Zhou Xu's words made the old face of the researcher flush. In truth, if one really got down to it, this did count as him slacking off, trying to muddle through with a stupid solution.
Now that His Majesty had called him out on the spot, he wished he could find a crack in the ground and crawl straight into it.
"Come and help me with this. I want to try it myself."
As Zhou Xu spoke, he walked onto the shooting range.
"Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I'll demonstrate it for you first."
The researcher who had taken out the second rifle swiftly accepted the rifle from Zhou Xu, then pointed its muzzle upward and propped it against the ground.
"To fire this matchlock gun, you first have to pour gunpowder into the barrel. We also call this propellant."
As he spoke, the researcher pulled a small bamboo tube from his person. He then opened it. The tube's opening was exactly the right size for the muzzle, allowing it to be inserted fully into the barrel and preventing the propellant from spilling outside.
The researcher did not forget to explain as he worked.
"This propellant is exactly one shot's worth per bamboo tube. Just pour it all in, and then..."
As he spoke, the researcher drew out a wooden rod that had been inserted into the gun body and had previously lain roughly parallel to the barrel. He inserted the thicker end into the barrel and rammed it down several times with force.
"This rod can be pulled out. It comes with the gun, and its purpose is to tamp down the gunpowder we poured in earlier."
After tamping it down, the researcher did not put the rod back. Instead, he casually held it between his fingers, freeing