If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

Previously, the Great Dragon Empire was so poor that it couldn't even support its people, and it didn't even dare to dream of forming a cavalry. Now that it's rich and powerful, it has discovered that its dream of having a cavalry is still unattainable, as the Great Dragon Empire simply doesn't produce many warhorses.

The scattered farmers were only fit to be used as pack animals; they were completely unsuitable for the battlefield.

Originally, Li Tiancheng had always fantasized about the Great Dragon's iron cavalry and Dazi fighting to the death on the grasslands, but ever since he learned that he could not form a cavalry, Li Tiancheng lost all his energy and spirit.

He didn't even have the courage to fight Dazi anymore, but luckily, Zhou Wu appeared at that moment.

Zhou Wu's firearms gave Li Tiancheng new hope, so now Li Tiancheng can be said to have placed all his hopes on Zhou Wu. Whether he can gain the upper hand in the war against the Dazi depends on Zhou Wu's firearms.

"I wonder when Zhou Wu will be able to make a new firearm, Your Highness. Do you think half a year is too tight?"

After Li Tiancheng finished speaking about the six months, he himself felt it was impossible to achieve. After all, firearms were too unfamiliar and too complicated for them. He estimated that only Zhou Wu in the entire Dalong could understand them.

"Father, six months is indeed too tight. I estimate that Zhou Wu should be able to produce it within a year, and then we can ramp up production in the second year. Within three years, we can hope to declare war on the Dazi."

"Three years is not bad."

Three years was actually acceptable for Li Tiancheng, since firearms weren't just large blades.

. . . . .

After finishing his routine morning court session, Li Tiancheng was reviewing memorials.

"Your Majesty, Zhou Wu, the Grand Commander of the South China Sea, requests an audience."

The eunuch suddenly entered, interrupting Li Tiancheng's actions.

"Zhou Wu? Why is he here in the capital instead of procuring firearms for me in the South China Sea? Summon him."

Li Tiancheng frowned. He had just talked about Zhou Wu with the Crown Prince a couple of days ago, but he never expected that Zhou Wu would actually come to the capital today.

. . . .

"Your subject Zhou Wu pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Zhou Wu, instead of researching new firearms for me in the South China Sea, what are you doing in the capital?"

"Your Majesty, I have come here to present you with the results of your labor."

"You mean, there's already progress on the new firearms?"

The day I came here, they said it might take a year to see any results. But all told, it's been less than three months since the Crown Prince came back. How come there's already progress in such a short time?

"Once you have a plan, just write a report and send it to the capital. There's no need for you to make the trip yourself. The important thing is to get the sample made as soon as possible."

Li Tiancheng thought Zhou Wu was too ambitious and eager to claim credit as soon as he made a little progress; he was still too young.

"Your Majesty, the new firearms have already been equipped by the Great Dragon Empire's navy and the Qingyang Army, and have been tested."

"Bang! What? You're not kidding?"

Li Tiancheng was still replaying Zhou Wu's words in his mind: the sample manufacturing was complete, the experiments were completed, and it was ready for official use.

"Your Majesty, the new firearm, called the flintlock musket, is ready for official use."

"Zhou Wu, do you know what you're saying? I'm giving you time because I think you're young and shouldn't be too ambitious."

Zhou Wu was a promising future pillar in Li Tiancheng's eyes, so he kindly advised him. If it were any other minister, he would have scolded and beaten him and sent him away.

"Why doesn't Your Majesty summon the Crown Prince? He'll know immediately."

"Alright, alright, alright, then let's see what kind of musket you have."

Li Tiancheng was somewhat annoyed. Zhou Wu wouldn't listen to any of his pleas. He was still too young. He would make a fool of himself later and teach him a lesson.

Li Tiancheng tried everything to reason with Zhou Wu, but Zhou Wu wouldn't listen, so he got angry and ordered someone to summon the Crown Prince.

. . . . . . .

The Imperial Palace Martial Arts Arena is where the Imperial Guards are trained on ordinary days. When the top martial arts candidate takes the imperial examination, the emperor will also come here to see the champion's skills.

However, it had now turned into a livestock trading market, and Zhou Wu had a flock of sheep brought over.

When the Crown Prince and the Emperor saw the once magnificent royal martial arts arena reduced to this state, their hearts bled.

"Zhou Wu, what's going on with this flock of sheep?"

The Crown Prince already knew everything on the way. He was also angry at Zhou Wu's unreliability. He and his father had placed all their hopes on him, but they didn't expect him to be so unappreciative.

"Your Highness, the sheep are the target of the experiment later."

"Get ready to start."

Li Tiancheng's expression was now cold and stern, devoid of his former amiability, indicating that his anger had risen to a new level.

"Yes."

A group of armed soldiers began to enter the field in an orderly manner, maintaining three square formations.

"Hey~"

These soldiers weren't even wearing basic armor. Although their spirits seemed decent, they clearly didn't meet the standards of a mighty army in this era. The fire pokers they were carrying were probably the muskets Zhou Wu had mentioned. This appearance was quite disappointing to Li Tiancheng.

"Load ammunition and prepare to fire."

Zhou Wu used a three-stage firing method, aiming to shock everyone with the first appearance of the musket.

At a command, the naval soldiers began loading their ammunition. After a period of intensive training, loading and firing had become muscle memory, so their movements were very standard and rapid.

"aim."

"shooting."

At Zhou Wu's firing command, the soldiers in the first rank quickly completed their shots, then retreated to reload. The soldiers in the second rank stepped forward, began firing, and then repeated the previous actions.

The sound of gunfire, like thunder, echoed throughout the training ground. Some timid palace maids and eunuchs were already trembling with fear.

Li Tiancheng and Li Junren were stunned as they watched the flock of sheep collapse in droves.

The blood of the sheep stained the entire training ground red, but this scene did not make Li Tiancheng and Li Junren feel uncomfortable at all. On the contrary, they showed excitement.

"Zhou Wu, Zhou Wu, come here quickly!"

Li Tiancheng, who was watching from the reviewing stand, was now frantically calling out to Zhou Wu, his previous cold demeanor completely gone.

"His Majesty."

"Let me see it, quickly bring it to me for me to see."

Zhou Wu immediately took the flintlock pistol from a soldier and handed it to Li Tiancheng.

Li Tiancheng cherished the flintlock rifle as if it were a precious treasure, stroking it gently as if caressing a beautiful woman.

"What's this called?"

"Your Majesty, flintlock musket."

"Your talent is unparalleled, but your ability to name things is really terrible. This magical weapon is called flintlock, such an awful name."

“Uh~~”

Zhou Wu cursed inwardly, thinking to himself that he hadn't chosen the name himself.

"I don't think flintlock sounds good."

"I also think the name 'flintlock gun' is not good and must be changed. I humbly request Your Majesty to bestow a name upon it."

"How about calling it Thunderbolt?"

Thunderbolt? Qin Ming?

"What a magnificent name! It's truly awe-inspiring and majestic. No wonder it was bestowed by His Majesty. Just the name itself exudes a sense of menace."

"Hahaha."

At this moment, Li Tiancheng's mind was entirely focused on the flintlock pistol, and he didn't care at all about Zhou Wu's blatantly disgusting horse.

"Zhou Wu, having you is truly a blessing for my Great Dragon."

The crown prince suddenly gave it a very high evaluation.