Chapter 5, Reserve Officer

However, Lin Haijiang, through Edward Elvin's attitude towards this matter, seems to believe that Edward Elvin could become someone who is helpful to him. It is not actually difficult to become wealthy and establish a reputation; what is difficult is obtaining the first pot of gold

As Henry II once said, if you come from humble beginnings, you should find a way to elevate those around you to nobility, and in doing so, you will naturally become a noble yourself. The ruling class in England continuously enhances its own status, claiming that their lineage, which has become so chaotic that it is almost disorderly, remains utterly pure.

Lin Haijiang is not familiar with the so-called Aitwen cannon, as he is well aware that the twenty years from 1850 to 1870 can be described as a period of rapid development for the world's oceanic navies. It was during these two decades that several significant naval battles erupted, which have been recorded in history. The large-scale naval conflicts led to a continuous alternation of interests between the old and new empires, and war also accelerated the rapid development of weaponry. During this period, European countries developed no fewer than five hundred types of cannons, and it is entirely reasonable that he may not be aware of or have even heard of many of these models.

After the impressive butler left, Lin Haijiang murmured a remark in Chinese, which the nearby British could not understand. This classic insult, later renowned, caught the attention of several nearby Chinese sailors.

The completely open bridge and helm, once within the range of the enemy's grape shot, will undoubtedly meet a tragic fate

After the middle-aged British butler finished reading, Lin Haijiang understood the meaning behind it. The general idea was that Edward Aiven had been quite busy recently, needing to accompany a noble lady for a hunting trip, as well as escort several earls and a prince back to London. The matters concerning the Phoenix were entrusted to Lin Haijiang. Finally, Edward Aiven, in a tone of bestowal, informed Lin Haijiang that he had recommended him as a candidate officer for the Royal Navy through Duke Shigufi.

At this moment, Lin Haijiang's greatest challenge is how to acquire his first pot of gold, and then to order the ironclad warships that have yet to be recognized. Otherwise, a few months later, when he graduates and returns to his country, what will he do in the Guangdong Navy? Will he take a small wooden boat and act as a petty officer? Dragging along with a large straw hat? Exposed to the wind, sun, and rain? By 1860, he would be subjected to the brutality of the Anglo-French Allied Forces?

Simultaneously, the existing thirty-six 24-pound muzzle-loading chain gun Modéle cannons will be replaced with the smaller caliber, longer-range Atwell cannons, which can utilize solid shot and explosive shells

The primary function of the stern gun is to provide cover during a retreat when the situation is unfavorable. Strengthening the stern gun? Are they planning to face the enemy with the stern of the ship? This would be tantamount to fleeing in naval combat. Although Sigur is not a naval officer, he still understands this basic principle.

However, at that time, there was no concept of patent protection for 'improvements.' In Italy alone, dozens of individuals claimed to have improved artillery, many of whom were high-ranking military officers. However, these claimants were unable to produce any so-called improved prototypes, and ultimately, the matter came to nothing

Lin Haijiang was momentarily at a loss for words; he truly admired the imagination of the British. In order to avoid using the pre-loaded ammunition cartridge model, they actually researched and developed this method of sealed gas closure, which is of low reliability, extremely complex in craftsmanship, and very high in cost

Lin Haijiang was well aware that his exceptional status was not due to his own abilities, but rather because of his ethnicity. The position of Chinese individuals at Dartmouth was extremely low, and the sudden appearance of a Chinese Royal Navy petty officer equipped with a Lee-Enfield rifle and a short sword was enough to attract everyone's attention.

However, Lin Haijiang quickly discovered that the difference between the Aitwen cannon and the Reikote breech-loading gun was that these artillery pieces did not use fixed ammunition, but rather employed a two-stage gas-sealed breech isolation system

This so-called dual-channel gas-sealed breech isolation model is something Lin Haijiang has only seen in reference books. Due to the fact that the metal smelting and machining processes have not yet reached standardization, reliability cannot be guaranteed, leading to the rapid disappearance of cannons utilizing the dual-channel gas-sealed breech isolation model. Little did he expect to become one of the first victims of the "new type of weapon"

There may be grievances, but the identity of a Royal Navy officer cadet is undeniably solid, especially as a person of Chinese descent becoming a cadet in the Royal Navy. It is important to note that during this era, Britain was one of the European countries with the poorest integration of ethnicities, and white supremacy has long been regarded as a so-called traditional concept among the British.

However, he did not think much at this moment; the Phoenix was merely a training ship, and this was clear to everyone. The needs of the Royal Navy were simply the needs of Aitwen, and nothing more.

Lin Haijiang communicated with a supervisor named Xiwen from the Aitwen Royal Artillery Factory for quite a long time before clarifying that the main project for the modification of the Phoenix is to enclose the bridge and the steering platform. Additionally, riveted iron oak will be added between the waterline and the second-level gun position, as well as in other important areas such as the bridge.

If that is the case, Lin Haijiang would simply be willing to end his life by crashing his head against something right now! Lin Haijiang has regarded accelerating the demise of the Qing Dynasty as his personal mission

Due to the presence of only thirty-six cannons, half of the gun positions on the entire lower deck have also become mere decorations, and the positions of the original four cannons on the upper and lower levels at the stern have been changed to eight cannons.

Before long, several hundred workers and technicians from the Atwen Royal Arsenal crowded around dozens of horse-drawn carts at the dock, creating a scene of bustling activity, with the sounds of lively chatter and neighing horses filling the air

As the workers at the Atwen Royal Artillery Factory began to prepare for construction in a grand manner, a beautifully decorated carriage stopped at the dock. An expressionless British butler, wearing a wig, approached Lin Haijiang. The middle-aged butler, dressed in a blue short tailcoat, white fitted trousers, lantern pants, and pointed leather shoes, held a note and read it word by word, fearing that Lin Haijiang might not understand.

However, when Lin Haijiang saw the so-called Aitwen Royal Artillery Factory's production of the Aitwen cannon, he was still deeply astonished. The Aitwen cannon is actually the renowned Recoilless Breech-loading Gun!

Lin Haijiang recalls that in history, in 1846, Italian artillery reserve officer Ricot created the world's first breech-loading rifled cannon, which significantly improved both accuracy and firing speed. This marked a major transformation in the structure of artillery, and even into the twenty-first century, the basic structure of artillery has not undergone significant changes.

If Lin Haijiang were in Edward Aiven's position, he would certainly resist these latest Aitwen cannons. However, at present, he is merely a junior sergeant trainee responsible for monitoring the construction. Well aware of the intricacies of officialdom, Lin Haijiang knows exactly what he should say and do

At this moment, Lin Haijiang's attention was focused on the bridge's helm. The almost fully open helm was something Lin Haijiang found quite unfamiliar, as most artillery in this era still relied on close-range grape shot to inflict casualties or used chain shot to strike the opponent's mast as the primary means of engagement

The vast sea, under the illumination of the rising sun, instantly transformed into a dazzling golden curtain. Lin Haijiang shielded his eyes with his hand, and after stepping onto the helm of the Phoenix, he looked around. The busy sailors were quietly observing him, this seemingly extraordinary Royal Navy petty officer.

Looking at the workers dismantling the top gun positions, Lin Haijiang called the person in charge, Sigur, to the front. Since there were no construction modification blueprints at all, Lin Haijiang directly fabricated an order from Edward Aiven to remove all the bottom-level artillery, reinforce the lower hold, and place all gun positions on the deck level

However, in later generations, the descendants of those who were born at that time fought legal battles throughout Europe for the title of the Father of Artillery