Huangming

Chapter 159 The Mighty Warriors Form a Powerful Formation, Terrifying the Barbarians

As the spring hunting drills concluded, Minister of Rites Sun Shenxing announced loudly, "Your Majesty, please review the troops!"

Zhu Youxiao nodded slightly, rode his imperial horse slowly to the reviewing stand and throne, and looked down over the hunting grounds.

woohoo~
As the bugle sounded, three thousand armored soldiers from the capital garrison marched out in formation, their iron armor gleaming and their spears like a forest.

Their steps were synchronized, the sound of their footsteps like muffled thunder, causing the viewing platform to tremble slightly.

Zhu Youxiao sat upright on his throne, his eyes piercing as he gazed at this elite army.

He slightly raised his hand, signaling to continue the martial arts demonstration.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Three cannon shots rang out, and the Beijing garrison musketeers fired in unison. Amidst the billowing smoke, wooden targets a hundred paces away shattered.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in the emperor's eyes. He turned to Sun Shenxing beside him and said, "The soldiers of the Beijing Garrison have indeed lived up to my expectations."

Sun Shenxing bowed and replied, "Your Majesty's military leadership is excellent, and the soldiers are willing to fight to the death. This is a blessing for the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Youxiao nodded, his gaze returning to the training ground.

Three thousand armored soldiers shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The sound waves were like waves, reaching the sky.

The emperor smiled slightly, slowly rose, and gestured for the soldiers to rise.

He proclaimed in a loud voice: "You are all pillars of our Great Ming Dynasty. Soldiers, you have worked hard!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers' morale soared even higher. Their armor clanged, their spears were raised high, and they responded in unison, "We are willing to die for Your Majesty!"

dong dong dong~
The war drums suddenly sounded, and a troop of soldiers clad in red armor rushed into the arena—it was none other than the formidable Qi Family Army, which dominated the southeast.

They wielded wolf-tooth clubs and long spears, their formations shifting like dragons and snakes, exuding an aura of slaughter.

Zhu Youxiao sat upright on his throne, his gaze fixed intently on this battle-hardened army.

He leaned slightly forward and said to Hong Chengchou beside him, "The Southern soldiers live up to their reputation; they are indeed as fierce as tigers and wolves."

Hong Chengchou bowed and replied, "Your Majesty is wise. The Southern Army is the elite of our Great Ming Dynasty. In the past, they were invincible in resisting Japanese pirates and suppressing rebellions. It is a great honor to witness their prowess today."

The emperor nodded, his gaze returning to the training ground.

"put!"

At the general's command, the Qi family army unleashed a volley of fire from their muskets, and amidst the billowing smoke, the wooden targets in the distance shattered.

Immediately afterwards, the swordsmen and shieldmen advanced like a wall, practicing close combat. Their swords flashed, their shields clanged, and their formation was as tight as an iron wall, without any flaws.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Zhu Youxiao's eyes, and he said loudly, "Excellent! The Southern soldiers truly deserve to be the pillars of the nation!"

As the Mongolian envoy Guiying stood on the viewing platform, his pupils suddenly contracted and his expression changed slightly.

He murmured to himself, "If we were to encounter such a tactic on the grasslands, my cavalry would likely have difficulty getting close."

The emperor seemed to notice his unusual behavior, glanced at him sideways, and said with a slight smile, "What does your esteemed envoy think?"

Gui Ying was startled and quickly bowed, forcing a smile as he said, "The might of the Ming army is indeed well-deserved and truly admirable."

Zhu Youxiao smiled slightly, said no more, and turned his gaze back to the training ground.

The military exercises of Qi Jiguang's army have concluded.

The emperor slowly rose, looked at the elite Qi Family Army below the stage, and said loudly, "Soldiers, you have worked hard!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers' morale soared even higher. They raised their spears high and responded in unison, "We are willing to die for Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

After the soldiers' inspection, the main event began!

As the command flag was waved, ten Hongyi cannons were slowly pushed forward to the front of the battle line amidst the rolling sound of iron wheels.

The black cannon barrel gleamed coldly in the sunlight, menacingly aimed at the mound a hundred feet away.

The gunners stood solemnly on both sides, holding torches, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder.

Zhu Youxiao sat upright on the viewing platform, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

He turned his head slightly and said to the foreign envoys and officials watching the ceremony, "Gentlemen, look, this is the latest weapon forged by our Great Ming Dynasty."

"fire!"

The moment the messenger's roar faded, the heavens and earth trembled.

The ten heavy cannons roared in unison, spewing tongues of fire several meters long from their muzzles, causing the ground of the viewing platform to tremble.

The distant mound crumbled instantly amidst a thunderous roar, and dust billowed into the sky like a giant wave, obscuring the sun.

The flying pebbles rained down half a mile away, carving countless holes in the ground.

All the officials were horrified and their faces turned pale.

Several elderly civil officials staggered backward, nearly falling to the ground.

Your Majesty, where did you obtain such a powerful weapon?

The gilded folding fan in the hands of the North Korean envoy fell to the ground with a thud, and the sandalwood fan ribs broke on the spot.

His lips trembled as he tried to speak, but he could only utter a few indistinct guttural sounds.

The Mongolian envoy, Guiyingqia, had a livid face, and his knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists.

He stared intently at the still-smoking artillery array, his eyes filled with both fear and resentment—no matter how valiant the steppe cavalry were, how could they withstand such earth-shattering power?

Zhu Youxiao took in everyone's reactions, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. He slowly rose, his black dragon robe fluttering in the smoke: "Such a weapon, I have ordered the Ministry of Works to expedite its forging. If anyone harbors rebellious intentions in the future..."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Gui Yingqia almost imperceptibly, the warning unmistakable.

"Why not try the taste of this Hongyi cannon?"

After the artillery drill was completed, the drill ground was completely silent.

Only the lingering smoke of battle twisted and swirled in the air, like a black dragon ready to devour its prey.

Everyone fell silent. Wei Chao was the first to prostrate himself and shout, "Your Majesty's divine might is boundless, and the entire Ming Dynasty submits to you!"

The courtiers, as if waking from a dream, knelt down and prostrated themselves, saying, "Your Majesty is wise! The might of the Ming army is awe-inspiring throughout the world!"

The North Korean envoy and Gui Yingcha exchanged a glance, both seeing deep apprehension in each other's eyes.

At this moment, they finally understood:

The Ming Dynasty remained the unshakeable Celestial Empire!

As the sun dips westward, the spring hunt draws to a close.

Zhu Youxiao sat high on his throne, overlooking the hunting grounds.

The Imperial Guards had displayed all of today's catch before the steps—deer, gazelles, hares, and pheasants piled up like mountains, with the white deer pierced by an imperial arrow being the most eye-catching, its crimson fur against its snowy white coat particularly striking.

"deliver an imperial order."

Zhu Youxiao lightly tapped the gilded armrest, his voice not loud but enough to silence the entire room: "The soldiers of the Beijing Garrison have performed meritorious service in today's military exercise. They shall be rewarded with 100,000 taels of silver and 100 jars of imperial wine."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingshi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, was shocked. Such a generous reward was truly rare since the Wanli era.

Although His Majesty is excessively greedy, he is also willing to spend money.

Thump~
The soldiers of the Beijing garrison knelt down with a thunderous roar, their armor clashing like lightning: "Thank you for Your Majesty's great favor!"

Getting back into the swing of things is an ongoing process.

Every reward he bestowed upon his soldiers would be transformed into their loyalty.

This loyalty was the foundation upon which he relied on his reforms and was the basis upon which he was able to secure his throne!

A leader who is supported by his soldiers is virtually invincible.

"As for these spoils, they shall be awarded to the top three hunters of today!"

Zhu Youxiao tapped his finger, and a palace attendant brought over a gilded tray filled with freshly sliced ​​venison from the imperial chef.

He personally cut off the fattest and most succulent hind leg meat and bestowed it upon the top three warriors in the hunt that day.

When Zu Dashou, Qi Jin, and Huang Degong received the imperial gift, their eyes were filled with tears; this was more precious than any gold or silver reward.

"Your Majesty, we thank you for the meat!"

After bestowing the rewards, Zhu Youxiao glanced at all the civil and military officials and said meaningfully, "My dear ministers must be wondering why the cannons of our Great Ming have suddenly displayed such divine power?"

These words immediately caused a stir among the civil officials.

Several elderly officials with gray hair and beards whispered among themselves, their wide robes unable to conceal their surprised and doubtful expressions; the young scholars looked at each other, their eyes full of confusion.

Upon seeing this, the Emperor announced loudly: "Such a powerful weapon is not a gift from heaven, but the result of the dedicated research and development of Xu Guangqi, the Left Assistant of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and concurrently a Compiler of the Hanlin Academy!"

At the beginning of his reign, Zhu Youxiao, with his keen insight, summoned Xu Guangqi (who was well-versed in Western learning) and ordered him to work with Guangdong craftsmen to develop the Hongyi Cannon.

After months of painstaking forging, more than ten new cannons with astonishing power were finally completed. The thunderous power that shakes the barbarians on the training ground today is the result of this foresight!

Zhu Youxiao stared intently at Xu Guangqi in the ranks of civil officials. Wei Chao stepped forward at the opportune moment and announced in a loud voice: "Xu Guangqi is promoted to the position of Director of the Arsenal Management Office, concurrently serving as a Reader in the Hanlin Academy, and in charge of the reform of the firearms of the Beijing Garrison!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Guangqi trembled violently, immediately touching his forehead to the ground, his voice choked with emotion: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace and am willing to serve you with my life! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

What an honor it is that His Majesty introduced him to the assembled officials on such a formal occasion as the spring hunt.

Xu Guangqi had already realized: he would be on the Huangming Daily tomorrow!

Bringing glory to one's ancestors has become a reality!

However, his shock continued.

The emperor himself rose from his seat, reached out to help the master of firearms to his feet, and solemnly declared to his assembled officials: "I have always been fair in my rewards and punishments! Anyone who can forge the nation's most powerful weapons like Minister Xu—"

As he spoke, Zhu Youxiao took the Shangfang sword from the attendant's tray, drew it half a foot from its sheath with a clang, and its cold light reflected on the astonished faces of the crowd: "I swear by this sword that I will repay you with high official positions and generous titles!"

"Your Majesty, minister."

Xu Guangqi was so moved that tears streamed down his face, and he was so choked up that he couldn't speak.

The Emperor's kindness is something we can never repay.

Zhu Youxiao's gaze was firm, and his meaning was clear:
Building the Red Barbarian Cannon will lead to a promotion.

If anyone upgrades or modifies other firearms, he will still reward them handsomely!

Zhu Youxiao wanted to create a climate of scientific research and tell the world: whoever could improve the Ming army's combat effectiveness would be rewarded!

His gaze swept over the civil officials with their complex expressions, and then caught a glimpse of the pale faces of the Korean and Mongol envoys. He understood: the mission of today's spring hunt to intimidate the barbarians had been accomplished.

The Korean envoys should now understand that, faced with the military might of the Ming Dynasty, they need to reconsider whether they should continue to obey orders blindly.

As for the Mongol envoy Guiyingqia, when discussing the alliance between Ligdan Khan and the Ming Dynasty with the Ministry of War, he should also show full sincerity!
Negotiations are always based on strength, not words!

Attached is a picture of a Hongyi cannon.
(End of this chapter)