On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, outside Xianyang City.

A biting wind was blowing, and heavy snow was falling from the sky.

Wang Li and Meng Tian have assembled three thousand elite cavalry here and are about to head to the border of Zhao. Thanks to the homemade bombs they have, they don't need too many troops, which will save them from wasting food.

"Is everything loaded?" Wang Li personally inspected the wagon carrying the homemade bombs. The twenty homemade bombs were packed into four specially made wooden boxes, each padded with thick straw to prevent vibration.

"General, everything has been packed according to the Grand Commandant's instructions," the guard replied. "The inside of the wooden box has also been coated with a layer of wax, so it won't get damp even in wind and snow."

Wang Li nodded and then opened another wooden box for a closer inspection. Rows of dark brown pottery jars were neatly arranged, each with a red ribbon tied with a fuse. They looked unremarkable, but contained immense destructive power.

"Brother, I'm about to leave," Wang Li said, turning to the newly arrived wicked husband.

The wicked man patted him on the shoulder: "Remember what I taught you. The most important things when using homemade bombs are timing and distance. Throwing them too close can hurt yourself, and throwing them too far won't achieve the best effect."

"I've written it all down." Wang Li nodded solemnly. "Just you wait and see!"

"Be careful on your journey," the wicked man instructed again. "This is the first time this homemade bomb has been used in actual combat. You must use it to its full potential and let the Zhao people know the might of our Great Qin!"

Bugles sounded in the army, and three thousand cavalrymen stood ready to march. Wang Li and Meng Tian mounted their horses, gave the wicked husband a final salute, and then waved their hands: "Let's go!"

Iron hooves thundered, banners fluttered. A mighty army vanished into the vast expanse of snow.

Four days later, at the border of the Zhao state.

"General, Gaoyang City is just ahead," the scout reported. "The city is defended by about 1,200 troops, mainly infantry, with only about a hundred cavalry."

Wang Li stood in the military tent, carefully examining the map. Gaoyang City was an old acquaintance; due to its strategic location, it was regarded as a fortress by the Zhao state, with high and sturdy city walls, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Back then, if it weren't for the wicked man's immense strength and the Mo family's specially made battering ram, it would have been extremely difficult for anyone else to break through this city.

"Pass down the order: the entire army will rest for one night, and attack the city at noon tomorrow!" Wang Li decisively ordered. He deliberately chose noon because the sun was at its strongest then, which would perfectly cover the flashes of the homemade bombs.

As night fell, a somber atmosphere filled the military camp.

Wang Li and Meng Tian gathered several trusted men and repeatedly practiced the techniques for throwing homemade bombs.

"Remember, always aim for the city gate and its weak points." Wang Li weighed an empty canister without any powder in his hand. "After lighting the fuse, throw it immediately without hesitation!"

The soldiers nodded repeatedly. Although they had never witnessed the power of the homemade bombs firsthand, the rumors they had heard in Xianyang had already filled them with anticipation for this new weapon.

The next day, the north wind howled, and the world was shrouded in a vast expanse of gray.

On the walls of Gaoyang, Zhao soldiers wrapped themselves tightly in their sheepskin coats, shivering as they gazed into the distance. Suddenly, a scout rode back at full speed.

"Report! The Qin army is here! They number three thousand cavalry, led by the young Qin generals Wang Li and Meng Tian!"

"What?!" The garrison commander's expression changed drastically. Of course, he knew of Wang Li's reputation. These two young Qin generals had repeatedly made meritorious contributions and were the trusted and beloved generals of Qin's Grand Commandant, Efu.

"Prepare to meet the enemy!" the commander shouted. "Archers on the city walls, infantry at the gates, cavalry ready for any eventuality!"

Below the city walls, the Qin army had already formed ranks. Three thousand iron cavalry were divided into three divisions: left, center, and right, with Wang Li and Meng Tian personally leading the central army. Four chariots were positioned at the rear, their wooden boxes already opened, revealing homemade explosives inside.

"Pass on my military order!" Wang Li shouted. "Today, our Qin's new firearms will make their debut! You all must witness this earth-shattering moment!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already taken out a homemade bomb. With deft movements, he lit the fuse, aimed at the city gate, and hurled it!

Just as the Zhao army commander was about to order his troops to fire arrows, a clay pot flew towards them. He couldn't help but sneer, "Does the Qin army lack siege equipment and intend to smash the city with a pot?"

But the next moment, his smile froze.

"boom!"

A deafening roar! Flames shot into the sky, and shockwaves surged! The heavy city gate collapsed like paper, and the surrounding city walls were riddled with cracks.

Countless fragments flew everywhere, and the nearby defenders were instantly blown to pieces, while those further away were also shaken and knocked over.

"What...what the hell is this?!" The garrison commander was utterly horrified. In his more than twenty years of military service, he had never seen such a terrifying sight.

Before he could even react, a second homemade bomb was launched!

"Boom!" Another loud explosion rang out. This time, a large hole was blasted in the city wall, bricks and stones flew everywhere, and smoke and dust filled the air.

"Sorcery! This is sorcery!" Zhao's soldiers were terrified and fled in all directions. Some were killed by the explosion, some were injured by the shockwave, and many more were scared out of their wits.

Seeing that the time was right, Wang Li shouted sharply, "Charge!"

Three thousand iron cavalrymen charged toward the city gate with shouts. The defending troops, already terrified by the homemade bombs, were now in complete disarray. In just half an hour, Gaoyang City fell into the hands of the Qin army.

After entering the city, Wang Li ordered his men to take stock of the battle results. More than half of the defending army had been killed or wounded, and the rest either surrendered or fled. The Qin army, on the other hand, had suffered no casualties before breaking into the city; only some of their brothers were injured in the ensuing fighting.

"General, you are a force to be reckoned with!" The soldiers cheered. Having witnessed the power of the homemade bombs, everyone was proud of the Qin Dynasty's military strength.

That evening, Wang Li hosted a banquet in the city to reward the army. The soldiers raised their glasses in celebration, and discussions abounded.

"That homemade bomb was incredibly powerful! It blew the city gate open in one go!"

"Yes, those Zhao soldiers were terrified, like quails!"

"With this treasure, what's there to fear about the city's fortifications?"

Wang Li listened to these discussions, but his mind remained remarkably clear. He knew that this was just the beginning, and once the production of homemade bombs increased and they were deployed on a large scale, it would completely change the nature of siege warfare.

Three days later, the good news reached Xianyang.

Ying Zheng was discussing military affairs with his wicked husband when he heard that Wang Li had captured Gaoyang City in just half an hour, and he was overjoyed.

"This battle was perfect!" Ying Zheng exclaimed. "These homemade bombs are indeed a powerful weapon for siege warfare!"

The wicked man, however, confidently declared, "Your Majesty, this is merely a small test. The workshops are already ramping up production, and within three months, we'll be able to equip even more troops. At that time, what fortified city or impregnable fortress will be nothing but clay chickens and earthen dogs?"

"Excellent!" Ying Zheng slammed his hand on the table. "Order the workshops to speed up production! I want this homemade bomb to be the trump card for my Great Qin to sweep across the six kingdoms!"

The wicked man bowed and obeyed, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

The invention of the homemade bomb was a revolutionary product. Once artillery and muskets were invented... he really wanted to see the horrified expressions on the barbarians' faces when their land was bombarded by artillery fire.