Chapter 332

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was diligent in government affairs and not too keen on women, so the descendants in the harem were not prosperous.

The Emperor had only four sons who grew up: the eldest imperial prince, Zhao Wang Li Zhongmao; the second imperial prince, Ning Wang Li Zhongrui; and the other two sons were under ten years old and had not yet been granted titles.

The eldest imperial prince, Li Zhongmao, had a noble character, was both civil and military, and was brilliant, and was highly valued by Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

Last year, the Chahan tribe of the remnant Yuan had an army of 60,000, wandering the grasslands, invading Tibet, suppressing local nobles, and building up their strength, repeatedly invading the border, intending to move east into Da Zhou.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao ordered the eldest imperial prince, Li Zhongmao, to lead an army of 100,000 to crusade. In Hezhou, he killed the Yu Wang of the Chahan tribe, beheaded two thousand, captured fifteen nobles of the Chahan tribe, and over ten thousand soldiers and generals.

His magnificent victory was even greater than Jia Cong's Great Victory at Qingyuan Collection. After this battle, Zhao Wang Li Zhongmao's reputation was at its peak, and he was even more favored and valued by Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

And Jia Cong saw that Zhao Wang's bearing and grace were indeed even better than Prince Ning Li Zhongrui.

It is said in the streets that Prince Ning Li Zhongrui has a steady temperament, is diligent in his work, and is gentle and polite to others, but his talent is slightly ordinary.

And the eldest imperial prince, Li Zhongmao, had outstanding talent and was known as a child prodigy. Since childhood, whether studying literature or martial arts, he had outstanding achievements.

……

"The second on the left is the new Red-Clothed Great Cannon, and the third on the left is the improved Red-Clothed Great Cannon. The three cannons are test-fired separately so that His Majesty can understand the advantages and disadvantages of the new cannons."

A group of people led by Jia Cong entered the Firearms Workshop. After the Emperor visited the construction workshop, he was taken by Jia Cong to the cannon test-firing drill ground.

In fact, although Prince Ning Li Zhongrui was not an outstanding talent, he at least had upper-middle qualifications, but compared with his older brother, he seemed a bit mediocre.

Moreover, the eldest imperial prince, Li Zhongmao, was not only both civil and military, but also had a political mind. At a young age, he could see the gap and estrangement between his father and his grandfather.

Now he has established merit in Liaodong and has been granted the title of Count of Weiyuan. He is young, glorious, and proud, attracting the attention of the whole city. If it were an ordinary person, he would probably be a bit wanton and arrogant.

Beside the three cannons stood the Frankish cannon instructor Ma Delun, and more than a dozen artillerymen from the Five Military Firearms Camp.

……

On the high platform, one can clearly overlook the entire cannon firing process.

Perhaps this is why Emperor Yong'an, upon hearing about Jia Cong, who was also outstanding in both civil and military qualifications, would suddenly become interested and give him attention without realizing it.

According to the ancestral system of the Da Zhou dynasty, to prevent imperial princes from fighting for the throne, the former monarch would not appoint a crown prince while in power, and would only announce the successor after abdicating or passing away.

Originally, the Retired Emperor felt very close to this imperial grandson who had a talent for military affairs. Unfortunately, Zhao Wang Li Zhongmao was wary of his father's perception and was very respectful to his grandfather, but kept him at a distance.

Such a person naturally attracted Jia Cong to look at him a few more times.

Especially in terms of military affairs, he had the style of his imperial grandfather and was called a natural famous general by civil and military officials. Otherwise, he would not have been able to achieve the great merit of pacifying the Chahan tribe of the remnant Yuan at the age of twenty.

On the edge of the drill ground, an observation platform thirty steps high was built, which could accommodate dozens of people to sit comfortably. Three cannons of different styles had already been placed there.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao nodded slightly when he heard this. He was quite satisfied with Jia Cong's pragmatic and low-key style.

Things in this world are like this: people compare with people and die, goods compare with goods and should be thrown away.

Perhaps in the heart of this Retired Emperor, there is always such an outstanding shadow that has been difficult to erase for so many years, and he always looks for some psychological compensation among the equally outstanding younger generation...

Jia Cong waited for Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and other officials to take their seats and stepped forward to say, "Reporting to Your Majesty, there are three cannons to be test-fired today. The first on the left is an ordinary Frankish cannon, which once showed great power at Yafu Pass."

Where could Emperor Yong'an, who had experienced the vicissitudes of life, not see the mystery in it? Since ancient times, the feelings of the royal family have been thin, which made him feel even more disheartened.

But both inside and outside the court, everyone privately said that Zhao Wang Li Zhongmao was the only candidate for the crown prince, which had almost become a consensus in the hearts of the officials.

However, according to the intelligence report of the Zhongche Office, since Jia Cong returned to the capital, he either stayed in his prefecture without going out, or was busy in the firearms workshop all day, and even rarely socialized with ordinary officials.

Moreover, Prince Beijing Shui Rong had invited him to the prefecture to meet friends many times, but he had politely declined. Such a simple and restrained style is very rare at his age.

Moreover, just now, when he spoke about the test firing of the three cannons, the excited and spirited expression on his face could not be faked at all.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had seen too many sophisticated officials and had eyes like torches, so he could see that it was the heartfelt joy that came out after being obsessed with practical work and having gained something.

A minister who is outstanding in both civil and military affairs and can also be attached to and happy with practical craftsmanship must have a sincere heart. Those unnecessary thoughts and distractions that ministers should not have will naturally diminish.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao did not say anything else, but smiled slightly, "Let's start now."

Jia Cong replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Jia Cong signaled to the bugler standing behind him, and the bugler waved the signal flag toward the bottom of the high platform.

The Frankish cannon instructor Ma Delun, who was below the high platform, saw the signal and commanded the artillerymen of the Five Military Firearms Camp to start firing the cannons.

On the test-firing drill ground of the Firearms Workshop, the sound of cannons was rumbling, resounding through the sky.

Ma Delun had superb skills in firing cannons, which greatly improved the accuracy of the cannon firing. Three cannons in succession hit the target in the distance of the drill ground.

Fire soared into the sky and smoke curled around. After the first round of firing was completed, the artillerymen did not stop their operations at all, and the three cannons fired another round before stopping.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and others sitting on the high platform watched the entire process of cannon firing very clearly, and they also saw the results of the three cannons firing.

Jia Cong stepped forward to explain, "Your Majesty has already seen it personally. Among the three cannons, the second Red-Clothed Great Cannon on the left has the greatest range and power, but its firing mode is front-loading, and the interval between firing two shots is the longest."

"The Frankish cannon on the left, although the firing speed of the two shots is fast, its range and power are far inferior to the Red-Clothed Great Cannon."

"Only the third improved Red-Clothed Great Cannon on the left has a range increased by 120 steps compared to the Frankish cannon, its power is also significantly improved, and its firing speed is much faster than the ordinary Red-Clothed Great Cannon."

"This is to gather the strengths of both and avoid the shortcomings of both. I experienced it personally on the Liaodong battlefield. The power of cannons lies in the balanced combination of firing speed and range."

"I advise that this type of improved Red-Clothed Great Cannon can be cast in batches, and if it is equipped in the army of Da Zhou, it will surely become a sharp weapon for Your Majesty to guard the country!"

Just now, the two rounds of firing of the three iron cannons made Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and others see that the firing speed and range of the three cannons were different.

After listening to Jia Cong's explanation, they understood even more clearly in their hearts.

Gu Yankui, Shi Ding, and others had long witnessed Jia Cong's amazing talent in firearms.

But the Battle of Yafu Pass happened only a few months ago, and Jia Cong had been back in the capital for less than a month, yet the Firearms Department he led had already built a new type of cannon with greater power.

The high efficiency was really a bit tongue-twisting. If every official office did things this way, what could not be accomplished?

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had only carefully read the details of the Great Victory at Yafu Pass in the memorial. Eight Frankish cannons plus the help of porcelain mines defeated 6,000 Jurchens in one battle.

Although he did not witness it with his own eyes, he could imagine how powerful the cannons were. Now, in just a few months, Jia Cong had actually built even more powerful cannons.

Doesn't that mean that if they encounter another battle of territorial expansion like flattening the Jurchens, the power of Da Zhou's cannons will be even more invincible!

Victory, territorial expansion, and awe-inspiring the world!

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao felt his blood boiling in his heart. In those years, the Retired Emperor's military strategy was unparalleled, and these were once his most commendable achievements.

When he was young, although he did not appear outstanding among the imperial princes, he did not fail to admire the brilliance of his father's military power in his heart.

Now that he is promoting firearms to strengthen the army, he may not be able to reproduce the glory of the Retired Emperor. My life will never lose to others!

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao looked at Jia Cong with satisfaction and said, "Minister Jia is loyal and dedicated to his duties. In just a few months, you have been able to cast sharp weapons for the military. My heart is pleased."

"I bestow 500 taels of gold, ten jars of imperial wine, ten bolts of tribute silk, and one python robe!"

The people present were all surprised when they heard this reward. Gold, imperial wine, and tribute silk were nothing; they were all common gifts.

But bestowing a python robe was a bit precious. The Da Zhou national system bestows clothing on meritorious officials to show glory and imperial grace, and to add brilliance to the official career of officials.

However, the bestowed clothing will have strict regulations according to the rank of the recipient.

First rank: fighting bull; second rank: flying fish; third rank: python; fourth and fifth ranks: qilin; sixth and seventh ranks: tiger and leopard.

Fighting bull robes and flying fish robes are only bestowed on high-ranking officials of the third rank or above with real positions. Those who can be bestowed are either at the peak of their official career or have high positions and great power.

The python robe is the bestowed clothing for the third rank, bestowed on meritorious officials below the fourth rank. Jia Cong is only a fifth-rank official in the Firearms Department. Being bestowed a python robe can be considered an honor.

Although Gu Yankui, Shi Ding, and others had been bestowed second-rank flying fish robes, their official positions and seniority were far above Jia Cong, so it was naturally not too strange.

It is just that at Jia Cong's age, they could never reach the outstanding glory of being granted the title of Count and bestowed a python robe.

"History of Ming: Records of Carriages and Clothing" states: In the 13th year of Zhengde, "bestowed on the ministers red silk gauze. Its clothing color: first rank fighting bull, second rank flying fish, third rank python, fourth and fifth rank qilin, sixth and seventh rank tiger and leopard;

(End of chapter)