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Below Yanziji, the waves were rolling, the sound of cannons was rumbling, and the air was filled with smoke. The target ship in the distance was blown to pieces by the fierce artillery fire and eventually turned into pieces of broken wood.
Xu Ruoshi had heard many war stories over the years, but this was the first time for her, who had grown up in seclusion, to see such fierce artillery fire. Her eardrums were hurt and her face turned pale.
She subconsciously looked at Qin Mu, who was holding a telescope in front of her and observing the shelling. He was young, handsome, and had the domineering air of a person who had been in a high position for a long time. However, when he was talking to his brother, he still looked approachable.
I heard that he used to lead his troops into battle and fight life-and-death battles with the enemy on battlefields of blood and fire. To Xu Ruoshi, all this was really hard to imagine.
Qin Mu was pleased to see that the ship's guns had a good hit rate, thinking that he had not wasted so much money.
Gu Rong and other naval commanders couldn't help but show their satisfaction. After Qin Mu saw this, he coughed and asked, "Marquis Hui'an, is the hit rate so high at sea?"
Gu Rong quickly put away his smug expression, straightened his back and replied, "Your Majesty, it depends on the size of the wind and waves. If the wind and waves are small, the hit rate can be higher than this. If the wind and waves are strong, the hit rate will naturally be lower."
"Just a little lower?"
"Your Majesty, the bigger the waves, the lower the chance of hitting the target. I dare not hide the truth from you, Your Majesty. If the waves exceed three feet and are one mile away, the chance of hitting the target is only about two percent."
Gu Rong remembered that Qin Mu was not one of those emperors who hid in the deep palace and knew nothing, so it was better to tell the truth.
Qin Mu did not comment and continued to watch with the telescope. As the saying goes, there are three-foot waves on the sea even when there is no wind. This is definitely not comparable to these inland rivers. If the hit rate is really 2% at a distance of one mile, it would be very good.
"Marquis Hui'an, who is directing the bombardment?"
"Your Majesty, this is Hai Rufeng, the commander of the 9th Battalion of the East China Sea Fleet."
"Why didn't I see him last time on Shuangyu Island?"
"Your Majesty has seen it. At that time, His Majesty called everyone together for a meeting, and Hai Rufeng was also present."
"Hey, why don't I remember there was a blind battalion commander at that time?"
"Your Majesty, Hai Rufeng is not blind."
"You're not blind? Then why are you wearing an eye patch?"
Qin Mu pointed at the warships on the river. Gu Rong suddenly realized why Qin Mu asked this question. He laughed and said, "Your Majesty, you misunderstood. This guy is not blind. As for why he likes to wear an eye patch, hehe... Your Majesty, you should ask him yourself later. This does not violate military law. I can't do anything to him."
After the bombardment drill, Qin Mu couldn't resist his curiosity and called Hai Rufeng to the shore. When he got closer, Qin Mu had some impression of him. He was in his twenties, tall and thin, with bronze skin. Qin Mu looked at his eyes, and they were indeed very bright.
"Your Majesty, I am as brave as the wind. I pay my respects to you, Your Majesty."
"Hai Rufeng, where is your black eye mask?"
"Ah? This..." Hai Rufeng didn't expect Qin Mu to ask this. He scratched his head and said, "Your Majesty. It's just a broken eye patch. I'm afraid it will be unsightly."
"No problem, put it on and let me see."
Gu Rong and the others couldn't help but laugh secretly. Hai Rufeng looked a little embarrassed. Hesitantly took out the black eye mask and put it on. Qin Mu coughed twice, suppressed his laughter and asked: "Hai Rufeng, I'm here to ask you, why are you wearing it if there's nothing wrong? You must answer truthfully."
"Your Majesty, I think wearing this will help me fire more accurately."
Poof! Qin Mu couldn't help laughing. He had made many guesses before, but he never expected that this guy's answer would be "accurate when firing cannons". He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Could it be that if you don't wear a black eye mask, you won't be accurate when firing cannons
"Ahem... I guess it's not just for accurate firing, right?"
Hai Rufeng was even more embarrassed, and replied in a calm tone: "Your Majesty is very observant. I think wearing the black eye mask will be more intimidating to the enemy."
"Hahaha..." Qin Mu finally couldn't help but burst into laughter. To be honest, Hai Rufeng's appearance was not very special. It would be difficult to leave a deep impression on people at just one glance.
But it would be different if he wore a black eye mask. He would immediately look more domineering and majestic, and it is unique in the Royal Navy, so it would be hard for you to forget it.
After Qin Mu finished laughing, he asked Xu Ruoshi and others to leave, leaving only Gu Rong, Hai Rufeng and other naval commanders in the pavilion on the top of the reef.
"Brother, His Majesty seems to have some important business to deal with, why don't I go back first." Xu Ruoshi saw Qin Mu and the naval generals talking about something from afar, but they were too far away to hear. She had already felt uncomfortable, so she immediately used this as an excuse to go back first.
"Don't be impatient, sister. Wait a little longer, sister."
"What's wrong?"
"Can you please lower your collar a little? When I ask you to dress up as a man, I don't mean to really ask you to act like a man. Do you understand?"
The brother and sister were going to walk side by side on the mountain path, and Xu Ruoshi naturally lagged behind half a step. The wind was strong, and it made their clothes flutter. Xu Ruoshi had a slim figure to begin with, and the wind made her feel as if she was about to fly. She was embarrassed by what her brother said, as if she was ashamed of herself.
"Brother, I always feel that this is not good, and besides..."
"Besides what?"
"Besides, His Majesty didn't even look at me straight in the eye. I'm afraid my brother's efforts were in vain."
"Sister, you think too much. I think His Majesty really treated you as a man at the beginning. I have been with His Majesty for a long time and know that His Majesty hates effeminate men the most, so he is like this. If His Majesty knew that my sister is a charming beauty, it would be different."
"Brother!" Xu Ruoshi couldn't help but said angrily, "Brother, I understand your painstaking efforts, but it's just like this, alas..."
Xu Ruoshi was born in a powerful family, so she naturally knew that political marriage was difficult to avoid for a woman like her. However, her brother's behavior was a bit too much. After all, she was an unmarried girl, and it was really embarrassing for her brother to go to such great lengths to get close to her.
"Sister, what's the big deal? It's much better than going to a talent show and letting those androgynous eunuchs pick and choose. I don't know how many people want such an opportunity but can't get it. Sister, don't take it to heart."
What Xu Yongshun said is true. Such an opportunity is indeed what many people long for.
Qin Mu talked with the naval generals for nearly an incense stick of time, and no one knew what they talked about. Several naval generals saluted him solemnly and left in a hurry.
Xu Yongshun brought his sister back to the pavilion on the top of the cliff. Qin Mu was in high spirits and said to his followers, "It's rare for me to come out for some fresh air. Come on, bring some wine and food. I want to have a drink with Huang Qing and Xu Qing."
The river breeze blows, and the whole Yanzi Rock stands out on the river, facing the sky on three sides, like a swallow spreading its wings to fly. The clear river below the rock is like a silk thread, and the sky is dyed blue.
After the food and wine were served, several people drank a cup together. In order to create an opportunity for his sister, Xu Yongshun took the opportunity to say: "Looking at the emperors of all dynasties, no one can be compared with your majesty in terms of literary talent and knowledge. Your majesty is in a good mood today. Why don't you write a poem to leave a good story for Yanziji."
Qin Mu smiled and said, "Although I am in high spirits today, I have no inspiration. I would like you to write a poem each to cheer me up."
"Your Majesty, I am not that kind of person. You know that." Xu Yongshun immediately became humble and secretly winked at his sister. Huang Zhenlin was a smart man. He saw that there was something else going on and became humble as well.
So, Xu Yongshun naturally pushed his sister out.
Although Xu Ruoshi was wearing men's clothes, her face was as red as a flower. Qin Mu was not a fool. He noticed something after paying a little attention. He looked at Xu Yongshun thoughtfully, then said in a gentle voice: "Then let this Xu...Xu talent write a poem for everyone to appreciate together."
Xu Ruoshi really wanted to find a hole in the ground to crawl into. She felt her face burning like fire. She didn't even dare to look at Qin Mu. Xu Yongshun was afraid that she would "escape" at this critical moment, so he couldn't help but urge her: "Second brother, His Majesty has ordered, how can you not obey? Second brother, quickly compose a poem to ask His Majesty for advice."
Xu Ruoshi bit her lip and forced herself to calm down. After all, she was a lady from a wealthy family who had seen the world. After taking two deep breaths, she calmed down a little. Looking at the clear river view, she said in a low voice: "Since your Majesty has ordered me to do this, I will perform my ugliness. Please give me your guidance."
"Okay, come quickly."
Xu Ruoshi looked at the white egret flying up from the rocks, and after a little thought, she began to chant: "The united fist belongs to Yu'er, flying to the top of the rocks, the snow on the mountain is still cold, breaking the blue sky and river."
"Good poem!" Qin Mu couldn't help but praise it after listening to it.
This is indeed a good poem. The first three sentences are plain, but the last sentence is the finishing touch, which makes the whole poem come alive. When you read to the end of the sentence, your thoughts will follow the egret up to the blue sky and soar above the river and sky.
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ps: I have had a headache these two days and I am not in good spirits. Plus, I want to expand the game and don’t want to just focus on Guangdong, Guangxi and the Philippines. I need to think about it carefully. These few chapters are a transition. Please support me and give me encouragement through monthly votes.
.(To be continued..)
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