Why did they need to steal metal to create the canons? If they made those metal objects before, surely they can make enough for the canons. They are surrounded by ore so it doesn't make sense that they need to steal it, right?
shareI assume, it is to give this part of the story historic importance. For instance, they smelted the Notre Dame bells, during the French revolution, to manufacture weapons. The same goes for this one, with a billion pots and pans in china, eventually adds up to a lot of metal to use for the canons.
shareI assume Shen was in a hurry for his "destiny" and didn't want to take the time to mine the raw iron ore and refine it into steal. Hence he just melted down all the metal his goons could get their claws on.
Your opinion has been noted, reviewed, and dismissed. Thank You.