Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 333: The Rolling Trend! Destiny and Rebellion!

Looking back on the past, Lu Youlin and Li Boyao both studied at the Imperial College and were close friends.

At that time, the Imperial College took the teachings of sages as their guiding principle and immersed themselves in classics, history, and literature, hoping that one day they would be able to stand out in the imperial examinations and bring glory to the family.

Lu Youlin and Li Boyao were also among them, studying diligently and not daring to slack off in the slightest.

Although Lu Youlin was very talented, he encountered many setbacks in the imperial examinations and failed many times. His dream of a career in officialdom seemed like an unattainable star.

Just at this time, Zhu Yunhuan came to the Imperial College and gave lectures to the students, bringing unprecedented science.

Like a thunderclap in spring, it exploded in the hearts of the students and opened a new window of knowledge for them.

Lu Youlin keenly realized that this might be an opportunity for a turning point in his destiny, so he resolutely gave up the imperial examination path he had studied hard for many years and instead devoted himself to the Ming Manufacturing Bureau, devoting himself to the study of gunpowder.

Although there were countless craftsmen in the manufacturing bureau at that time, their cultural level was generally low and they relied entirely on experience.

Lu Youlin, who had participated in the imperial examination and was able to study at the Imperial College, was undoubtedly a top student in the Manufacturing Bureau at that time.

Although there is no knowledge of gunpowder in the books of sages, and the teachings of sages cannot be used to make gunpowder, the learning ability is the same.

With cultural knowledge as a foundation, they have an obvious advantage over gunpowder craftsmen who only rely on traditional skills during the same period.

Since joining the Manufacturing Bureau, Lu Youlin has devoted himself to the research of gunpowder, especially bullets.

Apply the scientific principles taught by Zhu Yunhuan to practical operations.

Every experiment is carefully prepared and every subtle data and change is recorded.

After countless attempts and revisions, from the formula of gunpowder to the improvement of the production process, he gradually achieved results and finally became the director of a bullet factory.

Although Li Boyue did not leave the Imperial College at that time, he developed a strong interest in science and conducted various experiments in his spare time.

After the journal Science was established, he began to submit articles to it and several of his articles were accepted.

Later, the Ming Manufacturing Bureau was restructured and the Ming Court Assets Department was established.

Each factory was separated and officials were appointed by the Ministry of Personnel.

Because Zhu Yunhuan required the Ministry of Personnel to appoint officials who were familiar with technology, but before that many scholars only knew how to read books of sages and had no understanding of science and technology at all.

Therefore, the Ministry of Personnel spends a lot of time thinking when appointing officials.

In the end, the position of factory director was mostly recommended by the court's Assets Department based on performance, and was carefully selected from former technical workers and experienced managers.

In order to ensure checks and balances of power and comprehensive management, factory supervisors are mainly selected from the Daming Academy of Sciences.

Among them are researchers who have devoted themselves to research at the Academy of Sciences, as well as elites and scholars from all walks of life who have published articles in Science journal and its sub-journals and are well versed in scientific principles.

Li Boyue was selected for this reason and jumped from a student at the Imperial College to the director of a bullet factory.

You know, the supervisor of the bullet factory is a fifth-rank official.

At this point, Li Boyao took a step forward and jumped into the Dragon Gate.

Of course, there are more than one person like him.

The imperial court’s Assets Department had sixty or seventy factories under its jurisdiction. According to regulations formulated by the Government Affairs Office, the factory directors and supervisors were both fifth-rank officials.

Many people who were previously interested in the science taught by Zhu Yunhuan and had professional knowledge were able to take advantage of this rare opportunity to escape from their previous obscurity.

He was entrusted with important tasks by the court, promoted and became an emerging force in the court.

In contrast, those scholars who still cling to the old path of the imperial examination and persist in their shortcomings are in an awkward situation.

To date, most of them have tried their best and can only seek minor official positions of the seventh or eighth rank, and often fail to get them. They are trapped in the quagmire of official career, full of anxiety and confusion.

Although they claimed to the outside world that the fifth-rank officials who managed the factory worked with craftsmen and menial servants all day long and were not as noble and elegant as the civil servants.

The centurions in the garrison are all sixth-rank officials, but can they really be compared with the seventh-rank county magistrate?
The same applies to factory directors and supervisors.

As officials of the same fifth rank, his actual power and status were certainly far less than that of a Tongzhi, and were even higher than that of a county magistrate.

Of course, this is just their way of deceiving themselves.

A fifth-rank official is still a fifth-rank official after all, a high position that many people desire but never attain all their lives.

If there is a real opportunity to take up the position, I wonder how many people would immediately stop speaking out about factory supervisors and directors being useless and unbearable, and instead flock to take the position.

Under the wave of reform promoted by Zhu Yunhuan with all his strength, the times were like a surging river, rolling forward, and the trend of change was unstoppable.

A grain of ash of the times falls on a person, and it is a mountain.

On the other hand, if one can take advantage of the wave of the times, it can enable one to rise rapidly to the top.

An individual's destiny will always be affected by the national situation.

Lu Youlin and Li Boyao are undoubtedly the lucky ones among them.

They were also extremely grateful to Zhu Yunhuan.

After the two finished their conversation, they immediately started making arrangements.

Soon, the people sent to the Government Affairs Office to inquire set off.

At the same time, the gates of the bullet factory were closed and guards increased patrols.

Just like this, more than an hour passed. Just as Lu Youlin and Li Boyao were waiting anxiously, the sentry on the high platform suddenly shouted, "Troops are coming!"

Lu Youlin and Li Boyao both quickly climbed up the gate tower outside the bullet factory and looked into the distance.

Zhu Gaoxu was seen riding a horse and leading a large group of soldiers towards the factory in a dark mass, with an extremely alarming momentum.

They both gasped in surprise.

The thing I was most worried about finally happened!
Zhu Gaoxu really rebelled!
Lu Youlin did not hesitate and shouted, "Strengthen the alert and immediately organize the factory workers to come out and fight with the guards."

Zhu Gaoxu stopped his horse not far from the factory and shouted, "The Bullet Factory Supervisor Li Boyue and Director Lu Youlin have been corrupt and perverted the law, and their evil intentions have now been exposed."

"The Ministry of Justice has come here to arrest and interrogate him in compliance with the order of His Majesty."

"Why don't you open the door and get tied up?"

The voice echoed in the air, carrying with it unquestionable majesty and oppression, making people tremble with fear.

"Imperial edict? Where is the imperial edict?"

Lu Youlin's eyes widened as he questioned in a voice as loud as a bell.

The voice echoed in the empty venue, full of anger and disbelief.

"Open the door and I will show you."

Zhu Gaoxu looked grim, and at the same time shouted to the guards: "Your Majesty said that the rebellion of Li Boyao and Lu Youlin has nothing to do with the guards and workers of the bullet factory."

"Only punish the main culprits, and leave the innocent alone."

"Don't listen to the orders of these two evil thieves. Take them down quickly, open the door, and hand them over to the court for questioning."

"In this way, not only are you innocent, but you have also done a great deed."

His words were powerful, but there was a subtle hint of cunning and eagerness in his eyes.

As soon as these words were spoken, the guards suddenly became agitated.

Zhu Gaoxu was of noble status and powerful, and he had just entered the bullet factory in a majestic manner.

Many guards had witnessed Li Boyue and Lu Youlin groveling before him.

At this moment, he came in person with his men, saying that there was an imperial decree to arrest someone. The guards were confused and inevitably a little shaken, and the sound of whispering to each other could be heard one after another.

Upon seeing this, Li Boyue shouted angrily, "Zhu Gaoxu, do you think we are three-year-old children?"

"If His Majesty really has an imperial decree for you, why didn't you announce it when you came in just now?"

"Besides, if you really had an imperial decree, why would you go to such great lengths and lead so many troops here?"

"Just bring a few officers into the factory to announce the order and arrest the two of us."

"I became suspicious when you asked for one million rounds of ammunition for no apparent reason."

"Now it seems that you really have evil intentions and are planning rebellion."

"Zhu Gaoxu, your majesty is so powerful, how can you easily offend him?"

"You are really overestimating your own capabilities by plotting rebellion!" "I advise you to surrender as soon as possible and apologize to His Majesty."

"Perhaps, His Majesty will spare your life because we are both descendants of the royal family."

"If you persist in your wrongdoings and commit a terrible mistake, you will be doomed and die!"

His words were sharp and righteous. He no longer called him "little prince" but called him by his name. The expression on his face was full of contempt and reproach for Zhu Gaoxu.

After saying this, Li Boyue paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and shouted to the guards around him: "Zhu Gaoxu has already committed treason. He is lying about your majesty's order, and his purpose is to occupy the bullet factory."

"The bullet factory is an important place for the imperial court."

"We are responsible for protecting the factory. If we make the slightest mistake, we will die!"

"When Zhu Gaoxu came to collect the bullets, I became suspicious. I have just sent someone to report it urgently to the court. I believe the court will send troops to quell the rebellion soon."

"As long as we hold on for a few hours, Zhu Gaoxu will be unable to escape."

"My fellow brothers, listen to my command and defend the bullet factory to the death!"

As soon as Li Boyue finished speaking, there was a loud "bang", breaking the brief peace.

However, Zhu Gaoxu became furious and picked up his rifle, aimed at Li Boyue's head, and pulled the trigger without hesitation.

Zhu Gaoxu had long hated Li Boyue.

This person had previously pretended to be extremely humble and submissive in front of him, and had been fawning on him in a servile manner.

But when it comes to bullets, he would make excuses by saying that the bullet factory is out of stock. This kind of hypocritical behavior, of saying one thing and thinking another, is exactly what he hated most in his life.

Now, Li Boyue incited the factory guards and workers to fight against his army. Zhu Gaoxu felt that he would never be able to quell the hatred in his heart unless he cut this man into pieces.

Therefore, he fired decisively.

In his opinion, a despicable and shameless villain like Li Boyue was not worthy of any further words from him, and the best response to him was to shoot him to death.

Zhu Gaoxu aimed very accurately with this shot, and his eyes revealed his determination to kill.

However, things are unpredictable. At this critical moment, Li Boyao happened to shake his head left and right. He was anxious to check the movements and reactions of the guards and workers nearby, and his head shook naturally.

"Whoosh!"

The bullet whizzed past his right ear.

In an instant, blood slowly flowed from his ear and dripped onto the ground.

so close!

Li Boyue was secretly shocked, but he quickly calmed down, standing there tall and straight, motionless, like a towering mountain.

Li Boyue shouted in a firm tone: "Brothers, if we die here today to defend the factory, it means we sacrifice our lives for the Ming Dynasty. The court will definitely confer official titles on us posthumously."

"Our wives, children, elders, and future generations will all receive generous support and good treatment from the court."

"Our clan will also be proud of us and regard us as the pride of the family."

"But if we are deceived by this rebel and lose the bullet factory, or surrender to him out of fear of death, we will surely die when the imperial army arrives to suppress the rebellion."

"It will also bring shame to our ancestors and make our family despised."

"Let your wives and children no longer be able to hold their heads up in front of others."

"Let your descendants be insulted at will!"

"Brothers, today we will die if we fight or surrender."

"Do you want to be a loyal and brave man of the Ming Dynasty, glorify the family and leave your name in history, or do you want to be a treacherous and treacherous person who is despised by everyone? You can choose for yourself!"

His voice was passionate and generous, full of infectiousness, and echoed in the air for a long time.

"I'm waiting for a fight to the death!"

Someone in the crowd shouted first, and the sound was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.

"Fight to the death!"

"Fight to the death!"

"Fight to the death!"

In an instant, other guards and workers responded, shouting at the top of their lungs.

We are not stupid people, and we all have our own thoughts and judgments in our hearts.

At first, everyone was skeptical about the imperial edict Zhu Gaoxu mentioned, but they soon came to their senses.

What Li Boyao said made sense. If Zhu Gaoxu really had an imperial decree to arrest the two of them, why would he bring so many troops with him?

It is obvious that the purpose of mobilizing such a large force is to trick the gate open and then take control of the bullet factory.

Unless Li Boyue and Lu Youlin had openly rebelled, it would be unreasonable for them to bring so many troops.

The only reasonable explanation is that he did not have the imperial edict in his hand.

Compared to those simple farmers who work hard in the fields and rarely travel far away in their lives, the workers in the bullet factory have broader knowledge and more flexible minds.

On weekdays, the workers’ favorite newspaper, the Da Ming Daily, often published all kinds of anecdotes and wonderful “stories”.

There is also the fascinating serialized Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In addition, the workers get together after get off work to chat and brag, communicate and share with each other. Under the influence of each other, they all broaden their horizons and gain knowledge. Naturally, they are not as easily deceived as the simple farmers.

Witnessing this scene, Zhu Gaoxu felt secretly resentful, but he also knew that today's incident would not end well.

Reluctantly, he turned his horse around and rushed towards the military camp behind him.

In fact, he was already taking a huge risk by coming to knock on the door today.

There is a world of difference between a musket and a bow and arrow.

The shooting distance of arrows is limited, and as long as you wear thick armor, it can provide a certain degree of protection and resist the damage of arrows.

However, the musket bullets produced in the Ming Dynasty military factories were extremely powerful, enough to penetrate any armor on the market today, making it impossible to defend against them.

What's more, compared with the hit rate of bows and arrows, the shooting of muskets is more accurate, and within the effective range, it can almost hit whatever it is pointed at.

Therefore, in the era of cold weapons and bows and arrows, the commander could still give speeches in front of the battlefield to boost morale and even ensure his own safety to a certain extent.

After firearms became more and more popular, no one dared to act so rashly.

To easily expose yourself to the enemy's musket range is undoubtedly to seek death.

Zhu Gaoxu was usually very bold and fearless.

The reason why he dared to take the risk and give it a try was just because he was hoping for a lucky break, thinking that he could use his identity and rhetoric to trick the bullet factory into opening its door.

As for bringing only a few people in, pretending to be the imperial court to arrest people...

Zhu Gaoxu had considered this approach.

But the problem was that he had neither an imperial edict nor official documents from the Government Affairs Office. With his status as the chief of the Ministry of Justice, he had no power to arrest anyone.

He had also thought about forging an imperial edict or official document, but time was tight and he had no time to prepare it in a hurry.

Since we can't trick the door open, the only option is to force it open.

Zhu Gaoxu was secretly calculating in his mind that although the bullet factory was surrounded by high walls, it formed a certain defensive barrier.

But apart from the sturdy gatehouse at the main entrance, which allows for a commanding look around and shooting, the defense facilities elsewhere are relatively simple.

It shouldn't be difficult for me to lead three thousand elite soldiers and attack them by force.

Thinking of this, Zhu Gaoxu's eyes revealed a hint of ruthlessness and determination.

"attack!"

Back in the barracks, he immediately gave the order without hesitation.

In an instant, war drums beat, trumpets blew, and three thousand soldiers rushed towards the bullet factory like a tide.

The shouts and cries were deafening, as if they were going to raze the entire bullet factory to the ground!

……

(End of this chapter)