Pirates

"Eagle Cannon?" Karl was slightly taken aback. He vaguely recognized the name, but didn't know much about it.

"Yes, sir." Hector nodded firmly and explained in detail, "The kingdom's Eagle Cannon is a type of light breech-loading cannon. It also has a separate main gun and sub-gun structure, and is forged from wrought iron. The cannon is lightweight and has an extremely high rate of fire. It is mainly used to equip infantry phalanxes to provide accompanying support firepower. The principle you described is almost exactly the same as that of the Eagle Cannon."

Upon hearing this, Karl was initially surprised, but quickly understood.

The Fo-Lang-Ji Cannon is a typical example of European-style breech-loading cannons in this timeline. Given this background, which is similar to the early modern period, it is not surprising that the Goldflower Kingdom has similar technological products.

I simply "rediscovered" an existing technological path, which actually saved me the trouble of explaining the concepts.

He immediately pressed on with the most crucial question, "Since the principles are the same, can we, with our current resources, replicate or cast similar Cannon?"

Hector did not immediately give a definite answer. He frowned, pondered for a moment, and then honestly shook his head, his tone apologetic and cautious. "My lord, forgive my bluntness... but I'm afraid I cannot do so for the time being."

He explained, "While the principle of the Eagle Cannon, or the cannon you're referring to, may sound simple, the real technical challenge lies in the precision machining of the junction between the 'sub-gun' and the 'main gun' and the gas-tight structure."

"To ensure that the propellant gases do not leak out in large quantities from the gaps during firing, otherwise the power will be greatly reduced and the gunner may be endangered, this requires very high standards for the metal material, casting precision, and grinding process."

Hector shrugged helplessly. "I used to work in the workshops in the Royal Capital, and I only saw the Eagle Cannon from afar. I knew the general principle, but I never participated in its manufacture, let alone the core air-tightening technology."

"Those are the closely guarded secrets of the Master Craftsman in the Kingdom's military workshops. With the current skill level and experience of our artisans, it would be very difficult to succeed in imitating them. Even if we did manage to make them, they would likely have many problems and might even explode."

Hearing Hector frankly say that it was temporarily impossible to manufacture that new type of Cannon, Karl did feel a sense of disappointment.

Just as he was about to settle for second best and discuss in detail with Hector how to manufacture the Minin Cannon, a young voice, tinged with urgency and excitement, interrupted from the side:

"My Lord! Master Hector! I... I can do it! I know how to make that kind of cannon!"

Karl and Hector were both startled and looked in the direction of the sound.

A young-looking craftsman, his face covered in sweat and coal dust, was seen struggling to carry a heavy mold part, standing not far away, watching them with eager yet cautious eyes.

Karl scrutinized him closely. Although his face was obscured by dirt, he looked to be no more than twenty-five or twenty-six years old, very young.

Karl's first reaction was disbelief that such a young man could claim to be able to build precision Cannon that even the experienced Hector would find difficult.

Hector's brow furrowed immediately, his tone stern and rebuking. "Elmont! Stop talking nonsense! To speak recklessly and exaggerate before the Lord is a serious crime! How old are you? You've only been learning in the workshop for a few days. How could you possibly understand the complex process of manufacturing Eagle Cannon?"

Seeing his master's anger, the young craftsman Elmont quickly put down what he was doing and hurriedly explained, "Master! Lord! I'm not lying! I really know!"

He took a deep breath, trying to make his words clear and coherent. "Before coming to Carnford, I... I worked on ships in the South, as a sailor for several years on a fleet that sailed the oceans!"

He looked at Karl with sincere eyes. "Sir, the kind of ' Sub-Mother Cannon Cannon ' you mentioned is not a rare sight at sea at all! Many large ships, especially those armed merchant ships and... and some other ships, are equipped with these Eagle Cannon to defend against pirates! I've seen them many times on ships!"

Seemingly afraid people wouldn't believe him, he quickly added details to prove himself, "Our ship's gunner is a Master Craftsman. I often help him maintain the Cannon, disassembling, cleaning, and replacing parts. I've personally touched and disassembled countless times every component of the Eagle Cannon, from the gas-sealing latches to the bullet loading method!"

His tone grew increasingly confident. "Moreover, when our fleet once stopped for repairs at an overseas port, I personally witnessed how local craftsmen cast, polished, and assembled new Eagle Cannon, and I secretly memorized the entire process!"

Hector was not entirely convinced by his explanation. Instead, he seized on the key issue and questioned, "Even if you've seen, touched, or even helped maintain it, have you ever independently cast and assembled a complete Eagle Cannon from start to finish?"

Elmont paused for a moment, his momentum slightly weakening, but he still insisted, "No... I've never built one completely independently... but Master, I understand the principles and steps! I'm confident I can figure it out!"

"Confidence?" Hector's voice rose eight octaves. "Building cannons is no child's play! Do you know how much precious copper and iron is wasted on a single failure? That's the entire wealth that Carnford has painstakingly accumulated!"

"More importantly, if the casting is substandard or the gas seal is inadequate, and the barrel explodes during firing, it will injure our own soldiers! Can you bear that responsibility?"

Elmont's face paled at the question, but he gritted his teeth, straightened his back, and looked at Karl with unwavering determination. "My Lord! If the cannon I build is substandard, or if something goes wrong during the test firing, I... I, Elmont, am willing to be the first to stand before the cannon and personally light the fuse! I guarantee it with my life!"

These words, which sounded almost like a vow, silenced the crowd.

Hector sighed at his stubbornness, said nothing more, and turned his gaze to Karl, awaiting the Lord's decision.

Karl remained silent, carefully observing the young man named Elmont.

Judging from his eyes, tone of voice, and the details he mentioned, he didn't seem to be boasting out of thin air.

Karl pondered for a moment, then asked a seemingly unrelated question, "Elmont, you said you worked on ships in the South, so you must have extensive experience and a good income. Why did you choose to come to the Northern Territory, to Carnford that has just been ravaged by war and is in dire need of rebuilding?"

Upon hearing this, Elmont's face flashed with a barely perceptible look of embarrassment and complexity. He lowered his head and said in a softer voice, "My lord... our fleet... isn't actually entirely a legitimate merchant fleet..."

He hesitated, not fully explaining himself.

But Karl immediately realized that the so-called "ship fleet that sails the oceans" was very likely a pirate ship that was both a merchant and a piracy operation.

No wonder he had access to warship-level weapons and was so familiar with the Eagle Cannon.

Pirate ships are typically equipped with sophisticated Cannon for plundering and self-defense, often even more sophisticated than the kingdom's navy.

This background did not make Karl feel disgusted; on the contrary, it made him more inclined to believe Elmont's words.

Piracy is a profession with an extremely high attrition rate. Those who can make a name for themselves in it are either ruthless or have a unique skill. It seems that this young man belongs to the latter.

After a few seconds of silence, Karl made his decision.

He looked at Elmont, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority. "Very well, Elmont, I believe in your ability and determination."

He turned to Hector: "Hector, from today onwards, allocate the necessary manpower and resources to establish an Eagle Cannon trial production team, with Elmont in full charge of technical guidance."

His tone turned serious, and he said to Elmont, "Elmont, I am immediately promoting you to a third-level craftsman, to be in charge of the development of the Eagle Cannon. I am giving you the opportunity and the resources, but as Hector said, the manufacture of cannons is of utmost importance and cannot be taken lightly. What I need is a weapon that can reliably kill the enemy, not one that will harm ourselves."

He offered a clear incentive. "If you can successfully build a qualified Eagle Cannon and pass the rigorous tests, I will not only reward you handsomely, but also officially appoint you as the head artillery craftsman in the workshop!"

Upon hearing this, Elmont trembled slightly with excitement. He knelt down on one knee with a thud, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank... thank you for your trust, Lord! Your Lord, Elmont, will do everything in my power, even unto death, to live up to your expectations!"