Chapter 296: Shenjiying, Su Lie, and Xu Jingzong withstand the pressure
Li Shimin played with the musket in his hand, turning it over and over, his eyes full of curiosity and exploration.

“With just a move of your fingers, you can unleash a killing power stronger than that of a bow and crossbow. Is it that easy?” Li Shimin asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Li Chunfeng glanced at the prince and said, “According to your Highness’ instructions, the Tiangong Academy has established a department dedicated to the research and testing of muskets.”

“After years of experimenting, we finally have a finished product.”

“However, compared with the goal mentioned by Your Highness, Tiangong Academy still needs further improvement.”

Li Shimin smiled and asked, “How else can we improve it?”

The prince instructed him, and he almost understood the purpose of coming to Tiangongyuan this time.

“One is accuracy, two is loading method, three is ammunition, four is firing method, and so on.”

Li Chunfeng said: “Your Majesty, if the musket can fire continuously, its effect will far exceed that of the bow and crossbow.”

Hear the words.

Li Shimin’s hands holding the musket couldn’t help but tighten.

He had just seen the musket being fired.

If you can do continuous shooting.

It’s hard to believe how terrible it would be if the army was armed with this kind of musket.

“It’s better not to aim too high.”

Li Chengqian said calmly: “I set the goal and direction for you, not for you to achieve it all at once.”

“Let’s finish the rapid reload and fire before we think about continuous firing.”

The current method of loading muskets is similar to queueing for execution.

Even quick-loading rifles can’t do it, let alone automatic rifles.

Li Chengqian didn’t know when he would be able to do it.

What he gave to Tiangong Academy were often directions that he dared not think of. He would set the next goal and let them explore and research on their own.

In fact, he didn’t know how to make guns.

Therefore, this process is very long, and every step taken by Tiangongyuan is actually laying the foundation.

The importance of foundation is self-evident.

As long as the foundation is solid and a system is formed, latecomers can learn and replenish the blood.

“One cannon and one musket.”

Li Shimin sighed, “Your Tiangong Academy is going to completely change my army and the way it fights.”

“It also officially puts an end to the battlefield model that has existed for generations.”

He couldn’t help but sigh.

In the past, when the war broke out, thousands of arrows were fired and then the soldiers charged into the battle.

Now there are thousands of cannons roaring and horses trampling on the camps.

After fighting for half my life, I found in the end that the battles I fought back then were really a bit outdated.

“It’s not cheap, is it?”

“Fortunately, it takes about ten strings of cash to make one.”

Li Chunfeng said: “Of course, there is still room to reduce costs.”

Li Chengqian knew that Tiangong Institute had developed a lathe specifically for turning gun barrels.

Sometimes Li Chengqian couldn’t understand what they were doing.

Anyway, they created a lot of strange things based on hydraulic machinery.

Trains are made with the support of hydraulic machinery.

Sometimes he always thinks that it is not that the ancients did not know many things, but that their thinking is very unique and often very imaginative.

But there is a lack of suitable soil and development background.

After all, invention and experimentation are extremely expensive.

Without the strong support of Li Chengqian, the top brother on the list, there would be no Tiangong Workshop, let alone Tiangong Academy.

The imperial court will not spend money on these supports. For them, it is undoubtedly a waste if they cannot see a bright future.

However, the results produced by the Institute of Technology today are gradually changing this perception.

“Since there is still room for improvement.”

Li Shimin said: “For the time being, let’s give the new army and the Shenjiwei a batch of new weapons.”

“Let’s see the effect first.”

Li Chengqian said at the right time: “Your Majesty, why don’t we set up another battalion of the Divine Machine Guards?”

“This battalion is equipped with muskets, cannons, fire mines, crossbows, etc.”

In fact, the crossbow is equivalent to a rocket launcher carried by a single soldier.

Although it is large, it can be operated by two or three people.

Of course it can be simplified.

If the main weapon of a battalion’s soldiers is a musket, and their secondary weapon is a knife, and they are supported by fire mines, rocket launchers, and long-range artillery.

When Li Chengqian thought about such a team, he felt that it had a bit of the flavor of modern military forces.

Li Shimin hesitated for a moment and said, “That’s possible.”

“It’s just that this candidate…”

As he spoke, he looked at someone next to him.

Su Lie!

This time Li Shimin called him back.

He has always known about Su Lie’s existence, but he didn’t care too much about it and deliberately did not use him.

Now he has to do something, so he plans to activate Su Lie.

“Su Lie is pretty good.”

Li Chengqian smiled.

He had thought about saving Su Lie, but there had never been a suitable opportunity.

Later, when Goguryeo was destroyed, Su Lie also shone, but was suppressed by Li Shimin.

Li Jing is not a qualified master to this disciple.

He was too cautious, which led to his disciple suffering injustice and buried his own military talent.

This time, Li Jing’s statement was very crucial, so Li Shimin recalled Su Lie to use him.

There is no suitable place for the time being, so I have to take it with me first.

“Then it’s settled.”

“Su Lie, you will go to the Divine Machine Guard and lead a battalion. Let’s call it the Divine Machine Battalion.”

Li Shimin named it this way, and the Shenjiying of the Shenjiwei was equivalent to the main force of the Shenjiwei.

“I thank your majesty for his grace!”

Su Lie said immediately, with excitement on his face.

After so many years, he finally saw hope.

“You must lead the Shenji Camp well for me, otherwise, I will hold you accountable.” “Your Majesty, rest assured, if the Shenji Camp cannot become an invincible and powerful army, I will commit suicide to apologize!”

“Good, very energetic. I like this kind of energy.”

……

End of the trip to Tiangongyuan.

It was rare for Li Shimin not to ride a horse, and it was also rare for Li Chengqian to ride in the same carriage with Li Shimin.

Only Chu Suiliang was with the two of them.

“Chu Suiliang, you don’t have to remember it this time.”

Li Shimin said.

Chu Suiliang said nothing and just kept writing.

Li Shimin’s eyes twitched. Did he remember what I just said?
He took one look and his veins popped out.

Damn it!

“Your Majesty, please don’t embarrass him.”

Li Chengqian smiled.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Chu Suiliang said.

Li Shimin was a little unhappy and had to stop talking.

He returned to Chang’an in silence.

Li Chengqian left first. After a while, he turned back and saw Li Shimin’s carriage. He couldn’t help but laugh.

“Chu Suiliang, you deserve to die!”

Li Shimin glared fiercely.

Chu Suiliang shook his head and said, “Your Majesty, I know you want to be close to His Highness.”

“You know it, but you still have to remember it?” Li Shimin said coldly.

“Your Majesty, do you think I will not remember? You can say that I choose to remember or not.” Chu Suiliang said weakly.

This almost choked Li Shimin to death.

He suddenly realized and said, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“Your Majesty didn’t ask.”

“Will you be like this in the future?”

“Your Majesty, I remember everything you asked now.”

Chu Suiliang said.

Li Shimin was stunned. Chu Suiliang, you are a piece of shit.

Are you playing tricks on me?

……

The Commissioner of Taxation began his investigation amid a barrage of criticism.

Under tremendous pressure, Xu Jingzong was determined to conduct a population census of the wealthy and powerful families.

But the progress was not smooth and encountered great resistance and difficulties.

If it was just a matter of checking, the tax collectors would have just checked directly, but with the involvement of local officials, they were so experienced and impartial that Xu Jingzong couldn’t find a reason to get angry.

This made the tax commissioner very uncomfortable.

Just at this juncture, Xu Jingzong made a memorial, demanding that taxes be paid according to the amount of land.

This caused greater condemnation of Xu Jingzong among the people.

This makes the work of the Taxation Department even more difficult to proceed.

“Did Xu Jingzong withstand the pressure?”

Li Chengqian asked.

Di Renjie said, “We held on.”

“There were many obstacles before. The local government took the lead in taking away the account books of the big households under the pretext of investigating taxes.”

“Xu Jingzong turned around and checked the population and land of the official’s family.”

Di Renjie had to admire Xu Jingzong for being so bold.

In such a difficult situation, he suddenly turned the tables and investigated the family of whoever interfered.

As a result of this action, the local government’s magistrate, governor and others were immediately in trouble.

I am here to help you wealthy and powerful people.

It’s not for you to bear the pressure first.

Why are they coming towards them instead?
What should I say to the elders in my family when they come to question me?

I would rather my friend die than let me die.

They dare not intervene under any other pretext.

After all, the current situation is still unclear. Is it really a thorough investigation or just a passing fad?

The struggle in the court has not yet come to an end.

He was the first to be found out and became a victim.

The accumulation of my family over generations has been destroyed in an instant. My official career has come to an end. I cannot explain to my family members in life, and how can I face my ancestors in death?

Therefore, although they were still hesitant, they were far from being as public-spirited and righteous as they were before when facing the Tax Commissioner.

After some prevarication and delay, he handed over all the account books and other things.

“Then the situation has been opened up.”

Li Chengqian smiled and said, “Xu Jingzong is quite smart.”

“Know how to hit the snake at its weakest point.”

Di Renjie said: “Yes, after all, the court didn’t say anything, so we should start with the government itself.”

“As long as we don’t start with the families of local officials and start investigating other people, there will be less resistance.”

Li Chengqian nodded and said, “Let Xu Jingzong check it first.”

“Since everyone is so excited, let’s see when we can make this excitement a big one.”

“I want to see what methods they will use.”

Di Renjie’s heart sank. It seemed that the prince was really fully prepared and was just waiting for those aristocratic families to make a move.

“Your Highness, there is something wrong with the Jiangnan gentry…” Di Renjie did not explain clearly and stopped there.

“Don’t worry about them for now.”

Li Chengqian said calmly: “It’s normal for them to have opinions. After all, the tax commissioner is also investigating Jiangnan.”

“I remember there was a tax commissioner in Jiangnan named Gu Yuan, who was from the Eastern Palace’s staff. Erlang even supported him, right?”

Di Renjie said: “There is such a person.”

“Pay attention to Jiangnan and see what Gu Yuan does.”

“Yes!”

(End of this chapter)