Chapter 114

The trial field was very empty, far away from the crowd, and surrounded by wasteland. Lu Yuechuan pushed Lin Shuge back a long distance. Not far away, Xiang Ligu was still shouting, "Sir, retreat further, retreat a little further."

The two had no choice but to retreat further. "Sir, we are already this far away, so it should be ok, right? Why are you asking us to retreat further?"

Lin Shuge smiled and said, "Let's go back. You will know how powerful it is soon."

They retreated several dozen steps before Xiangli Gu on the other side fell silent.

Lin Shuge watched the two men fiddling with something over there for a long time, seemingly burying something in the soil. Then the two men stood far away, and Xiang Ligu lit the gunpowder fuse, which burned along the path. Lin Shuge quickly said to Lu Yuechuan, "Achuan, cover your ears for a while."

"What?" Lu Yuechuan was watching with great interest and didn't hear what he said at all.

"I told you to cover your ears quickly," Lin Shuge, who had already covered his ears, shouted at Lu Yuechuan.

"Oh, okay." Lu Yuechuan just raised his hands to cover his ears, but there was a deafening "bang", as if it was the sound of thousands of horses galloping, shaking the earth and even the ground beneath his feet shook.

The wheelchair Lin Shuge was sitting in was shaking a little. He looked at the Xiangli Valley where the dirt was flying everywhere and a big hole appeared in an instant. "Achuan, let's go and take a look."

Lu Yuechuan remained silent. Lin Shuge thought he was frightened and turned around and called out, "Achuan, what's wrong with you?"

"Sir, I seem to have difficulty hearing." Lu Yuechuan looked terrified, his voice trembling, his eyes looking into the distance.

"Didn't you cover your ears just now? Luckily we are far away. Why don't you take a rest and wait until your ears recover before..."

Before Lin Shuge could finish his words, he was interrupted by Lu Yuechuan.

"Sir, let's go, let's go and take a look first." His expression at this moment had changed from fear to excitement. He pushed him over there very quickly. Lin Shuge felt that the wheelchair was about to smoke from being pushed by him.

As soon as the two of them passed by, they heard Fang Yuan laughing wildly. Lin Shuge could see that his hair and face were covered with sand. Xiang Ligu was not much better. When the two of them saw them, they immediately came over and asked, "Sir, did you see what happened just now?"

"I see. It is indeed very powerful. But now we can only bury it underground to explode it. Can we use something to throw the gunpowder out?" Lin Shuge slowly guided them. After all, the advancement of technology cannot be achieved overnight.

"Throw it out?" Xiang Li Gu said, holding his chin with his hand. "Why not throw it out with a catapult?"

"This is a good idea. You are worthy of being a descendant of the Mohist school who is good at defending the city." Fang Yuan and Xiangli Gu get along well and sincerely admire his talents.

Use a trebuchet? Sure enough, everyone did this at the beginning, Lin Shuge sighed in his heart.

"The gunpowder exploded just now with great momentum. Perhaps we can use the momentum to push the gunpowder out, such as with a bamboo tube. I know this method is difficult, but if it succeeds..." Lin Shuge suggested. Seeing the thoughtful expressions on the two people's faces, he added: "If it doesn't work, we can put the gunpowder into a bamboo tube to make a musket. It's simpler than using momentum."

"Sir, your idea is good, but it may not be completed in a short time." Xiangli Gu frowned and said in embarrassment.

"It's okay. You have worked hard during this period. Let the craftsmen make more gunpowder recently. Let's go have a barbecue and take a break today." Lin Shuge knew that it was good enough to be able to make gunpowder that could explode, and he could take his time with the rest.

"Okay, thank you, sir." Xiangli Gu said, and pulled Fang Yuan, who was still in deep thought, to leave.

"By the way, I have to emphasize again that this matter is confidential. Remember not to leak the news." Lin Shuge said seriously, his eyes fixed on them.

"Don't worry, sir. We are naturally aware of the situation, and several craftsmen are also aware of the seriousness of the matter." Xiang Ligu and Lin Shuge assured.

"Well, you guys go down." Lin Shuge looked at the deep pit that was blown out next to him.

"Sir, let's go too." Lu Yuechuan's voice came from behind.

Lin Shuge asked: "Achuan, are you okay?"

Lu Yuechuan smiled and said, "I could hardly hear it just now, but it's much better now, sir. This is truly a miracle. If this thing is used on the enemy, I can imagine how they will react." He had only seen it after Lin Shuge had mentioned it several times, and they were all shocked. If people who had never seen it, such as the Qiang and Huns, tried it, it would probably be very interesting.

He was somewhat glad that he had made the choice he did. If he had stayed in Ganzhou or Weijun, he would probably have been just a rich and idle person, and would not have seen as much as following Lord Lin.

"Yes, so I want to send some to Zhongxuan." Lin Shuge motioned for him to help push his wheelchair. "Even if I can't do what I just said now, the power of igniting and throwing it out cannot be underestimated. The Qiang people will be caught off guard when they see it, and Zhongxuan can also establish his authority."

Lu Yuechuan clicked his tongue a few times, "Sir, the Marquis of Wei will definitely be in trouble for you in this life."

"Achuan, you...I am your boss." How can you joke with your boss like this?

"I understand, sir. Let's go back." Lu Yuechuan smiled at him and pushed the wheelchair.

"Well, I'll buy some fat sheep from the military camp later, select the good ones to give to Xiangli Gu and Fang Yuan, and leave one for us. You can try my barbecue skills tonight." These are sheep raised by the Qiang people, so I have to taste them first.

"It's settled, sir. I'll ask Ah Yan, Chu Xu, and Su Cheng to come along."

"Come on, it's been a while since we had such fun." Lin Shuge said with a smile.

In the evening, in the inner courtyard of the county government office.

Lin Shuge thought it would be very lively with so many people around, but unexpectedly everyone was just watching him grilling meat quietly, and no one spoke.

"Hey everyone, why are you looking at me like that?" Lin Shuge handed a handful of mutton to Lu Yuechuan, "Achuan, share it among them."

"Sir, although I knew that you had extraordinary skills when I was in Ganzhou, you are too skilled. When we retire in the future, I will open a shop with you." Lu Yuechuan distributed the skewers to He Xin and the soldier who reported the news first.

The two were about to leave after dinner, but when they heard that Lin Shuge was going to roast the lamb himself, they stayed. When He Xin saw the mutton still sizzling with oil, he didn't hesitate to stuff it into his mouth. As soon as he put it in his mouth, his eyes lit up and he quickly asked everyone to eat.

"Okay, Achuan, you and Zhongxuan will help me when the time comes." Lin Shuge said casually.

"That's settled, but I'm afraid that Lord Wei won't let me in." Lu Yuechuan stuffed meat into his mouth while talking, "Mm, delicious."

The skin is crispy on the outside and the meat is fresh and tender on the inside. Every bite is a perfect blend of fat and seasoning.

They ate quickly and hastily, staring at Lin Shuge's men. "You guys are too fast. It's a pity that we didn't bring many tools with us when we came to Qingquan. Otherwise, we could have grilled together."

"Are you tired, sir? Let me take over." Chu Xu said from the side.

"It's okay. You've been following me for a while and it's been hard. Just enjoy yourself tonight." Lin Shuge's voice was full of smiles, and his hands were quickly flipping the skewers of meat.

Chu Xu had no choice but to sit aside and pass him food. He Xin squinted his eyes and finished a few skewers, then walked over. "Little brother, let me do this. The marquis told us before we left that we can do any work, right, Lord Lin?"

When Lin Shuge heard that it was Xie Chen's instructions, he looked up at him for a few seconds, then nodded and asked him to come over to help. Chu Xu was a little surprised and asked, "Sir, is the Hou Chang they are talking about the sir I met last time?"

"Yes, it's him." Lin Shuge answered casually.

He Xin said at the side: "Our Hou Chang is a young hero. He broke the siege of Zhonggu Tunnel right after he arrived, and later shot a Xiongnu leader in the eye with an arrow. Not to mention that he is now leading his troops to chase the Qiang people and almost wiped out the Huotu tribe. He is really a perfect match."

Everyone praised Xie Chen, but Lin Shuge knew what he meant. It was true that like master, like subordinates.

Lin Shuge turned around and looked at him with a smile, which made He Xin's whole body tremble with fear, and then he said, "Thank you, Zhongxuan, for your patience in the past day."

"Lord Lin, you are too polite. What is your relationship with us, the tunnel chief? Just tell us if you have anything to say." He Xin said, patting his chest.

"Well, take it and eat it." He gave it to him. He Xin took it and distributed it to Chu Xu and others, and whispered, "Sir, let me do it. You can just watch from the side. Your injuries have just healed. If our tunnel chief knew that I made you work so hard to grill meat for us, he would definitely skin me alive." He said with pleading in his eyes.

"Okay." Lin Shuge made way for him and instructed him from the side. Lin Xuan came over and was about to help him wipe the oil off his hands, but Lin Shuge stuffed a few skewers of mutton into his hands and persuaded him to go back. He wiped it himself with a cloth towel.

"Sir, I am not bragging about our Houzhang. Although he is young and promising, he is also a very good person. He keeps himself clean and does not even look at women. Oh, men are the same. They only have his heart..."

"Did Zhongxuan tell you to say that?" Lin Shuge really couldn't bear to listen any longer.

"No, no, these are all my own thoughts." He Xin looked up and saw Chu Xu lowered his head and said nothing, "Sir, I talk too much. I will punish myself later."

Lin Shuge snorted and gave Xie Chen the account in his mind.

Chu Xu said beside him: "Sir, I still have some questions for you about the training method you told me last time."

"Training? Ask me. Although I am not talented, I have been in the army for many years. If you have any questions, just ask." He Xin pricked up his ears and interrupted immediately.

Chu Xu's eyes were filled with anger. "I won't bother you, sir. Lord Lin will help me answer the question."

Lin Shuge held his forehead and looked at Lu Yuechuan who was watching the show with great interest in the distance, "Achuan, come and take my place for a while." Come and rescue me from this atmosphere where I don't know what's going on.

At this time, a soldier suddenly came to report, "He Weishi, the scouts reported that a large number of Qiang people are coming this way."

"What did you say?" Lin Shuge asked in surprise.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone stood up with shock on their faces.

"Lord Lin, we'll take our leave first." He Xin left quickly with the soldiers.

"Don't panic, Achuan. Gather the county officers and ask them to conduct a thorough investigation. Once any suspicious person is found, arrest him and throw him into jail. Also gather the people of Pingxiang. If too many Qiang people come, the people of Pingxiang must be mobilized." Lin Shuge had a stern look on his face.

The elite troops stationed there were taken away by Zhongxuan, and there are not many soldiers left. This is a difficult situation.