Chapter 142: Auguste Model 1788 Percussion Musket
Following this, the police academy instructors moved on to a group test-firing of the percussion cap muskets.
After trying out the new weapons, everyone was visibly thrilled. They understood perfectly well what shaving three or four seconds off the firing speed could mean.
Joseph himself tried firing a few rounds, only to find the recoil immense, the buttstock digging painfully into his shoulder. And as for reloading speed, even Louis XVI could outpace him by a long shot.
'Hmm, I, the Crown Prince, rely on my brains. As for shooting, I'll leave that to Clauzel.'
Soon after, Friant, the head of academic affairs, discovered another advantage of the percussion cap musket: "I feel like this gun has more power than the 1776 model."
Joseph nodded inwardly. Without the ignition chamber leaking gas, more of the gunpowder's explosive force was directed at the projectile, which naturally increased its power.
An instructor next to him nodded. "I felt it too. And when this gun fires, there's no gunpowder smoke blowing into your face, so it doesn't sting your eyes."
This, of course, was also thanks to the removal of the ignition chamber. The ignition chamber was close to the shooter's face, and the gunpowder gas leaking from it would severely obstruct their vision. The percussion cap musket had no such issue.
Everyone excitedly continued shooting and discussing until all seventy or eighty percussion caps they had brought were used up, stopping only reluctantly.
Only His Majesty the King stood by with a mournful expression. He had come here to test-fire, but ended up only shooting twice from start to finish. And being socially awkward, he couldn't bring himself to ask these strangers for a turn...
Louis XVI's attendants collected the empty muskets. Friant looked at Joseph and asked, "Your Highness, are these two new muskets manufactured in Charleville? What are they called?"
Charleville City was France's largest producer of firearms, and most previous new weapon designs had originated there.
Joseph, however, bowed slightly to Louis XVI, who stood nearby. "No, this musket was personally crafted by His Majesty the King."
Louis XVI smiled shyly and happily. He wanted to add that the musket was designed by the Crown Prince, but his social anxiety made him stammer, unable to articulate it clearly for a long time.
"As for the name of the musket," Joseph mused, "I suggest we call it the 'Auguste Model 1788 Percussion Musket.'"
The crowd cheered loudly, shouting the new musket's name, "Auguste Model 1788! The finest musket in all of Europe!"
"This is the new era of firearms, the Auguste Model 1788!"
"Long live His Majesty the King!"
Louis XVI's given name was Louis Auguste.
Joseph understood very well that his father was currently the royal family's biggest public face. Boosting his father's prestige meant boosting the prestige of the entire royal family. Since he was still operating behind the scenes, giving the credit to his father would have a greater impact.
Louis XVI paused for a moment. When he heard the shouts and praises around him, his heart swelled with delight. He immediately began imagining the grand scene of a musket named after him sweeping across Europe, decimating enemy forces. Any regret he had about not firing more rounds earlier vanished completely.
Although he felt as if he was taking credit from the Crown Prince, his son had so enthusiastically granted him the naming rights that it would be truly impolite to refuse such a kind gesture.
Afterward, surrounded by the crowd, Louis XVI toured the police academy's training grounds, observed the officers' drill practice, and then contentedly set off on his return journey.
Inside the carriage, Louis XVI savored the memory of this brief outing—there were no grand retinues as before, only genuine praise from the crowd. It filled him with an overwhelming sense of joy and exhilaration.
Joseph, sitting opposite him, chuckled. "Father, I plan to establish a firearms factory near Paris to produce the new percussion cap muskets. At that time, I'll need your guidance for the manufacturing process with the craftsmen."
"Build a new firearms factory?" Louis XVI sounded a little surprised. "Not produce them in Charleville?"
Joseph instinctively began, "This musket is an important tool for controlling the military, of course..."
Louis XVI's eyes sparkled, appearing remarkably clear. "Control the military? But the military is very loyal to me."
Joseph inwardly massaged his temples, unsure how to explain it to his father—'If you truly had control over the military, you wouldn't have failed to deploy even a single army unit into Paris during the Great Revolution.'
He could only change tack. "Loyal to you, ah, yes, yes, of course."
"It's just that the manufacturing process for the percussion cap musket is complex. Currently, only you have completely mastered all the techniques. We can't very well send you to Charleville to teach other craftsmen, can we? So it's best to produce them directly near Paris."
"Oh, and in the future, there will be other new weapons that require your research and manufacturing expertise. Having the factory right next to the Palace of Versailles would be more convenient then."
Louis XVI was immediately convinced and nodded slightly. "A new factory will cost a considerable sum. Hmm, I can currently provide 500,000 livres. I wonder if that's enough?"
Joseph felt a surge of emotion—'Where could one find such a good employee... no, such a good father, who brings his own capital to fund R&D?'
He quickly replied, "That should be enough, and if it's not, I'll make up the difference. Oh, and you'll need to send people to Charleville and Saint-Étienne, to those firearms factories, to recruit some skilled craftsmen so we can start manufacturing the new muskets as soon as possible."
Joseph correctly predicted that with a direct summons from His Majesty the King and the opportunity to live in prosperous Paris, those craftsmen would surely be unable to resist such an enticing offer.
This way, his own arsenal could become operational in the shortest possible time.
Once the percussion cap muskets were produced, the combat effectiveness of his Guards Corps would immediately become unparalleled across all of Europe!
He then considered that a truly strong army couldn't remain in training grounds forever; only the smoke of battle could make them mature quickly.
Speaking of which, North Africa would be an excellent training ground—its armies weren't as formidable as those in Europe, nor as weak as the indigenous peoples of America.
'But how could he circumvent the British to intervene in North Africa?'
...
A few hours later, the carriage procession entered the Versailles Palace square. The carriage belonged to Joseph, who had to drop Louis XVI off first. Besides, he also wanted to discuss food and North Africa with Brienne.
As the father and son stepped down from the carriage, Joseph spotted a figure in clerical robes respectfully waiting outside the main entrance. Louis XVI, however, frowned, lowered his head, feigned not seeing him, and quickly walked past.
Joseph, noticing the cleric's crestfallen expression, quietly asked Louis XVI, "Father, is Abbot Talleyrand here for something?"
Louis XVI sighed. "It's about his promotion to Archbishop."
"Hmm, and then?"
"His qualifications are sufficient, and the Church has agreed. However, your mother is displeased that he once privately spoke ill of her, so she's holding up his signature. He keeps coming to plead with me."
Joseph nodded to himself. 'Talleyrand is certainly a talent, and this is a good opportunity to bring him into my service.'
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