Chapter 246: The Disheveled Monarch and Subjects

"So this is artillery? It looks quite similar to a firearm."

Piece after piece of artillery was unloaded from the ships.

The Second Prince, Zhao Qu, said with a sour tone.

The Third Prince, Zhao Mu, and the Deposed Crown Prince, Zhao Gang, stood in the same row as him.

Hearing this, Zhao Gang chuckled with a sense of smugness, "Second Brother, you are truly ill-informed. This artillery and the firearms are indeed similar, but their power is vastly different."

"In that case, Big Brother must be very knowledgeable about artillery. Then, how should this artillery be fired?" Zhao Qu put on an expression of seeking instruction.

Zhao Gang was stumped by the question.

His eyes darted around; he wanted to spout nonsense but dared not.

If he said the wrong thing, he would certainly be mocked by Zhao Qu.

But not saying anything would make him lose face in front of Zhao Qu and Zhao Mu.

A bright idea struck him, and he suddenly thought of a way to both irritate the two of them and bolster his own prestige, so he said, "As for how to use it, Ninth Brother did not tell me, but I will certainly ask clearly next time."

Sure enough, as soon as he brought up Zhao Xu, the expressions of Zhao Qu and Zhao Mu both changed.

Zhao Qu's face turned livid, and he said angrily, "Right now, everyone in Jinling City is singing the praises of this artillery. In my view, this artillery is nothing more than a name without substance; it is just that those barbaric people of the Northern Di have no discernment."

After the Sixth Prince was imprisoned, he had also been given the cold shoulder by Zhao Heng.

During this period, whenever he requested an audience, Zhao Heng would always refuse.

Coupled with the loss of the Yuan Family's assistance, even the ministers were no longer as enthusiastic when they saw him.

It was a scene of desolation, as if he had already lost in the struggle for the succession.

The various things he had suffered made him hate the Yan Wang to the core.

Therefore, when the Deposed Crown Prince mentioned the Yan Wang, and even seemed to treat the Yan Wang as one of his own trump cards, it made him extremely furious.

Even though he had just learned that he had gained the support of the Wang Family and the Liang Family.

He still could not dispel this hatred.

Zhao Mu glanced lightly at Zhao Qu, remaining outwardly calm.

But in his heart, he felt a wave of disdain.

To him, the Second Prince was no longer qualified to compete with him for the throne.

His only remaining enemy was the Deposed Crown Prince.

If the Deposed Crown Prince really had the support of the Yan Wang, it would indeed be a problem for him.

He only hoped that his uncle's plan could be implemented smoothly.

By then, even if the Yan Wang did not die, he would at least be stripped of a layer of skin.

However, regarding the matter of the artillery, he did not hold the same contempt as the Second Prince.

Intending to embarrass the Second Prince, he said, "Regardless of the power, the Emperor seems very happy. Since it was specially sent by Ninth Brother, why don't we also add to the Emperor's enjoyment? Let us choose one person from among us to personally light the fuse, how about that?"

Upon hearing this, the Second Prince's heart stirred.

He had not shown his face in front of the Emperor for a long time.

This was exactly the opportunity.

Zhao Gang was also eager to try; he had been hoping to restore his position as Crown Prince as soon as possible.

But before he could move, he saw the Second Prince reach the Emperor's side first.

Seeing this, he angrily flicked his sleeves.

"Your son pays his respects to the Emperor."

At this time, Dou Wei, the six Ministers, and other officials were all by Zhao Heng's side.

They were pointing and discussing the artillery.

Zhao Heng was filled with joy; the prestige of the Imperial Clan had been in decline for a long time.

Scenes like this, with ministers surrounding him and being respectful, were rare.

The last time was when the Yan Wang sent the Northern Di captives, and this time, sending the artillery, was the second.

Seeing Zhao Qu appear before him, he was in an exceptionally good mood and temporarily forgot about his desperate defense of the Sixth Prince.

"What is the matter?" he asked.

Zhao Qu said, "Father, at this moment of Imperial glory, your son is willing to personally operate the artillery to raise the prestige of our Imperial Clan and add to your enjoyment. I hope Father will grant permission."

"Hahaha... That is right. Do not forget, the blood of the Royal Clan flows in your veins. As a member of the Royal Clan, you should be like the Yan Wang, with your heart set on the Imperial Clan." Zhao Heng was very satisfied with Zhao Qu's performance this time.

The artillery sent by the Yan Wang, then lit by an Imperial Prince himself.

Only in this way could the majesty of the Imperial Clan be displayed to the fullest.

Standing behind Zhao Heng, Han Zheng nodded with satisfaction.

Xie Duan looked at the Deposed Crown Prince, and seeing the look of regret on his face, he sighed softly in his heart.

Sometimes he was also annoyed that his nephew was like mud that could not be plastered onto a wall.

But for the sake of the Xie Family, he could only bite the bullet and fight for the throne for him.

Dou Wei glanced at the Third Prince, seeing the Third Prince shake his head at him with a playful smile on his face.

He was still at ease with the Third Prince; he had always been cautious and careful, which was like him.

"Your son will strictly follow Father's teachings." Zhao Qu was overjoyed; he had seized this opportunity.

When all thirty-six pieces of artillery were unloaded and divided into two groups.

A general came before Zhao Heng and said, "Your Majesty, the artillery has all been unloaded."

Zhao Heng nodded, looked at the two distinct groups of artillery, and asked, "Why must this artillery be placed separately?"

The general then took a letter from his bosom and presented it to Zhao Heng.

Just as Zhao Heng was about to pull out the letter, he saw from the corner of his eye that the surrounding ministers were all looking over, so he temporarily put the letter away and said to the general, "It is said that the Yan Wang's artillery has unparalleled power. You shall demonstrate it within Jinling City for me and the ministers to see. The Second Prince will personally light the fuse for you."

Having said this, he prepared to set off for Jinling City.

The general heard this and said, "Your Majesty, you cannot test the artillery within Jinling City."

"Why?" Zhao Heng did not understand.

"The artillery has immense power; I fear it would accidentally harm the commoners. I hope Your Majesty can find an open space."

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng became happy instead.

The general saying this proved from the side that this artillery indeed had great power.

Dou Wei and Liang Kai exchanged glances, their expressions grave.

"Since that is the case, we shall go to the Royal Forest Park." Zhao Heng's tone rose by an octave.

Boarding the imperial carriage, he ordered them to head in the northeast direction.

The party traveled over ten li and arrived at the Royal Forest Park, which was a place for the Imperial Clan to hunt.

The artillery arrived, and the artilleryman general directed the soldiers to adjust the artillery, then waited for Zhao Heng's command.

The Second Prince had been by the artillery since early on, his expression smug.

This was an opportunity to show his face before the Emperor and the court officials.

"Begin." Along the way, Zhao Heng had long been itching with anticipation.

Seeing that preparations were complete, he immediately gave the order.

At this moment, the sun was shining brightly, there was not a single cloud in the sky, and the view was very clear.

The artilleryman general received the order and had the soldiers take the gunpowder and cannonball out of two wooden crates respectively.

First, they used a ramrod to clean the cannon bore, then loaded the gunpowder and cannonball one after the other.

Finally, he handed a torch to the Second Prince.

"Your Highness, you only need to light this fuse." The artilleryman general's expression was wooden.

No one in the Prince's Personal Army wanted to come to Jinling; he had been chosen and could only consider himself unlucky.

"The artillery has immense power; after lighting it, Your Highness had best cover your ears," the general reminded him again.

The Second Prince felt a bit nervous inside; his claim that Yan Wang's artillery was similar to a firearm had just been angry talk.

But he was also muttering to himself, yet now he was riding a tiger and could not get off.

As for covering his ears, he could not do that.

His Imperial Father and the officials were watching; wouldn't covering his ears tell everyone he was cowardly?

After a flurry of wild thoughts, he finally gritted his teeth and lit the fuse.

"Sizzle..." The fuse burned rapidly.

Zhao Qu watched the flame drill into the small hole on the artillery.

"Boom..."

Just at this moment, a flash of fire accompanied by a thunderous explosion burst forth.

The sudden, massive sound made Zhao Qu so terrified he grew dizzy and sat down on the ground with a thud.

He fainted directly.

Zhao Heng and the officials, standing thirty meters away from the artillery, were also in a sorry state.

Many officials were trembling, their legs unable to support them, and they could only support one another.

Even more, a patch of wetness appeared where an official was standing; he had urinated.