As spring deepens, a light drizzle has begun to fall over Xianyang.

"General Wang, General Meng, the Grand Commandant requests that you come to the mansion immediately for a meeting." Zhang Erhe arrived at the drill ground with a somewhat anxious expression.

Wang Ben and Meng Tian were drilling their troops when they heard this. They exchanged a glance, immediately put down their work, and rushed to the Grand Commandant's residence.

Upon entering the study, one sees the wicked husband examining a detailed map, with several urgent military reports spread out on the desk.

"Wang Li tested the new gunpowder in Gaoyang City, and the results were quite good." The wicked man raised his head, his eyes flashing with a cold light. "I think it's time to completely conquer the Zhao Kingdom."

"What does the Grand Commandant mean..." Wang Ben was somewhat surprised. The State of Zhao had already paid its annual tribute, so why the sudden escalation of the conflict and the annihilation of their territory?

"I have petitioned Your Majesty to allow you to lead 50,000 elite troops south, carrying newly manufactured gunpowder, and strike directly at Handan!" the wicked man said, pointing to the route marked on the map. "Meng Tian can be the vanguard, clearing a path to Handan."

"What about Wang Li?" Meng Tian asked. He knew that Wang Li had just won a great victory in Gaoyang City and was riding high on morale.

"He will continue to exert pressure along the Gaoyang City line, and will join forces with the main army once you have cleared the passage," the wicked man said, taking out a secret order and several bamboo slips. "These are the instructions for using gunpowder; you must memorize them. This batch of gunpowder has been infused with 'Fire Mother,' making it several times more powerful than before. Be extremely careful."

He added, "This military expedition is not only to annex the Zhao state, but also to test the new firearms of our Great Qin. Any cities that resist along the way should be thoroughly bombarded with gunpowder, and the data and any inconsistencies should be recorded!"

"Understood, sir!" the two replied, clasping their hands in a fist salute. They could detect a hint of ruthlessness in the wicked man's tone.

Three days later, 50,000 Qin troops set off in a grand procession.

Hundreds of carriages lined up in a long procession, loaded with new gunpowder, all produced day and night by the sorcerers.

The Qin soldiers were all in high spirits. They had all heard the battle report from Gaoyang City and were full of anticipation for this new weapon.

"General Meng, Jingxing City is just twenty li ahead," the scout reported. "The city is garrisoned by about eight thousand troops, and their defenses have been strengthened recently."

Jingxing was one of the important towns of the Zhao state.

Since the battle report from Gaoyang City arrived, the city has been working day and night to strengthen its defenses. The city walls have been reinforced by more than ten feet, and a large amount of defensive equipment has been stockpiled.

"Hmph!" Meng Tian sneered, "This place used to be known as a fortified city, but now with modern gunpowder, it's nothing more than a pile of earthen walls! Pass down the order to prepare for the attack!"

On the city wall, Zhao general Li Qing was on patrol. This famous Zhao general was nearly fifty years old, had spent his life on the battlefield, and considered himself very knowledgeable. However, when he saw the strange chariots in the Qin army formation, he still felt a little uneasy.

"General, they seem to be carrying something strange..." the lieutenant said with a worried expression.

"Who cares what they're carrying!" Li Qingqiang shouted, trying to remain calm. "Jingxing City has high walls and thick walls; even gunpowder can't break through them. Archers, get ready! Give them a good beating!"

Before the words were even finished, a gunpowder pellet flew through the air, tracing an arc before landing precisely at the base of the city wall.

"boom!"

Amidst the deafening explosion, a large hole was blasted in the city wall. Crimson flames flew everywhere, radiating an eerie glow.

Those defenders who were splashed were instantly burned through, and even their iron armor couldn't stop them.

"This...this is gunpowder?" Li Qing stared in disbelief. In his twenty years of military service, he had never seen such a terrifying weapon.

He had previously been dismissive of gunpowder, thinking it was just an excuse for his defeats by those "weak generals." He reasoned that gunpowder was simply a means of starting a fire.

Could it be that they can burn down the city walls?

But nobody said this thing could explode...

Before he could even react, a second wave of gunpowder arrived.

This time, five or six bombs flew in at once, causing the city wall to shake precariously. Large chunks of stone fell from the wall, killing many of the defenders.

"Quickly! Quickly water it..." Li Qing hurriedly gave the order.

But this flame could not be extinguished at all. The new 'Fire Mother' added by the sorcerers was not only extremely powerful, but could also burn continuously.

Those soldiers who were touched by the flames could not escape even by jumping into the water; they were all burned alive.

In the blink of an eye, the city walls were engulfed in flames.

The defenders panicked; some jumped off the city wall, others turned and ran. Even seasoned veterans were terrified by the scene.

"Kill!" Meng Tian gave the order, and the Qin army surged into the city like a tidal wave. They brought fire and smoke with them, leaving nothing but desolation in their wake.

An hour later, Jingxing City was completely captured. Li Qing was captured alive, and the remaining defenders were either blown up or burned to death; almost no one survived.

The city was shrouded in thick smoke, resembling a scene from hell.

"Bring him up!" Meng Tian pointed at Li Qing, who was kneeling on the ground.

"You...you are too cruel!" Li Qing said in a trembling voice, his hair and beard singed. "My Zhao Kingdom has already surrendered and become a vassal state, why do you still want to exterminate us?"

Meng Tian sneered, "Is this what you call cruel? It's just letting you taste the new weapon. When my Great Qin develops new firearms, we always need people to test them. Take them away and behead them!"

Without delay, the army set off again.

As they marched south, the Qin army bombarded any cities that resisted with gunpowder.

The flames turned the sky crimson, and the screams were deafening.

In just a few days, three cities of Zhao were razed to the ground.

That evening, the army arrived at a plain and set up camp.

"General!" a scout rushed in to report, "Mingzhou City is twenty li ahead, with about twenty thousand troops stationed there. The garrison commander, Zheng Ping, is prepared to hold out to the death."

Wang Ben put down the military report in his hand, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "It seems Zheng Ping is a tough nut to crack. However, even the toughest nut will crumble before our gunpowder!"

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Send the order down to let the army rest for the night. Tomorrow morning, let Mingzhou taste the power of gunpowder!"

The city of Mingzhou was brightly lit in the night.

General Zheng Ping was patrolling the city wall when he saw the Qin army's camp in the distance and felt a chill run down his spine.

He had heard the news these past few days; the Qin army's terrifying firearms had already reduced several Zhao cities to ashes. The mere mention of those flames, which even water couldn't extinguish, was chilling.

But Mingzhou is the gateway to Handan, and even if he dies, he wants to die on the city wall!

"Pass down the order," he said to the general beside him. "Move all usable defensive equipment onto the city walls. Also, prepare plenty of buckets and wet straw bags."

Tomorrow, I fear there will be a fierce battle!

At dawn, the Qin army began to form ranks, and in the morning mist, the chariots loaded with gunpowder looked particularly menacing.

"General Zheng!" a shout came from below the city walls. "Those who know what's good for them will surrender quickly, lest your whole family suffer when the city falls!"

"Don't even think about it!" Zheng Ping shouted sternly. "Mingzhou City is a vital stronghold of our Zhao Kingdom. Even if we die, we will live and die with the city!"

"Since that's the case..." Wang Ben sneered, "then let him see our latest improved gunpowder!"