The problem wasn't with the design of those firearms; it was that the quality of the firearms produced was extremely poor.
It is said that the cost of manufacturing muskets for the Ming Dynasty army was only one-tenth of the funds allocated by the central government…
The standard was ten taels of silver, and you only used one tael. You even embezzled the craftsmen's wages. If this stuff even meets the standards, I'll livestream myself running a five-speed electric fan every day.
Therefore, most Ming soldiers preferred to use rusty broadswords and spears rather than firearms. At least with broadswords and spears, they wouldn't kill themselves, but firearms were a different story. They might be 'committed suicide' before the battle even began.
Seeing that Lu Wenzhao remained silent, Lu Xuan didn't make things difficult for him. It wasn't his fault.
"Go back and have Shen Lian inventory and inspect all the firearms. Pick out the usable ones and give me the rest."
"Sir, what is this?"
“There’s no way around it. Can you repair a musket if it breaks? Can you even make one? And then there are weapons and armor. All of these wear out. I’ve looked into Liaoyang. The few craftsmen there are are listless and half-dead; we can’t count on them. So, I’ll make time to go to the capital. You’ll come with me. I’ll go to the Emperor and plead poverty. You can give me whatever else you need.”
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Chapter 123 The Sword Names Sun and Moon (Please Subscribe)
This was Lu Xuan's first time leaving Liaodong and entering the Central Plains since he came into this world.
They traveled by water, disembarking directly at Shanhaiwei, and then proceeded by land to the capital. It was on this journey that they heard news: Zhu Yijun was dead.
Lu Xuan was speechless. He had rushed as fast as he could, but still hadn't managed to see the emperor before his death. The emperor's exceptional promotion of him was somewhat of a coincidence. Lu Xuan had even planned to extract some more benefits from the emperor before his demise. But before they could even meet, the emperor had already passed away.
By the time they arrived in the capital, the emperor was already Zhu Changluo. A famously short-lived emperor, he apparently reigned for only twenty-nine days in total.
In fact, if you look at the evaluations of Zhu Changluo on Baidu, the first half is very positive. He appointed virtuous ministers, eliminated corrupt practices, and revitalized the court. But then the tone shifts abruptly, showing him indulging in women and pleasure, living a life of debauchery, and ultimately dying in bed...
Lu Xuan didn't know how someone could work themselves to death in just twenty-nine days, then stay up all night playing with women. Even though everyone has two sides, his extreme approach was truly absurd.
Anyone with eyes can see how Zhu Changluo died. The Red Pill Case is even recorded in history. Lu Xuan doesn't understand why such an obvious thing isn't clearly stated in the records. He can only say...
This was the second capital city of China that Lu Xuan had visited. Architecturally, the Ming Dynasty's buildings were clearly more sophisticated.
In the early Ming Dynasty, architecture largely followed the styles of previous dynasties, tending towards a simple and robust style. However, by the late Ming period, architectural styles had become more complex. This was essentially a sign of progress in architectural culture. These complex styles, over time, would refine and evolve, eventually forming a richer system.
Unfortunately, Lu Xuan knew perfectly well that none of this was possible anymore. This evolution had come to an end.
After Zhu Changluo ascended the throne, he immediately received Lu Xuan and treated him with the utmost courtesy, making Lu Xuan feel somewhat embarrassed.
"My great Ming dynasty has lasted for over three hundred years, thanks to unparalleled loyalty and bravery like you, my dear minister. You have worked hard guarding Liaodong for me. Do you have any requests?"
Upon meeting, she immediately asked Lu Xuan what his requirements were. Her enthusiasm made Lu Xuan somewhat suspicious.
"Your Majesty, Liaodong suffered heavy losses in the previous battle. Not only did the military and civilians suffer heavy losses, but countless grains were also looted. Now we are short of manpower, food, and pay. I have come to the capital this time hoping that the court can provide some assistance. At least enough to allow me to hold out until the autumn harvest."
Zhu Changluo looked slightly embarrassed. He had actually guessed why Lu Xuan had come. But unfortunately, the national treasury simply didn't have the money.
"To be honest, the national treasury is empty. I am truly powerless to help. However, since you have fought for the country, I will not let you suffer any injustice. I have taken a batch of funds from the inner palace for your military pay, approximately one million taels. I am issuing you an imperial edict; you can take your men to collect it."
For the entire Liaodong region, one million taels of silver, while not a large sum, was certainly a lifesaver in an emergency. During the Chongzhen era, tens of millions of taels were commonplace, which only showed that Chongzhen had been thoroughly misled. Zhu Changluo raising money from the emperor's private treasury for Lu Xuan was an extremely generous gesture.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities. Disasters are raging everywhere, and crops are failing. Taxes are being collected lately. It's the soldiers on the front lines who are suffering."
"As soldiers of the Ming Dynasty, it is our duty to defend our territory. There is no hardship involved. It is Your Majesty who has been working so hard for the country."
Lu Xuan was telling the truth, because Zhu Changluo's complexion was indeed not good. He looked like he had indulged in excessive drinking and womanizing. However, based on Lu Xuan's interactions with him, this man was definitely not the kind of person who was licentious and unrestrained. His appearance even gave Lu Xuan a feeling that perhaps those people had already made their move.
"Hehe, just a minor ailment, nothing serious." Zhu Changlu coughed a few times, but then forcibly suppressed it. This caused his face to flush.
"I caught a cold a few days ago and am feeling slightly unwell. It's nothing serious," he repeated. Then he waved his hand. A eunuch behind him quickly came forward.
"His Majesty."
"Go and get that thing."
"It's Your Majesty." The eunuch quickly left. A few breaths later, he emerged, carrying a long box with some difficulty.
"General Lu, this is a gift from His Majesty."
Lu Xuan reached out and took the box. Zhu Changluo gestured for him to open it and take a look.
Although Lu Xuan knew exactly what was inside the box the moment he received it, he still opened it. Inside was a long sword.
"Actually, this sword was forged for you by the late emperor. That day, I heard that you single-handedly killed Nurhaci. The late emperor was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night. Afterwards, he wanted to give you a special reward. I later heard Guo Zhen recount the details of that battle. In Guo Zhen's words, Lu Xuan, your martial arts are unparalleled in the world. You are an unmatched warrior who can take the head of an enemy general from among ten thousand soldiers. The late emperor wanted to bestow upon you a weapon worthy of you."
So we found a master swordsmith from Japan, and together with the top craftsmen of our Ming Dynasty, we forged this precious sword for you. Why don't you try it?
Lu Xuan reached out and grasped the hilt of the sword. It was a heavy battle sword in the style of a Miao sword. The blade was about 1.2 meters long, and the hilt was 30 centimeters long.
The blade is slightly curved, with a fine, even cloud-like pattern on its surface. It reflects light, but not in a bright silver; rather, it emits a subtle, dark glow. This gives the blade a chilling, murderous aura. At first glance, it is clearly a weapon of slaughter.
The back of the blade wasn't particularly thick, but it seemed to have been augmented using some unique technique. Lu Xuan roughly estimated that the entire knife weighed over thirty pounds.
Although the weight was still somewhat light for Lu Xuan, it was still quite convenient to use as a one-handed knife.
He casually swung the knife a few times. Zhu Changluo and the old eunuch, who were watching from the side, were both shocked. They had both handled this knife before. The old eunuch had even felt a strain when he carried it out with both hands.
The imperial guards had tried it. But even waving their arms with both hands was extremely difficult for them. Yet this General Lu could easily wave his arm with one hand. That strength alone could be described as superhuman.
"Good, good, hahaha. General Lu truly lives up to his reputation for superhuman strength." Zhu Changluo appeared extremely pleased. "This sword has just been forged. It has not yet been named. General Lu, you can give it a name."
Lu Xuan put the knife back in the box. After thinking for a moment, he said...
"How about we call it Sun and Moon?"