Chapter 439 - Empire In The East (1/2)
On the other side of the globe, far away, lies a mighty Empire. Within its borders was the ancient city of Nanjing. While Berengar was waging war against the Catholic Kingdoms of Iberia, the Ming Dynasty saw an unprecedented time of peace and prosperity.
However, despite this, its Emperor had recently passed away, leaving his son and heir, a ten-year-old boy named Zhu Li, as the de-facto ruler of China. This boy was currently tapping his finger repeatedly on the armrest of his chair with a disgruntled expression on his face.
His mother, who was the Empress Dowager, was, in reality, the true power behind the throne, Zhu Li was merely a puppet for her, and he knew it. Because of this, the woman was standing away from her son, scolding one of the Admirals beneath his command. Zhu Li secretly eavesdropped on their conversation in silence.
”You have brought this rusted, old piece of Junk from your travels and demand to show it to the Emperor? I will not allow you to put fanciful ideas of a mysterious, and powerful barbarian Kingdom to the West in the Emperor's head!”
The Admiral immediately began to protest against the Empress Dowager and spoke in contrast to her harsh words.
”This is a vital piece of military technology, far more advanced than our hand cannons. Supposedly the Kingdom it was captured from has employed these weapons in the thousands! If we do not learn to replicate this firearm, then I foresee that our Army will eventually fall behind those Western Kingdoms!”
The Empress Dowager scoffed at this comment before reprimanding the Admiral for his seemingly preposterous insinuation.
”You are an Admiral, not a General; it is not your job to think about the affairs of the Army! You overstep your bounds, Lin Feng!
When Zhu Li heard these words, his brows peaked with interest; as far as he was aware, the world revolved around the Ming Dynasty. The idea that some barbarians had created a powerful Kingdom intrigued his young mind. Almost as if it were something out of a fictional tale. Thus the boy Emperor called out to his mother and Admiral with an excited tone in his voice.
”Bring the item to me, and I will determine whether or not it is of any value!”
Though the Empress Dowager may be the true power behind the Throne, Zhu Li was still the public face; thus his mother was forced to respect his position. As such, the Empress Dowager scowled for but a moment before she put on a motherly facade.
The Admiral known as Lin Feng instantly walked towards the young Emperor, where he held onto a blanket; inside this blanket was a powerful weapon from the West that he had encountered on his travels with the great fleet of the Ming Dynasty.
Lin Feng knelt before his Emperor and unwrapped the silk blanket to reveal a battle-worn firearm. This firearm was none other than an Arkebuse used by the Byzantine Armies on the field of battle in North Africa. Zhu Li gazed upon this device with excitement as he inquired about its origin and function.
”What is this, and where did you find it?”
With a stoic expression on his face, Lin Feng began to spin a grand tale about how he came across such a mighty weapon from the West.
”You see, your Majesty, As you know, I have been leading your great treasure fleet across the oceans in an attempt to spread the glory of our Empire. While far away in a land known as the Timurid Empire, I came across a nobleman who was more than happy to pay tribute to you. He gave me this firearm, which he claims was employed in a great battle in the land known as Egypt.
It had been acquired by a lowly scavenger whose name remains unknown. However, this man sold the weapon, and it eventually made its way to the Timurid Nobleman! Supposedly it was employed by a great Kingdom known as Byzantium!
However, the nobleman who gave me this weapon assured me that it was not constructed in Byzantium but even further west in the lands known as Europe. Where precisely this weapon was manufactured, the Timurid Nobleman is unsure of. Still, wherever it was built, it is said that it is a Kingdom where rivers of molten steel flow through its capital city, and technology is advanced to the level that rivals the gods!”
The Empress Dowager immediately scoffed at this notion; this entire story was simply ludicrous. She could hardly believe the Admiral had bought into such ridiculous rumors. As for Zhu Li, his eyes were sparkling with delight as he asked for further information on the weapon.
”So, how does this weapon work?”
Lin Feng began to describe the weapon's function with a smile on his face.
”First one fills the bore of this firearm with powder, followed by a lead ball. Then after they have packed it down with the ramrod they light a match, which is attached to this hook. After doing so, they fill powder in this pan and then pull this lever here, which sends the match onto the pan, igniting the gunpowder and propelling the lead ball downrange. Supposedly it renders any form of armor utterly useless at close range.”
The young Emperor had an excited expression on his face as he envisioned this weapon in use. As such, he quickly made a decree that was much to his mother's ire.
”We must replicate this weapon and see if it truly lives up to the tales! Send word to the Army; I want them to study and reproduce this weapon as quickly as possible!”