Firearms had existed since the previous dynasty, but even in the prosperous Chu State, they couldn't claim to fully equip all soldiers. At most, only elite troops in critical positions would be armed with them.
Despite their scarcity, firearms weren't exactly a novelty.
Whether it was the King of Chu or the King of Zhou, when Xiao Yunzhou mentioned these firearms, their expressions remained composed, not displaying the wide-eyed wonder of a country bumpkin entering a grand garden.
However, this composure wouldn't last long.
"A new type of firearm? Capable of a hundred shots?" The King of Chu, who was on friendlier terms with Xiao Yunzhou, couldn't help but ask first, "You must be joking."
The King of Chu, at sixty years old and with a wealth of experience, had been on the battlefield and closely monitored the Chu State's military department's research on firearm technology.
A firearm with a hundred bullets... How large would the body of such a weapon need to be to accommodate so many bullets? Cavalry on horseback, carrying such an oversized firearm, might not even be able to lift it. How could one possibly fight with that?
The King of Chu couldn't imagine what a hundred-shot firearm would look like.
Even if Jing Country had mystical experts, the King of Chu thought Xiao Yunzhou was talking nonsense!
"Xiao Yunzhou, you're not trying to fool us, are you?" Even the King of Zhou remained skeptical.
Let alone Jing Country, which wasn't particularly wealthy, even Chu, rich in iron ore, didn't possess such technology!
Xiao Yunzhou waved his hand, gesturing for them to remain calm. "Wait until they bring it here, and we'll all take a look together."
"By the way, since you both enjoy 'The First Immortal Lord,' have you heard the storytelling of 'She Returned After Five Years'?"
"As it happens, I recently had a play arranged. While we wait, shall we have them perform an act for us?"
The King of Chu and the King of Zhou were in no mood to watch a play at the moment.
Although they were engrossed in the legendary experiences and rise to power of Zhou Tiantian from the novel, in the face of national affairs—the firepower of these new weapons—the novel seemed insignificant.
But Xiao Yunzhou was the host, and they were guests, so they could only comply with his arrangements.
Soon, they moved to a specially partitioned pavilion within the palace for watching performances.
The stage was already prepared. Before long, the actors took their positions.
The King of Chu and the King of Zhou were initially distracted, but after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they were drawn in by the clear-spoken, beautiful actors on stage.
Surprisingly, the play wasn't entirely sung; it had more spoken dialogue and less singing.
Even with their divided attention, they could hear every word the actors said clearly and see their expressions and tears vividly.
This performance style differed from traditional opera, using plain language from the Central Plains rather than the local dialect.
The King of Chu and the King of Zhou found themselves captivated, but after a while, their expressions grew solemn.
The woman who had once been hurt and driven out by her husband had now transformed into a princess with powerful backing, adopted by the royal family.
She was exceptionally intelligent, previously lacking only an opportunity. Now, after five years of tutelage from royal mentors, she had mastered mathematics, astronomy, and geography...
Upon her return, she trampled all those who had mistreated her underfoot!
"This..." The King of Zhou drew a sharp breath. Wasn't this just a female version of Zhou Tiantian, the male protagonist from "The First Immortal Lord"?
'What I wanted before, you didn't give.'
'Now that you want to give, I no longer want it.'
'Some things, once missed, are like missing a gust of wind. By the time you try to catch it, it's already too late.'
The actress playing the female lead delivered lines that made the male lead regret bitterly, her diction impeccable.
The actor playing the male lead stumbled, fell silent, and suffered on stage.
Unlike ordinary stages, this one had a dim light shining on the actors, with darkness all around.
It was as if his entire world had collapsed.
'I'm sorry, I sympathize with your pain, but it's too late. You are worthless to me now.'
The female lead departed resolutely!
Turning away, she embraced another young man.
The King of Zhou and the King of Chu watched the performance on stage, unable to utter a word for a long time.
An hour later, the tea in their hands had gone cold, and the actors had already left the stage before they came to their senses.
"Well?" Xiao Yunzhou smiled, "What do you two think of our play?"
The King of Chu and the King of Zhou felt the coldness from their cups spreading to their palms and the back of their necks...
How was it?
Looking at the now-empty stage, they could still see the image of the suffering male lead and the strong, returned female lead's unfeeling back as she walked away.
Was Xiao Yunzhou showing them this to imply something?
Was this woman today a metaphor for the future Jing Country?
Now, Jing Country wanted to befriend them, with utmost sincerity. But if they disregarded Jing Country and trampled on that sincerity, then in five years... no, perhaps in just two or three years, or even less time, when Jing Country rose to power, they would cast Zhou and Chu aside like worn-out shoes!
Even if Zhou and Chu were to suffer like the man on stage, trying to win back Jing Country, it would be impossible.
'Like missing a gust of wind, once you try to catch it, it's already too late...'
The two great kings of Zhou and Chu, faced with Xiao Yunzhou's smiling inquiry, felt their hearts trembling.
Xiao Yunzhou was like a wolf in sheep's clothing!
This wasn't just inviting them to watch a play; it was a threat!
The King of Chu, already an ally of Jing Country, was slightly better off, but the King of Zhou, who was still hesitating whether to help Yuan attack Jing, felt a chill run down his spine.
The King of Zhou was certain that Xiao Yunzhou must know about Yuan's plot, which was why he kept 'reminding' him of the consequences, even putting on this show!
"This play is truly..." The King of Zhou gritted his teeth, "You've put a lot of thought into this, Xiao Yunzhou."
Hehe.
Xiao Yunzhou chuckled, "Indeed, you are the first audience."
This was what his daughter called the 'TV drama' Jing Country version, discarding some of the singing in favor of everyday dialogue that even children and the elderly could understand clearly.
But at key climactic moments, it still incorporated operatic singing to heighten the audience's emotional resonance.
"I'm glad you enjoy the play," Xiao Yunzhou said, giving the King of Zhou a meaningful look. "I think that although the story is simple, some of the principles within are quite thought-provoking."
The King of Zhou closed his eyes, struggling to suppress the turmoil in his heart. Just as he was about to rise and leave, Wei Zheng arrived with his men.
"Your Majesty, the Military and Industry Departments are ready."
In no time at all, a series of firearms wrapped in red cloth were brought in.
To the surprise of the King of Zhou and the King of Chu, these Jing Country firearms came in different styles and sizes.
There were light models that could be carried on horseback, as well as heavy models that needed to be stabilized on the ground.
And there were indeed firearms capable of continuous fire!
The gun barrel was just over three feet long, light enough for a sturdy soldier to carry, with several cylindrical cartridges on his back.
Inserting the cartridge into the main barrel from the muzzle, it could fire ten shots in succession. Once emptied, the cartridge could be ejected and replaced with a second one!
With ten consecutive cartridges, it could fire continuously and steadily!
In total, it could indeed fire well over a hundred shots!
The King of Zhou watched in horror.
Their Zhou Kingdom's firearms weren't even a tenth as agile or long-lasting!
If they were to meet on the battlefield... by the time they ran out of ammunition, Jing Country would still be able to continue firing!
Xiao Yunzhou glanced at him and added fuel to the fire, "I suddenly recall a line from the play, 'When someone wants to walk alongside you, and you disdain them, by the time you come begging, you won't even get a glance from them.'"
"This is what happens when you try to win back a spouse after cremation."
"What do you think, King of Zhou?"
