1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Jufra Province, Al-Aga Administrative District, Al-Aga City.

Led by Martinez, Isaac visited a fairly large firearms factory.

At that time, the manufacturing of firearms was still in its infancy and inefficient.

Following an influx of funding, several mine veins outside the city were reopened, more workers were recruited and new mine shafts were developed.

Meanwhile, the saltpeter fields to the west of the city were in the early stages of preparation, with large quantities of manure and urine being stored between them, creating an unbearable stench. It was estimated that the first batch of saltpeter would be ready for harvesting the following year.

Currently, the primary raw material for the factory was low-nitrate saltpeter soil, collected uniformly by the various administrative districts and transported to Al-Aga City.

According to Isaac and Martinez's plans, the entire factory is divided into three workshops:

These are the gunpowder workshop, the manufacturing workshop and the raw materials workshop.

The raw materials workshop is responsible for smelting, burning metal ores mined from the city's outskirts into metal, and supplying a steady stream of materials to the manufacturing workshop.

The gunpowder workshop mainly manages the salt fields and manufactures gunpowder.

The manufacturing workshop processes the metal materials provided by the raw materials workshop into complete muskets and cannons.

Currently, the manufacturing workshop has more than 20 workers and can produce five matchlock guns a day.

Cannon production is not currently possible due to insufficient mining of the copper mines outside the city.

Workers pour molten iron from the furnace into clay molds to form the rough shape of the gun barrels.

This step is the most dangerous. The slightest mistake can cause cracks or holes in the gun barrel.

Such gun barrels are unusable and extremely prone to exploding.

Once the casting process is complete, skilled workers conduct airtightness tests on the gun barrels. Those that pass are sent for further processing.

This includes installing the firelock, carving out the powder chamber, tightening the iron rings and attaching the wooden gun body.

This is a relatively conventional method of manufacturing matchlock guns that has been used from the last century until now.

Initially, matchlock guns were very primitive in design, consisting of a bronze or wrought iron tube with one end closed and a firing port at the top.

In the early 15^(th) century, the firing port was moved to the side of the barrel and a powder chamber with a protective cover was introduced. This design was used in later matchlock guns.

Barrels with a tail were inserted into a wooden handle, while those without a tail were secured to the wooden stock with iron rings. When firing, the shooter held the wooden handle with one hand and used a red-hot metal wire or fuse to ignite the powder, which made it difficult to aim accurately.

As these firearms were similar to early light cannons, they were also known as "hand cannons".

Unlike their Chinese counterparts, European matchlock guns often featured a hook-shaped structure at the front of the barrel to provide support during use.

When defending a city, for example, the shooter could hook the gun onto the city wall to stabilize it for firing. It could also be hooked onto the large shields used by crossbowmen, forming simple fortifications in the field.

"Your Highness, these are the blueprints of the firearms I have spent my entire life researching. Please take a look."

Martinez held a thick stack of parchments and placed them heavily on the table.

Isaac looked at Martinez and confirmed that he was not deliberately trying to make things difficult.

"I don't understand this stuff either!"

He flipped through the complicated drawings, which were filled with various symbols and numbers that made his eyes dizzy.

He suddenly felt a little discouraged.

As a time traveler, he was clearly unqualified.

He didn't know how to smelt iron in a blast furnace.

He didn't know how to make guns or cannons.

He didn't know how to synthesize fertilizer either.

He didn't know how to forge high-strength steel, either.

He understood the principles, but he couldn't put them into practice.

However, he could extract perfume, process soap, produce saltpetre and brew strong alcohol.

But so could the Europeans.

He could recite poetry and compose prose to astonish the crowd, but this was completely useless.

It was a very awkward situation.

"Why are gun barrels getting longer and longer?"

Isaac flipped through a few drawings.

"Your Highness, after the widespread use of granular gunpowder, we discovered that lengthening the barrel increases firing power."

"The powdered gunpowder of the past did not have this feature."

While the granularization of gunpowder did indeed greatly increase the power of matchlock guns, the long barrels made aiming and transportation extremely difficult.

Such matchlock guns were extremely inaccurate, and hitting the enemy depended entirely on divine intervention.

"What is this?"

Isaac pulled out a slightly different drawing.

There was a long metal hook on the gun body that could rotate around an axis.

One end of the hook was connected to a thick rope.

Martinez took a look.

"Oh, this is a little gadget made by one of my students."

"He thinks that adding a rope will make the musket more accurate."

Martinez turned around and "Metz! Come here!"

Metz, who had been adding firewood to the stove, put down the wood, wiped the ash from his face and ran over.

"Teacher, what is it?"

"This is His Highness, Isaac Palaiologo, the despotic Prince of Constantinople."

Metz hurriedly bowed.

"Is this your invention?"

Isaac pointed at the blueprint.

Metz stole a glance and saw that Isaac seemed quite pleased.

"Yes!"

Martinez kicked Metz to the ground.

"Speak properly!"

"Ouch!"

Metz grimaced and rubbed his buttocks.

"This type of flintlock gun with a rotating barrel was proposed more than ten years ago. I improved it a little!"

Using a smoldering fuse instead of other ignition materials makes it easier to light."

Isaac looked at him appreciatively.

This was the prototype of the matchlock gun.

While the flintlock gun marked the beginning of the historical era of hot weapons, the widespread use of the matchlock gun officially heralded its arrival.

The matchlock gun was undoubtedly significant, as it greatly improved the accuracy and firing speed of guns.

The main difference between the two is that with the matchlock gun, the shooter must aim while lighting the fuse with a torch, whereas the matchlock gun greatly simplifies this step, enabling the shooter to rest the gun on their cheek and focus on aiming.

As early as the beginning of the 15^(th) century, someone proposed a concept similar to the matchlock gun, but unfortunately it was not taken seriously.

It was not until the mid-15^(th) century that this new type of firearm gradually entered the public eye.

"Chief Martinez, is there a ready-made model for this gun?"

Martinez shook his head.

"You have one week to make a prototype. The workers who make it will be rewarded with 100 ducats."

Metz, standing nearby, looked excited.

"Your Highness, this firearm is not technically difficult to make, but is it really necessary?"

In his opinion, matchlock guns were already technologically advanced, and his craftsmanship was excellent, so there was no room for improvement.

Is it necessary?

Of course it is.

Early matchlock guns may not have been much more powerful than old-fashioned flintlock guns, but matchlock guns remained the main firearm in Europe for hundreds of years.

During this time, the craftsmanship of matchlock guns continued to improve and spread throughout the world.

European colonizers took this simple and brutal weapon with them as they travelled across five continents and four oceans, destroying countless civilizations and plundering endless treasures.

It could be argued that it was precisely because of matchlock guns that European colonizers were able to overwhelm the indigenous peoples of the Americas militarily.

The development of matchlock guns did not require sophisticated technology; just a few small techniques and modifications could exponentially increase soldiers' chances of survival on the battlefield. By improving the guns, delivering them to the military and compiling and reporting on any issues encountered during use, this process could be repeated.

This created a virtuous cycle.

Now, all Isaac had to do was lay the foundations for the success of the matchlock gun and wait for it to flourish.

Setting up a firearms factory was only the first step. In the future, he would also establish a research institute dedicated to firearms innovation.

...

After bidding farewell to Martinez, Isaac travelled southeast from Al-Aga City and arrived at the ancient city of Uguchi.

Count Adnan of Uguchi was waiting at the city gate.

After a year and a half of war, the situation in the south of the Grand Duchy of Surt had stabilized.

With Isaac's support, Count Adnan exchanged the rich iron ore deposits at the edge of the Seba Mountains for his slaves and food.

The count was quite shrewd and capable. He had not only subdued the local small and medium-sized tribes and forced them to convert to the true religion, but had also won consecutive victories in the war against King Abdullah, seizing a large number of livestock and people in the process.

Now, the Uguchi fiefdom had essentially filled the administrative void left by the central government of Fezzan in the south-eastern region, controlling more than 8,000 people and 15,000 vassals.

The Earl of Uguchi had 500 regular troops and could mobilize up to 2,000 tribal members in wartime.

Looking at the Earl's well-equipped guards, Isaac regretted placing such a talented man in such a good position at the foot of Mount Seba, which is rich in iron ore and oases.

Under the protection of the Purple Guard, Isaac rode forward slowly on horseback and looked down as he accepted the bow of Earl Adnan with dignity.

"Resisting foreign enemies, defending the borders, protecting the people and nurturing the army — these are all your achievements, Earl."

Isaac spoke slowly, staring into Adnan's eyes.

"It is all thanks to God's protection and your guidance, Your Highness."

"When Surt was besieged, I sent reinforcements to Saint Joseph, but halfway there, I heard the news of your great victory over Yusuf's rebels."

"The enemy has been defeated, and I am truly delighted. I am honored to have such a wise and decisive ruler."

"Under God's protection, the ancient city of Uguchi has seen great development this year. Please come to my estate so that I may show you my hospitality."

Adnan replied meticulously, and Isaac could find no fault with him.

"Then I'll leave it to you."

Isaac nodded and led the Purple Guard into the city.

Adnan followed behind, his expression unchanged.

As they travelled, Adnan always lagged half a horse length behind, introducing Isaac to the changes that had taken place in Uguchi City over the past year.

"Your Highness, look! This is a market that I and the Sult Joint Chamber of Commerce built together. It is bustling with people every day."

When the people in the market saw Isaac's eagle flag and the desert wolf flag of the Lord of Uguchi, they knelt down, not daring to speak.

The market was mostly populated by local Berbers and Bedouins, but Isaac also spotted some Slavs and Italians.

"How come there are so many free people here?"

Isaac was a little confused.

Count Adnan put on a pious look.

"God told us to treat our brothers well."

"I promised the slaves who converted to the true religion that if they worked hard for me for a year, I would set the best of them free."

They were all slaves taken from the false king, Abdullah, two years ago, and they are gradually being released as free men.

Generally speaking, tribal sheikhs liked to use people as slaves to serve them.

Adnan was one of the few with such a long-term vision.

"You are truly a model of religion."

Isaac said indifferently.

After a brief look around the market, Isaac noticed that there were indeed many goods, some of which were local specialties such as furs, dried meat, dates, palm oil and cheeses made from the milk of camels and sheep.

There were also goods transported from Europe. The precious silk and dazzling gems were highly sought after by the nobles of nearby tribes, while the inexpensive linen clothes were favored by the common people.

Isaac even discovered a small bookshop containing books transported from Surt bearing the emblem of a double-headed eagle.

Mr Gutenberg had already relocated some of his paper mills and printing factories to Surt, so these books must have been transported here via the Sult Joint Chamber of Commerce.

Isaac spurred his horse and continued forward.

"Your Highness, that is the Church of St Anthony, which is currently under construction to commemorate our victory over the false king, Abdullah."

St Anthony, the famous Desert Father. It seems that Adnan is preparing to make him the patron saint of the land of Uguchi.

The church was not large, and was already half finished. Many monks came out to greet Isaac.

Next to the church was a small school where priests from St Anthony's Church taught Greek and theology.

Adnan then took Isaac to see the wells dug by Italian engineers, the orderly military camp, the blacksmith's workshop, the town hall and, finally, the earl's estate.

The estate was filled with Orthodox Christian elements, some of which seemed deliberate.

After the tour, Isaac felt much more at ease.

Count Adnan did not hide anything from him, but laid all his efforts out in the open for him to inspect.

This proved that there were no signs of rebellion for the time being.

After lunch, Adnan and Isaac sat together and chatted.

"I am very satisfied with your achievements. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Your Highness, my eldest son, Murla, has been studying Greek for a year, and I hope you will allow him to attend the Royal Knight Academy."

Isaac looked at the count unexpectedly.

He's pretty smart!

"Of course he will be an excellent knight."

"We are having some difficulties with administrative management and hope you can send someone to guide us."

"Very good. Anything else?"

Isaac asked, satisfied.

Next, Adnan began to raise the real issue.

"Your Highness, I believe the main factor restricting the development of the ancient city of Uguchi is the state of the roads."

"Roads?"

"That's right. As I understand it, of the roads leading from the city of Uguchi to the cities of Al-Aqah and Jufra, only one is passable by horse-drawn carriages. However, it is blocked by sand and dust for four months of the year."

The rest of the smaller roads can only be travelled by camel caravans, which are inefficient.

"I hope you can invite professionals from Europe to solve the road problem."

Adnan's words reminded Isaac indirectly.

The desert roads are simple, consisting of a strip of small water sources connecting two large ones.

Road conditions were better in the north and worse in the south.

Camels were the most important means of transport in the desert. They were well adapted to the desert environment, not being afraid of sandstorms or drought.

However, they could carry very little cargo, which made them inefficient.

If you wanted to trade goods, you still had to use horse-drawn carriages.

Road construction is another major project.

"Rest assured, Count, that once I have dealt with the war at hand, I will definitely put road repairs on the agenda."

Isaac fobbed off Adnan.

Even if they did repair the roads, they would definitely start from the north, so it wouldn't be his turn for a while.

"You mean we have to continue fighting?"

Isaac nodded and looked into Adnan's eyes.

Adnan paused for a moment, then stood up and knelt on one knee.

"Your Highness, as your vassal, I am willing to provide 500 soldiers for your command!"

"But what about the war with the false king, Abdullah?"

"The false king is currently preoccupied and unable to attack."

"Very well. I accept your loyalty and will reward you accordingly."

"Organize the troops and weapons, and wait for the right opportunity."

Isaac also stood up.

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