Fang Er finished writing the refining process on two sheets of paper.
"Brother Cheng, here is the formula for gunpowder. Please present it to the Emperor together."
Casually adding the method for preparing gunpowder, he handed it over to Cheng Yaojin.
Cheng Yaojin took the papers and tucked them away as if they were treasures. "You're truly generous, brother! I'll put in a good word for you later!"
With their important business concluded, the two elders and three youths chatted and joked in Fang Fu's courtyard.
After a long while of idle chatter, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde left with their sons.
Fang Er rubbed his temples, which were starting to ache.
Damn it, calling his father brother, and then calling his father's sons brother, the four of them sitting together were all brothers. How messy!
Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde took the matter of Drunken Immortal Tower very seriously. After returning home and instructing the accountant to work at the restaurant, they took the formula to the palace.
Li Er looked at the stack of papers he handed over.
The preparation and proportioning method for black gunpowder,
The usage method for black gunpowder,
Precautions for black gunpowder.
Fang Er had written down everything he could think of, even including the construction methods for landmines and hand grenades!
Li Er became happier the more he read. After looking at the gunpowder, he discovered there was also a method for refining salt.
This was an unexpected bonus.
"Go, invite the Minister of Works here."
After reading, Li Er placed the papers on his desk and spoke to the eunuch by his side.
Soon, the eunuch entered the hall with a man in his early forties.
"Your subject, the Minister of Works, Du Yiyang, greets Your Majesty."
"Minister Du, take a look at this."
Li Er handed the papers to the eunuch.
Du Yiyang took the papers from the eunuch and carefully examined them, growing more excited with each word.
"Your Majesty, from where did such a national weapon come?"
After reading the contents, Du Yiyang asked excitedly.
"First, tell me if the method above is feasible."
Although he had seen Fang Er demonstrate it, he still wanted to hear his Minister of Works' opinion.
"Replying to Your Majesty, I do not understand black gunpowder, but the method written here is very simple, and we can test it. However, the method for refining salt is definitely feasible."
The Ministry of Works was responsible for military equipment, roads, houses, and salt and iron. As the minister, he was the head. Although he was not an expert, he knew some things, so Du Yiyang stated with certainty.
"Very well, you will now proceed to produce gunpowder according to these instructions. This formula was presented by the newly appointed Renyong Lieutenant, Fang Anzhi. If you have any questions, you may consult him."
Li Er was very pleased. Fang Er's "buy one, get one free" offer was too thoughtful!
Du Yiyang left with the formula.
Five days later.
Cheng Chumuo arrived at Fangjiazhuang, which was the former Majiazhuang, now renamed Fangjiazhuang.
He found Fang Er, who was correcting mistakes for Niu Liang.
"Brother Fang, hurry and come with me, the Emperor wants to see you."
Upon seeing Fang Er, Cheng Chumuo grabbed him and pulled him along.
"What's the rush? Does the Emperor need me for something?" Fang Er asked.
"According to your method, the gunpowder has been made. However, the Emperor wants you to demonstrate how to use it. After those good-for-nothings from the Ministry of Works accidentally blew up two rooms, they are afraid to test it themselves."
Cheng Chumuo said indignantly.
"Those guys from the Ministry of Works deserve it."
Fang Er had clearly stated in the formula: do not use ironware to hold or process gunpowder, and keep open flames away from gunpowder.
But whether it was because their heads were kicked by a donkey, those fellows mixed gunpowder while holding lanterns!
Then, a gust of wind blew the gunpowder onto the candle in the lantern, followed by a boom, and the entire two rooms were blown to smithereens, with not a single intact rafter found!
The craftsman who was working was only found with one foot!
When Fang Er heard about this, he cursed "serves them right" in frustration.
"Niu Liang, according to what I just said, fix the parts that are not right, and then make two more."
After giving instructions, Fang Er returned to Chang'an City with Cheng Chumuo.
This time, they did not go to the palace but to the Great Parade Ground.
Li Er was sitting on a high platform, with a group of ministers standing around him.
Several artisans were tremblingly loading gunpowder into porcelain bottles.
"Your Majesty, Lieutenant Fang has arrived."
The little eunuch whispered in Li Er's ear as he saw Fang Er enter.
"Minister Du, have your men step down."
Seeing the trembling artisans, Li Er was filled with anger. He gave Du Yiyang a stern look and then had the eunuch bring Fang Er over.
After exchanging greetings, Li Er asked Fang Er to demonstrate the use of gunpowder.
When Fang Er approached, he saw two full baskets of gunpowder. This must have been at least a hundred pounds of gunpowder!
What was this, a game?
Was their lives not important anymore?
If so much gunpowder were to explode, neither Li Er nor the ministers, who were more than thirty meters away, would be able to escape!
Next to the gunpowder baskets were piles of bottles and jars.
Patting himself down, he was relieved to find no fire starters.
Fang Er boldly loaded the gunpowder into the jars. Just like last time, he inserted a fuse. The Ministry of Works had been quite well-prepared. The fuses were made of fine hemp rope soaked in lamp oil, which made them easier to ignite after such treatment. After sealing the mouths with mud, he set them aside.
After busying himself for a while, loading over a dozen gunpowder jars, Fang Er asked Cheng Chumuo to inquire with Li Er about what to do next.
"The Emperor said there are prepared wooden dummies over there. Use them as enemies for the test."
Cheng Chumuo relayed the instructions back to Fang Er.
Looking at the jars on the ground, Fang Er casually picked up an empty one and threw it into the distance.
With a "bang," it shattered.
This thing couldn't be thrown; it wasn't durable!
Fang Er complained to Cheng Chumuo.
Then, carrying two jars, he went to the other side of the parade ground, where the wooden dummies were prepared.
A dozen wooden figures were neatly arranged together, just like a dozen people.
Fang Er placed the two jars in the middle of the wooden figures and looked at the fuses. He had been careless; they were too short!
So, he extended the fuses considerably, making them over two meters long, stretching directly from the middle of the wooden figures to the outside.
The two gunpowder jars were connected by fuses.
He then asked Cheng Chumuo to get a fire starter.
Fang Er blew on the fire starter, ignited the fuse, and then pulled Cheng Chumuo to run towards the high platform.
The high platform was a hundred meters away from the wooden figures. Fang Er had only run halfway when he heard a "boom" behind him!
Damn it, a fuse over two meters long burned out in less than five seconds?
Fang Er looked at himself and then at Cheng Chumuo. Fortunately, they were both fine.
Although the ministers on the high platform had been mentally prepared, the huge explosion sound and the wooden figures that were knocked askew still startled them.
"Let's go and take a look!"
Li Er was the first to jump down from the high platform and walk towards the wooden figures.