——

Just after Xu Jie and the Italians finally finalized the "Beiyang-Kingdom of Italy Cooperation Treaty", the chief negotiator of the German Krupp factory finally obtained a visa to Italy from the "delayed" and "inefficient" Italian Embassy.

So he took the European water and land transport to Rome, the capital of Italy, with Bowen holding

Determined to earn large profits for Krupp and get promoted for himself, he walked into Xu Jie's office full of hope and began difficult negotiations that he had never encountered before. "He is a very professional vampire, he knows

Where and what means can be used to squeeze out more blood." Afterwards, Bowen said of Xu Jie.

"Mr. Special Envoy, I think Mr. Special Envoy has already obtained the list of requirements from our Beiyang side. I wonder if the Krupp factory can customize weapons of this size for our Qing Dynasty?" Xu Jie asked with a smile.

"There is no problem with this. You should understand the industrial strength of the German Empire. Whether it is technology or production capacity, the German Empire is your best choice on the European continent. As the leader of German industry, Krupp artillery can definitely become

A capable assistant for your team." Bowen said confidently.

"Then let's start discussing some details. Regarding the 75mm camp gun, I don't have many requirements. I just suggest that the elevation angle of the gun can be appropriately increased and the weight reduced." Xu Jie pointed to the first column and said.

"That's no problem." Bowen agreed.

"But I am very dissatisfied with this 120mm howitzer. Your country's 1886-style 120mm heavy howitzer has a barrel that is 23 times longer, but the muzzle velocity is only 273ms. The range is less than 6km. This kind of performance is really unacceptable to Beiyang." Xu Jie was dissatisfied.

said.

"Mr. Xu, I personally think it is meaningless to overemphasize the range. Excluding the situation of occupying the commanding heights for bombardment, the two sides are fighting on the plains, and the artillery is aimed directly. In this case, the fighting distance between the two sides will not exceed 5km.

Generally, it is about 3 to 4 kilometers to start the shooting. The effective range of 5.8 kilometers is enough. Moreover, this gun is light in weight and uses cheap maroon gunpowder, so it is very suitable for the situation in Beiyang." Bowen

said.

"I want to highlight the highlights, Mr. Bowen. First, Beiyang is definitely not short of money. If Krupp thinks that Beiyang only wants cheap and inferior goods, then there is no need to talk about it. Second, don't take any direct shots.

Distance is here to frustrate me. Don’t tell me anything about the differences between the two sides during the Franco-Prussian War.

Artillery charge tactics. Those are outdated, backward, and should be swept into the trash. The indirect fire that the Germans are currently studying is what I am interested in. And your country is indeed doing something for this kind of shooting.

Get ready, I think you should know about the ladder carriage? Don’t use it as a

Because I am just a naval engineer, so I can fool us." After saying this, Xu Jie stood up and pointed out the window and said, "As long as I am willing, as long as I am happy, I can completely cooperate with the Italian Ansaldo Artillery Factory or the French Artillery Factory.

Contact the Schneider Gun Factory and the Skoda Gun Factory in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, I

We have already purchased naval guns from the former and water tube boilers from the French. We do not necessarily have to keep an eye on the Germans. To be honest, I personally have no feelings for Krupp. If it were not for Li Zhongtang, I might choose the nearest one.

Italian Ansaldo instead of Krupp.”

"Mr. Xu, you'd better calm down first. We can talk slowly if we have anything to say. Can you repeat your technical requirements for the 120mm heavy artillery?" Bowen took out a handkerchief and wiped his sweat. Before coming,

Krupp's bosses have repeatedly emphasized that this Beiyang envoy to Italy is not an ordinary person, and Bowen's friend, Tirpitz

The major general (who was promoted) even called him a war genius, and he believed that a person who is proficient in the navy may not be proficient in the army. After all, from ancient times to the present, there is no one in the world who is a genius in both the navy and the army. But now it seems that Xu

Jie's attainments in the army are still open to question, but his attainments in artillery and gunnery are definitely top-notch!!

"First, the weight of the artillery cannot exceed 1.8 tons. The overall weight cannot exceed 3.5 tons. Second, the firing range must be more than 10km. Third, the shells and ammunition packages must be compatible with the naval guns of the British Armstrong Shipyard." Xu Jie emphasized.

.

"Your weight is extremely inconsistent with your range. If you want to achieve high range, you must use a large chamber and a long barrel. Limiting the weight of the entire gun to 3.5 tons is really excessive." Bowen shook his head and said.

.

"In addition to the propellant and barrel length, the range is also related to the elevation angle of the gun. Increase the elevation angle to 40 degrees. As for the powder chamber? In fact, if you use smokeless gunpowder, you can save a lot of capacity. British artillery uses maroon gunpowder.

The weight of the powder package can be half the difference between a cannon using smokeless gunpowder." Xu Jie said.

"What about the cost?" Bowen hesitated and said.

"The price offered by Beiyang will definitely make you profitable, but don't try to rip us off. In fact, the 1880 120mm howitzer with a 26.6 barrel barrel from the Skoda Artillery Factory in the Austro-Hungarian Empire is very close to our requirements, but the range is slightly

A little closer, I don't think your quotation should be much higher than the price of the Skoda Gun Factory?

"Xu Jie said with a smile. In Xu Jie's memory, when the Japanese First Army attacked the Lushun Fortress, it was equipped with a 280mm siege cannon. This kind of artillery has a range of up to 9,000+ meters and is extremely powerful. Not only

It was Lushun garrisoned by the Beiyang Navy that was not defended. Later, the Lushun Fortress, which had been the elite of the Russians for several years, was not defended either.

It can withstand the bombardment of 11-inch siege guns. Therefore, in order to restrain this siege weapon in future wars and prevent the painstakingly managed Lushun Fortress from being captured, a longer-range artillery is designed to prevent the opponent from entering the firing position.

Destroying it before the attack becomes the only way. It is said that large-caliber artillery is easier to meet the requirements in terms of range, but what?

, taking into account the mobility and the maneuverability of horse-drawn artillery, Xu Jie decisively gave up the plan to purchase long-range artillery with a caliber of more than 6 inches. However, if the artillery below 120mm could reach a range of more than 10km, this was beyond the scope of the time.

Technical level, so after many choices, the 120mm caliber land gun became the final choice.

"What are your requirements in terms of body tube and medicine room size?" Bowen thought for a while and asked.

"I don't care about this. I only look at the results. Of course, the life of the barrel must not be lower than that of your country's artillery of the same caliber." Xu Jie said.

"In fact, you can completely hand over the important task of suppressing the opponent's long-range artillery to the 6-inch gun. The 150-inch gun with a barrel of 35 times that our country is developing can take on this important task with slight improvements." Bowen put forward his own opinion.

"The national conditions of Beiyang and your country are different. It is difficult for us to raise enough horses to provide mobility for the 6-inch artillery. I estimate that the weight of your newly developed artillery will not be less than 5.5 tons. This weight is really too heavy for Beiyang.

As for the 6-inch artillery, I personally think that the 11-barrel short gun developed by your country will be enough. In addition, the 105mm gun is moderate in weight and has strong firepower. It is a very good choice." Xu Jie said helplessly.

"I will convey your opinions to the senior management. Krupp's products will satisfy you." Bowen let out a sigh. The plan to make a big fortune is gone. If this person has connections with the Italian military

If the excellent Mr. Xu really cooperates with the Italians out of anger, I am afraid that Krupp will not make a penny this time. And this is absolutely not allowed by the top management!!
Chapter completed!