The Ming Dynasty started with caution

Liangxiang, College of Science.

Song Jing turned a deaf ear to what was happening outside and found all the books on gunpowder preparation.

Li Zhaofan and Xie Pi assisted from the side.

The difficulty of sea mines lies in waterproofing, and gunpowder cannot be touched by water.

The structure of sea mines is actually very similar to that of land mines, and they are also detonated by fuses.

"Use a wooden box as a mine shell, hide the gunpowder and iron balls in the wooden box, and then use putty to seal the seams. The chief engineer and Brother Xie think whether it is feasible."

Putty is asphalt, which has a waterproof effect.

Song Jing decided to give it a try and set it up at Liangxiang College of Science overnight.

At the time of Yin in the middle of the night, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse.

The sea mine with a wooden box as a mine shell was finally completed. This was the twentieth test.

"I wonder if it will work. Where can I take it for testing?" Li Zhaofan looked at the two.

There are many merchant ships on the Liangxiang waterway, and there is a possibility of blowing up the dam.

Xie Pi thought for a moment and said, "There is a big pond in my house. There is no one at night. You can go there and try."

The three loaded the thunder shell onto the carriage and carefully transported it back to the capital.

After arriving at Xie's house, they threw the wooden box into the pond.

Song Jing and Li Zhaofan were a little nervous.

Watching the underwater thunder slowly sink into the water, Xie Pi pulled the fuse.

Bang!

The ice surface of the pond broke, splashing water more than ten meters high.

The lights in the side rooms of the house were lit up one after another, and the servants ran out in a panic.

Xie Qian was sleeping soundly, and the bed shook violently, and he sat up in shock.

The ground collapsed?

Why is there another ground collapse!

He rushed out of the room in his underwear, ran a few steps, turned back, and picked up Jiang who was sleeping soundly.

"Did the ground collapse just now?"

"Master, it was the young master who was testing firearms in the mansion."

This fool, Xie Qian cursed loudly, and then he saw three figures standing by the small lake not far away.

He didn't bother to put on his shoes, and walked over angrily: "Evil son! You want to die!"

Xie Pi bowed slightly: "There is no place to test the firearm, so I moved it back to the mansion, I hope Dad will forgive me."

"Thank you for your forgiveness!"

"Uncle, please forgive me!"

Song Jing and Li Zhaofan reacted from their surprise, and hurriedly apologized to Xie Qian, feeling very guilty.

You came to my mansion to test firearms, you thought of it.

"This is murder and patricide! Dad raised you so big, you use gunpowder to repay Dad? You thought of it!"

Xie Qian roared at Xie Pi.

Frightened to the point of shock.

This evil son is becoming more and more like the prince.

Fortunately, the house was not collapsed, otherwise, I don't know how many people would be crushed to death.

Xie Pi stood there, not daring to refute, while Song Jing and Li Zhaofan stood aside, full of regret.

Xie Qian was shocked again when he saw his son holding the guide rope in his hand: "How dare you test the gunpowder yourself? Are you going to piss me off to death?

Gunpowder is this box? Move it away quickly and try it in Wanggongchang!"

Song Jing and Li Zhaofan did not dare to stay any longer, and ordered the servants to move the wooden box and transport it to Wanggongchang.

Looking at the ripples in the pond, Xie Qian thought of something: "Wait! Is this a firearm that can be triggered in water?"

"Not bad."

"Light another one, let me see!"

Xie Pi and Song Jing were both confused, "Dad, aren't you afraid?"

"Stop talking nonsense! Let it go quickly."

The servants paddled the boat to the middle of the pond, sank the wooden box into the water, and left a guide rope.

Xie Qian and his men retreated a dozen steps back.

With a bang.

The underwater mine exploded again.

"There really are firearms that can be used underwater. I will go to the palace to report to His Majesty. You move the firearms outside the palace." Xie Qian took a deep breath.

In the palace, there was a gray fog. It was almost dawn, and the eunuchs were holding lanterns.

When they arrived at the Qianqing Palace, the candles in the hall had not yet been lit. Xiao Jing yawned: "Mr. Xie, it's really early today. Do you have something important to report?"

Xie Qian thought for a moment: "It's indeed important. Let's wait a little longer. It's okay."

In the hall, Emperor Hongzhi slept lightly. Hearing the movement outside the hall, he came out wearing a golden robe.

"Master Xie, what do you want to report?"

"Your Majesty, you can send troops to the mining island." Xie Qian suppressed his excitement and continued: "Just now, my son Xie Pi and Song Jing and others tried an underwater mine in the mansion, and it worked."

Afraid of scaring Emperor Hongzhi, Xie Qian's tone was no different from usual.

Emperor Hongzhi was looking forward to sending troops to the island country to dig silver to support the national treasury and to fight against Tatars as soon as possible.

The tiredness on his face was swept away, and he turned and walked into the main hall: "It's getting late, let's go to court!"

Yan Chengjin felt strange that there was no need to queue up for court today, and Xiao Jing urged the ministers to go to Fengtian Hall.

When he entered the palace gate, Emperor Hongzhi was already sitting in front of the emperor.

All the officials murmured, quite surprised.

"Your Majesty goes to court earlier and earlier."

Zhang Heling complained to the censor beside him, but the censor ignored him.

Emperor Hongzhi saw all the officials standing still: "Order Song Jing and Xie Pi to come in."

Yan Chengjin saw Song Jing and Xie Pi walk into the hall, could it be that the mine was made?

"Song Jing and Xie Pi equipped the Ministry of Works with a new firearm, the underwater mine."

"I don't deserve it, and Li Zhaofan's credit is also due." Song Jing said.

Noise rose everywhere.

Emperor Hongzhi pressed his hand, signaling all officials to be quiet, and continued: "The court has been waiting for the opportunity to move the silver mine for half a year. Please recommend who should go to the battle?"

Li Dongyang thought for a long time: "Duke Baoguo Zhu Hui has been recuperating in Nanzhili for a long time, so why not send General Zhu Hui to the battle."

This battle cannot be lost, and sending Zhu Hui can be reassuring.

Liu Jian and others nodded in agreement.

Yan Chengjin thought to himself that if he didn't recommend Wang Shouren, he would offend many gentry by taking silver this time.

After all, it would devalue silver.

Wang Shouren had offended the gentry and officials in the court, and it would be extremely difficult for him to get promoted. No matter how strong an individual is, it would be difficult to compete with the interest groups.

"Mr. Yan, do you want to recommend Wang Shouren this time?" Emperor Hongzhi asked.

Li Dongyang and others looked over. Is this guy going to recommend Wang Shouren again?

Yan Chengjin bowed slightly: "I recommend Li Zhaofan."

Li Dongyang froze. He never expected that he would recommend his adopted son.

Xie Qian looked at Li Dongyang, then at Yan Chengjin, with a look of surprise on his face.

Yan Chengjin continued: "When Li Zhaofan was in Hainan, he defeated the French fleet, with Li Gong's plan.

All the mines at sea can be deployed by him, and he is the best choice for this trip."

If my son offends you, please let the law punish him, instead of recommending my son in the court.

Li Dongyang's eyes widened with anger, and then he bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, my brother has only this one son left. I treat him as my own flesh and blood, and love him more than my eldest son..."

Emperor Hongzhi was a little embarrassed: "I can understand Master Li's painstaking efforts."

Li Dongyang was relieved.

"But." Emperor Hongzhi continued: "I also want to send Li Zhaofan."

Buzz!

Li Dongyang was dizzy and almost fell to the ground.

Emperor Hongzhi had his own considerations. Zhu Hui did not understand the use of firearms and was not good at naval battles. If the ship sank in a naval battle, the court would suffer heavy losses.

"Although the recommendation of Mr. Yan's family was unexpected, he has never made a mistake since the recommendation. I will trust him again for the time being."