Phi-Fic Chapter 1421 A Little Idea
Chapter 1421 A Little Idea
Zhu Qiwu frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Brother Xu, immediately order Lan Yu and Feng Sheng to speed up their march and make sure they reach the designated location within two days; at the same time, have Liao Yongzhong act ahead of schedule and set fire tonight to create chaos. As for Yingtian Prefecture..." He paused, "I have a plan that can ensure the grand ceremony proceeds without incident."
Xu Da's eyes lit up: "Oh? What brilliant plan does Qi Wu have?"
Zhu Qiwu walked to the map and lightly pointed to the area around Yingtian Prefecture: "If Chen Youliang's remnants want to launch a surprise attack on Yingtian Prefecture, they must pass through Longpan Ridge. This ridge is strategically important, easy to defend and difficult to attack. We can set up an ambush on the ridge and wait for them to tire themselves out. At the same time..." He turned to Xu Da, "Brother Xu, do you remember that we once captured a batch of Yuan army cannons?"
Xu Da nodded: "Of course I remember. Although those cannons were old, they were still quite powerful."
"Alright." A sly glint flashed in Zhu Qiwu's eyes. "We'll use these cannons to give Chen Youliang's remnants a 'surprise.' You immediately order your men to transport the cannons to Longpan Ridge and secretly set them up. Once they enter the ambush zone, unleash a barrage of cannon fire and wipe them out completely!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Da laughed heartily and slapped the table, exclaiming, "Excellent! This plan of Qi Wu is exactly what I wanted! I'll go and make the arrangements right away!"
Watching Xu Da's hurried departure, Zhu Qiwu breathed a long sigh of relief. He knew that the next two days would be crucial in determining whether the coronation ceremony could proceed smoothly. He had to ensure that every step was flawless and without any mistakes.
The next morning, Zhu Qiwu set off for Longpan Ridge. He was there to oversee the deployment of artillery and ensure everything went smoothly. On the way, he encountered Tang He, who was leading a patrol of troops.
"Seven-five, heading out so early?" Tang He greeted him with a smile.
Zhu Qi nodded: "Brother Tang, I'm going to Longpan Ridge to check on the artillery deployment. If you're free, why don't you come with me?"
Tang's eyes lit up: "Great! I've been wanting to see the power of those cannons!"
The two walked side by side and soon arrived at Longpan Ridge. The ridge was already swarming with soldiers, and cannons were set up, awaiting the enemy's arrival. Xu Da, seeing Zhu Qiwu arrive, quickly went to greet him.
"Seven Five, you've arrived. The artillery is in place, and the soldiers are ready for battle." Xu Da pointed to the road below the ridge. "According to the scouts, Chen Youliang's remnants have entered within a hundred li and are expected to arrive by tomorrow afternoon."
Zhu Qiwu nodded: "Alright. Brother Xu, immediately pass down the order to let the soldiers rest and recuperate, so that in tomorrow's battle, we must annihilate the enemy!"
Xu Da accepted the order and left, while Zhu Qiwu and Tang He inspected the ridge. He carefully observed the placement of each cannon to ensure they could exert their maximum power. At the same time, he ordered his soldiers to dig traps and set up tripwires on the ridge to further weaken the enemy's fighting capacity.
As evening fell, Zhu Qiwu returned to Yingtian Prefecture. He went straight to Zhu Yuanzhang's residence and gave a detailed report on the arrangements at Longpan Ridge. Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied after listening: "Qiwu, you have indeed lived up to my expectations. With you here, my coronation ceremony will surely go smoothly!"
Zhu Qiwu laughed and said, "Fourth Brother, you flatter me. I am just doing my best to contribute to the Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Yuanzhang patted him on the shoulder: "Good brother! After the ceremony, I will definitely reward you handsomely!"
Zhu Qiwu shook his head: "Fourth brother, I don't want any reward. I only hope that you can be a good emperor and let the people of the world live a peaceful and prosperous life."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with emotion. He grasped Zhu Qiwu's hand tightly: "Qiwu, rest assured. I, Zhu Yuanzhang, will never fail the people of the world, nor will I fail you!"
The following afternoon, Zhu Qiwu was supervising the preparations for the ceremony from the city tower when he suddenly received an urgent report from Xu Da: Chen Youliang's remnants had entered the ambush zone at Longpan Ridge!
His spirits lifted, and he immediately issued the order: "All troops, listen up! Prepare for battle!"
At his command, the gates of Yingtian Prefecture swung open, and countless soldiers poured out, heading straight for Longpan Ridge. At the same time, the cannons on the ridge began to roar, and countless shells pierced the sky, falling into the enemy ranks.
Chen Youliang's remnants never expected to be ambushed here. Their formation crumbled, and soldiers scattered in all directions. Seeing this, Xu Da immediately ordered a full-scale attack. Instantly, the sounds of battle shook the heavens, and the clash of swords created a chaotic scene.
Zhu Qiwu stood atop the city wall, gazing at the distant battlefield, silently praying. He knew this battle was not only crucial for the smooth conduct of his coronation ceremony, but also for the future of the Ming Dynasty. He had to ensure a resounding victory to deter those with ulterior motives.
The battle lasted for a full two hours. As the last rays of the setting sun bathed the earth, the shouts and cries of battle finally subsided. Xu Da sent a messenger with news of victory: Chen Youliang's remaining forces had been completely annihilated; not a single one had escaped!
Upon hearing this, Zhu Qiwu breathed a long sigh of relief. He knew that they had won this battle! They had not only ensured the smooth conduct of the coronation ceremony, but also secured the future of the Ming Dynasty!
On the day of his coronation ceremony, Yingtian Prefecture was brightly decorated and filled with jubilation. Zhu Yuanzhang, dressed in a dragon robe and wearing a crown, slowly walked onto the altar under the watchful eyes of the crowd. Zhu Qiwu stood aside, watching his fourth brother's majestic figure, a surge of pride welling up in his heart.
The coronation ceremony began with Zhu Yuanzhang washing his hands with water from nine tripods, then receiving the Imperial Seal of the State from Zhu Qiwu himself. When he raised the seal high, thunderous applause and cheers erupted throughout the hall.
"By the mandate of Heaven, may your reign be long and prosperous!" Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was loud and firm, echoing in the sky above Yingtian Prefecture.
Zhu Qiwu gazed at everything before him, his heart filled with satisfaction. He knew this was just the beginning. The road ahead was long, but he was confident that together with his fourth brother, they would create an unprecedented golden age!
After the grand ceremony, Zhu Qiwu returned to his residence. He eagerly entered the system space to check his new rewards. A system notification sounded in his mind: "Ding! Host has completed the 'Emperor's Ceremony' mission, rewarded with 'God-level Agricultural Tool Manufacturing Technique' and 'God-level Medical Skill'. Claim them?"
Zhu Qiwu was overjoyed. These 'divine-level agricultural tool manufacturing techniques' and 'divine-level medical skills' were exactly what he needed most. With the Ming Dynasty newly established, everything needed rebuilding, and agriculture and medicine were of paramount importance. If these two technologies could be applied to practice, it would greatly enhance the Ming Dynasty's national strength and the people's livelihood.
"I'll take it!" Zhu Qiwu said without hesitation.
In an instant, a flood of knowledge rushed into his mind. He felt a throbbing in his head, but he endured the discomfort and meticulously processed it. The 'divine agricultural tool manufacturing techniques' contained various advanced methods for designing and manufacturing agricultural implements, such as the curved plow, waterwheel, and windmill; while the 'divine medical techniques' contained the essence of traditional Chinese medicine and treatments for various intractable diseases. Zhu Qiwu knew that this knowledge would be a crucial weapon in his future governance of the Ming Dynasty. He had to quickly transform it into practical productivity and medical advancements, benefiting the people of the land.
The following morning, Zhu Qiwu summoned a group of craftsmen and physicians and taught them parts of the "Divine Agricultural Tool Manufacturing Technique" and "Divine Medical Skills." The craftsmen listened with rapt attention and expressed their desire to immediately begin manufacturing new agricultural tools; the physicians, on the other hand, marveled at the profoundness of traditional Chinese medicine and expressed their intention to study it in depth to improve their medical skills.
Seeing their enthusiasm, Zhu Qiwu was filled with hope. He knew that as long as these people could apply what they had learned to practice, the agricultural and medical levels of the Ming Dynasty would surely improve significantly.
In the days that followed, Zhu Qiwu was extremely busy. He not only had to oversee the manufacture and promotion of agricultural tools, but also guide physicians in researching new medical techniques and treatments. At the same time, he also had to handle various political and military affairs to ensure the stability and development of the Ming Dynasty.
However, despite his busy schedule, Zhu Qiwu found joy in it. Watching the Ming Dynasty grow stronger and more prosperous day by day filled him with a sense of accomplishment. He knew it was all worthwhile.
Time flies, and several years have passed in the blink of an eye. Under the rule of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Qiwu, the Ming Dynasty has become prosperous and powerful, with a strong military. In agriculture, new farming tools have greatly improved production efficiency, and grain output has increased year after year. In medicine, new medical techniques and treatments have saved countless lives, and the health of the people has improved significantly.
Standing atop the city wall of Yingtian Prefecture, Zhu Qiwu gazed upon the bustling streets and happy people, his heart filled with satisfaction. He knew that all of this was the result of his and his fourth brother's joint efforts. The road ahead was long, but he was confident that together with his fourth brother, they would continue to create a glorious future for the Ming Dynasty!
On this day, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned Zhu Qiwu to the palace, saying he had important matters to discuss. Zhu Qiwu dared not delay and immediately went to the palace.
"Seventh Five, you've arrived." Zhu Yuanzhang greeted him with a smile. "I summoned you to the palace today to discuss an important matter with you."
Zhu Qiwu cupped his hands and said, "Fourth Brother, please speak freely."
Zhu Yuanzhang's expression was solemn: "Recently, I received a secret report that the remnants of the Northern Yuan are stirring up trouble in the northern desert region, seemingly intending to invade the south. I intend to appoint you as the General Who Conquers the North, leading the army on a northern expedition to completely annihilate the remnants of the Northern Yuan and eliminate future troubles!"
Zhu Qiwu was taken aback, then overjoyed. He had long yearned to lead an army into battle and demonstrate his skills. Now that the opportunity had arrived, he naturally wouldn't let it slip by.
"Fourth Brother, rest assured! I will live up to your trust and completely annihilate the remnants of the Northern Yuan!" Zhu Qiwu bowed and accepted the order, his eyes shining with determination.
After Zhu Qiwu received the order, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, his eyes full of expectation and trust: "Qiwu, this Northern Expedition is related to the stability of our Great Ming Dynasty, so we must not be careless. Although the remnants of the Northern Yuan have been severely weakened, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. They have been operating in the harsh land of the northern desert for many years and should not be underestimated."
Zhu Qiwu looked solemn and clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Fourth Brother, rest assured, I will be careful. However, for this Northern Expedition, there are many matters such as provisions, supplies, and troop deployment that will require your attention."
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily: "Of course, I have already ordered Xu Da, Tang He, and Zhou Dexing to assist you. Xu Da is calm and resourceful, Tang He is brave and fearless, and Zhou Dexing is meticulous. With their help, your Northern Expedition will surely be a great success."
Just then, a hearty laugh came from outside the door: "Haha, Brother Qiwu, I heard you're going to lead an army on a northern expedition, that's great news!" Before the words were finished, Xu Da, Tang He, and Zhou Dexing strode in.
Zhu Qiwu hurriedly stepped forward, smiling and cupping his hands in greeting, saying, "Brother Xu, Second Brother Tang, Third Brother Zhou, with your help, I feel much more confident."
Xu Da patted Zhu Qiwu on the shoulder: "Brother Qiwu, don't be shy. If we brothers work together, we will definitely defeat the remnants of the Northern Yuan army."
Tang He also waved his fist and shouted, "That's right, Brother Qi Wu, let's fight our way to the northern desert and drive those Tartars back to their homeland!"
Zhou Dexing frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Seven-five brothers, the environment in the northern desert is harsh and the climate is cold. Moreover, the remnants of the Northern Yuan are familiar with the terrain and are skilled in horsemanship and archery. We need to prepare countermeasures in advance for this northern expedition."
Zhu Qiwu nodded and said, "What Brother Zhou said is absolutely right. I had the same concern. I wonder if the three of you brothers have any good ideas?"
Xu Da stroked his beard and said slowly, "I think we should first send scouts deep into the northern desert to find out the specific movements and troop deployments of the remnants of the Northern Yuan. At the same time, we should prepare enough warm clothing and food to cope with the harsh environment of the northern desert. In terms of troop deployment, we can divide our forces into several routes to support each other, in order to prevent being defeated one by one by the remnants of the Northern Yuan."
Tang He scratched his head and said, "Brother Xu is right, but I think we still need to strengthen the training of our cavalry. In the northern desert, the role of cavalry is extremely important. We need to improve the brothers' horsemanship so that we can have a good fight with those Tartars."
Zhou Dexing continued, "Besides these, we also need to do a good job in logistical support. The northern desert is far away from here, and transporting supplies is a major problem. We need to plan the transportation routes in advance, arrange enough manpower and vehicles, and ensure that supplies can be delivered to the front line in a timely manner."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Qiwu secretly admired them, thinking that these three were indeed worthy of being Zhu Yuanzhang's capable assistants, each possessing genuine talent and learning. He smiled and said, "The suggestions of my three brothers are all excellent, and I will have them prepared immediately. However, I have a small idea of my own."
Everyone looked at Zhu Qiwu with curiosity. Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "Qiwu, what are your thoughts? Speak freely."
Zhu Qiwu cleared his throat and said, "I think we can utilize some modern military concepts and tactics. For example, we can make some simple signal flares to transmit information on the battlefield, which is faster and more accurate than traditional flag signals and drums. Also, we can forge some sharp swords and sturdy armor to improve the combat effectiveness of our soldiers."
Xu Da, Tang He, and Zhou Dexing looked at each other in bewilderment. Xu Da asked, "Brother Qiwu, what are these modern military concepts and tactics? And how are signal flares, sharp swords, and sturdy armor made?"
Zhu Qiwu smiled slightly and said, "These modern military concepts and tactics are what I researched from some ancient books. As for signal flares, the principle is actually not complicated. We can mix some chemical substances together, and when ignited, they will emit a bright light and thick smoke, which can be seen from a distance. As for the production of swords and armor, I can draw up blueprints and have the craftsmen build them according to the blueprints, guaranteeing that they will be sharper than current swords and armor more durable." (End of this chapter)