The fire burned for nearly half an hour before gradually extinguishing. At this time, Xiang Zhuang had already led people from a high position to observe the burning situation of the kerosene. Although the kerosene was of high purity and could burn quickly under the action of an open flame, once it encountered

Can it still ignite kerosene on rainy days or windy days, when the flame flickers on and off or even only a few sparks remain?

Xiang Zhuang was still convinced at this time. Looking at the dark scorched earth in the distance, Xiang Zhuang led everyone and walked towards Dazhai again.

Torches were not allowed in the village. Many soldiers used lanterns for lighting. It was almost the bright moon. Many soldiers lit simple lanterns made of bamboo. Although the lighting range of this kind of lantern was limited, it could avoid open flames and cause fire.

Firewood barrel.

Under the guidance of several soldiers, Xiang Zhuang and others came to a certain special tent. There was a faint fragrance coming from the tent. Xiang Zhuang glanced at Ma Ying beside him. Ma Ying understood and walked into the tent first.

, smiled and said: "Master, my king is here to see you."

An old man's hoarse voice soon sounded in the tent: "Oh, take me out to see the king quickly."

"No, I'm here uninvited. I hope the old gentleman won't be surprised." Xiang Zhuang walked into the tent, followed by Ying Liang and a group of others. Everyone entered the tent and gathered around them. At this time,

Xiang Zhuang bowed his hand to the old sorcerer as a sign of respect. The old sorcerer also hurriedly stood up and saluted. The two of them greeted each other politely and took their seats.

There was a brief silence in the tent. Soon, the old warlock looked at Xiang Zhuang and then smiled: "Since I came here, the king has never been here. I have cut off contact with the outside world, but I can still see from the king's expression.

It can be seen from the book that the situation is changing, and if I am not wrong, the king is about to experience a bigger war."

"Haha, what the old gentleman said is true." Xiang Zhuang smiled and nodded. At this time, several personal guards brought soft mats and everyone took their seats. Ying Xueyue on the side asked curiously: "What was that just now? Why?

So powerful, and, is that thing lamp oil?"

"Haha, of course not." The old warlock smiled mysteriously. He looked at Xiang Zhuang. He knew very clearly in the old warlock's heart that Xiang Zhuang knew these things. Otherwise, he would not have asked him to come here to study this thing. But Xiang Zhuang

Did he hide something from everyone? If Xiang Zhuang didn't want to tell it himself, then he wouldn't have brought these people here. Thinking like this, the old warlock gradually understood that Xiang Zhuang came today to explore the power of kerosene.

"This thing is called kerosene. It is refined from a special black oil. It is extremely pure and can be easily ignited. It is much more powerful than lamp oil." The old warlock smiled, and Xiang Zhuang said: "But

The old gentleman made a big mistake."

"Oh? Your Majesty, you might as well tell me." The old warlock was obviously interested. Xiang Zhuang nodded and said with a smile: "Although the old gentleman knows how to brew this oil, he doesn't know that this oil will evaporate under the scorching sun.

, or even burning, I hope the old gentleman can seal the barrels with oil-soaked cloth and move them to a dry place."

The old warlock obviously knew this. He was not surprised by Xiang Zhuang's opinion. He just sighed and said: "Your Majesty, moving to a dry place requires digging mountain roads and a lot of manpower for transportation. Here..." The old warlock

The warlock stopped talking. He only glanced at Ma Ying. Ma Ying smiled slightly awkwardly: "Your Majesty, I only have three thousand people in my hand. This matter is indeed very difficult to accomplish."

When Xiang Zhuang heard what the two of them said, he could only nod his head and said, "I understand. Later I will ask Kong Changshi to mobilize corvees to help you open the mountain."

"But once outsiders get involved, the news is likely to be leaked." Ma Ying was a little worried, and Ying Liang on the side also said: "Yes, there are many people talking."

Xiang Zhuang thought for a while and sighed: "This matter cannot be delayed. I will let Li Honglai take charge of it."

Everyone was silent. This mysterious place contained kerosene that no one had ever seen before. If they had not seen the kerosene with their own eyes in the back mountain just now, they would not have believed that there was something more powerful than lamp oil in this world.

thing.

But what Xiang Zhuang was thinking at this time was not about the kerosene. He looked at everyone and ordered: "You guys go out first. I want to talk to the old gentleman about something."

Everyone nodded and went out. Only Ying Xueyue was beside Xiang Zhuang, hesitant, not knowing whether he should go out. Xiang Zhuang saw her hesitation and just patted the back of her hand gently with his hand, smiling.

He said, "Wait for me outside. I'll be back in a minute."

Ying Xueyue nodded and went out. At this time, only Xiang Zhuang and the old warlock were left in the tent. The two were silent for a moment. Xiang Zhuang was the first to speak: "Old sir, I am very grateful to you for the kerosene matter.

I will repay you ten times the price, but I am here today not just about the kerosene, but... the issue of gunpowder that I mentioned to you back then."

"The gunpowder your Majesty mentioned, I once encountered when my master was refining alchemy. It was so powerful that the entire alchemy furnace was blown up." The old warlock said and fell into deep memories for a while.

, he woke up from his memories, looked at Xiang Zhuang in front of him, and couldn't help but smile apologetically: "Your Majesty, I was distracted."

"Haha, you're welcome, old gentleman. Let's get down to business. I want gunpowder, can you make it?"

"I can't guarantee it." The old warlock shook his head.

"I can tell you that I can provide you with sulfur, saltpeter and carbon. I don't know the specific ratio required, and I don't know how to maximize its power. I can provide you with manpower, and you can vigorously research and develop it, but the premise is

, don’t let anyone know.” Xiang Zhuang

Involuntarily looking back at the outside of the tent, the curtain was still closed, and he continued: "In addition, I can guarantee that your descendants will always be famous nobles in Dongchu, and our Xiang family will support them for generations to come.

, do you think it’s okay to let them get the respect they deserve?”

The old warlock was silent. He did not answer Xiang Zhuang immediately. He was still thinking deeply about the gains and losses. After a while, the old warlock nodded slightly and said, "Okay, I promise you this."

The old warlock agreed to this, and Xiang Zhuang finally breathed out. It was not that he could not develop the gunpowder himself, but Xiang Zhuang knew that peace would not last long, and war would start at any time. He must prepare troops and horses for another expedition.

After talking with the old man for a long time, Xiang Zhuang stood up, cupped his hand in front of the old man and said, "Please do everything."

…

Xiangzhuang's team returned along the original route. When they approached Poyang, it was almost dawn. Not far away, the sky turned white, indicating that a new day had arrived.

The day to marry Wu Fang is getting closer and closer, and today, Kong Ji will bring the wedding fleet to Poyang River Port. After meeting with Xiang Zhuang, the team will head to Shaxian River Port.

At this time, the team had begun to slow down, and everyone was very tired. They had been running around for several days just to inspect the production and storage of kerosene. This was very important to Xiangzhuang, and in future wars, kerosene would cause fire.

plays a vital role.

The sun rose higher and higher, and in the distance, Poyang City gradually appeared in everyone's sight. Xiang Zhuang looked at Poyang City, which was full of Chu banners, and said with a bright smile: "Poyang is ahead. Once you enter Poyang, you can have a full meal."

Paused."

Chatting and laughing, everyone speeded up their horses and galloped towards Poyang City.

The three-way drum sounded on the tower of Poyang City, and the city gate slowly opened. At this moment, Xiang Zhuang and others came on horseback. Seeing the might of Xiang Zhuang's troops, the guard sergeant did not dare to stop them and allowed them to enter the city. Just now

After entering the city, Xiang Zhuang and others went straight to the county government office.

County magistrate Zhou Sheng and county lieutenant Hou Kaige had already heard the news and rushed to the gate of the county government to wait for Xiang Zhuang and others. Kong Ji, who had just arrived yesterday afternoon, was also waiting anxiously at this time. There were still two days left before marrying Princess Chu.

, if Xiang Zhuang did not get up early and leave early, I am afraid that it would be too late in terms of time. What's more, the day to marry Wu Fang is also the day to marry Kong Xiuyun.

Although he was very worried about his sister's future, as soon as he entered a wealthy family, he couldn't care too much. At this time, the sound of rapid horse hooves sounded in the empty street. Everyone knew that Xiang Zhuang was coming, and they hurriedly arranged their clothes.

, looking into the distance, sure enough, the figures of Xiang Zhuang and others appeared in the street, and soon they arrived in front of the county government office.

Kong Ji saw Ying Xueyue behind Xiang Zhuang at a glance. For some reason, Xiang Zhuang came to Lushan County for inspection and would take her with him. However, Kong Ji had already vaguely guessed that the next person Xiang Zhuang would marry must be Ying Xueyue.

.

"I have seen your Majesty." Everyone stepped forward and saluted Xiang Zhuang. Xiang Zhuang waved his hands tiredly, indicating that everyone would be exempted from the ceremony, and then ordered: "Quickly prepare food to satisfy the hunger of my personal guards."

Immediately, Xiang Zhuang pulled Ying Xueyue and laughed and said: "I am also hungry, please quickly get some food."

Passing through the long corridor of the county government office, Xiang Zhuang and other people came to the living room. The tables and soft mats that had been prepared were neatly arranged. Xiang Zhuang came to the upper room and sat down. Next to him was Ying Xueyue.

After sitting down in their seats, a group of Chu soldiers walked into the living room carrying wine and food, and placed a portion on the table in front of everyone.

Xiang Zhuang hurriedly picked up his chopsticks and ate and drank hungrily. Kong Ji on the side saw that Xiang Zhuang was so hungry and couldn't help shaking his head secretly. After waiting for a long time, seeing that Xiang Zhuang seemed to have almost eaten, Kong Ji asked: "

Has Your Majesty gone to see the kerosene?"

Xiang Zhuang nodded. No one in the Chu army knew the secret of kerosene except his most trusted commander, Kong Ji. When Kong Ji asked about it, Xiang Zhuang put down his chopsticks and replied with a smile: "The purity of kerosene."

It’s almost ready and can be used on the battlefield, but..."

When Xiang Zhuang said the word "but", he paused. Kong Ji was stunned and couldn't help asking: "But what?"

"However, such a highly destructive weapon cannot be used easily, otherwise it will expose our strength and give the opponent a chance to defend itself. Moreover, once the secret of kerosene is leaked, if the enemy uses kerosene on a large scale, it will also be harmful to us.

It's a threat, so I won't use such weapons easily." Xiang Zhuang sighed softly.

Kong Ji was silent for a moment. He also agreed with Xiang Zhuang's view. If the kerosene was used by various military units, it would be a nightmare for the Eastern Chu Army. But now, it is not the time to consider kerosene. Xiang Zhuang must be persuaded.

Get up early. Thinking of this, Kong Ji stood up and came to the center of the living room. He cupped his hands in front of Xiang Zhuang and said, "Your Majesty, take a rest for a while. We are about to set off for Jiangdong."

[This book was first published from, the first time to see the genuine content!]

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Chapter completed!