Chapter 296 Gunpowder and the Reasons for Deploying Troops
This was the first time Jiang Ling had witnessed the power of gunpowder, far exceeding her expectations.
He looked around, anxiously searching for Xiao Ran.
Amidst the ruins, Xiao Ran stood up. He was closest to the ruins, and the dust that had drifted over had turned his hair white.
Fortunately, she was not injured, and Jiang Ling breathed a sigh of relief.
Cheng Fang was the first to react and rushed forward to check the rubble.
Qin Zhao still had a faint buzzing in his ears. His more than ten years as the crown prince had made him clearly realize just how powerful this weapon was!
He abruptly turned to look at Jiang Ling, his eyes burning with intensity, "What...what is this?!"
“This substance is called ‘gunpowder’,” Jiang Ling replied calmly, as if she had just lit an ordinary firecracker.
"Gunpowder..." Qin Zhao murmured the name repeatedly, his eyes gleaming with extreme excitement and greed.
"How many of these items does Miss Jiang have? Regardless of the price, I will use all the resources of the nation to buy them all!"
He grew up in the deep palace and had seen powerful bows and crossbows and heard about siege weapons, but he never imagined that there was such a terrifying destructive force in the world!
For decades, the Great Yu Dynasty has been at war with both countries, yet it has made no significant progress, simply because it lacks a powerful weapon!
If this item is used on the battlefield... the unification of the three kingdoms by the Great Yu Dynasty will be just around the corner!
Jiang Ling slowly shook her head, interrupting his fantasy: "Your Highness, I don't deal in this stuff. Besides, I've already used up one of the few physical samples I have. My real bargaining chip this time is the formula for making this gunpowder."
formula!
Qin Zhao's breath hitched.
Finished products will eventually run out, but formulas mean continuous production and the ability to keep this power firmly in one's own hands!
This is worth hundreds or thousands of times more than simply supplying goods!
However, he quickly calmed down.
Qi Bao was frustrated because he had no success.
He understood that Jiang Ling wouldn't offer him treasures for no reason, especially not in this particular situation.
"So, what does Miss Jiang want to exchange this bargaining chip for?"
Jiang Ling met his gaze and said, word by word, "I want to use this gunpowder formula to exchange for Cheng Jiaojiao, so she won't go to the marriage alliance."
really!
Qin Zhao frowned deeply and fell silent.
He strolled into the ruins, picked up a piece of oil paper that had been blown to shreds, and looked at the rubble scattered all over the ground.
He had witnessed the power of the gunpowder firsthand and was astonished by its incredible strength.
If an army could be equipped, the expansion of the Great Yu Dynasty's territory, and even the unification of the Three Kingdoms, would not be a pipe dream!
Now that he has seen such a national treasure, there is absolutely no reason for him to let it go!
However... the matter of a marriage alliance is no small matter.
The selection of the delegation has been decided by the Emperor's decree, the official letter has been exchanged, and the delegation will depart soon.
To suddenly propose a replacement at this moment is tantamount to unilaterally breaking the alliance, which is tantamount to directly slapping the face of the Great Sheng Dynasty!
How could the other party possibly let this go?
If not handled properly, the recently quelled conflict could very well reignite!
At that time, how will he, the crown prince who advocates replacing the crown prince, explain himself to the court officials and to the people?
How will his father view him?
The political risks and diplomatic pressures involved are enormous!
He stopped and looked at Jiang Ling, his face showing obvious difficulty:
“Miss Jiang, it’s not that I’m unwilling to help you. It’s just… the choice of a marriage partner has already been made. This is a matter of national importance and not a trivial matter. There are only nine days left before the delegation departs. How can we negotiate changes with the Great Sheng Dynasty in such a short time? If we rashly bring it up and incur their wrath, the consequences will be unimaginable…”
Jiang Ling knew she had brought it up too late. "Your Highness, I understand your concerns. I have already arranged for people to purchase a large quantity of the key raw materials needed to make gunpowder. The first batch of raw materials will arrive in the capital within five days."
If Ji Wensheng couldn't make it in time, she would get the raw materials from the fireworks factory.
Even at the risk of being subject to market scrutiny.
She was implying that if he agreed, he would soon see tangible results and have his own gunpowder production capacity, which undoubtedly increased the weight of her offer.
Upon hearing this, Qin Zhao's eyes flashed with a sharp light, clearly showing his interest, but the hesitation on his face did not diminish in the slightest.
He was weighing the options, calculating.
He acknowledged the great allure of gunpowder, but the chain reaction brought about by changes and the selection of relatives was equally unpredictable.
He needed time, to discuss, to assess the risks, and even to figure out his father's intentions.
After a long silence, Qin Zhao did not immediately agree.
He took a deep breath and said to Jiang Ling, "Miss Jiang, this matter... is of great importance; it has far-reaching consequences. I... need time to consider it."
He glanced at the rubble of the destroyed wall, his gaze complex. "I will remember this generous gift for now. In three days, whether it succeeds or not, I will give you an answer."
After saying that, he didn't say anything more, turned around and hurriedly left the villa with Jiang Yi, who was still in shock.
Jiang Ling watched his departing figure, knowing that this matter could not be rushed.
Watching Qin Zhao and Jiang Yi's figures disappear completely, Cheng Fang stood beside her and asked softly, "Are you confident?"
After a moment of silence, Jiang Ling shook her head.
It's too late. If we can offer this as a bargaining chip before the imperial decree is issued, there might still be a chance.
But now, even though this bargaining chip is very tempting, it will also bring many immeasurable consequences.
Jiang Ling suddenly asked, "Cheng Fang, if Cheng Jiaojiao's marriage procession were to encounter an accident within the territory of the Great Sheng Dynasty, and Cheng Jiaojiao were to die as a result, and someone else were to live on, would you be willing?"
Cheng Fang carefully considered her words, then his expression suddenly changed: "You mean...?"
However, before he could finish speaking, a figure suddenly flashed past on the wall of the villa.
Like an informant lurking in the villa, having overheard some important news, they rushed back to report to their master.
Cheng Fang's face darkened, and he was about to give chase.
Jiang Ling reached out and grabbed him.
"Let him go."
She deliberately let him hear what she just said.
Cheng Fang looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Jiang Ling looked into his eyes and said firmly, "Let him go. This is the second option. We need his master's cooperation, otherwise we can't do it."
Cheng Fang was still puzzled.
Jiang Ling looked around and, seeing that there were no more lurking spies, spoke in a low voice:
"Changing the bride selection at this time would undoubtedly be a slap in the face to the Great Sheng Dynasty. If the two countries go to war, even if the Great Yu Dynasty wins, its actions will be condemned. From a strategic perspective, this is not a good choice. If the marriage procession encounters an accident within the Great Sheng Dynasty's borders and the princess dies there, then the Great Yu Dynasty will have a reason to send troops."
It would take at least two months for the marriage procession to reach the territory of the Great Sheng Dynasty.
These two months are exactly the time used for gunpowder preparation.
With gunpowder, the Great Yu Dynasty has no worries about winning this battle.
No country would allow a formidable enemy to operate nearby and provoke it from time to time.
Gunpowder alone might not be enough to convince the Crown Prince and the Emperor, but adding a reason to send troops would be sufficient.
Only with their tacit approval could Cheng Jiaojiao continue to live as a commoner.
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