Scumbag God, I can see the entry of desire.

Li Zhi changed the subject, his tone adding weight to his words: "Secondly, I have granted you permission to see me without formalities, to wear a sword when entering the court, and to discuss matters in the palace without following conventional etiquette. This is the dignity you have earned with your courage and insight."

When these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was shocked.

Meeting the emperor without bowing and entering the court wearing a sword is a rare honor for princes, which shows Li Zhi's trust in Lin Lang.

Just as Lin Lang was about to express his gratitude, Li Zhi raised his hand to stop him. His gaze was blazing as he spoke, "The third and most important one is that I grant you the authority to manage the taxes of the three northwestern border states for three years."

"You can use this money to provide relief to the people of Tingzhou. As for matters that benefit the people's livelihood and the security of the border, I allow you to make your own decisions without having to submit a petition for every matter."

Changsun Wuji was shocked after hearing this. The three states had independent control over their taxes, which was a trust that was almost like dividing the land.

Cheng Yaojin wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and thought: What kind of love potion has the King of Shanghai given to His Majesty?

Lin Lang politely declined, "No, no, no. Please, my Royal Brother, take back the taxation authority over the three northwestern border states. What I want is not fame or profit."

"I know you care about the people. These taxes from the three states are to allow you to free yourself up and do more practical things."

Lin Lang bowed and said, "I appreciate your kindness, brother. I will assume the control of the taxes of the three states for three years. I hope you will revoke your order."

Li Zhi saw the determination in Lin Lang's eyes, glanced at the expressions of the ministers in the hall, and laughed loudly, "Okay! Since my dear brother says so, I will not force you."

"My dear brother, you have assumed military authority over the three northwestern border states. You have access to military documents at any time. In the event of an emergency on the border, you have the authority to dispatch troops directly to defend against the enemy without prior notification. Regarding the dispatch of grain and fodder to Tingzhou, Luntai, and Yiwu, if you deem it beneficial to the border defense and the people's livelihood, you may directly issue dispatch orders. The officials of the various states shall not shirk their responsibilities."

"Thank you, my royal brother, for your trust and kindness! I will definitely live up to your trust!"

This reward not only brings honor and dignity, but also gives the power to carry out actual actions. It is definitely the most appropriate reward Li Zhi can give to his brother Lin Lang.

The atmosphere in the palace became lively again, and the ministers came forward one after another to bow and congratulate Lin Lang: "Congratulations to the Emperor! Congratulations to the Emperor!"

"With the general in charge of the northwest, the Tang Dynasty no longer has to worry about the border. This is truly a blessing for the country!"

The previous tension caused by military power and taxation had long been replaced by the relief of eliminating border threats, and everyone had a smile of relief on their face.

At this moment, the Minister of Works, Yan Lide, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty! I have something to report—the Ministry of Works and the Supervisor of the Imperial Household have successfully built the first cannon according to the cannon design presented by the Emperor, and even the accompanying ammunition is ready!"

Li Zhi's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he was delighted. "Oh? The cannon has been made?"

"Great! The Imperial Kitchen is currently preparing a celebration banquet for my brother. My dear ministers, how about following me to the Imperial Guards' training grounds to witness the power of these artillery pieces?"

"Okay, okay!" Cheng Yaojin was the first to respond, slapping his thigh gruffly. "I heard the Emperor of Shanghai say this cannon is very powerful. I've been wanting to see it for a long time!"

Su Lie also said with anticipation: "I also want to see the power of the artillery with my own eyes, to see if this thing is really as unstoppable as the emperor said."

The ministers were unwilling to miss this novelty and echoed: "Your Majesty, you are absolutely right! We also want to see the artillery in action!"

"It's such a blessing to be able to witness such a powerful weapon with my own eyes!" Changsun Wuji was also very much looking forward to it.

For a moment, the excitement in the hall was even greater than the celebration just now, and everyone was looking forward to this new type of weapon that they had never seen before.

Lin Lang looked at the eager expressions of the crowd, and a confident smile appeared on the corner of his lips: "Then don't delay, brother, let's go!"

"Haha, let's go!" Li Zhi laughed loudly, holding Lin Lang's hand and taking the lead to step out of the hall.

The ministers followed closely behind him, preparing their carriages and heading for the Yulin Military Training Ground in the north of the city. Who wouldn't want to see with their own eyes what kind of power this artillery that made the emperor so confident had?

A team of guards on horseback led the way ahead. Li Zhi lightly tapped the handrail of the electric tricycle. The sound of the wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs startled the crows returning from under the eaves.

Lin Lang followed Li Zhi on an electric bicycle. The clicking of the wheel chain, the copper bells of the sedan chair behind him, and the iron treads of the horses' hooves intertwined into a strange rhythm.

The iron armor of the imperial guards reflected the red light of the lanterns, like a red torrent flooding across Suzaku Street.

When they reached the Yulin Army training ground in the north of the city, torches suddenly lit up in front of the gate.

The Imperial Guards general abandoned his horse and hurried forward. The beast heads on his black armor swallowed their mouths, looking terrifying in the firelight. "Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you! Long live the Emperor!"

The soldiers on the training ground fell to the ground with a thud, and the sound of armor clashing raised a cloud of dust.

"Stand up." After parking the electric tricycle, Li Zhi couldn't wait to walk towards the artillery carriage that was shining coldly in the moonlight.

The Supervisor of the Imperial Household came forward, holding an octagonal palace lantern. "Your Majesty, please look! This is the Heaven-shaking Thunder Cannon, cast according to the Emperor's blueprint!"

Li Zhi took out a solar flashlight from his sleeve, and the white beam of light pierced the night and flowed on the cloud pattern engraved on the cannon body.

"What a black iron thing! It looks so majestic." Li Zhi's fingertips stroked the cold rifling of the gun barrel, and his beam of light suddenly turned to the ammunition pile. The cast iron explosive bombs glowed blue-gray in the halo.

Lin Lang stepped forward and introduced, "Brother, this cannon has a barrel nine feet three inches long, a wall three inches thick, and weighs a thousand pounds. The wheels are one foot four inches long, each with eighteen spokes. It can hold ten pounds of black gunpowder, and the projectile is coated with cast iron fragments. When fired at a 45-degree elevation angle, the range is two miles, and the maximum range can reach nearly three miles."

After hearing this, Li Zhi touched the barrel of the cannon and said with a smile, "Good, very good!"

All the ministers came forward, their eyes fixed on the dark artillery carriage, and they all stared in amazement.

Cheng Yaojin rushed forward with big strides and slapped the gun barrel twice with his rough palms. The iron thing made a dull "clang" sound, which made his palms numb.

"Wow! This piece of iron looks much more impressive than a crossbow!" He circled the artillery carriage three times, pointing at the dark muzzle and exclaiming in amazement. "I just wonder if the shells it fires will be more powerful than a catapult?"

Minister of War Ren Yaxiang exclaimed in admiration, "The wheels of this sports car are so solidly made, with eighteen spokes, they don't even wobble even on mountain roads!"

Su Lie also came over, picked up a cannonball, and weighed it, his eyes filled with amazement. "I've only heard the Emperor mention the word 'cannon' before, but I never imagined it would look like this. Just looking at this three-inch-thick barrel, I know it must be fired with the force of thunder. Ordinary city walls wouldn't be able to withstand it."

Although Changsun Wuji did not go forward to touch it, he squinted his eyes and looked at it carefully, from the gun barrel to the wheels, and even carefully examined the cast iron projectiles in the ammunition pile.

He stroked his beard, his voice filled with disbelief, "A nine-foot, three-inch cannon barrel with a range of three miles? If it were mounted on a city wall, the enemy would be routed before they could even attack. It's truly a powerful weapon for defending a city!"

The Minister of the Central Secretariat Cui Dunli exclaimed, "If this cannon really has this much power, wouldn't it be even more powerful in attacking cities?"

Imperial Censor Cui Yixuan said with an exaggerated expression, "Can this black iron thing really hit three miles away? Such a powerful weapon is simply unheard of!"

Yuan Gongyu, the Imperial Censor, exclaimed in admiration: "Shanghai is truly a country of military craftsmen with ingenious ideas. They can even come up with such an object!"

Other civil officials and military generals also gathered around and started discussing the matter one after another.

Li Zhi, moved by the excitement, shouted, "All talk and no action! Load and test-fire immediately! Aim for the city wall at the northwest corner of the parade grounds, and let you all witness the power of the cannon!"

The Supervisor of the Imperial Household nodded in agreement and excitedly called the gunners, signaling the soldiers to get ready.

Two strong soldiers set up the cannon, and the copper wheels plowed two deep grooves in the ground.

When the loader filled the gunpowder and cast iron bullets into the barrel in turn, compacted them with a tamping rod, and finally inserted the fuse, all the ministers subconsciously took two steps back, not even daring to breathe.

Lin Lang warned, "Brother, please retreat to a safe distance. When the artillery explodes, cover your ears. I will guide the gunners on the firing angle."

"Okay, then I'll have to trouble you, brother." Li Zhi led his ministers to retreat more than ten meters away.

Cheng Yaojin, however, boldly stepped forward, rubbing his hands and saying with a smile, "Today I want to see how this iron lump can blow up a target three miles away!"

Su Lie tensed up, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Changsun Wuji stood beside Li Zhi, covering his ears with his hands, staring at the muzzle of the cannon, wanting to see what kind of storm this cannon blown into the sky by Lin Lang could create on the battlefield.

The firelight illuminated the corners of Lin Lang's tightly pursed lips. He personally adjusted the angle of the artillery vehicle according to the system prompts, and then ordered: "Fire!"

The moment the fire starter lit up, all the ministers and Li Zhi covered their ears as Lin Lang had instructed, holding their breath and looking at the fuse lit by the gunner.

When the gunner ignited the medicine letter soaked in tung oil, the first sound was not an explosion, but a "sizzling" sound as fine as a silkworm eating mulberry leaves.

The tongue of fire climbed along the lines of the hemp rope, and the dark blue tongue turned dark red, like a little snake that was awakened, spitting out its core and drilling into the vent of the gun.

Sparks flew with a crackling sound, mixed with the pungent smell of burning saltpeter, leaving a scorching trail in the air.

The sound was subtle at first, but gradually became faster as the medicine's effect shortened, like the flapping of mosquito wings before a rainstorm, or like someone scraping fingernails across rough clay. Every "sizzling" sound pulled people's hearts up to their throats.

When the fire signal was only an inch away, the sound had turned into a dense "rustling" sound, as if countless gravel was pouring out of a bamboo tube.

Then came the roar of thunder that exploded in the barrel of the gun, and the wandering fire snakes had already quietly detonated the roar that was ready to go with a scorching tail tone.

A deafening roar tore through the night sky, orange tongues of flame gushed out, and shells streaked across the night sky like meteors.

A few breaths later, a deafening explosion was heard from the northwest. A large section of the city wall in the northwest corner of the parade ground was blown down by the violent explosion, and the rising smoke and dust obscured half of the galaxy.

Cheng Yaojin was so shocked that his pupils trembled. He exclaimed, "Wow! This thing can actually knock down such a large section of the city wall with one shot!"

"Your Majesty, this cannon is truly a magical weapon!" Changsun Wuji was so frightened by the sound of the cannon that he trembled all over. The light from the lantern cast a strange shadow on his face.

Li Zhi was startled by the sound of the cannon. He stared at the fire that was still burning in the distance, his Adam's apple rolled, and he slapped his thigh suddenly, his voice filled with uncontrollable excitement.

"Great! Great! This siege weapon is a godsend to our Tang Dynasty!"

Li Zhi walked over to the cannon and excitedly put his arm around Lin Lang's shoulders, his fingertips trembling. "My dear brother, I've only heard you describe the power of the cannon before, but now that I've seen it, I know how powerful it is!"

Lin Lang said arrogantly, "Brother, if we only need to mount thirty cannons on the walls of Yanmen Pass, we can prevent the Eastern Turkic and Khitan cavalry from ever getting close to Daizhou."

Li Zhi laughed loudly after hearing this and said, "My dear brother, you are truly the lucky star of the Tang Dynasty!"

The surrounding civil and military officials were already in an uproar. First there was a deathly silence, and then there were exclamations one after another:

"The power of this artillery is truly terrifying!"

"That's right! In the past, when we attacked cities and strongholds, so many brothers died under the city walls. Now with this artillery, there's no need to worry about not being able to take them down."

Su Lie stroked his beard, his eyes reddened. “Thinking back to the time when I attacked a small city, I lost many soldiers and generals and was unable to take it down for three months. If I had this magical weapon, I would have finished it in a single stick of incense!”