Three days later, in the backyard of the gunpowder workshop.
"Grand Commandant! It's done!!" A Mo family craftsman rushed in excitedly, holding a sample in his hands.
The wicked husband, frowning at a pile of memorials, looked up at the shout: "It really worked?"
"Look!" the craftsman said, handing over the sample. "We've experimented repeatedly according to your recipe, and we've finally succeeded!"
The wicked man took the sample and examined it carefully. This brick was different from the previous samples; its surface was flat and smooth, its edges were distinct, and it made a crisp sound when tapped lightly, unlike the dull sound of ordinary mortar.
Most importantly, it doesn't budge even when you try to bend it!
"How exactly was it done?" the wicked husband pressed.
"We followed your recipe exactly." The craftsman opened the bamboo slip containing the record. "First, we selected the best limestone, choosing the purest, flawless kind. Then we fired it over a high fire until the stone began to glow red and shiny."
"You got the timing right," the wicked man nodded. "And then?"
"Then, while it's still hot, add the fine sand and clay, mixing them in a 3:2:1 ratio. This ratio is absolutely perfect; we've tried various proportions before, and this is the best!"
"It's not just a matter of proportions," the wicked man explained. "The key is that the heat must be just right during the calcination; too much or too little won't work. And also..."
He picked up the sample, held it under his nose, and smelled it: "Hmm, the smell is just right, which means the reaction inside is very complete."
"You can still smell this?" the craftsman asked in surprise.
"Of course!" the wicked man said smugly. "It's a complex subject. You have to look beyond appearances, smell the aroma, listen to the voice—you have to pay attention to everything."
At this moment, the other craftsmen also gathered around.
"Grand Commandant, we also conducted other tests," an older craftsman said. "Dropping it from a height of three zhang (approximately 10 meters) left no mark. But striking it hard with a hammer chipped the hammer itself."
"Where's the watering?"
"I've tried it! Not only is it not afraid of water, but it actually becomes stronger when soaked in water."
"What about burning it?"
"I've tried! Ordinary fire can't burn it at all. Even if you roast it over charcoal for a long time, at most it will only crack a few times on the surface."
The wicked man nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad, not bad. It seems you've really mastered it. Have you memorized the entire production process?"
"I remember it all!" The older craftsman unfolded another bamboo scroll. "From selecting materials to firing, from proportioning to solidification, every step is recorded in detail. You see..."
The wicked husband carefully examined the records, nodding occasionally: "Hmm, these are all correct. However, there's room for improvement, for example, during the calcination process..."
Just as he was about to continue speaking, he heard a commotion outside.
"Grand Commandant!" Zhang Erhe rushed over. "They said they're running out of limestone in Beishan. Should we send more men?"
"Investigate!" the wicked man ordered decisively. "Send the Black Ice Guard to investigate whether there are any good limestone mines within the Zhao Kingdom. If they are found, start mining immediately!"
"Over here on West Mountain..."
What happened to Xishan?
"The craftsmen said they wanted to build a kiln specifically for calcining limestone. They said it would increase production several times over."
The wicked man's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea! Go, get the Mo family's craftsmen to help with the design. Make sure it's big and sturdy enough. Oh, and while you're at it, recruit a few more craftsmen..."
Just then, Zhao Gao arrived carrying a pile of bamboo slips.
"Grand Commandant, this is a memorial that just arrived this morning. Please take a look."
"Not again?" The shrewish husband waved his hand irritably. "Put it over there, I'll deal with it after I'm done here."
"But..." Zhao Gao hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.
"What is it? Just say it!"
"The King has sent a letter," Zhao Gao whispered. "It says the progress at the front is going well, and gunpowder is playing a significant role. However..."
"But what?"
"However, he said he wanted to build a larger palace and asked how your research is going?"
"He's quite the schemer!" the wicked man slapped his thigh. "Zhang Erhe, pack up all our new samples and send a few to the King. Let him see what real quality stuff looks like!"
As he spoke, he walked to a large sheet of paper, spread it out, and began to draw: "Look, with this, we can build a real palace!"
The craftsmen all gathered around. The drawing depicted a magnificent building, tall, imposing, and awe-inspiring.
"This is the main hall, twenty zhang high!" the wicked man said, pointing to the blueprints. "It'll be entirely built with our new-style bricks and stones, guaranteed to be ten times more magnificent than any palace now!"
"So high?" someone worried. "Won't it collapse?"
"Collapse?" the wicked man sneered. "You underestimate our invention. This material is strong enough to pile up the entire city of Xianyang!"
"Grand Commandant, isn't what you said a bit...?" Zhao Gao whispered a reminder from the side.
"I'm exaggerating?" The shrew glared at him. "Just you wait! This is nothing! We'll build even taller buildings and longer bridges in the future..."
As he was talking, something suddenly occurred to him: "That's it! Have someone find all the maps of tribute items from various places; I want to see if I have any good ideas!"
"This..." Zhao Gao hesitated, "Those are all in the King's study..."
"Then go ask for it! Just say I need it for researching the new palace."
Just then, another messenger arrived by fast horse.
"Report! Urgent report from the front!"
"read!"
General Meng Tian reports: Our gunpowder has achieved a great victory, repelling over 20,000 Chu troops in a single battle. The Chu army is terrified and flees at the mere sight of them. However…
"But what?"
"However, it seems they coated the city walls with some special material, saying it's fireproof and explosion-proof."
"Ha!" the wicked man sneered. "How naive! Once our new weapons arrive, let's see how long they can keep up their smugness!"
Turning to the craftsmen, he said, "Did you all hear that? Get to work! Production of the new type of mortar must be accelerated, and the research and development of firearms' power cannot be stopped!!"
The craftsmen were filled with enthusiasm and expressed their determination to work even harder.
...
Four days later, Zhang Erhe came to report: "Grand Commandant, the large kiln in Xishan is almost finished. Would you like to go and take a look?"
"Of course we want to see it!" The wicked husband stood up. "Come on, let's go right now!"
"Wait a minute, Grand Commandant!" Zhao Gao pointed to the bamboo slips on the table, "These memorials..."
"Help me tidy up first," the wicked man said without turning his head. "Let me finish inspecting the kiln first."
Watching his wicked husband's departing figure, Zhao Gao sighed deeply and silently began tidying up the bamboo slips. Suddenly, he discovered a peculiar report.
"Huh? This is..." He looked closely, his eyes widening instantly. "The Chu Kingdom is actually secretly contacting the leader of the Mohist school to crack the secrets of our army's gunpowder? This..."
Zhao Gao quickly put the report away separately, intending to report it to his wicked husband as soon as he returned.
The wicked husband had already arrived at the foot of West Mountain.
Looking at the magnificent kiln, he nodded with satisfaction: "Excellent! With this, production will be guaranteed. Oh, and remember to control the fire temperature carefully..."
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