Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 1404: Chapter 755: I’m No Good at Warfare_2

Lance was feeling quite good right now and instructed Master Eugene, the person in charge, along with several researchers specializing in gun design.

For instance, the young man named Richard completed the mechanical device of the revolver based on Lance’s groundwork, which has been further refined, resulting in the one now in Lance’s hand.

However, the lack of a percussion cap made it difficult to advance the research further; now, with a physical example, his talent is expected to manifest further.

”Look at this, be careful with the ignition.”

Lance handed the gun over to Eugene, and although the trigger had been released, nobody knew how unstable it might be, so caution was advisable.

The gathered crowd were all researchers in this field, and hearing the Lord’s words, they seemed to understand something, showing expressions of excitement and enthusiasm.

”Have you solved the explosive problem?” Eugene received the revolver and clearly saw an ignited percussion cap with pronounced indentation.

”Try it, today is destined to be a significant day in the history of firearm development, and you are all participants.”

Lance didn’t elaborate too much, while Eugene and the others were quite eager, as they had been listening to the Lord praising how powerful firearms were, but now there was finally an actual example.

Eugene pulled the trigger and fired; as the gunshot sounded, the bullet hit the land ahead, demonstrating with facts that it indeed successfully ignited without relying on flint.

One person, one gun, six bullets were consumed just like that, but their emotions remained unsettled for a long time.

Because everyone understood that the era had changed.

”After this, testing the gun is up to you, but be certain to remember this: the material is extremely unstable, and under high temperature and impact will cause explosions, so find ways to properly store it.

Moreover, we must approach every uncertain substance with caution, ensure protective measures while the toxicity is not fully confirmed.

At the same time, we should begin designing and manufacturing rifles using percussion cap ignition, gradually phasing out the current flintlock guns, and attempt to make a batch of genuine copper cartridge fixed ammunition first.

Additionally, improvements concerning rifled barrel, breech loading, bolt action, and semi-automatic should all be designed with new ignition systems...”

Lance called them here to initiate a new round of research, finally not fantasizing about unimaginable things, but having actual physical objects, thus providing reliance for people’s thoughts.

Meanwhile, Lance spoke to Master Eugene about a plan.

”Do you think my new gun is attractive to those master gunsmiths?”

”It certainly has appeal, any firearm enthusiast would be curious, but they may not necessarily approve of it, since they trust their own skills more, much like how I spent considerable time initially to accept your theoretical suggestions for artillery development.”

Eugene clearly understood that Lance wanted to recruit more gunsmiths, as currently such items could only be crafted manually in the short term, and skilled gunsmiths could further drive design improvement.

The problem is, it’s quite unrealistic to have someone suddenly shift from their familiar field to an unfamiliar one, particularly as age increases, acceptance becomes more difficult.

After spending a lifetime working with flintlock guns, establishing one’s own reputation, suddenly to be surpassed by a mere percussion cap is hard to bear for anyone.

Eugene spoke rather tactfully, but Lance could understand the implication.

Simply put, it was akin to destroying livelihoods, with the percussion cap bringing comprehensive changes, to an extent denying their accumulated experience.

It’s like a knight trained for half a lifetime being knocked down by a commoner with a single shot, turning all effort into naught due to one gun, probably causing these difficult-to-accept mentalities.

Even so-called masters tend to become conservative when faced with new technology, old timers might lead resistance to maintain their authority, potentially becoming obstacles to promoting new technology.

”Forget it then.” Lance considered the suggestion and temporarily set aside the idea of recruiting a few masters, lacking funds to support them, opting instead to train proficient technicians.

”We can market this gun, release information, those interested will naturally come, those who look down on it won’t.”

Eugene suggested that not all masters are stuck in the old times, some genuinely involved in research might still be attracted.

”This thing isn’t ready to be released just yet, must be kept confidential and wait until technical reserves mature relative further before releasing.”

This has been said before; the improvement over flintlock is too great, and Hamlet shouldn’t provoke excessive external hostility until internal issues are resolved.

Because of this matter, Lance stayed in the research institute, holding a small meeting with them to determine research directions and issues needing improvement, while also appointing Beggby, the alchemist, to the role.

Nonetheless, these matters couldn’t delay the onset of war.

”I am no good at war, Commander this time is Barton, you will be in charge of commanding, my only request is not only to restore Hamlet Territory, but to consume theirs as well.

My task is to follow behind and organize those territories, ensure logistic supply, and be your logistic commander.”

Lance expressed his undisguised greed for other territories, as without swallowing their central areas Hamlet wouldn’t have so much land to distribute.

As for mortal wars, he’s genuinely uninterested, a few experts at the forefront will suffice, the protagonist this time is the army.

Honestly, he hasn’t really engaged in a true war before, not even bothering to read war books from the old mansion’s library collection, thus opting not to micromanage but entrusting it to those professionally qualified.

Although the Lord says this, Barton and the others dare not truly believe it, as nobody understands how Hamlet rose up more than them.

Starting with three members willing to seize towns, four members raiding farms, designing to provoke internal bandit warfare, methodically defeating opponents, rallying thirty serfs to counterattack against hundred bandits, and engaging in annihilation battles.

Later leading them to engage in battles against cultists, implementing tactics that virtually crushed those guys, step by step driving them out...

If this isn’t considered knowing war, then no one can claim to understand war.

In their view, more is the Lord testing them, because truthfully the army didn’t exhibit remarkable achievements since driving cultists from the wilderness, they need to prove themselves.

And now the Lord hands them this opportunity.

”There are two key points here, first, it must be swift, we need to clean up those places before heavy snow falls, you just keep advancing forward.

Second is not to kill, aside from on the battlefield, try not to kill elsewhere, surrender and don’t kill, just control the town, I’ll handle it afterward.”

Lance added two points, decided early in the battle plans.

Everyone had no objections, affirming the Lord’s benevolence, he can’t stand blood.

”Then let’s set off.” Lance glanced at everyone, ”Flatten those guys for me.”

”Yes!”

The crowd responded in unison, then started preparing individually.

Reconnaissance set out first, steeds galloping out, despite being a steamrolling scenario, necessary elements were still in place.

Then the enormous artillery brigade began to move, each cannon cart assigned to an artillery team of seven, deploying a hundred cannons in this battle.

Not to mention numerous carts transporting ammunition; without Walter sourcing so many horses, it would truly be uncertain if this team could be mobilized.

While having stable logistics in internal combat, preparations were still necessary, unable to rely purely on logistics.

Then came the main force: the infantry, neatly equipped with long guns, marching onward.

Naturally, accompanying this was Reynard leading the cavalry brigade, a core of over a hundred, together with auxiliary troops assisting in cultist extermination, including Joan and Reynard’s son.

They were spread around the main force, serving as flanking support, providing early warnings and defense.

Though at this point, the sky was only dimly lit, and such a force plunged boldly into war.