Daming: After self-explosive time travel, Lao Zhu's mentality collapsed

This battle not only won Chu Ze the trust of the emperor again, but also made the "Western learning" he advocated truly take root in the hearts of the people.

"I thought Western learning was just some weird stuff, but I never thought it would be so useful!" The people of the capital praised it one after another, "If it weren't for Prince Chu bringing this weapon, my homeland would be doomed."

"That's right. There is a lot of knowledge in this Western learning! We must hurry up and learn it. Who knows, it may come in handy someday in the future!"

As the people were admiring Western learning, the court also began to admire Western learning. Many ministers offered suggestions to Zhu Yuanzhang, asking him to increase efforts to spread Western learning in order to strengthen the country and enrich the people.

"Your Majesty, our Ming Dynasty has a vast territory and people's livelihood is impoverished. There is great potential for governing the country with Western learning!" Minister of Rites Yao Tingliang said.

"That's right." Qian Qianyi, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, also agreed, "Western learning contains the essence of all fields of agriculture, industry and commerce. If it can be widely disseminated, it will surely help the country to cultivate talents and promote the prosperity of all industries. I think we can follow the example of Mr. Chu and build more new schools to recruit outstanding people from the public so that they can achieve academic success and serve the country."

"Good!" Zhu Yuanzhang clapped his hands and said, "This is a very good idea. Let's build Western learning schools in various places and recruit more talented people from the public to serve the country in the future."

In this way, under Zhu Yuanzhang's decree, a massive "Western learning to revitalize the country" movement was launched across China.

Fengyang, Runing and other places took the lead and new-style schools sprang up like mushrooms after rain. Their teaching scope and students were unprecedentedly broad.

"We were born in a farming family and had already accepted our fate of working in the fields all our lives." A farmer's son in cloth clothes was filled with emotion. "Thanks to Prince Chu for founding the Western Academy, we have the opportunity to study and learn some real skills!"

"That's right. We farm kids no longer have to endure being ignorant and looked down upon." Another student also said with red eyes, "If it weren't for Western learning, how could I pass the exam and bring honor to my family!"

Western learning has even triggered a "brain storm" among the craftsmen.

"Look at this Western machine. It has an exquisite shape and novel structure. It is much better than our traditional machines!" A carpenter exclaimed in amazement while fiddling with a Western-made woodworking planer.

"That's right. This machine tool alone can increase our work efficiency by more than ten times!" Another bricklayer also sighed, "Western learning is really profound. We must hurry up and learn it, and strive to catch up with the world's advanced level as soon as possible!"

Western learning spread rapidly among the people and officials like ripples. In just a few months, Western learning had become a trend in the streets and alleys.

All this is thanks to Chu Ze, who pushed forward Western learning against all odds.

"The reason why Western learning is so popular is that it can effectively solve people's livelihood problems. This is its foundation!" Chu Ze said when talking about Western learning.

These words reveal the true meaning of Western learning taking root in the Central Plains. After all, if any knowledge wants to win the hearts of the people, it must be closely related to the suffering of the people and bring them visible and tangible benefits.

Western learning just fits the needs of the times, providing a rare opportunity to break the old abuses and revitalize China. Chu Ze saw this point and used Western learning as a lever to pry the progress of the entire era.

Western learning became popular, which not only made people's lives more prosperous, but also made Chu Ze famous in the court and the country. He became the most popular celebrity in the court.

But at this moment, a shocking news came from the Northwest Frontier.

"It's bad! The Tatars took advantage of our army's efforts to attack the southwest and are now harassing the northwest border, burning, killing, looting, and committing all kinds of evil!"

A scout with disheveled hair and a panicked look rushed into the palace and knelt down in front of Zhu Yuanzhang and Chu Ze.

"This is terrible! Your Majesty, the Tatars have taken advantage of our army's operations in the southwest to sneak into the northwest border, burning, killing, looting, and committing all kinds of evil!" The scout's words were filled with fear. "I saw it with my own eyes at the border. They rode on tall horses, wielding scimitars, leaving a mess wherever they passed. Corpses were everywhere, blood flowed like a river, and the people were crying out in pain!"

"What?" Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked and said, "The Tatars are so rampant, is there no one to stop them?" "Your Majesty, the border guards have led their troops to fight." The scout reported tremblingly, "But the Tatar cavalry is coming fiercely, and our army is outnumbered and can't hold on!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that his beard trembled when he heard this. He slapped the dragon throne heavily and said, "Well, the Tatars are really tired of living! How dare they come to my Ming Dynasty to make trouble! Come here, pass on the order to the border soldiers to defend the territory to the death. I will send reinforcements now!"

"Slow down!" At this moment, Chu Ze, who had been listening silently, suddenly spoke.

Zhu Yuanzhang and the ministers around him were all stunned and looked at him in unison.

Chu Ze looked solemn. He walked slowly to the front of the emperor, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think that sending reinforcements is urgent, but we still need to consider it in the long run."

"What do you mean?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a deep voice.

"The Tatar cavalry are experienced in many battles and are very brave. If our army wants to win, it may not be possible to rely on manpower alone." When Chu Ze said this, his eyes suddenly lit up and he said with sudden realization: "How about this, we can use the newly developed fire gun. This weapon has a long range and great power. It is a weapon to restrain cavalry!"

"Oh?" Zhu Yuanzhang became interested and nodded repeatedly, saying, "My dear minister, what you said is very true. Just as you said, quickly deploy the new muskets to the front line. We must teach the Tatars a lesson and let them taste the power of the Ming Dynasty!"

"Follow the Holy Order!"

Chu Ze took the order and immediately summoned his confidants, rushing to the northwest day and night.

Along the way, they urgently requisitioned firearms from all over the country. Due to the early spread of Western learning, workshops in various places had mastered the manufacturing technology of new firearms. Within three days, they had assembled thousands of firearms.

"Li Changji, you take a team of people to escort the muskets and head straight to the border." Chu Ze instructed his confidant, "Zhao Si and I will go first and clear the way for you."

"promise!"

Before he finished speaking, the group was already ready to set off for the northwest in a mighty procession.

At the same time, the war on the northwestern border had reached a stalemate.

In the vast Gobi Desert, dust was flying and shouts of killing were deafening. Thousands of Ming soldiers were fighting fiercely with the Tatar cavalry.

"Kill! The iron hat of the Ming Dynasty, prepare to die!" A burly Tatar general raised his scimitar and rushed into the Ming army first. He swung the blade with a sharp light, invincible.

"Oh no! It's the brute force king of the Tatars!" A cry of surprise came from the Ming army. "This man is extremely strong and invulnerable to swords and spears. Our army can do nothing to him!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the brute king swept his sword across, and in an instant, three or two Ming army soldiers screamed and fell to the ground. Blood splattered and corpses lay everywhere.

"Hahaha, the Ming army is nothing but this!" The Barbarian King laughed wildly, "Kill the Tatar warriors! Let the Ming army have a taste of our power today!"

At the command, the Tatar army let out a deafening roar and pounced towards the Ming army line like a pack of wolves.

"It's terrible. The enemy is numerous and powerful. Our army can't resist at all!" "If this goes on, the northwest border will be lost!" The faces of the Ming army soldiers were filled with fear.

At the critical moment, a loud voice suddenly rang out: "Ming army, hurry up and pick up your muskets! Take down these barbarians!" (End of this chapter)