Zheng Gouzi crouched defensively, hands covering his head.
Cheng Xu circled him slowly. "How should we deal with you, you bird-brained fool? You tell me—shall we follow military law and behead you, or follow military law and behead you?"
The militia murmured in confusion. "Eh? Why are both options the same?"
Cheng Xu erupted. "Because you have no choice! Violating military law means death—no alternative! Do you think this is some game? Hmm? A game?"
Onlookers broke into cold sweat, unnerved—first time witnessing Instructor He this furious.
After a pause, Gao Chu Wu ventured timidly: "Instructor He, we... we're a militia... not the military."
Cheng Xu's anger flared—he nearly kicked Gao Chu Wu but checked himself mid-motion, expression softening slightly. True—they're militia, not identical to regular troops.
He sighed deeply. "Everyone! We are indeed militia, correct. But look at your armor! Consider what Gao Village's firearms bureau produces! You're practically branded 'REBEL'! Do you truly believe the Tianzun arms you merely for self-defense?"
The militia froze collectively.
Cheng Xu lifted his gaze. "Sooner or later, Gao Village will rebel."
Another collective shock.
(Cheng Xu's declaration wasn't mere rhetoric. By Ming law, commoners possessing military-grade armor without authorization warranted execution—the 1599 "甲禁" (Armor Prohibition) decreed death for civilians owning more than basic leather protection. His "you're branded rebel" remark reflected legal reality, not hyperbole.)
Cheng Xu: "I wouldn't tell ordinary folk this—too early for them. But I must tell you—because for you, it's already too late. The moment you donned armor, you should have realized this. You're not militia—you're an army destined to fight for all living beings!"
His face hardened abruptly as he roared at everyone: "Look at yourselves now! Sloppy! Grinning foolishly! Not a shred of future saviors of humanity about you!"
He pointed at Zheng Gouzi: "Worthless fool skipping training!"
Pointed at Gao Chu Wu: "Worthless fool obsessed with women!"
Pointed at Zheng Da Niu: "Worthless fool lying down after eating, no ambition!"
Pointed at Flat Rabbit—paused—then sighed heavily: "You're hopeless. No scolding awakens you. Carry him away. Next..."
Flat Rabbit: "Eh? Eh? Why?"
Cheng Xu berated each militia member in turn before concluding: "Search your hearts! Which of you resembles a hero capable of saving this world?"
Silence.
Cheng Xu sighed again, returning to Zheng Gouzi. "Considering you recently joined and don't yet understand you're a soldier, I won't apply full military law. Run fifty laps between Gao Village and Zheng Village on the cement road. Next violation means military justice—execution without mercy."
Zheng Gouzi hastily acknowledged, obediently beginning his run.
Cheng Xu turned to the stunned militia, roaring: "You fools! Your punishment: help villagers harvest wheat! Damn it—use your waist sabers! Practice saber techniques while working! Begin now!"
After two seconds of confusion, everyone cheered, charging into the fields.
Li Daoxuan relaxed. I feared Cheng Xu might actually execute Zheng Gouzi. But he demonstrates measured discipline—even ordering help with harvest shows conscience.
Excellent. I'm pleased to have such balanced subordinates. Had I handled this personally, I might not have done better.
Just then, Li Daoxuan noticed the diorama's "Gao Village" label flashing—twinkling rhythmically as if signaling.
He murmured in surprise—first time observing this. Why hadn't it occurred before?
Touching the flashing label, his perspective shifted back.
He saw Gao Yiye atop the watchtower, striking a large "prayer bell" with a mallet—clang! clang!
(Bell summoning had ancient ritual significance. In Ming villages, specific bell patterns signaled different emergencies: slow tolls for gatherings, rapid rings for fires or bandit attacks. Gao Yiye's use transforms a spiritual tool into practical communication—blending celestial and earthly systems.)
Ah, I understand! Normally my view remains fixed on Gao Village, so villagers easily summon me—Gao Yiye merely speaks upward. Thus the bell rarely rings.
While I observed Zheng Village, Gao Village folk sought me unsuccessfully, prompting Gao Yiye to ring the long-unused bell.
So the diorama has this function! When someone summons me in an area, ringing a bell makes the label flash—quite user-friendly. As my territory expands, management becomes easier.
Li Daoxuan lowered his face above Gao Yiye. "Yiye, why do you summon me?"
Gao Yiye brightened. "Ah, the Tianzun arrives! I... I dare not disturb your tranquility—minor matters wouldn't warrant interruption... but... this matter stems from your instruction. Once completed, I wished to notify you."
Li Daoxuan: "Oh?"
Gao Yiye: "Gao Village's firearms bureau has produced its first batch of black powder! Also, blacksmiths under Li Da's guidance have forged the first triple-barrel handgonne! Gao Yi Yi plans to lead all blacksmiths outside to test-fire. I believed this warranted notification... earlier... when calling received no response, I..."
"Rang the bell?" Li Daoxuan smiled. "Excellent. For important matters hereafter, ring the bell. You acted correctly."
Beaming, Gao Yiye dashed down the watchtower into the Craftsmen's Well. "The Tianzun has arrived! He watches from above! Let's go test the handgonnes!"
The blacksmiths' spirits lifted—with the Tianzun observing, they'd perform with redoubled vigor.
Master Craftsman Gao Yi Yi reverently lifted a firearm.
Standard Ming military equipment: the triple-barrel handgonne.
Essentially three iron barrels bound together. Usage involved loading powder and shot, igniting the fuse—BOOM!—firing. Afterwards, it became an iron club for clubbing enemies.
(The triple-barrel design reflected Ming manufacturing pragmatism. Rather than sophisticated mechanisms, it offered reliability and psychological impact—three shots before closing to melee. Soldiers nicknamed it "三响棍" (Three-Bang Club), valuing its dual function in an era where firearm misfire rates exceeded 30%.)
To Li Daoxuan, this represented minimal technological sophistication—near garbage. But to Ming military eyes, it constituted formidable weaponry—tremendous power, versatile range, seamless transition from ranged fire to melee clobbering—practically invincible.
The blacksmiths carried this "advanced weapon" joyfully from the main fort toward the firearms bureau.
Gao Yiye mingled among them, frequently glancing skyward. Seeing the Tianzun's low-hanging cloud overhead delighted her—her legs moved swiftly.
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[Historical & Military Context]
Cheng Xu's "army for all living beings" speech reflects late Ming military philosophy shifts. Traditional Ming armies served the emperor; but during the rebellion-plagued 1630s, commanders like Qi Jiguang began emphasizing "protecting the people" as core military purpose—a subtle but revolutionary ideological change preceding the Mandate of Heaven discourse that would topple the dynasty.
The triple-barrel handgonne (三眼神銃) was indeed standard late Ming cavalry equipment. Its design balanced firepower with melee utility—cavalry could fire three shots during charge, then use the 5-8kg iron club in close combat. Archaeological finds show these weapons often personalized with carved patterns or owner names, suggesting soldiers viewed them as personal arms rather than standard issue.
Gao Yi Yi's leadership role highlights Ming artisan social mobility. Though blacksmiths occupied low social status, master craftsmen in military production could gain considerable influence. The historical Li Zicheng's rebellion succeeded partly because captured Ming arsenals provided both weapons and the craftsmen who knew how to produce and maintain them—a precedent Gao Village unknowingly follows.
The appended text from"開原圖說"(Kaoyuan Tushuo, a Ming military manual) demonstrates actual deployment: 320 triple-barrel handgonnes among 400 troops, interspersed with cannons. This 4:1 ratio represented Ming firearms doctrine before Qing reforms—volume of fire over accuracy, reflecting both technological limitations and tactical realities against rebel human-wave tactics where stopping power mattered more than precision.