Though Madam Wa didn’t believe firearms would dominate future wars, she acknowledged their importance. Partly to give Zhu Ping’an face, she smiled and said, “Firearms are powerful and, when used well, highly effective. Take your tiger squat cannons, Lord Zhu—an excellent tool for sieging and capturing strongholds.”
“Madam, how many firearms does your army have?” Zhu Ping’an asked.
“We have only a dozen or so matchlock guns, left behind by government troops years ago. As for cannons, we have none,” Madam Wa said with a bitter smile. Their Tusi was still viewed with suspicion by the court. Firearms were exclusively made by the court, which was wary of them and would never supply such powerful weapons.
One major reason they’d eagerly responded to the court’s summons this time was to demonstrate their loyalty.
“Those matchlocks are from my grandfather’s era. They’re prone to misfiring. We started with over thirty, but misfires reduced them to just a dozen. Many of our lads were injured using them,” Cen Dalu grumbled. “We don’t dare use them anymore, lest we kill ourselves before the enemy.”
“That’s far too few. The pirates have far more firearms than you. They have matchlocks made in Japan, as well as more advanced ones from the red-haired barbarians, plus cannons. The pirates are skilled with firearms,” Zhu Ping’an said, shaking his head.
“The pirates have many firearms too?” Cen Dalu’s expression grew wary after hearing this.
The Zhejiang Army’s firearm demonstration had left a deep impression. If the pirates had that many firearms, they’d need to be cautious in direct combat.
“The pirates don’t have as many firearms as our Zhejiang Army, but they have a fair amount. Roughly one or two out of ten pirates are equipped with firearms,” Zhu Ping’an explained.
“That’s still a lot,” Cen Dalu said, slightly relieved but still apprehensive.
One or two out of ten was no small proportion.
Firearms were powerful. A matchlock fired at close range could pierce armor, and cannons were even more devastating.
“In the recent ambush in northern Zhejiang, our army lost some firearms and consumed a lot of gunpowder. I can only offer limited support, but with so few firearms, you’ll be at a disadvantage against the pirates… Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll give you one hundred matchlocks, ten tiger squat cannons, and five hundred pounds of gunpowder.”
Zhu Ping’an was torn. He wanted to provide more firearms to the wolf soldiers, but the Zhejiang Army was also short on them. With the upcoming campaign against Wang Zhi’s larger pirate forces, firearms were critical.
Still, Zhu Ping’an gritted his teeth and offered as much support as he could.
All for the greater good!
The wolf soldiers were one of the few truly battle-ready forces. More firearms would boost their strength, allowing them to kill more pirates. When facing the pirates’ formidable firearms, the wolf soldiers would have the means to counter them.
“What?! Lord Zhu, you’re giving us one hundred matchlocks, ten tiger squat cannons, and five hundred pounds of gunpowder?!”
Madam Wa stood up in excitement.
“I heard it, Grandmother! Lord Zhu said he’s giving us one hundred matchlocks, ten tiger squat cannons, and five hundred pounds of gunpowder!” Cen Dalu was even more thrilled. The Zhejiang Army’s firearm display had made him covet their weapons, but he’d been too embarrassed to ask.
Though he didn’t believe firearms would rule future battlefields, their power was undeniable—capable of piercing armor and shattering shields. They’d surely have their place.
He hadn’t even dared to ask, yet Lord Zhu was offering one hundred matchlocks, ten tiger squat cannons, and five hundred pounds of gunpowder—despite the Zhejiang Army’s own shortages!
Lord Zhu was incredibly generous and righteous!
“Lord Zhu, from now on, just say the word. Even if you asked me to go to the capital and assassinate the emperor, I wouldn’t blink…” Cen Dalu was utterly won over by Zhu Ping’an’s character, bowing deeply in gratitude. In his excitement, he blurted out whatever came to mind.
“Cough, cough…” Zhu Ping’an was so startled he coughed repeatedly, unable to speak for a moment.
*What the hell, kid? Assassinate the emperor? Are you insane…*
“You damned fool, what treasonous nonsense are you spouting?!”
Madam Wa broke out in a cold sweat, her face darkening. She smacked Cen Dalu hard on the back of his head. This reckless kid had no filter!
Cen Dalu shrank back. “Cough, I didn’t mean I’d actually… I’m saying from now on, I, Cen Dalu, will follow Lord Zhu’s lead. If Lord Zhu says go east, I won’t go west. If he says chase dogs, I won’t herd chickens!”
“This fool speaks nonsense when he’s excited, without thinking. Please forgive him, Lord Zhu,” Madam Wa said, clasping her fists.
Zhu Ping’an gave a wry smile and waved it off. “Childish words, no harm done…”
“Lord Zhu, you’re the most admirable person I’ve met since coming to the Central Plains. As the saying goes, a scholar dies for a true friend. Your great kindness to our wolf soldiers—I’m willing to serve you to the death,” Cen Dalu said, kneeling on one knee and clasping his fists earnestly.
“Lord Zhu’s kindness to our wolf soldiers will never be forgotten. If you ever need our service, just say the word,” Madam Wa said, rising and bowing deeply.
“No need for such formality. On the battlefield, just kill more pirates,” Zhu Ping’an said, quickly helping Madam Wa and Cen Dalu up, his expression equally serious.
“Lord Zhu is a true patriot!” Madam Wa couldn’t help but exclaim. “If everyone were like Lord Zhu, how could the pirates not be eradicated?”
“Everyone like Lord Zhu? Those officials aren’t even fit to touch his toes,” Cen Dalu said, now practically a die-hard fan of Zhu Ping’an.
Zhu Ping’an ordered Liu Dadao to allocate one hundred matchlocks, ten tiger squat cannons, and five hundred pounds of gunpowder from their army’s stores, handing them over to Madam Wa and her group on the spot.
“Dadao, select one hundred skilled matchlock shooters and ten cannon experts. Have them teach the wolf soldiers how to operate the matchlocks and tiger squat cannons on-site.”
After delivering the firearms, Zhu Ping’an instructed Liu Dadao to assign one hundred matchlock experts and ten cannon specialists to provide hands-on training to the wolf soldiers.
“Thank you, Lord Zhu! Thank you so much!” Madam Wa and the others expressed their gratitude repeatedly.
Zhu Ping’an was remarkably considerate, not only providing firearms but also teaching them how to use them.
Cen Dalu’s loyalty to Zhu Ping’an climbed yet another level.
“No wonder your firearms reload so quickly. It’s the oiled paper cartridges and all these techniques…” Cen Dalu and the wolf soldiers learned a great deal from the hands-on training.
“The oiled paper cartridges must be kept secret. Don’t let the pirates find out,” Zhu Ping’an cautioned.
“Rest assured, my lord. We’d lose our lives before we’d lose this secret,” Cen Dalu vowed repeatedly.
