We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

The group walked through the assembly area, pushed open another heavy iron door, and entered a semi-open test site.

The site was dotted with craters of varying sizes, and the air was still thick with the smell of gunpowder.

In the distance, there were some simulated earthworks and a field of straw targets covered in tattered armor.

Several researchers had pushed over an assembled mortar. Next to it was an open wooden box with a dozen spindle-shaped shells neatly stacked inside.

The shell has a smooth surface, painted with yellow-green paint, and the tail is inlaid with a copper primer and a circle of small tail fins.

Li Che saw one of the researchers and couldn't help but look surprised: "Tenth brother?"

The researcher scratched his head and smiled shyly: "Brother."

This person was none other than Prince Fu Li Neng.

After not seeing him for a while, Li Neng had messy hair, and was wearing an ordinary research suit that was greasy. He was also much thinner than before, and he didn't look like a vassal king at all.

Li Che was at a loss for words and said, "Why are you here, and in such a state?"

Li Neng's eyes sparkled: "Sixth brother, this place is amazing!"

"It's so interesting to study science with Chen Xueshi and his colleagues every day! I've lived for over ten years, and I've never felt so fulfilled."

After saying that, he suddenly thought of something and looked panicked: "Sixth brother, what are you doing here? Did the emperor ask me to go back? I don't want to go back, Sixth brother, help me..."

"Look at the mess you've made." Li Che rubbed Li Tan's head helplessly, "If someone didn't know, they would think I was abusing my brother."

"Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with the emperor, just stay here."

Li Neng finally breathed a sigh of relief and put on a smile again.

Chen Gui, standing by, interjected, "Your Highness, please do not underestimate His Royal Highness Prince Fu. Prince Fu is incredibly gifted in science. He was the one who developed and improved the mortar's carriage."

When Li Che heard this, he was even more surprised.

How long has this tenth brother been at Fengtiancai? Even if he studies science day and night, he should be able to learn the basics, right?

Can you all participate in R&D work now?

And it is the design of the gun mount. The technical content of the mortar gun mount is second only to the artillery shells, and the portability is reflected in the gun mount.

Could he be a genius?

"Really?" Li Che looked at Li Neng with a smile, "Old Ten, sure."

Li Neng, however, was not too modest and said, "Sixth brother, you may not know that during my time in Fuzhou, I never left the house. My greatest pleasure every day was reading some miscellaneous books."

"Although I was introduced to science at Fengtian, I found it surprisingly easy to learn. It's much easier than studying scriptures and managing fiefdoms."

Upon hearing this, Li Che couldn't help but marvel at it.

Emperor Qing’s genes are simply amazing.

The sons he gave birth to include military talents like Li Lin, cunning villains like Prince Jin, and even the tenth son is a potential scientist.

Including the Crown Prince and the King of Qin, it can be said that some of them are stupid and some are bad, but there is really no weak one among them.

"Not bad," Li Che praised sincerely. "Keep up the hard work, Tenth Brother. I'll find you a job in the Ministry of Works in a few days. Being the Minister of Craftsmanship won't be a problem at all!"

The Minister of Craftsmen was a position unique to Feng State, specially prepared for great craftsmen or the working class.

It was also a small attempt by Li Che to improve the status of workers.

This official position did not have much real power, but it enjoyed the same status and benefits as other officials, so even Li Shen, with his special status, was qualified for the position.

After all, when Li Che ascends the throne in the future, the royal family will be a force that cannot be ignored.

People with the surname Li, such as Li Lin and Li Neng, are naturally on the same side as me and will naturally unite around me.

As long as they have no possibility or intention to rebel, even the two kings of Qin and Jin can be used by Li Che.

After reminiscing about the past with Li Neng, Chen Gui couldn't wait to introduce them to the two of them:

"Your Highness, Marshal Yang, please look, this is the matching mortar shell."

Chen Gui picked up a cannonball and handed it to Yang Zhongsi.

Yang Zhongsi took it immediately. It was heavier than he had expected, but the structure looked quite simple.

Chen Gui continued, "When firing, the soldier only needs to put the shell into the muzzle. The shell will slide to the bottom under its own gravity and hit the primer, and then it will be fired."

"There's no need for a complicated ignition cord or complicated charging procedures. As long as the shell is about the same size as the barrel, you can just put it in and fire it."

"A gunner who has undergone simple training can operate independently and go into the battlefield without much experience."

As Chen Gui spoke, he instructed the researchers to adjust the angle of the gun mount and roughly aim the muzzle at a target area marked "200 steps" in the distance.

Then, he picked up a cannonball and looked at Yang Zhongsi, inviting him:

"Yang Shuai, are you interested in setting off a firecracker yourself?"

Yang Zhongsi looked at the dark muzzle and shook the heavy shell in his hand. A feeling of excitement as if he was killing the enemy for the first time surged in his heart.

He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Okay, I will give it a try!"

Li Che reminded from the side: "Uncle Yang, please be careful. This thing is quite dangerous. Old Chen, please help Yang Shuai keep an eye on it."

Chen Gui nodded and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. After many tests, the mortars we are producing are now very mature."

Under Chen Gui's brief guidance, Yang Zhongsi held the cannonball in both hands and carefully inserted it into the muzzle.

The shell slid down the smooth inner wall of the barrel under the action of gravity.

Then there was a 'bang'!

A low and powerful muffled sound came from the bottom of the barrel.

call out--

Immediately afterwards, a sharp and piercing whistling sound tore through the air.

Everyone felt a wave of scorching air rushing towards them, and they subconsciously squinted their eyes, then forced them open again.

His eyes followed the black shadow that shot out from the muzzle with a clear parabola.

The black shadow drew an arc in the air at an extremely fast speed and hit the target area in the blink of an eye.

Boom——

A ball of orange fire suddenly exploded with a loud bang.

The shock wave carried dirt, gravel and grass debris and spread violently in all directions, and thick black smoke rose into the sky.

When the smoke and dust cleared a little, a large charred pit was seen in the target area.

The surrounding simulated fortifications were blown to pieces, the armored straw men were torn into pieces, and the wreckage was scattered all over the ground.

Yang Zhongsi stood in place, maintaining the same posture after throwing the bomb, as if he was under a spell.

He opened his mouth, his ears were still buzzing and his nostrils were filled with the smell of gunpowder.

This short, thick tube looked insignificant, yet it could unleash such terrifying destructive power from two hundred steps away in the blink of an eye?!

"Okay... okay!" Yang Zhongsi came to his senses and punched the sandbag shelter next to him hard.

He turned to look at Li Che, his voice trembling with excitement: "Your Highness! Lord Chen! This is truly a blessing for our Fengtian Army!"

"Master Chen just said that this weapon can be distributed to platoon-level units, or even become a standard weapon for squads?"

Chen Gui nodded and said, "This cannon is originally intended to replace small mortars. It is simple to manufacture and can be mass-produced."

Yang Zhongsi reached out and shook Li Che's hand, saying excitedly, "Your Highness, please ensure that the Northern Military Region is equipped with this cannon first!"