Chapter 14: Testing the Gun

Wei Guangde rushed through the front door and glanced toward the study beside it. His eldest brother was sitting inside, having not gone out, which eased his mind somewhat.

He then reported to Old Master Wei before dashing into the backyard. After setting down his backpack, as was customary, he first paid his respects to his mother, then swiftly returned to the front yard to find his brother.

Inside the room, Wei Wencai sat quietly, seemingly unoccupied, leafing through some ledgers.

As the officer in charge of supplies at the hundred-household garrison, he held no official rank—just a minor clerk—but since he was destined to take command of the garrison, no one dared to show him disrespect.

“Brother, anything going on? Hand me the warehouse key. I want to fetch the bird gun and try shooting,” Wei Guangde said upon entering, addressing Wei Wencai seated behind the desk.

“Firearms are dangerous. Why do you always want to play with those?” Wei Wencai frowned slightly as he replied.

“Let me try. I bet you haven’t even seen what a bird gun looks like,” Wei Guangde said, refusing to heed his brother’s caution.

“Who said I haven’t? I saw them yesterday. Otherwise, how did those bird guns get into the warehouse?” Wei Wencai chuckled, understanding his younger brother’s intent—to provoke him into agreeing to the shooting.

“So, did they let you?” Wei Guangde pressed on.

“There’s not much difference between the bird gun and a fire gun. They’re both pretty tricky,” Wei Wencai shook his head.

“As the future commander of the hundred-household garrison, how can you not be familiar with the weapons under your command? Don’t you agree, big brother?” Wei Guangde’s eyes darted eagerly as he continued, “Father said yesterday that this batch of bird guns was freshly made. You know how the Arsenal people are—at first, they’re top quality, but later it gets worse. By then, even if you want to try the guns, you won’t dare. Now that this batch is safe, let’s fire a few rounds for fun. After that, even if you tell me to, I wouldn’t dare touch them.”

“Honestly, little brother, I think you’d be better off learning archery from Duan Da and the others. Firearms are really unsafe,” Wei Wencai finally said, but seeing how persistent his brother was, he guessed that if he didn’t allow a few shots today, Wei Guangde wouldn’t be satisfied and would keep bringing it up.

In fact, Wei Wencai himself had little interest in firearms.

At first, most Ming officers were quite keen on firearms, but after the Arsenal’s relentless profiteering caused weapon quality to deteriorate, frequent barrel explosions made the troops wary.

The Hundred-Household Garrison of Bengshan hadn’t had any firearm accidents, not because of special connections or superior weaponry, but because from Wei Meng to Wei Wencai, they all lacked enthusiasm for firearms and seldom used them.

When Wei Guangde once went to the warehouse to try out the fire guns, those firearms were tucked away in a corner, and he had to search quite a while to find them.

The bowl-mouthed guns were better but somewhat heavy, so they hadn’t been used much since being stored.

The one suitable fire gun had been carefully selected by Tang Sanwa.

It was a joke; if the gun exploded during the test, it would be courting death—especially since the shooter was the son of the hundred-household commander.

“Do you think I can even draw a bow now?” Wei Guangde snapped, itching to try ever since he had watched the servants training.

But Ming bows weighed at least forty pounds. Though he could forcefully pull one, his aim was useless.

Firearms, on the other hand, were different. To be blunt, even children as young as seven or eight could use them—almost like toys—provided the quality was good and the barrels didn’t explode.

At eleven years old, Wei Guangde naturally could only use firearms.

“Forget the bow for now. Go find Tang San and have him pick out a bird gun,” Wei Wencai knew it was impossible to make his younger brother drop the matter, so he relented.

“Alright, I’m going now. Brother, bring the key,” Wei Guangde replied and dashed out without delay after his brother agreed. Wei Wencai took the key from the drawer, hung it at his waist, and followed.

The warehouse was in the adjacent courtyard. Since it stored gunpowder, it was a separate building surrounded by open space. Usually, only a few soldiers came there.

The warehouse door had been opened only yesterday to bring in some items, and today it was opened once more.

Wei Wencai waited outside while Tang Sanwa led Wei Guangde inside to select the guns and also brought out some gunpowder.

The dangers of gunpowder were well known throughout the Ming dynasty. Used properly, it was a powerful military asset, but any mishap could be disastrous.

Tang San carefully poured some gunpowder into a powder flask—the standard issue for firearm troops. The flask held the powder, and the cap measured the precise amount.

They had planned to take just one bird gun, but Wei Guangde wouldn’t let the opportunity go so easily. Tang San ended up selecting two guns, which he and Zhang Ji each carried as they left.

Just before departing, Tang San recalled that these bird guns were equipped with matchlocks, different from earlier firearms.

Previously, the slow-burning fuses were unsuitable, so the guns had to use the provided matchlocks, which burned more steadily.

With their gear, the group left the military fort.

Such shooting tests couldn’t be done inside the fort—they had to go to an open area.

There was a small grove near the fort. Upon arrival, under Tang San’s guidance, they cleaned the gun barrels, poured in gunpowder, packed it tightly, then loaded lead balls.

The preparation was much like with older firearms, so Wei Guangde worked quickly. Zhang Ji, not particularly interested in firearms, took a bit longer but eventually finished.

With everything ready, the matchlock was clamped onto the gun’s hammer. Wei Guangde took the gun in both hands and began searching for targets among the trees.

Since it was called a bird gun, naturally it was meant for shooting birds. Holding the gun with two hands gave better accuracy.

Spotting birds in the branches, Wei Guangde signaled Zhang Ji, and the two raised their guns to aim.

“Don’t hold your eyes too close. The gun’s quality is decent, but be careful,” Tang San, an experienced firearm soldier, warned. He knew well the dangers of firearms.

Such weapons weren’t usually brought inside the fort, but he was aware of accidents at other garrisons where people had been injured, so he kindly reminded them.

Wei Guangde aimed using the two-point alignment method he had learned, then shifted his sight off the line—he knew better than to stand beneath a precarious wall.

All that remained was to pull the trigger. Whether the shot would be true was a matter of fate.