Scumbag Chapter 161 The Reformed White-Eyed Wolf General (27)

"Majestic. Truly majestic!" Emperor Chang originally conquered the nation on horseback, personally commanded countless battles, and even fou

"Majestic. Truly majestic!"

Emperor Chang originally conquered the nation on horseback, personally commanded countless battles, and even fought on the front lines.

Therefore, as a ruler with grand ambitions, he fell in love with this ship’s design at first sight.

Moreover, ever since Mingting arrived in Yaozhou, every letter he sent mentioned training naval troops, establishing a proper navy for Zheng State, and building their own warships.

These letters had piled up, acting like subtle persuasion. And now, at the sight of these warship’s blueprints, Emperor Chang’s enthusiasm was completely ignited.

"Do ships like these really exist?" Emperor Chang traced the blueprint with his fingers, his gaze almost obsessive.

What especially caught his attention was the cannon design. Unlike the traditional bulky ones, these were not only lighter but also equipped with two wheels for easy mobility.

Mingting had noted on the drawings that these cannons could be used both at sea and on land.

They featured a ‘mother-and-child’ chamber design, with six secondary barrels, increasing firing speed. The rudder-like lever at the rear also improved aiming precision.

This type of cannon can completely fight Eastern Sea pirates when they are at sea. And when there are enemies on land, they can transport them down to fight them.

Two functions in one, dual-purpose cannons.

‘Brilliant!’ Emperor Chang was sold.

Although making these cannons costs money, these were multi-functional!

First, mount them on ships. And once the Eastern Sea pirates were driven off, the cannons could be moved elsewhere to guard the nation’s borders.

Compared to traditional cannons, this was already a huge cost-saving measure.

Not to mention, they could fire six rounds in succession.

Emperor Chang, who had been on the battlefield, knew all too well that in war, time was life.

While the enemy was still loading their cannons, their forces could unleash a rapid barrage. By then, it would be clear who the winner would be.

Emperor Chang slammed the table and said, "We’re building these cannons!"

As for money, the previous dynasty's royal family left behind quite a lot of assets.

Emperor Chang did some calculations and decided to tighten his belt for now. Building palaces and such could wait a couple of years.

That night, Emperor Chang had a dream. In the dream, he was aboard a great ship of Zheng, personally commanding a naval battle.

The sailors of Zheng State manned the cannons, blasting the Eastern Sea pirates until they fled with their tails between their legs. Even those Southern Sea pirates knelt and begged for mercy.

The Eastern Sea pirates that had plagued the previous dynasty for a century were finally subdued under his rule.

Everyone hailed him as a wise founding monarch. Just the feat of defeating the Southern Sea pirates alone would ensure his name was celebrated for generations, revered even a thousand years later...

“Hahahaha…”

Emperor Chang laughed himself awake from the wonderful dream, startling Empress Zhou.

"Er-Lang, what's wrong with you?"

Empress Zhou looked at Emperor Chang worriedly.

"A-Yu, I want to build a navy! I want to forge cannons!" Emperor Chang exclaimed excitedly, his eyes gleaming.

"Count of Dingyuan is right. The truth only exists within the range of cannons. I will become the greatest emperor!"

Emperor Chang rarely dreamed.

He was convinced this dream was a prophecy from the Heavens, a divine revelation. He would surely become as renowned and glorious as in his dream, leaving a legacy that would last forever!

What emperor wouldn’t desire such a thing? Who wouldn’t be moved?

"I believe in you, Er-Lang. In my heart, you are already the greatest ruler!" Empress Zhou said gently, her eyes filled with trust and admiration, which pleased Emperor Chang immensely.

After all, nothing compared to the bond of an original spouse.

‘A-Yu is indeed the one who understood me best and knew my ambitions!’

"I am a wise ruler, A-Yu is a virtuous Empress. Both of us will be recorded in history..."

Fengtian, who had come to watch the excitement, was shocked when he saw Emperor Chang's reaction.

‘So even Heavens was helping Boss?’

‘Boss is really worthy of being the beloved son of Heaven and Earth. This exclusive favor is unmatched.’

The next day, Emperor Chang eagerly summoned the ministers from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue and said that he wanted to forge cannons.

The Minister of Revenue initially wanted to raise concerns about funding, but seeing the fervor in the Emperor’s eyes, he held his tongue.

After all, this was no longer the early days of the rebellion, where they could address each other as brothers.

This was the founding Emperor, a man of grand ambitions. If he wished to resolve the lingering threats left by the previous dynasty, who dared stand in his way?

To obstruct His Majesty’s grand vision would be tantamount to equating him with the foolish rulers of the fallen dynasty.

That accusation was far too heavy. The Minister of Revenue felt his head was too small to bear such a massive hat.

Emperor Chang didn’t deliberately make things difficult for the Ministry of Revenue either. He out plenty of treasures from the previous Emperor’s private coffers.

In short, ships would be built, cannons would be forged, and the Eastern Sea pirates would be crushed. They absolutely had to be annihilated.

News of Mingting’s letter encouraging Emperor Chang to build ships and cannons eventually spread.

Soon, censors began impeaching Mingting during court sessions, accusing Count of Dingyuan of militarism, exhausting Zheng State’s national resources, and harboring selfish motives to win over the people...

In short, the flood of accusations gave Emperor Chang a headache.

There are indeed some people who are worried about the national treasury, and believe that the new dynasty needed time to recuperate, so they do not agree to spend too much money on military supplies and armaments.

But others were simply stirring the pot, taking advantage of the chaos to cause trouble, with several princes standing behind them.

Hadn’t Count of Dingyuan been arrogant, refusing to cooperate with the princes and even tattling to the Emperor?

Now that they had this opportunity, of course they would trample him!

Emperor Chang’s head throbbed from their bickering.

In his letter, Mingting had predicted he would be besieged, so he even offered Emperor Chang a mischievous suggestion.

Anyone who opposed him should be sent to Yaozhou, so that these people who are talking without any pain can see with their own eyes what kind of life the people who have suffered from the scourge of Eastern Sea pirates are living.

Emperor Chang was not a gentleman to begin with, so he found this idea excellent. It’s simple, crude, and direct.

He immediately packed up the most vocal critics and tossed them to Yaozhou, and said, "Since I cannot go to Yaozhou myself, why don’t you, my dear ministers, go and see it for me?"

Thus, a dozen or so high-ranking officials who had been enjoying their comfortable lives in the capital and were eagerly awaiting the New Year, were unceremoniously shipped off to Yaozhou.

Though Emperor Chang had never been to Yaozhou, through Mingting’s letters, he knew the region intimately.

He sent these people to those places to experience life in the ports that suffered the most and the people in the small port towns who had the hardest time.

This phrase, incidentally, was something Emperor Chang had learned from Mingting.

‘What a civilized term!’

This wasn’t a demotion or a refusal to listen to advice… No, this was sending them from the masses back to the masses, letting them understand the people’s struggles firsthand.

Of course, to show he wasn’t being petty, Emperor Chang also dispatched his own trusted officials to Yaozhou.

"Finally, peace and quiet… What a bliss."

With his ears free of the noise, Emperor Chang reclined in his chair and continued admiring the blueprints.

The ship in the plans had two decks, but the ship that Emperor Chang saw in his dream has three.

Three rows of cannons, majestic and domineering.

Emperor Chang mused that they’d start with a two-decker ship first, and when he has money in the future, they’d definitely build a three-decker ship!