Chapter 269: Cannons Enter Chang’an
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The mountain wind howled as it swept through the valley.
Xiao Ming stood before the craftsmen and said loudly, “Today I came to the Weapons Department for two reasons. One is to inspect the cannons. The other is to reward those of you who have worked with exceptional merit. I have always stood by one rule: those with merit shall be rewarded, those with faults shall be punished. When you first entered the workshops of Qingzhou, I made a promise to you. Today, I’m here to fulfill that promise.”
As his voice fell, many craftsmen looked excited. Their achievements had already been recorded by Chen Qi, and they had long waited for this day.
Then Xiao Ming continued, “The names I’m about to read will have their slave status revoked and will be granted official Qingzhou household registration. From now on, you will enjoy all the rights of a Qingzhou citizen.”
“Song Changping, Deng Huaiyuan, Yin Xingjian, Chen Wei…” One by one, the names were read aloud.
As each name was called, the craftsmen trembled with emotion. Among them, Chen Qi looked at a young craftsman standing at the front. He was only in his twenties, and by now his face was covered in tears.
He had once believed that his fate was fixed: to live and die a slave, with sons born into bondage and daughters destined for shame, forever treated like livestock. But today, everything changed.
He had once doubted that Prince Qi would ever truly free them. Many slaves had believed the same, so they lived their days in numb silence, working without hope.
But he had remembered his father’s words—no matter the circumstances, live honestly and work diligently. He had always worked hard. Because of that effort, Chen Qi had brought him from the Weapons Department to the Military Factory and even made him a team leader.
Instead of becoming complacent, he worked harder. After three months of research, he discovered a more efficient casting method called “continuous casting”, which greatly improved production. Chen Qi had praised him for this and promised to recommend him. And now, it had truly happened.
Tears of joy ran down his face as he smiled at Chen Qi.
“…Ge Ming.” Xiao Ming finished reading all thirty names, then declared, “From this day forward, these thirty slave craftsmen are no longer slaves. The Military Factory will process your household registrations. As for Song Changping, your contributions are extraordinary. Not only will you receive a Qingzhou registration, but so will your entire family. I will even grant you a house in Qingzhou City, so that your family can reunite. Are you satisfied?”
“I am!” Song Changping shouted with all his strength. He knelt down, clasped his hands, and repeatedly bowed, crying out, “Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you!”
Xiao Ming stepped forward and helped him up. Turning to the crowd of craftsmen, he said, “I know many of you didn’t believe me before. But now, you should believe. In Qingzhou, as long as you work hard, anything is possible. You can win your freedom. Your children can attend school. One day, they may even become officials.”
His voice was strong and thunderous, shaking the hearts of the people. Many of the craftsmen lowered their heads in shame. They had been tricked too many times by nobles and officials before, so they had stopped trusting anyone. But now they realized they had been wrong.
They thought back to when they laughed at Song Changping and felt deeply ashamed. Now he had his freedom, while they remained slaves. If only they had worked harder from the start.
But at the same time, many of them silently made up their minds—they too would work hard to earn their freedom.
As Xiao Ming looked at their faces—some hopeful, some embarrassed—he knew he had achieved his goal. He was trying to build a culture where people earned rewards through hard work and patience.
Because even though they had won a few battles, peace in Qingzhou was still far from certain. Everyone had to stay alert and diligent. That was the attitude he wanted for his people.
After rewarding the slave craftsmen, Xiao Ming also rewarded those who already held Qingzhou registration. Their reward came in the form of silver—after all, for them, money was the most practical reward.
With the rewards ceremony complete, Xiao Ming returned to Qingzhou and ordered similar reward programs to begin in all other workshops. At the same time, the newspapers ran stories about the event, promoting it widely.
All this effort had only one purpose—to motivate the craftsmen. Because the difference between a lazy worker and a motivated one could be enormous. Just by changing their attitude, a worker’s productivity could triple.
As the end of the year approached, and reward ceremonies made the factories of Qingzhou lively and festive, the 100 export cannons finally arrived in Chang’an.
Inside the palace study, Emperor Xiao Wenxuan was reviewing documents when Feng Deshui suddenly burst in, running so fast that he tripped and landed at the emperor’s feet.
Xiao Wenxuan chuckled. “Deshui, it’s not even the New Year yet. Why are you bowing so low?”
Feng Deshui groaned as he got up, wincing in pain but still smiling. “Your Majesty, I wasn’t trying to bow. I just ran too fast and fell. But I bring great news—the cannons from Prince Qi have arrived at the Firearms Battalion.”
“The cannons are here? Are you sure?” Xiao Wenxuan jumped to his feet, grabbing Feng Deshui and shaking him with excitement.
“Your Majesty! You’ll break my bones!” Feng Deshui complained, laughing. “I’ve never lied to you.”
“It’s true then!” Xiao Wenxuan laughed heartily. He threw down his writing brush and marched toward the door. “Take me there now! I want to see them!”
Feng Deshui scrambled to follow. “Your Majesty, wait! Put on your fur cloak or you’ll catch a cold!”
But Xiao Wenxuan didn’t care. He moved with the energy of a man in his twenties, walking fast and full of power.
To him, these weren’t just 100 cannons—they were the key to reclaiming the emperor’s authority.
He immediately ordered Feng Deshui to summon all the noble officials in Chang’an. He wanted them all to see what the Imperial Army now possessed. He wanted them to carry this message back to their powerful lords behind the scenes.
At the Firearms Battalion camp, the cannons from Qingzhou were lined up in perfect rows, each one still covered with gray canvas. Outside the camp, guards stood watch with strict discipline. Some curious generals had arrived early but were not allowed in without orders.
The soldiers of the Firearms Battalion stared at the covered cannons, wondering what these legendary weapons—called “cannons”—actually looked like.
Xiao Wenxuan had left the imperial palace and was now heading straight for the southern gate of Chang’an. The Firearms Battalion was stationed just outside the city walls.
Feng Deshui had already sent word to all the high-ranking civil and military officials. They were on their way to witness the unveiling of these powerful new weapons.
This was Xiao Wenxuan’s moment to show his strength—and to remind every other noble family in the empire who truly held power.
