My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Chapter 41 From now on, I, the prince, will have the final say in the Ming Dynasty!
"Your Highness, Crown Prince, please don't say these things carelessly!"

Bi Maokang said with some fear.

He was very interested in what Zhu Cilang said before, but he wished he hadn't heard what he said later.
Zhu Cilang looked at Bi Maokang with some confusion, as if he didn't quite understand why he suddenly became so scared.

But the next second, he reacted.

Zhu Cilang smiled helplessly and then explained:
"Master Bi has just arrived in the capital, so I'm afraid he doesn't know yet?"

"The Emperor is currently seriously ill and is no longer able to handle state affairs. I am now acting as regent."

"So I can make the decision on these matters."

"And according to the imperial physician, Father's illness may no longer be cured. So, you should understand what I mean, right?"

Since he had already rebelled, Zhu Cilang would definitely not allow Chongzhen to have any contact with ministers and government affairs, so Chongzhen had only two options:

The first is that Chongzhen couldn't figure it out, and was imprisoned in the harem until Zhu Cilang completely took control of the court and the army, and then forced Chongzhen to abdicate and become the emperor.

The second is that Chongzhen came to his senses and voluntarily abdicated to become the emperor emeritus.

Of course, if something unexpected happens, there is actually a third way.

That is, Chongzhen died unexpectedly, and then Zhu Cilang succeeded to the throne smoothly.

Of course, in Zhu Cilang's opinion, there should be no need to take the third path.

In short, no matter which path he took, Chongzhen would never be able to interfere in state affairs again.

Zhu Cilang will have the final say in the future Ming Dynasty!
At the same time, Bi Maokang was shocked again.

Because before this, he had no idea that the emperor was seriously ill and the crown prince was regent.

And based on the meaning of the prince's last words, he also learned a shocking fact.

That means Chongzhen is likely to die soon.

Even if he didn't die, he would no longer be able to handle state affairs.

This means that the current Crown Prince could become the new Emperor of Ming at any time.
After realizing this, Bi Maokang no longer dared to hesitate.

He quickly stood up and was about to kneel down tremblingly.

Kneeling and saying:

"I never thought that at my age of seventy, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would still use me in such an important position. I will definitely live up to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's trust."

"If I cannot improve the firearms for the Ming Dynasty, I will die with regret!"

This time, before Zhu Cilang could make a move, Ma Bao on the side had already stepped forward to support Bi Maokang.

Zhu Cilang was delighted, knowing that Bi Maokang had agreed and even changed his address.

"Master Bi, since you have agreed to my request, you will be my Prince's Grand Tutor from now on."

"Since you are my teacher, don't kneel when you see me in the future. This is my order!"

"Also, because the Firearms Research Institute belongs to the Eastern Palace, it doesn't need to attend court, but its salary and benefits are the same as those of the six ministries."

"All expenses will be covered by the East Palace. What do you think?"

Zhu Cilang spoke.

"Everything is decided by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Bi Maokang was deeply moved at this time. You know, he had always wanted to improve existing firearms since he was young.

But he never got the emperor's support.

In the end, he had no choice but to resign in disgrace amid the factional strife in the court.

I thought that this was how my life would be, but unexpectedly, when I was about to be buried, I met the wise ruler, the Crown Prince.

The Firearms Research Institute was independent of the imperial court and did not need to attend court. This meant that the factional struggles within the court no longer had anything to do with him. From now on, he could devote himself to improving and developing new firearms for the Ming Dynasty!
But it was his lifelong wish!
How could he not be moved?
Looking at the brand new "Illustrated Book of Military Equipment" in his hand again, Zhu Cilang suddenly became pensive.

Bi Maokang published this previous book after he finished writing it. It is not known how many copies he published, but by the time of the Qing Dynasty, his book still existed.

In other words, the book "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment" may have already been circulated to the Jiannu side.

However, Zhu Cilang didn't care much about it, because the flintlock rifle described in the previous book only gave a general introduction and did not have any detailed description.

Zhu Cilang once took "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment" to find the craftsmen of the Armory, hoping that they would make a flintlock rifle.

As a result, those craftsmen didn't understand the core technology of the flintlock rifle at all, so naturally they couldn't make it.

Even the most technically advanced craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty could not manufacture a flintlock rifle according to the records in "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment". With the mediocre skills of the Jiannu, it was naturally even more impossible for them to manufacture it.

This means that even if they really got Bi Maokang's "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment", it would not be of much use.

However, this book "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment" cannot be circulated now, because this book was re-edited by Bi Maokang after several years of work.

The records in it are so detailed that even all the parts are listed separately, with detailed descriptions and illustrations.

Zhu Cilang had no doubt that as long as this book was given to craftsmen to study, any craftsman who understood ignition devices could make a flintlock rifle.

Thinking of this, Zhu Cilang asked again:
"Master Bi, has this book ever been published?"

When Bi Maokang heard this, he shook his head.

"No! This was re-edited based on the previous "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment" after I retired and returned to my hometown.

"And even now, it hasn't been successfully compiled. Whenever I have new ideas, I always add them in, so it has never been published."

"No one even knew of the book's existence except the old minister's family."

Bi Maokang was telling the truth. Since retiring and returning to his hometown, he has become idle.

As new ideas always popped up in his mind, he had the idea of rewriting "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment".

Then, there was this brand new book "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment".

And the book has not been finished yet, because from time to time, new ideas will come to him and he will add them in.

Zhu Cilang nodded and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he continued:

"You may continue to research this book, but it must not be published or circulated."

"Because this book is a national treasure!"

"The things recorded in it can bring great strength to the country! It must not fall into the hands of the Jiannu and other foreign races."

"This book can only be studied at the Firearms Research Institute, and only those who are trustworthy can access it."

"In addition, all firearm parts can only be manufactured by designated craftsmen, ensuring that one craftsman is only familiar with the manufacture of one part."

"This will not only improve efficiency and quality, but also prevent the Jiannu from obtaining the firearms technology even if the craftsmen are captured."

"You may think my worries are unnecessary, but you should know that the Jiannu are now also using firearms!"

"Master Bi, you don't want the firearms you've devoted your entire life to developing to eventually become weapons used by the Jiannu to massacre the people of our Ming Dynasty, do you?"

When Bi Maokang heard this, his expression instantly became serious, and he quickly said:
"Your Highness, please rest assured! I know what to do. I can guarantee that this book will never be circulated!"

When saying this, Bi Maokang felt a little regretful that he had insisted on publishing the "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment".

But there's no use regretting it now.

All he can do now is to ensure that this improved "Illustrated Explanation of Military Equipment" will not be circulated again.

After all, the reason he studied firearms was just to make his country stronger!
But if such technology was obtained by the Jiannu and made them stronger, then he would be a sinner for all eternity!

Even if I die, I will not be able to face my ancestors!
(End of this chapter)