My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Chapter 627 The first great meeting of the Tianwu Dynasty!

The heavy iron gate of the research institute had long been wide open.

Led by Dean Bi Maokang, all the officials of the research institute with ranks, the master craftsmen of each workshop, and important representatives of craftsmen had already stood in order on both sides of the road inside the gate.

Bi Maokang also specially wore the scarlet official robe symbolizing his rank today. This old man, who was over seventy years old, had white hair and beard, and his face was lined with wrinkles like ravines. However, he had a straight back and his eyes were bright and piercing in their deep sockets. At this moment, they were shining with excitement and pride.

Behind him, everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed intently on the slowly coming to a stop in the emperor's golden carriage.

The golden carriage came to a stop, and the accompanying eunuchs quickly placed the footrests.

The carriage door opened, and Emperor Tianwu, Zhu Cilang, dressed in a black casual robe and without a crown, calmly stepped down from the carriage with the help of his eunuch.

Sunlight fell on his young yet composed face, reflecting a serene and dignified air.

His gaze swept over the crowd kneeling before him, finally settling on Bi Maokang, who was bowing deeply at the very front.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Led by officials from the Ministry of Rites, the researchers shouted in unison, and everyone except Bi Maokang, who was granted an exemption from kneeling by special decree, touched their heads to the ground.

"Be flat."

Zhu Cilang's voice was clear and gentle, with a hint of laughter, and it reached everyone's ears clearly.

He stepped forward a few paces, came to Bi Maokang, and offered a slight helping hand.

"Bi Qing, there's no need for such formalities. I'm here today to observe your work, not to receive your courtesy."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Everyone stood up, but still bowed slightly, not daring to look directly at the emperor's face.

Bi Maokang straightened up, a smile appearing on his face, and said:

"Your Majesty's personal arrival is an immense honor for me and the entire court. We are filled with trepidation and awe!"

Zhu Cilang smiled and nodded, saying:

"Go in!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, please!"

Bi Maokang perked up and stepped aside to lead the way.

Accompanied by Bi Maokang and a few other senior officials, Zhu Cilang walked slowly into the research institute.

Instead of going directly to the core area, he visited several of the outer workshops with great interest.

Then they arrived at the firearms workshop.

Inside, the light was dim, but the ventilation was good, and the air was filled with the smells of grease, saltpeter, and fresh wood.

In the center of the room was a huge oak table, covered with several large drawings, and scattered around it were some oddly shaped metal parts and wooden models.

Bi Maokang walked to the table, took a deep breath, and showed a mixture of pride and caution on his face. He first pointed to an extremely detailed drawing on the left and several golden samples on the table.

"Your Majesty, please take a look."

Bi Maokang's voice rose slightly with excitement.

"This is the second-generation improved version of the metal-loaded ammunition, developed by my colleagues and I through painstaking research, following Your Majesty's concept of 'integrated ammunition' proposed several years ago, and achieving a key breakthrough in materials and processes recently!"

As Zhu Cilang approached, his gaze was immediately drawn to him.

The drawings, just as he remembered, depicted the familiar copper shell structure, but the sample on the table was clearly much more refined than the crude prototype that Bi Maokang had initially produced years ago when he conceived the idea.

The cartridge case is more regular, and the primer structure is clearer.

Bi Maokang picked up a sample and explained in detail its improvements:

"Your Majesty, compared to the first prototype, this bullet has significantly improved in terms of copper-zinc alloy ratio, cartridge case stamping ductility, primer sensitivity, and moisture resistance. Current tests show that the misfire rate has been reduced to less than one in a hundred. It can still fire normally after being stored in a simulated humid environment for three months. The prototype of the breech-locking bolt is matched with it."

He pointed to a complex metal structure next to him.

"We are also continuously improving it. The air leakage problem has been greatly alleviated. We can fire 30 rounds continuously without cleaning, which greatly increases reliability!"

Zhu Cilang listened carefully, picked up the heavy metal fixed bullet, weighed it in his hand, and then examined it carefully in the light.

This is exactly the direction he had been hoping for! Although there is still a distance to go before large-scale mass production and deployment, the feasibility has been fully verified, and the performance is steadily improving.

"Great! Progress is rapid!"

Zhu Cilang praised, his eyes filled with the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of his long-term investment about to bear fruit.

"This is the cornerstone of our military's future victory! What is the current production capacity? What is the biggest challenge?"

Bi Maokang hurriedly said:

"Your Majesty, currently, all pieces are handcrafted, with a monthly output of only a few thousand, and the cost is exorbitant. The biggest challenges are, firstly, securing a stable, large-scale supply of inexpensive, high-quality copper, and secondly, developing efficient and precise stamping dies and machine tools. However, the direction is clear, and as long as resources continue to be invested, mass production is within reach!"

"Resources are not a problem!"

Zhu Cilang resolutely blocked the railway.

"I will immediately instruct the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to prioritize your copper and refined iron supplies! Machine tool craftsmen will be conscripted from across the country! I need you to come up with a cost-effective and scalable production plan as soon as possible!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

Bi Maokang excitedly agreed.

Meanwhile, Zhu Cilang's thoughts drifted even further.

He knew that some people, both inside and outside the government, might question: Now that the Jurchens have been pacified, the bandits have been quelled, and the world is at peace, why spend huge sums of money to continuously invest in these seemingly "useless" or even "strange and ingenious" long-term research and development projects?

But Zhu Cilang knew this was absolutely necessary!

And it is absolutely necessary!

First, prevention is better than cure.

Defeating the enemy does not mean there will be no future troubles. Technology will spread, be imitated, and be caught up with.

There are no strong enemies today, but what about tomorrow?

Is it possible that internal changes will never occur? Weapon development is a never-ending race.

To stop is to wait for death.

While we may seem to be "in the lead" now, if we stagnate, we will eventually be overtaken or even surpassed.

Second, technological reserves and continued leadership.

Research and development does not equate to immediate large-scale deployment. The maturation process of metal-loaded ammunition is a process of continuously improving metallurgy, processing, and chemistry. The arduous exploration of automatic weapons, on the other hand, pushes the limits of precision mechanical design and materials science.

These accumulated technologies are fundamental to maintaining a generational advantage. Holding more advanced technologies as "strategic reserves" is the strongest "insurance" for deterring potential enemies and responding to unknown crises.

We can do without it, but we cannot do without it, and we must never stop progressing.

Third, maintaining and improving technological capabilities is more important than specific weapons.

This elite team, led by Bi Maokang, is the empire's most valuable asset. Their process of solving difficult problems is a process of cultivating the next generation of masters and driving the progress of related industries.

The research and development process itself is forging the nation's most resilient technological backbone.

Fourth, it is the cornerstone of domestic rule and the ultimate guarantee of power.

Absolute and continuously improving technological superiority is the strongest backing for central authority. It can quell any possible internal turmoil at minimal cost, ensuring that the authority of "I am the world" is built on an unshakable material foundation in the foreseeable future.

These thoughts flashed through his mind, but he did not voice them.

Some things only require the emperor to understand and resolutely put into practice.

"Minister Bi, how is the research on electro-optics progressing?"

Zhu Cilang changed the subject, his eyes once again showing anticipation. This was another seed he had sown a year ago.

"Your Majesty, please come with me."

Bi Maokang smiled and led Zhu Cilang to a tightly closed iron gate deeper into the testing ground.

The guards at the gate bowed silently and unlocked the heavy lock.

The courtyard behind the gate was even more heavily guarded.

A low, rumbling sound came from the steam engine. Inside, the room was dimly lit. The steam engine hummed, driving a generator, and on a wooden frame in the center of the room, a glass bulb with a carbon filament emitted a much more stable, yellowish-white light.

Although the brightness is still limited, it is indeed emitting light!

"Your Majesty, the research on this electric light is also progressing according to the key points of 'vacuum,' 'carbon filament,' and 'durability' that Your Majesty indicated in your early years."

Bi Maokang explained.

"The glass bulb is now more thoroughly evacuated, and the carbon filament material and shape have undergone hundreds of trials. This lamp can now burn continuously for more than fifty hours with a slower rate of brightness decay. The generator's energy efficiency has also been improved."

Zhu Cilang stood under the lamp, looking up at the steadily shining little sun, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

This light represents not only illumination, but also the undeniable dawn of a new era.

It proved that the path he pointed out was feasible, and that the artisans of the Ming Dynasty were capable of turning the emperor's vision into reality step by step.

"Great! The progress is encouraging!"

Zhu Cilang's voice was filled with relief.

"This light will ultimately illuminate not only palaces and buildings, but also the path for our Great Ming Dynasty to reach the future. We must continue to optimize it, focusing on durability, brightness, and cost reduction. I look forward to the day when the palace will be the first to use this lamp."

"I will obey your orders!"

After the inspection, they went to a quiet room to drink tea.

Bi Maokang's face showed relief after completing the report, but also a hint of deep-seated fatigue.

"His Majesty."

He considered it carefully and said:

"This old minister...I am afraid I am really old. I also wish to follow Lord Xue's example and retire, so that I can hand over this responsibility to the younger generation in the academy who have sharper eyes and more steady hands."

Zhu Cilang was not surprised, after all, Bi Maokang had mentioned retirement before.

Then he smiled gently and said:

“I know your heart well. When you feel the time is right, I will grant you the honor of retiring and bestow upon you the full salary of a first-rank official, the same as that of Lord Xue.”

He changed the subject, his gaze earnest:

"However, I hope that after you retire, you will remain in the capital. I intend to establish an Academy of Natural Sciences and Engineering, and I need a master like you to oversee it, to cultivate future talents for the Ming Dynasty, so that your knowledge and skills can be passed down from generation to generation. This is a more important and lasting contribution than continuing to develop a single object. Would you be willing to assist me?"

Upon hearing this, Bi Maokang was stunned for a moment, and then his eyes suddenly shone with a light brighter than when he saw any technological breakthrough!

He rose excitedly and bowed deeply to the ground:

"Your Majesty has considered this matter so carefully for your sake and for the sake of all the scholars in the world... How dare I disobey! I will dedicate the rest of my life to Your Majesty and for the Ming Dynasty, to help you cultivate talents that will flourish throughout the land!"

"it is good!"

Zhu Cilang laughed loudly and raised his cup.

"I offer tea in place of wine to Bi Qing, and to the future pillars of the Ming Dynasty!"

As the sun sets, the ceremonial guard returns home.

Inside the golden carriage, Zhu Cilang closed his eyes and savored the moment.

What we see today are the solid fruits that have grown from seeds sown many years ago, nurtured over time.

Metal-loaded ammunition has matured from concept; automatic weapons have embarked on a difficult but correct journey from fantasy; electric lights have become stable from dim light...

All of this proved him right and filled him with unprecedented confidence in leading this vast empire into the future.

On the tenth day of the fifth month, the first formal grand court assembly of the Tianwu New Dynasty took place.

Just after the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), the area outside Chengtian Gate was already ablaze with crimson and purple.

All civil and military officials in the capital, regardless of rank, wore brand-new court robes and lined up in an orderly fashion to wait.

In stark contrast to the somber, anxious, and even fearful atmosphere that often prevailed during grand court ceremonies in the later years of the Chongzhen reign, the air today is filled with a solemn and dignified air, yet subtly imbued with a sense of freshness and anticipation.

The officials merely nodded to each other, rarely exchanging words, but their eyes would occasionally drift to the majestic Hall of Supreme Harmony and the towering steps in front of it—that would be the first formal display of the new dynasty's political atmosphere.

Everyone knew that the new emperor had only been on the throne for a few days, yet his actions already revealed a style quite different from that of the Chongzhen era.

This first grand court assembly will surely be a time to set the direction, establish rules, and demonstrate true strength.

At the exact hour of Mao (5-7 AM), bells and drums sounded in unison, and the palace gates opened wide.

Officials filed in and, guided by officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonial, stood solemnly inside and outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

On the steps of the imperial palace, the nine-dragon gilded throne shone brightly under the light of countless palace lanterns and giant candles, awaiting its new master.

As the whip cracked three times and the solemn "Long Live the Emperor" music began, Emperor Tianwu, Zhu Cilang, dressed in a black robe with a crimson skirt and twelve embroidered patterns, wearing a crown with twenty-four tassels, slowly ascended the steps of the palace amidst a retinue of ceremonial guards. When he sat on the dragon throne, the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony was completely silent.

The tassels swayed slightly, obscuring part of the young emperor's face, but unable to hide the calm and dignified gaze projected through the beads.

He simply sat there, without saying a word, and an invisible aura, a blend of founding spirit and steady control, enveloped the entire hall.

"You should have spoken up earlier—"

The resounding announcement of the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs heralded the start of the first grand court assembly of the new dynasty.

The initial audiences were mostly routine and announcements of good news.

Perhaps to bring good fortune to the new dynasty, or perhaps because officials in various regions had keenly sensed a new trend, almost all the reports submitted today were positive news.

The Liaodong Military Commissioner reported:

"The military and civilian settlements in Liaoshen, Guangning and other places are progressing smoothly. Last year, hundreds of thousands of acres of land were reclaimed. This spring, the wheat seedlings are growing well. The newly attached Han people and the naturalized Jurchen tribes are all at peace. The border is tranquil and trade is gradually opening up."

Zhu Cilang nodded slightly:

"With the Liaodong region newly pacified, the priority is to ensure the well-being of the people and facilitate land reclamation. The Ministry of Revenue must provide sufficient oxen and seeds for the land reclamation without delay."

The governors-general of Xuanfu and Datong, and the governors-general of Jiliao successively reported that the Mongol tribes of Khorchin and Chahar had sent envoys to offer tribute horses, and that the Mongol horses had fled far away along the Xuanfu, Datong and Jizhen lines.

Zhu Cilang said:

"The submission of the Mongol tribes is certainly a good thing. However, border defenses cannot be relaxed for even a day. Spring defenses and autumn drills must be carried out with utmost rigor. I hereby bestow silk and tea bricks upon the envoys of the Khorchin and other tribes as a sign of my commendation."

Next came the reports from the governors of Henan and Shandong.

"After last year's locust plague, this spring's timely rain and snow have brought hope for the wheat harvest, and many displaced people have returned to their hometowns."

The Grand Canal Transport Commissioner reported this to the emperor.

"The dredging of the section from Qingjiangpu to Tongzhou was completed last year, and this spring, the transport of grain from the south to the north was unimpeded."

Even the Imperial Astronomical Bureau reported this.

"Observing the celestial phenomena at night, the Purple Star shines brightly, signifying the reign of a wise and virtuous ruler, and peace throughout the land."

……

A series of words like "peaceful," "smooth," "obedient," and "promising" paints a picture of a prosperous and peaceful world, where everything is thriving. (End of Chapter)