C20 The Recoil of the Cannon

When Liu Shaan first returned, he was concerned that Gao Shaoyi might hesitate to take decisive action, and he had come back primarily to bolster Gao Shaoyi's confidence. However, after the recent incident, Liu Shaan realized that his concerns were unfounded. It was now clear that he needed to keep a close eye on Gao Shaoyi. The situation had called for the soldiers of the Windsar Empire to be eliminated, and indeed, dispatching over forty men in one fell swoop was truly unprecedented.

At this moment, Gao Shaoyi was basking in his triumph. He firmly believed that effort would always be met with reward, a conviction shaped by his experiences across two lifetimes. Take, for instance, the recent skirmish: not only had he earned several thousand merit points for taking out the forty-plus Windsar Empire soldiers, but he had also unlocked the 1870 British breech-loading rifled cannon. On Earth, this would be known as the Armstrong Field Gun—a cannon that was far from ordinary, holding a revolutionary place in history for its explosive power and range, far surpassing its contemporaries.

In the current era, this cannon was likely just a concept on the drawing boards of military researchers, or perhaps merely an idea in their minds. Yet, the exchange rate was a mere 400 merit points, with five shells per merit point—a bargain cheaper than cabbage.

"Do you all know how to use the system's weapons?" Gao Shaoyi quietly inquired of his guard, who promptly affirmed they did.

With the order given for the army to press on, Gao Shaoyi led his comrades into the nearby woods and wasted no time in exchanging for two of the breech-loading rifled cannons. These cannons had once inflicted tremendous suffering upon the people of the Qian Empire, but that was no longer a concern. Having preemptively acquired them, it was now the enemy's turn to face misfortune.

"Fetch Zhao Gang," Gao Shaoyi commanded. "You two, stay here; we won't be needing you shortly. Teach them how to operate this cannon."

Reflecting on Liu Shaan's words, Gao Shaoyi considered Zhao Gang, the former artillery battalion commander. Although the operation of this cannon differed from those in the past, the basics were similar enough. With adequate time to learn, they would soon master its use.

We can't be sure what will happen later, but if things escalate to a skirmish, having those two cannons could certainly come in handy.

As of now, the military forces within the Embassy Area have fully assembled—a formidable contingent of over five thousand troops. To the envoys of the six nations, this force seems capable enough to conquer the capital city itself.

History has shown that such a feat is possible; the Windsar and Galru Empires once waged a war together, with mere thousands of soldiers capturing the capital and setting the imperial gardens ablaze.

From their perspective, Gao Shaoyi's forces, even if multiplied tenfold, wouldn't stand a chance. It's only a matter of time before they force that young upstart to kneel and do a lap around the Embassy Area on his knees.

Among the envoys, Ryoji Otomo of East Di Country is the most vocal.

Despite his efforts to suppress the news, it's common knowledge throughout the capital that he took a heavy blow from Gao Shaoyi, a defeat he can't publicly acknowledge, leaving him with a loss of face.

He's powerless to retaliate, haunted by Gao Shaoyi's words and prioritizing his own safety, he has no choice but to swallow the bitter pill.

Yet, to his surprise, an opportunity for payback has presented itself much sooner than expected, courtesy of Gao Shaoyi himself. It's baffling why the young man would take on such a task—it's as if he's under some strange delusion.

Thus, whether strategizing in meetings or leading the troops, Ryoji Otomo is always at the forefront, eager to witness Gao Shaoyi's downfall at the earliest.

He had even observed Gao Shaoyi's men equipped with new rifles and reported this to the other envoys. However, they dismissed it as inconsequential. The Qian Empire lacks the capability to manufacture weapons, and any advanced rifles they possess are likely imported and insufficient to tip the scales. It's probable that the bulk of their army is still armed with nothing more than swords and spears.

"Here they come, here they come..."

A Junker Empire cavalryman approached rapidly on his steed.

"Prepare yourselves, everyone."

The military forces stationed in the Embassy Area were not controlled by individual nations. For ease of administration, military officers from the six major powers rotated command duties. Currently, Shabarov from the Rakshasa Empire was in charge.

Streets leading to the Embassy Area were lined with thousands of soldiers standing at the ready.

Many foreigners jovially gathered on the streets, unworried by the situation. They believed the Qian Empire was bound to face defeat once again.

Similar scenarios had unfolded before, with much stronger leaders than Gao Shaoyi at the helm. But where were those leaders now? Likely long gone, with grass growing over their graves. The idea of a spoiled heir trying to reclaim the Embassy Area's management seemed laughable.

Your father may have been a Marshal in the King Protector Army and a tiger general of the Qian Empire, but that was him, not you.

The sound of military boots hitting the pavement soon filled the air.

Military officers wore looks of disbelief. They were familiar with the Qian Empire's soldiers, known for their lackadaisical demeanor. Where did these disciplined troops come from?

Plagued by meager pay and rampant corruption, the soldiers were typically feeble. Yet these men before them—where had they come from?

And the rifles they carried—though different from the latest models in their own countries, such as the addition of a massive magazine, they recognized the superior firepower, particularly the extended range of nearly two hundred meters. This meant the enemy could strike them while they would have to charge two hundred meters through a barrage of gunfire.

Battle-hardened soldiers knew all too well the heavy toll of charging two hundred meters without cover.

Shabarov glanced back at the envoys from the Six Nations, his face etched with alarm. They too were surprised, but their reaction was muted; they weren't military men.

"By decree of His Majesty, the Emperor of the Qian Empire..."

Gao Shaoyi himself stepped forward to read the imperial edict. Onlookers from afar witnessed the event. Though rumors had circulated about Gao Shaoyi's intent to reclaim jurisdiction over the Embassy Area, few had believed them. But now, with the golden edict unveiled, there was no doubt about its authenticity.

Excitement was stirring in the hearts of many commoners within the Qian Empire.

Indeed, the young upstart had halted two hundred meters out. A troubling thought crossed Shabarov's mind—was he truly gearing up for a fight?