Night’s dark curtain gradually enveloped the imperial palace.
As the two were discussing the Prince of Yong’s consort, Qian Dafu delivered the evening meal.
Cui Xue’er and the other two knew it was inconvenient at this time and each went to their respective bedchambers. Ziyuan and Lu Luo had always been close, and their bedchamber was together. The two parted ways with Cui Xue’er halfway.
Walking along the brightly lit path, a palace maid beside Cui Xue’er suddenly said faintly, “Your Highness, it is said that the Prince of Yong’s consort came this time to probe the intention of reducing the feudal lords’ power. After the great victory in Pingzhou City, the ministers suddenly became bolder. Many officials petitioned Elder Fei and Senior Grand Secretary Pang, claiming that to unify the Great Yu Empire, the policy of reducing feudal lords must be implemented.”
Cui Xue’er had already felt a faint worry, and it deepened when her maid, who had served her since childhood, spoke. She gently snorted, “These ministers are merely opportunists, crossing the river and tearing down the bridge. Such clamor is only to show loyalty to the Emperor.”
After a pause, she sighed, “However, from the Emperor’s demeanor, it seems he indeed has the intention of reducing feudal lords’ power.”
“Then what should we do? His Majesty won’t deal with the Prince of Huainan the same way he dealt with Prince Zhao and the others, will he?” the palace maid asked anxiously.
Cui Xue’er frowned slightly. “My imperial father followed His Majesty to pacify the northern rebellion, which is a great merit. I believe His Majesty will certainly not take harsh measures. However, it will at least mean abolishing his military power. But I am not entirely sure if my imperial father and elder brother can accept this. My elder brother also had palace servants inquire about this today, so he must be extremely worried about this matter.”
With that, the two stopped speaking and headed to their bedchamber.
The next day, Xiao Ming woke early. It was too late yesterday for him to visit the Empress Dowager, so today he did not delay and went directly to her.
He understood that some ministers now also wanted to gain favor by pushing for the reduction of feudal lords’ power, but in his view, this was causing him trouble.
Now, with external threats still present, he did not want to cause internal chaos. Although the Prince of Huainan and the Prince of Yong were vulnerable, if they truly became desperate, they would again cause damage to the Great Yu Empire’s industry and commerce, and this was not worth it.
Upon arriving at Ciren Hall, Xiao Ming greeted the Empress Dowager and then inquired about the matter.
Concubine Zhen heard this and smiled gently, “The Prince of Yong is a bit worried. It’s all these ministers’ fault; they just cause trouble.”
“The Empress Dowager is absolutely right. I will reprimand them today, lest they continue to cause me trouble,” Xiao Ming said.
Although reducing the feudal lords’ power was his original intention, it was not the right time yet. He had to be patient, and Concubine Zhen’s words clearly conveyed the same meaning.
Having understood the whole story, Xiao Ming had a plan in mind. He and Qian Dafu went to the Zhengda Guangming Hall on time.
As the court assembly began, Pang Yukun immediately said, “Your Majesty, the Prince of Yong has submitted a memorial requesting to retire to his hometown and live out his old age in peace.”
“Your Majesty, my imperial father’s letter a few days ago also expressed this intention,” Cui Shang’an stepped forward and said as his words fell.
The ministers’ expressions varied upon seeing this. Some were overjoyed, some puzzled, and some frowned in deep thought.
Xiao Ming sneered inwardly. As soon as he returned from Shanhai Pass, these two came to probe him. If he agreed to their request to retire to their hometowns, the matter of reducing feudal lords’ power would be confirmed.
He would not fall for their trick. So he said, “The Great Yu Empire is in ruins, waiting to be rebuilt, and it is a time when capable people are needed. How can the Prince of Yong and the Prince of Huainan abandon me? I do not grant this request.”
Pang Yukun breathed a sigh of relief. He bowed and said, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Cui Shang’an felt a weight lift from his heart upon hearing this, and echoed “Yes” simultaneously.
Having casually dismissed the two, Xiao Ming thought nothing of it. For him, this was just a small interlude. It would not be too late to discuss it again when the main army returned to the capital.
He did not want to kill the Prince of Huainan and the Prince of Yong, but their military power had to be relinquished. He would no longer allow a divided Great Yu Empire to exist.
While he was holding court, a special batch of weapons arrived in Pingzhou City: Conqueror Muskets with aiming scopes.
At this time, Lu Fei was repeatedly examining a Conqueror Musket in his hand. His firearm was a bit different; it had a metal-cased telescope on top.
Accompanying the aiming scopes was Wang Quan, a company commander of the Imperial Guard stationed in Qingzhou Province. After this batch of Conqueror Muskets was manufactured, he had been training soldiers in the military camp and had now mastered how to use this firearm to accurately shoot enemies.
Lei Ming and Luo Xin were also present. Both showed playful expressions. He said, “His Majesty said this firearm’s range is very accurate. Is that true?”
Wang Quan was not a very talkative person. He said seriously, “A normal Conqueror Musket’s firing accuracy will gradually worsen beyond one hundred meters due to vision issues. So, even though the Conqueror Musket has a range of nine hundred meters, it’s most effective for shooting at a distance of one hundred to two hundred meters. However, with this aiming scope, it’s different. Soldiers can see much farther.”
Lu Fei picked up the aiming scope and looked at the soldiers on the city wall. In his view, the soldiers’ bodies appeared greatly magnified.
He said, “Let’s see if it’s a mule or a horse. Commander Wang, demonstrate it for us.”
The Great Yu Empire’s military system stipulated that lower-ranking generals and soldiers must obey the orders of higher-ranking generals. This was to ensure that the army could be quickly reorganized if dispersed.
Although Wang Quan was not Lu Fei’s subordinate, he still had to obey Lu Fei’s orders in terms of military rank.
Everyone went to the city gate. Lu Fei chose three skilled marksmen to go with Wang Quan to the open ground outside the city. Then, he had targets set up at four hundred meters.
The three soldiers without aiming scopes looked distressed. This distance was too far; they could barely see the targets.
Just as the three hesitated, Wang Quan decisively raised his firearm. After aiming, he pulled the trigger.
Lu Fei, who had intentionally made things difficult for Wang Quan, was now stunned.
Soon, a soldier relayed the target information: Wang Quan had hit the fourth ring.
“So accurate!” Lu Fei sighed in admiration. He greedily looked at the Conqueror Musket in Wang Quan’s hand. “Killing a barbarian general from such a distance with one shot will surely throw the barbarians into chaos. It seems capturing Jinzhou is no longer a problem.”
Lei Ming said, “Wang Quan, you have less than a month. We will give you our best shooters from the army. You must train a group of sharpshooters for us.”
“Yes,” Wang Quan saluted Lei Ming.
The three exchanged glances and smiled at each other. If Jinzhou were captured this time, the barbarians would basically lose their most important agricultural and mining regions, and decline would become inevitable.
Having suffered barbarian bullying for decades, the situation had finally reversed. The three were also excited, as they had personally fought the barbarians and knew their former might.
But now, facing the Great Yu Empire’s firearms and cannons, the barbarians gradually lost their advantage. Now, from their hearts, they strongly supported the reforms Xiao Ming was implementing.