The Ming Dynasty Ministry of Works Armor Factory was built in the second year of Xuande. It was originally designed to build a set of equipment for the Ming Dynasty border generals and schools.

This complete set of equipment includes armor, as well as iron guns, big gate knives, machetes, long swords, strong bows, etc., which are all different from ordinary weapons used by ordinary soldiers, and have different grades and configurations. Therefore, the production of this armor factory is not high, and it can create hundreds of sets of special equipment in a year.

However, this armor factory was equipped with many craftsmen. During the Zheng Dynasty, according to the report of the head of the Ministry of Works, there were more than 9,200 craftsmen of various colors, and the scale was about ten times larger than that of Wanggong Factory.

Why do so many craftsmen only make such a little equipment every year?

In the sixth year of Longqing, Emperor Shenzong succeeded to the throne. Zhang Juzheng prepared for the implementation of the new policy. All parties conducted strict investigations. It was found that the armor factory actually had 1,592 military craftsmen, and the others were all vacantly paid by successive armor factory managers and doctors from the Ministry of Works!

During the Longqing period, the Ming Dynasty was in its prosperous era. Even so, it is conceivable what the armor factory looks like now.

When Taichang walked into the armor factory, he was really shocked by the scale here. Wang Gong Factory only occupied less than half a street, but the armor factory occupied nearly half a block. The entire right half of Mingshifang was full of the territory of the armor factory!

This guy can easily accommodate tens of thousands of people and start work at the same time!

However, there were not many people inside at this moment, and there were only a few workshops with tingling sounds.

He couldn't help asking, "How many craftsmen are there in this armor factory?"

Xu Guangqi sighed slightly and said, "At the tenth year of Wanli, there were still thousands of craftsmen here, but now there are only a hundred people left. Alas, as soon as the mining supervision tax commissioner was released, the materials from various factories of the Ministry of Industry were gradually cut off, and there were not many sets of equipment here a year, so it would be useless to require so many people!"

Well, the harm caused by the mining supervision tax is too great, and it will affect the whole body with one blow!

Taichang also sighed slightly, then followed Xu Guangqi into a workshop that specializes in creating aphrodisiacs.

This is actually an ironworking workshop, but there are many ironworking stoves inside, and there are also a few human-shaped wooden stakes and several sets of polishing equipment in the middle. Some human-shaped wooden stakes also have worn armor pieces hanging on them.

A dozen blacksmiths were constantly tapping the tiny armor inside, and after almost all, they would throw it into the water to cool down.

At this time, someone will take out the armor from the water and take it to the wooden stake to try. If it feels OK, the person next to the wooden stake will polish the armor from the blade smoothly, and then directly put it on with a leather rope. If it feels not working, he will explain to the corresponding blacksmith, let it be put in the charcoal fire and continue to beat it.

The person who tested the aphrodisiac was obviously an extremely experienced craftsman, and the person who beat the aphrodisiac was quite skillful. Obviously, those who could survive were craftsmen with outstanding skills in all aspects.

Originally, when the old craftsman who was trying the armor film saw Xu Guangqi coming in, he was preparing to let everyone stop their work and pay homage to Lord Shangshu, Xu Guangqi kept waved his hand and signaled them to continue, because he knew very well that what the emperor wanted to see was definitely not that everyone was kneeling on the ground, but that the emperor wanted to see how everyone made armor.

Taichang didn't say anything, and walked directly to the wooden stake and looked carefully.

What is being built is obviously a pair of fish scale armor, because the connected part is really like fish scales, closely connected and round, and there is no way to see the animal skin rope worn in it.

I have to say that the craftsmen’s skills these days are really great. The armor pieces they created are so beautiful. If you don’t look closely, you will really think they are fish scales.

Unfortunately, these craftsmen were too slow. He came in for a while and didn't see a suitable fish scale on them.

It is definitely not possible to build armor like this. Unless you recruit 100,000 sets of armor and vests, you will definitely not be able to create it within a few years.

Taichang turned his head again and began to observe their creation process.

In the past, we have to build armor in the past, burn small iron blocks or inappropriate sizes to red, and then use a special hammer to continuously tap it. After hitting, it will throw it into the water and cool it down. There is no auxiliary equipment, and the size control depends entirely on personal experience.

He looked at it for a while, then said to Xu Guangqi: "Let them burn the small iron blocks that have made the armor to the softest, then pinch them out and knock them a few hammers."

This was simple, Xu Guangqi gave a few casual instructions, and a blacksmith threw a piece of iron as big as a finger into the red charcoal fire, and then pulled the bellows next to him a few times.

A burst of flames gushed, and the small iron piece turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye. After a while, the blacksmith stopped sending the air, picked up the clip, and carefully clamped the red iron piece.

At this time, the iron block cannot be said to be as soft as tofu, but it is not much harder than the dough. The blacksmith just knocked a few hammers at will, and the iron block instantly turned into fish scales.

This technique is really not very good. Unfortunately, this armor must be constantly beaten and tested. If a few hammers can knock out a suitable armor, then the ironmaker will not be a craftsman, but a platform processing center!

Taichang actually wanted to see how long it took for the iron block to burn red and how soft it would be after burning red.

After reading it, he patted Xu Guangqi on the shoulder and said, "Okay, find a study and let's talk in detail."

Upon hearing this, Xu Guangqi hurriedly took him out.

Taichang came outside and raised his hand to a Jinyi guard and said, "Go and call Liangfu."

What is the emperor doing?

Xu Guangqi quickly took Taichang to a study room, respectfully invited Taichang to the main seat, and then stood aside with curiosity on his face.

Taichang smiled slightly, then took out a piece of white paper, picked up the brush and drew it.

The things he drew were strange, a bit like the guillotine in the Middle Ages in the West, but there was not a guillotine in the middle but a large square.

What's this?

The curiosity on Xu Guangqi's face became even stronger.

Taichang didn't explain, and said directly: "By the way, I'll order someone to send a piece of armor."

This is also simple. Xu Guangqi went out to explain it a few words, and soon someone sent a piece of finger-sized nails.

This thing is really like a reduced book, rectangular strips, thin, with holes on both sides, and a surface that is polished.

Taichang took the armor piece and looked carefully, then asked: "A simple armor is as big as the size and thickness of the armor piece, right?"

Xu Guangqi thought for a while, then shook his head and said, "No, the nail plates on the neck and armpits are different from this one."

That doesn't matter much.

Taichang nodded slightly, took another piece of white paper, pressed the armor piece on it, and then tracing it in a fine brush.

After drawing, he drew a square frame around the armor and a small gap on each side. Then he pointed to the drawn picture and asked: "If this is a piece of steel, it would be fine to carve such an armor-shaped groove or bulge in the middle, right?"

This is a bit difficult, but the problem is not big, it just takes a little more time.

Xu Guangqi nodded without hesitation and said, "No problem, but it may take several days to be warned."

The so-called sharpening of a knife does not delay cutting wood, and carving for a few days is not a problem. As long as you can carve it out, it is enough.

Taichang nodded slightly, then looked towards the door, pondering and silent.

Obviously, the emperor is waiting for Wang Zheng.

At this time, even though Xu Guangqi was full of doubts, he could only endure it. Even if he was familiar, he could not interrupt the emperor's thinking at will.
Chapter completed!