Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 224: Change Begins, Guns and Cannons Come Out
"Rule of law? Rule by law?"

Li Zhen chewed it over and over again, seeming to understand it but not quite. The legal system has been established since the Qin Dynasty.

However, the emphasis was different in different periods and dynasties.

Confucianism at home and law abroad is the legal framework that has been used by all major dynasties.

However, the so-called law only applies to ordinary people. For the nobles, it is not much of a restriction at all.

Loose inside and strict outside, all laws and regulations serve the upper class.

He even openly proposed that doctors should not be punished.

This bad habit will still arouse class conflicts.

If you want to break it, then break it thoroughly.

"Yes, rule by law. If the emperor breaks the law, he will be punished just like the common people. People are alive, but legal provisions are dead. Only in this way can we avoid the occurrence of incompetent and unjust things."

The legal framework is the beginning of further constraining power.

"Draft a general outline of the legal system. First, define the scope of crimes. Everyone is equal before the law, whether civilians or high officials. Those who commit crimes must be punished, and merits cannot offset faults. Second, all people under our rule, no matter what they have done before, will immediately restore their freedom and abolish slavery."

"I can only give you a general direction. As for the other details, you should discuss them carefully with Liu Rengui."

Now this newly governed land is full of infinite possibilities.

With military power in hand, Li Chengqian could carry out drastic reforms.

"Your Majesty means that the rule of law applies to everyone, including royal relatives and nobles?"

Li Zhen asked seriously, if that’s the case, then the impact on them will be huge and their privileges will gradually disappear.

This is an unprovoked disaster.

"Yes, this is how the world should be!"

Li Chengqian nodded, not knowing what Li Zhen was thinking at the moment.

This move is a confrontation with all the meritorious officials and nobles, and has a wider impact than dealing with the aristocratic families.

"Your Highness, have you ever thought about how many people would still support you if this happened?"

Li Zhen asked with a stiff upper lip. He was doing this for his own benefit, but he was also more worried that the group that Li Chengqian had created would collapse.

Because according to Li Zhen's idea, those who helped Li Chengqian fight for the world were shooting themselves in the foot.

The reason they followed was not for military merit so that they could be superior to others and do whatever they wanted in the future.

But one order from Li Chengqian brought them down into the dust.

"Every loss has its own gain. Although this may chill the hearts of some people, I can win the hearts of the common people throughout the country."

"Moreover, if we want long-term peace and stability, we must have long-term rule of law. That's what we have decided."

Every decision made by Li Chengqian concerns the interests of tens of millions of people.

He is working for the benefit of the public and will never end up being deserted by his friends and relatives.

"Your Highness must have considered this decision, but I think Your Highness should be mentally prepared."

Li Zhen was still frowning. He could imagine how difficult it would be to implement the rule of law.

Cruel officials never have a good ending.

However, since ancient times, all those who have tried the law have ended up in a horrible way.

All of them have been criticized by interest groups, and what remains are all evil deeds.

Shang Yang was buried alive for the law.

Wang Anshi ended tragically.

Moreover, the force of their reforms was far less than that of Li Chengqian's now. What they lost was only the interests of the clan at that time, but now, Li Chengqian was going to take their lives.

If Li Chengqian insisted on carrying out his policy, it would cause strong opposition from a certain class, and they might even resort to any means necessary for their own interests and safety.

Including killing Li Chengqian.

Since ancient times, the emperor and clan officials have ruled the world together and shared the fruits of their rule.

This is definitely different from Li Chengqian's dealing with the aristocratic families.

"I have already prepared myself mentally. Everything is difficult at the beginning. After the decree is issued, I will have the bad guys follow them. If there are any who break the law, I will kill them first to serve as a warning to others."

Every change is paved with blood.

"But I still think that this is too hasty. After all, the situation is still stable and we cannot implement the plan that Your Highness mentioned yet."

Li Zhen advised again, after all, no one wanted to be killed because of Li Chengqian's decree.

Once Li Chengqian is serious about his actions, those nobles will not just give up their privileges and sit there waiting to die.

Turning against one's own side is already considered the lightest punishment.

The current Tang Dynasty court has been extending olive branches to their subordinates and generals.

"No, now is the best time. I know what you are worried about."

Li Chengqian patted Li Zhen's shoulder gently, signaling him to rest assured.

"A man of honor is born in heaven and earth, but can he avoid disasters and seek fortunes? If we want to surpass the achievements of the previous generation, we can only accomplish something earth-shaking, and then we can be on par with them."

Li Chengqian encouraged himself, saying that he now couldn't do without the support of Li Zhen and others.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I know what to do."

Li Zhen nodded.

"No more talking. Please accompany me to the military supply department. I don't know if Yan Lide has figured it out yet."

Li Chengqian changed the subject, with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Before he set out on the expedition, he gave Yan Lide several very important drawings.

It is a major variable in the history of war.

If it succeeds, it will rewrite the way wars are fought in the future.

This was also the basis for his confidence in defeating the Tang Dynasty army.

As for the homemade explosive Thunderbolt, there is no doubt that it has been controlled by the Tang Dynasty.

Although he took confidentiality measures, Li Er was a man with a thousand thoughts.

Even his previous personal guards were Li Shimin's confidants. It would be strange if he didn't leak the recipe.

"Okay, Your Highness, please!"

Li Zhen said nothing more and followed Li Chengqian attentively.

He was very cautious, just like his father Li Ji.

It lacks that bit of spirit.

The Military Affairs Office is an important military location, not far from the City Lord's Mansion.

So it didn't take long for the group to arrive at the Military Affairs Office.

The defense here is extremely tight, with a guard post every five steps and a sentry every ten steps.

Armaments are the embodiment of the Tang army's highest combat power, and this was most evident when they were fighting against foreign enemies.

Therefore, these forging skills and equipment are absolutely not allowed to be leaked outside.

After passing through a sealed stone passage filled with smoke and the smell of gunpowder, they came to an iron gate.

Outside the iron gate, there stood dozens of guards in armor. Even from a distance, one could feel the murderous aura emanating from them.

In addition to fighting and daily training, soldiers also need to take care of guarding duties.

Dispatch defense at irregular times and locations.

"Open the iron gate!"

Li Zhen stepped forward and revealed his identity.

Only a few people are qualified to enter this iron gate. "Boom!"

The heavy, muffled sound continued to echo in the dark and narrow passage, as if it was going to break through all restraints.

Immediately afterwards, dazzling flames instantly filled the entire space. The originally dark passage was instantly illuminated as bright as day, making people's eyes suddenly clear.

Through the blazing brazier, you can see a completely different scene behind the iron gate.

People were seen shuttling back and forth, busy as ever, presenting a scene of bustling activity.

The clinking sound of iron colliding gradually became clearer.

As soon as you step into this place, you can clearly feel a scorching heat wave coming towards you, as if you are in a huge furnace.

"Your Highness, please come inside!"

The crowds on both sides quickly made way for the road and lowered their heads, not daring to look sideways. They stood respectfully on both sides, and the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

A heavy warehouse door slowly opened, and what came into view were rows of neatly arranged tubular weapons, their peculiar shapes making one stare at them.

At this moment, Yan Lide hurried over and walked straight to Li Chengqian. He bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, Your Highness!"

Then he stood up, looked at those strange black tubes, and continued, "These weapons are all carefully crafted according to the drawings given by Your Highness. However, I have not yet received Your Highness's instructions on the specific use of these weapons, and I don't know how to control them to exert their power."

After saying this, Yan Lide once again cast a puzzled look at these seemingly ordinary clarinet pipes.

Although these weapons were all made by him, he knew nothing about their true purpose and how to use them.

After all, these clarinet tubes have neither sharp blades nor sharp edges, so how can they defeat the enemy? This really puzzled him.

Li Chengqian walked forward slowly, trying his best to suppress his inner excitement. His palm gently stroked the cold gun barrel, and his heart was burning with heat.

Just like this, you can't go wrong.

This is the musket.

Giving these ancient people a fulcrum would really allow them to move the earth.

The ancients were just ancient, not stupid, and most of their skills were passed down from ancient times.

"This can only be considered a semi-finished product. If we want to put it into the war, we need other things."

Li Chengqian replied in a cryptic manner without further explanation.

Only by separating the processes can we achieve true confidentiality.

Black powder has been developed and it can be fired by just adding it.

"Wu Xing, come closer!"

Li Chengqian was also eager to try and see if this expert could really succeed.

Wu Xing stepped forward, and the others tactfully stepped back a few steps.

After Li Chengqian whispered a few words, Wu Xing left in a hurry.

"Bring a few, let's go out and test shoot!"

Li Chengqian put down the gun in his hand, but the next moment, his gaze suddenly shrank, attracted by something deeper.

Everyone followed his gaze and saw a peculiar iron corner standing there.

It looks like a car but is not a car, but it has two wheels.

Li Chengqian strode forward. The empty muzzle seemed to have an inexplicable charm that made Li Chengqian obsessed with it.

Cannons were also built.

"Good! Good!"

Li Chengqian praised repeatedly and slapped the cannon with his big hands excitedly.

"Master Yan, you have truly made great contributions to the country and are famous throughout history."

The revolution in military history began here.

With all the cannons out, can the planes still be too far away?
"Your Highness, you are too kind. It took a lot of manpower to build this thing, but to this day, we still don't know what its use is, and we don't know whether it can be considered a finished product."

Yan Lide was indeed unsure, because when he was making these two things, he just followed the drawings and didn't know why it was like this.

As a result, many designs have hidden dangers.

"Just push it outside the training ground and try it and you'll know."

Li Chengqian was still very excited. What if he failed?
He has plenty of time now.

With his theory and the skills of the ancients, how could he not be able to make guns and cannons?

The cannon is very stable and is made of fine iron. It takes four people to push it.

“I wonder if these two things have names?”

Yan Lide asked. Seeing that Li Chengqian attached so much importance to them, he naturally guessed that these two things should have a bright future.

"guns"

Li Chengqian replied.

"gun?"

Yan Lide pondered this word in his heart, and suddenly an idea flashed in his mind. If a sharp tip was added to the front of the gun barrel, perhaps some shortcomings could be made up for, making this weapon barely usable.

However, when he thought about it further, he found many problems.

First of all, these parts all need to be made of fine iron, which will be extremely expensive; secondly, the firearms made in this way will become extremely heavy and are not suitable for close combat on a fierce battlefield.

After much thought, Yan Lide still couldn't find a perfect solution.

As for the word "cannon", it was completely unfamiliar and mysterious to him.

Just as Yan Lide was lost in all kinds of confused thoughts, they had unknowingly arrived at the parade ground.

At this time, the martial artist also hurried here carrying several large packages.

Under Wu Xing's instructions, several attendants stepped forward quickly, took out spear shafts from the packages, and began to carefully load gunpowder into them.

Then, they picked up the thin iron rod and carefully tamped the gunpowder.

Before long, everything was ready. A group of people stood upright on the parade ground, holding loaded muskets high in their hands and aiming at the target in the distance.

Li Chengqian, who was standing aside and watching, nodded slightly, then waved his hand gently to indicate that it was time to launch.

Seeing this, Wu Xing shouted loudly: "Release!"

Immediately afterwards, several guards decisively pulled the trigger at the same time.

Strictly speaking, this is not the first firearm invented in ancient China - the musket.

Instead, it was a flintlock rifle that had been reformed several times. The other end of the trigger was a flint, which served as an ignition device.

There was a flash of fire.

"Bang! Bang!"

Several sharp noises suddenly exploded.

Some people jumped in shock, looked around, and looked surprised and suspicious.

They all looked at the gun-wielding guards who were also shocked.

A faint smoke came out from the barrels of the guns they were holding.

People standing nearby can still smell the pungent smell.

Wu Xing frowned and shook his head slightly.

Because he didn't see any signs of damage on the target.

"Try again, but mix some gravel into it."

Li Chengqian was not disappointed at all. As the gunshots rang out, he knew that the development of the flintlock rifle had been successful.

(End of this chapter)