Ming Dynasty: The Jingnan Rebellion has just been successful, and Zhu Yuanzhang has been resurrected

"I really didn't expect that we would be at war again so soon after the war on the grasslands ended. Isn't this happening a bit too frequently?"

"It is indeed a bit too frequent, but we haven't suffered any losses. In fact, we can even gain some benefits!"

"Get any benefits? Are you kidding me? How could ordinary people like us possibly benefit from a war? I reckon they'll start collecting taxes soon, and then our lives will be tough."

"Who can argue with that? His Majesty wants everything, he's just so warlike. Sigh. I wonder what our future holds."

“I’m telling you people, why are you so stubborn? Although His Majesty is warlike, there are different situations when it comes to war. If we can keep winning battles, our Great Ming will soon be living a good life. You don’t know yet, do you? Soon, mutton, beef, and all kinds of leather from the grasslands will enter our Great Ming at extremely low prices.”

"Huh? Where did you hear that, kid? If that's true, then we really have benefited from the war."

"Of course! Do you know why the Tang Dynasty was so prosperous? It's because it defeated all its enemies, and then all of them made various contributions to the Tang Dynasty."

"."

The people were talking animatedly, each offering their own opinion. At first, they were very worried about the Ming Dynasty's frequent wars with foreign powers, but as they chatted, they somehow ended up talking about the Tang Dynasty, and some of them began to fantasize that the Ming Dynasty could one day be as prosperous as the Tang Dynasty.

This is not just wild speculation. The vitality of the Ming Dynasty is obvious at a glance. For example, the changes in Yingtian Prefecture are happening every day, which can be seen with one's own eyes.

Zhu Yunwen watched Zhu Gang and his troops slowly depart. At that moment, he felt a pang of sorrow. He had realized back on the grasslands that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he might never be able to personally lead his troops on the battlefield again.

As an emperor, his job was to sit in the rear and govern the Ming Dynasty well.

"Your Majesty, let's go back!" Ma Sanbao said as he approached Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen nodded, turned around, and asked Ma Sanbao as he walked, "How are the preparations going? Is there anything I can help with?"

Although everyone knows that Ma Sanbao is his chief eunuch and highly valued by him, his status as a eunuch is, after all, a potential source of unpredictable trouble.

"Your Majesty, everything is going smoothly at present," Ma Sanbao replied respectfully.

There were bound to be troubles, given his status, but he resolved them all. Of course, he also used these incidents to convey his abilities to certain people.

He was very clear-headed and understood that his abilities would definitely be questioned by some people, and that this might even reach Zhu Yunwen's ears. In order to avoid causing trouble for Zhu Yunwen, he had to prove his excellence and thus shut some people up.

"By the way, Sanbao, find me the foreman of the Shenji Battalion's craftsmen later," Zhu Yunwen suddenly remembered something and said to Ma Sanbao.

To achieve something, one must first gain an advantage. Sharpening the axe doesn't delay the work of chopping wood. If the Ming Dynasty wanted to truly take off, besides various other factors, there was one indispensable element: industrialization.

At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, through his personal vision, benefited from the development of firearms, which ultimately led him to establish the Ming Dynasty.

Knowing the power of firearms, the Ming Dynasty never gave up its research on firearms after its establishment, and actually developed many new ones.

The reason why the Ming Dynasty was able to keep the grasslands in check was not only because of the strength of its army, but also because of the crucial role of firearms. The advent of firearms directly and significantly weakened the cavalry, which was previously considered top-tier, and it could be said that it cut off their lifeline.

After the rise of firearms, cavalry gradually faded from the stage of history. Their glory in the past was followed by their decline in the future. There was no way for an individual to resist the tide of the times.

Since the Ming Dynasty was already researching firearms, Zhu Yunwen intended to provide a clear research direction for the Ming Dynasty's firearms research, so that the Ming army could complete the replacement of its weapons as soon as possible.

"Hmm?" Ma Sanbao was taken aback for a moment upon hearing Zhu Yunwen's words, then nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Speechless all the way.

Zhu Yunwen was pondering the next direction for the Ming Dynasty's research on firearms.

Before he knew it, he had arrived at the imperial harem.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Xu Miaojin stepped forward and bowed to Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen was taken aback by Xu Miaojin's words, then came to his senses and said, "Get up!"

As a modern person, he found it very difficult to accept that others would kneel before him so readily. Therefore, he kept repeating his request, but in the end, he simply lay down. He realized that it was extremely difficult for an individual to change something that had been passed down for thousands of years.

After that, he never said anything more.

"Your Majesty, is something on your mind? Are you worried about your third uncle?" Xu Miaojin asked, her face full of confusion.

Zhu Gang had just led his troops away from Yingtian Prefecture, so why did Zhu Yunwen look so worried? Did he foresee that Zhu Gang's expedition to Annam to quell the rebellion would not go well?
"Ah?" Zhu Yunwen was taken aback, then gave a wry smile and shook his head, saying, "No, I do have something on my mind, but it has nothing to do with my third uncle. I'm thinking about the Ming Dynasty's firearms."

He had already arranged things to the extreme in Annam. If Zhu Gang were to still be defeated, it could only be said that it was intentional, or that God was on Annam's side. Therefore, he was not worried about the development of the situation in Annam.

"Firearms?" Xu Miaojin looked puzzled upon hearing this; this was somewhat unexpected.

“Yes, firearms!” Zhu Yuntong nodded. Since he didn’t know how to talk to Xu Miaojin about it, he didn’t say much about it, because even if he did, Xu Miaojin probably wouldn’t understand.

Xu Miaojin was also very sensible. Seeing that Zhu Yuntong did not intend to explain in detail, she wisely did not ask any further questions. She walked to Zhu Yuntong's side, let him lie down, and gently massaged his shoulders.

It must be said that Xu Miaojin's massage technique was very professional, and as she massaged him, Zhu Yunwen felt drowsy.

Before he knew it, Zhu Yunwen had fallen asleep.

Hearing Zhu Yuntong's even breathing, Xu Miaojin knew that Zhu Yuntong had fallen asleep, so she withdrew her hand. Her face was serene as she looked at the sleeping Zhu Yuntong with a curious gaze.

Although she had already married Zhu Yunwen, Xu Miaojin still had a great deal of curiosity about him.

The situation in the Ming Dynasty today is completely different from what it was a year ago, all thanks to Zhu Yunwen. Now everyone can feel the vibrant energy emanating from the entire Ming Dynasty.

Xu Miaojin stared at Zhu Yunwen, and gradually, her gaze became somewhat infatuated.

"Your Majesty." At this moment, Ma Sanbao walked over with an elderly man, who was none other than Sun Cheng, who was in charge of the weapon research of the Shenji Battalion.

"Shh!" Xu Miaojin made a shushing gesture, waved to Ma Sanbao, and then got up and walked out of the palace.

"Miss!"

"See the Queen!"

Ma Sanbao and Sun Cheng bowed. Xu Miaojin waved her hand and said, "Get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ma Sanbao and Sun Cheng stood up.

Xu Miaojin's gaze lingered on Sun Cheng for a moment, then she said to Ma Sanbao, "Speak, what is it?"

Zhu Yunwen has just fallen asleep. Reflecting on the events of the past few days, although Zhu Yunwen has never said anything, she knows in her heart that Zhu Yunwen must be very tired, not physically tired, but mentally tired.

Every day I have a lot of things to do. Although most of them are not too difficult, it is still quite tiring.

So now that Zhu Yunwen has fallen asleep, unless it's something too serious, she plans to wait until he wakes up before discussing it further.

Ma Sanbao hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty just asked me to summon Lord Sun, but he didn't say why."

Xu Miaojin frowned. Ma Sanbao's words were somewhat ambiguous. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, "When His Majesty asked you to fetch someone, did he seem anxious?"

Ma Sanbao shook his head and said, "It's not in a hurry!"

Xu Miaojin nodded upon hearing this, stepped forward to Sun Cheng, and said, "Lord Sun, I don't know if you are busy right now. His Majesty has just fallen asleep. If you are not busy, please wait a moment!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Cheng waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister is not in a hurry, not in a hurry!"

Although Xu Miaojin spoke to him politely, as a subject, how could he not know what was good for him? It was just a matter of waiting for a while, and it wasn't a big problem. Moreover, he had a vague feeling that Zhu Yunwen's visit to him this time might mean that his official position could be improved.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, sir!" Xu Miaojin said.

In the blink of an eye, an hour had passed.

Zhu Yunwen slowly woke up, stretched lazily, shook his head and smiled wryly: "How did I fall asleep?"

"Your Majesty, you're awake!" Xu Miaojin heard the noise and walked over.

Zhu Yunwen said, "Miaojin, your massage technique is so professional that I fell asleep right away. By the way, did anyone look for me while I was asleep?"

He remembered that he had asked Ma Sanbao to call Sun Cheng, and judging by the time, he should have arrived long ago.

"Your Majesty is referring to Sun Cheng of the Divine Machine Battalion, isn't he?" Xu Miaojin asked.

“Yes!” Zhu Yuntong nodded.

“The person has arrived, but seeing that His Majesty was fast asleep, I asked Lord Sun to wait for a while. I hope I didn’t delay His Majesty’s business?” Xu Miaojin said.

Zhu Yunwen shook his head and said, "It won't cause any delay, and it's not a serious matter anyway."

He called Sun Cheng over mainly to provide a clear direction for the Ming Dynasty's firearms research, which is not something that can be seen in a day or two.

After speaking with Xu Miaojin, he strode towards the palace exit.

"Your Majesty!" Ma Sanbao and Sun Cheng were sitting in the pavilion outside the palace. After hearing the commotion inside, they came to wait outside the palace.

Zhu Yunwen looked at Sun Cheng and said, "Lord Sun, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."

Sun Cheng bowed slightly, and said in a flustered manner, "Your Majesty is too kind. You have worked hard for the country. This old minister is nothing compared to you.

Zhu Yunwen shrugged, not dwelling on it too much, and said, "Lord Sun, please come with me. Some time ago, I happened to acquire a firearm and came to consult you on it."

He naturally obtained the firearms from the system's inventory, but he still needed a reason.

"Oh?" Upon hearing Zhu Yuntong's words, Sun Cheng was immediately filled with curiosity. He was very curious about what kind of firearm Zhu Yuntong had sent to summon him, and what its function was.

After a while.

Zhu Yunwen took out the flintlock pistol from the system's inventory, though ostensibly he retrieved it from his own palace.

"This flintlock pistol?" Sun Cheng stared at the flintlock pistol in Zhu Yunwen's hand, his eyes wide with surprise.

After years of research, the Ming Dynasty's fire-based weapon technology had become quite advanced. Sun Cheng had expected Zhu Yunwen to bring out something special, but to his surprise, it was fire-based weapons. He was somewhat disappointed.

Zhu Yunwen observed Sun Cheng's appearance and smiled slightly upon seeing this, saying, "Lord Sun, take a good look. This is not the Huo Tong you know."

"Hmm?" Sun Cheng was taken aback when he heard Zhu Yuntong's words. He examined the flintlock pistol that Zhu Yuntong was holding carefully again, but felt that apart from being more exquisite, it was not particularly outstanding.

However, he also knew that Zhu Yunwen would never have spoken like that if he didn't have confidence.

Zhu Yunwen took the flintlock pistol and walked out of the palace.

Ma Sanbao and Sun Cheng followed behind Zhu Yunwen, both filled with curiosity, wondering what the difference was between the flintlock musket in Zhu Yunwen's hand and the muskets of the Ming Dynasty.

"Whoosh!" Zhu Yuntong skillfully loaded the bullets and then took aim.

The next second: "Bang!"

A dull thud was heard, a puff of smoke rose from the flintlock pistol, and then the bullet flew swiftly toward a porcelain bottle not far away.

"Crack!" The porcelain bottle was hit by a bullet and shattered on the ground.

Looking at the scene before him, Ma Sanbao suddenly thought of the days when he accompanied Zhu Yunwen to practice shooting with spears on the high walls of Fengyang. Although the flintlock guns in front of him were slightly different, the two were roughly the same.

Considering Sun Cheng's identity, he vaguely guessed Zhu Yunwen's purpose: "Could it be that His Majesty intends to mass-produce such a terrifying weapon?"

The thought immediately sent a chill down his spine. He knew the power of firearms; if they could be mass-produced, wouldn't the Ming Dynasty's fighting strength become terrifying?
After thinking about it for a moment, he dared not think about it any further.

Sun Cheng was stunned by the power of the flintlock musket, then became incredibly excited: "Your Majesty!" (End of Chapter)