Chapter 312 The Queen is Pregnant
After receiving Zhao Xing's order, Sheng Hong immediately left the palace and brought the craftsman into the palace.
After Sheng Hong's report, Zhao Xing had no intention of handling government affairs. When he learned that Sheng Hong had brought someone here, he hurriedly summoned him.
"I, the humble servant, pay my respects to Your Majesty!"
After a while, Sheng Hong and a short middle-aged man in his thirties walked in.
The middle-aged man had a slightly dark complexion and was very excited when he saluted.
He was just a craftsman and came to Bian Jing just to see if he could get an official position. He never expected that he would be summoned by the emperor.
"No need to be polite." Zhao Xing waved his hand and asked in a friendly manner, "What's your name and where are you from?"
"Your Majesty, my name is Chen Kui, and I am from Shouzhou." Chen Kui said.
"I heard that you made a musket that can use gunpowder to spray gravel dozens of steps away. I want to see its power. How about you demonstrate it to me?" Zhao Xing said with a smile.
"I obey your command!" Chen Kui naturally did not dare to refuse.
"Let's go outside." Zhao Xing stood up and said.
There was an open space outside the Longtu Pavilion, so Zhao Xing asked Chen Kui to demonstrate here.
The muskets and gunpowder were brought into the palace, but not brought in when they met the emperor before. Zhao Xing also saw them when they came out.
It is indeed a thick bamboo tube, the back end is a handheld wooden stick, and there is a small ignition hole on the outer wall.
Zhao Xing took a quick look and asked Sanshui to lead Chen Kui to demonstrate a few dozen steps away.
Although he wanted to take a closer look, Zhao Xing endured it for safety reasons.
Chen Kui fiddled with it for a while. After about half a cup of tea, Sanshui came back trotting and said, "Your Majesty, the man said that the noise was a bit loud and asked Your Majesty to cover your ears."
"No need. I'm not that timid." Zhao Xing waved his hand.
"Your Majesty, when I asked Chen Kui to demonstrate it, he also reminded me to cover my ears, but I didn't pay attention and got startled. The noise was indeed a bit scary, so Your Majesty should cover your ears," Sheng Hong reminded.
Zhao Xing waved his hand and said impatiently: "Sanshui, tell him to start."
"Yes!" Sanshui responded and hurried away.
Sheng Hong looked conflicted. He wanted to cover his ears, but since Zhao Xing didn't cover them, he didn't know how to do it.
On the other side, after receiving the notice, Chen Kui held the bamboo tube with one hand, took the torch from the imperial guard behind him and lit the fuse.
Then he quickly handed the torch to the soldier and held the bamboo tube tightly with both hands.
"boom!"
There was a loud noise, and even though Sheng Hong was prepared, he still shuddered.
Zhao Xing, however, did not move and hurried forward.
As the sound just sounded, smoke filled the other end of the bamboo tube, blocking the view.
"Your Majesty!" When Chen Kui saw Zhao Xing coming, he quickly dropped the bamboo tube and bowed.
Zhao Xing ignored him, but lowered his head and looked at the bamboo tube carefully.
The area around the jet nozzle of the bamboo tube was pitch black, and there were cracks on the bamboo tube.
"Go and see how far the stone is shot." Zhao Xing ordered Sanshui.
"Can you load the gunpowder and stones faster?" Zhao Xing looked at Chen Kui and asked.
This thing is just a cheap shotgun, and it looks like it can only be used once.
However, if the range is good, even if it is a one-time shot, it can still be very useful in defense.
Although the soldiers rushing in the front on the battlefield are all wearing armor, using gravel as bullets will most likely not penetrate the armor.
However, the armor worn by the soldiers could not protect the entire body, at least their faces could not be covered.
The only disadvantage is that it takes too much time to load gunpowder and gravel.
And it requires fire, so it definitely can’t be used on rainy days.
"Your Majesty, it can be faster, but not much faster. If the gunpowder and gravel are not loaded properly, the power will be greatly reduced." Chen Kui replied.
He was a little slower than usual because he was excited.
Zhao Xing was a little disappointed when he heard this. The shortcomings were too great. It could work wonders the first time it was used, but as long as there was a precaution later, it would not be very useful. However, Zhao Xing soon felt relieved. For him, Chen Kui was the greatest gain.
Chen Kui was able to make a musket by himself. With the theories he provided, it was not impossible to make more powerful firearms.
"His Majesty!"
Sanshui came back trotting, bowed and said, "The farthest stone thrown was more than 130 steps away, and most were around 100 steps away."
"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded, looked at Chen Kui and said, "I intend to appoint you as a ninth-rank official and assign you to work in the Firearms Department. Are you willing?"
Deng Shilang was a ninth-rank civil official with no real power and was only there to receive a salary.
"I am willing to do so. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your reward!" Chen Kui knelt down excitedly to express his gratitude.
The imperial court recruited skilled craftsmen, and said that only those with outstanding performance would be given official titles. Now that he had been given the title, how could he not agree?
"Now you should call yourself a minister." Sheng Hong reminded.
"Yes, yes, yes. I...I thank your Majesty for the reward." Chen Kui was so excited that he was incoherent.
"Okay, get up." Zhao Xing smiled and said, "You have entered the Firearms Department. If you do a good job and develop more powerful firearms, I will reward you."
After saying that, Zhao Xing asked Sanshui to take Chen Kui away and sent someone to send Chen Kui to the Firearms Department.
"Minister Sheng has done a good job this time. Please put more effort into selecting the craftsmen." Zhao Xing said with a smile.
"I obey your order." Sheng Hong bowed.
After praising Sheng Hong a few words, Zhao Xing let him go back.
Zhao Xing was very satisfied even if only Chen Kui was selected as the craftsman this time.
Zhao Xing, in a good mood, had just entered the Longtu Pavilion and had not yet sat down when the eunuch of the palace hurriedly came in and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother sent someone to announce the good news that the Queen Mother is pregnant with a dragon child!"
"Haha." Zhao Xing was stunned at first, then he became very happy and laughed, "Today is really a double happiness."
Although he didn't care about the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children, Zhang Guifen was his legal wife after all. If she gave birth to a prince earlier, it would also be beneficial to the stability of the harem.
Moreover, Zhang Guifen couldn't get pregnant and she was always worrying.
Zhao Xing was no longer in the mood to handle government affairs, so he went straight to Renming Palace.
…………
Inmyeong Palace
Zhang Guifen was stroking her belly with a happy look on her face, listening to Mrs. He's instructions.
Although her belly was flat, she was very careful when caressing it.
"My Lady, His Majesty is here!"
Just then, a palace maid hurried in to report.
Zhang Guifen just stood up after hearing this when Zhao Xing strode in.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!" Zhang Guifen said with a salute.
Zhao Xing hurriedly stepped forward to help Zhang Guifen up and said, "Since you are pregnant, don't bow. Sit down quickly."
"I just got pregnant, how can I be so delicate?" Zhang Guifen said with a smile.
"You just need to be careful when you get pregnant."
Zhao Xing helped Zhang Guifen sit down, then waved to Old Lady He who was standing beside him with a bow, saying, "No need to be polite."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Only then did Old Mrs. He straighten up.
Old Lady He is now the exclusive imperial physician for the concubines in the harem and is on duty in the palace during the day.
"The Queen is pregnant. You should take more care of her and come to check her pulse every day. You should also instruct the palace maids here on how to nourish the fetus." Zhao Xing said.
"Yes!" Old Madam He responded with a smile, "The Madam is in good health. As long as she is well taken care of, the prince will be born safely. Your Majesty does not need to worry too much."
After saying this, Mrs. He took her leave.
"Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?" Zhao Xing asked.
(End of this chapter)