Chapter 258

"Have you heard? The Chu army has killed its way to Changancheng, cruel and inhumane; they don't even spare three-year-old children. The Chu army's main general likes to eat raw meat and drink human blood—a total pervert."

"What beasts, not even sparing three-year-old children!"

Some commoners were filled with anger, then turned their heads and said, "Have you heard? The Chu army has been massacring cities along the way, not even sparing three-month-old infants. The Chu army's main general even uses men's... that thing... to accompany his wine at every meal, otherwise he can't eat!"

"What? Is this true or false?"

Upon hearing this, the man was displeased, "How could this be false? My second sister-in-law's younger brother's eldest uncle works in the palace, and he heard it from His Majesty herself. I'm telling you secretly, you must not spread it!"

"Hiss!"

The man nodded and turned to speak.

"Latest news..."

For a time, rumors were flying all over Changancheng, and an invisible fear and anger were accumulating in the hearts of the commoners.

If this didn't erupt, it would be fine, but once it did, it would be enough to make all of Changancheng turn pale at the mention of it.

And as time passed, the news continued to ferment; meanwhile, the Empress's declaration, "The Son of Heaven guards the national gate, and the monarch dies for the state," also spread through every street and alley.

At the same time.

In a courtyard of the imperial palace.

The top craftsmen and blacksmiths of Changancheng also began to work feverishly under Gao Yang's deployment.

Gao Yang held a simple model in his hand and said to the alchemists and craftsmen,

"Make it according to the model in my hand. It doesn't matter if it looks a bit ugly or if the shape is slightly off, but the metal grooves underneath must be there. Only in this way will it explode more easily, produce more shrapnel, and have greater power!"

"If there is anything you don't understand, I will be outside the courtyard; come and ask at any time!"

The blacksmiths and craftsmen stared at the grenade design in Gao Yang's hand and nodded in unison.

Gao Yang looked at them, "Once this thing is built, everyone will be heavily rewarded—big-bottomed wives, wealth, and glory, you will have it all!"

"Otherwise, tomorrow morning, I will have you beheaded and replaced with a new batch!"

Following Gao Yang's words, a sense of fear filled the eyes of the blacksmiths and craftsmen.

But it had to be said, the temptation of big-bottomed wives was also very great for them.

"Go."

Following Gao Yang's words, the craftsmen all threw themselves into the research and development.

Immediately after, Gao Yang summoned the alchemists.

On the side, Wu Zhao and Shangguan Wan'er listened to Gao Yang's series of operations, filled with confusion.

"Gao Yang, what is this?" Wu Zhao asked.

Gao Yang glanced at the object in his hand and turned to Wu Zhao, "This object is called a grenade, and its foundation lies in gunpowder."

Speaking of gunpowder, Wu Zhao's eyes lit up.

She had almost forgotten about this great weapon.

According to Gao Yang, the power of this gunpowder could give Great Chu a big surprise.

"Your Majesty, don't be in a hurry; this gunpowder still needs some time, and we need to add a few things to it."

"Add what?" Wu Zhao asked, full of curiosity.

"First, we must add egg whites to turn the powdered gunpowder that I previously ordered these alchemists to create into granular gunpowder, and then add sugar!"

Gao Yang said.

He had hidden this trick for a long time, but now that his life was at stake, he couldn't afford to hide his skills anymore.

Egg whites could act as a binder; after being added to the gunpowder, they could turn the powdered gunpowder into granular gunpowder.

And the greatest function of granular gunpowder was to increase combustion efficiency.

As for adding sugar to the granular gunpowder, that was even simpler.

One part sulfur, two parts saltpeter, three parts charcoal, add some white sugar for a big bang.

This saying wasn't just for show.

Otherwise, the power of the gunpowder would be quite limited.

Great Qian and the other seven kingdoms didn't have white sugar, only brown sugar with many impurities.

But as long as it was sugar, it could be used.

And he also had a method to purify the brown sugar; this was originally one of his major means of accumulating wealth.

But now, he couldn't hide it anymore.

The yellow mud slurry decolorization method!

However, Gao Yang had only seen this method of purifying brown sugar in the *Exploitation of the Works of Nature*; he wasn't sure exactly how many days it would take.

For Changancheng, what was most lacking right now was time.

But as long as the grenades were made, they would definitely give Great Chu a big surprise.

Wu Zhao, however, was completely bewildered.

"Mixing egg whites into a weapon like gunpowder, and adding sugar—what is the use of this?"

Gao Yang found a random excuse, "Gunpowder belongs to the science of strengthening the nation that I told Your Majesty about, so strictly speaking, gunpowder belongs to the path of science. Sugar is sweet, which will allow the Chu army to feel the sweet breath of science."

The corner of Wu Zhao's mouth twitched.

"Gao Yang, in your eyes, do I look like such an easily deceived muddled monarch?"

"Speak properly."

Seeing this, Gao Yang said very directly, "Then I will explain in detail. Strictly speaking, sugar contains carbon, which is a combustible material. Once the surrounding temperature rises, sugar melts after being heated and can undergo a chemical reaction with the oxygen in the air, subsequently releasing a large amount of gas, and these gases will increase the explosive power of the gunpowder."

"Your Majesty, do you understand now?"

Wu Zhao: "..."

Shangguan Wan'er: "..."

Gao Yang sighed and said, "However, brown sugar has too many impurities. To ensure the power of the gunpowder, I still have to purify it using the yellow mud slurry decolorization method."

"Gunpowder plus white sugar—this is the most reliable."

Wu Zhao was bewildered again, "Yellow mud slurry decolorization method, purifying brown sugar?"

"And what is white sugar?"

Gao Yang continued to explain, "Your Majesty can understand it literally: white sugar is sugar that is as white as white jade."

"And the so-called yellow mud slurry is just yellow mud. Mixing it with brown sugar that has already been boiled to remove most of the impurities can decolorize it."

Looking at the expression on Wu Zhao's face, Gao Yang added,

"Yellow mud slurry has a relatively special pore structure and strong adsorption, so by utilizing this point, it can adsorb the pigments in the brown sugar syrup."

"Your Majesty, do you understand?"

Wu Zhao raised her head and nodded stubbornly.

"I can naturally understand the principles behind it."

Gao Yang looked at the Empress's serious demeanor; if the occasion hadn't been so inappropriate, he would have laughed out loud.

Shangguan Wan'er, meanwhile, looked at Gao Yang, completely stunned, and said very honestly, "Lord Gao, after listening to your words, I feel like my brain is about to grow a brain."