Iron Dynasty Chapter 270

The thunderous clamor of horse hooves rang out, causing the residents of Chang'an City to hastily scatter to the sides of the street.

They gazed at the officials charging ahead on horseback along the main thoroughfare and began whispering among themselves. Only in moments of barbarians closing in on Chang'an would such disorderly pandemonium unfold.

In that instant, murmurs escaped their lips involuntarily, laced with a touch of astonishment.

Mounted on his steed, Xiao Wenxuan raced forward without pause. For so many years, he'd seldom felt this elated, with more joyful occurrences in this single year than in the previous decade combined.

All of it stemmed from Xiao Ming's contributions. This realization only deepened the significance Xiao Ming held in his mind.

Fiji, pick up the pace already— you're dragging your feet, and it's driving me mad.

The eunuchs from the palace had spread word to officials throughout Chang'an City, and Luo Quan received the alert as well. Upon hearing it, delight surged through him, prompting an immediate visit to Fiji to join the journey.

Back in Chang'an, Luo Xin had frequently brought up this artillery, especially since he oversaw it in Qingzhou, which only heightened Luo Quan's fascination

with the artillery.

Fiji appeared nonchalant and replied, Have you received word from the eunuchs too?

Of course I have. Aren't all those officials rushing south along Suzaku Street heading for the artillery? No time to waste—let's move. This comes from your prospective son-in-law. Luo Quan urged, Luo Xin described how this cannon can demolish a stone wall, and I'm eager to witness it.

We're heading there now, aren't we? Though Fiji moved with apparent leisure, urgency burned inside him. As Luo Quan pointed out, this was a treasure from his future son-in-law—how could he not prioritize it?

Yet outwardly, he aimed to preserve some dignity, avoiding mockery from fellow officials.

Chatting nonstop en route, the pair exited the South Gate, trailed the officials, and promptly reached the firearms battalion. By then, the camp teemed with civil and military officials. Numerous among them conversed animatedly, occasionally gesturing toward an object beyond the entrance.

The crown prince and fellow royals had arrived too, now clustered near Xiao Wenxuan.

Stepping into the firearms camp, the duo spotted a hundred dark, imposing items arranged in neat formation, with a black tarp spread on the ground, evidently freshly removed.

Luo Quan and Fiji pushed their way through the crowd. Encountering such devices for the first time, they recognized them instantly as the fabled artillery.

Xiao Wenxuan had been the earliest to reach the firearms camp, and he'd personally unveiled the covering. On this occasion, Xiao Ming delivered a full hundred artillery pieces at once, with promises of more to follow. Naturally, this hinged on the court providing the necessary funds.

Circling to the front of the cannon, Xiao Wenxuan's expression brimmed with thrill. He'd tested it moments ago, finding its weight immense and immovable, yet Xiao Ming hadn't deceived him—the cannon bore a striking resemblance to a torch.

Accompanying the shipment were three artillery experts from Qingzhou, set to remain in Chang'an temporarily to instruct the firearms battalion on usage. After all, operating this artillery demanded a precise sequence of steps.

Ultimately, for the artillery dispatched to Chang'an, comprehensive support was essential. It directly influenced whether Xiao Wenxuan would release funds without reluctance.

Gazing upon the ebony cannon, Xiao Wenxuan swelled with pride. Spotting Luo Quan and Fiji weaving in, he called out, Come closer—I've been awaiting your arrival to experience this cannon's might firsthand.

Luo Quan approached and examined the cannon meticulously, his hands occasionally caressing its surface, the solid metallic heft leaving him awestruck.

At last, he pressed his face to the muzzle, peering intently within.

Father, this cannon merely resembles a torch—nothing extraordinary about it.

The crown prince prodded the artillery with his boot, his face twisted in contempt.

His status as heir now secured, he acknowledged King Zhao's pivotal role in it, leading him to echo King Zhao's resentments and forge a tight bond with Zhao Yuanliang.

Learning of Zhao Yuanliang's humiliation in Qingzhou had ignited his fury, and now he seized the chance to downplay the artillery.

Xiao Wenxuan's mood soured slightly at the remark, yet his current elation made him reluctant to dampen the atmosphere, so he responded: The true worth of artillery isn't in words— we must observe its actual might.

Luo Quan agreed with a nod, Indeed, Your Majesty. Shall we witness the full extent of this artillery's power?

Impatience stirred in Xiao Wenxuan by then, and he declared: That's precisely my plan. Today, I'll reveal the artillery's prowess to all you loyal subjects.

With that, Xiao Wenxuan directed the Qingzhou artillerymen to perform a live demonstration.

Before departing, Xiao Ming had instructed the trio to follow Xiao Wenxuan's commands without question, so they swiftly retrieved implements from the ammunition chest beside the gun.

They proceeded to load the gunpowder into the artillery as per protocol.

Prior to igniting the fuse, one gunner advised Xiao Wenxuan: Your Majesty, kindly shield your ears. This cannon's roar is deafening and could unsettle even the Emperor.

Cover the ears as well? Bewilderment crossed Xiao Wenxuan's features, but he complied with the gunner's suggestion.

Noticing this, the surrounding ministers followed suit, plugging their ears.

Yet the crown prince wore a scornful smirk at that moment, whispering to the second, third, and fourth princes: Yuanliang assured me this artillery packs only mild force, so no need for alarm.

He remained unaware that Zhao Yuanliang had exaggerated the dismissal intentionally, with most of his claims fabricated.

The second and other princes exchanged glances. Unlike the crown prince's folly, they weren't so naive; they covered their ears firmly. Only the crown prince stood there arrogantly, as if anticipating a farce.

Adjacent to the firearms battalion lay a modest woodland. The artillerymen directed the barrel toward the trees. Confirming Xiao Wenxuan's ears protected once more, they touched the fuse to flame.

A deafening boom erupted, flames burst forth, the ground quaked, and thunderous echoes rolled.

In a flash, the crown prince froze amid the blast, his form shuddering uncontrollably thereafter, knees buckling beneath him.

A warm dampness spread in his trousers—he'd been terrified into wetting himself.

The second prince and companions released their hands now, their pulses racing with awe. The artillery's report mimicked heavenly thunder, startling the camp's horses into frantic whinnies.

They'd even sensed the earth quivering beneath their soles moments prior.

But the sight that stunned them deepest was the series of sharp cracks from the grove, where three bowl-thick trees had snapped clean at their bases.

Xiao Wenxuan's complexion had paled too, though wonder overshadowed any fear. The woods stood fully 200 meters from the camp, yet three trunks lay felled—that alone proved the artillery's devastating force.

Congratulations, Your Majesty! With such a formidable armament, the Imperial Army stands unrivaled across the realm. Feng Deshui hastened to offer sycophantic praise once the shock subsided.

Xiao Wenxuan said nothing, striding instead to the cannon. There, he noted the inscription: Made in Qingzhou.

His features stayed composed, but turmoil raged within like a tempestuous ocean. To him, this artillery's potency bordered on the miraculous.

He at last comprehended how Xiao Ming had safeguarded Cangzhou. The barbarians' initial encounter with this weapon would surely evoke greater terror than his own astonishment.

Station such artillery atop the city walls, and no foe would dare assault with ease!