“Governor-General?”
In the imperial study, Pang Yukun’s face showed a puzzled expression. This title was somewhat novel.
Xiao Ming nodded. He said, “In the future, our army will occupy more places. The temporary managers of these places will be governors-general. They will represent the imperial court and exercise administrative authority.”
“So that’s it. In that case, Your Majesty is prepared to entrust this matter entirely to Ye Qingyun?”
“One Ye Qingyun is enough to deal with these Goryeo people. The imperial court only needs to set some rules for him, and he can make his own decisions for the rest. This way, he won’t be constrained and delay dealing with crisis situations.”
Pang Yukun nodded. Indeed, it was true. What they needed was to set national strategies. The specific details were to be executed by specific generals and officials. Otherwise, if they had to do everything themselves, it would be difficult for them to fully utilize their talents.
“I will now send a memorial back to Ye Qingyun,” Pang Yukun said.
With that, Pang Yukun turned and left.
Watching Pang Yukun’s figure disappear at the end of the path, Xiao Ming stretched, preparing to go back and rest. Traveling by boat and train these past two days was truly exhausting.
He didn’t expect to see Chen Qi walking towards him as he stepped out of the imperial study.
“Your Majesty, please look, what is this?” Upon reaching Xiao Ming, Chen Qi held out an item as if it were a treasure.
Seeing this item, which had an iron head and a wooden handle, Xiao Ming was startled. He said, “Is this a hand grenade?”
“That’s right, Your Majesty. This is indeed a stick grenade. After solving the problem of the pull-igniter tube, this stick grenade is no longer difficult to make,” Chen Qi said, looking relaxed.
“Excellent, excellent! You are all becoming accomplished now! Even when I am not present, you can independently develop weapons,” Xiao Ming said, greatly pleased. The cultivation of talent over these past eight years was well worth it.
Chen Qi scratched his head. He said, “Actually, this still relies on the information Your Majesty provided. This pull-igniter tube is merely a lead tube filled with crushed glass. With just a gentle pull, it can produce sparks from friction. With the pull-igniter tube, the fuse can be ignited. For this fuse, we use a five-second burning igniter cord. After five seconds, the igniter cord will detonate the hand grenade.”
Xiao Ming took the stick grenade and examined it repeatedly, very satisfied. In fact, grenades had a long history, and China was also the first to invent them.
However, grenades only appeared in Europe in the 15th century, primarily used for fortress defense and in prisons. It wasn’t until the mid-17th century that some European countries began equipping elite troops with field grenades. Soldiers specifically trained to use this ammunition were called grenadiers.
The British Grenadiers’ March was written specifically for grenadiers. However, grenades of this period were large and heavy, resembling shot puts.
Therefore, throwing grenades required astonishing arm strength and a brave heart, because grenadiers often had to throw grenades on the front lines.
This period continued until the 19th century. However, with the development of firearms and the reduction of siege warfare, grenades began to fall out of favor. But in World War I, due to the rise of trench warfare, grenades once again showed excellent results. A typical grenade at that time was the German stick grenade.
Now, Chen Qi had evidently manufactured a grenade similar to this one.
“Chen Qi, the appearance of this hand grenade is very timely. The war in the south is now caught in a vicious cycle of trench warfare, and what is needed is precisely this type of hand grenade. I will immediately order the Grand Secretariat to allocate a batch of men to you to establish a specialized grenade factory. From now on, you are to work day and night to produce hand grenades to break the stalemate of trench warfare in the south,” Xiao Ming said excitedly.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Chen Qi was somewhat flattered. His research progress in artillery was currently difficult. Although he had proposed several new types of artillery, these cannons could not be manufactured due to industrial limitations.
However, this hand grenade allowed him to regain his glory.
Giving Chen Qi an approving look, Xiao Ming continued, “I know you are researching the breech-loading cannon. Don’t rush this; it will happen naturally when the time is right.”
Chen Qi’s face showed gratitude. He said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consolation. Chen Qi will certainly continue to work hard.”
“Excellent.”
Having finished discussing the production of hand grenades, Xiao Ming, holding the stick grenade, felt a bit itching to try it out. He said, “There’s a spacious area in this imperial palace. Why don’t we test the power of this stick grenade?”
With that, the two left the imperial study and stopped at the small square in front.
“Your Majesty, please be careful not to hurt yourself. Just let the Imperial Guards try it.” Knowing the power of the hand grenade, Qian Dafu worried for Xiao Ming.
For him, this was a bomb.
Xiao Ming ignored Qian Dafu. The grenade’s safety measures were quite comprehensive, and a five-second delay was enough for him to avoid danger.
“No matter, no matter,” Xiao Ming said. As he spoke, he unscrewed the safety cap on the grenade, discarding the cap. Below it was a pull-string.
At this point, he also felt a bit nervous. After all, he had never used this item before. Previously, he did have the idea of establishing grenadiers, but he also knew that Qingzhou Province’s technology changed every three years, and more excellent and suitable grenades would soon appear. So he had abandoned the grenadier as a military branch, because he felt it was unnecessary.
And now, the appearance of the stick grenade allowed every soldier to easily throw it, which could unleash its true power.
“Sizzle!” Xiao Ming pulled the string hard. Green smoke immediately emerged from the grenade, and he could even hear the sound of the fuse burning.
Seeing this, he fiercely threw the stick grenade away.
“Boom!” A cloud of smoke and fire erupted thirty meters away. The shockwave of the grenade’s explosion directly lifted turf from the grass.
Qian Dafu’s face turned pale. He almost sat on the ground. A large number of Imperial Guards swarmed over due to the loud commotion.
“Hahaha…”
Xiao Ming and Chen Qi, however, laughed heartily without a care. There was a small, shallow pit where the grenade exploded, which was caused by the power of the grenade’s explosion.
They were both very satisfied with the power of the hand grenade.
“Very good. If that’s the case, produce them as quickly as possible. The war in the south urgently needs hand grenades to break the stalemate and also reduce soldier casualties,” Xiao Ming mused.
Chen Qi responded and bowed. He left, preparing to focus on this matter during this period.
After seeing Chen Qi off, Xiao Ming’s face broke into a smile.
The stick grenade was born, and at the same time, the thermal power plant project had begun. After countless dark nights, he would soon see the light of electricity.
Once electricity was available, more technological items would follow, and he believed that the Great Yu Empire’s technology would therefore always lead the world.
Even if these six who escaped taught all their knowledge to Europeans, they would not be able to catch up with the Great Yu Empire’s speed, because it was not just him working hard, but thousands of students working together.