Zhu Shang felt that what Lord Zheng said was completely out of touch with reality, sounding as magical and exaggerated as something from outer space.

"Does such a weapon really exist? How does Lord Zheng know about these things?" He chuckled dryly.

Zheng Quchi simply made up an excuse: "It's a long story. In short, there are countless extraordinary people in this world. Plus, I love research and development. Sometimes, looking at other people's work will give me a lot of inspiration. Then, every night I think and think, and these wonderful ideas will turn into various creations. Of course, these things are still only in the conceptual stage at present. They need to be studied for a certain period of time. I definitely can't come up with them in a short time."

Zhu Shang didn't really want to find out where she learned it; he just wanted to indirectly prove that what she said wasn't just a wild idea, but had a certain source and basis.

Zhu Shang genuinely believed that Lord Zheng was talented, and even exceptionally talented!

The steelmaking techniques, such as the steelmaking method, and the Cangling Dam project, which reportedly sparked a wave of discussion and praise among water conservancy officials, were all her work. Such a person certainly wouldn't speak carelessly or make up wild stories.

After making up his mind, Zhu Shang became serious: "Then, Lord Zheng, in your opinion, is there anything the Military Equipment Bureau can do to help?"

"I will stay at the Ordnance Bureau for a period of time to focus on research and development. I hope that Lord Zhu can allow me to use some of the tools and materials in the Ordnance Bureau and send some casting craftsmen to work for me."

"That's no problem at all."

"In addition, I may need a lot of materials. Some of them are probably available in the Ordnance Bureau, but others may require you to search for them elsewhere. Also, the Ordnance Bureau may temporarily suspend the production of some other weapons for a period of time. I plan to manufacture a batch of specially made weapons to send to the front lines."

Zhu Shang had no objection. He stood up, cupped his hands in a bow, and said, "Lord Zheng, rest assured, the Military Equipment Bureau will do its utmost to help you accomplish everything."

Zheng Quchi immediately stood up and supported him: "To help the front-line battle, we both need to do our best. Lord Zhu, I know that you trust me because you have taken a certain risk. I will not let you down."

"Lord Zheng, please don't say that. Over the years, you have worked hard and diligently, and now you are concerned about both domestic governance and the safety of the front lines. Let alone taking certain risks, even if I were to risk my life to do things for you, it would be my duty. Besides, I owe Lord Zheng a huge favor."

He was able to hold the lucrative position of supervisor of the Military Equipment Bureau entirely thanks to the steelmaking technique taught by Zheng Quchi, which enabled the creation of the first batch of steel weapons in Ye Kingdom. Although the credit was mainly given to Zheng Quchi, he also benefited from it.

Now that Zheng Quchi is saying she wants to build landmines and cannons—powerful weapons that are astonishing and unconventional—he doesn't know what the final outcome will be, but he has decided to put aside his concerns and fully support her.

If successful, then one will achieve great success and fame.

If we fail, at worst we'll be charged with dereliction of duty and negligence by our superiors.

This round, we won!

——

Six months later, Wubao entered the cold winter, and snowflakes fell solemnly in the high mountains, dyeing the rugged mountain peaks white.

This winter was particularly difficult for all the people in Wubao. Foreign invasion destroyed their farmland, and they were worried about making a living. In addition, the severe cold prevented them from hunting in the mountains, so they could only endure the winter.

As the weather grew colder, they had no money to buy new winter clothes and had to rely on firewood to get through the winter. Early in the morning, many people went up the mountain to chop firewood. Pushing their carts, they breathed out the morning mist and looked at the heavily guarded fortified village in the distance.

A military camp was built there, with high walls for defense, watchtowers, and carts in front of the wooden fence outside the camp, which were made into wagons and arranged in a circle. A trench was dug outside the cart camp, and a barricade, deer antlers, and pits were set up.

The pedestrians below the hillside only glanced at it briefly before feeling intimidated and not daring to linger.

"This battle has been going on from the beginning of the year to the end. It's pitiful that the soldiers who are defending our Wubao don't even have a thick coat to wear in the winter."

Some people saw that the soldiers guarding the camp were still wearing thin armor and felt sorry for them.

"Over the past year, we have seen how many barbarians and foreign enemies they have driven away for us. It's just a pity that Wubao is too poor and can't give them anything good to get through the winter."

Upon hearing this, the woodcutters all fell silent.

Suddenly, a surprised voice rang out: "Hey, look! Why are there so many carriages coming from over the mountain?"

The woodcutter immediately looked over at the sound and saw a long, winding mountain road with an endless stream of supply wagons coming from the south. The sight of such a long line of wagons was quite unusual.