Chapter 403 Let's go see the show!

Two weeks later, the outskirts of Beijing were bustling with activity.

Two days ago, some people started scouting out the best spots to watch the mine-fire test.

Where can we find a shady spot to watch the fire and thunder tests while enjoying the cool air?

Despite the hot weather, everyone seemed to have made a pact to line up and leave the city early in the morning.

Today is the day that the gunpowder research and development team, led by the third son of the Duke of Dingguo, is conducting experiments in the suburbs of Beijing.

People have been discussing this matter for half a month.

Finally, a final result was reached.

That means we absolutely have to come and see this test; we must witness the fire and mine test with our own eyes.

The Duke of Dingguo's family has it tough; from the oldest to the youngest, almost everyone is contributing to the Great Yu.

Ordinary people like them know in their hearts which family is the best.

So, those with money should support us financially, and those without money should support us by showing their presence. We must make sure to liven things up.

We cannot let the people of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion lose heart.

Of course, this is also related to the fact that the imperial family wanted to bring the empress along to watch this experiment.

Ordinary people only get to see the emperor a few times a year, so they have to seize the opportunity...

The girls in the family aren't getting any younger; what if they strike it rich...?

When Emperor Xiaowu's entourage arrived at the designated location on the outskirts of the capital, they were somewhat speechless at the sight of the large crowd.

"Your Majesty, you said the weather is very hot right now!"

"Why aren't they bothered by the heat? Why did they come so early?" Emperor Xiao Wu asked Huangfu Ruoxi, who was sitting with him, after only glancing at the scene outside.

Huangfu Ruoxi also glanced outside.

"It shouldn't be hot!"

Your Majesty, look! They even sell ice bowls! They must have hawthorn sauce on top!

"It looks delicious," Huangfu Ruoxi whispered.

Emperor Xiao Wu also secretly peeked through the curtain.

They sell ice bowls; a bowl of ice topped with bright red sauce, it looks delicious...

"Once we return to the palace, I will have the kitchen prepare it for you," Emperor Xiaowu said.

Huangfu Ruoxi glanced at him.

You probably want to eat it yourself, right?

Emperor Xiao Wu and Huangfu Ruoxi sat down in the tent that had just been set up the day before.

Shangguan Jin, along with the people from the Shen family, also sat down in a small shed nearby.

The other civil and military officials also took their places and sat down in their respective positions.

Officials have seats to sit in, and ordinary people also reserve their seats early on.

Facing Emperor Xiaowu were rows of things covered with black cloth, and no one could see what was under the black cloth.

But a mile away on the opposite side was a small mountain.

Something on the hill was also covered by a black cloth.

Shangguan Jin knew that these must be the new props that had been made in the past two weeks.

Seeing so many people watching, Shangguan Jin began to worry about Shen Qingrui.

With such a grand setup, that kid shouldn't be intimidated!

What if I get nervous and fire a dud?

Shangguan Jin looked around, trying to find out where Shen Qingrui was.

It's been almost a year since I last saw him. Has he grown taller? Has he lost weight?

Unfortunately, there were too many people, and she couldn't see where Shen Qingrui was.

As more and more people gathered, the discussion grew louder and louder.

"I heard that the crater created by the blasting can bury a pig."

"What nonsense are you talking about! It could clearly kill two people."

"You're all wrong. It should be that the fireworks will be very big and the firecrackers will be very loud."

"You're the one talking nonsense!"

It's fireworks and firecrackers, I heard they're tied together.

When it explodes with a bang, we'll be able to see the fireworks.

The noise will be so loud it will scare the enemy to death.

"Father, why don't we watch fireworks at night? We can see them much better at night!"

"Oh! The city gates are closed at night, so you can't see anything; you can only see them during the day."

"Daughter, when the fireworks go off later, remember to cover your ears, don't scare yourself."

......

Ordinary people are just watching the spectacle.

The officials who came with Emperor Xiao Wu had much more complicated thoughts.

The old ministers thought that the imperial family was being far too kind to the young master of the Shen family.

We don't even know what achievements they'll make yet, and they've already set up such a huge stage for us.

What if I mess up the performance? That would be incredibly embarrassing!

Some people thought that the imperial family was trying to reward the Shen family, no matter what they had produced.

Everyone was just watching the show, and then His Majesty casually said, "A reward..."

Sigh, why aren't they members of the Shen family?

Of course, there were also those who gloated and enjoyed watching the drama unfold.

For example, those old guys in the weapons forging workshop of the Ministry of Works.

They've arrived too!

They've had plenty of amusement these days, and when they heard that the new fire bombs could kill people, they almost burst out laughing.

"The little guy can't keep things to himself; he likes to show off."

"That's true. The previous firearms workshop spent twenty years researching before they could produce a few large watermelons and some small cantaloupes."

"Now that it's in that Third Young Master's hands, you think you can soar to the heavens? Dream on!"

"Haha! You're already thinking about doing big things before you've even grown all your hair?"

Don't utterly disgrace your household."

Without exception, everyone in the weapons forging workshop mocked them.

Only the oldest master craftsman offered a few token words of advice.

"We're all colleagues, we all know that!"

They're just juniors! Even if they fail, a few words of encouragement are enough; there's no need to say much more.

"Master Zuo, those firearms and such are all unorthodox methods."

The founding emperor of the Great Yu conquered the world on horseback. The domineering sword he wielded was forged by your grandfather, and it was invincible, slaying countless enemies.

Although that domineering sword was buried in the imperial mausoleum with the founding emperor, it is now gone.

Who in the world doesn't know that your family is the ancestor of weapon forging!

"Those little tricks are not worth mentioning." Immediately, someone flattered him.

Master Zuo looked proud.

Their ancestors were all weapon forgers, and for generations they forged weapons exclusively for the royal family.

The weapons in the Dayu army today were all forged under his supervision.

The Zuo family deserves great credit for protecting the Great Yu from foreign invasions for a century.

Otherwise, the founding emperor wouldn't have bestowed upon the Zuo family the title of "King of Weapons"...

"Look! The younger generation is in good spirits; just give them more encouragement!"

"After all, I forged the spear that the old Duke of Dingguo wielded; I should still show him some consideration."

Everyone showered him with flattery again...

The weather is getting hotter and hotter.

Soldiers stood in front of the black cloth covering the distant hill and the black cloth covering Emperor Xiao Wu.

Just then, Shen Qingrui, dressed in simple cloth clothes, finally appeared.

When they first saw Shen Qingrui, no one could believe it.

Is this the esteemed third young master of the Shen family?

This outfit... isn't much different from the apprentices in a regular workshop...