper was still somewhat rough and fragile, so Paul ordered the craftsmen to continue refining the paper-making process and set different prices based on the quality to cater to various customers.

With the sales channel established, profits started rolling in. Though currently limited to the Northwest Bay area and modest in amount, the prospects were bright.

Like on Earth, this paper-making technology would eventually break the cultural and knowledge monopoly of nobles and the church, benefiting the lower classes. I guess Im helping to turn the wheels of history, Paul thought with a bit of pride.

There were two ways to ignite the charge: one was to insert a cotton fuse and light it. The fuse took some time to burn, offering a safer method.

The other method involved filling the vent hole with gunpowder and using a linstock, a stick with slow match wrapped around it, to ignite the gunpowder in the hole. This method allowed for quicker firing.

For this demonstration, they used the fuse method. After lighting the fuse, the crew members quickly covered their ears.

As the burning fuse rapidly shortened, it finally ignited the gunpowder.

Boom!!!

The four-pounder bronze cannon roared deafeningly, its powerful recoil pushing it back significantly. Those standing behind the low wall were startled, feeling the ground beneath them tremble momentarily.

Ah~~ Count Paul looked utterly enthralled.

Once the smoke cleared, everyone saw the aftermath. The thick brick wall had been blasted with a terrifyingly large hole.

The crowd gasped at the power of the cannon, imagining what would happen if it were fired into a crowd

Most rushed over to closely examine the cannon, while others, including Schroeder, bombarded Malo with questions.

Through multiple tests, weve found it can shoot over a thousand meters.

Fire larger projectiles? Shoot farther? Of course, but well need more funding for experimentation.

With a skilled crew, it can fire 2 to 3 shots a minute, though frequent firing can overheat the barrel.

Malo, suppressing his excitement, responded to the officers queries. The thrill of creating such a powerful weapon was almost overwhelming.

A weapon of the state! A true weapon of the state! exclaimed the old knight Schroeder.

Big is beautiful~~ Big is beautiful indeed~~ Captain Holman murmured, caressing the cannon, as if he had opened the door to a new world.

Malo, fire a grapeshot round next. Lets really open their eyes.

Right away, Count! Malo replied enthusiastically.