NOVPUBUpon the fertile soil of history, human civilization grows like a mighty tree. People’s understanding of the world keeps improving, like increasingly robust roots providing continuous nourishment for the growth of civilization. Meanwhile, the development of technology climbs upwards, akin to the dense canopy of a tree reaching for the sunlight, always branching and specializing.
To Xiulote, the progress of human technology was a network shaped like a tree. Many technologies advanced in a straight line, requiring predecessors to lay the foundation. For example, the hydraulic machinery of Europe during this era required advanced iron-refining technology as a prerequisite because copper and bronze lacked the tensile strength and elasticity to serve well as mechanical parts, such as easily damaged springs.
Some technologies, however, were leaps across eras, hinging on the level of human cognition, like the gunpowder already used by the Alliance or, for instance, the bronze cannons currently at hand. They did not need iron as a foundation; they only needed prophet-like divine guidance to leapfrog military science in the hands of American civilization, unleashing a roar that spanned ages!
As he thought of this, the King smiled and stretched out his hand, touching the rough and cold weapon of slaughter before him. This was a 1 pound Falcon Cannon, also known as an Eagle Cannon, cast according to his design.
In Europe of this era, the 1 pound Eagle Cannon, as a classic lightweight field cannon, had just recently been created. It possessed the power to break through all field enemies, with a maximum range exceeding two and a quarter miles, and accurate range well over 200 meters. Weighing between 200 to 400 pounds, the Eagle Cannon was sufficiently mobile and became a favorite of explorers and elite infantry squads and would remain in use for over a hundred years, until the Thirty Years’ War.
Chalape was observing at all times, and upon seeing the King’s smile, he quickly tugged at Tilipi’s sleeve. Tilipi hesitated for a moment before he mustered up the courage to come forward and explain carefully.
"Your Majesty, this is the Sun Divine Eagle Cannon you had us cast. It is 1.2 meters in length; the bore is 5 centimeters; we used 250 pounds of bronze, coupled with a matching hardwood stand... As per your instructions, with the help of the gunpowder craftsman, and witnessed by the Head Warrior, we conducted a test fire... using 1 pound of gunpowder to launch a 1-pound stone ball... The range fell somewhat short of your requirements, it’s about... about 50 meters..."
Tilipi’s voice grew fainter, yet it still clearly reached Xiulote’s ears. The smile on the King’s face instantly froze. He looked at Bertade, and the Head Warrior nodded gently. The King’s hands silently clenched, his voice lowering as he demanded.
"Repeat that, what was the range?"
"...50 meters..."
Facing the chill in the King’s eyes, Tilipi "thud" kneeled on the ground. He urgently raised his voice to explain.
"Your Majesty, the Head Warrior can bear witness! We used the highest quality bronze in full measure, and the clay molds were delicately crafted. But during the firing process, the cannon barrel emitted a puff of smoke... Craftsmen who had made wooden cannons said this was because the metal barrel was not favored by the spirits, weakening the God of Thunder’s power. Only a wooden barrel has life and can carry the Divine Power..."
"Smoke... leaking air..."
Xiulote did not get angry, nor did he pay attention to the competition among craftsmen. Instead, he furrowed his brows and inspected closely once again. On the outer wall of the bronze barrel, one could faintly see some minute holes.
"Bring a bucket of water!"
The trusted aide immediately went to the workshop’s well and fetched a bucket of clean water. Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, the King ordered the cannon to be stood upright and then had them pour the water into the opening at the top. Soon, tiny streams of water began to seep out from various parts of the barrel, accompanied by the surprised murmurs of craftsmen.
"The sand holes in the barrel are small and uniform..."
Looking at the leaking barrel, Xiulote fell into contemplation. Casting a bronze cannon was much simpler than casting an iron one, and a 1 pound Eagle Cannon was the most basic of light cannons; such minor sand holes were not a severe flaw.
"Get a copper rod!"
Xiulote demanded once more. He then personally inserted the copper rod into the muzzle, feeling the slight roughness and resistance of the inner wall, and he nodded slightly.
"The bore is not smooth enough; it needs polishing."
Tilipi’s eyes widened as he watched all the actions of the King, a look of surprise filling his gaze. The King’s image gradually shifted from an autocratic monarch forcefully directing them to a person with half-expert knowledge of the craft. Then came an irrefutable voice, once more transforming back into the authoritarian King.
"Tilipi, let me see your casting process!"
Tilipi bowed respectfully and agreed. Compliantly, he led everyone to the site of cannon casting, first pointing to a 1.2-meter wax tube.
"Your Majesty, the next few Divine Eagle Cannons are still in the preparation phase. This is the cannon tube made from wax blocks; the bore has already been drilled, and the overall size matches that of a real bronze cannon exactly."
Xiulote nodded. The lost-wax process for creating clay molds was very common in Central America’s metalworking.
"Your Majesty, once the wax cannon is made, it must be wrapped in clay and filled with clay on the inside, only leaving a pouring hole at the tail end of the barrel; this is the clay mold. Once the clay mold is finished, heating it to melt the interior wax tube gives us a shaped clay model of the cannon tube!"
Tilipi pointed at two already shaped clay molds, explaining in detail.
"Your Majesty, I have pondered this for a long time. Based on the experience of casting bronze pots, the holes leaking air and water in the barrel are likely due to insufficient drying time for the clay mold! We have never cast such a large bronze piece before, and the molds only dried for less than a month. These new rows of Divine Eagle Cannons, please give us more time to let the molds air dry for three months!"
