I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

The Imperial Guards investigated for several days but still found no clues.

Flintlock muskets were not yet commonplace; apart from the Warrior Battalion, only a small number of elite troops in other garrisons were equipped with them.

It's not for secrecy, but because this type of gun barrel requires very high-quality steel, which cannot be mass-produced at present.

Besides the material of the barrel, the ammunition is also specially made; having a gun without bullets is useless.

However, according to the thorough investigation by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, all the guns registered by everyone were present, and the serial numbers matched, with nothing missing.

That's strange, who exactly leaked the secret...?

Zhu Youjian pondered deeply. If it wasn't a military garrison, then it could only be people involved in research and manufacturing. Could it be the Academy of Sciences?

"Let's go check out the Academy of Sciences!"

At that moment, Zhu Youjian, accompanied by Luo Yangxing, headed straight for the Academy of Sciences.

When the imperial carriage stopped in front of the Academy of Sciences gate, it was nearly dusk.

Song Yingxing and the others hurriedly came out of the gate and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome your presence!"

Zhu Youjian slowly stepped down from the imperial carriage and waved his hand, saying, "Rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Song Yingxing was the first to stand up and asked, "Your Majesty, what brings you here so suddenly?"

"I'm just taking a look around."

Zhu Youjian stood with his hands behind his back, his tone calm: "How are the recent research results?"

Excitement immediately appeared on Song Yingxing's face, and his wrinkles smoothed out.

"Your Majesty, since the successful development of nitroglycerin, the Academy of Sciences has made rapid progress. We have already produced smokeless gunpowder using nitrocellulose, which is more than three times more powerful than traditional gunpowder, and produces very little smoke, so it will not obstruct the archer's vision."

Zhu Youjian nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "Not bad, any other progress?"

"Yes!" Song Yingxing led the emperor inside. "We are currently attempting to produce cone-shaped bullets, a crucial step in the development of breech-loading muskets. If we can overcome this technological hurdle, the advent of breech-loading muskets will not be far off!"

As they spoke, the emperor and his ministers passed through the courtyard and arrived at a heavily guarded laboratory.

Zhu Youjian noticed that the guards here were all from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so there shouldn't be any problems.

Inside the laboratory, several young students were busy at work. Upon seeing the emperor arrive, they hurriedly knelt down and paid their respects.

Zhu Youjian waved his hand and walked straight to the experimental table in the center, where he saw several strangely shaped muskets and dozens of cone-shaped bullet samples on display.

Song Yingxing carefully picked up one and said, "Your Majesty, please look. This is the latest prototype of a breech-loading gun. It uses a copper cartridge case, contains smokeless powder and a conical bullet, and has a range of up to three hundred paces, with accuracy far exceeding that of existing flintlock muskets."

Zhu Youjian held it in his hand and felt its weight. He tried to pull the lever, which made a crisp click.

"How is the loading speed?"

"A skilled marksman can fire eight to ten rounds per minute, three times that of existing muskets. However, the manufacturing process for the copper casing is not yet perfect, resulting in higher costs."

"very good."

Zhu Youjian placed the musket back on the table and nodded, saying, "If this gun can be mass-produced, the military strength of our Ming Dynasty will be unparalleled in the world."

Song Yingxing's face lit up with joy: "It is entirely thanks to Your Majesty's guidance that we have been able to make a breakthrough!"

Zhu Youjian suddenly changed the subject: "Are there many people involved in these studies?"

After a moment's thought, Song Yingxing replied, "There are over thirty core members in the smokeless gunpowder research and development team. If we include related projects such as nitroglycerin and flintlock musket improvements, the number of participants is about fifty or sixty."

Have any outsiders had access to these technologies?

"Absolutely impossible!"

Song Yingxing answered decisively, continuing, "All researchers have undergone rigorous vetting. The laboratory is guarded day and night by the Imperial Guards; entry and exit must be registered. Technical data is strictly prohibited from being taken out; violators will be treated as traitors."

Zhu Youjian remained noncommittal, slowly making his way through the laboratory. His gaze swept over every face, observing their reactions. Most people simply bowed their heads respectfully, while occasionally someone would steal a glance, their eyes filled with awe.

Song Yingxing was still enthusiastically introducing his new achievements when he noticed something was amiss and asked, "Your Majesty, is something on your mind?"

Zhu Youjian hesitated for a moment, then said, "Minister Song, I have something I want to discuss with you privately."

Song Yingxing immediately bowed: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Zhu Youjian looked around and pointed to a small hut to the side of the laboratory: "Let's go there."

Luo Yangxing immediately stepped forward, entered the small house to check, and after confirming it was safe, withdrew and personally guarded the door.

Zhu Youjian and Song Yingxing entered the room, and the door was immediately closed.

The room was simply furnished with only a table and two chairs.

Zhu Youjian did not sit down, but stood with his hands behind his back by the window, with his back to Song Yingxing.

"Minister Song, I have come today with important matters to discuss with you."

Zhu Youjian's voice was low and serious as he slowly revealed the truth: "The technology of flintlock muskets has been leaked."

"What?"

Song Yingxing gasped in shock, then realized his lapse and quickly lowered his voice, "Your Majesty, this...how is this possible? From the very first day of its establishment, the Academy of Sciences has placed paramount importance on security! Entry and exit are guarded by the Imperial Guards; all technical data is strictly prohibited from being taken out, and not even a single word is allowed to be recorded outside..."

Zhu Youjian turned around, his gaze sharp: "I am naturally aware of your rules, but the fact is, flintlock muskets have appeared in the hands of the Korean rebels, and in considerable numbers. According to Liu Zeqing, these flintlock muskets came from Japan."

Song Yingxing's face turned deathly pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead: "Your Majesty, I dare to guarantee with my life that the Academy of Sciences has absolutely no possibility of leaking secrets! Moreover... the manufacturing process of flintlock muskets is extremely complex, from steel smelting to barrel forging, from flint mechanism to ammunition preparation, each step has a specialist in charge. Most people only master some of the processes, and very few can master the entire process..."

How many people are there?

Song Yingxing calculated with his fingers: "Including myself, there won't be more than ten. These are all my old subordinates who have followed me for many years, loyal and reliable..."

Zhu Youjian walked up to Song Yingxing and looked him directly in the eye: "I believe in you, Minister Song. I have witnessed your dedication to the Ming Dynasty over the years. But the leak did happen, and we must find the source of the loophole."

Song Yingxing bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, I understand. Please instruct me on how to cooperate?"

"Don't make a fuss," Zhu Youjian said in a low voice. "When you get back, secretly investigate the recent movements of these ten people. For example, has anyone suddenly become wealthy, or behaved abnormally?"

Song Yingxing frowned: "Does Your Majesty suspect that someone has been bribed?"

"I am simply not letting any possibility slip by. Remember, this matter must not be publicized. If you discover anything, report it directly to me."

"I obey your decree!"

Song Yingxing solemnly agreed, then hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, if it is truly discovered that someone leaked the secret..."

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes: "Traitors shall have their entire families executed!"

Song Yingxing trembled and lowered his head, remaining silent.

Zhu Youjian's tone softened slightly: "Minister Song, there's no need to worry. I believe the majority of people in the Academy of Sciences are loyal. However… such a vital instrument of the nation must be handled with utmost care!"

"I understand. I will immediately begin the investigation upon my return."

Zhu Youjian nodded: "I'll leave this to you. I'll investigate through other channels."

"As you command!"

Song Yingxing bowed as he answered, feeling his back drenched in cold sweat.

The Academy of Sciences bears significant responsibility for the leak of the flintlock musket's secrets.