Huangming

Chapter 342 Ready for Battle, Bearing the First Blow

For the next two days, the lights in the East Warm Pavilion of Qianqing Palace stayed on until late at night.

Zhu Youxiao dismissed all his attendants and buried himself alone among the mountains of memorials and drawings, his brows furrowed, clearly racking his brains to recall something.

His mind was racing with the trajectory of weapon development in later generations.

As the mainstream firearm at the time, the next step in its evolution, he vaguely remembered, was the flintlock musket.

Weapons that do not require a match and instead rely on a spring to strike the flint can greatly improve reaction speed.

But he knew even better that the key to this thing lay in the spring steel.

The iron smelting technology of the Ming Dynasty today produces spring steel that is either as brittle as glass or as soft as dough. It fails to fire five out of ten times, making it unsuitable for practical use.

"After the matchlock gun, we can't just jump straight to the automatic rifle of later generations, can we?"

Zhu Youxiao muttered to himself, drawing crooked gun barrels on the paper with his finger.

"But it's not that easy..."

He recalled the characteristics of modern firearms, then quickly shook his head.

You have to eat one bite at a time, and you have to go step by step.

The most urgent task is to solve the most pressing problem at hand:
How can a musket be made to fire continuously?

Should it have several barrels arranged side by side like a Western multi-barreled gun, or should it figure out a pre-loaded chamber that can be quickly changed?

The loading speed also needs to be increased. Right now, it takes soldiers half a day to load a single bullet. Against the Liaodong cavalry, that's enough time to die three times over.

In rainy weather, the matchlock would go out when it got wet, and the gunpowder would become mute when it got damp. We couldn't let the soldiers have to rely on the weather to fight, so we had to find a way to protect the gunpowder from moisture and add a "rain cap" to the firing mechanism.

These questions swirled in his mind. Although he couldn't explain the specific mechanical principles, he could clearly outline the contours of future firearms:
"It must be able to hit any target precisely, fire more than a dozen rounds in one go, withstand wind and rain, and reload quickly..."

He jotted down these thoughts on a piece of paper.

In addition, the evolution of artillery gradually became clear in his mind.

The breech-loading cannon had a high rate of fire but limited power, while the Hongyi cannon had a long range but was heavy and difficult to move. And what came later was probably a howitzer that could fire in a curved trajectory and explode.

But whether it's firearms or artillery, there are unavoidable hurdles right in front of us.

He wrote three words heavily on the paper: metallurgy, ballistics, and chemistry.

"Without good steel, gun barrels and cannons will explode after firing just a few rounds; without understanding ballistics, shells will fly aimlessly; the gunpowder ratio determines the power of the shell, which requires adjusting the correct proportions."

Zhu Youxiao rubbed his throbbing temples. These things required systematic theoretical support, rather than being completely solved through trial and error.

Two days later, a thin booklet was placed on the desk.

There is no exquisite binding on it, only a sketch drawn by Zhu Youxiao from memory.

A rifle with a serrated magazine, a cannon with spiral lines engraved on its barrel, and an egg-shaped "explosive shell" with a wooden handle, with crooked annotations written next to them:

"Grooves in the barrel allow the bullet to spin."

"The shells contained gunpowder and fragments."

"Steel must be forged to the point of being 'unbreakable'."

He picked up the booklet, pondered for a moment, and finally decided to have it sent to the Bureau of Arms and Weapons.

"We've done everything we could..."

As a PhD who specialized in literature and history in his previous life, piecing together these fragmented memories into a "technical guide" had exhausted all his strength.

As for whether it can inspire Sun Yuanhua and his team, and whether it can truly put the Ming Dynasty's firearms on the right path of evolution, that can only be left to time and the wisdom of those craftsmen.

He has tried his best.

However, Zhu Youxiao's tireless efforts made Wei Chao extremely anxious.

Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has never seen His Majesty so exhausted.

"His Majesty's body is of inestimable value; how can it withstand such torment?"

Wei Chao knew better than anyone that his position as the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was entirely due to the Emperor's trust.

If the emperor were to fall ill, not only would the ever-watchful Wei Zhongxian pounce and tear him apart, but even the usually submissive Wang Tiqian would likely change his attitude.

At that time, Wei Chao will be nothing more than fish on a chopping board.

However, his repeated admonitions over the past two days were met with His Majesty's response of "It's alright."

Wei Chao was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. After much thought, he decided to ask the person who could persuade His Majesty to listen to his advice.

Late that night, Empress Zhang Yan's phoenix carriage stopped outside the Qianqing Palace.

Dressed in palace attire, her unadorned face bearing obvious worry, she stepped into the East Warm Pavilion and bumped into Zhu Youxiao rubbing his throbbing temples, with a booklet on the table filled with strange patterns.

"His Majesty."

Zhang Yan bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that you have not rested for two nights. No matter how urgent the affairs of state are, you must take care of your health. If anything happens to you, the fate of the Ming Dynasty will truly change."

Zhu Youxiao looked up and saw that she was frowning and had faint dark circles under her eyes, which meant that she was also worried and couldn't sleep all night.

He put down his pen and suddenly smiled: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I know what I'm doing."

He pointed to the booklet on the table.

"My mind has been exceptionally clear these days, so I need to take advantage of this momentum to write down everything that needs to be memorized. Now that the matter is settled, I can finally rest."

As soon as he finished speaking, a long yawn burst out uncontrollably.

Zhu Youxiao simply stood up and reached out to take Zhang Yan's soft hand.

"Come, come and rest with me."

Zhang Yan stumbled as he pulled her, her cheeks instantly flushing red. She tried to pull her hand away.
"Your Majesty, you should rest well now and refrain from sexual relations."

He thought the emperor had risen to power again.

"I just want to hold you while I sleep."

Zhu Youxiao's voice was weary, yet exceptionally earnest.

"I can sleep more soundly this way."

Looking at the bloodshot eyes in his eyes, Zhang Yan's angry words turned into a soft sigh.

She let him lead her through the warm pavilion and into the inner room behind the curtains.

After shedding his elaborate palace attire and dragon robe, the moment their skin touched, Zhang Yan felt a faint scent of ink emanating from him.

Zhu Youxiao buried his head in the crook of her neck, his breathing gradually becoming long and even, and he actually fell asleep in a short while.

The candlelight outside the tent was dimmed to its lowest setting, and Zhang Yan used the dim light to examine the person in her arms.

When he was asleep, he no longer had the majesty he displayed in court; the weariness between his brows was very clear, and he would occasionally furrow his brow unconsciously, as if he were still pondering state affairs in his dreams.

A wave of tenderness washed over her. Zhang Yan raised her hand and gently smoothed his furrowed brows. After a moment's hesitation, she finally leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.

A resolute look gradually flashed in her beautiful eyes, and Zhang Yan secretly made up her mind:
She absolutely could not let her husband continue to work so hard.

She didn't want to become empress dowager at such a young age.

From then on, she stayed by the emperor's side. If His Majesty didn't go to sleep on time, she would personally come to urge him!
I refuse to believe she can't ensure her man lives to be a hundred!
Zhang Yan looked down at the man who was already fast asleep.

The more I look at it, the more my heart aches for it, and the more I like it.

His steady breathing filled her nostrils like the most comforting lullaby. Her eyelids grew heavy, her thoughts gradually blurred, and she drifted off into a peaceful dream.

Meanwhile, Li Hongji, who had just received his imperial commission, was standing in the courtyard of the imperial residence in the capital.

The bluestone pavement was so shiny it reflected a mirror, the carved window lattices of the main house exuded an air of wealth and nobility, and even the palace lanterns hanging under the corridor were more exquisite than those of ordinary homes.

But he only glanced around briefly before giving instructions to the steward:

Keep your house clean and tidy, don't let cobwebs cover the beams, and don't let fallen leaves clog the drains.

He had no relatives or family members to begin with, and this huge mansion was nothing more than an empty shell for him to rest in.

but
Once a woman takes over the house, it will feel like home.

Now that he's finished inspecting the nine border regions, Li Hongji will also be looking to expand the Li family line.

After explaining all this, he mounted the chestnut horse he had brought from Cao County and galloped towards Tongzhou Wharf.

An hour later, he arrived at Tongzhou Wharf.

The dock was shrouded in mist, with cargo ships and merchant vessels crammed together, their masts forming a forest. Li Hongji immediately recognized the official ship with the lantern that read "Imperial Envoy Inspecting the Nine Borders."

Yang Lian had not disembarked from the official boat for three days.

He stayed inside the cabin, thoroughly examining the files sent by the Liaodong Military Command:
The list of deserters from the military households was piled up to half a person's height, the lists of military equipment losses reported by various towns were densely packed, and there were also those vague "explanations of food and salary deficits," all of which revealed deep-seated problems.

The more Yang Lian looked, the heavier her heart became.

This isn't treating an illness; it's more like scraping the bone to remove poison.

But will those deeply entrenched interest groups willingly have their rotten flesh ripped out?

Yang Lian stared at the murky river outside the cabin, his brows furrowed in worry.

"Commander, Lieutenant General Li Hongji has come to report for duty!"

Just then, Li Hongji's voice came from outside the cabin.

Yang Lian was startled, then got up, lifted the cabin curtain, and went out.

Two days ago, he received a secret decree from His Majesty that Li Hongji would accompany him on an inspection tour of the nine border regions and protect his safety along the way.

now.

Li Hongji stood at the bow of the boat, his military officer's robe billowing in the river wind, the sword at his waist swaying gently with the movement of the boat.

Yang Lian sized up the person in front of him.

After going to the capital to meet the emperor, this young man from humble beginnings seemed to have undergone a tremendous change.

He became more confident and started to resemble a military general.

However, he was still surprised: His Majesty actually valued someone who came from a "rebel" background so much?
But upon further reflection, Yang Lian felt relieved.

Those slick generals on the nine borders might actually be afraid of this kind of tough guy who doesn't play by the rules.

Once they arrive at their destination, this person may play an unexpected role.

Yang Lian didn't stand on ceremony and simply said:

"The ship will set sail tomorrow, so let's rest for the night and get some rest."

Upon hearing this, Li Hongji hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Excellency, you may not know this, but patrolling the nine border regions is fraught with unpredictable dangers. Without some reliable soldiers at your disposal, it would be difficult to move an inch. When I was quelling the rebellion in Yanzhou Prefecture, I gathered five hundred trusted men, all of whom are brothers who would risk their lives for me. I have already sent word for them to come overnight. We can set off once everyone has gathered."

He wasn't lying.

These days, he tosses and turns at night, always feeling uneasy.

The military families along the nine borders are deeply entrenched, and every one of them has connections to the highest levels.

Their task of investigating military pay and reorganizing military equipment was tantamount to pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth.

If you were to barge in empty-handed, you might "accidentally" die in the wilderness one day.

They might be accidentally injured by a stray arrow, contract a sudden illness, or even fall into an ice hole, dying without even a chance to seek justice.

Li Hongji hadn't even had a chance to marry and have children, nor had he been able to continue the Li family line. He never expected to lose his life so in such a muddled way.

Having troops at your command gives you confidence.

Yang Lian looked at the wariness in his eyes and remained silent for a moment.

He was well aware of the risks involved in this trip.
Those border town generals outwardly showed great respect to the imperial court, but in secret they had long treated the military towns as their own property, and it was common for them to embezzle, deduct, and falsely report the number of soldiers.

Their trip is aimed at ruining someone's livelihood; it's no wonder the other party won't let it go easily.

How long will it take for these people to arrive?

Yang Lian asked.

"About ten days."

Li Hongji replied with great certainty.

"They were all lightly equipped and traveling at high speed, day and night, by both land and water, and could reach Tongzhou in ten days at most."

Ten days?
Yang Lian turned her gaze northward, where the horizon was obscured by the hazy mist.

Ten days is neither a long nor a short time.

If the delay is too long, things may change; but if we head north without waiting for Li Hongji's men, the risk is too great.

After careful consideration, he finally nodded: "Alright, then let's wait ten days."

As soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to have made up his mind, and his tone became decisive: "Since we have to wait, let's set our first stop as Jizhen! We also need to gather intelligence on Jizhen in the next ten days."

Li Hongji was somewhat surprised. He had originally thought that he would go to Liaodong first, since the emperor valued the situation in Liaodong the most.

Yang Lian seemed to see through his thoughts and explained, "The military families in Liaodong have deep roots and have been demanding military pay from the court for years under the guise of war. They are very powerful and cannot be easily shaken."

In contrast, Jizhou, though a border town guarding the capital, had fewer troops than Liaodong, and its generals were relatively less powerful.

"Reorganizing the Nine Garrisons is like squeezing a persimmon; you have to start with the softest one. Let's test the waters with Jizhou and see if our methods will work. If we can't even take down Jizhou, then going to Liaodong will only lead to certain death or a fruitless return."

Li Hongji was completely convinced and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying, "Your Excellency's insight is brilliant! I will follow Your Excellency's arrangements."

Ten days pass in the blink of an eye, like sand slipping through your fingers.

The morning mist at Tongzhou Wharf had not yet dissipated when a rapid sound of horses' hooves approached from afar.

Five hundred strong-willed men rode in on horseback. They were dressed in uniform cotton-padded armor, with gleaming swords at their waists. Their faces bore the marks of hardship, but each had sharp eyes.

These were the 500 trusted men Li Hongji had transferred from Yanzhou Prefecture, selected from among 200,000 rebels. They were the source of his confidence in inspecting the nine border regions.

"Lord Du, everyone has arrived!"

Li Hongji dismounted and bowed to Yang Lian at the bow of the boat.

He looked at his brothers who had risked their lives for him, and his eyes gained a newfound confidence.

According to the military system of the Ming Dynasty, these people were his personal guards, the force that was truly willing to risk their lives for him.

With them by his side, he would dare to brave even the most dangerous and dangerous paths ahead.

Yang Lian stood at the bow of the ship, his gaze sweeping over the five hundred men. He saw that they were tall and straight, with calm and composed auras, and were by no means an ordinary rabble.

He nodded slightly, feeling a greater sense of approval for Li Hongji.

Over the past ten days, he has not been idle. With the help of secret reports from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he has learned a great deal about the situation in Jizhou.

He already had a clear understanding of which generals had falsified troop numbers, which people had embezzled military pay, and which people had colluded with local powerful figures.

"Now that everyone is here, let's set off immediately!"

Yang Lian's tone was decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

"Target: Jizhou, no mistakes allowed!"

"As ordered!"

Li Hongji responded loudly, then turned to his confidants and gave them orders.

"Brothers, follow me!"

It was already October, and the cold northern wind was like a knife, stinging one's face.

Although it hasn't snowed yet, the world is already desolate, with withered grass and trees along the roadside and a thin layer of ice on the river.

However, this group of five or six hundred people was not affected by the severe cold at all. They rode their swift horses in neat formation, the sound of their hooves deep and powerful, and galloped toward Jizhou.

In the group, Yang Lian, dressed in an official robe, sat in a carriage, closing his eyes to rest, but his mind was constantly rehearsing various ways to deal with the situation after arriving in Jizhou.

This first stop is crucial; success or failure hinges on it.

If we can make a breakthrough in Jizhen, we can accumulate experience and prestige for future inspections of other border towns.

If we fail, it will not only alert the enemy, but also embolden those border generals who already harbor ill intentions.

Li Hongji rode on horseback, guarding both sides of the carriage, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

This journey is extremely dangerous, and the generals of Jizhou will not surrender easily. They will definitely use all sorts of means to hinder them.

But anyone who dares to stop Li Hongji, he'll fight them to the death!

Huhuhu~
The cold wind whipped up dust, raising a long plume of smoke behind the column.

This team, like a sharp sword about to be drawn, marched towards Jizhen with an indomitable spirit.

The first strike of the inspection of the nine borders is about to fall on Jizhou Town, and this strike must be clean and decisive, enough to intimidate all sides!
(End of this chapter)