Travel back in time and become Chongzhen, watch me turn the tide

Hou Fangyu had just bowed and taken his leave when Wang Chengen hurried in to report that Xie Quanfeng had been waiting outside for a long time.

"Let him in quickly." When Chongzhen heard that it was Xie Quanfeng, he immediately became energetic and a glimmer of anticipation flashed in his eyes.

He knew that the current situation was dire, and whether he could turn the tide was uncertain. For example, he still hadn't fully grasped the imperial power. Although he had some control over the military, he was still concerned about the combat effectiveness of the garrison troops.

Of these garrison troops, only Huang Degong's men still had some fighting power. The rest, like those led by Li Chengdong, Liu Liangzuo, and Huang Fei, were either defeated by the Dashun Army or the Qing Army. They were all very active in internal strife and were no match for external forces. If they were to defeat the powerful enemy in the next war, in addition to strengthening their training, the key was to quickly upgrade their equipment.

While cold weapons still played an important role in the development of the Ming Dynasty army, firearms were already quite common, accounting for almost half of the army's arsenal. These included various types of muskets, cannons, rockets, and thunder bombs.

Furthermore, the Ming Dynasty's military composition and tactics also demonstrated a combination of firearms and cold weapons. It can be said that the Ming army at this time already had the prototype of later armies. While the Ming army lagged behind Western countries of the same period in firearms, the gap was not significant. The biggest problem with current firearms was gunpowder.

Therefore, Chongzhen's top priority was to improve gunpowder and thereby increase the power of his firearms. Improving gunpowder, especially its proportions, would have been an almost impossible task for people of his time. But for Chongzhen, a man from a later era, it was a simple matter, even an elementary school student could understand.

The problem facing him now is that as the emperor, he cannot do these things himself. He has to find someone to be responsible for the experimentation, verification and improvement of firearms and gunpowder, so as to improve the combat effectiveness of the troops in a short period of time.

In his opinion, Xie Quanfeng is a good candidate.

Led by Wang Chengen, Xie Quanfeng walked into the room and, in accordance with the etiquette of an audience, respectfully performed the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows before Chongzhen. Each movement was standard and solemn.

Chongzhen repeatedly requested that these red tape be simplified, but Wang Chengen was very stubborn on this matter. Especially for ministers who came to see him for the first time, he insisted on performing the grand ceremony, believing that this was an essential part of maintaining the majesty of the royal family.

Xie Quanfeng was a young man in his thirties. Though not tall, his posture was as upright as a pine tree, giving him an air of calmness and weight. Beneath his thick brows, his gaze was as sharp as a torch, deep and resolute, as if he could see through all the vanity of the world. His thick neck, sturdy arms, powerful waist, and steady gait all betrayed his exceptional skill.

When Chongzhen saw him, he immediately understood why Xie Quanfeng had the courage to go to Tongzhou alone to recruit volunteers to rescue the capital, and even broke into the capital to rescue the prince.

"I heard that you sneaked into the capital to rescue the prince?" Chongzhen asked Wang Chengen to sit down, and after Xie Quanfeng sat down, he asked kindly.

"It's a pity that it didn't go as I wished," Xie Quanfeng sighed, his tone full of regret.

"Can you tell me what went wrong?" Chongzhen said.

Although Chongzhen has changed his soul now, at least in name the prince is his son. It is reasonable and moral for him, the emperor, to ask for clarification.

"I don't know the specific details," Xie Quanfeng smiled bitterly and shook his head, then continued, "After I arrived in the capital, I contacted Lord Wang Jiaohuan. We had originally agreed to take action, but then something went wrong. The crown prince and two other princes were betrayed and fell into the hands of the traitors."

Chongzhen knew Wang Jiaohuan. At the age of 26, he was appointed lecturer in the Imperial Household Department, responsible for the daily studies of Crown Prince Zhu Cilang. In the 16th year of Chongzhen's reign, Wang Jiaohuan received a secret decree from Chongzhen to secretly prepare for the Crown Prince's southward journey. While the details of this rescue operation were unknown, Chongzhen was aware of the loyalty of these two men.

After coming to this world, Zhu Youjian had no time to think about Chongzhen's family.

Before hanging himself on Coal Hill, Chongzhen, fully aware of the tragic fate of the imperial women after the fall of the city, could not bear to see them suffer humiliation. He ordered the empress and concubines to commit suicide, while also personally beheading his own daughter. However, Chongzhen spared his three sons—Crown Prince Zhu Cilang, third son Zhu Cijiong, Prince Ding, and fourth son Zhu Cihuan, Prince Yong—and even dressed them in civilian clothes and allowed them to escape, preserving a glimmer of hope for the Ming Dynasty.

Historically, although his three sons were captured by Li Zicheng, he did not kill them. However, after Li Zicheng left Beijing, the three sons disappeared. In other words, Chongzhen is now truly alone, but this is also a good thing. After all, this novice writer who traveled through time is still a single dog for a thousand years in the future.

"I heard that you are quite proficient in gunpowder?" After chatting with Xie Quanfeng for a few words, Chongzhen changed the subject and went straight to the point.

"I only know a little bit, and I dare not claim to be proficient in it." Xie Quanfeng hurriedly stood up and said respectfully.

"I'm glad you understand," Chongzhen smiled and nodded, saying, "I want to set up a firearms bureau and need a minister who understands gunpowder to take charge. I wonder if you can take on this task?"

"This..." Xie Quanfeng didn't expect that Chongzhen called him here for this matter. In his heart, he was actually not very willing to do this kind of craftsman-like work, but since the emperor had asked him to do it, how could he refuse?

In fact, Xie Quanfeng hesitated again and again about this meeting today.

He was a loyal and righteous man. Otherwise, when he learned that the capital was under siege, he would not have rushed to Tongzhou to gather volunteers to rescue the king, and he would not have resolutely entered the city to rescue the prince after the capital was breached.

But the current situation made him feel a little awkward. There were two emperors coexisting at the same time. The Hongguang Emperor had just ascended the throne, and the Chongzhen Emperor had returned from the dead.

The Book of Rites states: "There cannot be two suns in the sky, two kings on earth, two rulers in a state, and two elders in a family; all are governed by one." The existence of two emperors is a sign of national ruin. And now that Chongzhen, with the support of Shi Kefa, the Three Towns, and Huang Fei, has declared his power, a conflict is inevitable. Ultimately, these officials must make a choice, but who should they choose?

During Chongzhen's seventeen years on the throne, the Ming Dynasty not only failed to improve, but instead deteriorated, with only half of the country now remaining. As for the Hongguang Emperor, it's said that after only two months on the throne, he began to engage in large-scale construction projects, indulge in alcohol and women, even worse than Chongzhen!

After much deliberation, Xie Quanfeng finally decided to obey Chongzhen's edict, and at the same time he also wanted to see what kind of person Chongzhen was.

"I know you are both courageous and knowledgeable in military strategy," Chongzhen said with a smile, noting his embarrassment. "However, my Firearms Bureau is not located within the Ministry of Works, but is run as an independent department. In addition to developing firearms, this department will also be responsible for compiling corresponding firearms training courses. What do you think?"

In Chongzhen's plan, thermal weapons will become the mainstream of the future army. The large-scale equipment of thermal weapons will change the combat mode of the future army, and this army will also move closer to the military model of later generations.

Xie Quanfeng was brave and resourceful, familiar with military affairs, good at strategy, and proficient in gunpowder. He was exactly the talent needed by the future army, and this was also the main purpose of Chongzhen summoning him.

"I am deeply apprehensive. I will go through fire and water to fulfill your Majesty's arrangements!" Since Chongzhen had said this, Xie Quanfeng naturally could not refuse, and hurriedly stood up to receive the order.

"I summoned you here today because you both have some knowledge of firearms." Chongzhen looked at Xie Quanfeng with a smile and said, "I accidentally came across a method for preparing gunpowder. Today, I want you to take a look at this method with me. How is it..."