Chapter 310: Diligence in Small Matters, Civil Brilliance and Martial Reverence

A brief interlude prompted those accompanying him to fall into deep thought.

Some felt it was indeed necessary to pressure the Shunyi King, who had shown signs of agitation, yet feared provoking the Tartars into furious retaliation and creating further complications.

Unfortunately, the Emperor directly ordered a Secretariat secretary to return to the palace and draft the edict, leaving no room for discussion.

After lunch, some looked anxious, others whispered among themselves, all debating whether Altan Khan would obey the edict and come to Beijing, and if he did, how to treat him; if he refused, what to do next, and so on.

Only when the Emperor led them to the Grand Parade Ground to test new firearms did their attention shift to the present moment.

……

"Your Majesty, these firearms have not been loaded with live ammunition; you may handle them with confidence."

At the Grand Parade Ground, fifty paces away, wooden targets and straw dummies were arranged in rows.

The Emperor and his civil and military officials gathered around a group of firearms, pointing and discussing them.

Eunuchs and craftsmen from the Armory stood by respectfully, occasionally offering explanations to the Emperor and the court ministers.

Zhu Yijun picked up a firearm, turning it over with keen interest: "Master Qian, explain each one to me and the ministers."

It wasn't that young Zhu was hiding his ignorance; when it came to firearm technology, beyond basic knowledge, he truly understood nothing else.

Politics and philosophy were his former profession—he naturally knew a bit, but firearms? Only someone like Sheng Tian Ban Zi would have any interest in them.

Upon hearing this, the Armory's chief eunuch quickly stepped aside, revealing Master Qian.

The latter clearly wasn't accustomed to such a setting, stammering for a long while: "Your Majesty, the firearm in your hand is a firelock…"

Zhu Yijun interrupted wearily: "I know it's a firelock. Just tell me what's new about it."

He still had common sense: handheld firearms currently came in two types by ignition method.

One was the firelock—a simple bare barrel, requiring one man to hold and aim, another to load ammunition; because ignition required tossing red-hot wire or burning charcoal into the touchhole, it was called a matchlock, inconvenient and inaccurate, already an outdated type among handheld firearms.

The other was the arquebus, introduced from Japan during the Jiajing era, which added sights, a stock, and a trigger mechanism to the matchlock, allowing single-handed use with a sight for aiming, greatly improving both practicality and accuracy; ignition was no longer done by opening the touchhole and tossing charcoal, but by lighting a fuse.

Of course, due to cost, frontier troops still mostly used firelocks; only the Imperial Guard and Beijing Garrison units, directly under the Emperor's command, could be equipped in large numbers with such advanced firearms as the arquebus.

Seeing Master Qian interrupted by the Emperor, the Armory's chief eunuch Wei Zhongde hurried forward to rescue the situation.

He took over: "Your Majesty! Over the past few years, the Armory has improved the rifling technique according to Your Majesty's inspiration, and matched the projectiles accordingly, enabling them to spiral out of the barrel."

"Both range and precision far surpass the old models—even the arquebus falls short!"

He didn't understand the technology, but he'd done his homework; a brief summary posed no problem.

Zhu Yijun's face lit up with surprise, his voice rising involuntarily: "You've made it?!"

The idea of rifling had naturally come from him, though only as a vague direction; the actual implementation was left to the craftsmen to figure out.

Yet he hadn't expected real results in just over five years.

Seeing the Emperor's delight, everyone leaned in, peering closely at the barrel, and indeed saw spiral grooves inside.

"Allow this servant to demonstrate for Your Majesty."

Saying this, Wei Zhongde ordered men to bring gunpowder, load the projectile, and prepare for the demonstration.

Zhu Yijun watched as pairs of eunuchs and craftsmen worked—one holding the barrel, the other loading ammunition—and frowned: "Since the improvement is in the barrel design, it should be universally applicable. Why not use it on the arquebus instead of the firelock?"

Wei Zhongde didn't understand, and quickly signaled to Master Qian.

The latter understood and rushed to explain: "Your Majesty, to make the projectile spin along the barrel, it must be slightly larger than the bore."

"Loading requires pounding for a long time. The firelock's design is simpler than the arquebus's, easier to load, and thus better suited for rifling."

As he spoke, the young eunuch assigned to demonstrate was already panting as he hammered the projectile into place.

Jia San, a censor from the Military Affairs Office, sneered: "On the battlefield, where would soldiers have time to load like this?"

Even if cavalry charged, by the time they finished loading, even the old, weak, and sick could reach them.

Qi Jiguang's face also showed disappointment.

Master Qian scratched his arm uncomfortably and gave an awkward smile: "We're still thinking of solutions. Still thinking."

At that moment, the young eunuchs assigned to test the firearm finally finished loading.

Though everyone internally shook their heads, they still watched intently.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Several gunshots rang out; the smoke cleared.

"Six out of ten hits!"

Fifty paces away, the young eunuch rushed to count the targets and shouted toward them.

This hit rate was already high.

Yet the civil and military officials showed little enthusiasm.

Wang Chonggu set down the firearm and shook his head: "A projectile larger than the barrel won't work—it's slowed down by nearly half, likely unable to penetrate armor."

A seasoned soldier could tell from the whistle of the projectile how drastically its speed had dropped.

Slower speed meant weaker power.

In short, it might help accuracy, but it's impractical.

Master Qian's expression turned gloomy.

Then Zhu Yijun suddenly spoke: "Let's separate the issues. Even with limitations, this should be kept as a technical reserve."

"Moreover, since we've come this far, perhaps we can find a way to improve the projectile itself and refine it further."

He looked at Wei Zhongde and Master Qian: "As usual, I'll award you silver for the rifling. Now, open a new project to solve the problems of slow loading and low muzzle velocity."

Wei Zhongde and Master Qian's faces lit up; they bowed deeply, thanking him profusely.

Zhu Yijun would never exploit their impractical results to mistreat elderly craftsmen.

Over the past few years, at the Armory, he had spent heavily to buy and integrate their family techniques, and generously awarded silver for results—tens of thousands of taels already spent.

Moreover, technological progress is always a gradual process; it can't be achieved overnight.

People like Wang Chonggu had simply grown accustomed over the years to copying advanced firearms and now expected instant perfection.

Seeing the Emperor generously award silver from the imperial treasury, the ministers had nothing to say.

Seeing the firelock discussion concluded, Qi Jiguang immediately seized the opportunity, pushing forward the firearm in his hand: "Is this the flintlock Your Majesty mentioned?"

Everyone turned to look.

Qi Jiguang held a firearm strikingly similar to the arquebus.

A trigger was mounted on the stock, connected to a hammer mechanism; the hammer's jaws gripped a piece of flint, and inside the loading port, the anvil could be seen.

Though they knew the gun was unloaded, Jia San cleared his throat: "General Qi, observe Beijing Garrison discipline—keep the muzzle away from people."

Qi Jiguang complied, handing the flintlock to Censor Jia.

As Jia reached to take it, Zhu Yijun stepped between them and took the flintlock himself: "Yes, this is the flintlock."

"Each time the trigger is pulled, the flint on the hammer strikes the touchhole, sparks ignite the powder, and the projectile is fired."

"Unlike the matchlock, which requires carrying a slow-burning fuse, the flintlock needs no external ignition source—it's more convenient, faster to load, and quicker to fire."

Saying this, he pulled the trigger several times; sparks flew.

Jia San jumped in fright; only then did Zhu Yijun smile and hand the flintlock over.

Wang Chonggu also became interested, reaching out to take it from Jia.

Matchlock ignition had too many flaws: vulnerable to water and wind, dependent on weather, inconsistent fuse lengths, uneven ignition timing, demanding soldier skill, and frequent misfires.

If flint could ignite instantly, it would indeed be far more practical.

Wang Chonggu examined it repeatedly, pulling the trigger repeatedly against the ground.

After much testing, he frowned: "It doesn't ignite every time?"

Zhu Yijun grunted: "Flint sparks are unstable; sometimes you must pull the trigger three or four times to ignite."

"And it's equally vulnerable to dampness—even more so than the matchlock."

Wang Chonggu nodded.

Expected problems.

He immediately thought of more flaws.

This simple ignition mechanism was likely prone to accidental discharge; the trigger might fire unexpectedly while held.

Training was also an issue: though simpler to operate, the added mechanism made it harder for soldiers to understand.

Of course, these were all solvable minor issues—at least it was far superior to matchlocks.

Wang Chonggu poked his finger into the barrel and asked casually: "It must be expensive to produce?"

Everyone turned to the Armory eunuch.

Wei Zhongde hesitated, glanced at the Emperor, then replied cautiously: "Your Excellency Wang, the flintlock is more functional than the arquebus, so naturally more expensive."

He paused: "About four taels per unit."

At this, Wang Chonggu frowned.

Four taels—too expensive.

Ordinary firelocks, like the quick-gun or clamp-target gun, cost between seven mace and one tael and nine fen.

Arquebuses were slightly more expensive, at two taels and one fen; even that was already too costly for frontier troops.

Now the flintlock doubled the price again to four taels per unit—frontier troops would find large-scale deployment nearly impossible.

"Why so expensive?" Wang Chonggu pressed.

Master Qian was about to explain, but Wei Zhongde pulled him aside and answered first: "Your Excellency Wang, the main cost lies in labor."

"Your Excellency, don't be fooled by the flintlock's intricate mechanism—the parts themselves are cheap: wrought iron, ramrod, drill steel, threaded base, charcoal, wooden stock—all together cost only nine mace and seven fen per gun."

"But filing the barrel, carving the stock, drilling, forging hinges—labor and time cost three taels, one mace, and one fen, not a single fen more."

Wang Chonggu heard this and winced.

He hesitated a moment, then spoke softly: "Why not let the Ministry of War issue an initial batch first?"

New techniques are always most expensive when first introduced; once scaled up and the artisans become proficient, labor costs and material prices naturally fall—this is the mature outcome of years of negotiation between benefiting artisans and controlling costs.

Of course, the Armament Bureau and the Ministry of War each handle their own budgets—place orders as needed, pay as required.

Even the Ministry of Works' Armaments Bureau must draw funds from the Treasury of Frugality to purchase the technology from the Inner Court.

Qi Jiguang nodded deeply in agreement: "Your Majesty, if a batch can be equipped for the New Year's parade, it would greatly enhance the spectacle."

Previously, matchlock ignition was inconvenient; if firing only required pulling the trigger, then riding at full gallop and firing into the air would be perfect for a parade. Zhu Yijun readily agreed: "Tomorrow, issue this order to the Ministry of War—produce a batch first."

As for how many will be ready by New Year's Day, we'll take whatever we can get—just a hundred or so will suffice to impress.

With that, Zhu Yijun couldn't help rubbing his nose: "Money is flowing like water."

It's foreseeable that defense spending over the next few years will skyrocket.

I wonder when we'll finally offload outdated equipment and recoup some of it.

"Besides improving the hand cannon, the Armament Bureau has also made some modifications to the cannon-cannon. Please, Your Majesty and the ministers, follow me."

Wei Zhongde gestured with his hand, ready to lead the way.

Wang Chonggu and Qi Jiguang exchanged glances, both eyes flickering with surprise: "The cannon-cannon has a new design too?"

The hand cannon's power is merely average—roughly equivalent to a crossbow bolt.

The cannon-cannon is different: a volley of cannonballs, if well-placed, can turn the tide of battle.

Let's see the original!

For such a vital military instrument, even a single step forward in advancement is a momentous matter.

Wei Zhongde, hearing this, let out a bitter laugh: "The Armament Bureau has so few artisans—how could it possibly innovate at this pace?"

"We've merely made minor gains in auxiliary tools."

"Earlier, we heard the Franks had recently made breakthroughs with cannon-cannons; we intended to purchase some for replication, but our contact with them is limited, and merchants we questioned gave vague answers."

Wang Chonggu, Qi Jiguang, and the others all silently lamented the loss.

As they spoke, Wei Zhongde had already led the emperor and the assembled civil and military officials to a large Folangji cannon.

He then ordered several items brought forth.

The ministers stood in place, watching intently.

"To improve artillery accuracy, we've labored tirelessly these past years—with little progress."

"Until two years ago, before Scholar Liu, we attempted to apply geometry to calculating projectile trajectories."

"Whether or not Scholar Liu's achievements stand alone, the Armament Bureau rode that momentum to produce the cannon gauge, cannon square, and cannon ruler to assist artillery fire."

With that, he ordered demonstrations of the tools' applications.

As they worked, he kept talking nonstop.

Measuring the elevation and depression angles of the barrel, calculating range, parabolic trajectories, powder-to-projectile ratios, and so on.

The civil and military ministers were left utterly stunned.

Boom!

Boom!

Military officers kept stepping forward to test the tools, firing cannons that shattered the parade ground into flying shards and left it in utter disarray.

Zhu Yijun watched coldly, his heart deeply moved.

This wasn't his initiative—he merely recognized talent and offered generous rewards.

The court already had artillery science; military manuals provided practical guidance: vertical mounting was only for flying-bolt cannons, set at eleven degrees (82.5°) or twelve degrees (90°) for siege warfare; inverted mounting suited defensive cannons, angled from one degree (7.5°) to four degrees (30°) to strike enemies below the walls; flat mounting was ideal for battlefields, guaranteeing perfect accuracy and absolute reliability.

Many such rules existed, but they were isolated and unsystematic.

Only after the genius Liu Dun emerged did someone attempt a systematic study of geometry, unify these practices into coherent principles, and create corresponding tools—military byproducts that Xu Jie then sold to the academy at a fine price.

Regardless of anything else, this kind of technological spillover, born from solidifying foundational disciplines, is far more worthy of pride.

Once the foundation is laid, what red-cannon artillery won't we have?

Rather, any corrupt scholar who thinks "it's better to buy than make" must be dismissed immediately!

The Armament Bureau's firearms demonstration lasted the entire afternoon.

Of course, alongside usable innovations, there were also costly failures.

For instance, Tao Chengdao's unfinished project "Ride a Rocket to Heaven" had been modified by the Armament Bureau using kites—two rabbits were instantly killed, one kite burned through and crushed a rabbit, only two rabbits landed safely.

It was absurdly comical.

It was said some artisans had studied gunpowder ratios, but their results were negligible and never presented.

After a bustling afternoon, by evening, the emperor and his accompanying civil, military, and eunuch officials each returned home.

Of course, Zhu Yijun still followed Qi Jiguang back to the military camp.

These past days, the emperor and his minister had been inseparable.

"Sleeping with feet touching" might be an exaggeration, but nightly candlelit discussions were absolutely consistent.

That night, at midnight, the central command tent remained as bright as daylight.

Voices of "training," "selection," "Qi Family Army," and "Staff College lectures" echoed intermittently.

Only when an inner eunuch, desperate and disregarding protocol, burst into the tent citing the emperor's health, did they finally separate the two.

…

The third day of the twelfth lunar month.

Today was the sixth day the emperor had slept in the camp—longer, it seemed, than his month-long tour of Shuntian Prefecture—official travel and staying out overnight were never the same.

The Forbidden City had lost its center.

In the Wenhua Hall, discussions swirled, all hoping Shen Shixing would intervene and persuade the emperor to return to the palace and rest.

Yet though the emperor did not hold court, affairs of state proceeded smoothly.

Whether it was Liu Shiyan's lingering matters

Right Commander of the Rear Military Commission, Marquis of Sincerity Liu Shiyan, repeatedly impeached, thrice imprisoned, slandered the imperial ancestors, committed countless atrocities, falsely claimed celestial omens, forged edicts to mobilize troops, illegally manufactured weapons, falsely claimed loyalty to the throne, and despite amnesty, persisted in plotting rebellion and assassination—though he held a pardon for two deaths, his crimes far exceeded two, and ten deaths could not atone; thus, his entire clan was exterminated to uphold justice.

Accomplices such as Jiao Mengzhao, younger brother of the Duke of Dongning, and Liu Maoxun, younger brother of the Marquis of Anyuan, were sentenced to death by dismemberment.

Former Minister of War Shi Mao was indicted for treason and collusion with the enemy.

Former Vice Minister of War Luo Fengxiang died in prison from illness…

Also the reorganization of the Five Military Commissions.

Right Vice Censor-in-Chief and Viceroy of Guangdong and Guangxi Yin Zhengmao, having served faithfully in various posts, eradicated pirates and pacified the region, was promoted to Minister of War.

Minister of War Yin Zhengmao, Vice Minister of War Chen Jingbang, and a group of directors and clerks submitted a memorial requesting the abolition of military system, campaign planning, troop deployment, and logistical command functions.

Even the imperial decree summoning the Prince of Shunyi and the Lady of Loyalty to the capital for audience was debated for only fifteen minutes in the Wenhua Hall before swiftly passing.

Yet even so, the emperor still refused to return to the palace.

"Qi Jiguang's southern troops claim they don't recognize me—they won't even let me into the camp!" The secretary gasped in the winter cold, steam rising from his forehead.

He looked like he'd been firmly shut out.

Chen Wude frowned angrily: "Unthinkable! I'll go myself!"

Saying this, he turned toward the door of the Wenhua Hall.

Shen Shixing drew in a sharp breath and grabbed Chen Wude's arm.

"Master Chen, don't rush—year-end is near; let the Two Palaces petition His Majesty to return. That would be timely, and he'd likely listen more readily."

Chen Wude was furious, but upon reflection, he realized the logic—finally nodding reluctantly.

Before the secretary could catch his breath, the ministers ordered him to deliver the message to the Two Palaces; helplessly, he nodded to the eunuchs and left the Wenhua Hall for the Western Garden.

Just as he stepped outside.

The secretary turned right back into the Wenhua Hall.

The ministers stared at him in confusion.

The secretary quickly explained: "As soon as I stepped out, I saw Eunuch Sun Long leaving the Western Garden—he said he was sent by the Two Palaces to fetch His Majesty back."

Chen Wude's expression eased—thankfully, the Two Palaces were still active.

The secretary leaned on his hips, took a deep breath, and turned to Wang Zongyi: "Grand Minister, the Two Palaces also ordered that the Director of the Imperial Clan be summoned to the Western Garden immediately."

Wang Zongyi froze in surprise.

He frowned: "What's happened?"

The secretary finally caught his breath: "Good news. Great good news."

…

The secretary had no standing; Zhu Yijun didn't even need to appear—he simply dismissed him.

But since the eunuch came on behalf of the Two Palaces, he couldn't refuse his mother's face—he had to let Sun Long in.

Sun Long stepped onto the grand parade ground and saw a sea of black figures.

Foot soldiers whispered among themselves, craning their necks in anticipation.

Several large chests had their lids opened, revealing piles of gleaming silver ingots, neatly arranged on the commander's platform.

The Military Affairs Office, the Ministry of War, and the Censorate had set up several stations to distribute silver to the officers.

Oh—it seemed His Majesty was personally distributing pay today.

Sun Long thought this, then looked up at the platform.

There, the emperor had shed his armor and donned his ceremonial robe once more.

The emperor personally stepped forward, effortlessly handing out silver, shaking hands, patting shoulders, and offering words of encouragement in one seamless flow.

"Remember my face well! Whoever dares to embezzle the money I give out today, come tell me!"

Even the most brazen soldier could hardly ignore the gap created by status and rank.

All were moved to tears, crying out words of loyalty to the Emperor.

Seeing this, even Sun Long, a close minister of the Emperor, could not help but feel a chill.

Anyone with common sense knew how soldiers regarded their superiors who distributed pay.

The Emperor himself distributing pay… even Emperor Wu Zong had never gone this far.

It was truly awe-inspiring!

Sun Long took a deep breath, steadied his mind, and hurried forward to push through the crowd onto the General's Platform.

"Wait two more days. After I inspect the military barracks' storehouses, I will return to the palace at once."

Before the eunuch could speak, Zhu Yijun seized the initiative and began bargaining across the distance with the two palaces.

The bodyguards stepped forward to escort the visitor out.

Sun Long quickly shoved aside irrelevant people and approached, under the Emperor's suspicious gaze.

He stepped beside the Emperor and spoke respectfully, yet with excitement: "Your Majesty, please return to the palace at once—Concubine Wu is with child!"

(End of Chapter)