The prince is more stable

Chapter 115: Testing the Gun and Making Advice
We must clearly distinguish right from wrong. Some things cannot be hidden because they cannot be hidden at all.

Especially for something as sensitive as muskets and gunpowder, if it is kept secret from Zhao Xu, the consequences will be serious.

Zhao Xiaoqian had no intention of hiding the fact that the most pressing problem at hand was external threats. Before resolving these external threats, Zhao Xiaoqian had no mood to waste time on internal affairs, let alone compete with Zhao Xu.

The group quickly returned to the city and headed straight for the palace.

In an open space in the imperial palace, Zhao Xu was playing with the newly made flintlock rifle in his hand, with a look of confusion on his face.

This gun looked no different from the previous ones. Zhao Xu looked at the iron balls and gunpowder filling it, and there was no difference either.

"Zi'an, this thing..." Zhao Xu paused and pondered, thinking of a word that would not be too hurtful.

Zhao Xiaoqian stepped forward, pointed at the straw target in front of him, and said, "Sir, would you please try firing a shot?"

Zhao Xu looked unnatural. Although this thing was very sharp, the loud noise when it was fired was really too shocking.

Besides, gunpowder is not safe. Zhao Xu has heard of several reports in recent days. They were all about accidents that occurred when the firearms supervisor was making gunpowder, and several people died. The news has been suppressed and not announced.

The eunuch Zheng Chunhe, who was standing nearby, noticed Zhao Xu's awkward expression and stepped forward with a smile to help. "Your Highness, I'm a humble servant with limited experience. I've never seen anything this new. I'd like to ask Your Highness to let me try it myself."

Zhao Xu was as if pardoned, and like a scumbag dumping a lovesick girl, he hurriedly handed the flintlock rifle in his hand to Zheng Chunhe.

Zheng Chunhe was actually afraid too, but at this moment he could only bite the bullet and share the worries for the emperor.

He closed his eyes, gripped the gun, and, following Zhao Xiaoqian's instructions, lightly pulled the trigger with his index finger...

At the same time, Zhao Xu quickly took two steps back, covered his ears with his head and squatted down, his movements very skillful.

However, after Zheng Chunhe pulled the trigger, there was no movement around him. Instead, Zheng Chunhe closed his eyes and screamed as if to give himself courage.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed. As eunuchs, they must be very unfamiliar with guns. It was understandable.

"Eunuch Zheng, pull the trigger with your index finger... Use a little force. Don't treat it like a delicate flower. Some guns like to be treated roughly. It doesn't matter if you stand up and kick."

Zheng Chunhe took a deep breath, screamed sharply, and snapped his index finger.

boom!
There was a loud bang and the people around changed color in shock.

And on the straw target in the distance... there was nothing.

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head, took the flintlock rifle, and skillfully loaded the gunpowder, loaded the bullet, and aimed.

There was another loud bang, and the straw target was pierced right in the middle.

The palace maid hurriedly brought the straw target and handed it to Zhao Xu with both hands.

After a careful observation, Zhao Xu squinted his eyes and looked ahead, and finally found the key to the problem.

"How far is this place from the straw target?" Zhao Xu asked.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Five hundred steps."

Zhao Xu looked at him in shock: "Five hundred steps? The last time we used a flintlock rifle, it was only over two hundred steps..."

Zhao Xiaoqian handed the gun over and said, "Your Majesty, please take a look. I was just daydreaming at home and added rifling to the inner wall of the gun barrel. Using the principle of object rotation by injection, I increased the range of the flintlock."

"Today's flintlock rifles have an effective range of about 500 steps. If the bullets are modified into a pointed cone shape in the future, perhaps the range will be even longer."

Zhao Xu knew very well what a range of five hundred steps or even longer meant.

His expression became increasingly excited. "That is to say, if the Song Dynasty deploys these weapons, even if there are only 10,000 of them, we will go to war with the Liao people..."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded affirmatively and said with a smile, "The chances of victory have greatly increased. Of course, we cannot rely solely on firearms. What I mean is that if we face off on the battlefield, our Song Dynasty can use multiple types of troops to cooperate."

"For example, muskets could be deployed in the front, while the center could be deployed in a crossbow formation and lance formation. Cavalry and tenders could be deployed on the left and right flanks. How these are deployed depends on the commander's decision, but the presence of muskets will undoubtedly change the outcome of the battle."

Zhao Xu nodded excitedly. "Zi'an's ingenious idea has enabled him to create such a powerful weapon. I am now emboldened and in desperate need of a victory!" "The Liao envoy has come to the court. In my opinion, I will not give him this year's annual gift. If the Liao ruler is dissatisfied, he can send troops to attack me!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was so upset that he frowned. What a guy! I just kept saying, "What a guy!"

Our fists haven't even hardened yet, and you're planning to default on your debt. Where does your mysterious confidence come from?

"Your Majesty, calm down! While this weapon is powerful, it's the only one in the world. Furthermore, rifling the barrel is extremely difficult. You'd need to issue an imperial decree to recruit craftsmen, and I'm afraid only a few thousand could be made in a year."

It was like a basin of cold water poured over his head, and Zhao Xu calmed down instantly.

It seems that I am indeed a bit anxious.

The excitement of that moment still lingers in my mind.

Zhao Xu suddenly realized that the ambitions of successive Song Dynasty officials that had been extinguished seemed to be rekindled in his heart with the appearance of this flintlock rifle. The long-cherished wish for the unification of China, a flame that had almost been extinguished for a hundred years, seemed to be rekindled in his heart.

Zhao Xiaoqian saw Zhao Xu's stunned expression, so he leaned over to whisper in his ear, "Your Majesty, do you want to be the only emperor in history who will unify China?"

Zhao Xu didn't say anything, just pursed his lips, but Zhao Xiaoqian saw the fiery light in his eyes.

After a long pause, Zhao Xu said in a deep voice, "Can we unify China with this flintlock rifle?"

"No." Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head. "A flintlock rifle is just a tool. Tools can never override human will."

"But your ambition and strong will can unify China. Without your ambition, no matter how powerful your weapons are, they will be in vain. It is better to hide the flintlock rifles and leave them for the next generation of officials to realize their long-cherished wish."

"If the emperor has such ambition, then the flintlock rifle will be an indestructible weapon in his hands, which can help him wipe out Liao and Xia and unify the country."

Zhao Xu's breathing became rapid again.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him calmly.

Weapon manufacturing is a gradual process, from unfamiliar to mature, and the same is true for ambition.

The emperors of the Song Dynasty had been weak for too long. Generation after generation, facing the powerful Liao Kingdom, their rebellious spirit seemed to have been completely worn out.

This weak mentality has gradually spread to the court and the people.

What Zhao Xiaoqian needed was to inspire Zhao Xu's ambition. Otherwise, if the emperor's attitude remained weak, no matter how powerful the weapons were on the battlefield, they would only end in defeat.

After a long moment, Zhao Xu turned and looked at him: "According to Zi'an's opinion, how should I proceed?"

Zhao Xiaoqian hesitated for a moment, then said, "I shouldn't be discussing state affairs, but I'm just sharing my personal thoughts. Please don't blame me."

"I have long intended to use you. Zi'an, please speak frankly."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and said, "Let's make guns first. Once we produce them in large quantities, the government will have the confidence."

"At the same time, the court must implement the new laws as soon as possible. Honestly, the Song Dynasty cannot afford any more internal strife. No matter what, we must quickly end the dispute between the old and the new, throw off the burden, and start anew."

"Also, regarding the military, whether it's the Imperial Guards or the Rural Regiments, the court should appropriately improve the treatment of the soldiers. Even if the treasury can't provide the funds, at least give them some status."

"After all, if the government wants to unify China in the future, they will be the ones fighting for the government. It's unreasonable to make them risk their lives and then despise them as dirt."

Zhao Xu pondered for a moment but did not express his opinion.

Zhao Xiaoqian's words involved the national policy and strategy of the Song Dynasty, so Zhao Xu certainly couldn't agree to everything on a whim.

Seeing that Zhao Xu didn't say anything, Zhao Xiaoqian was not anxious.

Everything that needs to be said has been said. If the wheel of history must roll forward along its original trajectory, Zhao Xiaoqian is too lazy to change anything.

At that time, he took his parents, wife and children with him, found a remote mountain hut and lived in hiding. With Zhao Xiaoqian's ability, the family could still live a comfortable life.

(End of this chapter)