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

Just as everyone was discussing and immersed in the shock of seeing rifles for the first time, a small door on one side of the training ground opened, and ten soldiers wearing new cotton armor and with cold and serious expressions ran into the field in formation, standing in neat rows about thirty paces away from the reviewing stand.

Each of them carried a brand-new rifle on their shoulder, the barrel gleaming with a cold metallic sheen in the winter sun.

Seeing that everything was ready, Bi Maokang quickly returned to Emperor Chongzhen and bowed to ask for instructions:

"Your Majesty, the soldiers for the shooting demonstration are in position, and the targets are set up. May we begin?"

Emperor Chongzhen was already impatient. He carefully placed the rifle he was holding back on the table, sat up straight, and cast a piercing gaze at the scene before him, proclaiming in a loud voice:
"Begin! Let me and my beloved ministers witness firsthand just how formidable the new firearms of our Great Ming Dynasty truly are!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

Bi Maokang accepted the order, turned around, and forcefully waved his arm at the sentry in the field who was leading the team!
"First team! On position! Target, human target fifty paces directly ahead! Ready—load!"

At the command, the ten soldiers moved in perfect unison, as if they had practiced it a thousand times.

They deftly retrieved a gleaming yellow cartridge from the leather ammunition pouch at their waists, flipped the bolt lever at the rear of the rifle with their right thumb, and with a "click," the chamber opened. They then inserted the cartridge with their left hand, closed the bolt, and the entire process was swift and efficient, taking only two or three breaths! Immediately afterward, they raised their rifles, aimed, and the muzzle steadily pointed at the distant target.

On the viewing platform, all the civil officials, including those who had seen flintlock muskets being loaded, stared wide-eyed. Many even unconsciously held their breath and leaned forward slightly.

That's incredibly fast! This loading speed is more than twice as fast as a flintlock musket, which requires pouring gunpowder, inserting the bullet, and repeatedly tamping it down with a tamping rod! Moreover, the movements are simple and clean, without any of the hassle and uncertainty of loading a flintlock musket.

"put!"

"Bang! Bang bang bang! Bang—!"

Almost the instant the sentry uttered the word "Release," ten rifles simultaneously spat out blazing flames and thick white smoke! Deafening explosions reverberated across the open training ground, creating a continuous, astonishing roar! The whistling sound of bullets tearing through the air could be faintly heard.

Before the smoke of battle had even cleared, a sharp-eyed official exclaimed:

"Hit! All hit! Look at the target!"

Everyone stared intently, and saw that the chests of the ten straw targets fifty paces away had almost simultaneously developed obvious damage! Although it was impossible to count every single bullet hole, the hit rate was frighteningly high! This accuracy far surpassed the performance of flintlock muskets at the same distance!
However, what is even more shocking is yet to come.

Before the smoke from the first salvo had completely dissipated, the ten soldiers did not pause for a moment. Almost at the same time as pulling the trigger, their left hands reached for the magazine again, repeating the same actions—opening the barrel, loading the magazine, locking the magazine, and raising the gun! The whole process was so smooth it was dazzling.

"Bang! Bang bang! Bang—!"

The second salvo followed immediately! The interval between them was so short that it was almost impossible to react! Many people subconsciously counted silently and were shocked to find that the interval between the first and second salvos was probably only four or five breaths!
"My God! How...how is this possible?!"

"No need to clean the barrel? No need to refill the gunpowder?"

"So fast! So fast! Is this... is this still a firearm?"

The viewing platform erupted in chaos! Exclamations, gasps, and incredulous murmurs filled the air. Many civil officials were flushed with excitement, their beards trembling. While they might not have been experts in military affairs, they understood the most basic principles:
On the battlefield, the density and sustainability of firepower projection often directly determine the outcome of a battle! A flintlock musket requires a long reload time after a volley, which can easily give the enemy an opportunity to exploit.

This new rifle can fire continuously in such a short time! This means that the troops equipped with this rifle can form a near-uninterrupted fire network, and any enemy attempting to charge will be smashed to pieces by this metal storm!
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The third salvo rang out again! The soldiers moved without the slightest hesitation, like tireless machines.

Three rounds of firing, totaling thirty bullets, were unleashed in a very short time, riddling the target fifty paces away with holes, sending wood chips and straw flying everywhere!
The shooting finally stopped.

The soldiers stood at attention, rifles in hand, wisps of smoke rising from their muzzles. The entire training ground was shrouded in the strong smell of gunpowder, but the atmosphere on the reviewing stand was like a powder keg that had been lit, reaching a fever pitch.

Emperor Chongzhen was already so excited that he stood up, gripping the railing tightly with both hands until his knuckles turned white.

He looked at the smoke-filled field and the destroyed targets, then at the ten soldiers in the field who looked like cast iron and the rifles in their hands that exuded a murderous aura. His heart was filled with heroic excitement, as if he could see thousands of troops wielding these sharp blades, sweeping across the world! This was ten times, a hundred times more shocking than when he first witnessed a volley of flintlock rifles!
However, the demonstration was not over.

Just as everyone was filled with excitement, a rapid and crisp sound of hooves came from the other side of the training ground!
A cavalryman, fully armored, carrying a bow and a saber, rode a magnificent black warhorse and charged into the arena like a whirlwind! Even more striking was that in his hand, instead of the usual saber or bow, he wielded a musket that was noticeably shorter and more compact than an infantry rifle, yet equally sleek and powerful!
"cavalry?!"

Someone whispered.

The cavalryman circled the arena a short distance, slowing his pace slightly. Then, while still galloping, he deftly completed the actions of opening the breech, loading the gun, and locking it with a single hand! Immediately afterward, with the slight rise and fall of his horse, he swiftly raised his rifle, aimed at a moving target in the distance, and pulled the trigger!

"boom!"

Gunshots rang out and horses neighed; the moving target in the distance was smashed in response!

Without stopping, the cavalryman turned his horse around, retrieved and reloaded his ammunition, and although the movements were slightly adjusted while on horseback, they remained smooth and swift.

A few breaths later, another shot was fired! The other target was hit!
"Excellent! What a brilliant cavalry musket!"

Emperor Chongzhen could no longer contain himself. He slammed his hand on the railing and cheered loudly, his face flushed with excitement.

"I originally thought that such a weapon was only suitable for infantry to use in formation, but I never expected that cavalry could also handle it so well! Swift as the wind and fierce as thunder! Capable of being used by both infantry and cavalry, it is truly a divine weapon bestowed by heaven!"

The civil and military officials present, especially those knowledgeable in military affairs such as Hong Chengchou and Li Banghua, were deeply moved. They knew all too well what this meant! In the past, when facing the elite Jurchen cavalry, the Ming cavalry often suffered from disadvantages in mobility and close combat, relying on infantry firearms for cover.

If cavalry could also be equipped with such swift and powerful firearms, delivering fatal blows to the enemy before and after charges or while roaming and shooting, the fighting power of the Ming Dynasty's iron cavalry would be elevated to an unprecedented and terrifying level! The image of infantry and cavalry working together, with firepower covering the entire battlefield, is enough to make one's blood boil.

After the cavalry demonstration, they reined in their horses and stood at attention on the sidelines. The entire training ground was silent, save for the sound of the wind and the occasional snort of the horses.

Everyone was still reeling from the breathtaking rapid-fire and the shock of the cavalry opening fire.

Emperor Chongzhen slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over the excited officials, finally landing on Bi Maokang, who was equally excited because of the successful demonstration, and on Crown Prince Zhu Cilang, who stood to the side with a gratified smile.

He took a deep breath, as if to exhale all the pride and joy in his heart, and then, in a resolute and unquestionable voice, declared:
"Reward! Generous reward! Issue my decree: From Director Bi Maokang down, all officials, craftsmen, and soldiers of the Firearms Research Institute shall be rewarded! Specific merits shall be determined by Minister Bi in consultation with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel! Furthermore, I shall immediately allocate 100,000 taels of silver from my private treasury as a special reward for the Research Institute, as encouragement! I hope that you will all continue your efforts, strive for excellence, and forge as many of these national weapons as possible to equip the royal army!"

"Your Majesty, we kowtow in gratitude for Your Majesty's divine grace! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Led by Bi Maokang, all the officials, craftsmen, and soldiers present at the research institute knelt down in unison, their shouts of gratitude echoing through the sky.

Many people had tears in their eyes; those were tears of excitement from receiving the highest recognition for their hard work.

Emperor Chongzhen was overjoyed and laughed heartily.

In his view, with such powerful firearms, sweeping across Liaodong and completely annihilating the Jurchens was just around the corner! The revival of the Ming Dynasty and the submission of all under heaven no longer seemed like an unattainable dream.

Zhu Cilang stood quietly to the side, his face always bearing a calm yet genuine smile.

Seeing Chongzhen's excitement, the shock and joy of his ministers, and the glory that Bi Maokang and others had achieved, a great weight was finally lifted from his heart.

The success of the rifle was not merely a breakthrough in weaponry, but one of the most powerful levers that changed the military landscape of the era and swayed the course of history.

Today's demonstration achieved the expected results perfectly.

He eagerly anticipated the astonishing power this lever would unleash in the future.

Once everyone had calmed down, Bi Maokang saw that the emperor and the other officials were still enjoying themselves, so he respectfully led them to a spacious and warm council hall in the research institute, which was specially set up to receive distinguished guests.

Hot tea and several delicate snacks were already prepared inside, and the charcoal fire was burning brightly, dispelling the winter chill.

The people took their seats according to their rank and status. Emperor Chongzhen naturally sat in the head seat, with Zhu Cilang sitting beside him. The other cabinet ministers were seated in order of their rank.

A waiter quietly served steaming cups of fragrant tea. The emerald green tea liquor in the white porcelain cups exuded a delicate aroma. However, most people had no time to savor the tea. Holding the warm teacups in their hands, their minds were still wandering back to the deafening gunfire and smoke-filled training ground. They whispered their amazement and感慨 to their colleagues, their faces still flushed with excitement.

There is no doubt that the rifles we see today have overturned traditional concepts of warfare in terms of power and potential.

With such a powerful weapon, the fear people had of the Jurchens and any potential foreign enemies dissipated considerably, replaced by an unprecedented and almost inflated confidence—with such a divine weapon, who in the world could stand against the Ming Dynasty?

Just as the atmosphere was lively yet everyone was lost in their own thoughts, Minister of War Li Banghua gently put down his teacup, turned his gaze to Bi Maokang, who was sitting at the lower end of the table, and spoke with a hint of inquiry and curiosity on his face:

"Lord Bi, I was just impressed by the power of the new rifle. The achievements of everyone at the Research Institute are truly a blessing for the nation. However, there is still one thing on my mind that I have been wondering about for a long time. Today, I have the opportunity to meet you and have seen your frankness. I wonder... if I may ask you about it?"

Upon hearing this, Bi Maokang quickly put down his teacup, solemnly cupped his hands, and said:
"Minister Li, you flatter me. Please speak freely. I will tell you everything I know."

Li Banghua stroked his short beard and pondered for a moment:

“Recently, not only I, but I imagine all of you here have heard rumors to some extent. It’s said that occasionally, a kind of… well, an extremely terrifying loud noise can be heard from the vicinity of the Firearms Research Institute in the western suburbs. The sound is rumbling, deep and persistent, far beyond what ordinary muskets or cannons can produce. Sometimes, it can even be faintly heard from the inner city, causing the ground to tremble and doors and windows to rattle. It can be described as… ‘earth-shattering’!”

"I also ordered some people to keep an eye out and found that the strange noise was indeed coming from the direction of the research institute, and it happened more than once. At first, I and a few colleagues privately speculated that perhaps the research institute was testing some kind of unprecedented giant cannon? However, upon closer inspection, we felt that this was not the case."

"This place is on the outskirts of the inner city of the capital. Although it is not the core of the imperial city, the risk of testing such a large cannon is still too great. According to precedent, it should be moved to the remote wilderness. Therefore, I have always had doubts. I wonder if Lord Bi could enlighten me and everyone else and explain what is the source of this earth-shattering sound? Could it be... that your esteemed institution is really secretly developing some kind of earth-shattering... super heavy cannon?"

Li Banghua's questions were clear and logical, pointing out the common doubts in many people's minds.

As soon as he finished speaking, the council hall fell silent. The ministers, who had just been stunned by the sight of the rifles, all turned their curious, inquisitive, and even slightly suspicious gazes toward Bi Maokang.

Indeed, for the past six months, especially the last two or three months, the deep, resonant rumbles occasionally emanating from the western suburbs of Beijing, like a roar from the depths of the earth, have become a topic of private discussion among many officials. However, due to the special status and tight security of the research institute, it is difficult to obtain information easily, and everyone can only speculate.

Emperor Chongzhen was holding a teacup, savoring the atmosphere of his first "casual chat" with his important ministers since returning from his southern tour. He was slightly taken aback by what he heard, then put down his teacup and looked at Bi Maokang with a questioning gaze.

Having been away from Beijing for half a year, he was naturally unaware of such "anecdotes from the capital," but hearing Li Banghua describe them so vividly, he couldn't help but become very interested.

Zhu Cilang sat to the side, but he understood perfectly.

He knew perfectly well that it wasn't the sound of a "super heavy artillery" test firing. What could produce that continuous, deep, powerful roar, enough to make the ground tremble slightly, was most likely that primitive steam engine, constantly being improved and becoming increasingly powerful! (End of Chapter)