Chapter 146: Fine Steel

Guanyin Nu is teaching Zhu Huanhuan to read.

"Dad!" Zhu Huanhuan saw Zhu Yong, ran over and clutched his leg.

Zhu Yong lifted his daughter and asked, "Huan Huan, what character did you learn today?"

"I learned the character 'Zhu'; Grandma said our surname is Zhu," Zhu Huanhuan said in a baby voice.

"That's right, our surname is Zhu, the Zhu of the Great Ming royal family," Zhu Yong laughed.

Guanyin Nu came over and asked softly, "Husband, is that plate armor technology really that impressive?"

"Indeed, the Wodao (Japanese knife) (Japanese knife) is sharp but can't cut through plate armor; with plate armor, our soldiers' casualties would be far reduced," Zhu Yong said.

Guanyin Nu nodded, paused, and said, "Husband, how long will this campaign against Wa Country take?"

"At least half a year, at most a year. What, you can't bear to part with me?" Zhu Yong said.

"Hmm! Every time you go on campaign, I worry," Guanyin Nu said, leaning on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'm tough, nothing will happen. Once we finish subduing Wa Country, the world will be at peace, and I can stay home often to be with you and Huan Huan."

Zhu Yong hugged him and said.

"Keep your word," Guanyin Nu said.

"Will do," Zhu Yong replied seriously.

……

On the third day of the first lunar month, the Ministry of Works began developing plate armor.

The stamping press needed to be redesigned and built, and the refining of fine steel required process adjustments.

Xue Xiang personally supervised the work, rushing day and night.

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Lantern Festival.

The Yingtian Office hung lanterns and decorations; lanterns on the Qinhuai River shone like daylight.

Zhu Yong took Guanyin Nu and Zhu Huanhuan out to see the lanterns.

The streets were packed with crowds, bustling beyond compare.

Zhu Huanhuan rode on Zhu Yong's shoulder, holding a candied hawthorn skewer, eyes wide open, finding everything fresh.

"Dad, that lantern is so bright!" Zhu Huanhuan pointed at a gigantic lotus lantern on the river surface.

"That's a lotus lantern. Since you like it, dad will buy you a small one," Zhu Yong laughed.

The three of them strolled the street for an hour, bought a lantern, ate sweet dumplings, and watched a circus.

On the way back to the residence, Zhu Huanhuan had already fallen asleep in Zhu Yong's arms.

Guanyin Nu gently wiped the candy residue from her daughter's mouth corner and said, "The child is tired from playing."

"Kids should play a lot," Zhu Yong said.

"Husband, when Huan Huan gets older, could you teach her martial arts?" Guanyin Nu suddenly asked.

"Sure, but Huan Huan is a girl; learning some self‑defense is enough, no need to be like me," Zhu Yong said.

"Hmm, I think the same," Guanyin Nu nodded.

Returning to Wu Wang Fu, after settling their daughter, Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu sat in the courtyard watching the moon.

The fifteenth day's moon was round and bright.

"Husband, it looks like there's a shadow on the moon," Guanyin Nu said, pointing at the moon.

"That's the shadow of the Moon Palace; legend says Chang'e lives there," Zhu Yong said.

"Chang'e... living alone on the moon, how lonely," Guanyin Nu whispered.

Zhu Yong grasped her hand: "So I will never let you be lonely, ever."

Guanyin Nu leaned on his shoulder and smiled.

……

On the twentieth day of the first lunar month, the Ministry of Works reported that the first stamping press was completed.

Zhu Yong rushed to the Ministry of Works at once.

In the Ministry of Works' courtyard stood a huge machine.

Its iron body, massive stamping head, and a waterwheel beside it were powered by water.

"Prince, this is the stamping press built according to the Blueprint; we've tested it—one press can shape a steel plate into the front piece of a breastplate," Xue Xiang explained.

"Give it a try," Zhu Yong said.

The craftsmen began operating.

The heated steel plate was placed on the mold, the stamping head descended, and with a "Boom" sound, the plate was formed.

After cooling, it was removed—a front piece of a plate armor chestplate.

Smooth and flat, with a natural curve and even thickness.

Zhu Yong picked it up, examined it, nodded and said, "Good, this is it. How many can be made in a day?"

"This machine can stamp two hundred pieces a day, which equals a hundred sets of front and back breastplates," Xue Xiang said.

"Not enough; build more machines, we need to produce three thousand sets of plate armor before the campaign," Zhu Yong said.

"Yes, I am already rushing the second machine; we can finish five by the end of the month," Xue Xiang said.

"Good, press on," Zhu Yong said.

After inspecting the press, Zhu Yong went to observe the fine steel refining.

The new blast furnace was completed, and the craftsmen were refining.

Molten steel was poured into molds, and after cooling yielded steel ingots.

Xue Xiang picked up a steel ingot and handed it to Zhu Yong, saying, "Prince, behold, this is the fine steel produced by the new method."

Zhu Yong took it, weighed it, and tapped it again.

The sound is crisp, and the texture is uniform.

"Test the hardness," Zhu Yong said.

The craftsman brought a Wodao (Japanese knife) (Japanese knife), which had been captured earlier.

Xue Xiang secured the steel ingot and struck it forcefully with the Wodao (Japanese knife) (Japanese knife).

"Clang!" Sparks flew in all directions.

The Wodao (Japanese knife) (Japanese knife)'s blade chipped a small notch, leaving only a white mark on the steel ingot.

"Good! This steel is hard enough; it's perfect for making plate armor," Zhu Yong praised.

"Yes, I have already ordered people to start forging plate armor with this steel; the first batch of ten sets will be finished in three days," Xue Xiang said.

"After completion, send them to the capital camp for the soldiers to try on," Zhu Yong said.

"Understood."

Three days later, the ten sets of plate armor arrived at the capital camp.

Zhu Yong had ten soldiers of similar build try them on.

The plate armor consists of a chest piece, back piece, shoulder pieces, arm guards, and leg guards; the full set weighs forty jin, twenty jin lighter than mail armor.

After putting it on, the soldier moved a bit and exclaimed, "Prince, this armor is quite light; movement isn't restricted."

"Test its protection," Zhu Yong said.

Another soldier picked up a Wodao (Japanese knife) (Japanese knife) and struck the plate armor forcefully.

"Clang!" The blade rebounded, leaving only a shallow mark on the armor.

Testing with a bow and arrow from thirty steps away, the arrow hit the armor and bounced off, leaving only a white dot.

"Fine armor!" the watching soldiers shouted in unison.

Zhu Yong was also pleased: "This plate armor will be our standard issue from now on."

The news reached the palace, and Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao came to the capital camp.

Seeing the armor's protection with his own eyes, Zhu Yuanzhang exclaimed joyfully, "Good, good! With this armor, our chances against the Wokou increase further!"

Zhu Biao added, "Second brother, you have achieved another great merit."

"It's the Ministry of Works that crafted it well," Zhu Yong said with a simple smile.

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately issued an edict ordering the Ministry of Works to produce plate armor at full speed, ensuring three thousand sets are ready before the campaign.

At the same time, refined steel began to be smelted in large quantities for weapon production.

……

Early February, the weather grew warmer.

Preparations for the campaign against the Wokou entered the final stage.

All three hundred navy ships completed maintenance and were anchored at the mouth of the Yangtze River.

Thirty thousand land troops gathered and trained at the coastal camp.

Grain and Fodder, along with supplies, were gradually shipped to the port for loading.

One thousand sets of plate armor have been produced, prioritized for equipping the Shenji Camp.

Three thousand Flintlock Guns have also been made, with a million bullets.

One hundred cannons, with fifty thousand shells.

All matters are ready; we only await the start of spring.

On the tenth day of early February, Zhu Yong entered the palace to bid farewell to Zhu Yuanzhang.

In Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma, and Zhu Biao were present.

"Father, mother, elder brother, the expedition preparations are complete; we will depart in three days," Zhu Yong said.

Empress Ma's eyes were slightly reddened, and she forced a smile, "Yong Er, be careful and return safely."

"Mother, rest assured; I will definitely return safely," Zhu Yong said.

"Yong Er, you are our Great Ming's King Wu, our sharpest sword; in this campaign against the Wokou, you will display Great Ming's might, letting those pirates know that anyone who offends Great Ming, even from afar, will be punished!"

"I, your son, obey the decree!" Zhu Yong solemnly declared.

Zhu Biao also said, "Second brother, the seas are rough; take care of yourself. The court's affairs are handled by the elder brother, so you can rest assured."

"Hmm, elder brother, you have worked hard," Zhu Yong said.

After leaving Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yong went to Kunning Palace.

Guanyin Nu and Zhu Huanhuan were waiting there.

"Husband..." Guanyin Nu looked at Zhu Yong, her eyes full of reluctance.

Zhu Yong embraced her: "Don't worry, I will definitely return safely."

He lifted his daughter again: "Huan Huan, father will be away for a while; stay at home and listen to mother. When I return, I'll bring you something fun."

"Where is father going?" Zhu Huanhuan asked.

"Going to fight the bad guys," Zhu Yong said.

"Then father, be careful; Huan Huan will wait for you to return," Zhu Huanhuan said wisely.

Zhu Yong kissed his daughter's cheek: "Alright."

……

February thirteenth, at the mouth of the Yangtze River.

Three hundred warships lined up neatly, their War Flags fluttering.

Thirty thousand soldiers formed ranks along the shore, their armor bright.

Zhu Yong stood on the bow of the flagship "Hongwu" wearing plate armor, with a Long Sword at his waist.

Behind him, Liao Yongzhong, Li Wenzhong, Wang Baobao and other commanders stood solemnly.

Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, Empress Ma and others were seeing them off on the shore.

"Set out for battle…" Zhu Yong gave the order.

The horns sounded together, and war drums thundered.

The fleet set sail slowly, heading east.

On the shore, Empress Ma watched the fleet disappear, tears streaming down her face.

Zhu Biao steadied Empress Ma and said, "Mother, the second brother will return safely."

"Hmm, he will," Empress Ma said, wiping away her tears, her gaze firm.

The fleet moved farther and farther away, vanishing into the boundless sea and sky.

In the spring of the seventh year of Hongwu, the Great Ming's campaign against the Japanese officially began.