Huangming

Chapter 514 East vs. West, Illuminating the World
Two days passed quickly, and finally it was time for Angelica to meet the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

early morning.

The rising sun, carrying a touch of warm gentleness, shone upon the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City.

The vermilion city gate stands majestically, its nine rows of copper nails gleaming coldly in the sunlight, while the glazed tiles on the city tower reflect a dazzling bright yellow, like an insurmountable barrier that divides the inside and outside of the imperial city into two worlds.

Jiang Banxia, ​​the principal of the Ministry of Rites, was already waiting in front of the side gate of the Meridian Gate.

He was dressed in a dark blue robe embroidered with gold, with a jade belt around his waist, and holding an ivory token. Seeing Angelica approach, he nodded slightly.
“Messenger, please come with me.”

Angelica took a deep breath, suppressing her anxiety, and lifted her skirt to follow.

Today she changed into the official Portuguese envoy's robes, the dark velvet fabric embroidered with golden nautical patterns, and the collar adorned with a pearl, which was both dignified and exuded exotic charm.

She was tall and slender with porcelain-white skin, a stark contrast to the officials around her who were dressed in wide-sleeved Hanfu.

The moment Angelica stepped into the Forbidden City, she instinctively lowered her head, following the "Ming Dynasty etiquette" that Jiang Banxia had taught her, and dared not look directly ahead.

But out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but greedily survey this legendary eastern imperial city.

Underfoot are smooth, mirror-like bluestone slabs, worn smooth as jade by hundreds of years of footsteps.

On both sides are white marble railings, with intricate dragon and cloud patterns carved on the railing panels, and every detail is exquisite.

The palaces in the distance have upturned eaves, like eagles spreading their wings and about to take flight. The copper bells hanging under the eaves sway gently in the breeze, making a crisp "ding-dong" sound.

She once thought that the streets and alleys of Beijing were the epitome of human prosperity.

The area is lined with shops, bustling with people, and full of lively atmosphere.

But now that I'm in the capital, I realize that those streets and alleys are just ordinary marketplaces.

Every inch of land and every building here exudes the grandeur of a great nation.

It wasn't a bustling, noisy atmosphere, but rather a sense of solemnity and grandeur that had been accumulated over hundreds of years. Walking along the palace path, even the sound of footsteps seemed exceptionally clear, as if they could intertwine with the echoes of history.

"Oh, God……"

Angelica looked at the palace walls beside her and couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

The city wall is several meters high, and although the vermilion plaster is somewhat mottled, it is still imposing, more than three times higher than the most fortified castle in Lisbon.

The battlements on the wall were neatly arranged, and the guards were dressed in bright silver armor, holding long spears. They stood like pine trees, with sharp eyes like eagles, and even their breathing was in sync, which made her heart tighten.

Such strict military discipline is even more awe-inspiring than that of the Portuguese Royal Guard.

Passing through one palace gate after another, the scene before us became increasingly breathtaking.

The long corridor seemed to have no end, with neat rows of guardhouses on both sides, and occasionally palace maids or eunuchs dressed in blue palace attire would hurry by.

Their gazes would linger on Angelica for a few more moments.

There was curiosity, doubt, and a hint of barely perceptible indifference.

An official in a scarlet robe passed by. Seeing that she was a Western woman, he frowned slightly, curled his lips into a disdainful snort, and walked away without stopping.

Angelica's heart sank, but she quickly suppressed her discomfort.

She knew that in the eyes of the Ming people, she was both a "Western barbarian" and a female envoy, so it was no surprise that she was not well received.

She took a deep breath, automatically filtering out the disdainful glances, and focused solely on following Jiang Banxia's footsteps, walking step by step towards the Qianqing Palace.

Finally, the outline of the Qianqing Palace came into view.

The eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs were already waiting outside the hall. Upon their arrival, they stepped forward and bowed, saying:

"His Majesty is already in the East Warm Pavilion. Please follow me, messenger."

Angelica followed the eunuch through the corridors of the Qianqing Palace and into the East Warm Pavilion.

The moment the door to the pavilion was pushed open, a faint aroma of pine needles and tea wafted out. The light inside the warm pavilion was soft, quite different from the bright light outside.

She instinctively stopped in her tracks, her heart pounding faster.

As soon as Angelica stepped into the pavilion, her pupils instinctively contracted. Her gaze abruptly shifted from the clear vermilion palace walls to the hazy warm light, and everything blurred before her eyes, even her breath caught in her throat.

She raised her hand and gently pressed her brow. Once her gaze was focused, she steadied herself and slowly bent her knees, following the etiquette taught to her by the Ministry of Rites officials.

"Angelica, the Portuguese envoy, pays her respects to the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty. May Your Majesty be well."

Between bows, she couldn't help but steal a glance up out of the corner of her eye.
On the throne, Zhu Youxiao wore a black dragon robe, the twelve symbols of imperial authority gleaming with a dark gold luster under the candlelight, and the jade buckle on the jade belt at his waist was crystal clear, which made him look tall and straight.

Unlike the decrepit emperor she had imagined, this Ming emperor was surprisingly young, with a handsome face, well-defined brow bones, and a sharp, nonchalant look in his eyes, yet still possessing an air of refinement.

His appearance, a blend of heroic spirit and majesty, was completely different from the bearded nobles in Western courts, causing her heart to skip a beat and a slight flush to rise on her cheeks.

Zhu Youxiao looked down at the woman kneeling on the ground, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He knew the envoy was a Western woman, but he hadn't expected her to be so beautiful. (Mo)
The envoy's robes, in shades of white, accentuated her exquisite figure, and her fair neck, exposed outside the collar, resembled the finest mutton-fat jade.

When she looked up, her azure eyes were like those filled with the waters of the Western Ocean, carrying a hint of timidity, yet also concealing a subtle shrewdness.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips, and his voice, gentle yet carrying the composure of an emperor, said: "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Angelica slowly got up, trying to calm her racing heart.

Wei Chao had already placed a round-backed chair in front of the throne. She sat down as instructed, no longer daring to look directly at Zhu Youxiao, but instead focusing her gaze on the blue bricks in front of her. Yet, she could clearly feel the scrutinizing gaze from the throne, making her whole body tense.

The warm room was quiet for a moment, with only the soft crackling of the candlelight.

Zhu Youxiao spoke first, getting straight to the point:

"The envoy has come all the way across the ocean; surely he has not come solely to see me? What is it that you wish to do? Please speak frankly."

Angelica took a deep breath, suppressing her nervousness, raised her head, and tried to keep her tone calm:
"Your Majesty, I am an envoy of the Portuguese East India Company."

My purpose in coming here is to exchange goods and resources with the Ming Dynasty.
Portugal possessed advanced technology in manufacturing warships, cannons, and firearms, and was willing to trade with the Ming Dynasty.

"The silk, porcelain, and tea of ​​the Ming Dynasty are all scarce goods in the West, and are also what we urgently need."

Her eyes flickered slightly as she said this.

In reality, the Portuguese East India Company had not yet been formally established. She was merely using this name to "borrow the tiger's skin" in an attempt to make the negotiations more significant, fearing that she would be looked down upon by the Ming Dynasty.

Fortunately, Zhu Youxiao did not delve into the matter, but merely chuckled, his tone tinged with amusement:

"Exchange of goods and resources? I have no idea when my Great Ming Dynasty needed to 'exchange goods and resources' with foreign barbarians."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpening.
"The Ming Dynasty is vast and rich in resources, with abundant grain, silk and porcelain everywhere, and ordinary people can wear brocade and satin; even firearms and warships are being developed by the Ming Academy of Sciences. Although they are not as advanced as those in the West, we no longer need to rely on others."

To be honest, my Great Ming Dynasty is content with being self-sufficient. The so-called "exchange of goods" is, to me, optional.

These words were like a bucket of cold water, chilling Angelica to the bone.

She had thought this young emperor would be different, full of curiosity about Western artifacts, but she never expected him to be so stubborn and ignorant.

In a moment of desperation, she couldn't help but retort:

"Your Majesty is mistaken! The Ming Dynasty is indeed powerful, but compared to a hundred years ago, it has long lost its former glory."

The telescope could see several miles away, the Western cannons had a range of over three miles, and the flintlock musket had a rate of fire far exceeding that of the Ming Dynasty's muskets.

The disparity in these artifacts cannot be concealed by Your Majesty's simple statement of "self-sufficiency."

She deliberately emphasized the word "gap" in an attempt to suppress the arrogance of the Ming Dynasty and gain the initiative in negotiations.

Zhu Youxiao, however, did not care at all and simply nodded: "You are right. Right now, the Ming Dynasty is indeed slightly inferior in terms of these artifacts."

Just as a hint of smugness flashed in Angelica's eyes, Zhu Youxiao abruptly changed the subject:
"But this is only temporary. Our Ming Academy of Sciences has dismantled the captured Dutch warships and cannons, and the craftsmen are replicating and improving them."

As for telescopes and flintlock muskets, it won't be long before we can build better ones than those from the West.

His tone was firm, without the slightest hesitation, causing Angelica to swallow back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Seeing her flustered appearance, Zhu Youxiao suddenly changed the subject and brought up another matter:

"I heard that the envoy visited Building No. 1 of the Academy of Sciences a few days ago and even showed interest in that spinning machine with thirty-eight spindles?"

Upon hearing this, Angelica's eyes lit up, and she nodded quickly:

"Your Majesty is wise! I do indeed intend to purchase spinning machines, but your country's offer is too high."

One hundred units would cost one million taels of silver, which is far beyond my expectations.

"Is it high?"

Zhu Youxiao shook his head.

"That spinning machine is a powerful tool that our Ming Academy of Sciences has spent many years developing. It can do the work of a dozen Western female workers in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."

"Buy it, and you'll recoup your investment in less than three years, with profits flowing in continuously afterward. Where's the profit?"

He paused, his gaze falling on Angelica, a hint of amusement in his voice:
Good things naturally come with good prices.

If you think it's too expensive, then don't buy it. I won't force you.

After all, Portugal wasn't the only country interested in buying this spinning machine.

Angelica's heart skipped a beat. She
Of course, Portugal knew the value of this spinning machine. If other Western countries bought it first, Portugal's textile industry would fall far behind.

But one million taels of silver was far too much, and she couldn't make a decision for the time being. She could only bite her lip, caught in a dilemma.

A deal involving a spinning machine worth a million taels of silver is not something that can be settled in a few words.

Zhu Youxiao held his teacup, knowing full well that although Angelica was nominally an envoy, she might not actually have the authority to approve a transaction worth millions of taels of silver. She was merely there to probe the Ming Dynasty's intentions.

He shifted to a more relaxed sitting posture, the hem of his dragon robe draping naturally, his tone casual as if he were chatting:

"Since a deal can't be reached in the short term, why don't you tell me about the situation in the West?"

"The situation in the West?"

Angelica looked up abruptly, her azure eyes filled with astonishment.

In her mind, the Ming emperors were always conservative and closed-minded, only knowing how to indulge in the harem or the political struggles in the court. How could they care about the conflicts in the West thousands of miles away?
She suppressed her doubts and quickly replied:
"Today, there are many Western nations, mainly Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, England, France, Austria, and numerous states under the Holy Roman Empire..."

She rattled off the names of more than a dozen countries in one breath, deliberately putting Portugal first, her tone carrying a hint of unconscious pride.

"Oh?"

Zhu Youxiao raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with amusement.

"So, which of these countries is strong and which is weak?"

Angelica straightened her back and said with great pride:

"The strongest is naturally Portugal! We control the spice route to the East, and our navy is spread across the oceans."

Secondly, there were the Netherlands and Spain. The Netherlands had the largest number of merchant ships in the West, while Spain controlled vast colonies in the Americas and was incredibly wealthy.

"A tiny place like this dares to call itself strong?"

Zhu Youxiao chuckled, his tone undisguisedly mocking.

"Portugal is no bigger than a prefecture in the Ming Dynasty, and the Netherlands has only a few islands and reefs. They made some money by plundering at sea, yet they dare to call themselves 'powerful nations'?"

Angelica was about to retort when Zhu Youxiao abruptly changed his tone, his voice becoming sharp and precise:
"I have heard that Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II has completely defeated the Protestant forces in Bohemia, deposed Elector Frederick V of the Palatinate, and transferred his title to the Catholic Duke Maximilian of Bavaria."

"Your West is now divided into two major camps because of religious divisions."

On the Catholic side, there are the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, the Papal States, and Bavaria.

On the Protestant side were the Netherlands, England, Denmark, Sweden, and some German princes.

"Is what I said right or wrong?"

"You...how did you know?"

Angelica abruptly stood up from her chair, her composure completely shattered, replaced by unbelievable shock.

The news of Ferdinand II's defeat of the Protestant forces was a secret report she received just before leaving Lisbon. She traveled east by ship, and the news had not yet spread in the East. How could this Ming emperor know such details?

They even knew the exact changes in the Elector's title!
She opened her mouth, her voice trembling:

"Your Majesty... is also concerned about the wars in the West?"

Zhu Youxiao put down his teacup, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, and uttered two clear English letters:
"Of course!"

"what?"

Angelica wondered if she had misheard and blinked instinctively.

This is clearly English!

How could a Ming emperor speak a Western language?

She hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked in English, "Your Majesty, you actually speak English?"
"Are you surprised?" Zhu Youxiao's English pronunciation was standard and fluent, with a touch of lazy banter, which formed a strange contrast with his status as an emperor.

Angelica froze on the spot, her azure eyes wide open as if she had seen a ghost.

She repeatedly confirmed that she was not hallucinating.

That was indeed pure English, not Portuguese or Spanish!

Zhu Youxiao looked at her dumbfounded expression and chuckled to himself.

Just kidding. In my past life, I did countless practice exams in English to prepare for my doctoral entrance exam. English has long become my second language, so this spoken English is nothing.

As for the religious wars in the West, it was just something he had read in his spare time while reading Western history books, and he never expected it would come in handy today.

Angelica composed herself, her voice filled with shock:

"I never imagined that His Majesty would admire Western learning so much, and even be so proficient in Western languages!"

"Admiration?"

Zhu Youxiao scoffed, his tone suddenly turning cold. "You're learning the official language of the Ming Dynasty because you admire the Ming Dynasty?"

Angelica's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively shook her head.

"Isn't that right?"

Zhu Youxiao leaned back on his throne, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"You learn the official language of the Ming Dynasty in order to understand the Ming Dynasty, to facilitate your dealings with the Ming Dynasty, and even... to covet the wealth of the Ming Dynasty."

The same principle applies to my learning of Western languages.

The short sentence struck Angelica like a thunderbolt, making her hair stand on end and sending a chill from her feet to the top of her head.

She finally understands!

This Ming emperor's learning of English was not out of "admiration for Western learning," but rather because he regarded the West as a potential target.

Just as the Portuguese learned Chinese in order to conquer the East, this emperor learned Western languages ​​in order to conquer the West in the future!

She suddenly remembered the advanced spinning machines in Building No. 1, the Ming Dynasty naval reform plan mentioned in Mao Wenlong's secret memorial, and the emperor's accurate understanding of the situation in the West.

All the clues came together, and a terrible idea took shape in her mind.

This young Ming emperor was by no means a conservative monarch; his ambitions had already crossed the Great Wall and the sea, heading straight for the West!

The Portuguese-controlled spice trade routes, the Dutch merchant fleets, the Spanish American colonies...

In the eyes of this emperor, they had probably all become prey to be hunted.

The Ming Dynasty is vigorously developing its navy. Before long, on the vast ocean, Western powers such as Portugal and the Netherlands will face an unprecedentedly powerful opponent.

Angelica's face turned deathly pale instantly. She looked at the young and valiant emperor on the throne. He still had a faint smile on his face, but that smile was colder than any sword in her eyes.

She suddenly realized that her trip to the Ming Dynasty might not have brought business opportunities to Portugal, but rather allowed her to glimpse a secret that would soon change the world order.

The ensuing conversation solidified her resolve.

Zhu Youxiao did not dwell on the topic of religious wars. Instead, he swiftly shifted the focus and precisely pointed out the expansion trajectory of the Dutch East India Company.

"After establishing trading posts on Java Island, the Dutch East India Company gradually gained control of the spice trade in the Strait of Malacca. It not only seized Portugal's pepper production in the Moluccas, but also cut off the British East India Company's shipping routes to India. Today, it is the new hegemon of Southeast Asian trade."

His tone was calm, as if he were talking about trivial matters in a prefecture or county of the Ming Dynasty, but it sent a huge shock through Angelica's heart.

These are all classified intelligence, yet this Ming emperor knows them all!

"The 'circumnavigation' you're referring to was not done by Columbus."

Zhu Youxiao suddenly corrected him, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

"Columbus discovered the Americas, a new continent inhabited by Native Americans, rich in gold, tobacco, and cocoa, which is now mostly occupied by the Spanish."

It was Magellan's fleet that actually completed the circumnavigation of the globe, but unfortunately, he did not complete the final leg of the journey.

"Besides Europe, Asia, and Africa, the Americas are divided into North and South America. North America is cold and has many forests, while South America is hot and has many plateaus."

Australia is a continent isolated in the ocean, inhabited only by indigenous tribes, and has not yet been touched by any major powers.

Africa, which you call the 'Dark Continent,' is in the northern part of the Arab world and in the south, where primitive tribes abound, and it is rich in ivory, gold, and slaves.

Angelica opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

These are secrets that Western navigators spent decades uncovering, sacrificing countless lives. Many details circulated only among the royal family and the East India Company's top brass. How could this emperor, so far away in the East, know them so precisely?

They even knew the specialties of the Americas and the division of power in Africa!
She subconsciously raised her hand to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead, her eyes filled with confusion.

What shocked her even more was that Zhu Youxiao raised his hand to signal Wei Chao, and soon a huge world map was slowly unfolded by palace servants and laid on the long table next to the imperial desk.

This map is drawn on silk with a gilded border. The outlines of the continents are precisely drawn with black and red lines, and the ocean is marked with a dense network of shipping routes. Even small islands and bays are clearly visible.

Angelica staggered forward, her eyes fixed on the map.

This map is even more exquisite than Portugal's most sophisticated nautical charts!

The Amazon River in South America, the Nile River in Africa, and the Alps in Europe are all accurately marked.

What shocked her even more was that the outline of Australia on the map was much more complete than the latest sketch drawn by Portugal, and even marked several bays suitable for docking.

The territory of the Ming Dynasty was marked in striking red, stretching from the eastern sea to the western desert, a vastness that was breathtaking.

"This...this is impossible!"

She gasped in surprise and reached out to touch the map, but was stopped by Wei Chao's gaze.

She turned to look at Zhu Youxiao in disbelief.
"Your Majesty, how can your map be so accurate?"
Our Portuguese navigators spent decades just barely managing to sketch a rough outline, yet you've marked even the rivers of the American interior with perfect clarity!

Zhu Youxiao simply smiled faintly and offered no explanation.

He can't very well say that this is the culmination of knowledge from hundreds of years later.

"The world is vast, far beyond Europe and Asia."

You Western nations, relying on navigation and firearms, seize colonies and plunder wealth, and think you are very powerful.

But in my eyes, it's nothing more than a minor skirmish.

Zhu Youxiao's speaking style completely overturned Angelica's understanding.

He never mentioned the Ming Dynasty's "ancestral system" and "feudal ethics," nor did he get bogged down in the ideology of "distinguishing between Chinese and barbarians." He simply analyzed the issues from the perspectives of the situation, interests, and strength.

When discussing Western firearms and navigation technology, he frankly acknowledged the current gap between the Ming Dynasty and Western technology, but also clearly stated that the Academy of Sciences was making every effort to imitate and improve them, and that it would be able to catch up in no time.

When discussing the power of Western nations, he neither arrogantly denied it nor felt inferior and cowardly that they were invincible; he regarded them only as equal opponents.

It is even a goal to be surpassed in the future.

This Ming emperor was by no means a conservative and ignorant Eastern monarch; his vision had long surpassed the Great Wall and the ocean, encompassing the entire world.

His ambition was comparable to that of Alexander the Great; he wanted to conquer the entire world.

He understood the West's strengths and weaknesses, knew about the conflicts and disputes between countries, and was even more knowledgeable about the Western situation than she, a native Portuguese.

Such an opponent is far more terrifying than those arrogant or cowardly monarchs.

He is calm, wise, and has a broad vision. He knows how to appreciate the strengths of his opponents and has enough patience and strength to wait for the right opportunity.

Angelica's legs went slightly weak. She suddenly realized that the emperor in front of her was quietly accumulating power. Once the Ming Dynasty's navy was strong enough, and once those imitation firearms surpassed those of the West, then on the vast ocean, Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, and other former maritime powers would face annihilation.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Angelica's unfocused and absent-minded appearance, a knowing smile flashing across his eyes.

"I have had a long and fruitful conversation with the envoy. The weather is fine today, so I will take you to the training ground in the Western Garden to see the power of the firearms newly developed by our Great Ming."

"what?"

Angelica snapped back to reality, a hint of confusion still lingering in her azure eyes, which was quickly replaced by deep astonishment.

She smiled bitterly to herself.

Where is it that His Majesty "gained a great deal"?
She was clearly so overwhelmed by the emperor's global vision and brilliant strategies that she almost forgot her mission.

She composed herself, suppressed her turbulent thoughts, and bowed, replying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

The group, following the emperor's entourage, marched in a grand procession toward the training ground in the West Garden.

The pines and cypresses on both sides of the imperial road stand tall and straight like swords, and sunlight shines through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Angelica followed at the back of the group, her mind preoccupied with the Western situation and world map that Zhu Youxiao had just mentioned.

Upon arriving at the training ground in the West Garden, the officials who had been waiting there bowed and shouted in unison:

"Long live your majesty!"

The sounds were clear, loud, and resonant, making one's eardrums vibrate.

The inner training ground was open and flat, with fine yellow sand covering the ground. Dozens of wooden and stone targets stood in the distance, and several craftsmen dressed in blue overalls were gathered around a row of firearms, intently conducting a final check.

Bi Maokang from the Academy of Sciences stepped forward quickly, bowed, and reported:
"Your Majesty, the newly manufactured firearms are all ready and await your inspection."

His gaze swept over Angelica beside him, a hint of barely perceptible pride flashing in his eyes.

Today we must show this Western envoy that the firearms of the Ming Dynasty are no longer what they used to be.

Zhu Youxiao nodded slightly, then turned to look at Angelica, his tone slightly mocking:

"The envoy has come from afar; he has probably never seen the newly made 'repeating cannon' and 'breech-loading cannon' of our Great Ming Dynasty, has he?"

As soon as he finished speaking, two Imperial Guards carried forward an exquisitely designed musket.

This musket is made entirely of fine iron, with a barrel that gleams with a cold luster, fine patterns engraved on the body, and a detachable magazine at the rear.

Angelica's pupils contracted slightly, and she instinctively moved closer.

The design of this musket is completely different from that of Western muskets!
"This is a five-shot rifled gun."

Bi Maokang stepped forward to explain, his tone revealing undisguised pride.

"The barrel has helical rifling inside, which improves the stability of the bullet in flight."

The magazine can be pre-loaded with five lead bullets, allowing for continuous firing with a single trigger pull, unlike Western muskets which required individual reloading.

As soon as he finished speaking, a craftsman took the musket and stood in front of the wooden target 50 paces away.

He picked up the musket, aimed at the bullseye, and repeatedly pulled the trigger.

"Bang bang bang!"

Five crisp gunshots rang out in quick succession, almost without pause.

Angelica's eyes widened, and she quickly walked to the wooden target to examine it.

All five lead bullets hit the bullseye, and the bullet holes were clustered together, almost forming a single point!

Her face changed drastically instantly, and her heart pounded wildly.

It should be noted that even the most advanced Western firearms had an effective range of only 30 paces, and had no rifling, resulting in extremely poor accuracy. Hitting the target 3 out of 10 times was considered the best possible outcome.

The Ming Dynasty's repeating musket not only had a range far exceeding that of Western firearms, but also an astonishing rate of fire and unbelievable accuracy!
"This...this is impossible!"

Angelica gasped in shock.

"How could your firearms technology be so..."

She suddenly recalled the Battle of Penghu, in which the Ming Dynasty navy, though at a cost, ultimately repelled the Dutch fleet.

It turns out that the Ming Dynasty was not backward in firearms, but simply had not yet equipped its navy with these newly manufactured firearms on a large scale!
If these repeating muskets were widely adopted, Western muskets would be utterly powerless on the battlefield.

Seeing her shocked expression, Zhu Youxiao didn't say anything, but simply raised his hand to gesture:
"Let the messenger come with me to see the 'Tiger Crouching Rear-Loading Cannon' not far away."

The group moved to the square in the inner training ground, where a bronze cannon stood prominently in the center.

The cannon has a robust barrel with exquisite cloud patterns and spirals engraved on its surface. It has an opening hatch at the breech, which is quite different from Western cannons that require loading through the muzzle.

Angelica's gaze was fixed on the hatch at the stern of the gun, and she vaguely guessed what was going on. Her breathing became rapid.

"This cannon is called the Tiger Crouching Rear-Loading Cannon."

Bi Maokang personally stepped forward to demonstrate, and the craftsmen quickly opened the breech hatch, loaded a cast iron shell and gunpowder wrapped in oil paper into the chamber, then closed the hatch and tightened the fixing bolts.

The entire loading process took only a few moments, much faster than the loading speed of Western cannons.

"ignition!"

At Bi Maokang's command, the craftsmen lit the fuse, and with a loud "boom," the recoil of the cannon caused the barrel to tremble slightly. The cannonball shot out like an arrow and accurately hit the stone target 200 paces away.

With a loud "boom," the stone target shattered instantly, sending stone chips flying and filling the air with dust, creating a truly awe-inspiring scene.

Angelica took a step back in fright.

Western cannons were slow to load and often exploded due to uneven heating of the barrel, and their effective range was only about 150 paces.

The Ming Dynasty's breech-loading cannon had a high rate of fire, long range, and high accuracy, and it also eliminated the risk of barrel explosion.

This is not "not much different", it is clearly far superior to the West!
Although Western warships were large, they were equipped with cannons that had a slow rate of fire and low accuracy.

If the Ming Dynasty's warships were equipped with these crouching breech-loading cannons, with 12 cannons on each ship, then in naval battles, Western warships would be completely powerless to resist, and the once proud maritime advantage would be completely reversed!

A deep fear shot from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, chilling her to the bone and soaking her robes with cold sweat.

"This cannon has already entered mass production."

Zhu Youxiao's nonchalant voice rang in my ears.

"It will soon be equipped on the warships of the Tianjin Navy, which should be sufficient to deal with the multi-masted warships of the West."

enough……

Angelica felt her vision go black.

This Ming emperor not only possessed a broad vision and great talent, but also had access to such advanced military technology.

He is not the Alexander the Great of the East; he is far more terrifying than Alexander the Great.

He possesses a vision ahead of his time, and the ability to translate that vision into reality.

Looking at Angelica's distraught appearance, Bi Maokang's face revealed undisguised pride.

If it weren't for His Majesty's full support and his investment of manpower, material resources, and financial resources at all costs, how could the Academy of Sciences have improved such advanced firearms in such a short time?
These Western barbarians, who usually boasted that their firearms were the best in the world, would probably no longer dare to be arrogant after witnessing the power of the Ming Dynasty's firearms firsthand.

PS:

I will update the chapters later.

Combining chapters will increase average subscriptions and may be recommended.

I will try to make each chapter 10,000 words in the future.

(End of this chapter)