Chapter 156 Firearms Testing
"Bang!"
The sky collapsed and the earth cracked, dust rose everywhere.
Hidden deep in the mountains, a dangerous and mysterious firearms battalion is stationed.
Today is the day of the latest batch of firearms tests, and Yinzhen brought his fourteenth son, Yunzhen, to visit.
"This is the latest improved rocket launcher, with a more stable overall structure, easier movement, and a longer range..."
"Whoosh—Bang!"
"These are improved multi-launch rockets, suitable for group operations and siege warfare. They have a high rate of fire and a wide kill radius..."
"This is the latest repeating musket, capable of firing 28 shots in a row. It has a small caliber, a high rate of fire, high single-target damage, and is easy to carry..."
...
Dai Zi stood beside the two men, and with each firearm that came out, he enthusiastically and proactively introduced its uses and advantages to them, his tone full of pride.
Looking at the dust-filled testing ground, Yinzhen nodded repeatedly, very satisfied with Dai Zi's results. Yunzhen, standing nearby, was even more eager, impatient to try it himself.
Sure enough, as soon as the firearms test ended, Yunzhen couldn't wait to speak up: "After all this talk, why don't you let me try it out?"
"This..." Dai Zi looked at the Emperor, somewhat embarrassed. After all, no matter how confident he was in his work, firearms still had the potential to explode. Even though the chance had been reduced to one percent, he dared not let a prince take the risk.
"It's alright, let Yunzhen give it a try."
Yinzhen waved his hand. Given the Fourteenth Prince's temperament, he would definitely not give up if he couldn't get his hands on the task today. He might as well let him go. He could bear this risk.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yunzhen clasped his hands in thanks and walked down from the stands with great excitement. He took a delicate musket from the tester and weighed it in his hand. It was indeed much lighter than the ones he had collected before.
Standing at the shooting range, Yunzhen's eyes sharpened. He raised his gun and aimed at the target fifty meters away, firing three shots in quick succession, each hitting the bullseye. Still feeling unsatisfied after finishing, Yunzhen raised his gun again and continued firing until the target was shattered into pieces before finally stopping.
"How are you feeling?" Yinzhen walked over to Yunzhen's side.
Yunzhen turned his head, his smile bright and cheerful, "Great gun! Fast rate of fire, smooth continuous fire, and low recoil. If the army could be equipped with muskets like this..."
"You really dare to think that way."
"Does Your Majesty not mean that?"
Faced with Yunzhen's question, Yinzhen raised an eyebrow in noncommittal manner and turned to Dai Zi to inquire, "What is the current production status of various firearms?"
"Your Majesty, both muskets and cannons require extremely high precision in their manufacturing process, and current production volumes are not high. However, with improvements in the manufacturing process and the training of skilled personnel, overall production efficiency has significantly improved. The current stockpile at the testing grounds is sufficient to arm a force of ten thousand men."
"Good!" Yinzhen smiled with satisfaction, finally his continuous efforts had not been in vain. All the troubles stemmed from insufficient firepower; with ample firepower support, how could he not achieve his goal?
"Isn't this perfect? My firearms battalion should be fully equipped with the latest firearms!" Yunzhen was eager to get started and immediately jumped out to ask for weapons for his troops. Although the firearms battalion was originally established to protect the testing grounds, it didn't actually possess many firearms.
"Firearms are not so easy to obtain; once you get them, you must be able to use them and know how to use them."
"Brother, don't underestimate me. In the past few years, under my leadership, the artillery battalion has made all the necessary preparations except for a lack of firearms. As soon as we get the firearms, we'll be on the battlefield, and we'll take down the Dzungar Khanate!"
Yunzhen patted his chest and assured that Yinzhen would allocate the firearms to them on the spot. After all, once they left this testing ground, there were many people outside vying for them, and just one leader was enough to give him a headache.
"That's ambitious." Yinzhen smiled and patted Yunzhen on the shoulder, promising, "I'll allocate a portion of the firearms battalion first. Fourteenth Brother, you lead your men in training them well, and I will personally inspect their training results afterwards. If there are no problems, this batch of firearms will all be allocated to you!"
"It's a deal! Your Majesty, just wait and see, I won't let you down!"
When Yinzhen secretly returned to the palace in ordinary clothes, the smile on his face had not yet faded.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Su Peisheng noticed that the Emperor was in a good mood, so he seized the opportunity to report the follow-up of the plot to harm Consort Hui's unborn child.
"After Her Majesty the Empress investigated the matter, all the accomplices involved were beaten to death, and the matter was announced to everyone in the palace."
"Hmm." Yinzhen nodded, not commenting much on Yixiu's actions, but the smile on his face eventually faded.
Not wanting the Emperor to continue thinking about these unpleasant things, Su Peisheng's eyes darted around, and he ordered someone to bring in a food box. He carefully reported, "Your Majesty, this was sent by Consort Tongjia. She said it's pastries made with flowers by people in her palace. Although they're not exactly delicacies, they're quite rustic, and I specially sent them to Your Majesty to try."
Yinzhen raised an eyebrow, gesturing for Su Peisheng to open it. Looking at the plate of delicate pink peach blossom-shaped pastries that exuded a floral fragrance, Yinzhen smiled faintly, "The Noble Consort is very thoughtful."
"Yes, the Noble Consort misses the Emperor dearly and always wants him to try any good things she has."
"How much bribe did you receive?"
"I'm innocent! How could I possibly accept any benefits? I was just happy for the Emperor because I saw that the Noble Consort was always thinking of him."
Su Peisheng sensed no blame in Yinzhen's words and explained with a smile. He wasn't actually speaking favorably of Consort Tongjia; she had always been very kind to the Emperor before his ascension, and even after his ascension, she would frequently send gifts to inquire about his health, always avoiding interference in palace affairs as an elder to avoid suspicion. In Su Peisheng's view, she was indeed a good elder, much better than the Emperor's birth mother, Lady Uya.
Yinzhen remained noncommittal, smiled faintly, and suddenly changed the subject: "I remember, the Empress's birthday is coming up soon, isn't it?"
For some reason, the Emperor's thoughts were jumping around so quickly. But Su Peisheng immediately replied, "Your Majesty, yes, the seventeenth of this month is the Empress's birthday."
"We've been in mourning period, so we haven't had a big celebration for the Empress's birthday. This time, let's have a proper celebration, mainly the family banquet tonight, to properly celebrate for the Empress. Su Peisheng, I'm leaving it to you."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
When Su Peisheng arrived at the Imperial Household Department to deliver the imperial decree, everyone in the palace knew that the Emperor was going to hold a grand birthday banquet for the Empress, and many people felt envious. Yixiu, who had experienced several setbacks due to mismanagement, also breathed a sigh of relief; the Emperor was willing to hold a birthday banquet for her. Whatever his motives, at least he hadn't developed any resentment towards her.
Meanwhile, some people with ulterior motives were also trying to use this banquet to achieve their own goals.
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