Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Du He smiled and said, "Your Highness, this is a new weapon developed by Daoist Zhen Fengzi. I named it the flintlock gun. Its function is the same as that of a bow and arrow, and it can kill enemies hundreds of paces away."

"The maximum firing range of this gun is over 2000 paces, and it can penetrate Mingguang armor within 100 paces."

what!

Can it penetrate Mingguang armor within two hundred paces?

When Li Chengqian heard Du He's introduction to the flintlock musket, his breathing became rapid.

"Du He, demonstrate for me!"

"it is good."

Du He first explained how to use the flintlock pistol, and then took the flintlock pistol and shot it at Mingguangjia, who was a hundred paces away.

"Oh!"

A loud bang startled Li Chengqian, who was standing nearby.

When he saw the hole in the Mingguang armor, he quickly took the flintlock pistol and, with Du He's help, fired it at another old piece of Mingguang armor.

After one shot.

Li Chengqian asked in confusion, "Huh, why didn't we hear a clang?"

Du He said helplessly, "Your Majesty, you missed..."

Well...

Li Chengqian's expression was slightly stunned.

He fired several more shots, finally hitting the Mingguang Armored Man within a hundred paces on the sixth attempt. When he saw his masterpiece, he jumped up excitedly.

For the next half hour, Li Chengqian played with the flintlock pistol until he had fired all the remaining bullets.

"Whoo~"

Li Chengqian rubbed his sore shoulders and let out a long, comfortable sigh.

He said with a smile, "Du He, I want this flintlock pistol. Have the craftsmen send over more bullets in the next few days. Once I've mastered the art of becoming one with the gun, I'll go hunting in the mountains with you."

"Have the craftsmen forge a few more guns during this time, so that we won't be left with no alternatives if our guns break during the hunt."

There was a pause.

Li Chengqian said with a serious expression, "Du He, such a powerful weapon can only be held by you and me. You must not pass it on to anyone else."

"Later I will send a few trusted men to Zhen Fengzi to learn the technique of forging guns."

Hearing Li Chengqian's words of advice, Du He smiled and nodded.

Firearms can kill silently from a thousand paces away, and they are safest only when they are in the hands of him and Li Chengqian. If this technology becomes too widespread, it could easily lead to assassinations.

The two chatted for a while longer, after which Li Chengqian happily took the guns and returned to the palace.

Return to the princess's mansion.

Feng Shijin, Zhang Shizheng, and other attendants knelt before Du He, their faces filled with remorse.

"Master, we have failed in our duty of guarding, please punish us."

Du He waved his hand: "Get up. His Majesty will have to know about this weapon sooner or later, but today's matter must not be spread."

Seeing that their master had not punished them, the servants gratefully kowtowed in thanks.

After Du He finished his meal with his wives, concubines, and children, he went to the east wing to check on Zhen Fengzi, Huang Mazi, and the others. He then ordered them to forge 50 guns and 5 rounds of ammunition before returning to the backyard to rest.

...

For the next period of time, Du He coordinated the arrangements for the major battle.

Especially with the impending conquest of North and South America, Du He saw that Ma Zhou, Pei Xingjian, and others were too busy, so he personally took charge of the allocation of personnel and resources.

Besides being busy with state affairs, Du He also visited Li Jue and Du Ping'an at Taiji Palace many times, and passed on his experience in building workshops to the two of them.

After learning some theoretical knowledge, the two young people were then sent by Du He to study with Li Yi and Yin Yushan, and were even made to participate in the production line themselves.

Li Chengqian, Su Wan, and others all expressed their approval of Du He's arrangements.

Just as jade cannot become a useful object without being carved, these two, while learning knowledge from their teacher, also needed to participate in specific work.

Otherwise, they'd be too bored to think about researching new recipes all day.

Besides handling state affairs and instructing Crown Prince Li Jue, Du He also led Pei Xingjian, Wang Xuance, and a group of craftsmen who studied steam engines to formulate the standard width of the railway tracks and finalize the route of this tens of thousands of miles-long railway.

A month passed quietly, and it was already late April.

It was time for the army to set off.

Daming Palace.

Inside the Linde Hall.

Li Chengqian raised his wine cup and said, “Generals, you have traveled tens of thousands of miles for this battle and will have to cross the vast ocean in a large ship. I know you will encounter all kinds of difficulties.”

"But it is through hardship that true heroes are revealed, and I believe you will be able to complete the mission."

"On the day you conquer North and South America and return to Chang'an in triumph, I will bestow titles upon the princes in the Linde Hall!"

"Future feudal lords, I toast you in advance!"

When Hou Junji, Xue Wanche, Cheng Yaojin, and other generals heard the words "feudal kings," even their breathing became rapid.

They all picked up their wine cups, stood up, and shouted, their faces flushed.

"Your Majesty, please!"

After downing a glass of wine, everyone's faces were filled with anticipation.

Li Chengqian said to Du He, "King Han, you are the Grand Marshal of Tian Shu, why don't you say a few words to the generals as well?"

All eyes in the hall were focused on Du He.

"it is good."

Du He nodded, then stood up with his wine cup in hand: "Generals, you have all followed me in battles against the Western Regions. You know how to fight a great war, and you also know which bottom lines cannot be crossed."

"You will be crowned king after you conquer North and South America. I do not want you to make mistakes at the last moment, and I hope you will all strictly abide by military discipline."

"I have already stated the unpleasant truths beforehand, and now I wish you a resounding victory."

When he spoke, his gaze lingered on Hou Junji and Xue Wanche the longest, making Hou Junji and Xue Wanche feel uneasy.

The generals' expressions shifted slightly, and they stood up, raising their wine cups once more.

"I will obey your orders!"

"King Han, please!"

After Du He toasted them with a cup of wine, he did not say anything more, but let Li Chengqian and Li Shimin speak.

The banquet lasted for an hour before the generals, their faces flushed from drinking, left in small groups.

Inside the Linde Hall.

Li Shimin let out a burp and asked, "Du He, can our army conquer North and South America within eight years?"

Du He nodded: "Your Majesty, rest assured, there will definitely be no problem within eight years."

Upon receiving Du He's affirmative answer, Li Shimin and Li Chengqian nodded in relief, their faces filled with anticipation.

After chatting for a while...

Li Shimin then asked, "Du He, according to your current estimate, how long will it take for me to travel by train across the vast territory?"

When will we be able to travel the world in a hot air balloon?

Since his abdication, he had not paid attention to the affairs of the Tang Dynasty, and Li Chengqian would only invite him to attend to important matters like this.

Du He cupped his hands and said, "We can ride in hot air balloons now, but the risks are quite high. Among the bombers we met before, 106 died and 288 were injured in a crash. Hot air balloon technology still needs to be updated and iterated."

"According to our initial plan, we will be able to travel the world by train within 10 years."