Chapter 2130： Artillery is also very profitable

On the outskirts of Moscow...In the evening in Glinsky’s private estate, two windy knights called to open the gate. After entering the manor, they threw their horses directly to the guards, and then went straight to the small living room of Glinsky’s backyard. The place where Glinski met his subordinates. As for the guests, they are received in the large living room in the front yard.

"Lord, we are back!" Both of them were Glinski's retainers, and both defected from Lithuania to Moscow with Glinski. After seeing Glinski, the two knelt on one knee and saluted respectfully.

"You don't need to be polite, Belov, Kasaiski, have you inquired about the specific news in Constantinople? Is it as the Italian sailor said?" Glinski asked eagerly.

Although Marin's spy pretended to be a "Merchant of Venice", he taught Glinski how to use artillery. But Glinski didn't dare to believe it credulously. Even after he bought the artillery back, he still cautiously sent people to Constantinople to inquire about the news.

Constantinople is the Ottoman capital Istanbul. Although the Ottomans captured Constantinople and converted the Hagia Sophia into a mosque, they did not ban the activities of the Orthodox Church in Europe. Even in the Ottoman army, the infantry such as gunners and musketeers were mainly from the Slavs of the Balkans, or Orthodox Christians.

Therefore, Glinski’s two men, Belov and Kasaiski, could easily find relevant people in Constantinople who knew the news. And, by coincidence, he was a Slav mercenary musketeer who had participated in the Battle of the Dabic Steppe.

After only a few glasses of wine, the musketeer from Serbia gave a detailed account of the battle of the Dabic steppe. Of course, moisture is added. For example, this musketeer classmate boasted that he had killed 100 Mamluk cavalry. But with the shot rate of the musket...so, just listen to this part...

What? You say that Ottoman is a peaceful country, so you don’t allow drinking? It really isn't. Because of religious tolerance, the Ottoman Empire has never banned alcohol, but peaceful people are not allowed to drink. Even in the famous Sudanese Guards, many people drink alcohol. Historically, when Murad III came to the throne, he ordered a national ban on alcohol. Then, the Guards rebelled directly, scared Murad III immediately cancelled the prohibition. No way, in the Ottoman Empire, the guards did not support you, and the Sultan could not sit still.

Therefore, it is very common for the Slavs of the Orthodox Church to drink alcohol in Istanbul. The reason why the Slavs were not converted into peacemakers was because the Slavs really could not accept prohibition when they were drinking.

…

"So, what the Venetian merchant said is all true?" Glinski said with joy.

"Yes, Lord, but the Venetians seem to focus on artillery and don't pay much attention to the application of muskets. The mercenary of the Ottoman Empire said that the musketeer behind the artillery cart is the one who decides the outcome. The main force..." Belov added.

Glinski waved his hand:

"This is normal. After all, the merchant of Venice is a businessman. It is good to realize the importance of artillery. As for the Ottoman musketeer, his words are also exaggerated. We all know that muskets are actually scary. Those who really died under the gun, They are all unlucky. However, arranging a group of musketeers behind the chain artillery array is indeed a good supplement. The Grand Duke can still collect one or two thousand musketeers. At that time, we will use this tactic to deal with Lithuanian!"

Both Belov and Kasaiski showed complex expressions. They were both Lithuanians and fled to the Grand Duchy of Moscow following Glinski. For the motherland, they have complicated feelings. However, Glinski is their master, and the master resents Lithuania, and they can only stand on Glinski's position and oppose their motherland.

The next day, Glinski entered the city happily, entered the palace, found King Vasily III, and reported the good news.

Vasily III was also very excited. Although his morals were not good, Vasily III's business ability was still very strong, and he was considered a powerful monarch. No, Glinsky suggested to buy 150 artillery pieces before, and he also gave his support, smashed the pot and sold iron, and even made an IOU with the great nobles in Moscow. After all, he finally collected enough money to buy the artillery, and he asked Glinsky to get back 150 artillery pieces. Bronze gun.

However, in order to buy these 150 bronze guns. Vasily III spent tens of thousands of gold coins, and because of this he wrote a bunch of IOUs to the ministers. It was not that Vasily III couldn't take out tens of thousands of gold coins. In fact, in preparation for the war, Vasily III emptied the treasury and prepared a lot of weapons, armor, and engineering equipment. When Glinski went to buy the artillery, he had no more money, so he could only borrow it from the noble ministers. Of course, he is a tyrant, and ministers dare not refrain from borrowing. Unlike Chongzhen, who was unlucky, he couldn't borrow money.

When the news reached Aurich, Marin dropped his feet—that's my money!

Marin had already regarded Moscow City as his pocket. Therefore, the money of the nobles taken away by Vasily III should have been "captured" by the army of the North Sea State. As a result, 150 bronze cannons were exchanged by Vasily III, as well as a lot of gunpowder and lead bullets.

However, what Marin needs is hard currency gold and silver, not a bronze gun! The North Sea country does not lack artillery, nor does it lack copper. These bronze cannons are melted into copper, no one wants them...

"Oh? No! No one wants to make copper coins. But, the copper cannon...If the Grand Duchy of Moscow wins this battle, it seems that there will be a market for the copper cannon..."

"Come on, Xiaowa (Vasily III), we must blast the Lithuanian army into dregs..." Marin silently cheered on Vasily III and Glinski.

As long as the Grand Duchy of Moscow has played a beautiful record, regardless of whether Western Europe can take it seriously, the victim of Lithuania will definitely take it seriously. After all, they are the direct victims of the artillery, and the feelings must be extremely deep. In addition, Poland, an ally of Lithuania, will feel the same way. At that time, the captured bronze cannons can be used to exchange Lithuania and Poland for gold and silver...

In addition, the North Sea country itself can also cast bronze cannons and sell them to Lithuania and Poland. These two countries are so big and have so many populations. Isn't it too much to buy 100 guns for each? In addition, the 150 small Austrian cannons bought by the Grand Duchy of Moscow are too small, and there are many one-pounder and two-pounder guns. UU reading Marin felt that all should be changed to three-pounders.

Of course, it is not the front-mounted three-pounder gun, but the rear-mounted Franco machine gun that is currently popular in Europe. This type of artillery is not difficult to cast, as long as the iron mold is made, the casting of the bronze cannon is very fast, every few hours. Unlike the traditional clay film casting cannon, it takes a few months...The difference in the craftsman’s wages is gone...

Therefore, in the general market, the price of copper guns is not only its own copper price, but also many craftsmen's salaries, which is very expensive. Generally speaking, the price of copper guns is about double the price of its own copper, or even more. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the seller has sufficient profits.

Because of the iron mold casting method in Beihai, the cost of casting bronze guns is relatively low. If you double the price of copper, you will definitely make a profit! And if Lithuania was maimed by artillery fire, Lithuania and Poland would not be happy and would suffer the cut. No way, there is pain on the skin. For a sense of security, you have to buy it while pinching your nose.

In addition, since Lithuania bought it. The Grand Duchy of Moscow, which was ransacked by Marin, would also want to buy artillery in order not to be abused by Lithuania. What? You said that the Grand Duchy of Moscow had no money at that time? Wouldn't you borrow if you have no money? As long as the interest is paid in full, or the land is mortgaged. Even if you take a population mortgage, it's not that you can't buy copper cannons. Even Marin intends to provide a batch of bronze cannons to the Grand Duchy of Moscow through a third party. If the other party really has no money, can you use the population to repay the debt...

Even this third party, Marin has already thought about it—the Teutonic businessman...

The Teutonic state had enmity with Lithuania, and it was reasonable for the Teutonic merchants to provide artillery to the Grand Duchy of Moscow, which also prevented Marin from turning over with Poland and Lithuania. After all, it’s my brother-in-law’s country, so it shouldn’t be too obvious...

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