Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

Lin Xiaofeng patted Zhu Cilang's shoulder gently, his deep eyes flashing with unquestionable determination, and he said earnestly: "If the capital can't be defended, I will hide my identity and leave a handwritten edict to inform the world that it was the Jiannu spies who harmed me. In this way, you can go to fight against the Jiannu with a legitimate reason." His voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to hit Zhu Cilang's heart, making him straighten his back involuntarily.

Since ancient times, only wars with a legitimate reason can gain the favor of heaven and the support of the people. Lin Xiaofeng knows this very well. He not only wants to pave the way for Zhu Cilang, but also win the hearts of the people for him so that he can gain the support of the people in his future expedition.

When the Jiannu army, led by Wu Sangui, followed by the Eight Banners soldiers, rushed into Beijing, shouting slogans for revenge for Lin Xiaofeng. The people did not know the truth yet, and thought they were coming to rescue them, so they opened the city gates to welcome them. At that moment, the streets of Beijing were crowded with people and noisy, but no one knew the conspiracy and calculation behind it.

In this way, the north fell quickly. The iron hoofs of the Jiannu trampled the tranquility of the mountains and rivers, turning the prosperous north into a scorched earth. Lin Xiaofeng stood on the city wall, looking at the enemy army going away, and an indescribable sadness surged in his heart. He knew that all this was just the beginning, and the real battle was still in the south.

After crossing the Yellow River and establishing the Southern Ming court, the people began to realize that things were not what they thought. The so-called revenge was actually just an excuse to replace the pillars, and the "beam" they replaced was not very good. The Jiannu army encountered real resistance only when they arrived here. The mountains and rivers in the south are still beautiful, but the air is filled with an unyielding fighting spirit.

If there were no internal strife in the Southern Ming court, the Jian Nu might not be able to invade Nanjing. Lin Xiaofeng knew this very well, and he had to clear all obstacles for Zhu Cilang so that he could concentrate on fighting the enemy.

"If the expedition doesn't go well, you can join the bandits in the expedition. This is the national policy I set for you!" Lin Xiaofeng patted Zhu Cilang's shoulder again, his eyes full of trust and expectation. He knew that although Zhu Cilang was young, he had extraordinary courage and wisdom. As long as he was given a chance, he would be able to achieve great things.

"Have you remembered?" Lin Xiaofeng's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to hit Zhu Cilang's heart.

"Son, I remember this!" Zhu Cilang knelt on the ground and kowtowed again. His voice was firm and powerful, as if he was swearing an oath to heaven and earth.

"A country can be destroyed, but a nation cannot be exterminated!" Lin Xiaofeng stared at Zhu Cilang, his eyes full of determination and tragedy, "Say it a few more times."

At first, Zhu Cilang's voice was a little dry, "A country can perish, but a nation cannot be extinct." His voice echoed in the Qianqing Palace with an indescribable heaviness.

Gradually, his voice became loud and powerful, "A country can perish, but a nation cannot be extinct." His voice seemed like an invisible force, inspiring everyone.

Finally, his voice was full of blood and anger: "The country can perish, but..." His voice was suddenly interrupted, as if his throat was strangled by an invisible force. But his eyes became more determined, as if he was swearing an oath to heaven and earth.

Lin Xiaofeng was very satisfied with Zhu Cilang's performance. He patted Zhu Cilang on the shoulder, handed him a note, and then walked out of the Qianqing Palace without looking back. His back stretched out in the sun, looking lonely and determined.

Zhu Cilang looked at Lin Xiaofeng's receding figure, and a feeling of loneliness and helplessness surged in his heart. One moment he was still in the residence of the emperor, and the next moment he was sent to Nanjing by his father to supervise the country. At this time, he was at a loss and unprepared. However, as a member of the royal family, he never backed down. He wiped away his tears, kowtowed heavily in the direction where Lin Xiaofeng left, then picked up the note, stood up, and walked out through the side door.

……

Guo Tianyang came back from delivering a letter at Ciqing Palace and stood guard outside the palace gate. He was tall and strong with a resolute face, and was one of Lin Xiaofeng's most trusted confidants. When he saw the emperor walk out of the Qianqing Palace, he followed him. His eyes were full of worries. All the internal and external affairs of the Ming Dynasty were on the shoulders of this thirty-four-year-old man. He succeeded to the throne at the age of seventeen and had been diligent in government for seventeen years. Now the Ming Dynasty is in turmoil. Is it because the emperor is not diligent enough? Obviously not. Sometimes he even thinks this is an illusion. The more diligent the emperor is, the more chaotic the Ming Dynasty will be. Is it God's will to destroy the Ming Dynasty? Guo Tianyang was frightened by this thought, and hurriedly gathered his mind and followed Lin Xiaofeng honestly.

The sun shines through the clouds, making the scenery outside the palace particularly bright. Although it is already March, the weather is still a bit cold. After enduring the severe winter, the cold spring has arrived. The cold wind blows, bringing bursts of biting chill. Guo Tianyang looks at the emperor's back in the sun, his heart full of worries. He doesn't know where the future will lead, but he knows that no matter what happens, he will stand firmly by the emperor's side.

"Ding!" A clear and melodious bell sounded, and then the voice of the doctor of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory faintly passed through the palace wall and reached Lin Xiaofeng's ears: "It's noon, the sun is at its zenith!" Lin Xiaofeng stopped and looked up at the sky. Time passed quickly. He had many things to do but always felt that there was not enough time. He was full of reluctance and helplessness. Others who traveled through time and space brought system cheats or took out AKs and shot, or conjured up a 30,000-50,000-strong army to fight back and make Li Zicheng flee in embarrassment and the Jiannu army retreat thousands of miles. And what about him? There was only one rope at the beginning. This is too much!
Nanjing has been handed over to the prince. He hopes that the prince will be able to govern the country according to his own plan after he arrives. His only worry is that the ministers will not understand and criticize Zhu Cilang, forcing him to stabilize the country before fighting against foreign enemies. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but frown. He knew that he had to clear all obstacles for Zhu Cilang so that he could concentrate on fighting the enemy.

"It seems that we need to arrange some capable and loyal ministers!" Lin Xiaofeng thought to himself. He decided to carefully select some loyal and capable ministers to go to Nanjing to assist the prince. In this way, even if he was not in Nanjing, he could ensure that the prince could stabilize the court and resist foreign enemies.

At this time, a young eunuch came from a distance and knelt in front of Guo Tianyang and said, "Li Banghua, the chief minister of the cabinet of Lord Guo, ordered me to present this letter to His Majesty." Letter? Lin Xiaofeng's heart moved when he heard this. He took the letter and opened it to see that it was a list of ministers going to Nanjing. He read it carefully. His previous idea was to find some capable and loyal ministers to go to Yingtian Prefecture to assist the prince. After the incident of borrowing money from Huangji Hall, he became more determined to do so. Ability and loyalty are indispensable. Sometimes loyalty is even more important than ability. Seek stability!
Nanjing also has six ministries, although the officials are not complete and the situation is complicated. Zhu Cilang may not be able to control it with his ability, so he must send some people who can stabilize the court. Otherwise, the imperial power will be hollowed out. Xinle Hou Liu Wenbing, Governor Tu Wenzhuang, Zhangwu Hou Yang Chongshan, Huian Hou Zhang Qingzhen, the son-in-law (son-in-law during the reign of Emperor Guangzong of the Ming Dynasty) Duwei Gong Yonggu, Xuancheng Bo Wei Shichun, former Minister of Revenue Ni Yuanlu... Seeing that these people are on the list, Lin Xiaofeng nodded. In history, these people committed suicide after hearing that the emperor hanged himself. They are loyal and righteous people. His only worry is whether the officials of the six ministries in Nanjing can accommodate these people. The enemy is not terrible, but the internal struggle is terrible.

"Order Li Banghua to draft an edict to grant all the nobles without real positions to real positions. They can be low-ranking but must be key positions. When the prince arrives in Nanjing, he must immediately reorganize the garrison and replenish the imperial guards. The more the better." Lin Xiaofeng ordered in a deep voice. He knew that he had to pave the way for Zhu Cilang so that he could smoothly take over the imperial power and resist foreign enemies.

"Officials and nobles going to Nanjing should not bring too many family members with them. They should pack lightly and gather at the Meridian Gate tonight at 5:00 pm to prepare for departure." Lin Xiaofeng ordered again. He knew that time was running out and he had to arrange everything as soon as possible.

"As ordered." Guo Tianyang replied. He immediately turned around to convey Lin Xiaofeng's order. The entire palace suddenly became busy. Officials packed their bags and prepared to go to Nanjing. The air was filled with a tense and busy atmosphere.

Lin Xiaofeng's concubines did not go to Nanjing, but his sons were eligible to go. Everyone packed their sons' luggage while crying as if this farewell was a farewell of life and death. A layer of haze was shrouded over the entire imperial city. An indescribable heaviness and sadness filled the air.

"It's time for the emperor to eat." Guo Tianyang reminded again. He knew that Lin Xiaofeng hadn't had a good meal for a long time. But he also knew that the situation was critical and Lin Xiaofeng had no intention of eating.

Lin Xiaofeng didn't want to eat at first, but considering that if the capital was lost and he died, then this meal would be one less meal. Moreover, he had never tasted the palace food since he traveled through time, and he felt a little greedy when he thought of this. So he nodded and said, "Tell the Shangshenjian to prepare lunch quickly. I have to go to the Wuzi Library to discuss matters later." Lin Xiaofeng, who had just left the Qianqing Palace, turned around and walked back. His heart was full of uncertainty about the future and worries about the country. But he knew that he had to persevere for the future of the Ming Dynasty and the survival of the nation.

The food prepared by the Shangshenjian was quickly served to the Qianqing Palace in less than a quarter of an hour. Lin Xiaofeng sat at the square table and looked at the food in front of him, but he had no appetite. He picked up the chopsticks and gently poked the rice in the bowl, but his heart was filled with heavy thoughts. He knew that this meal might be his last meal in the capital. If the capital was lost, he would face an uncertain fate of life and death. But he also knew that he could not fall down. He had to persevere for the future of the Ming Dynasty and the survival of the nation.

Lin Xiaofeng was frugal and didn't eat meat, so there were only vegetarian dishes. The first dish was braised radish, the second was stir-fried cabbage, the third was stir-fried bamboo shoots, and the fourth was potato slices. To be honest, potatoes were a luxury item in the late Ming Dynasty and only the rich and powerful were qualified to enjoy them. The soup was egg soup and the staple food was a bowl of rice. Four dishes and one soup were the standard meal for Emperor Taizu. Lin Xiaofeng looked at these simple meals and felt an indescribable emotion in his heart. He thought of the various experiences he had experienced since he traveled through time and thought of the things he had done for the Ming Dynasty.
In the capital, far away from the hustle and bustle of the imperial city, Lin Xiaofeng slowly left the magnificent palace under the strict protection of the Jinyiwei and Yongweiying. This was the first time he saw the appearance of an ancient city. All he saw was a desolate scene, dilapidated and lamentable. The capital of the Ming Dynasty, Beijing, was vast, far beyond his imagination. However, the road was paved with only loess, without any trace of concrete or asphalt, and even red bricks and blue bricks were rarely seen. Under his feet was loess mixed with white ash, and there were eunuchs in front sprinkling water to reduce the dust. The dust on the ground slowly settled under the wheels of history, as if every grain of dust carried the story of the past. Such roads crisscrossed the city of Beijing, building prosperity while also showing a century of vicissitudes and changes.

Lin Xiaofeng did not ride in a magnificent imperial carriage, but chose to ride on horseback, in a way that was closer to the land, and slowly headed towards the Wuzi Warehouse. He was dressed in simple casual clothes, his sleeves fluttering in the wind, and his brows revealed an extraordinary demeanor, which was in sharp contrast to the desolation around him. There were ten warehouses in the inner palace, each with its own duties. Among them, the Wuzi Warehouse was adjacent to Anminchang, a place that was once famous for the Wanggongchang explosion and later made people afraid because of various strange phenomena. The predecessor of Anminchang was Wanggongchang. The explosion in the sixth year of Tianqi made this place a historical scar. Changing its name and moving to another location did not completely erase the uneasiness.

Wuziku, as an important storage place of the Ministry of Works, is responsible for storing firearms and armor. The foundation of the three camps of the capital lies here. Whether the capital can be defended depends entirely on the power of these firearms. In the early years, the firearms of the border army were all made by the Ministry of Works, but because of the long distance and inconvenience of transportation, and the high production cost of the Ministry of Works, the border army obtained the right to make their own firearms under strong demands. This is not the fault of the border army, but a manifestation of the corruption of the Ministry of Works. A fire gun costs two and a half taels of silver to make by the Ministry of Works, while the fire guns made by the border army have the same performance, but only half a tael. The gap is very regrettable.

Cheng Qinghua, the Minister of Works, and other officials from the Ministry of Works came to meet Lin Xiaofeng at the gate of the Wuzi Depot early in the morning. The group was dressed in official uniforms and had different expressions. Among them, two people looked anxious and particularly eye-catching. One was a middle-aged man with a burly figure, dark skin, a full beard, a slightly ferocious face, and an unyielding aura. Although the early spring wind was still cold, he only wore a thin shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his strong arms, as if he was ready to face any challenge at any time. The other man was tall, with slightly brown skin and a head full of blond hair. He stood out in the crowd, with a high nose bridge, deep eyes, and prominent cheekbones, giving people a sense of exotic style.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty!" Cheng Qinghua took the lead in saluting, his voice loud and clear, breaking the silence all around.

"No need for formalities. I'm just taking a look. There is no need for you to greet me. Just do your job." Lin Xiaofeng said lightly, his tone revealing an unquestionable majesty, but also a bit of casualness.

"Yes." Everyone responded. Except for Cheng Qinghua and the two anxious people, everyone else left quickly. The news of the court had spread throughout the capital. No one wanted to accompany the emperor at this time. There were countless examples of accompanying the emperor like accompanying a tiger. If you said the wrong thing, you might get killed.

"Your Majesty, Jiao Xu, the Deputy Minister of Works, and Johann Adam Schall ...

"Your Majesty." The two bowed again, lowered their heads and dared not say more, their hearts filled with fear. The cabinet chief had just been executed during the morning court session. One of them was a fifth-rank official, and the other was a sixth-rank official. They could be punished at any time, and the pressure made it almost impossible for them to breathe.

"I'm here to see the firearms, so don't worry too much." Lin Xiaofeng comforted them. His voice was gentle but powerful, as if it could penetrate the haze in people's hearts.

"Your Majesty, please come this way. The firearms are all stored in the warehouse and are inconvenient to move." Cheng Qinghua replied, pointing to the door of the Wu warehouse. His fingers trembled slightly, and it was obvious that he was nervous.

"Are they all rusted?" Lin Xiaofeng asked half-jokingly, with a hint of teasing in his eyes, as if trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

"Ah?" Cheng Qinghua's face turned red. "Your Majesty, you are joking. The warehouse is extremely dry, how could it be rusty?"

"What I mean is that the firearms in the warehouse should be taken out and tested." Lin Xiaofeng said seriously. His eyes became serious, revealing an unquestionable firmness.

"Yes, I sent people to test the firearms in the next two days." Cheng Qinghua responded, his voice a little hurried, obviously trying his best to make up for his previous gaffe.

"These two days?" Lin Xiaofeng wanted to slap him, "What's the point of trying when the bandits attack the capital!" His tone revealed some anger, and he was obviously dissatisfied with Cheng Qinghua's response.

Cheng Qinghua knew he had said something wrong and quickly knelt down and begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I will arrange it immediately." There was a tremor in his voice, and he was obviously frightened by Lin Xiaofeng's anger.

The group walked into the yard of Wuzi Warehouse, and the busy figures of craftsmen came into view. Firearms were delivered one by one from the Weapon Bureau and the Imperial Household Weaponry Bureau not far away. After the Wuzi Warehouse staff checked them and found them correct, they were put into the warehouse and registered. The firearms were mainly matchlock guns and muskets, and the rest were matching lead bullets and gunpowder. They lay there quietly, as if waiting for something.

Under Cheng Qinghua's command, the craftsmen of the Ministry of Works moved the firearms out of the warehouse one by one and handed them over to the Jinyiwei. The Jinyiwei then moved or pushed them to Lin Xiaofeng and lined them up. Their movements were quick and orderly, and they were obviously trying their best to demonstrate the efficiency of the Ministry of Works. For the emperor's safety, the Jinyiwei could not let these craftsmen touch the firearms in front of the emperor. If an accident occurred, it would be a serious crime that would punish the entire clan. This pressure made them dare not slack off.

When most of the items had been moved, Cheng Qinghua began to introduce: "Your Majesty, this is the Red Cannon!" There was a hint of pride in his voice, and it was obvious that he was full of confidence in this firearm.

"Your Majesty, these are Portuguese cannons, Portuguese muskets..." Cheng Qinghua continued to introduce. His voice was clear and powerful, accurately conveying the name of each firearm to Lin Xiaofeng.

Lin Xiaofeng listened and watched, and had a general understanding of the firearms of the Ming army. The first was the Red Cannon, which was an imported product, improved from the Portuguese naval cannon. Later scholars' research showed that this improved copper-iron composite cannon was one of the best cannons in the 17th century. He looked at the huge copper-iron composite cannon and felt a little relieved. With this cannon, the city defense would be more confident. However, the disadvantages were also obvious: expensive and heavy. If high-strength steel was used to make cannons, the cost and weight would be reduced, and the performance would be increased. However, the Ming Dynasty did not have such technology at the moment.

"How many red cannons are there in the capital?" Lin Xiaofeng asked. There was a hint of urgency in his voice, and it was obvious that he was very concerned about the number of these firearms.

"Your Majesty, there are twenty-four red cannons!" Cheng Qinghua responded, with a hint of pride in his voice, and he was obviously satisfied with the number.

"How long does it take to make a cannon?" Lin Xiaofeng continued to ask, with a thoughtful gleam in his eyes, obviously considering the production efficiency of firearms.

"It will take about half a month." Cheng Qinghua replied, with a hint of helplessness in his voice, and he was obviously dissatisfied with the efficiency.

It was too late. Even if he had time, Lin Xiaofeng had no plan to transform the artillery. He was a liberal arts student, and in this dynasty with a weak industrial foundation, he could not make steel cannons. The Ming Dynasty could make steel, but it could not make steel that could make cannons. Whether it was the iron frying furnace in Tiangong Kaiwu or the steel made by the crucible steelmaking method, it could not make cannons. Too many impurities made the steel too brittle and easy to explode. The reason for the large number of impurities was not the lack of technology, but the high sulfur and phosphorus content in the coal. The West at this time also faced the same problem. However, with the development of the basic industries in the West, they found a way to desulfurize and dephosphorize coal. Since then, China's smelting technology and artillery technology began to lag behind the West in all aspects. This gap made Lin Xiaofeng feel helpless and regretful.

"These are hand cannons, bird cannons (matchlock guns), three-barreled hand cannons..." Cheng Qinghua continued to introduce them. There was a bit of enthusiasm in his voice, and it was obvious that he was trying his best to show the achievements of the Ministry of Industry.

"Wait a minute!" Lin Xiaofeng pointed at one of the firearms and asked, "You said this is a homemade musket?" There was a hint of curiosity and expectation in his eyes, and it was obvious that he was very interested in this firearm.

"Yes, Your Majesty. This gun was made by Bi Maokang when he was eight years old at Lin Xiaofeng. It does not require an open flame to ignite gunpowder and fire a projectile. It was produced in small batches by the Ministry of Industry and has been stored ever since." Cheng Qinghua explained, his voice tinged with pride and admiration, and it was clear that he was full of respect for Bi Maokang's achievements.

Lin Xiaofeng held the self-generated musket in his hand and carefully examined its structure, as if a connoisseur was examining a rare treasure. He noticed that compared with other firearms, the structure of this musket was slightly more complicated, like a sophisticated miniature mechanical castle. The original ignition position was now occupied by a delicate metal plate, a very elastic pick and a small flint. Due to its age and lack of maintenance, the pick was covered with rust, like the gray hair of an old man, and its elasticity had long disappeared, as if time had deprived it of its vitality.

Xiao Feng thought to himself, "Isn't this a flintlock rifle? It's really a piece of cake to find it without any effort." He imagined that with such a weapon, although he couldn't say that he could conquer distant places like Genghis Khan swept across Europe and Asia, it might not be impossible for him to rule the world for two hundred years. What a glorious history that would be, and the glory of the Ming Empire would be at its peak and shine forever.

He handed the musket to Cheng Qinghua beside him, with a gleam of expectation in his eyes, and asked: "Why haven't you mass-produced this kind of musket? Isn't this a waste of resources?" Qinghua took the musket, looked at it carefully, and replied: "When I first arrived at the Ministry of Works, I also noticed the uniqueness of this gun, as if it was a shining pearl among many weapons. I wanted to mass-produce it, but after Jiao Xu's demonstration, I found some of its disadvantages. First of all, flint is expensive, and the Ministry of Works' funds are already tight, and it can't afford to buy this expensive gem. Moreover, this musket has many problems, such as the flint is easy to fall off, unable to ignite, flint shattering, shrapnel breaking, etc. It is like a warrior with a serious illness, although he has great ambitions, it is difficult to display them."

"I see." Xiao Feng nodded, feeling a little relieved, as if a hanging stone had finally fallen to the ground. He knew that these problems were caused by poor design, so it was not difficult to modify them, just like a skilled doctor who could heal the injuries of a warrior. In time, the modified flintlock rifles will surely allow the Ming army to sweep across Europe and Asia and become famous in the world, as glorious as the Han and Tang dynasties. "Except for artillery, all other firearms will be tested in turn." Xiao Feng ordered Qinghua, his voice revealing an unquestionable majesty. Qinghua responded: "As ordered! Your Majesty, please move to the courtyard of the Arsenal. According to regulations, there must be no open flames near the warehouse, just in case."

Arriving at the Military Equipment Bureau, the Jinyiwei had already cleared the venue, like a strict butler, preparing for the arrival of the distinguished guest. There were no other officials at the scene except Qinghua, Jiao Xu, and Tang Ruowang, and it seemed particularly quiet. The courtyard of the Military Equipment Bureau for testing firearms was very spacious. In the distance, wooden stakes were stuck on the ground, like soldiers waiting for orders. Further away, trees were planted densely, like a green ocean. Some of the small trees were tied with wooden boards, and some were tied with straw men. The straw men were also wearing various kinds of armor, like fully armed soldiers waiting for the baptism of war.

The Ministry of Industry was responsible not only for manufacturing firearms, but also for manufacturing defensive equipment, which was like using the enemy's spear to attack the enemy's shield. They were like skilled craftsmen who built a solid barrier for the security of the Ming Empire.

The firearms were arranged in order, waiting for the ignition test. They were like warriors ready to go, waiting for the battle horn. After receiving Xiaofeng's signal, Guo Tianyang ordered the accompanying Jinyiwei to start the test. In order to protect the emperor's safety, the firearms testing was still done by Jinyiwei. They were like loyal guards, escorting the emperor's safety.

Boom! Boom! Boom! The explosions were deafening like thunder. Various firearms were ignited one after another, and the courtyard of the Ordnance Bureau was instantly shrouded in smoke, like a mysterious fairy wearing a hazy veil. The smoke was mixed with the smell of gunpowder, as if the breath of war was permeating.

Seeing the iron armor and wooden boards on the wooden stakes being pierced, Qinghua showed a proud look on his face. He was like a victorious general reviewing his victory. Looking at the entire Ming Dynasty, only the firearms of the Ministry of Industry can be called the strongest. They are like the sharp sword of the Ming Dynasty, guarding the peace of this land.

"Does the power of the firearms meet your majesty's expectations?" Qinghua asked, with a hint of anticipation in his voice. He was like a child eager to be praised, looking forward to the emperor's affirmation.

Xiao Feng shook his head and said, "Not enough!" His voice revealed an unquestionable firmness. He knew that there was still a lot of room for improvement in the firearms of the Ming Dynasty. Only stronger firearms could protect the peace of this land.

The corners of Qinghua's mouth twitched slightly. This was already all the wealth of the Ming Dynasty. What else did His Majesty want? He was like a helpless parent, feeling powerless in the face of his child's endless demands.

He lowered his head and asked, "Your Majesty, I don't understand." His voice revealed confusion and helplessness. He was like a traveler who had lost his way, eager to find the direction to move forward.

Xiao Feng asked back: "If the bandits attack the city, what firearms will you use to deal with them?" His voice revealed a calmness and wisdom. He seemed like a wise and brave general, thinking about strategies to deal with the enemy.

"At long range, we use cannons. At close range, we use muskets, Portuguese guns, and crossbows. At even closer range, we can use fire guns and rolling logs and rocks." Qinghua answered. His voice revealed a sense of confidence and calmness. He sounded like an experienced soldier, recounting his own combat experience.

"If the enemy charges under the city wall, and the cannons and Portuguese cannons are too heavy to turn the muzzles to fire downwards, what other firearms can we use?" Xiao Feng asked again. His voice revealed a sense of urgency and severity. He seemed like a general facing a crisis, thinking about how to deal with the enemy's fierce attack.

Qinghua frowned and thought for a while, then replied, "Musketeers, muskets, and hand cannons should be enough." There was uncertainty and hesitation in his voice. He was like a scholar facing a difficult problem, trying to find the answer.

"Can you guarantee that the Ministry of Industry's muskets and firearms can penetrate the bandits' heavy armor and thick shields?" Xiao Feng asked. His voice was harsh and questioning. He was like a strict examiner, testing the students' abilities.

"No... I can't guarantee it." Qinghua replied. His voice revealed a sense of helplessness and frustration. He was like a failed student, feeling helpless when faced with a difficult problem that he couldn't solve.

Xiao Feng snorted coldly, his voice revealing a sense of dissatisfaction and disappointment. He observed the firearms not to listen to the sound, but to see their actual effectiveness and think about how to maximize their power in the battle to defend the city. Judging from the current firearms equipment of the Ming army, defending the city may be a difficult problem. He was like a thoughtful strategist, thinking about how to solve the current dilemma.

The old, weak, sick and disabled soldiers in the three battalions, although their combat effectiveness was not high, could at least use firearms. Although the new recruits could also learn to use firearms, they could not master them in a short period of time. If they were not careful, they might accidentally injure friendly forces. Injuring people was still a minor injury, but if they accidentally hit a gunpowder box, the consequences would be disastrous. He was like a worried parent, thinking about how to protect his children from harm.

Seeing that Xiaofeng seemed a little unhappy, Qinghua hurriedly asked, "Your Majesty, there are still some obsolete old-fashioned firearms in the warehouse. Do you need to test them?" His voice revealed an eagerness and expectation. He was like a sinner who longed for salvation and was looking for the last hope.

"No need." Xiao Feng waved his hand to call Jiao Xu and Tang Ruowang, and whispered, "Can the Ministry of Industry make a batch of grenades?" His voice revealed a sense of expectation and urgency. He was like a general eager for new weapons, looking for a new way to defeat the enemy.

Qinghua, Jiao Xu, and Tang Ruowang were all at a loss, not knowing what a grenade was. They were like lost travelers, feeling confused and ignorant when facing an unknown area.

Qinghua thought hard but couldn't figure it out, so he asked, "Your Majesty, what is a grenade?" His voice revealed a sense of curiosity and thirst for knowledge. He was like a scholar eager for knowledge, asking about unknown mysteries.

"You can think of a grenade as a large firecracker. The firecracker is wrapped in iron sheets or iron beads, and after the explosion, the iron beads scatter everywhere, thus hurting the enemy. Even if the enemy is wearing heavy armor and the iron beads cannot penetrate, the loud noise produced by the explosion can still injure the enemy's internal organs." Xiaofeng explained. His voice revealed a sense of patience and meticulousness. He seemed like a patient teacher, answering difficult questions for his students.

"Do you understand what I said?" Xiao Feng asked. His voice revealed a sense of majesty and unquestionable. He was like a majestic monarch, asking his subjects whether they understood his will.

The three looked at each other, wondering if Xiaofeng's words were feasible. Firecrackers can indeed injure people. Every New Year, there are cases of children being injured by firecrackers in various places. But in order to injure people, there are two prerequisites: one is that the firecrackers need to be close to people; the other is that the power needs to be strong enough. If the opponent is wearing armor, then the amount of gunpowder in the firecrackers needs to be amazing. They are like careful craftsmen, thinking about how to make a perfect work.

Qinghua was the first to react and nodded in agreement. He was well-read and had already had the prototype of the grenade in his mind. The history of grenades can be traced back to the middle of the Tang Dynasty. At that time, people used gunpowder to make various shapes to kill the enemy. There was a gleam of wisdom in his eyes, like an explorer who had discovered a new world.

According to historical records, the earliest hand-thrown ammunition appeared in the third year of Xianping in the Song Dynasty. Tang Fu, the inventor of the musket in Chinese history, contributed the first version of hand grenades to Emperor Zhenzong of Song. Historical scenes emerged in Qinghua's mind, as if he was a traveler traveling through time and space, witnessing the changes of history.

Jiao Xu then came back to his senses and said, "Your Majesty, I already have a rough idea of ​​the grenade in my mind, but I don't know if it is consistent with what Your Majesty has in mind." His voice revealed a sense of confidence and expectation. He was like a confident craftsman showing off his work.

Tang Ruowang finally reacted and said in fluent Mandarin: "Your Majesty, I think I know what a hand grenade is." His voice revealed a sense of surprise and excitement. He was like a treasure hunter who had discovered a treasure and was sharing his joy.

The sun shines obliquely on the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, flashing dazzling light, making this ancient palace more solemn and mysterious. Cheng Qinghua walks in front, his figure appears resolute and steady in the interweaving of light and shadow. He holds a small firecracker in each hand, each about 20 cm high and 20 cm in diameter. This is not just an object in his hand, but also the crystallization of his wisdom. His eyes reveal a kind of determination, as if he can penetrate all obstacles in front of him and look directly at the unknown future.

Tang Ruowang followed closely behind him, his steps steady, holding a small firecracker in his left hand and a medium firecracker in his right arm. The medium firecracker was about ten centimeters taller and thicker than the small one, and looked more bulky. Tang Ruowang's face was full of concentration, and his eyes looked particularly bright under the sunlight, as if he could see through the mysteries of all things in the world.

Jiao Xu was the last one to walk. He was struggling to hold a very large firecracker in his hands. The firecracker was about 60 centimeters high and nearly 50 centimeters in diameter. It was very heavy. Even a strong man like Jiao Xu was struggling. His face was covered with beads of sweat, but his eyes revealed an unyielding tenacity, as if this firecracker was the entire weight of his life and all the hope in his heart.

When the Jinyiwei saw this scene, their faces changed drastically. They drew their swords and bows one after another, as if they were facing a great enemy. The tense atmosphere seemed to freeze the air. The Jinyiwei wanted to step forward to stop them, but Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand to stop them, "No need to check, let them continue to go." His voice was calm and firm, as if it could penetrate all the noise and reach people's hearts.

"Your Majesty, I am worried that these three people have evil intentions." The captain of the Jinyiwei said worriedly, his eyes full of vigilance and uneasiness. He knew that if Lin Xiaofeng had any mishap, all three of their clans would face the fate of being buried alive with him. This was an unspeakable fear and pressure.

"It's okay, all of you step aside, I have something to discuss with them." Lin Xiaofeng said calmly, with an unquestionable majesty in his voice. He understood that the three people in front of him were not simple craftsmen, but the hope in his heart, and the important force for him to change the world.

"I...I obey your order!" Although the captain of the Jinyiwei was unwilling, he could only retreat, looking back every three steps. His eyes were full of warnings, fearing that Cheng Qinghua and others would do something wrong. He knew in his heart that the safety at this moment was not only related to Lin Xiaofeng's life, but also the fate of the entire Ming Dynasty.

Cheng Qinghua and others put the "firecrackers" in their hands on the stone table nearby. The stone table had been through wind and rain, but it was still as solid as ever, as if it was also witnessing the importance of this moment. Cheng Qinghua pointed to the largest "firecracker", and his voice was filled with pride and expectation: "Your Majesty, this is a small grenade I made. From the inside to the outside, it is gunpowder, cardboard, iron beads, and cardboard. The total weight is 4.8 jin (a jin in the Ming Dynasty was about 596 grams). The fuse is five inches long. It will explode after five breaths after being ignited."

Lin Xiaofeng took the grenade and weighed it, feeling it was quite heavy. A complex emotion surged in his heart, with both admiration for this new weapon and deep worries about the war. He thought that it was the limit for an ordinary person to throw it more than ten meters. It might not be appropriate to use this grenade in a plain field battle. If you are not careful, it may hurt innocent people. But it can be used when defending the city. Throwing it from a high position can hurt people. He also thought that the people had just recovered from the plague, and wondered if they had the strength to use these grenades?

He pointed at the grenade and asked Minister Fan, "Can the newly recruited soldiers in the capital throw this?" There was a hint of concern and worry in his voice. He understood that the outcome of a war does not only depend on the advancement of weapons, but also on the support of the people and the morale of the soldiers.

Cheng Qinghua was stunned, and then he remembered the military recruitment regulations: anyone who can lift a brick can be recruited. He suddenly realized that His Majesty had long planned to use grenades to defend against the enemy. A brick weighs about 16 or 17 pounds, and anyone who can lift a brick can certainly throw a grenade. A warm current surged in his heart, which was admiration and gratitude for Lin Xiaofeng. He knew that Lin Xiaofeng was not only an emperor, but also a monarch who cared about the world and the people.

"Your Majesty, I think it is possible." Cheng Qinghua said affirmatively, with a firmness and confidence in his voice. He understood that the decision at this moment was not only about the use of grenades, but also about the future fate of the Ming Dynasty.

"Okay!" Lin Xiaofeng nodded, his eyes revealing a kind of appreciation and affirmation. He looked at the second grenade, which was the same size as the first one, but the color of the outer paper was different. He knew that behind every grenade, there was the hard work and wisdom of the craftsmen.

Cheng Qinghua introduced: "Your Majesty, this is a No. 2 grenade. From the inside to the outside, it is gunpowder, cardboard, lead bullets, iron sand, and cardboard. The total weight is about five pounds. The fuse is five inches long. It will explode in about five breaths after being ignited." There was a sense of pride and expectation in his voice, as if it could travel through the barriers of time and space and reach deep into Lin Xiaofeng's heart.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded slightly, with a complex emotion in his heart. In this era with only black powder, if you want to increase the power, you can only increase the amount of gunpowder, but this will also increase the size and weight. He understands that the birth and use of each weapon are accompanied by its unique advantages and limitations. What he needs is not only advanced weapons, but also strategies and tactics that can flexibly use these weapons, inspire the morale of soldiers, and win the hearts of the people.

"Keep talking, and try again after you finish." Lin Xiaofeng ordered, his voice full of majesty and expectation. He knew that the choice and decision at this moment would affect the future and fate of the Ming Dynasty. He needed to listen to everyone's opinions and suggestions in order to make the most wise decision.

"As you wish." Cheng Qinghua stepped back and let Tang Ruowang come forward to introduce the two. His movements were calm and composed, as if everything was under his control.

Tang Ruowang said respectfully: "Your Majesty, these are the No. 3 and No. 4 grenades I made. The No. 3 is composed of gunpowder, cardboard, lead bullets, and cardboard from the inside to the outside. The No. 4 is composed of gunpowder, cardboard, and scrap iron. The fuses are five inches long and will explode about five breaths after being ignited." There was a confidence and determination in his voice, as if it could reach through the barriers of time and space and reach deep into Lin Xiaofeng's heart.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded again, his eyes revealing a kind of appreciation and affirmation. The No. 3 and No. 4 grenades were only enlarged in size and there was nothing special about them. It seemed that this foreigner was restricted and did not use his full strength. But he understood that every craftsman had his unique advantages and limitations. What he needed was to make full use of everyone's talents and wisdom to fight for the future and destiny of the Ming Dynasty.

Finally, Lin Xiaofeng's eyes fell on the oversized grenade, and a trace of disappointment appeared on his face. The grenade seemed to be a heavy burden on his heart, making him feel an unspeakable depression and uneasiness.

"Your Majesty!" Jiao Xu's rough and honest voice broke the depression and uneasiness. His voice was filled with a sense of pride and expectation that seemed to be able to cross the barriers of time and space and reach the depths of Lin Xiaofeng's heart.

"This is the No. 5 grenade I made. I named it the Earth-shaking Mine!" Jiao Xu said proudly, his face filled with an indescribable joy and excitement. That grenade is not only a weapon in his hand but also the hope and dream in his heart.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at the oversized grenade and nodded: "Looking at its weight, it can really destroy the world. I wonder what's so unique about it?" There was a hint of curiosity and anticipation in his voice, as if he wanted to uncover the secrets and stories behind this grenade.

"Hehe, of course!" Jiao Xu smiled and patted the grenade and said, "I added some special seasonings in the grenade. The innermost part is gunpowder, and the outermost part is wrapped in cardboard. There are four things outside the cardboard: one is lead bullet, two is arsenic, three is croton, and four is chili powder. The outermost part is still cardboard, and the fuse is ten inches long. It will explode ten breaths after being ignited." He explained in detail, as if he could travel through the barriers of time and space to present every detail in front of Lin Xiaofeng's eyes.

Lin Xiaofeng was stunned for a long time after hearing this, and a complex emotion surged in his heart. This rough and honest man could actually write books in his spare time (the book "Essentials of Fire Attack" was written by Jiao Xu, which is the first technical guide in Chinese history to fully explain the production and use of artillery.), what a talented person. I didn't expect that the weapons he made would be so vicious and fierce. Chili powder, arsenic, croton... these condiments made this grenade evolve from a hot weapon to a biological weapon. If Jiao Xu was born in the 20th century, he would definitely become an expert in biological weapons.

Lin Xiaofeng praised Jiao Xu's creativity, patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him, "Mr. Jiao is truly talented and knowledgeable, and I am very pleased." There was a kind of appreciation and affirmation in his voice, as if it could penetrate the barriers of time and space and reach deep into Jiao Xu's heart.

After praising Jiao Xu, Lin Xiaofeng said to Cheng Qinghua and Tang Ruowang: "I also like the things you made." There was sincerity and gratitude in his voice, as if it could penetrate the barriers of time and space and reach deep into everyone's heart.

Praising does not cost any money, and Lin Xiaofeng praised the three people generously. His praise was not only a recognition of their talents, but also an affirmation and gratitude for their struggle for the future and destiny of the Ming Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. I am just doing my duty." Cheng Qinghua said flattered. The Ministry of Industry is different from other departments. It only needs to spend money. They are often criticized by the emperor on weekdays. This time, he was surprised and delighted to receive Lin Xiaofeng's praise. A warm current surged in his heart, which was admiration and gratitude for Lin Xiaofeng. He knew that the glory and praise at this moment would be engraved in his heart forever and become the motivation and source of his future struggle.

Cheng Qinghua was older and had been in office for a long time, so he knew everything about the government office. He thought: How many people in the Ministry of Works are not greedy? The former Minister of Works, Jie Haojie, was an example. He had been in office for less than a year, and it was said that he had embezzled tens of thousands of dollars. How could the assistant ministers under him not be greedy? Doesn't Your Majesty know that they are greedy? In fact, Your Majesty knows it very well. However, most of the people working in the Ministry of Works are talented, and the court is in need of talents. (End of this chapter)