Our Family Has Fallen

Chapter 527: Chapter 329: Technological Innovation_2

But in fact, the main workforce of the workshop still consisted of those skilled craftsmen brought back from Totnes.

This era also had its rules about keeping certain technical trades secret; after all, this was their livelihood.

To solve this problem, Lance could only find a way to get the outstanding craftsman Winston to take the lead. Combining this with verification from Master Eugene’s research institute, Lance compiled a simple textbook, directly listing most of the key points for the newcomers to study.

Even so, these apprentices still needed to accumulate experience, making it difficult for the novices to grow quickly.

Reynard found it difficult, but Eugene found it equally challenging. Since everyone was struggling, they would just have to muddle through.

”Reynard, don’t make things tough for Master Eugene anymore. The situation in the workshop can be seen at a glance,” Barton approached and, hearing their conversation, joined in with a laugh.

His cannon casting also needed the workshop’s productivity, and he had been waiting for so long; he couldn’t let anyone cut in line.

Barton’s arrival was undoubtedly an opportunity for Eugene to change the subject, and he immediately invited them, ”Since you’re both here, our research institute has recently made some new breakthroughs. You could come and give us some feedback.”

Reynard and Barton looked at each other. Obviously, neither of them knew about this; it must have been a recent development. They followed with curiosity.

The research institute was located just as far from the bustling center of Hamlet Town as the workshop.

The site was chosen on the outskirts, with a row of brick and stone structures, and beyond them were the shooting range and the testing area.

Without any idle chatter, Master Eugene led them directly to the rear shooting range, asked the people who were originally testing there to step down, picked up the musket, and turned to gesture at the two men.

”Would you like to try?”

Reynard did not know much about firearms, and Barton naturally did not hesitate, taking the musket to examine it. However, he did not see any significant changes to it and couldn’t help but frown.

”Master Eugene, this...” Barton hesitated to ask directly, so he had to hint around the question.

”Just fire a shot and try.”

Hearing this, Barton wasted no words. He grabbed the cartridge ammunition placed nearby, loaded it, and fired.

The Lead Bullet hit the distant target. Although it didn’t hit the center, this already demonstrated his proficiency with the musket.

But even so, he still couldn’t feel any improvement, and Reynard, who was also impatient, asked outright.

”Where is the modification you’re talking about, Master?”

”Here.” Eugene picked up a nearby notebook and handed it to Barton. ”You should be able to understand this data, right?”

Every experiment had to be recorded. Barton took it and glanced over, quickly grasping what it was about.

”The improvement is in the propellant.”

”Exactly!” Eugene said with a smile as he began to explain to the two men, ”This gunpowder uses a new granulation technique. We’ve adjusted the proportions of the formula.”

”What method?”

Reynard was not very sensitive to technical aspects, but Barton was a top student in this field and quite familiar with these matters. Totnes spent millions of Gold Coins every year yet didn’t reform their gunpowder. However, Hamlet had already started its third round of reform and even found a new direction. He didn’t know what to say anymore.

Regarding the gunpowder technology issue, Master Eugene had no intention of hiding it from them.

”The Lord pointed out that the porous structure of charcoal could adsorb nitre and sulfur to form a stable compound. This idea was actually proposed by the Lord quite early on. But as you know, all the gunpowder currently in use is pre-mixed, and we can only use the most rudimentary methods to mix, dry, and then crush the materials.

It wasn’t until recently that we received raw materials for gunpowder brought back by the caravan. We selected high-quality charcoal. Then, we used the ’heads,’ a byproduct of alcohol refinement, as a solvent to mix the raw materials. Finally, we crushed and screened them for the appropriate particle size.

This new technology produces gunpowder that burns more steadily compared to the previous crude method of mixing with water, allowing it to cake, and then crushing it. With the same weight, it can achieve a longer range and effectively reduce the risk of barrel bursting.”

”The heads?” Barton was somewhat confused, his attention caught by the unfamiliar term.

”Oh, you might not be very clear about this. This area was initially managed by Grendel. The town had an overabundance of grain, and it kept pouring in, with some of the old grains nearly getting moldy.

To address this problem, the previously halted distilling was restarted. From what I understand, the distillation technology was also improved. The purified product is called alcohol, and the byproduct is the ’heads.’

This byproduct, as the Lord said, would be toxic and thus unfit for consumption; it could only be used for other purposes. It just so happened to work well as a solvent.”

Upon hearing this, Barton understood. First, there needed to be a convoy to transport the raw materials. Then, there was the large-scale charcoal production from the northern wilderness. Lastly, the brewing process required improved distillation technology. None of these could be absent. The emergence of this technology was no simple matter; rather, it was something that naturally arose from Hamlet’s accumulated development.

But the impact the research institute had on both men was far from over.

”We’ve also achieved another breakthrough recently.”

As Eugene spoke, he opened a nearby box and took out a bomb, handing it over.

”The improvement is in the gunpowder, right?” Barton had been involved in the research on bombs and also participated in testing. When he held the device, he understood.