novelraw Chapter 240
Chapter 240
Chapter 240: Gunpowder Pack
When it comes to what exactly gunpowder is and how it is made, probably only Fusheng from the Research Institute has the authority to speak on the matter.
As the first-generation military expert, the old man, despite his advanced age, has maintained a passion for researching military weapons ever since he first got involved.
After initially studying chemistry, he began researching the explosive reactions of gunpowder. From successfully developing the first batch of gunpowder, then continuously improving it until finally achieving a satisfactory result, the process was complicated and arduous. Yet Fusheng actually only spent half a year on it.
He successfully developed gunpowder shortly after Wei Yu went to Huzhou.
However, Fusheng did not share this exciting news with others. He simply placed the finished product aside as if it was nothing special, then continued his research on bombs…
Yes, bombs.
Gunpowder still needs to be ignited by a fuse to explode, whereas bombs involve pulling a ring, which is much more convenient and safer.
When Fusheng first read about bombs in books, he had already planned out the follow-up after successfully creating gunpowder.
After all, the old man is a man with ambitions, always eager to scale new heights—it would be a waste not to use so many great resources for that, right? While Fusheng studied bombs, his top apprentice, Xi Liuzi, was working on how to make cannons.
If you ask why Xi Liuzi had this idea, it’s basically because he was influenced by Wei Yu’s indoctrination, just like his master.
Why bother researching trivial daily items!
He wasn’t a picky person; having the appropriate tools to use was enough. Let his junior apprentices handle those daily items. Chemical geniuses like him and his master are suited to study gunpowder, cannons, and other powerful national weapons!
They want to develop heavy weapons to suppress rebels. Anyone who dares to cause trouble would be crushed by cannons!
Anyway, their Great Wei will definitely be the most powerful in the world!
A powerful chemist with destructive capability must be taught the virtues of truth, goodness, and beauty, so they develop a patriotic mindset and avoid causing trouble—this was Wei Yu’s heartfelt thought.
—
After failing with the warship idea, Emperor Wei, who thought of gunpowder, immediately sent Huo Tingyu to inquire about Fusheng at the estate.
Lord Huo was responsible. After another visit to the Research Institute, he brought the gunpowder into the palace that very night.
The gunpowder was wrapped in oiled cloth, two small packs placed on a plate and presented by Huo Tingyu.
It was Emperor Wei’s first time seeing the finished product. He touched and sniffed the gunpowder packs, extremely curious about this thing.
“How do you use this gunpowder? What is this rope for? Should I cut it…?”
The palace hall was brightly lit by candlelight. Worried His Majesty might not see clearly, Li Cheng wanted to bring a nearby candlestick closer.
But Huo Tingyu stopped him.
“Eunuch Li, be cautious.”
Usually silent and reserved, Huo Tingyu would not interfere unnecessarily. Blocking Li Cheng now meant there was something important.
Emperor Wei glanced at the candlestick in Li Cheng’s hand, then looked at the gunpowder packs in front of him, pondering for a moment. He straightened up and leaned back a bit. “This gunpowder— it is ignited by fire?”
Huo Tingyu replied, “His Majesty is wise. I have asked Fusheng. Gunpowder must not come into contact with water or fire prematurely. Water causes it to become damp and lose much of its power, and it makes the fuse difficult to ignite. Fire will cause it to explode, endangering those nearby…”
Huo Tingyu is a competent subordinate; he reports to His Majesty concisely everything he knows.
Emperor Wei fell silent after hearing this.
Li Cheng, holding the candlestick, was frightened and quickly took a few steps back, setting the candlestick down on a table about four or five meters away.
Keep away from open flames!
The palace was full of candlelight late at night. If the gunpowder were accidentally ignited, would there even be any lives left in the palace?!
Huo Tingyu glanced at His Majesty, seemingly understanding what he was thinking, then solemnly reassured him, “Your Majesty, rest assured, the gunpowder will not explode unless its fuse is ignited. This is the smallest power gunpowder pack I obtained from Fusheng.”
“The smallest power?”
Emperor Wei immediately refocused, looking at Huo Tingyu. “Could it be that Fusheng made several kinds?”
“Yes, there are three kinds. According to Fusheng, they are large, medium, and small gunpowder packs.”
Hmmm… quite straightforward names.
Setting aside the danger, Emperor Wei looked at the gunpowder packs and mulled over their power.
“Did you see the effect of these gunpowder packs with your own eyes when you went there during the day?”
Huo Tingyu shook his head. “No, but I asked Fusheng. He said the large gunpowder pack can injure enemies about three zhang [about 9 meters] away, the medium pack a little over two zhang, and the small pack about one zhang.”
That was easy to remember.
Emperor Wei clapped his hands and laughed excitedly. “Excellent! This is truly a blessing for Great Wei! With these gunpowder packs, the chances of success for the mission to Donghai Commandery have increased significantly!”
Although there might be naval combat on the way to Donghai Commandery, it was only a possibility.
If they could take Cao Ji on land and disrupt his army by blowing them up with gunpowder, it would greatly reduce the chance of naval battles occurring.
Emperor Wei caressed the gunpowder packs excitedly.
He was deep in thought, and after musing for a while, half talking to himself and half to Huo Tingyu, he said, “A weapon like gunpowder packs—should I tell the Prime Minister and others? Or maybe it’s better not to—for it is not that I distrust them, but if the Donghai Commandery mission fails and this gets out, it would make our Great Wei army seem like a bunch of cowards…”
Emperor Wei muttered to himself. Huo Tingyu, standing by, didn’t have the slightest chance to interject.
But Huo Tingyu didn’t want to say anything anyway.
As long as His Majesty was happy.
After a while of excitement, Emperor Wei gradually calmed down.
He took a deep breath and tapped the table with his fingers.
“Alright, let's leave it at this for now. We’ll wait until after the Donghai mission is complete. If that mission succeeds, telling them about the gunpowder packs won’t make much difference anyway.”
Emperor Wei looked at Huo Tingyu, “Jilin (Huo Tingyu), tomorrow go to the estate again and have Fusheng put all his efforts into making gunpowder packs within a month, any type will do.”
Huo Tingyu: “Yes, I obey.”
With the official business concluded, as Huo Tingyu was about to take his leave, Emperor Wei suddenly looked at him a few more times.
“Jilin, I just remembered, you’re not getting any younger, are you?”
Probably in a good mood, Emperor Wei looked at the stern and tall Huo Tingyu and unexpectedly developed a mind to act as a matchmaker.
“You’ve been a commander for so many years; do you have any plans to marry and have children? If you do, just tell me, I won’t stop you.”
Huo Tingyu immediately bowed his head.
“Your Majesty’s kindness is appreciated. But I have vowed to follow Your Majesty for life and do not wish to be entangled with others. I hope Your Majesty will understand.”
Emperor Wei nodded, not disappointed.
“If that’s your decision, then I won’t pressure you. There’s still plenty of time; we can talk about it later.”