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Chapter 61
With his eyes red and teeth clenched, Pei Changying gave orders: "Convey my edict - the Zhou family is attempting rebellion. Immediately arrest all members of the Zhou family, young and old, and seal the city gates. Do not let a single member of the Zhou family escape."
This...
The officials looked at each other in bewilderment.
A scholar-official with close ties to the Zhou family mustered his courage and advised: "Your Majesty, please reconsider. The matter has not been fully investigated, you cannot condemn them so hastily."
"The Zhou family has been loyal and meritorious for generations, and they are the senior statesmen of three reigns. To accuse them rashly would surely invite disaffection among the people!"
Pei Changying's face remained grim: "Zhou Qichen has not attended court for days, and now he has privately traveled to Lingnan. Who would believe he harbors no ill intent? Or do you also wish to rebel like Zhou Qichen!"
"Your Majesty, your subject's loyalty to you is as clear as the heavens. I have no intention of rebelling whatsoever."
"Silence! I see you have wolfish ambitions and malicious intentions. Anyone who dares speak for Zhou Qichen will be imprisoned and executed along with the Zhou family!"
Pei Changying had been enraged beyond reason by Zhou Qichen's perceived betrayal.
He was beginning to feel uneasy now.
He felt that some things were becoming increasingly uncontrollable, deviating further and further from his expectations, no longer under his control...
Half of the court officials showed signs of self-preservation on their faces.
Although Pei Changying had disappointed and disillusioned them countless times, the mindset ingrained over thousands of years could not be overturned overnight.
Compared to submitting to a woman fit only to be a wife and mother,
at this moment, they preferred to support an incompetent ruler.
The Prime Minister was alarmed and stepped forward to advise: "Your Majesty."
"Regardless of whether the Zhou family has rebelled or not, we cannot act rashly lest rumors arise and destabilize the people."
"I humbly suggest that we immediately dispatch men to Lingnan to search for sweet potatoes. If the Elder Princess intends to rebel, she will surely need a large supply of provisions."
"If we find the sweet potatoes before the Elder Princess, her plans will come to naught!"
"Secondly, we should send out a troop to escort the Elder Princess back to the capital for punishment. Without provisions, she will surely surrender without resistance."
Pei Changying's face alternated between pale and flushed, surrounded by a chilling and vicious atmosphere.
He was the exalted Emperor, the husband and master of countless wives and concubines! How could he employ the knowledge of that Gu Sang woman? Where would his dignity go?
But if Pei Weiqi truly intended to rebel, she would undoubtedly seek sweet potatoes in Lingnan.
His eldest sister was ambitious and talented, Father Emperor had said that if she were a man, she would be the most suitable heir to the realm...
What if... what if...
After some contemplation, Pei Changying felt extremely humiliated but issued the edict: "Where are the military commanders? Where is the Ministry of Works!"
"I order you, divide into two groups."
"The Ministry of Works shall immediately go to Lingnan and search for sweet potatoes, potatoes, and other provisions!"
"The military commanders shall lead a thousand soldiers to Lingnan and apprehend the Elder Princess. If she dares to resist with arms, hmph! Execute her for rebellion, no mercy!"
-
In modern times.
Gu Sang closed the other split screens, leaving only the livestream of the Elder Princess.
The Elder Princess had already gathered a few craftsmen as per Gu Sang's instructions, and the group was eagerly watching the livestream, their eyes filled with admiration.
Beside them stood Zhou Qichen, who had rushed over with great haste.
Free from the control of the court, Zhou Qichen appeared full of vigor and charisma, his mere presence exuding a confident and lofty air.
"Sang Sang, I have come to join the Elder Princess."
"As you said, Pei Changying is incompetent and tyrannical, persecuting loyal subjects for his own desires."
"If I continue to support such an inept ruler, the fate of the Zhao family and the imperial physicians may well be mine tomorrow."
"Moreover, the Former Emperor once said that the Elder Princess is intelligent and wise, bearing the air of an Emperor, but alas, she is only a woman. After watching the livestreams of later eras, I think a woman may not be unfit to rule after all."
"Since you trust her, then I shall trust you."
Zhou Qichen had considered many things before arriving.
Now, with the people's support and the entire plague-stricken city vowing to follow the Elder Princess, and with Gu Sang's full assistance, there seemed to be a real possibility of her ascending the throne.
If he could be the first to pledge allegiance to her, he would surely be rewarded in the future.
Obtaining Zhou Qichen's promise, a heavy burden lifted from Gu Sang's heart.
Her eyes shone with sincere admiration: "Brother Qichen, your choice is wise. This world is ever-changing, and the imperial throne should not be bound by gender, but by ability and virtue!"
"When the Martial Emperor ascended the throne, she had neither popular support nor a million-strong army, yet she carved out a path of blood."
"The Elder Princess has you, she has me, she has the people's support. How could she not succeed?"
Yes, how could she not? The last trace of unease deep in Zhou Qichen's eyes dissipated, replaced by determination.
The thousands-of-years-old way of thinking was ingrained in his bones.
Zhou Qichen needed immense courage to discard the notion that only men could rule, to dare to follow a woman.
He was the first general to pledge allegiance.
But he would not be the last!
Gu Sang conversed as she walked with the people from the livestream, soon reaching the indoor combat training area.
Two instructors were chatting nearby, and Gu Sang approached them to introduce herself.
Gu Sang: "Greetings, instructors. I am Gu Sang, who made an appointment with you yesterday. Today, I would like to ask about methods of firearm production."
The instructors' brows furrowed with solemnity.
Modern society strictly controls firearm knowledge and would never casually disclose methods of production.
Even for obsolete methods, disclosure was forbidden.
Seeing the instructors' misunderstanding, Gu Sang explained: "I do not seek modern firearm production methods. I have a deep interest in history."
"Recently, while reading about the red-coated cannons and firearms of the Ming Dynasty, I developed a desire to learn more about them."
Only after this explanation did the instructors' expressions soften and a smile appeared.
They contemplated for a few seconds, and one of them said:
"The composition of gunpowder can actually be found online - it's simply one part sulfur, two parts saltpeter, and three parts charcoal. With some trial and error, anyone could produce this 'black powder'."
"As for the production of firearms and cannons, it's not too complex either. In ancient times, however, such knowledge was considered an arcane and unsavory skill, not favored by the mainstream."
"Cannons must withstand immense pressure in an instant to avoid bursting. In the Ming Dynasty, they were basically made by..."
Listening to his companion's detailed explanation,
the other instructor could not resist offering his own insights.
"Hey, as early as the heyday of Mohism, there was a record of a kind of weapon with a manufacturing principle similar to that of firearms. If we could improve upon it......"
One of the craftsmen present was startled upon hearing the mention of Mohism.
The Mohist school had long been forgotten by the world, but he had heard his master mention once that every member of the Mohist clan was a master craftsman of the highest caliber.
Each sword and blade was priceless!
The craftsman's heart stirred with anticipation, hoping to hear more about the Mohist school from this person of later times.
Unfortunately, the Mohist school was only briefly mentioned before the instructor changed the subject.
Seeing that Gu Sang was listening attentively, the instructor was inspired to spontaneously find paper and pen to draw diagrams for Gu Sang: "Look, this is how historical weapons were made."
"If you are not studying this field, you may not understand it."
Gu Sang pointed at the paper and discerned: "I know this one, this is the key to loading, this is......"