Chapter 1099

On the carriage, I discovered the sighting scale used to determine firing angle and range, its fine gradations engraved upon it, which astonished me greatly. From my impressions, the Ming people's application of mathematics is profoundly deficient, especially in military affairs. Their artisans, trapped in a state of slavery, are unwilling to work earnestly, while the civil officials charged with command are almost entirely ignorant of military matters. Even those officers who must fight to the death know nothing of the operational opportunities mathematics offers in warfare; nearly all their combat thinking and guiding principles remain stuck in the Roman era.

It is precisely for this reason that the Ming state has grown increasingly feeble in military affairs, to the point of suffering repeated defeats at the hands of the barbarians. Even the advanced cannons they purchased from the Portuguese have had their power greatly diminished because they cannot operate them proficiently, so much so that they cannot bring their proper effectiveness to bear.

Yet the sighting scale on this cannon vividly demonstrated to me that there are still some in the Ming state who have applied the mathematical tools prevalent in Europe to warfare. When setting elevation, direction division, and distance using the sighting device mounted on the carriage, one need only align the barrel pointer with the scale pointer, and the barrel will arrive at the firing position. In this way, with only a certain amount of training, a single artilleryman can unleash the full power of a cannonball.

After examining it closely, I left this cannon and went to look at the other cannons nearby, discovering that they were likewise superbly crafted and well maintained.

Moreover, I found the ratio of barrel length to caliber on these cannons to be extremely well proportioned. Just as in Europe, they were designed entirely with practical combat effectiveness as the standard — a stark counterexample to certain high officials of the Ming state who pursue the notion that bigger cannons are always better.

Seeing these cannons, I harbor not the slightest doubt about the bright future prospects of Zhao Jin's power.

"Well, have you seen enough?" The old soldier still looked at me with that show-off expression. "I told you, upon seeing these cannons, you would certainly be astonished... Now you confirm it, yes? I was not boasting. From a technical standpoint, I can assert that my employer now possesses a world-leading cannon factory!"

I lowered my head, silently conceding his point.

Suddenly, a thought surfaced in my mind — with the help of a group of Europeans, Zhao Jin now possesses weapons as finely crafted as those of Europe, and in the future may possess even more. Then, in days to come, might he use this military force to threaten Europeans instead?

Though this thought seemed strange, once it emerged, it lingered in my mind and refused to leave.

Perhaps, beyond spreading the Lord's glory, doing my utmost to dissolve the conflicts between Zhao Jin and Europe is also one of the missions God has bestowed upon me? This thought suddenly came to me as well.

Just as we were still chatting, I suddenly noticed a group of people walking toward us.

These people wore uniform, earth-yellow cotton clothes and marched in an equally orderly formation. Their faces were also very stern, making them look somewhat like soldiers.

"Oh, it's already that time!" While I was still wondering, the old soldier beside me exclaimed.

He then told me that it was now time for the artillerymen to train.

And these cannons had been specially brought out from the storehouse today in preparation for test firing.

I had no way to gauge the quality and training level of the artillerymen here, because I was very quickly chased away by these stern-faced soldiers with a manner that was courteous yet brooked no argument.

However, judging by the rhythmic booming sounds that came after I left, the artillerymen here have undoubtedly mastered the combat skills they ought to possess with considerable proficiency.

Accompanied by the unceasing rumble of cannon fire, I could not help but recall everything I had experienced since entering the sphere of influence of Zhao Jin's group.

The tightly administered villages, the workshops standing everywhere, the meticulously arranged and maintained commercial network, the harshly trained and scrupulously disciplined soldiers... and finally, the vast and orderly firearms factory I saw here.

All of this has already far surpassed my original understanding of the Ming state.

That is to say, whether in the quality of personnel or in the level of equipment, the strength Zhao Jin possesses surpasses that of the Ming court; it is merely smaller in scale than the court. And based on the experience I have drawn from Europe, elite soldiers can defeat enemies several times their number — thus, I have even begun to feel that Zhao Jin is a colossal entity that the Ming court, even if it committed its full strength, could no longer eradicate.

At the same time, a strange question suddenly occurred to me.

Might this seemingly vast Great Ming court, before long, face the most dreadful of fates?

This is absolutely not my wild imagining.

In the northeastern region of Great Ming, it is said that a group of barbarians once under the rule of the Ming Empire has launched a rebellion, seizing a large swath of territory that originally belonged to the Ming Empire, and has repeatedly defeated the armies the Ming Empire sent to suppress them. Recently, it is even said they have occupied a provincial capital of the Ming state.

And here, in the very heartland of Great Ming, a power has actually emerged that can fully rival the court — one even more dangerous than the barbarians on the frontier.

After thinking for a while, I feel that the Ming Empire, beset by internal troubles and external threats, and further pummeled by natural disasters, is already tottering. It is very likely that before long, China will plunge into unprecedented turmoil, and at that time, perhaps it will be the moment for another power to replace the court.

"Now, you should have no other objections, yes?" After we left the testing ground, he asked me with a beaming smile. "Do as I suggested. Work peacefully for a while first, and when an opportunity arises, then leave."

I pondered for a moment, and in the end agreed with his suggestion. I was won over by the achievements of Zhao Jin and his subordinates, and submitted to their orders.

After these two blows — from his master and from him — I no longer possess my former persistence, but have instead faced reality. For I have clearly recognized that even if the imperial court were extremely enraged by the hijacking of us and the cannons, they could not possibly rescue us.

And so, after a journey of ten thousand li and many years of meticulous preparation, I set foot upon the fertile soil of the Ming state. Yet just when I had accomplished nothing at all, I was forcibly seized and ended up becoming an artisan.

O Lord, can Your trial of me be any harsher than this?

After nearly a month of life as an artisan, I have become unrecognizable even to myself. Although I was mainly responsible for some technical guidance work, the continuous labor and the high-temperature, coal-dust-filled environment have still made my hands rougher and my face somewhat blackened. My face has also gained quite a few more wrinkles. In this high-temperature environment, our faces and bodies were often soaked through with sweat, and at times it was even hard to make out the faces of those around us.

Looking at me in this state, how many people would still believe that I am a missionary who came to the Ming state to spread culture and faith?

Life during this period has been monotonous, tedious, and filled with misery; there were even very few opportunities to pour out my heart — perhaps out of fear that we might secretly collude with one another, our dormitories were separated as much as possible, and our conversations were constantly monitored.

The grueling labor also sapped us of any inclination to chat each day — we were roused by the guards at first light every day, then entered the factory to labor alongside the other artisans, and only when night fell could we drag our utterly exhausted bodies back to the dormitory.

In this miserable life, we could only sustain ourselves by praying to the Lord. May the Lord bless us!

However, one thing must be acknowledged. Compared to the factories we encountered in Europe and other parts of the Ming state, the food here is very good; we could eat meat or fish and shrimp almost every day. This, too, prevented my body and those of the other artisans from being wrecked amid the bitter toil.

In my exchanges with the other artisans, I discovered that they were very grateful to Zhao Jin precisely because they had received such ample guarantees of livelihood. These pitiable people have always lived a hellish existence, and therefore care more about survival than freedom.

Here, I also heard a rumor of uncertain truth. They say that Zhao Jin's surname is the same as that of the imperial clan of a dynasty that preceded the Ming Empire, and that it is very likely he is a remnant of that former dynasty's imperial line, only never having admitted it for fear of persecution by the court.

I do not know whether this rumor is true or false, but it circulates very widely here. It is not only passed among the artisans and administrators, but even the soldiers stationed here all spread this news among themselves.

I can see that, regardless of the facts, they at least all wish it were true.

Because in that way, they would be free of the psychological burden of betraying the Ming court.

Just as I was gradually growing numb in these unchanging days, beginning to adapt to this life and forgetting my original mission, the turning point I had longed for in the depths of my heart finally arrived.

On a day when the snow had just stopped falling, I suddenly received a notice that several of my colleagues and I were to be received by the Director of the Hall. When I heard this news, the passion within me that had nearly been extinguished finally blazed up once more.

I fear I must explain this official title to you before you can understand the significance of this audience.

This cannon factory where we are located operates under the administration of the Artisan Manufacturing Hall.

And this Artisan Manufacturing Hall, like the Agricultural Reclamation Hall and the Trade Hall I mentioned to you before, is an institution established by Zhao Jin himself.

Although it appears smaller in scale than the two aforementioned institutions, it likewise possesses enormous resources — under Zhao Jin's regulations, the ironware workshops, distilleries, and even the shipyards within Zhao Jin's sphere of influence are all under its administration.

Beyond its immense authority, what inspires even greater reverence is the identity of the Hall Director himself — the Director is named Xu Housheng, and he is the brother of Zhao Jin's wife!

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