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

Seeing that the Crown Prince had not been harsh, Bi Maokang felt somewhat relieved, and a smile returned to his face. He then suggested:

"Your Highness, since you're here, why don't we move to the training grounds and let this old minister demonstrate the power and handling of this mass-produced new rifle for you? Compared to the previous samples, there have been some improvements; it's easier to operate and more reliable."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang's eyes lit up, and he nodded, saying:
"Excellent! I've been wanting to see it for myself."

As he spoke, he stood up.

Bi Maokang and others quickly led the way, and the group left the office and were about to head towards the dedicated training ground located behind the research institute.

At this moment, a sudden change occurred!
A high-pitched, shrill, and extremely penetrating voice suddenly rang out from the direction of the research institute's main gate, carrying a tone unique to palace eunuchs, which was particularly jarring in the slightly noisy workshop environment:
"His Majesty has arrived!!!"

These four words resounded like thunder over the research institute!
Zhu Cilang's steps froze mid-air, his expression instantly hardening. He then abruptly turned his head, looking towards the research institute's gate with undisguised surprise and confusion.

Why did Emperor Chongzhen arrive? And at this time?
Bi Maokang and all the officials and craftsmen around him were completely stunned. They looked at each other, their faces filled with disbelief and surprise.

His Highness the Crown Prince arrived just moments before His Majesty followed closely behind? What a coincidence! Was it pre-arranged? But judging from the Crown Prince's reaction, he clearly knew nothing about it!

"Your Highness, Your Majesty, this... His Majesty's arrival, this..."

Bi Maokang realized what was happening and broke out in a cold sweat. He looked at Zhu Cilang, unsure of what to do.

When the emperor himself visits, the reception protocol, security measures, and even the reporting procedures are completely different from those for a crown prince's inspection!

Zhu Cilang quickly suppressed his surprise, waved his hand to interrupt Bi Maokang's panic, and said in a deep voice:
"What's the panic? His Majesty's personal visit is an honor for the research institute and a great opportunity to test our achievements. Quickly prepare and come with me to welcome him!"

"Yes, yes! This old minister understands!"

Bi Maokang nodded repeatedly, quickly straightened his clothes, and whispered to the crowd behind him:

"Quickly tidy your appearance and follow His Highness the Crown Prince to greet him! Do not be disrespectful!"

So the group that was just about to head to the training ground immediately changed direction. Led by Zhu Cilang and followed closely by Bi Maokang, the officials and managers of the research institute quickly lined up according to their rank, walking hurriedly but not too hastily towards the gate of the research institute.

As Zhu Cilang walked, he quickly pondered why Chongzhen would suddenly come to the Firearms Research Institute, especially on the day of the Grand Court Assembly. This was illogical.

=Could it be that after Chongzhen finished his court session, he learned that I had come to the research institute and followed me there? But even so, there was no need to make such a big show of it. Judging from the scale of the announcement just now, there were probably quite a few officials who followed me.

Sure enough, when they arrived at the front yard of the research institute, the scene before them confirmed Zhu Cilang's guess.

Outside the heavy gate of the research institute, the imperial procession was already in full swing, with the Imperial Guards and Han generals standing solemnly on both sides, on high alert.

Emperor Chongzhen did not ride in the imperial carriage. Instead, he was dressed in ordinary clothes with a black fox fur cloak over them. Surrounded by a large group of officials, he stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the towering walls and tightly closed gates of the research institute.

Following behind him were none other than the six ministers and vice ministers, as well as several cabinet ministers!
Xue Guoguan, Hong Chengchou, and others were among them.

This was no ordinary "casual visit," but a formal, high-level imperial inspection! Its political implications are self-evident.

"Your subjects pay homage to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Led by Zhu Cilang, a large group of people knelt down in front of the research institute.

Only a few elderly officials, such as Bi Maokang, who were granted the privilege of being exempted from kneeling, bowed deeply in respect.

"My lords, please make peace."

Emperor Chongzhen's voice came through with a smile, indicating that he was in a good mood.

Everyone bowed and stood up. A cold wind swept across the open space in front of the research institute, carrying with it the unique smell of cooking fires from the workshop.

Emperor Chongzhen wore a gentle yet unfathomable smile, his gaze sweeping over Bi Maokang, Zhu Cilang, and the obviously tense and uneasy officials and craftsmen around him, as if he could see into their hearts.

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"Today, during my court session, a minister reported that the Firearms Research Institute has made several breakthroughs in recent months, with rapid progress in developing new firearms that are considered vital to the nation. I am very pleased and also curious. Since the founding of our Great Ming Dynasty, we have always valued armor and archery, but the use of firearms has also been indispensable. In recent years, the advantages of flintlock muskets have been evident to all of you."

"Having heard of new talents today, I thought it would be a good opportunity to bring all of you ministers along so that you may see for yourselves what kind of powerful weapons our skilled craftsmen from the Ministry of Works and the talented individuals from the Firearms Research Institute have added to the court and the army. I have not informed you in advance, so this may be abrupt. I hope it has not disturbed your important business."

Chongzhen spoke in a very polite manner, even with a tone of "negotiation," but the natural imperial pressure and the mention of "reports from officials" and "important national treasures" in his words made everyone present feel a chill.

The emperor clearly had high expectations for today's "showcase of achievements".

Upon hearing this, Bi Maokang was both surprised and delighted. He was surprised by the emperor's sudden arrival, which caught him completely off guard, but delighted by the emperor's tone, which indicated a high level of approval for the research institute's work.

He quickly bowed again, answering with trepidation:
"Your Majesty is too kind! Your Majesty and all the esteemed officials' personal inspection is an unparalleled honor for our Firearms Research Institute. How can it be considered a disturbance? Your Majesty and all the esteemed officials' presence is a great encouragement and affirmation for this old minister and all colleagues in the institute! Your Majesty, Your Highness, and all the esteemed officials, please come inside to talk. It is cold and windy outside."

After saying that, he quickly stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation, his posture extremely respectful.

Emperor Chongzhen nodded with a smile and strode forward, with Zhu Cilang naturally following closely behind his father.

Grand Secretary Xue Guoguan and other high-ranking officials also filed in, their eyes filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and inquiry as they looked at the heavily guarded, renowned, yet mysterious research institute.

The unique smell of rust, saltpeter, coal and grease in the air, along with the faint sounds of metal clanging and machinery running from the distant workshops, gave them an atmosphere different from that of the temples, one that was full of power and "practical learning".

During the journey, Bi Maokang carefully accompanied Emperor Chongzhen and Emperor Zhu Cilang. Seeing that the emperor seemed to be in high spirits, he took the opportunity to whisper and ask for instructions:
"Your Majesty, when His Highness the Crown Prince arrived just now, this old minister was about to lead His Highness to the training ground to watch the live-fire demonstration of the new firearms. I wonder... if Your Majesty and the other officials would also be interested in taking a look? It would be a good opportunity for Your Majesty and the other officials to personally test the power of this new weapon."

Upon hearing this, Chongzhen's interest deepened. He stopped and looked at Bi Maokang, smiling as he said:
"Oh? A training ground? A live-fire demonstration? Better late than never! Excellent! Today, I and my beloved ministers will act as 'examiners' to see what kind of 'answer sheet' Minister Bi and the craftsmen have presented. Lang'er, what do you think?" Zhu Cilang quickly replied:

"Your Majesty is wise, and I have also wished to see it. Minister Bi, please lead the way."

"The minister obeys the order!"

Bi Maokang perked up and quickly agreed. He then whispered a few instructions to an official beside him, who immediately jogged ahead to the training ground to make arrangements.

Bi Maokang led the way, and the group, in a grand procession, passed through several sentry posts and workshop areas, arriving at a spacious training ground located deep within the research institute and enclosed by high walls.

The training ground had been leveled and compacted, and rows of straw targets, covered with old cotton armor or nailed with wooden boards, stood in the distance, ranging from thirty to one hundred paces apart.

A viewing platform was set up in one corner of the venue. Although it was not luxurious, it was equipped with a canopy and seats. At this moment, the viewing platform had been quickly set up.

Everyone took their seats.

Emperor Chongzhen naturally occupied the central position, with Zhu Cilang sitting beside him, and the important officials lined up on either side.

All eyes were focused on the empty training ground, waiting for the legendary "new type of firearm" to make its appearance.

Before long, Bi Maokang, accompanied by several craftsmen, carrying several long trays covered with dark blue velvet, walked to the front of the viewing platform. He took a deep breath, composed himself, and then stepped forward, bowing to Emperor Chongzhen and the assembled officials, saying, "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Excellencies, please look at this—"

As he spoke, he personally unveiled the velvet cloth on the first tray.

In an instant, several strangely shaped firearms, completely different from the flintlock muskets that everyone was familiar with, appeared before everyone's eyes!

These muskets, with their cold, hard steel color and dark wood grain, feature simple, smooth lines, lacking the complex, exposed firing mechanism of flintlock muskets. The barrels appear longer and straighter, with a prominent, openable mechanism in the rear of the gun, and a uniquely shaped stock at the rear.

Overall, it gives people a fresh impression of being sharp, reserved, yet full of dangerous power.

"This is……?"

"What is this? It's completely different from a flintlock musket!"

"The design is quite unique..."

A murmur of surprise and discussion immediately arose from the viewing platform. Apart from a very few insiders, most officials, including Minister of War Li Banghua and Hong Chengchou, were seeing this new type of firearm, referred to as a "rifle," for the first time!

This was mainly due to the strict order issued by Zhu Cilang before his southern tour: the rifle project was a top secret, and no specific progress, especially the appearance and performance data of the finished product, should be disclosed to any unrelated personnel without his or the emperor's explicit permission.

Therefore, even military authorities such as the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commissions only knew about rifles in a limited way: "a more advanced firearm is under development." They knew what it was but not why it was so.

Seeing the actual object at this moment naturally filled me with shock and wonder.

Bi Maokang carefully took a rifle from the tray, held it with both hands, and presented it to Chongzhen on the table. His face was filled with barely suppressed excitement and pride as he introduced it in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty, this weapon is called a 'breech-loading rifle,' or simply a 'rifle.' It was developed over two years by hundreds of craftsmen in the Imperial Academy, with the guidance and tireless support of His Highness the Crown Prince. The power of this rifle far surpasses that of old-style muskets and even current flintlock muskets!"

He pointed to the rifles and explained them one by one:
"Your Majesty, please look, the most remarkable feature of this spear lies here—"

He gently turned a small lever at the rear of the gun, and with a soft "click," the rear of the barrel opened upwards like a door, revealing the dark chamber.

"This is a breech-loading design. There is no need to laboriously load gunpowder and bullets from the muzzle; simply insert the specially designed fixed ammunition from here."

He gestured to the craftsman beside him to present a brass-colored, finger-length cylindrical object.

"Then close the bolt and it can be fired. This eliminates the need for tamping with a cleaning rod, making the loading speed several times faster than a flintlock musket!"

He then pointed to the gun barrel:

"The inner bore is engraved with spiral grooves, called 'rifling.' After the projectile is fired, it is guided by these rifling grooves and spins at high speed, making it extremely stable after leaving the barrel and not prone to deviation. Therefore, its range and accuracy far exceed those of a smoothbore flintlock musket. Its effective range can reach more than 150 paces, and within 100 paces, it can penetrate heavy armor! As for the rate of fire..."

A confident smile appeared on Bi Maokang's face.

"His Majesty and the other officials will see the truth in person later."

Emperor Chongzhen was already captivated by the novel firearm. He couldn't resist reaching out and picking up the cold rifle, weighing it in his hand, and carefully examining the opening and closing bolt, the slender barrel, and running his fingers over the smooth wooden stock. His face revealed amazement and undisguised delight, and he exclaimed repeatedly:
"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! A masterpiece of craftsmanship! Truly a national treasure! Minister Bi, you and the entire research institute are truly pillars of our Great Ming and a national treasure! With such a divine weapon, how can we worry about unrest on the borders or the rebellion of the barbarians? This achievement should be recorded in history!"

Bi Maokang quickly bowed, his tone becoming increasingly humble:

"Your Majesty flatters us! This is merely our duty, and it is thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, the wise leadership of His Highness the Crown Prince, and the full support of the court that we have achieved this small result. We dare not take credit for it."

At this moment, the other important officials, especially Li Banghua and Hong Chengchou, also eagerly picked up the other rifles on the tray after being given permission and began to examine them carefully.

Li Banghua was in charge of the Ministry of War and was familiar with military equipment. Hong Chengchou had been on the Liaodong front for a long time and had fought against the Jurchens in real battles, so he had a keen understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of firearms.

After watching for a while and listening to Bi Maokang's explanation, the two of them became serious and excited.

Li Banghua stroked the gun barrel, feeling its cold texture and the faint spiral patterns on the inner wall, and murmured:

"Break-loading...fixed ammunition...rifling...this is simply revolutionary! If what Lord Bi said is true, if this is equipped on our army, in field battles, when the Jurchen cavalry charge, I'm afraid that one in ten will be wiped out before they even reach the front lines!"

Hong Chengchou, however, was more focused on the details of actual combat. He tried pulling the trigger to feel its smoothness, then weighed the brass cartridge in his hand and said in a deep voice:
"The loading is so convenient, and the ammunition is integrated, making it impervious to wind and rain. Soldiers standing in the middle of the formation can continuously fire upon it, and the density of firepower will be beyond imagination!"

Clearly, both men instantly realized that this seemingly unremarkable iron weapon in their hands might represent a complete transformation of future warfare! The flintlock musket had already caused the Qing army immense suffering, but this rifle was a revolutionary, age-defying attack! (End of Chapter)