Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 77 Oath

"Your Highness?"

The two words from Li Chuyun's mouth were like a thunderclap in Feng Jisheng's ears, instantly startling him so much that he subconsciously straightened his spine.

"This is the Marquis of Wugong, His Highness the Eldest Prince," Li Chuyun added.

Upon hearing this, Feng Jisheng did not hesitate for a moment, immediately bowed deeply, and said respectfully:

"Your subject, Feng Jisheng, Commander of the Ministry of War, pays his respects to the Marquis of Wugong."

He was secretly astonished. Who would have thought that the person he randomly picked up on the street was actually the eldest prince of the emperor, who had just been granted a title and was about to leave the palace?

Having said that, a flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes, but then, as if having made up his mind, he bowed again and said, "Your subject wishes to present this item to the Marquis!"

"Compared to this, I'm more interested in you."

Zhao Dezhao stepped forward and steadily helped Feng Jisheng up with both hands. His eyes were filled with undisguised sincerity, and he went straight to the point:

"My shogunate is still missing a Feng Jisheng."

"this……"

After hearing this, Feng Jisheng hesitated.

He was well aware that the eldest prince was currently deeply favored by His Majesty, having not only been granted the title of Marquis but also been bestowed with the former residence of the prince before his death—a time when the emperor's favor was at its peak. If he could align himself with His Highness, future wealth and glory would naturally be within his grasp.

But he was even more afraid that his temperament would lead him astray.

He knew himself well; once he delved into the intricacies of artifact research, he would become completely absorbed, and even if the sky were to fall, he might not be able to distract himself, let alone be called by others.

If His Highness is narrow-minded, my neglect in this way might displease the eldest prince.

Thinking this, Feng Jisheng mentally prepared to refuse Zhao Dezhao's kindness, but the next moment, his attention was deeply attracted by Zhao Dezhao's next words.

"Have you ever considered what would happen if you put this thing in a sealed metal can, lit it with a fuse, and threw it into enemy territory?"

When asked about his greatest strengths, Feng Jisheng immediately forgot everything else and frowned, saying:

"Your Highness is unaware that gunpowder is extremely unstable and may be difficult to detonate if it is inside a sealed container."

"It's unstable simply because the proportions are wrong."

Zhao Dezhao said firmly, with an air of absolute certainty, "Go and make a ceramic shell according to the proportions I just mentioned. I'll be waiting for you here."

What he was talking about were the "Thunderbolt Fireball" and "Heaven-Shaking Thunder" that only came to prominence in the late Northern Song Dynasty!

In the Battle of Caishiji, the famous Southern Song general Yu Yunwen led the Song army to a great victory against the Jin army led by Wanyan Liang, who was crossing the Yangtze River. The Thunderbolt Fireball was a brilliant weapon in that battle, and it became famous throughout the world.

However, the early Thunderfire Balls had limited explosive power due to an imbalance in the gunpowder ratio, and could only be contained in paper or ceramic shells, which naturally reduced their destructive power.

The primary purpose is still deterrence and disruption.

It wasn't until the mid-to-late Southern Song Dynasty, with the advent of the thunderclap bomb, that the destructive power of firearms reached a new peak.

Through countless experiments, the Song people significantly increased the proportion of saltpeter in gunpowder, bringing the ratio very close to the standard of later black powder, resulting in a dramatic increase in explosive power.

That's why the fragile ceramic shell was replaced with a sturdy iron shell.

This was the world's earliest prototype of a hand grenade.

At the end of the Southern Song Dynasty, the Song army defended the two cities of Xiangyang and Fancheng. It was precisely because of the power of the thunderclap that they were able to repel the Mongol army's siege wave after siege time and time again, and hold out for several years.

To put it bluntly...

If the Song Dynasty had not emphasized civil affairs over military matters, and if the literati and the court had not suppressed military development at every turn, the Song army's combat effectiveness and weaponry would never have fallen into such a weak state as in later generations!

After all, firearms are a game-changer against cold weapons!

As for firearms such as the fire lance, Zhao Dezhao did not intend to develop them at this time.

The bottleneck of the Thunderclap Bomb lies only in the gunpowder ratio. It can surpass the firearms and even the standard firearms of the Ming Dynasty. It is by no means something that can be made simply by adjusting the ratio.

This requires a mature industrial system and technological accumulation, which is far beyond what the Song Dynasty can achieve at present.

……

As my thoughts wandered, half a day had already flown by.

Feng Jisheng didn't step out of his small house, as if he had completely forgotten that the eldest prince was still waiting for him in the courtyard.

Zhao Dezhao, however, did not care at all. Instead, he enthusiastically sent his errand boy to Fanlou to buy some exquisite food. He then sat opposite Li Chuyun at a stone table in the courtyard and chatted idly.

"Uncle Li, now that I have established my own residence and military command, why not let Jilong serve in my residence? My eight hundred personal guards are just short of a commander."

"This..." Li Chuyun was stunned upon hearing this.

The commander of the eight hundred personal guards is no ordinary position; it is the most central and intimate position of His Highness, in charge of His Highness's personal protection, and can be called the most trusted confidant.

Li Chuyun never expected that Zhao Dezhao would leave such a crucial position to the Li family.

Nowadays, there are quite a few military families surrounding His Highness, and it's not just the Li family. To say nothing of others, Shi Shouxin's son, Shi Baoji, has already begun to show his talent.

But His Highness ultimately gave such a crucial position to Jilong. What an honor and what trust this is!

Thinking of this, Li Chuyun quickly rose and bowed: "Your Highness, on behalf of my son Li Jilong, I thank you for your great kindness!"

"Uncle Li, you're too kind."

Zhao Dezhao feigned displeasure and quickly stepped forward to help him up. Then, with a solemn expression, he said seriously:

"I will always remember Uncle Li's kindness in helping me during my time of need, and I will never forget it. From now on, as long as I have a place to stand, the Li family will be wealthy and prosperous every day!"

"The Li family has not let me down, and I will certainly not let the Li family down!"

"If I, Zhao Dezhao, break this oath, I will incur the wrath of both gods and men, and shall never be allowed to rule again!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chuyun was struck dumb, frozen in place, his eyes filled with shock.

He shall never be a ruler!

For Zhao Dezhao, the eldest son of the emperor, this was the most vicious and heavy curse in the world!

Li Chuyun could no longer remain calm. His blood boiled, and he abruptly broke free from Zhao Dezhao's grasp, took two steps back, and knelt heavily on the ground, his forehead touching the earth.

He hissed:

"Our entire Li family is willing to go through fire and water, even die a thousand deaths, for Your Highness!"

"If this oath is broken, the Li family will be punished by heaven and their lineage will be wiped out!"

"Uncle Li, please get up quickly!" Zhao Dezhao hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, and the two sat down again.

Zhao Dezhao personally poured him a full cup of fine wine, then changed the subject, a cheeky grin spreading across his face, and said with a fawning smile:

"In that case, Uncle Li, why don't our two families become even closer through marriage..."

"Sister Zhaoning, I've been envious for so long."

Upon hearing Zhao Dezhao bring up the matter again, Li Chuyun, who had been looking moved just a second ago, suddenly fell into a slump.

"Your Highness, Zhao Ning is not even a year old yet. Isn't it a bit too early to talk about marriage at this time?"

But then, his tone suddenly changed, and his previously somber face instantly broke into a smile:

"How about we postpone the wedding until after Zhao Ning's coming-of-age ceremony? What does Your Highness think?"

"Okay! It's a deal!"

Zhao Dezhao burst into loud laughter!

The future imperial aunt eventually became his wife.

Family members, who understands this feeling?