Chapter 254: Director of the Firearm Supervision

Love Shenjing, the Northern Drill Ground of the Five Armies.

The entire Northern Drill Ground had been cleared of personnel, and a earthen ramp over half a man's height had been constructed.

In the open ground before the ramp, countless wooden figures and targets, life-sized, stood densely packed.

Behind the ramp, beneath a yellow silk canopy, several officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works' Firearm Supervision gathered around Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

Deputy Firearm Supervision Liu Liu Shizhen presented a round object to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

"Your Majesty, please look—this is the ceramic shell of the thunderbomb, crafted according to the concept and blueprints of Assistant Clerk Jia Cheng."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao took the object from Liu Liu Shizhen's hands with curiosity; it was a round ceramic jar, wrapped in fine vines, its grip smooth and secure.

At its center stood a hollow cylindrical core, its purpose unclear.

Liu Liu Shizhen explained: "Your Majesty, observe: once formed, the ceramic thunderbomb is filled with black powder within the hollow core, and a fuse is drawn out."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao knew that Minister of War Gu Yan, once a seasoned general, was a man of prudence and discipline, whose words and actions were always measured and never frivolous.

In truth, the best materials for the thunderbomb's shell are rubber and cast iron; rubber shells avoid brittleness, are lighter, and easier to carry.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked again: "What is the purpose of wrapping the ceramic thunderbomb's exterior with fine vines?"

The crowd noticed that the wooden figures' surfaces were embedded with countless iron filings and ceramic shards, a sight that sent chills down their spines.

Jia Cong had soldiers bring over a few of the wooden figures near the explosion's epicenter for Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and the attending officials to examine.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and the others heard a deafening roar, earth-shaking and terrifying, accompanied by sharp, hissing whistles.

For the emperor to speak of it with such earnest praise, its power must be extraordinary—this made him highly anticipate the ceramic thunderbomb's effect.

The wooden figures at the explosion's center were instantly shattered into fragments, their destruction far exceeding the noise and force of a musket discharge.

After Jia Cong and Liu Liu Shizhen finished explaining the thunderbomb's structure, they began a live demonstration.

Minister of War Gu Yan said: "Your Majesty, once you witness the explosive power of this ceramic thunderbomb, you will be even more astonished—this weapon's might surpasses that of swords, spears, and arrows."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao smiled: "Minister Jia's ingenious ideas and meticulous thinking are truly astonishing—you have conceived such a marvel."

But rubber grows mostly in the southern barbarian lands; I have roughly calculated that transport costs by cart and ship are prohibitively high, and smelting rubber is difficult to control.

Jia Cong instructed Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and the other officials to retreat two zhang behind the earthen ramp.

The densely packed wooden figures and targets on the ground, as if struck by divine retribution, fell like wheat before a scythe.

Fill the space around the core with iron filings, then seal the ceramic shell's opening—once formed, ignite the fuse and hurl it with full force within five breaths to inflict mass casualties on enemy troops."

Following the squad leader's orders, the soldier lit the fuse of his ceramic thunderbomb and hurled it with all his strength, landing squarely between the two wooden targets.

Moreover, the ceramic shell's smooth surface, when wrapped in vines, improves grip and allows for longer throws.

We have consulted repeatedly with craftsmen; at this stage, ceramic thunderbombs are the most economical and efficient to produce in large quantities."

A fully equipped firearm soldier sprinted to the rear of the earthen ramp.

Jia Cong explained: "Your Majesty, ceramic is brittle; the vines wrapped around the thunderbomb prevent the shell from shattering prematurely upon impact before detonation."

Cast iron shells inflict greater damage, but their production requires smelting iron and stone, raising costs further.

This is precisely how the pressure of the ceramic thunderbomb's explosion scatters the embedded iron filings and ceramic shards, creating its lethal effect.

Had the targets just now been living flesh instead of wood, they would have been instantly reduced to bloody pulp.

At this thought, even Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and the others—men accustomed to battle—could not suppress a chill.

People naturally feel awe toward things they cannot comprehend.

They were all familiar with the killing effects of swords, spears, and arrows; even musket wounds differed little from those of blades.

But the ceramic thunderbomb's mode of killing utterly exceeded their imagination.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's face grew grave as he asked: "How many of these ceramic thunderbombs have you produced, and how are they stored and guarded?"

Liu Liu Shizhen, seeing the emperor's unusual expression, froze momentarily, not fully grasping the implication.

Jia Cong, however, understood the emperor's meaning and quickly replied: "Your Majesty, fifty prototypes have been made; five were used in yesterday's first demonstration."

Today, three were taken from storage for this drill; forty-two remain in the depot. I have requested Lord Marquis Zhongjing to assign five loyal, dependable captains to guard the stored thunderbombs exclusively."

Every morning and evening, Deputy Supervision Liu personally counts the stored thunderbombs; if any are missing, the five guards will be held jointly liable!"

Upon hearing Jia Cong's reply, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's expression eased slightly, yet he remained uneasy, saying:

"This weapon is unheard of—a true instrument of war. Its manufacturing method must be kept secret!"

"Reward the guards handsomely; if any thunderbombs go missing, the guards will be executed along with their superiors!"

All present grew solemn at these words, yet understood why the emperor was so cautious.

The ceramic thunderbomb's killing method is too cruel and terrifying; even one or two lost could create unforeseeable, massive dangers.

Though the Great Zhou currently faces no major internal unrest, border threats have never fully ceased.

To the north, the Jurchens; to the west, remnants of the Mongols; in Guangdong, coastal nations frequently raid; along the eastern seaboard, Japanese pirates remain unchecked.

If the enemy chieftains learn of the ceramic thunderbomb too soon—or worse, replicate its manufacture—the consequences would be unimaginable.

We might even find ourselves outmaneuvered before we even strike.

Or worse, someone might use it to assassinate the emperor—throw just one, and even the Imperial Guard could not stop it…

…

"Jia Cong, you have rendered great service in developing the ceramic thunderbomb and mastering the principles of firearms. I appoint you as Junior Sixth-Rank Director of the Firearm Supervision, overseeing the production of ceramic thunderbombs."

"If other firearm methods can be swiftly deployed on the battlefield, consolidate them under your authority—I have great plans for them!"

He noticed Jia Cong's stunned expression, as if surprised by the appointment as Director of the Firearm Supervision.

He added: "You need only oversee matters; daily affairs will be handled by Liu Liu Shizhen. Your duties as an observer in the Ministry of War remain unchanged. Military descendants must not neglect the foundation of martial prowess."

In truth, though Jia Cong held no official post in the Firearm Supervision, he had been involved in recruiting Western experts and developing firearms.

Yet he was merely a Provincial Graduate Wu, granted the privilege of observing government affairs—an extraordinary favor; under normal circumstances, someone so young could never be appointed to an actual post so early.

For Jia Cong, the work of firearms craftsmanship was something he entered only out of necessity during his time in Jin Ling.

His own plan was to pursue a civil official's path—otherwise, why would he have exerted himself so to pass the imperial examinations?

Now it seemed he had veered off course.

And to be suddenly appointed—so abrupt, almost as if rushed.

…

On the way back from the Northern Drill Ground, riding with Minister of War Gu Yan, their conversation revealed some of the underlying truth.

In fact, during his regular duties observing affairs in the Ministry of War, he had frequently encountered military intelligence reports and understood much about border threats and state affairs.

But some of the latest information was beyond his reach.

Now that Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had suddenly appointed him Director of the Firearm Supervision, Minister Gu Yan, knowing the reason, revealed some of the inner details.

Since the beginning of spring, the lands beyond the pass have suffered consecutive snowstorms and spring droughts, pressuring the Jurchen tribes' livelihoods, driving them to form alliances. Blocked from advancing west into Goryeo, they have poured southward to raid and plunder.

The garrisons of Liaodong have repeatedly been struck by Jurchen tribes; a major battle is imminent.

The Jurchen tribes, born amid the white mountains and black waters, hold geographic advantage; years of natural disaster have hardened them in the struggle for survival, fueling their ferocity and brutality, making their cavalry and archery exceptionally formidable.

Meanwhile, the Great Zhou's troops, having known peace too long, are now outmatched.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's vigorous promotion of firearms is meant to compensate for this military weakness, strengthening troops and weapons to quell border threats and secure the realm.

Jia Cong has long been known for his expertise in firearms, and with the ceramic thunderbomb demonstration succeeding just as the crisis deepens, his appointment as Director of the Firearm Supervision was inevitable.

In truth, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had appointed Liu Liu Shizhen as Deputy Director of the Firearm Supervision but left the Director's post vacant all along—he had long intended to fill it, merely awaiting the right opportunity.

(End of Chapter)