The Blood Crown - Chapter 10

When they arrived at the training ground, the soldiers were demonstrating the muskets.

They set up a row of targets facing them, and the soldiers aimed their muskets and fired. The bullets shot out from the barrels, piercing some targets and damaging others. The targets fell down in succession, displaying the impressive power of the muskets.

Feng Jianping turned to Feng Ye and said, “The effective range of these muskets is less than thirty zhang, ideally within twenty zhang. The farther you go, the less accurate they are.”

Upon seeing Feng Jianping’s arrival, the soldiers saluted him.

Yuan Mao was about to kneel, but Feng Jianping waved to stop him, saying, “Yuan Mao, your health is not good, no need for formalities.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Yuan Mao bowed and then exchanged a questioning glance with Yuan Sikong, who gave him a reassuring smile.

“Lord Li, General Han,” Feng Jianping greeted Li Boyun and Han Zhaoxing.

“Why did Your Highness return after leaving?” Li Boyun asked.

“My son was clamoring to see the muskets, so I brought him here to witness it…” Feng Jianping said, “Let’s see one more shot.”

The soldiers followed the command, loaded gunpowder, ignited it, and fired at a newly erected target.

This time, they were closer, and the muskets produced loud bangs that vibrated eardrums, making the ground tremble slightly. The bullets riddled the target with holes, making one imagine the impact on a human body – it would likely leave them severely injured if not dead.

Feng Jianping playfully shook Feng Ye’s slender shoulder and asked, “Little wolf, are you scared?”

Feng Ye replied with a question, “What is there to fear?”

Li Boyun stroked his beard and praised, “Young Prince, you truly live up to your martial family’s reputation. At such a young age, you have such courage and potential.”

Feng Jianping laughed heartily, “Lord Li, you’re too kind. He’s just a child, still unaware of what fear is.”

“Fearless is good.” Han Zhaoxing joined in, “The brave are unafraid.”

Feng Jianping looked down at the still innocent Feng Ye and smiled faintly, “The brave can be fearless, but a future general must not be.”

Han Zhaoxing chuckled awkwardly, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Yuan Sikong silently observed Han Zhaoxing and couldn’t help but feel disdain. Even this person had failed to protect the key gateway to Liaobei, the city of Qingzhou. He couldn’t live up to his expectations, just as Yuan Sikong had imagined.

Feng Ye tugged at his father’s sleeve, “Father, can I try the musket?”

“It’s not allowed; it could be dangerous.”

Feng Ye responded with an “Oh,” feeling a bit disappointed.

“We can have them demonstrate once more. If the Liaodong commanders learn how to use muskets, it could deter the Jin cavalry.”

The soldiers performed the demonstration again, and Feng Jianping’s subordinates explained to the Liaodong commanders.

Yuan Sikong watched with rapt attention and suddenly interjected, “The time it takes to reload is too long.”

Everyone was taken aback, and Yuan Mao quietly scolded him, “Disrespectful.”

Yuan Sikong hastily knelt down and said, “This humble one was impudent.”

Feng Jianping chuckled, “It’s no problem. It’s freezing cold today; don’t kneel every time. Get up.”

Yuan Sikong stood up again.

Feng Jianping instructed, “Go on, Sikong.”

Sikong began, “I noticed that it takes half a minute for the soldiers to reload the gunpowder, and even at the fastest pace, they can only reload one shot in that time. The effective range of the musket is thirty zhang, so the soldiers can fire at most two shots before the enemy cavalry is upon them.”

“Correct, you’ve immediately identified a flaw in the musket,” Feng Jianping nodded in satisfaction. “To effectively use muskets, we need to train our soldiers to reload quickly. Muskets can withstand the initial charge of enemy cavalry and must be strategically deployed on the battlefield.”

As Yuan Sikong watched the skewed targets, he contemplated. There might be more efficient ways to maximize the musket’s firepower.

In contrast to the formidable cavalry forces of the nomadic tribes, the Han Chinese, who primarily lived in the plains, relied heavily on infantry in their armies. Infantry was at a disadvantage against cavalry, like an egg hitting a rock. This made the defense against barbarian cavalry a long-standing challenge for central Chinese dynasties.

That was why abandoning the seven provinces of Liaobei had caused harm for generations. The soldiers of Liaodong had no natural defenses to rely on, and they would have to face the Jin cavalry’s onslaught on vast plains.

Feng Ye discreetly approached Yuan Sikong and asked in a hushed tone, “Did you really pass the juvenile examination at the age of nine?”

Yuan Sikong nodded. Back then, his father had made a bet with a fellow villager during a drinking session. It had started as a joke, and no one had expected him to succeed. But soon, people came from all around to pay their respects, nearly trampling down the doors of his home. His father then seriously forbade him from attempting the provincial examination for ten years.

“In that case, you’ll become an official in the future.”

Yuan Sikong nodded once more, his deep and expressive eyes revealing his lofty ambitions.

Feng Ye smiled and said, “With both literary and martial talents, we can achieve great things.”

Yuan Sikong also smiled. He knew he possessed exceptional talent, but since becoming a guest in another’s household, he had never dared to become arrogant. Yet Feng Ye, with his noble background, dared to dream, voice his thoughts, and take action – something that Yuan Sikong deeply admired.

After that day, their relationship became much closer. They had long forgotten about their childhood fights in the mud.

Yuan Sikong was going to work at the horse farm, and Feng Ye loved being there as well. So, they spent their days at the horse farm. Of course, Yuan Sikong was well aware that accompanying Feng Ye was more important than taking care of the horses.

One day, Yuan Sikong led Feng Ye to a stable, saying mysteriously, “Today, there’s something fun to see.”

Feng Ye’s eyes lit up, “What’s so fun?”

“A mare is giving birth to a foal. Do you want to watch?”

“Yes!” Feng Ye exclaimed, “How does it give birth?”

“It’s a bit hard to explain. You’ll understand when you see it,” Yuan Sikong said, leading Feng Ye into the stable.

Inside, a mare lay on the ground, making soft neighing sounds, and her legs restlessly scratched at a pile of hay. Two people from the stable were assisting in the birth.

As they approached, Feng Ye felt a bit nervous.

Yuan Sikong observed closely, “A mare’s pregnancy is similar to a human’s and usually lasts about a year. They can usually only give birth once a year, so it’s quite special to witness.”

As he spoke, one of the attendants made a push, and another began pulling.

Feng Ye suddenly remembered what Yuan Sikong had done when he checked the horse, and his face twisted in disgust. “Does it also come out from there? It’s so disgusting.”

Yuan Sikong paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Feng Ye felt a bit embarrassed, “Why are you laughing, Yuan Sikong?”

Yuan Sikong pulled Feng Ye aside and whispered, “That place is different from this place.”

Feng Ye was puzzled, “What’s the difference?”

“Between a male horse and a female horse.”

Feng Ye furrowed his brow, “What’s the difference?”

Yuan Sikong hadn’t expected that Feng Ye would persistently question him. He found himself becoming more and more awkward. Being young and inexperienced, he felt ashamed discussing the differences between males and females, even if it was about horses.

Naturally, the attendants assisting in the birth understood what was happening, and they couldn’t help but stifle their laughter. Feng Ye angrily said, “Stop laughing!”

Yuan Sikong’s face turned red, and he explained, “Mares can give birth to foals, while stallions cannot. That’s the difference.”

Feng Ye, seeming to understand, stated, “So, men marry women.”

One of the attendants, crude and daring, noticed that Feng Ye was young and didn’t have any guards nearby. He decided to tease him, saying, “Young Highness, while men can’t give birth, they can still…” He lowered his voice and laughed.

Feng Ye was left bewildered and a little irritated, “I’m going to ask my big brother.”

“No, you mustn’t,” Yuan Sikong hurriedly advised. “Please don’t ask.”

“Why not?”

“Just don’t ask. If you ask, I won’t play with you anymore.”

Feng Ye shrugged, “Fine, I won’t ask then.”

Yuan Sikong didn’t dare to continue showing Feng Ye the birthing process. He was afraid of being asked more questions that were difficult to answer, so he took Feng Ye to watch the horse races instead.

After watching the horses run for a while, Feng Ye quickly forgot about the mare giving birth. They happened to encounter Feng Lie, who was training at the racetrack.

Feng Lie was practicing with several of his personal guards. They each held long spears and engaged in mounted combat. The sounds of pounding hooves, men’s roars, and clashes of weapons created a small-scale battlefield.

Yuan Sikong and Feng Ye squatted on the side, watching intently.

When Feng Lie took a break, he sat down next to Feng Ye while sipping on warming yellow wine. He asked with a smile, “Ye’er, how did Big Brother do?”

“Big Brother was amazing,” Feng Ye sincerely praised.

“This time when I go back, Father will let me lead the troops myself,” Feng Lie said with a sense of pride and ambition, his youthful spirit radiating.

Feng Ye was beyond excited, “Really? Big Brother can lead the troops by himself!”

“Yes,” Feng Lie nodded firmly.

Feng Ye blinked his eyes, filled with admiration, and said, “Big Brother, when can I join the battlefield like you?”

Feng Lie chuckled, “Wait until you’re… taller than these horses.” He playfully tousled Feng Ye’s hair.

“When can I be taller than these horses?”

“You’ll need to eat your vegetables and grow up strong.”

Feng Ye was displeased and jumped up, puffing out his chest, shouting loudly, “A true man dines on the flesh of barbarians and drinks the blood of the Xiongnu! Only Rabbits eat vegetables!”

Yuan Sikong couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Feng Ye was furious, “You dare laugh!”

Yuan Sikong had long since stopped addressing Feng Ye so formally, and he wasn’t afraid of him now.

Feng Lie also laughed heartily.

“You’re laughing at me too, Big Brother!” Feng Ye was truly upset. “Am I not going to grow up? When I grow up, can’t I lead troops and fight in battles like Father and Big Brother?”

Feng Lie hugged Feng Ye and let him sit on his lap, smiling, “Of course, Ye’er will grow up. When you grow up, you’ll be able to lead troops and fight in battles like Father and Big Brother. You’ll become a renowned general. But for now, you need to grow up well. Study military strategy and practice martial arts diligently, alright?”

Feng Ye nodded vigorously, “Alright!”

Yuan Sikong watched Feng Ye, young but full of determination and seriousness, and he couldn’t help but feel moved. The two sons of Jingyuan King were so noble in spirit, with a sense of responsibility for the world. With the Feng family’s army at their disposal, they truly were a blessing for the people.