Early in the morning, a loud rooster crow shattered the silence.
Because of tiredness the night before, the two had gone to bed early. Now Xiao Ming woke up, but Fei Yue’er was still sound asleep. Not wanting to disturb her, he quietly got out of bed alone.
He had many official matters to handle today. It had been a month since he last returned, and he wasn’t sure what had happened in his fief during that time. Most important was the potato situation.
He needed to promote potatoes this year, so the people of the six prefectures would accept this new crop. By next year, they could start planting it.
After dressing, washing, and a simple meal, Xiao Ming headed straight to the governor’s mansion.
Pang Yu Kun was still excited from yesterday’s potato surprise. Seeing Xiao Ming, his face was all smiles—quite rare for such a serious man.
“Don’t just focus on potatoes. There’s government work too. Immediately notify the military, Bowen Academy, the military workshop, and others to come for a meeting,” Xiao Ming said.
Pang Yu Kun nodded and quickly sent messengers to notify everyone.
After waiting half an hour at the mansion, people arrived one by one. They all wore joyful expressions—Xiao Ming’s wedding celebrations still fresh in their minds.
After some greetings and light talk, Xiao Ming asked them to sit and began inquiring about the fief’s condition.
“Commander Niu, how is the Youzhou army formation coming?”
Niu Ben replied, “In the past month, we strictly screened slave soldiers. Now, seven thousand have been assigned to Qingzhou army. After opening granaries and distributing grain, many commoners in Youzhou have enthusiastically joined. The new Youzhou army totals 12,000 soldiers. Along with 8,000 from Guanning Iron Cavalry, the total is now 20,000. Lei Ming pulled core members from the Iron Cavalry to serve as officers at various levels. Bowen Academy has selected excellent staff to assist officers with military affairs.”
He paused, then continued, “With Qingzhou army’s help, Youzhou army has started firearm training, and artillery drills are underway. In about six months, Youzhou troops can rotate with Qingzhou army.”
Xiao Ming nodded, “Shanhai Pass is critical. Cangzhou’s troops can be transferred there. The garrison must maintain 50,000 soldiers and push fortress-building strategies to restrict barbarian raids on Great Yu’s border.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Barbarians have scouts outside Shanhai Pass. Guanning Iron Cavalry patrol often. But the northern weather is getting cold, and soldiers’ uniforms are thin. I worry the cold winter will severely hurt morale and fighting power. Please prepare winter clothes for Shanhai Pass’s troops.”
Xiao Ming frowned. This was a serious issue. In history, German troops failed to invade the Soviet Union due to winter, and the Ming often sent southern troops north when fighting the Qing.
Southern soldiers unaccustomed to the cold suffered low morale. Meanwhile, the Qing and barbarians were adapted, wearing fur coats and ear-covering hats for winter.
After thinking, Xiao Ming said, “It’s perfect timing. Father recently sent over ten thousand bolts of cloth. Have the weaving workshops make cotton-padded winter clothes for Shanhai Pass soldiers.”
Niu Ben was overjoyed. This had troubled him for days, and now Xiao Ming’s return solved it immediately.
Besides clothing, Niu Ben reported, “The military workshop recently delivered 4,000 flintlock rifles. Qingzhou army now has 20,000 flintlocks, one per soldier. The surplus can go to Youzhou and Cangzhou armies. That’s all from me.”
Xiao Ming nodded and looked at Chen Wenlong. “How is the Machinery Department and military workshop? The court wants to purchase 5,000 matchlock rifles. Any problems?”
“None, Your Highness. The Machinery Department has divided the lathes into separate workshops. The drilling lathe workshop alone has expanded to 600 machines, enough to produce 5,000 barrels a month,” Chen Wenlong said.
“Six hundred machines? That many?” Xiao Ming was surprised.
Chen Wenlong nodded, “Since adopting hydrogen purification for tungsten powder, pure tungsten powder production is easier, speeding drill bit manufacturing. We are also trying hydrogen purification for other ores. The metal refinery is under construction. Craftsmen like Zhang Liu are studying precision metal gears to build the clock Your Highness requested.”
Xiao Ming smiled, “Good. Keep it up. The industrial base depends on your Machinery Department .”
“Your Highness, the Tiger Cannon is progressing too. Recently, we successfully test-fired it against a gunpowder barrel. Its range exceeds trebuchets by 300 meters, reaching 500 meters,” Chen Qi said excitedly.
“Five hundred meters,” Xiao Ming laughed. “Not bad. You’re finally able to handle things independently. After this meeting, I’ll go see your Tiger Cannon.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Chen Qi said eagerly. He had been researching various cannon types and made progress on the Tiger Cannon.
Xiao Ming then asked Song Changping about matchlock rifle production. With craftsmen’s skill and assembly line use, production was steadily increasing.
Xiao Ming’s first questions about the army showed his serious attention. He knew upcoming wars might be continuous. Even bringing East Asia into his sphere would be difficult.
After army updates, Xiao Ming looked to Yue Yun, who hadn’t attended the last meeting due to work at Dengzhou shipyard.
“Yue Yun, how is the navy?”
“Your Highness, this year I recruited 3,000 sailors and trained captains, helmsmen, sailmen, and gunners according to the warship numbers launching. We’ve been training on three galleys for months. Once the ships launch, the fleet will be ready immediately,” Yue Yun’s voice was steady and deep. This training made him an excellent naval officer.
Xiao Ming nodded with satisfaction, then said to Wang Xuan, “Before the new year, deploy secret guards south to the Chu King’s fief to gather intelligence on the Dutch—ships, troops, and defenses on Ryukyu Island. Report all to me.”
“Your Highness, will the navy be at war?”
Yue Yun’s expression grew intense. He hadn’t forgotten the humiliation at sea—British Redcoats and Dutch Greycoats rampaging their waters, killing indiscriminately.