Chapter 82: Chapter 64: Factional Strife

The 5th Year of Zhengyong, January 15th, the New Year is approaching.

The Imperial Uncle of Emperor Zhengyong, the fourth brother of the former emperor, was assassinated by an assassin, succumbing in the Prince’s Mansion in Yan City.

At that time.

For seven consecutive days, Yan City was under lockdown and curfew, with 100,000 soldiers surrounding the city to catch the rebellious assassin!

“Thank you for your hard work, Elder Chen.”

Capital City, Qiankun Hall.

Through the words of Chen Liancang, Zheng Yi only then understood everything that had happened in Yan City.

King Yan truly intends to rebel!

Fortunately, I was not soft-hearted and directly had Chen Liancang and others secretly assassinate King Yan in Yan City.

It was neat and tidy, leaving no evidence.

Although this matter is a bit dishonorable, after all, it concealed the major issue of King Yan’s rebellion, ensuring the stability of Great Yu, and Zheng Yi did not feel anything inappropriate.

“By the way, Elder Chen, what about Xiaogui and the others?”

“They were killed by the servant.”

“What? Killed!”

Zheng Yi exclaimed: “Why?”

“Xiaogui was loyal to me, and was working for me…”

“Your Majesty!”

Chen Liancang respectfully said: “Those who achieve great things do not mind small matters. The assassination of King Yan was of great importance, and I had to be cautious.”

“Xiaogui took five Embroidered Uniform Guards with him. If the news were to leak, it would be disadvantageous for Your Majesty!”

“For the sake of Your Majesty and the Great Yu World, I could only make this decision.”

“Rest assured, Your Majesty, I did it very cleanly. The bodies of Xiaogui and the others have long been devoured completely by wild beasts in the mountains.”

After a few moments, Zheng Yi could only sigh and say: “Alas… it has come to this, there is no other choice.”

“Pass down the order to bury them with generous gifts in a grave of clothes and hats, and focus on the distribution of consolation funds, understood?”

Chen Liancang’s heart tightened, and he immediately responded: “Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Elder Chen has been in Yan Land for more than a month. Did you observe any civil unrest in Youzhou?”

“Your Majesty, it is now the cold winter months, and most of the rebels are gathered in Guang’an City, Siping City, Shun City, and other occupied cities to recuperate and wait for the coming year.”

Chen Liancang said: “Throughout Youzhou, only a few large cities like Yan City, Yuyangg City, and Lishui City remain in the hands of the government soldiers.”

“Who currently commands the military forces in Youzhou?”

“Gongsun Bo. He is from a major local noble family in Youzhou, familiar with military matters, and commands a force of 6,000 Dragon Horse Cavalry, currently facing off against Wu Country’s forces alongside Grand General Xu Mujun at the Canglong River.”

“Dragon Horse Cavalry?”

“Dragon Horses are fine steeds produced in Youzhou, rumored to have the bloodline of the Dragon Race, standing over seven feet tall, capable of carrying 500 pounds as if on flat ground, and traveling 1,000 miles a day, extremely rare and excellent steeds.”

Over two meters tall? Horses capable of carrying 500 pounds?

“Wu Country, Wu Country again…”

Zheng Yi’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flash of murder intent flickering through them.

To completely quell the civil unrest, Wu Country must first be driven out.

Otherwise, Xu Mujun’s army will be continually tied down by Wu Country, and when will the civil unrest in the Six Northern States be resolved?

The main problem is still the division and power of the vassal towns and noble families across the northern states, with most of the rebels having intricate connections with these people.

Mobilizing heavy troops from the capital to suppress the rebels is unrealistic.

In that case, we can only…

“Summon Zhan Liang.”

“Yes!”

Chen Liancang quickly left, and half a day later, the travel-worn Zhan Liang appeared before Zheng Yi.

“Your humble servant Zhan Liang, pays respect to Your Majesty!”

“You may rise.”

Zheng Yi gently raised his hand and said: “I ask you, how is the production at the arsenal currently?”

Zhan Liang replied with excitement: “Your Majesty, with over 3,000 skilled blacksmiths from Imperial Sword Manor joining, the arsenal’s daily output has increased at least tenfold!”

“Currently, the arsenal holds over 23,000 Thunderbolt rounds, 72 Red Coat Cannons, Divine Fire Sprayers, and Poison Dragon Divine Fire Sprayers exceeding 3,000 in number.”

“These Red Coat Cannons, due to the metallurgical advancements from Imperial Sword Manor, are far superior in both power and robustness compared to before.”

“And, with the efforts of colleagues in the Ministry of Industry, we finally developed the latest model of the Matchlock Gun!”

“The Matchlock Gun’s development succeeded?!”

Zheng Yi’s eyes suddenly brightened. Using his prior life experience, he directly abandoned plans for firearms and bird guns, handing the matchlock gun’s design to the Ministry of Industry.

A few months of research led them to develop something finally.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Zhan Liang said: “This matchlock gun is about three feet long, straight on the outside with an inner barrel made of metal; internally, it runs through with a sealed bottom end; one side has a curved rod for the path of fire.”

“Its range is about thirty zhang, capable of shattering leather armor and even piercing iron armor, truly a great weapon for war!”

“Good!”

Zheng Yi immediately said: “You all have worked hard, I will have your rewards!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“Now it is the beginning of the fifth year of Zhengyong, by April, how many Thunderbolt rounds and Red Coat Cannons can your arsenal produce?”

“This…”

Zhan Liang calculated in his mind for several moments before saying: “Your Majesty, if materials are sufficient, in three months the arsenal can produce 100,000 Thunderbolt rounds, 200 Red Coat Cannons, and around 10,000 other firearms.”

“A hundred thousand Thunderbolt rounds… that’s enough!”

“If you can deliver this many firearms in three months, the position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Industry will be yours!”

Zhan Liang immediately knelt down excitedly, loudly declaring: “Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“You may go.”

“Yes!”

“Cheng’en.”

“The servant is here.”

“Summon… Chen Hongxiu and Zhao Tieshan.”

“Yes.”

Soon, two newly appointed Imperial Guards entered in succession.

“Your humble servant Chen Hongxiu/Zhao Tieshan greets Your Majesty!”

“You may rise.”

Zheng Yi raised his hand and said: “I have a task to assign to you both, what do you think?”

Chen Hongxiu immediately said: “Please command, Your Majesty, regardless of the task, this servant will do their utmost to complete it!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep