The First Prince of the Ming Dynasty

"Boom! Boom!"

Two cannon shots rang out in quick succession.

The area spanning several dozen feet in radius where the cannon fire came from was filled with smoke and dust. In addition to the many scarecrows set up as targets, some live birds and beasts were also added.

The range was nearly a mile, and after those two shots, there was practically no living thing left in the target area.

The mother-and-child cannon, after being modified by Zhu Yi, was much more powerful, with significant improvements in both range and lethality compared to the traditional breech-loading cannon.

This was also thanks to the assistance of a group of skilled cannon-making craftsmen.

This group of people was brought in by Qian Ning to put out the fire. In terms of cannon-making ability and hard work, they were impeccable.

In order to protect himself, Qian Ning spared no expense and also brought in the best craftsmen and personnel.

This also saves Zhu Yi trouble.

If he wants to modify firearms in the future, this group of people will be his guarantee of confidence.

"Excellent! Very good!"

Zhu Houzhao watched the cannon demonstration through binoculars, and when he discovered the cannon's extraordinary power, he couldn't help but cheer with satisfaction.

Qian Ning was stunned when he saw this.

He hadn't expected that the breech-loading cannon was so powerful that it could cause area damage, and that after changing the magazine, the second shot was ready.

They were just waiting for the messenger's order to fire the second shot.

Zhong Ning, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, came over to ask, "Commander, should we issue more?"

Qian Ning quickly went over and said, "Father, look at these two cannons. They've already fired one shot each, and they're already so powerful. Because the reloading is quick, the second shot is ready and can be fired at any time! Shall we fire another shot?"

Zhu Houzhao asked with delight, "How many fireballs can one cannon prepare?"

Qian Ning said, "It can probably carry... six or seven rounds."

Zhu Houzhao said, "That means ten cannons can fire sixty or seventy shells at a high speed... That's excellent! Just these ten cannons can effectively suppress the Tartars. Qian Ning, you were very reliable before; I thought you hadn't done a good job!"

"Hehe, thank you for your praise, Father."

Qian Ning felt extremely ashamed.

They allocated me money to build cannons, but I didn't build a single one.

If it weren't for Tang Yin saving me this time, I might have become the culprit! Our Emperor is usually quite fair in rewarding and punishing.

Did I do a good job?

It was pure luck.

Zhu Houzhao said, "There's no need to fire any more cannons. Save some fireballs for use on the battlefield. Qian Ning, if we win this battle, I will reward you handsomely when we return."

"Thank you, Father Emperor." Qian Ning made a gesture of deep gratitude, bowing and devoting himself to the cause until his dying breath.

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and said, "First, install these two cannons and then come with me. Tang Yin and Zaiyi will also come with me."

"This... won't work."

Upon hearing this, Qian Ning thought to himself, "If they leave, who will build me cannons?"

Zhu Houzhao frowned and asked, "What do you mean by this?"

Qian Ning smiled and said, "Father, it is like this. Your son hopes to travel north with Mr. Tang and the young prince so that I can hear their teachings. Your son also has matters of military administration that I want to discuss with them."

Flattery will get you everywhere.

However, he was always flattering Tang Yin and Zhu Yi.

Although Zhu Houzhao found it strange, he didn't say anything and nodded, saying, "Alright, you must catch up within two days and get the troops ready. You also need to transfer a batch of grain from Yongping Prefecture; fighting without grain can easily lead to trouble."

Qian Ning asked curiously, "Isn't it just preparing for the Battle of Malang Valley?"

The implication is that if we're only going to fight an ambush, why bother with so much food and supplies?

Zhu Houzhao angrily retorted, "Who said we'd only fight one battle at Malangu? If the timing is right, I'm even planning to launch a preemptive strike! Shouldn't we press our advantage and pursue them?"

Qian Ning felt utterly miserable upon hearing this.

You want me to go and find supplies for you just because you're pressing your advantage? Don't you know that in the eyes of local officials, I'm no different from a jackal or a ferocious beast? Do you think they'd willingly allocate grain from their granaries to me?

Stop dreaming!

"Your subject will do his best to handle it." Qian Ning could only reluctantly agree.

He felt a little relieved, because Tang Yin and that young prince were still there.

They seem to have a better solution!

……

……

Zhu Houzhao took two cannons and ordered a vanguard to set off first to the Jizhou Town garrison.

Qian Ning looked miserable; he was still trying to figure out where to get some grain.

"Governor Qian, what brings you here?"

Zhang Zhong looked very nervous and walked over to ask, "Has His Majesty not dealt with the matter properly?"

Qian Ning frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Zhang Zhong stammered, "To be honest, His Majesty once ordered the construction of breech-loading cannons, and I even offered my help. But in the end... not a single cannon was ever built. I really admire Governor Qian; he conjured up two cannons out of thin air. But His Majesty isn't so easily fooled."

"Wow, you're something else..."

Upon hearing this, Qian Ning instantly became angry.

He was still thinking, "I couldn't find anyone to take the blame, and you, Zhang Zhong, have voluntarily come forward and turn yourself in?"

So it was because you didn't build the breech-loading cannon that I've been so worried lately.

Zhang Zhong quickly said, "Governor Qian, please don't be angry. At worst, you can just return the money you took to build the cannons."

Qian Ning gritted his teeth and said, "Is this something that can be solved by simply spitting out the silver? This concerns the fate of the Ming Dynasty. If I hadn't sourced wrought iron from various places and recruited skilled craftsmen, how could I have assembled a team so quickly and built the breech-loading cannon?"

Zhang Zhongdao said, "So, Governor Qian, you still have guts. The Ming Dynasty can't do without you, no matter who else it may lose."

"Shut your jinxed mouth!" Qian Ning roared. "Ten thousand taels of silver, not a single penny less!"

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhong thought to himself, "Are you trying to extort me?"

I don't admit that this matter has anything to do with me. Don't you even know the whole story?

However, he quickly dismissed the idea, because Qian Ning was in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard after all. Once the matter was over, Qian Ning could easily find out who was corrupt and lawless behind it all!

If they investigate after a defeat, Zhang Zhong will be implicated and blamed.

Qian Ning remarked with emotion, "Fortunately, I had the help of a master."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhong breathed a slight sigh of relief and said, "So that means all ten cannons are finished?"

"Not yet, we just built these two doors on short notice," Qian Ning said casually.

Zhang Zhong said anxiously, "What should we do? His Majesty has already set off, and we only have a few days left. If we arrive at Malan Valley without having produced these ten cannons, how will we explain ourselves to His Majesty?"

Qian Ning said angrily, "You're starting to get nervous now? Luckily, we have Mr. Tang here to help! The workshop is working day and night, and we estimate that we can finish the remaining eight cannons in another two days."

"No wonder..."

"What are you trying to say now?" Qian Ning asked coldly.

Zhang Zhong said with a forced smile, "No wonder you didn't let that Tang Gaoren and the young prince travel with His Majesty. I thought you were afraid they... would try to curry favor with His Majesty and make you... hehe."

Qian Ning said, "You despicable person, your mind is full of such filthy thoughts! Do you think I'm that kind of person? I'm only doing this to ensure His Majesty's first campaign is a victory! Do you know how much effort I've put in? And I have to clean up your messes! Do you think it's easy for me?"

Suddenly, Zhang Zhong remembered something and asked curiously, "Why did Tang Yin know how to build the breech-loading cannon?"

Without a second thought, Qian Ning retorted, "Why wouldn't he build it? He can see the future; he can even build new firearms. Building a breech-loading cannon would be a piece of cake for him."

"Well... Governor Qian, there's something I want to say, but I'm not sure if I should," Zhang Zhong said, looking quite troubled.

"explain!"

"It's like this. The Eastern Depot previously sent people to investigate, and they said that Prince Ning had sent people to the Fujian and Guangdong areas to procure Portuguese cannons. Do you think that might be..."

Zhang Zhong did not draw a conclusion, but only offered a guess.

Qian Ning frowned and said, "Is that so? Why didn't you say so sooner?"

Zhang Zhongdao said, "Now that His Majesty has adopted the young prince of the Ning family as his heir, who would dare to say anything? But if such a thing really happens, wouldn't we be... raising a tiger to cause trouble?"

Qian Ning angrily retorted, "Shut up! I know about this! I will arrange for someone to investigate secretly when the time is right. Don't maliciously slander His Highness and Mr. Tang; they are His Majesty's greatest guarantee for winning this battle!"