IBTCPOTME Novel - Chapter 123
**Chapter 123**
**The Air of Mexico Creates Freedom (2)**
“It’s grown tremendously.”
What was once a warehouse where Eduardo and a few technicians developed weapons has now transformed into a weapons research institute teeming with dozens of university graduates and engineers.
“Haha, Your Highness hasn’t just ordered one or two things to be made. We need this much space to develop them all.”
“Really? Then let’s see the results.”
Eduardo and I walked through the Vega Defense Industries building, engaging in light conversation.
In the room we arrived at, there stood the ‘Gatling Gun,’ considered the first machine gun to achieve practical success. We couldn’t name it after the American doctor, Gatling, so we simply called it VA (Vega Ametralladora)-43, but its form and operating principle were strikingly similar to Gatling’s.
I wanted to create a more advanced machine gun, but I didn’t know the intricate workings of such a weapon. This Gatling Gun was the closest I could get to understanding, at least in terms of its appearance.
“This is the prototype you made two years ago?”
“Yes, it is. We couldn’t mass-produce it due to the cost.”
Until now, weapons were rarely made of steel. The cost of steel production was simply too high.
The guns and cannons currently possessed by the Mexican army were all made of relatively inexpensive metals like wrought iron and cast iron, with steel only used for special cases like large-caliber naval guns.
I grinned and said,
“You’ve heard the news about the drastic reduction in steel production costs, right?”
Eduardo grinned back.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Steel’s high strength, durability, superior mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and the ability to optimize performance through heat treatment are significant advantages in creating better weapons.
This machine gun is a prime example. The high firing rate and continuous use of a machine gun are difficult to sustain with metals other than steel.
The high manufacturing cost was considered the biggest drawback of the Gatling Gun in the original timeline, highlighting the necessity of using steel.
The Gatling Gun was developed in 1861, six years after the Bessemer process was developed in England. However, it was only just starting to spread in America. We didn’t have a large-scale steel mill like ours, so the price of steel hadn’t dropped significantly yet.
“It works, right?”
“Yes, would you like to see?”
I nodded, and the technicians aimed at a thick concrete block riddled with holes.
“Let’s begin.”
One technician started turning the crank handle of the VA-43, while another loaded ammunition into the feed mechanism.
The moment the ammunition-loaded barrel rotated and reached the firing position.
*Tattattattattattattattattattattattattattattattattattattattat!*
Even with my ears covered, the overwhelming sound of firing pierced through my hand, and the thick concrete block began to crumble.
The machine gun ceased firing after about 30 seconds of pulverizing the concrete block.
I glanced to the side and saw Diego with a stunned expression.
“Diego, what do you think?”
*Gulp-*
“···It’s amazing. It feels like hundreds of people are firing at once.”
“Well, it actually fires hundreds of rounds per minute, so it’s understandable you’d feel that way. Eduardo, how many rounds per minute exactly?”
“300 rounds per minute. The VA-45 model, which is currently in preparation for mass production, is expected to reach 500 rounds per minute.”
500 rounds per minute.
The Eduardo Rifle had been steadily improved, making it incomparably faster than the old muskets that took 20-30 seconds to reload. Still, it was a bolt-action design with single-shot firing. Even a skilled shooter could only fire about 10-15 rounds per minute. A single machine gun could fire 50 times that amount.
Furthermore, unlike single-shot rifles that require aiming with each shot, a repeating weapon allows for adjusting aim while firing, enabling the sweeping away of enemies.
Its power was so overwhelming that it shattered the ranks of line infantry, who had previously maintained strict order even in front of cannons. And thus, line infantry vanished into history.
‘It’s a bit of an exaggeration to say that one machine gun changed the paradigm of land warfare, but it’s definitely one of the major factors.’
To be precise, it wasn’t just the machine gun. The firepower of individual firearms and cannons also rapidly increased. If you tried to fight in the old way, forming lines, you would suffer overwhelming casualties.
‘In the original timeline, this terrifying weapon was created by a doctor with good intentions, I suppose.’
It’s hard to believe there could be good intentions behind such a terrifying weapon, but in the original timeline, Dr. Gatling recalled, “If I could invent a machine gun that could perform the combat duties of a hundred men, it would greatly reduce the need for large armies, and consequently, greatly reduce exposure to battle and disease.”
He was a doctor and inventor who, after witnessing the fact that most soldiers in the American Civil War died from disease rather than gunshot wounds, invented the machine gun. However, contrary to his intentions, wars after the invention of the Gatling Gun recorded far greater casualties than before.
“Eduardo, do your best with mass production.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Then let’s move on to the next item.”
The next item was barbed wire.
Barbed wire consists of long, thin wires twisted together into a continuous line, with sharp spikes or needle-like protrusions placed at regular intervals.
These spikes are firmly attached to the wire, designed to inflict injury on approaching people or animals.
Its purpose was evident at a glance.
Diego said,
“This is for defense.”
“Yes. Even though our army’s offensive power is much stronger, we’ll need to defend on some fronts, and this barbed wire will allow us to defend a wider area with fewer troops.”
It’s a simple device, but its effect is powerful. You can’t break through this barbed wire with bare hands.
Even in the original timeline, before tanks appeared, the only way to break through this wire was to diligently cut it with wire cutters or large shears, use explosives, or dig trenches to pass under the wire. Of course, the enemy wouldn’t just stand around while you did those things, so they were all extremely cumbersome and dangerous methods.
This seemingly insignificant barbed wire becomes a formidable wall for the enemy. It’s not for nothing that every country in the world went crazy producing it during the World Wars.
“It seems like it could be used in various places other than just for war. Like managing livestock or setting up secure zones.”
Diego said.
“That’s right. We’re building up a stockpile now, so we can’t sell it yet, but we plan to sell it to the public later.”
“I see.”
After checking the items in preparation, my slightly troubled mind calmed down.
***
“Ideally, I’d like to issue a statement.”
“Mr. President, please wait a week.”
Everyone calls him President, but his term begins on March 4th. He’s still the President-elect, technically.
It wouldn’t look good for the President-elect to step forward while the actual President is still in office.
“Is the press operation going well?”
James Polk asked his aide.
“Yes, we’re starting to see reactions from the North.”
The aide handed him a stack of newspapers. James Polk quickly flipped through them, checking only the headlines.
[Mexico Defends Horse Thief Tom]
[Will the Government Just Endure This Insult?]
In the North, where abolitionists are numerous, they omit the word ‘slave’ and focus on this being a diplomatic insult and the theft of that black slave.
‘Of course.’
The immediate, heated response from the South was different in focus and timing. But ultimately, the people of the North also share the same desire to exploit this conflict situation, just like the South.
‘This is the will of the people.’
James Polk gained confidence. The current administration, nearing the end of its term, was delaying a response. He planned to take action on this matter as soon as he took office.
“Demanding an apology for this incident is obvious, but is there anything else? Something we can do, take action on?”
“There’s something from the Ambassador to Mexico, would you like to see it?”
Following convention, he had begun receiving handover briefings immediately after his election, and now he was receiving all important information directly.
“Hmm. Mexico is recruiting census takers to conduct a census?”
Census, census···.
James Polk mumbled to himself for a moment and then said,
“We need to do it too.”
“A census? We did one just five years ago, it’s only been 40 years.”
The United States has conducted a census every ten years since 1790. Doing it again so soon after the last one?
“If, and this is a big if, the conflict with Mexico intensifies, we need to know that the United States has a clear advantage over Mexico. That way, the people will have confidence. Even if the best solution is to resolve it diplomatically, we need grounds to stand on to be able to push harder.”
“You’re right.”
Even though population doesn’t directly equate to national power in this era, its importance cannot be ignored. In fact, many media outlets and intellectuals had mentioned the census results released by Mexico in late 1838 and the US census results of 1840 together.
Mexico’s population in 1838 was 10,820,000, while the US population in 1840 was about 17,000,000. Even considering the two-year gap, there was a huge population difference of almost 5,500,000 between the two countries.
The US economic growth rate and birth rate are unmatched, so comparing the results for the same year would be a huge boost to national confidence.
“I’ll make it my first policy. Start preparing now. Make sure it’s released within six months of my inauguration.”
“Yes!”
***
Tom’s escape became a huge topic in the South, especially in areas bordering Mexico.
“That horse-thief slave bastard.”
Many plantation owners were furious, as if their property had been stolen, and they tightened their already lax security.
“If this happens on our plantation, I’ll have them all killed!”
It was common for them to openly berate their workers.
The problem was that the careless plantation owners, and many of the workers, were talking loudly, and the slaves heard them.
‘···They’ll let me immigrate if I steal a horse and go west?’
For many slaves who had long since given up on gaining freedom, even that small chance was precious.
That wasn’t all.
“There’s finally an escape route for the South, where we’ve been sitting on our hands.”
It was the ‘Underground Railroad,’ a secret organization dedicated to freeing slaves.
Freeing slaves was a dangerous task that could cost you your life. It was too risky to operate in the South, where the chances of escaping to the North were too low.
“You’re talking about Mexico.”
Everyone already knew. The man nodded and said,
“I formally propose that we expand our operational area to the South.”
Unanimous agreement.
No one opposed.
“Hmm.”
The man looked around at the people in the meeting room and made the final decision.
“We’ll establish a network in the South and begin preparations for liberation.”
Tom’s escape, a small flutter of wings, was about to unleash a massive storm.
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