In response to Li Shimin's request, Daoist Tongxuan naturally had no objections and could even be said to be extremely diligent.
First, now that the temple had been converted into a bureau and he held official status, his mindset was naturally different.
Second, although His Majesty did not come often, his attention to the Five Thunder Bureau was obvious.
Clearing parts of the Forbidden Park, dispatching imperial guards, providing requested materials, none of it was refused. One could truly call it wholehearted support.
Although all material allocations within the bureau still required the approval of the imperial guard commander Li Junxian, and every trial production of gunpowder weapons had guards accompanying them to verify powder consumption, the portion of the Five Thunder Bureau that Tongxuan could directly control was only part of the whole.
But in truth, he was already quite satisfied.
After all, with items that stole heaven's power like this, if His Majesty truly handed everything to him without reservation, Tongxuan might instead worry whether he could even sleep soundly at night.
Without the need for formal notification, Li Junxian soon arrived to pay his respects.
With the two of them coordinating, the Five Thunder Bureau slowly lifted its mysterious veil before Chu Suiliang.
The thunderous might of the Mighty Fire Cannons shook the ground. A single shot made rammed-earth walls sway and nearly collapse, frightening Chu Suiliang badly.
The thrown thunder bombs were simple and easy to use. Shattered ceramic shards became blades, spraying like a storm. Leather and armor were pierced as if paper, drawing cries of alarm from Chu Suiliang.
After that came demonstrations of various experimental items from the bureau.
"This item, this servant calls it the bound-bamboo small cannon."
Tongxuan held up a thin bamboo tube for them to see. At first glance it looked plain, just a bamboo tube bound with leather cords.
It was hollow inside, sealed at the base like a cannon. Tongxuan carefully poured gunpowder in with a narrow-necked bottle, then stuffed several stone pellets inside.
After setting it, he held it level. A guard stepped forward and cautiously lit the fuse at the rear.
With a dull boom, thick smoke and bright flame shot out nearly twenty paces from the bamboo tube's mouth, full of momentum.
But Li Shimin saw more clearly.
On the leather armor in the direction of the muzzle, several obvious dents appeared where stone pellets had struck.
However, these dents were scattered. If they could be concentrated in one area, the effect would be even greater.
"This item would likely be extremely useful for elite cavalry."
Li Shimin immediately grasped where this weapon truly shined.
It could be operated with one hand, easier than a bow. Fire and smoke erupted together, far more terrifying than even a heavy crossbow.
If the bamboo tube could not be reused, then simply prepare multiple pieces per horse.
That way, when cavalry closed with the enemy, they could unleash these small cannons in succession at close range. Just the sheer spectacle alone might be enough to throw the enemy into chaos.
But if so, they would also need to train a group of warhorses unafraid of fire, smoke, and thunderous noise.
After thinking it through, Li Shimin passed this idea to Li Junxian, instructing the Five Thunder Bureau to experiment with it.
After the bound-bamboo small cannon, the bureau's demonstrations became even more varied.
For example, in order to make cannons lighter, they experimented with using pine wood as the cannon body, reinforced with leather and iron bands.
The advantage was extreme lightness. No horses were needed. Two strong men could shoulder it and run swiftly.
The disadvantage was that even with iron bands, it could only fire five or six shots before becoming unusable.
For example, in order to increase cannon power, some craftsmen even drafted designs for a massive cannon three zhang long, using twenty thousand jin of bronze.
But this design was still under debate.
After all, how to move it and how to load it were serious problems. And its sheer power was hard to predict.
If it turned out unsatisfactory, or worse, exploded, would that not be a waste of manpower and resources?
Li Shimin directly rejected this draft proposal.
Putting cost aside, looking at all the foreign enemies under heaven today, it was hard to imagine what kind of foe would truly require such a gigantic cannon.
Compared to these strangely shaped cannons, Li Shimin was far more satisfied with the various improvements to the thunder bombs.
For instance, hiding iron caltrops inside ceramic jars to increase lethality.
Or using yellow clay mixed with wood to create cheaper mud thunder bombs at much lower cost.
Li Shimin had arrived suddenly and also left decisively.
After watching the demonstrations and granting additional rewards to the Five Thunder Bureau, he set off again for the palace with Chu Suiliang.
Seeing Chu Suiliang still somewhat dazed, Li Shimin smiled and said:
"Has Dengshan's mind been captured by gunpowder?"
Riding his horse, Chu Suiliang recalled the smoke, flames, thunder, the collapsed earthen walls, the pierced leather armor, and iron armor that could not withstand cannon fire.
He could not help but smile bitterly.
"What Daoist Tongxuan said is correct. These truly are items that steal heaven's might. With these to assist you, Your Majesty will surely forge a foundation for Tang to last ten thousand generations."
This praise came from the heart.
Chu Suiliang did not understand military theory, but even at a glance he could see these were unmatched tools of war.
"Ten thousand generations. Heh. There is no such thing as a dynasty that lasts ten thousand generations."
Li Shimin laughed softly.
"I only wish that future generations will have less fratricide and more brotherly harmony."
The words made him fall silent for a moment. Then he shook his head.
"If Tang can prosper for five hundred years, surpassing the Han's mandate, then I can die without regret."
Chu Suiliang hesitated, but still carried out his duty and recorded everything he had just heard.
His Majesty's words also made Chu Suiliang think of Cao Pi.
That Wei emperor once said, 'From ancient times to now, there has never been a state that did not perish.'
There was some similarity to His Majesty's words, yet also clear differences.
Cao Pi loved poetry and lofty talk, and lacked a sense of looming danger. Those words carried a hint of weak bearing.
His Majesty took the realm on horseback, charged into battle, and rarely indulged in sighing.
This sigh was filled with genuine concern, more like worry for Tang's future.
Thus Chu Suiliang could only offer counsel:
"The sages have said, the Way comes from Heaven, but affairs depend on men. Now Your Majesty works diligently at governance. The people bear no added burdens, and yet two bands of enemy invaders have been defeated, easing the border threats."
"Tang's prestige grows ever stronger. The four barbarians honor Your Majesty as the Heavenly Khagan, showing your authority. If you continue to conduct yourself on the righteous path, the name of a sage king is still within reach."
Li Shimin laughed loudly, raised his riding whip, and pointed toward the distant Xuanwu Gate.
"One who killed his brothers and forced his father to abdicate can still be called a sage king?"
Chu Suiliang was instantly stuck, his face flushing red, unable to find words.
In his heart, he could not help but complain a little. Why could His Majesty not get past this Xuanwu Gate?
They had dismissed attendants on the return trip, so there was no need to worry about these shocking words spreading.
Seeing Chu Suiliang's discomfort, Li Shimin did not press him further.
Riding ahead, without turning his head, he spoke slowly:
"Since Dengshan has the heart to fulfill his duty, then do not use subtle wording. Take up the brush and directly record how I personally killed my brothers at Xuanwu Gate."
Chu Suiliang's hand trembled.
His hard brush smeared a blot of ink across his book. Flustered, he still strained his ears, afraid to miss a single word.
"You will also remain by my side. Record my Zhenguan achievements. Witness later generations' wonders. Write truthfully, so future ages may see what the upper limit of an emperor truly is."
If he did not know the fame of later generations, he might have tried to cover for himself, like the Duke of Zhou concealing the killing of Guan, Cai, and others.
But now, knowing of the later sleepless Chang'an and hearing of later praise as a thousand-year emperor, the matter of Xuanwu Gate was no longer something he could not face.
Chu Suiliang felt his spirit surge.
The confidence in these words shook his heart. He gradually understood why his father said that His Majesty possessed the broad mind of Emperor Wen of Han and the heroic spirit of Emperor Wu of Han.
Only, this phrase "upper limit of an emperor" sounded quite strange, not at all like elegant Tang speech.
As they leisurely crossed Xuanwu Gate, Li Shimin turned back with a smile.
"In half a month, Dengshan may join me and the ministers to view the light screen."
"Since you have the ability to write quickly, bring suitable paper and brush then, and simply record everything."
Chu Suiliang's head instantly filled with question marks.
Li Shimin chuckled.
Since this court recorder wrote so fast, it would be a waste not to make full use of him.
After all, the light screen could not always rely on Fang and Du to copy things down.
This was absolutely not revenge for disturbing his sleep.
Absolutely not.