Chapter 333: Merit Rewarded with Honor

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was diligent in state affairs and showed little interest in sensual pleasures; thus, his imperial harem produced few heirs.

The emperor had only four sons raised to adulthood: the eldest, Zhao Wang Li Li Zhongmao; the second, Prince Ning Li Li Zhongrui; the other two were under ten and had not yet been granted titles.

Zhao Wang Li Li Zhongmao possessed noble character, excelled in both civil and military matters, radiated brilliance, and was deeply esteemed by Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

Last year, the remnants of the Mongol Yuan's Chakan tribe, with sixty thousand elite troops, roamed the grasslands, invaded Tibet, suppressed local nobles, amassed forces, repeatedly breached the borders, and aimed to advance eastward into Great Zhou.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao ordered Zhao Wang Li Li Zhongmao to lead a hundred thousand troops in retaliation; at Hezhou, he slew the Chakan tribe's Yü King, beheaded two thousand, captured fifteen Chakan nobles and over ten thousand soldiers and officers.

This magnificent victory surpassed Jia Cong's triumph at Qiu Qingyuan Assembly; after this battle, Zhao Wang Li Li Zhongmao's prestige soared and he gained even greater favor and trust from Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

Jia Cong, observing Zhao Wang's bearing and demeanor, found him indeed superior to Prince Ning Li Li Zhongrui.

Common gossip held that Prince Ning Li Li Zhongrui was steady in character, diligent in duty, courteous and well-mannered in dealings, yet his natural talent was merely average.

Zhao Wang Li Li Zhongmao, however, was exceptionally gifted, known since childhood as a prodigy; whether studying literature or martial arts, he achieved extraordinary feats.

…

The second cannon from the left is the newly manufactured red coat cannon; the third from the left is the improved red coat cannon; these three cannons were test-fired to allow His Majesty to discern their relative strengths and weaknesses.

Under Jia Cong's guidance, the group entered the firearms workshop; after touring the manufacturing halls, the emperor was led by Jia Cong to the artillery test range.

In truth, Prince Ning Li Li Zhongrui was no genius, yet he possessed at least above-average talent—but compared to his elder brother, he appeared mediocre.

Moreover, Zhao Wang Li Li Zhongmao was not only accomplished in both civil and military affairs but also possessed keen political insight; even at a young age, he perceived the subtle rift and estrangement between his father and his grandfather.

Now, having achieved glory in Liaodong and been enfeoffed as Marquis of Lord Weiyuan, the young man stood at the peak of his fame and fortune, drawing the full attention of the capital; most others in his position would have grown arrogant and reckless.

Beside the three cannons stood the Franks artillery instructor Madelun and over a dozen artillerymen from the Five Armies Firearms Corps.

…

From the elevated platform, one could clearly overlook the entire cannon-firing process.

Perhaps this was why Emperor Yong'an, upon hearing of Jia Cong's equally exceptional civil and military talents, suddenly took interest in him, unconsciously paying attention.

According to Great Zhou's ancestral tradition, to prevent princely rivalry over succession, no crown prince was ever named while the reigning monarch lived; the heir was only proclaimed upon abdication or death.

The retired emperor had once felt a certain fondness for this grandson with exceptional military talent, but Zhao Wang Li Li Zhongmao, wary of his father's feelings, treated his grandfather with utmost respect yet kept him at a distance.

Such a person naturally drew Jia Cong's extra attention.

Especially in martial matters, he bore the style of his grandfather, hailed by civil and military ministers as a born general—otherwise, how could he, at twenty, have achieved the great feat of subduing the Chakan remnants?

At the edge of the range stood a thirty-step-high observation platform, capable of seating dozens; three cannons of differing designs had already been positioned there.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao nodded slightly; he was quite satisfied with Jia Cong's practicality and humility.

Such is the way of the world: comparing people leads to despair; comparing goods leads to discard.

Perhaps in the retired emperor's heart, there remained an indelible image of supreme excellence, one that for years had eluded erasure, causing him to seek psychological solace in similarly outstanding younger generations…

After Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and the officials had taken their seats, Jia Cong stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, today we shall test three cannons: the first from the left is the standard Frankish cannon, which demonstrated great power at Yafu Pass."

Emperor Yong'an, seasoned by the vicissitudes of life, could not fail to perceive the underlying truth: royal affection was always thin, deepening his sense of disillusionment.

Yet within court and among the people, it was widely whispered that Zhao Wang Li Li Zhongmao was the undisputed heir apparent—a near-universal consensus among ministers.

According to reports from the Zhongche Office, since returning to the capital, Jia Cong had either remained quietly at home or spent every day immersed in the firearms workshop, rarely attending ordinary official gatherings.

Moreover, Prince Marquis Jingjing Shui Rong had repeatedly invited him to his mansion for social visits, all of which Jia Cong politely declined; such simplicity and restraint at his age was exceedingly rare.

And just now, when he spoke of the three cannons' test-firing, the eager, radiant expression on his face was utterly genuine.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had seen countless courtiers' artifice; his gaze was sharp enough to recognize this as sincere joy born of deep engagement and true understanding.

A minister who excels in both civil and military affairs, yet is genuinely devoted to practical crafts and technologies, is one of pure heart; such a man naturally sheds the irrelevant ambitions and idle thoughts unfit for a subject.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said nothing further, only smiled: "Begin now."

Jia Cong replied: "Your servant, at your command."

Jia Cong signaled to the bugler standing behind him; the bugler waved the flag below the platform.

Seeing the signal, the artillery instructor Madelun directed the Five Armies Firearms Corps artillerymen to begin firing.

On the test range, cannon fire roared, shaking heaven and earth.

Madelun's skill in firing cannons greatly improved accuracy; three consecutive shots struck distant targets with precision.

Flames shot skyward, smoke swirling; after the first volley, the artillerymen did not pause, firing a second round from all three cannons before halting.

Those seated on the platform clearly observed the entire firing process and witnessed the results of all three cannons.

Jia Cong stepped forward to explain: "Your Majesty has just witnessed: among the three, the second cannon from the left—the newly manufactured red coat cannon—has the greatest range and power, but its front-loading mechanism results in the longest interval between shots."

The first cannon from the left, the Frankish cannon, fires rapidly, yet its range and power are vastly inferior to the red coat cannon.

Only the third cannon from the left—the improved red coat cannon—extends range by one hundred and twenty steps beyond the Frankish cannon, significantly increases power, and fires far faster than the standard red coat cannon.

This design combines the strengths of both while avoiding their weaknesses; I witnessed firsthand on the Liaodong battlefield that a cannon's true power lies in balancing rate of fire and range.

I humbly recommend mass-producing this improved red coat cannon to equip Great Zhou's armies—it will become a true national treasure for Your Majesty!"

During the two volleys of the three iron cannons, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and others had clearly observed their differing rates of fire and ranges.

After Jia Cong's explanation, their understanding deepened.

Gu Yan, Shi Ding, and others had already witnessed Jia Cong's astonishing talent in firearms.

Yet the battle at Yafu Pass had occurred only months ago, and Jia Cong had returned to the capital less than a month; already, under his leadership, the Firearms Office had produced a new cannon with greater power.

The efficiency was truly astonishing—if every government office operated this way, what could not be accomplished?

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had carefully read the detailed report of the Yafu Pass victory: eight Frankish cannons, aided by porcelain thunder bombs, had defeated six thousand Jurchens in a single battle.

Though he had not witnessed it himself, he could imagine the cannon's power; now, mere months later, Jia Cong had already produced an even more powerful cannon.

That meant that should another campaign to subdue the Jurchens arise, Great Zhou's artillery would be even more unstoppable!

Victory, territorial expansion, conquest, subjugation of the world!

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's blood stirred; his father, the retired emperor, had once been unmatched in martial prowess—these were the achievements he most admired.

In his youth, though he had never stood out among his brothers, he had secretly revered his father's martial glory.

Now, by promoting firearms and strengthening the military, perhaps he too could revive the retired emperor's splendor—his life would not be inferior to anyone's!

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao gazed at Jia Cong with satisfaction and said: "Minister Jia, loyal and diligent, you have forged a new weapon of war in mere months; I am deeply pleased."

"Bestow five hundred taels of gold, ten flasks of imperial wine, ten bolts of tribute silk, and one python robe!"

Those present were startled by the reward; gold, imperial wine, and tribute silk were common gifts.

But granting a python robe was highly prestigious; Great Zhou's system awarded robes to meritorious officials to honor imperial grace and enhance their official prestige.

However, the granting of robes strictly followed the recipient's rank.

First rank: bull-nosed dragon; second rank: flying fish; third rank: python; fourth and fifth rank: qilin; sixth and seventh rank: tiger and biao.

Bull-nosed dragon and flying fish robes were reserved for officials of third-rank or higher; those who received them were either at the pinnacle of power or held immense authority.

The python robe was granted to third-rank officials; to grant it to a fourth-rank or lower official was an exceptional honor; Jia Cong, holding only the fifth-rank post of Supervisor of the Firearms Office, receiving the python robe was a remarkable elevation of favor.

Although Gu Yan and Shi Ding had once received second-rank flying fish robes, their official ranks and seniority far surpassed Jia Cong's, so it was not unusual.

Yet at Jia Cong's age, they had never achieved the extraordinary honor of being enfeoffed as a marquis or granted a python robe.

The Ming History's "Treatise on Robes and Attire" records: "In the thirteenth year of Zhengde, the emperor bestowed one piece each of red damask, silk, and gauze to the ministers; the robe patterns: first rank—bull-nosed dragon; second rank—flying fish; third rank—python; fourth and fifth rank—qilin; sixth and seventh rank—tiger and biao."

(End of chapter)