Killing prisoners is unlucky.

Although there was an idea of ​​killing someone, no one would say it out loud.

Among these 300,000 captured Annan soldiers, most of them were actually ordinary Annan people, most of whom were young and strong.

The actual number of combat troops was no more than 30,000 to 40,000.

In fact, soldiers are very easy to distinguish from ordinary people and can be recognized at a glance.

The common people, as the lowest class in society, are all pale and thin, with few weapons on them, and their weapons are also tattered.

Most of the soldiers are relatively strong, and the clothes they wear have very obvious differences.

"It depends on how the soldiers are dealt with. We still have to report to His Majesty. If we deal with it privately, it will definitely lead to disaster."

"As for the resettlement of those people, I think we can first dismiss some of them and resettle them in the back."

"As long as we control the gateway to Duobang City, Liang and his men won't dare to go there again."

Puding Marquis Chen Huan suggested.

Ye Sheng nodded: "That's fine. Most of these people were conscripted to serve in the army. I took a look around the camp earlier and didn't see any resistance. They were very obedient."

"I have people interrogating those soldiers. Some of them are Annan's imperial guards, and most of the others are local soldiers. Some of the troublemakers will be dealt with first, and the others can serve as vanguard forces."

"What I didn't expect was that Annan's firearms seemed to have many advantages. In some ways, they seemed to be even better than ours."

Because Zhu Ying attached great importance to the development of firearms, most generals now also have a good understanding of this aspect.

These are the guys they are fighting with, so naturally they should be more clear about it.

Ye Sheng keenly discovered that many of the firearms in Duobang City were transferred from the capital of Annan.

The biggest difference between these firearms and the Ming Dynasty firearms lies in the ratio of gunpowder. Obviously, the ratio of Ming Dynasty gunpowder has been constantly tested and adjusted and is much more advanced.

Among them, the range is the most critical. The Ming Dynasty’s range is obviously longer than that of Annan.

In fact, in the historical war in which Zhu Di arranged for Zhang Fu to conquer Annan, it was shown that at that time, Annan's firearms were superior to those of the Ming army.

Moreover, many of Zhang Fu's soldiers were killed or wounded by Annan's firearms.

However, the overall quality was still higher on the Ming side, and coupled with strategic planning in all aspects, Zhang Fu was able to pacify Annan three times.

The development of Annan's firearms had already been introduced to Annan during the Song Dynasty, and because the Mongols invaded Annan three times, the firearms seized from the Mongol army by Annan were relatively advanced.

Moreover, for Annan, muskets are more suitable for combat in regions like Annan, and their advantages are very obvious, so more attention is paid to them.

When the Mongols destroyed the Song Dynasty, many Song people fled to Annan. There was no shortage of firearms technical talents here, and they made a lot of contributions to the development of firearms in Annan.

Ye Sheng soon noticed a problem.

Given how much importance His Royal Highness the Crown Prince attaches to firearms, it would be great if I could investigate the talents in the development of firearms in Annan and send them to the capital.

Isn't this another achievement on top of the achievement of conquering Annan?

Do it when you think of it.

Ye Sheng immediately called his adjutant and said, "Go and investigate where the Annan soldiers are being held. Find out who in the capital of Annan specializes in firearms."

"Interrogate him carefully, don't leave anything out. It's best to ask for his name and address."

"If anyone knows this, they will be rewarded with a full meal. If anyone knows this but does not tell anyone, they will be punished and interrogated thoroughly."

Upon hearing the Marquis's arrangement, the adjutant immediately clasped his fists and bowed, saying, "I will obey your orders."

Ye Sheng thought for a moment and said, "This should be done in secret, don't make too much noise."

He wants to take one more step.

As a marquis, who wouldn't want to be granted the title of duke?

As Lan Yu's relative, Ye Sheng's status is already very close to the top circle. Although he is a founding hero, his achievements are not dazzling.

Everyone can see the current situation in the Ming Dynasty very clearly. From now on, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will definitely have the final say.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has a very straightforward personality, and if one wants to please him, firearms are an indispensable aspect.

As long as he can gain the attention of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, it is not impossible to be granted the title of Duke.

Ye Sheng is already quite old, and his body is still relatively strong. However, it is possible that he may not be able to work for another ten or eight years.

An opportunity like this one to attack Annan only comes once in a blue moon, and we must seize it well.

In comparison, Chen Huan, Marquis Puding, was much inferior, both in status and in connections.

In Marquis Yu's circle, Marquis Puding Chen Huan was just average.

Of course, this level is also because there are too many outstanding generals in the Ming Dynasty today, which leads to the fact that Chen Huan, Marquis Puding, cannot be ranked in the top circle.

Having said that, none of those who were implicated and executed because of the Lan Yu case were simple people.

Chen Huan, Marquis of Puding, was one of them.

The army can only be temporarily placed in Dobang City.

Afterwards, Ye Sheng's adjutant immediately interrogated the Annan prisoners and asked them about Annan's talent for firearms.

Among these captives, there were many imperial guards who held high positions in the capital of Annan.

But now he has become a prisoner and can only survive by drinking some thin porridge every day.

When they heard that there was a chance to have a full meal, they immediately rushed forward to tell everyone what they knew.

Others may not be clear about this, but the leaders of the Annan Imperial Guards know very well that Annan no longer has the ability to fight against the Ming Dynasty.

The fall of the entire Annan is only a matter of time.

The current trouble in Duobang City is only temporary. Once the problem here is solved, what else can Prime Minister Hu use to resist the Ming army?

Take the elephant soldiers for example. There were more than a hundred elephant soldiers under the control of the Ming Dynasty.

Although the shortcomings of elephant soldiers are quite obvious, it is undeniable that they are an absolutely powerful type of soldier in areas like Annan.

Soon, a list of Annan firearms talents came out.

Ye Sheng took a look at the list and was shocked.

"I didn't expect that Annan really paid so much attention to the development of firearms, and there are so many craftsmen specializing in firearms."

"Considering that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty attaches so much importance to firearms, the tribute of these talents will naturally be a great contribution."

"The key is to let His Royal Highness know me."

Ye Sheng had his own plans in mind and was determined to find a way to recruit all these talents.

This issue must be taken seriously when we attack Thang Long, the eastern capital of Annan in the future.

There are dozens of people on the list, all of whom are considered the best among Annan firearms craftsmen.

The first one in the list is named Hu Yuancheng.

He has the same surname as Hu Jima, and is said to be a relative.

There are some others, including Deng Ming, Chen Jixuan, Li Cheng and so on.

In fact, in history, these talents were transferred to the capital of the Ming Dynasty by Zhang Fu for development.

He made great contributions to the establishment of Zhu Di's Shenjinying.

Emperor Yongle Zhu Di also discovered during the war in Annan that the firearms there were more mature.

Therefore, we pay more attention to talents in this area.

Some things are changing because of Zhu Ying, but the collection of firearms talents has not changed.

And it was the time when Annan captured the city of Dobang.

Zhu Ying’s first son was finally about to be born.

…

Ming Dynasty, Kunning Palace.

Ye Yueqing, who has been pregnant for ten months, is due to give birth today.

The palace maids, eunuchs, and female doctors inside and outside the palace have all gathered together.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also waiting anxiously at the door.

Because the imperial physician had previously concluded that there was a very high chance that Ye Yueqing would give birth to a boy this time.

Although Chinese medicine does not have professional means in this regard, experienced obstetricians and gynecologists will also have their own grasp of this point.

Not just one imperial physician, but most of them concluded that the possibility of it being a boy was very high.

The current succession of the Ming Dynasty does not matter much. After all, Zhu Ying is not very old and the inheritance is stable.

But Zhu Yuanzhang still attached great importance to the new heir.

In terms of relationship, if a boy is born now, he will be Zhu Ying's eldest son.

In terms of status, he is the great-grandson of the current Ming Emperor.

The first in line of succession after Zhu Ying.

This was a period that concerned the foundation of the country, and since he was also his great-grandson, Zhu Yuanzhang could not help but pay attention to him.

"It's been so long, and we still haven't given birth."

"This is my second pregnancy, so it should be smoother than before."

"Is it because the midwife inside is not good enough?"

"If anything goes wrong with our great-grandchildren, we'll have their heads!"

It has been almost an hour since Ye Yueqing started to feel abdominal pain, but there is still no reaction.

Zhu Yuanzhang became a little anxious.

Zhu Ying's mentality, on the other hand, is relatively stable.

"Grandpa, a palace maid just came out to report that Yueqing's baby has grown bigger and is still making a fuss."

"It shouldn't be long."

Zhu Ying said soothingly.

The old man's personality is just too hot. Even though he has become a lot gentler these days, he still has a murderous intent.

In the center of the backyard are Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Ying.

Zhu Ying's concubines in the surrounding area were also watching anxiously.

For example, Chen Muyue, Zhao Xiangxi, Princess Xiangzi sent from Japan, and Ananiya sent from Champa.

In the backyard, Ye Yueqing is the Crown Prince's Consort and has the highest status.

All four of them were concubines, so the difference between them was huge.

Because Zhu Ying didn't want to cause a dispute over the succession later, he would not let these four concubines give birth to children before Ye Yueqing gave birth to a boy.

Although there is a difference between legitimate and illegitimate children, if Ye Yueqing cannot give birth to a boy, it will be a big problem in the harem.

Not to mention waiting, Zhu Ying also discussed it with the old man.

If Ye Yueqing fails to give birth to a boy in her third pregnancy, there will be nothing that can be done.

It's hard to say when it comes to having a child. Sometimes you can't give birth to a boy, and it's not uncommon.

In the house.

Ye Yueqing bit the cotton towel tightly. The pain this time was even more intense than when she gave birth to her first child, Zhu Yuting.

"Hold on, madam. Try harder. This time it must be a great-grandson of the emperor. He is very strong. But you will have to bear more."

The palace midwife next to her advised.

The reason why there are such symptoms similar to difficult labor is mainly because the baby in Ye Yueqing's belly is growing well and its weight is not light.

This also added a great burden to Ye Yueqing's production.

Hearing that it was a boy, Ye Yueqing immediately gained more strength. She knew very well that as the Crown Prince's wife, she needed to give birth to a boy as the future heir to the Ming Dynasty.

This is no longer a simple matter of giving birth to a child, but it concerns the future of the entire Ming Dynasty.

The selection of the emperor is probably based on the system of primogeniture, including the current Zhu Ying, which is basically the same.

Once there is a lack of successors, it is very likely that illegitimate children will replace the legitimate children.

Among Zhu Ying's concubines, except Ye Yueqing, the other ones are not Han people, but come from four countries.

So at this point, political purpose is very crucial.

This is also the reason why Zhu Ying rarely slept with the other four concubines before Ye Yueqing gave birth to a boy.

Even before going to bed, eunuchs would record one's menstruation to avoid the possibility of pregnancy.

And there are some contraceptive drugs to take.

To exaggerate a little, even if the other four concubines became pregnant due to various unexpected factors, there is a high probability that the pregnancies would be forcibly aborted.

In fact, in addition to Kunning Palace, there is another woman outside, Xu Miaojin, who is also very concerned about Ye Yueqing's childbirth.

"Big sister, do you think the Crown Princess will be able to give birth to a son this time?"

"If I still can't give birth this time, according to His Majesty and His Royal Highness, it will be the third child. In this case, I will have to wait for another two years."

There was a hint of worry and nervousness in Xu Miaojin's tone.

Because of Ye Yueqing, Zhu Ying never took another concubine after his four concubines.

Also waiting for Ye Yueqing to give birth to a son.

Xu Miaojin has reached the age to get married, and logically she should be married now.

But everyone knows about the relationship between Zhu Ying and Xu Miaojin before she entered the palace.

Even if there is no movement in the palace now, who would want to act as a matchmaker for a woman who is related to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?

Are you afraid that the grass on your grave won't grow tall enough?

Even here in the Xu Mansion, no one talked about Xu Miaojin's marriage, and everyone basically tacitly agreed that Xu Miaojin would enter the palace.

To put it bluntly, even if Zhu Ying never mentioned it later, Xu Miaojin could only wait there pure and innocent.

"Don't worry, it will definitely be a boy. I heard from Concubine Ning earlier that the imperial doctors in the palace have confirmed that it will definitely be a boy this time."

Xu Yihua looked at his younger sister, sighed inwardly, and said comfortingly.

She knew in her heart that even if Ye Yueqing gave birth to a boy, she would not necessarily take her younger sister as a concubine.

No one can explain this clearly.

Hearing this, Xu Miaojin finally breathed a sigh of relief.