It is precisely for this reason that when interacting with them in the future, Captain Fang would be wise to remain vigilant.
Du Yiyang reminded Fang Er.
Thank you, Master Du, for clearing up my confusion.
Fang Er bowed to him.
However, he paid no heed to the words.
Given how much Li Er valued gunpowder at this moment, if anyone dared to make a move against him, Li Er would be the first to retaliate.
Alright, enough idle talk. The items Captain Fang requested yesterday have all been prepared. Shall we go take a look?
Du Yiyang stood up and said to Fang Er.
Fang Er was somewhat surprised. Had this entire detour been just for those few sentences? It seemed that Old Du was not doing too well in the Ministry of Works either.
The two arrived at another courtyard, where several craftsmen were busy at work.
A young supervisor saw Du Yiyang and quickly came forward to bow: Greetings, Master Du.
Where are the items prepared yesterday?
Du Yiyang asked the supervisor.
Reporting to you, sir, they are all stored in the back courtyard, and the craftsmen who make gunpowder are also waiting there.
The supervisor said, bowing before Du Yiyang.
Let's go and see.
Du Yiyang said.
The supervisor led the way, with Du Yiyang and Fang Er following behind.
In the back courtyard, a long table was set up, on which were placed the items Fang Er had requested.
Captain Fang, are there any deficiencies? I will have people procure them.
Du Yiyang pointed to the items on the table and asked.
Very good, everything is complete. Fang Er replied with satisfaction.
Listen, everyone, this is Captain Fang. He is in charge of the gunpowder matters. You must cooperate fully. Anyone who dares to cause trouble, this official will not tolerate it!
Du Yiyang said sternly to the craftsmen.
Greetings, Captain Fang. Please rest assured, Master Du, we will not dare to be negligent!
The craftsmen spoke in unison.
Captain Fang, I still have official duties to attend to. I will leave it to you from here on. If anything arises, just send someone to inform me.
After making these arrangements, Du Yiyang left.
Esteemed craftsmen, you have likely witnessed the power of gunpowder. Therefore, I have only one requirement here! That is safety! In any place related to gunpowder, there shall be no open flames. Anyone! Whoever is negligent will be dismissed! As for how Master Du will deal with them, that is beyond my concern. Do you all understand?
Fang Er said to the craftsmen.
This is no matter to be taken lightly. If someone were to prepare gunpowder while holding a lantern again, they might end up losing their own lives here.
Yes, sir, we will certainly remember!
The craftsmen responded one after another.
Who is the leader? Step forward and let me know.
Fang Er said.
A stooped old man, about fifty years old, emerged from the crowd.
I am Zhou Miao, the craftsman in charge here. Please give your instructions, sir.
Zhou Miao introduced himself to Fang Er in a hoarse voice.
Fang Er frowned.
He then looked at the other craftsmen, and there were almost no young people among them.
Reporting to you, sir, ever since the last explosion, no one has been willing to do work related to gunpowder. We old men were forcibly assigned here by our superiors.
Zhou Miao took the initiative to explain the reason, seeing Fang Er's displeased expression.
Very well, since that is the case, so be it.
Fang Er had no choice but to accept the situation.
Fortunately, gunpowder is only dangerous and not strenuous physical labor. Age is not a significant issue.
Fang Er called all the craftsmen to the table and demonstrated first.
He tightly wrapped about five jin of black powder in oiled paper, then wrapped another layer of broken porcelain shards outside. The shards were then wrapped with two layers of burlap and tied securely with rope.
He took an iron pry bar and inserted a long fuse into the powder packet.
A primitive explosive package was thus made.
Have you all learned it?
Fang Er placed the explosive package on the table and asked the crowd.
Reporting to you, sir, we have learned.
Zhou Miao replied on behalf of everyone.
This is too simple!
It was nothing more than gunpowder, oiled paper, broken porcelain shards, and burlap wrapped layer by layer. One could learn it at a glance.
Afterward, Fang Er made another sample using different materials.
The craftsmen present all indicated that they had learned.
Then, Fang Er sat aside, sipping tea, and let the craftsmen start making them themselves.
Throughout the entire day, several cartloads of gunpowder were used.
The finished explosive devices filled a corner of the courtyard.
Feeling that it was enough, Fang Er had people carry these finished products and directly left Chang'an City.
By the Wei River, in a small grove of trees.
Fang Er had the craftsmen tie an explosive package to a tree every three to five meters.
All the explosive packages were connected by fuses.
The two-meter fuse from last time burned out in less than five seconds. This time, they had to make it longer.
The fuse pulled out from the grove was a full twenty meters long.
Captain Fang, allow this old man to handle the lighting.
After everyone had retreated far away, Zhou Miao stepped forward and volunteered to Fang Er.
No need, I will do it myself!
Refusing Zhou Miao's kind offer, Fang Er had someone fetch a fire starter and confidently walked towards the fuse.
A twenty-meter fuse should burn for at least a minute, right?
After relighting the fire starter in his hand, Fang Er ignited the fuse and began to retreat.
He retreated over a hundred meters, but no explosion was heard from the grove.
So, Fang Er continued to retreat with the craftsmen.
Two hundred meters. Fang Er looked in the direction of the small grove.
One second!
Five seconds!
Boom!
Boom! Boom!
Successive explosions, accompanied by intense flames, erupted from the grove.
Branches, wood chips, and porcelain shards filled the air and scattered everywhere!
The group of old men watched with lingering fear.
After everything calmed down, Fang Er entered the grove to inspect it.
He had to admit, a pile of explosive packages placed together had incredible power.
The grove was not very large, only two to three hundred meters in length and width.
A total of twenty explosive packages had destroyed more than half of the grove!
The ground was covered with tree debris, and some dead branches were still stubbornly burning.
There were almost no intact trees around.
On the trees outside the blast radius, porcelain shards and wood fragments were embedded!
Fang Er nodded with satisfaction.
Then, he had people find a flock of sheep and tether them in the grove. Fang Er had someone bring an item.
If it were the 21st century, everyone would recognize this item.
Because it looked like a wooden-handled grenade!
This was carved by Fang Er from a single piece of wood, hollowed out, and filled with gunpowder and a dose of Meng Han powder!
The handle was a ten-centimeter-long fuse.
After lighting it, Fang Er threw it directly into the flock of sheep.
One second, two seconds, until the fuse burned out and it did not explode.
Instead, a puff of white smoke emerged from it!
Before long, the sheep in the flock began to collapse.
In the end, except for those further away, almost all the sheep within a ten-meter radius collapsed.