The storage conditions for gunpowder were rather demanding; a minor mistake could ruin the entire batch, and in more serious cases, it could become a significant disaster.
Before mass-producing gunpowder, the storage area had to be prepared.
“So troublesome…” Gu Beichen’s tone carried a hint of disappointment, as he had been thinking of producing large quantities for storage.
Now that they had developed gunpowder, the storage facility had become the problem.
“It’s not entirely without a solution. This mountain can actually be used for storing gunpowder.”
As soon as Feng Jin arrived, she had taken a liking to this mountain. It was desolate within a hundred-mile radius, situated at a high elevation, with thick stone walls that could completely block sunlight. As long as waterproofing was done properly, it could be used to store gunpowder.
Gu Beichen followed Feng Jin’s gaze towards the mountain. Its terrain was indeed excellent, but the entire mountain was solid, and there was no way to conjure a cave out of thin air, nor was there any existing storage space.
“Are you kidding me? This mountain is solid, there isn’t even a cave, and you tell me where to put so much gunpowder?”
“Blast a hole in it,” Ling Mohan said in a deep voice.
With that simple statement, Gu Beichen felt even more speechless. Blasting a hole inside the mountain to store thousands of tons of gunpowder – how large a hole would that be?
Not to mention the manpower and resources it would consume, even time itself was an issue. Furthermore, over a long period, it would also arouse suspicion among the common people.
If news of the gunpowder were to leak out, wouldn’t it be a case of diminishing returns?
“You say it so easily. Do you think it’s as simple as digging a hole in the dirt? This is a mountain, do you know how hard the stone is?”
“No matter how hard the stone is, can it be harder than gunpowder?”
Feng Jin’s words immediately enlightened Gu Beichen, and he realized the truth: “You mean use explosives to blast it open.”
“Finally, you’ve caught on. It’s not too late to salvage the situation,” Feng Jin said with a sigh, truly acknowledging the vast difference between people.
Take Ling Mohan, for instance; he could guess the solution without anyone having to say it. Then there was Gu Beichen, who needed things spelled out for him to grasp the meaning.
This issue of intelligence, it truly couldn’t be remedied after the fact.
“Lu Shi, select a group of men from the Ling Family Army. Use explosives to blast a cavity within the mountain, and enforce a strict cordon within a hundred-mile radius. Not even a bird is allowed to fly in.”
“Your subordinate obeys!”
Gu Beichen leaned closer to Ling Mohan and whispered, “Shouldn’t you report this to His Majesty in advance?”
With so much gunpowder developed, the raw materials alone were not a small matter. It was still necessary to report to His Majesty and obtain permission, which would make things more convenient.
“I will go to the palace now to report to His Majesty. Let’s return to the manor first.”
Ling Mohan took Feng Jin’s hand and walked out, directly boarding the carriage.
Gu Beichen was so engrossed in collecting the fragments after the gunpowder explosion that by the time he reacted, the carriage had already begun to move.
“Hey… you! Stop! This prince hasn’t gotten in the carriage yet… Stop!”
Gu Beichen chased after the carriage, shouting continuously.
Inside the carriage, Feng Jin faintly seemed to hear something and turned to ask Ling Mohan, who was feigning sleep, “Did you hear anything just now?”
Ling Mohan shook his head. “No.”
He pulled Feng Jin closer into his embrace, “Stop overthinking. Get some rest.”
Feng Jin put aside her doubts, nestled in the man’s arms, and closed her eyes to rest.
When the carriage arrived at the Ling Manor, Feng Jin slowly opened her eyes and alighted from the carriage, leaning on Ling Mohan’s arm.
As her gaze swept across the people, she didn’t see Gu Beichen’s infuriating figure. It was then that Feng Jin realized someone was missing.
“Where’s Gu Beichen? Why didn’t he come back with us?”
Ling Mohan’s expression tensed, and his gaze swept over everyone. Gu Beichen was indeed nowhere to be seen.
“Lu Shi, did you count the numbers when we came back? Where is Duke Gu?”
They couldn’t possibly lose Gu Beichen after going out together.
“General Shao, forgive me, this subordinate did not count the numbers.” Lu Shi’s face immediately paled. How could a living person just disappear inexplicably? He remembered Gu Beichen clearly following them; how could he be gone now?
“Go find him!” Ling Mohan’s deep voice rang out, exuding an invisible pressure.
“Yes!”
After Lu Shi agreed, he turned to search when a disheveled white figure entered their sight.
Gu Beichen’s steps were unsteady as he walked forward, eventually losing all strength and collapsing onto the ground. “What are you all standing around for? Hurry and help this prince over.”
He had run all this way on his own two legs, his legs were about to break. These people were so unobservant, just watching him sit on the ground without anyone coming to help.
Lu Shi quickly led his men forward to help Gu Beichen up and walked him over.
“Where did you go?” Feng Jin asked with confusion, wondering where he had gone off to end up in such a state.
This question of concern directly angered Gu Beichen. He pointed at the group and shouted furiously, “How dare you ask me? When you all left, not a single person called out to me. Even if that’s the case, I was shouting behind the carriage, and you didn’t hear me. What are you all stuffing in your ears…”
Feng Jin then vaguely recalled the familiar cry she had heard when they arrived. Now, with Gu Beichen’s explanation, her doubts were completely cleared.
Finally, her gaze landed on Ling Mohan beside her. She tiptoed and whispered in his ear, “I told you the sound was familiar. It really was him. And you insisted I was overthinking.”
Ling Mohan coughed lightly, concealing the embarrassment on his face. “Since you’re back, it’s all good.”
“What do you mean it’s all good? I went out with you, and you all forgot about me when you came back, not bothering about me at all. And you still say it’s all good…”
“Lu Shi, escort Duke Gu back to his room.”
Ling Mohan directly interrupted Gu Beichen’s incessant chatter. The next moment, Lu Shi and his men lifted Gu Beichen and carried him towards the manor.
“Put this prince down! I need to have a serious talk with him…”
Gu Beichen’s angry shouts gradually faded.
Feng Jin shook her head and sighed, “I told you long ago, but you refused to believe me.”
“Alright, don’t tell Gu Beichen about this.”
Given Gu Beichen’s temperament, if he found out, he would definitely insist on a thorough explanation, and Ling Mohan didn’t have time to waste with him. He still wanted some peace and quiet.
Feng Jin nodded in agreement, “Eat something first, then you can go to the palace.”
“Madam Shao, General Shao, you’ve finally returned.”
Cai Qing, who was guarding the entrance, saw the two figures and eagerly stepped forward.
“What’s wrong? Why are you so flustered?”
Cai Qing steadied herself and spoke in a hurry, “Madam Shao, not long after you left, someone came from the palace. They said the Empress has summoned Madam Shao to the palace.”
The Empress… What good could the Empress want with her?