My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Chapter 40 Is this a mortar?
Although Bi Maokang had never met Zhu Cilang, he knew Zhu Cilang's identity at the first opportunity.

That shining dragon robe is the best proof!

"I, Bi Maokang, pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

As Bi Maokang spoke, he prepared to perform a grand ceremony.

There was no way. He was a commoner now, and he had to perform formalities when meeting the prince.

But before he could kneel down, Zhu Cilang held him up.

"Master Bi, please stand up quickly. You are old and don't need such a grand ceremony!"

Zhu Cilang didn’t know Bi Maokang’s age before, he only knew that he lived until the end of the Ming Dynasty.

Now it seems that Bi Maokang is at least seventy years old. In order for him to live a few more years, it is better not to kneel!
After helping Bi Maokang sit down on the chair, Zhu Cilang turned back to look at Ma Bao and said:
"Tell them to send some hot soup and food over!"

"Slave, you obey!"

Ma Bao agreed and ran out quickly.

When Bi Maokang saw this scene, he felt uneasy for a moment.

"Your Highness, I, a humble commoner, do not deserve such kindness."

Bi Maokang said hurriedly.

Zhu Cilang smiled and said:
"Master Bi, you're welcome. You must be tired from traveling day and night for so many days. Just consider it as a welcome dinner for you."

"Then I would like to thank His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Bi Maokang had no choice but to agree.

While the dishes were being served, Zhu Cilang got straight to the point and said:

"Master Bi, have you brought the things?"

Bi Maokang hurriedly took out a book from his arms and handed it to Zhu Cilang respectfully.

"Your Highness, this is the Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment compiled by me."

"This book is different from the previous one. After I resigned from my post, I expanded and improved it."

"The contents recorded inside should be more detailed."

Zhu Cilang reached out to take it, then glanced through it and couldn't help but marvel at it.

This thing is really a treasure, much more detailed than the "Illustrated Book of Military Equipment" he had read before.

Each firearm is accompanied by a hand-illustration detailing its features and components.

As long as there are skilled craftsmen, the firearms mentioned should be able to be manufactured.

In particular, the detailed descriptions of the flintlock rifles were indeed more detailed than those in the "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment" that Zhu Cilang had read before.

Even each part is described in detail!
Soon, wine, food and hot soup were served. Zhu Cilang asked Ma Bao to serve Bi Maokang while he continued to flip through the "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment" in his hand.

When he turned to the last few pages, Zhu Cilang's expression changed instantly.

The next second, he handed the "Illustrated Explanation of Military Weapons" in his hand to Bi Maokang, and then pointed at the firearm that looked like a mortar and asked:
"What is this?"

Bi Maokang looked at it for a moment, then smiled and said:

"This is a new type of firearm that I have developed in recent years based on the fire chariot. It's called the Single-Person Cannon."

"The artillery ammunition is specially made. It will explode after hitting the target, causing secondary damage."

"It has a long range and is easy to transport. Two strong soldiers can easily carry it."

Zhu Cilang's mouth twitched, and he didn't know what to say for a moment.

Because whether you look at the picture or listen to Bi Maokang's explanation, this thing is a mortar!

A thick steel pipe is placed on an iron bracket, with a special ammunition next to it.

But then again, can this thing really be made in this day and age?

Continue to scroll down, and you will see things like Flying Sky Thunder, Sky Thunder, Thunderbolt Cannon Poison Fireball, and Ten Thousand Enemies.

Some things were not invented by Bi Maokang, but were further improved by Bi Maokang, so they look more powerful.

After a moment, Zhu Cilang slowly closed the "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment".

Bi Maokang also put down his chopsticks at the right time.

After a moment, Zhu Cilang finally spoke, "I intend to separate the Military Equipment Bureau from the Ministry of Works and establish a new department with the Armament Bureau."

"This department specializes in the research, improvement, and manufacture of various gunpowders, firearms, and artillery. I've even decided on a name: the Firearms Research Institute."

"The Firearms Research Institute can be further divided into the Gunpowder Department, the Firearms Department, the Artillery Department, the Chariot Department, the Grenade Department, the Machinery Department, and the General Affairs Department."

"There shall be one president, one left and one right assistant minister, and two secretaries. Each bureau shall have one director, two deputy directors, two secretaries, and a number of doctors."

"I would like to have Lord Bi become the first dean of the Firearms Research Institute. Would Lord Bi be willing to do so?"

Zhu Cilang said this and looked at Bi Maokang beside him.

At this moment, Bi Maokang was so shocked that he couldn't speak.

Because in his opinion, the position of the director of the Firearms Research Institute seemed to be equivalent to the position of the six ministers. After all, behind the director were the left and right vice ministers of the third rank.

What if the prince promoted the Firearms Research Institute to the same status as the six ministries!
But this simply doesn't work.

After all, the Six Ministries have existed for thousands of years, and the officials of the Six Ministries will not allow the emergence of another department that is equal to them.

Because this involves seizing power!
Thinking of this, Bi Maokang took a deep breath and then said:

"Your Highness, please forgive my bluntness, but this won't work."

"If the Firearms Research Institute is truly on par with the other six departments, it will inevitably lead to dissatisfaction from the other six departments."

"By then, the government and the country will be in turmoil, and even the Emperor and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will be implicated."

"I beg Your Highness the Crown Prince to reconsider!"

Zhu Cilang thought about it and suddenly felt that what Bi Maokang said made some sense.

If the Firearms Research Institute is forcibly brought to the same status as the other six departments, the other six departments will definitely cause trouble, and the research here will definitely be affected.

He was anxious to develop firearms to equip the army and did not want to argue with the other six departments for the time being.

Suddenly at this moment, Zhu Cilang's eyes lit up.

He looked at Bi Maokang and said:
"If the Firearms Research Institute is assigned to the Eastern Palace, and official positions are divided according to the Eastern Palace's positions, then wouldn't the other six ministries have anything to say?"

"For example, the position of dean is bestowed with the title of Prince Taishi, which is the first rank."

"The left and right assistant ministers were changed to the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor or the Crown Prince's Junior Preceptor, both of which are of the second rank."

"The directors of all departments are guests of the Crown Prince, and are of the third rank!"

"All other positions are based on those in the Eastern Palace."

"Anyway, most of the positions in the Eastern Palace are just honorary titles, so no one cares."

"When I inherit the throne, I will elevate the Firearms Research Institute to a position on par with the six ministries."

"how?"

Zhu Cilang thought he was very smart!

Since he was afraid that the other six ministries would cause trouble if he set up the Firearms Research Institute, he might as well just incorporate the Firearms Research Institute into the Eastern Palace.

Anyway, the Eastern Palace has never had anything to do with the six ministries, so he can do whatever he wants.

Moreover, if it has nothing to do with the imperial court, there is no need to consider party struggles or interpersonal relationships at all.

You don’t even have to go to court!
All these people have to do is stay in the institute and do research every day.

You have to know that this kind of technical talent never likes the rules and party struggles in the court.

Wasn’t it because he hated party disputes that Bi Maokang resigned from his official position?
Isn't this exactly what he wants?

The more Zhu Cilang thought about it, the more he felt that his idea was simply perfect!
At the same time, Bi Maokang was stunned.

The previous words were already enough to shock him, but he didn't expect that the prince would say something even more shocking next.

It's that sentence 'wait for the day when I inherit the throne'!
This sentence almost cost Bi Maokang his life!

Although everyone knows that the Crown Prince will inherit the throne in the future, these words cannot be said out loud!

The meaning changes when you say it out loud.

If someone were to tell this to the emperor, it would definitely arouse suspicion between father and son!

Poor Bi Maokang, he didn't know that the prince in front of him was not afraid of suspicion between father and son at all.

Because he had already successfully rebelled three days ago.
(End of this chapter)