Wang Chengen was naturally aware of these things. He also knew that the Ming Dynasty's firearms were much better now, with fewer instances of barrel explosions compared to the old ones. However, these weapons still caused some concern, not only for Wang Chengen but also for some soldiers who used them.
For example, Zhu Yunying's reform of the Shenji Battalion involved replacing some firearms with new ones and discarding others, largely because his mindset was changing.
Considering factors such as the fatigue level of individual firearms, ensuring they wouldn't be destroyed and replaced only after a barrel explosion, many soldiers in the Shenji Battalion felt somewhat reassured. Otherwise, they would have worried about barrel explosions. After all, quite a few soldiers had been killed by explosions, and that was what firearms soldiers feared most.
Zhu Yunying seemed to remember something and asked, "Where are those cannon reports now?"
“Sir, cannons can’t be loaded onto the ship.” Wang Chengen immediately understood and said to Zhu Yunying, “A few days ago, the shipyard sent a report that after firing a few shots, the ship’s keel was damaged and it can’t withstand strong winds and waves.”
Zhu Yunying also felt somewhat frustrated, as the artillery was being upgraded. The Ming Dynasty now possessed many large-caliber bronze cannons for defending the city.
However, it falls short when it comes to field artillery and siege artillery. Modern cannons are generally quite large, making them inconvenient to transport at this time. It's also not very practical to use high-powered artillery to conquer large areas of territory.
As for Zhu Yunying's desire to mount cannons on ships, that was certainly possible. However, the cannons currently on ships generally had relatively small calibers. Most importantly, the cannons currently fired were generally solid shot.
The direction of continued research and development naturally involves improving the durability of artillery, including the improvement of shells, and further enhancing the power of the shells. This is the kind of firearms that Zhu Yunying is looking forward to.
Once development reaches that level, Zhu Yunying can proudly 'sweep across' the land. At that time, his vision might not only extend beyond taking back some areas of the Western Regions, nor just driving nomadic tribes further north, but also bring many places in Southeast Asia under his control.
"Perhaps after a while, I can consider setting up a few outposts." Zhu Yunying said lazily, looking at the world map he had drawn. "Although it's not accurate, it has a general shape. I need to find a way to organize an ocean voyage. Let's forget about a round-the-world trip."
There's no need to talk about a round-the-world trip, and there doesn't seem to be any need to incorporate Australia into the territory right now. The Ming Dynasty's current territory is large enough, and its population isn't particularly large, so there's no need to immediately incorporate Australia into the territory, etc.
However, ocean voyages are necessary, and crops such as corn, potatoes, or peppers also need continuous improvement.
Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean occurred around the same time in history, with Zhu Yunying's voyages taking place only a decade or two earlier. Without the internal strife caused by the Jingnan Rebellion, the Ming Dynasty would have been stronger.
The voyages to the Western Ocean were no longer about promoting national prestige or searching for the Jianwen Emperor; Zhu Yunying was a more pragmatic person. What he wanted was to understand the ins and outs of Southeast Asia, bring more good things to the Ming Dynasty, or perhaps even try to discover a 'new continent' and bring back some valuable items.
As a visionary, Joo Yoon-young sometimes felt quite tired, probably because he had such a long-term vision and always wanted to do things in a comprehensive way.
After finishing his official duties for the day, Zhu Yunying returned to the Eastern Palace, intending to rest for a while.
Lian Qiongqiong felt a sense of warmth because her husband had come over and was playing with her daughter.
Little Zhu Ruyi lay on Zhu Yunying's chest, the chubby little one supporting Zhu Yunying's face with both hands, drooling uncontrollably.
Seeing her adorable daughter, Joo Yoon-young couldn't help but laugh. "They say that if you kiss a child too much, they'll drool. I haven't kissed them that many times, so why do they drool so much?"
Lian Qiongqiong smiled and said to Zhu Yunying, "His Highness the Crown Prince also loves to tease Ruyi. Whenever His Highness the Crown Prince comes over, he will definitely hug Ruyi and kiss her."
Zhu Yunying couldn't resist giving Zhu Ruyi's chubby cheek a big kiss, and said proudly, "That's right, my princess is so cute, I can't help but want to kiss her. Ruyi, call me father?"
Zhu Ruyi laughed in her childish voice, then nestled her little head against Zhu Yunying's chest. This made Zhu Yunying even happier; sons and daughters are sometimes different, and little Zhu didn't receive as much affectionate attention when she was younger.
Speak of the devil, and he appears! Little Zhu came running over in a flurry. Upon seeing his father holding his younger sister, Little Zhu paused for a moment, then immediately showed a slight displeasure, which is typical of a child.
Little Zhu, who dawdled over, had almost no hidden thoughts, or rather, his thoughts were simply too obvious to be concealed from the adults' eyes; they were completely seen through.
"Let me hug you too, okay?" Zhu Yunying picked up little Zhu and said with a smile, "You are our eldest son, the son we value most. Ruyi is your sister, and also your father's eldest daughter, so she should be hugged as well."
Little Zhu was immediately happy, but still bargained, "If you hold your sister, you have to hold Yin'er too."
Children are like that; they may not need their parents to hold them, but they absolutely don't like their parents holding other children. Sometimes, even younger siblings won't do; they'll get upset and jealous.
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