Shen Huaixu immediately became interested. [Tell me what happened?]

"You once told me that the explosion and collapse of Zhongli Bridge was caused by gunpowder? Did you ever tell your father the formula for the gunpowder?"

[No.] Shen Huaixu answered without hesitation, [This matter already involves the remnants of the previous dynasty, and Daddy is at the center of this vortex. If we bring out the gunpowder formula developed by the talents of the previous dynasty, the emperor's suspicion of Daddy will only increase, not decrease. It's not worth the loss.

However, Dad told me everything he had discovered. The Emperor knew this item would be of great help in the war, so he hired many craftsmen to speed up its development. This matter was kept extremely secret, and Dad only mentioned it once. I don't know the results.

Fu Yin listened carefully before speaking again: "It seems the barbarians in the north have already created and intentionally revealed this matter. This is why I got into trouble today."

He had fought with this group of people many times and was already familiar with their routines. He could even guess their retreat routes. It was precisely because he was too familiar with them that he did not guard against them setting an ambush during their retreat. They used an iron-cased firearm with considerable power. Some of their people were seriously injured, and there were also quite a few who were slightly injured.

[How could this be?] Countless possibilities flashed through Shen Huaixu's mind in an instant.

The incubation and birth of gunpowder requires certain conditions. The reason why China can become the birthplace of gunpowder is because of the existence of people like alchemists. Just like before the Zhongli Bridge incident, people had not yet realized that firecrackers could be more powerful after being improved. Powerful firearms need to be slowly catalyzed under specific conditions before they can be born.

The so-called Eastern Barbarians were merely one branch of the barbarians. In reality, the entire northern border was occupied by the nomadic peoples of the northwest. The term "barbarians" was a pejorative term driven by hatred. Their true name was the Qiang State.

They have their own unique beliefs, such as the eagle soaring in the sky and the wolf galloping in the desert. Very few of them believe in Taoism, so it is difficult for alchemists to survive in this land.

It can be said that taking elixirs to pray for immortality is a phenomenon unique to the Jin Dynasty in China, so the origin of gunpowder in the hands of the Eastern Barbarians is worth explaining.

Perhaps some remnants of the previous dynasty were still alive and fled to Qiang State to serve the Qiang people; or perhaps the escaped Qiao Man left Dajin and went to Northern Qiang.

Thinking of this, she explained her thoughts to Fu Yin, concluding: "...If we can capture prisoners, we can try to interrogate them in this regard. Also, I think their sudden display of this card isn't simply a retaliatory blow after being provoked. Perhaps they're using you to test the effectiveness of their firearms. After this, they'll realize the power of these weapons and manufacture more of them. That's when we'll launch a massive attack on the border."

Why did the Northern Qiang repeatedly invade the border? Because they had powerful cavalry, which made them fearless. Now that they had firearms, their ambitions would only grow.

They have long been eyeing the land under the jurisdiction of Dajin. This time, with the support of powerful weapons, Shen Huaixu doesn't believe that they will not be tempted.

[What I've said is just speculation. You're on the frontier, so you'll know any unusual movements better than I do. It's not a bad idea to prepare for war in advance.]

Fu Yin nodded, "I understand, Shen Huaixu, I want to go to the Northern Qiang King's tent."

Chen Huaixu frowned slightly, and soon understood Fu Yin's purpose. [You want to investigate the origins of firearms?]

"Yes, if Qiao Man hides in Beiqiang and I find her, I will show no mercy."

Knowing Fu Yin's abilities clearly and knowing that his life would not be in danger on this trip, Shen Huaixu did not stop him.

After the two of them discussed it, Fu Yin realized how dirty he was, spread his wings, and rushed to the bathroom in the cruise ship.

There is a water storage device inside the cruise ship. Shen Huaixu only needs to prepare some water and put it in regularly, which is enough for Fu Yin's use.

She withdrew her consciousness very consciously, but her mind was still active because of what they had just discussed.

For some reason, she had a very strong premonition that the firearms obtained by the Northern Qiang people were the work of Qiao Man. However, if this was the case, she still had some questions in her mind that remained unanswered.

The Qiang Kingdom respected the use of force, and the oppression of women was even harsh. Some things that she considered to be against human ethics were very common in the Northern Qiang Kingdom.

In their dynasty, it was common for fathers and sons, and brothers to share wives. Could Qiao Man really tolerate such a country? Or did she simply choose a man as her carrier?

All kinds of thoughts were swirling in his mind, and it was not until the second half of the night that he fell into a drowsy sleep.

In late October, the Jiang family arrived in the capital.

Shen Huaixu personally went to the city gate to greet him. Seeing that Jiang Erlang showed no sign of fatigue despite the long journey, and that the handsome young man he once was now more independent and gentlemanly, she smiled and congratulated him, "Congratulations, second brother, congratulations, second brother, on passing the imperial examination as you wished. I hope everything will go smoothly in the future."

"Thank you, Ah Xu, for your good words." Jiang Erlang's eyes flashed with a smile, and he imitated Shen Huaixu's appearance and bowed to express his gratitude.

After picking up the person, the family went to the house which had been cleaned up in a lively manner.

The carriage stopped at a fairly busy street in Changlefang. After getting off, Shen Huaixu walked to the door of a house. As soon as he knocked on the door, Xiaoman came out to greet him.

"Dad, Mom, let's go in and let the servants pack up the things we brought."

"Hey, wait a minute." Jiang Boliang said, "There's a cart of mountain products that the villagers specifically asked me and your mother to bring you. Have someone take them to the Marquis' Mansion so your father can have a taste."

Chen Huaixu smiled, "I'll just stay with you. Daddy and I will come over often to eat. I really want to eat the food cooked by my sister-in-law."

Jiang Xiaoyu was being held by his father, Jiang Dalang. He whimpered and tried to reach out to hug Zheng Li Niang. Zheng Li Niang pinched his little hand and smiled gently: "If you want to eat it, your sister-in-law will make it for you every day until you get tired of it."

"I will never get tired of the food cooked by my sister-in-law." Shen Huaixu urged, "It's not a good idea to stand outside. Let's go in first."

After everything was packed up, the sun was already setting.

Chen Su also arrived in Changle in a carriage at dusk. The father and daughter really did as Chen Huaixu said and had a meal together that night.

After dinner, he was dragged aside to talk for a long time before Shen Huaixu followed his father, who seemed drunk, home.

The father and daughter rode in the same carriage. Shen Huaixu poured a cup of tea and handed it to them, asking, "Dad, why did you come back so late today?"

Shen Su felt a slight headache, his eyes slightly closed. He only opened them when he heard his little daughter's voice, took the teacup, and drank a sip of hot tea before he spoke: "There seems to be unusual movement from the Northern Qiang. Perhaps a war will break out soon."