Chapter 669: Leaving Chang'an?

Chang'an City, outskirts.

Chen Yan and Li Tai rode a carriage with Li Shimin, hastening out of the city.

On the road, Li Shimin's face turned strange: "Where are you taking me?"

"I recall that the place where I established the research institute for you, though a bit remote and quiet, isn't yet at the point of leaving the city, right?"

Li Tai explained: "Father Emperor may not know, the cannon's power is enormous, the disturbance it creates is beyond ordinary, so I, your son, specifically found a spot outside the city to test the cannon."

"I see." Li Shimin instantly understood, recalling the shock the gunpowder had given him before; indeed it could not be ignited within Chang'an City.

If tests were frequent, causing constant cannon fire throughout the city, it would likely frighten the populace, and rumors of demons or deities would spread, which would be undesirable.

Li Shimin lightly tapped his finger, lifted his gaze to Chen Yan and said: "Zi An, does the cannon you have made truly possess such great power?"

"According to your description, isn't it a cannon that can blast open a city gate with just three shells?"

Speaking of that, Li Tai immediately added a hint of pride and self‑satisfaction: "Father Emperor, I'm not flattering you, but as of now across the realm, no city gate can withstand a single shot from the divine‑might cannon."

"No matter how sturdy a gate, no matter how many people block it behind, you only need to aim the muzzle at the gate and give a light touch with a fire‑lighter..."

Li Tai grew more excited as he spoke, extending his hand, fingers clasped: "Then, boom......"

"Boom, you idiot!"

Chen Yan hurriedly covered Li Tai's mouth, preventing him from continuing.

Li Tai wore a bewildered expression, not understanding why Chen Yan stopped him.

Honestly, when Li Shimin first asked the question, Chen Yan was equally taken aback.

But later, as Li Tai claimed that a single shot could blast open all gates, Chen Yan noticed a subtle shift in Li Shimin's eyes.

He instantly understood.

The cannon's power needs no further explanation; the current gates could not stop a single shot, and even three shots would certainly blast them open.

Moreover, if there were ten cannons with enough shells, even city walls could be reduced to rubble.

Because today's walls rely almost entirely on sheer thickness for hardness; with sufficient firepower, blasting them open is no problem.

Since the cannon's power is clear.

As its makers, they naturally feel proud.

But who is Li Shimin?

He is the emperor.

What would he think?

Would he wonder whether, if someone pushed a cannon, a single shot could shatter Chang'an's gates and then breach the city?

If they can make a cannon, can others as well?

Not to mention that Chen Yan earlier said the knowledge should be spread out......

"His Majesty......" Chen Yan paused: "One step fast, every step fast; moreover, now that these reports are known, those who understand this knowledge are absolutely trustworthy."

"......."

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow, looked at Chen Yan meaningfully: "Zi An, in my mind you and Qingque are fundamentally different from everyone else; do you understand?"

"I understand." Chen Yan breathed a sigh of relief inside.

Li Shimin's meaning was clear: he trusted him and Qingque, but others evidently lacked that qualification.

At this moment, Li Tai also caught on, scratched his head, and fell silent.

Li Shimin mused: "I do not oppose you spreading the knowledge; as Qingque said, it is originally yours, and how you use it is none of others' business."

"But these things are too sensational for the times; as it stands, they certainly cannot be taught widely. As for the people of your research institute… I will later investigate thoroughly and keep a close watch."

"Also, something like gunpowder must be regulated somehow......"

Chen Yan blinked, then laughed: "His Majesty, I thought that when you saw the power of the explosives, you would have regulated this matter already; I didn't expect you to raise it only now."

Li Shimin glanced at him, ignored his words, and said: "I acknowledge what you said earlier—one step fast, every step fast."

"In fact, I am well aware that progress is inevitable, just as China moved from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age, then to the Iron Age."

"Now iron weapons are about to be phased out; the emergence of explosives and cannons will inevitably change the nature of warfare."

"These things cannot be hidden, and I have no desire to conceal them, because I need them to subdue external foes."

"Once enemies see them, they will surely try every method to study them; however, lacking your knowledge and guidance, catching up to our pace will take them a very long time."

"But once these things appear, anyone with will eventually figure them out, right?"

Chen Yan nodded: "Yes, after all, gunpowder's smell is strong; it cannot be concealed."

"Once the key point of gunpowder is clear, everything else is just a matter of time."

"But Your Majesty...... I think that for others to catch up with us, the time required may be far longer than you imagine."

At this point, Chen Yan cleared his throat: "To be blunt, we are already more than one step ahead...... Hehe, Your Majesty, you should have confidence in me."

"I have always had confidence in you." Li Shimin raised his hand, then shifted his tone: "But Zi An, what I need is to stay ahead continuously; do you understand?"

"Therefore, this is why I do not oppose you teaching others, yet require you to select the recipients."

"Understood, understood." Chen Yan said with a smile: "Whatever decision you make is fine; even if you forbid me to teach, it's okay, because I have already handed it over to Prince of Wei and Sizi."

"I've satisfied my craving for being a teacher; the rest is up to you to decide."

Li Shimin was taken aback, understood Chen Yan's meaning, and smiled, pointing a finger at him: "You, huh~"

Saying that, he sighed: "Fine, I won't press you; I also know you really don't want to handle these matters."

"After this year passes and we capture Tuyuhun, I will let you rest for a while."

"Really?" Chen Yan's eyes instantly lit up.

Any promotion or honor was meaningless to him; the best reward would be a good two‑month rest.

"Indeed." Li Shimin first affirmed him, then said: "However, in a few days you'll need to go out with me."

"Champa Rice and Potato were first planted long ago; now they're about to have a second harvest. Prepare in the next few days and accompany me."

Ah?

Upon hearing the news, not only Chen Yan was stunned, Li Tai was stunned as well.

Take a trip?

Can we still come back that day to eat?