Chapter 43: The Ministry of Works Cannot Say It Can't Be Done!

After some polite exchanges, the group finally took their seats.

Zhu Gaochi was already dumbfounded on the side; after all, he was only a six-year-old child, and he couldn't get a word in at this moment, while the others ignored him entirely, each looking at Zhu Gaoxu and waiting for him to speak.

Zhu Gaoxu was not intimidated by being watched by the group; he first scanned everyone at the table, then slowly began to speak: "I presume Minister Yan has already told you all; this matter is of great importance, so please ensure it remains confidential. Aside from those present, no one else is allowed to know. Those who violate this will have their nine generations executed!"

Hearing such grave words from Zhu Gaoxu, the expressions of the group tightened, yet no one showed hesitation or fear; they all nodded firmly.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu nodded in satisfaction, then carefully took the blueprints out from his sleeve and asked Yan Zhenzhi: "Which of you gentlemen is the master craftsman for manufacturing firearms?"

Yan Zhenzhi replied directly: "Your Highness, in truth, all of these men are master craftsmen of firearms. At the same time, some of them have previously worked as artisans in agricultural implements, so they can also manufacture agricultural tools."

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu nodded and continued to ask: "Although it may be offensive, I must still ask you all: I wonder which of you has the best craftsmanship in manufacturing firearms."

Upon hearing this from Zhu Gaoxu, the group exchanged glances before all turning their gazes toward an old man on Zhu Gaoxu's right.

Zhu Gaoxu followed the group's gaze to look at the old man on the right.

He saw that although the old man had a full head of white hair, his eyes were exceptionally spirited.

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu looking at him, the old man did not stand on ceremony; he cupped his hands and said in a deep voice: "This humble one is Yang Yan. I consider my ability to manufacture firearms to be slightly superior to the others."

Zhu Gaoxu did not know these people, but seeing the expressions of the others, he knew that everyone was very convinced by the man before him.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu finally handed the blueprints in his hand to Yang Yan.

"I ask Senior Yang to take a look and see if this type of firearm can be manufactured."

Carefully taking the blueprints from Zhu Gaoxu's hand, Yang Yan's expression also became solemn, and he then began to examine them in detail.

After a long while, Yang Yan let out a long breath, then picked up the wine cup on the table and drained it in one gulp, laughing aloud as he said: "Wonderful, truly wonderful!"

"May I ask Your Highness, what is this firearm called?"

Zhu Gaoxu was stunned upon hearing this; he had wanted to say Lumi Gun, but the words were swallowed back as they reached his lips.

After a moment of thought, Zhu Gaoxu said directly: "This firearm shall display the national might of our Great Ming, so it should be called the Daming Gun!"

Yang Yan laughed heartily after hearing this and said the word "good" three times in a row.

As if that wasn't enough to satisfy him, he picked up the wine pot to fill his cup again and downed three more cups in succession before stopping.

Seeing him like this, the others all became curious.

These men were the cream of the crop among firearm artisans; they had spent their entire lives dealing with firearms, and encountering a new type of firearm was a challenge for them as well.

Watching Yang Yan drink and laugh incessantly, one of the old men finally could not wait any longer.

"Old Yang, show us the blueprints; you're making us itch with curiosity."

Hearing this, Yang Yan finally stopped, then asked Zhu Gaoxu for permission, and after receiving Zhu Gaoxu's consent, he looked at them together with the other old men.

Zhu Gaoxu did not quite understand why these people were so interested in firearms, even though they had already been making them for a lifetime.

However, this was clearly advantageous and not harmful to him, so he simply stopped worrying about them and signaled to Yan Zhenzhi to eat.

As for Zhu Gaochi, there was no need to worry about him at all.

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu and the others chatting happily, and not really understanding what they were saying, the little fatty had long since let go of all restraint and had been eating for quite a while.

Watching Zhu Gaochi stuffing his face, Zhu Gaoxu's own stomach began to growl.

He hadn't eaten much at noon, and now that delicacies were right before his eyes, if he didn't eat now, when would he?

By the time Zhu Gaoxu had eaten and drunk his fill, Yang Yan and the group had also finished their study.

And the expressions of those men at this moment were much like Yang Yan's earlier.

Each was extremely excited, and after eating and drinking his fill, Zhu Gaoxu picked up his teacup and asked leisurely: "How is it, gentlemen? Judging by your expressions, there isn't much of a problem, right?"

Hearing this from Zhu Gaoxu, Yang Yan said with a flushed face: "Your Highness, that is not the case; I am afraid we cannot manage this type of firearm."

"Pfft!"

Zhu Gaoxu, who had just taken a sip of tea, spat the tea directly onto the face of Yan Zhenzhi opposite him.

Zhu Gaoxu paid no attention to this, however, because he was very angry.

If you can't do it, why were you so excited?

You made me feel unhurried and confident of victory, and now you tell me you can't do it?

Even Yan Zhenzhi's face darkened slightly.

It wasn't because he had been sprayed with tea by Zhu Gaoxu; he felt the same as Zhu Gaoxu.

The Ministry of Works had not been valued by the Emperor for a long time, and this time, it was finally being put to use for such an important matter.

He had brought a group of old veterans here full of confidence, only for them to say they couldn't do it in the end?

How would the Emperor view him then? How would he view the Ministry of Works?

The Ministry of Works cannot say it can't be done!

Thinking of this, without even waiting for Zhu Gaoxu to speak, Yan Zhenzhi slammed the table and shouted angrily: "You are all veteran artisans, the least experienced among you has been at it for twenty years."

"Many in the Shenji Battalion are your disciples' disciples; how can you not even manufacture a small firearm? Aren't you ashamed of yourselves?"