Chapter 169: The Secret of Gunpowder

Jiang Xiaomu sneered coldly inside, but his face showed no change.

This imperial envoy certainly has an ulterior motive.

He had originally intended to find any excuse to get past it, but then he reconsidered.

If this pretty boy really lost his temper, he'd be in trouble.

After a moment's thought, Jiang Xiaomu decided to divulge some trivial information to put him off.

"Sir, your discernment is clear—making this gunpowder is neither hard nor easy; saying it's difficult isn't accurate, nor is saying it's simple."

Jiang Xiaomu pretended to be profound, stroking a nonexistent beard.

"The main ingredients are just some saltpeter, sulfur, and then some charcoal..."

He paused, observing the imperial envoy's reaction. That envoy's eyes indeed lit up, and he pressed further:

"Just these? Could you elaborate?"

Jiang Xiaomu secretly laughed inside, but his face showed embarrassment.

"Sir, the method for making this gunpowder is my Jiang family's ancestral secret formula; it must not be lightly divulged..."

Upon hearing this, the imperial envoy's face instantly darkened.

"Mr. Jiang, are you defying the imperial order?"

Jiang Xiaomu quickly clasped his hands in a salute.

"Please calm your anger, sir; it's not that I'm unwilling to tell."

"But the precise proportioning of this formula is extremely exacting; a slight deviation leads to a great error."

"If mishandled, at best it would injure oneself, at worst..."

He made a gesturing of an explosion, the meaning self-evident.

The imperial envoy's expression eased slightly, but he was also somewhat impatient.

"Alright, alright, just tell me how to get the proportions right!"

Jiang Xiaomu feigned contemplation, then spoke after a long while.

"The saltpeter should be in the right amount, the sulfur also in the right amount, the charcoal likewise..."

"The right amount? How much is the right amount?"

The imperial envoy nearly jumped up, his shrill voice cracking somewhat.

Jiang Xiaomu spread his hands with an innocent expression.

"Sir, these two words 'the right amount' are precisely the key to making this gunpowder!"

"Too little won't work, too much also won't work; it all depends on experience and feeling..."

"You're messing with me?!"

The imperial envoy finally couldn't hold back, slamming the table hard enough to make the tea cups jump.

Jiang Xiaomu still maintained his unflappable composure.

"Please calm your anger, sir; I speak the truth—making this gunpowder is no child's play."

"I, too, have only gained some insight after years of research."

"If you truly wish to know the exact measurements of 'the right amount,' you'd probably have to conduct the experiments yourself."

The imperial envoy's face turned livid with anger, yet he could do nothing about it.

Jiang Xiaomu was clearly just brushing him off, but he could find no fault.

After all, he had already told him the main ingredients; it's just that those two words "the right amount" are enough to drive one mad.

He drew a deep breath, strove to suppress his inner anger, and spoke with a false smile:

"Mr. Jiang truly is a master; I admire you. Since that's the case, I shall not disturb you further."

Having said that, he flicked his sleeves and left, leaving Jiang Xiaomu alone on the spot, the corner of his mouth twitching in a barely perceptible sneer.

This is only the beginning; that imperial envoy will certainly not let the matter rest.

The imperial envoy's entourage departed in a mighty procession, and finally the courtyard grew quiet.

Jiang Xiaomu let out a long breath and rubbed his somewhat stiff cheeks.

That envoy, though young in age, has a temper like a firecracker—set off at the slightest spark.

"Brother, are you alright?"

His sister Jiang Xiaoyu ran out from the house, looking at him with worry.

Jiang Xiaomu smiled and rubbed her head.

"It's fine, Xiao Yu, don't worry; I can handle it."

"But I think that imperial envoy comes with ill intent..."

Jiang Xiaoyu bit her lip, her brow furrowed with concern.

"When soldiers come, we meet them with generals; when water comes, we block it with earth—what is there to fear?"

Jiang Xiaomu comforted:

"And how about you—how have you been feeling lately?"

Jiang Xiaoyu gave a slight nod.

At that moment, Official Zhao entered from outside, his face somewhat solemn.

"Mr. Jiang, tonight we'll arrange a banquet at Mu Yu Lou, ostensibly to welcome and cleanse the imperial envoy."

Jiang Xiaomu blinked slightly.

"Official Zhao, this..."

"I know you're uneasy, but that Zhang Yu is narrow-minded and vengeful; we have to be on guard."

Official Zhao sighed.

Tonight's drink is ostensibly a welcome feast to wash away travel dust, but in reality, it's meant to probe the true purpose of his journey.

Jiang Xiaomu nodded, thinking that Looking State City was merely a remote small town—what could possibly merit the Imperial Court sending an imperial commissioner to inspect?

This Zhang Yu—those who come bear ill intent.

Night fell, and Mu Yu Lou blazed with lights.

Jiang Xiaomu had arranged the banquet early, awaiting Zhang Yu's arrival.

Zhang Yu arrived leisurely, followed by several attendants, each strutting arrogantly, full of himself.

Master Jiang, you've gone to great expense!

Zhang Yu clasped his hands with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, yet his gaze held contempt.

Jiang Xiaomu returned the salute without changing his expression.

Lord Zhao, please be seated.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, Zhang Yu finally revealed his true colors.

Master Jiang, regarding the gunpowder matter I mentioned, what do you think?

Jiang Xiaomu smirked inwardly, knowing this kid's interest lay not in the drink.

He feigned contemplation.

Lord Zhao, this gunpowder is a military weapon; how could it be shown lightly?

Master Jiang, you are mistaken," Zhang Yu waved his hand.

As an imperial commissioner, inspecting local military defenses is also my duty.

Jiang Xiaomu continued to decline.

Lord Zhao, the production of this gunpowder is complicated; I cannot demonstrate it at a moment's notice.

Master Jiang, are you just brushing me off?

Zhang Yu's face darkened, and his tone grew stern.

Jiang Xiaomu thought to himself, this kid finally couldn't hold back.

He gave a slight smile.

Lord Zhao, it's not that I'm brushing you off; it's just that this gunpowder is immensely powerful, and if it harmed you, I couldn't bear the responsibility.

Master Jiang, are you threatening me?

Zhang Yu slammed the table hard, making the cups and dishes clatter.

Lord Zhao, you overpraise me; I'm merely speaking the truth.

The two were opposed like needles, the atmosphere tense and ready to explode.

Lord Zhao smoothed things over from the side.

He kept urging things like 'be magnanimous, value harmony,' but Jiang Xiaomu found these persuasions more annoying than Zhang Yu's threats.

Just then, Zhang Yu burst into loud laughter, as if the earlier tension had been merely a joke.

Master Jiang truly is a man of loyalty and righteousness; I admire you! Come, let me toast you with a cup!

Zhang Yu raised his cup, his face wreathed in smiles, a stark contrast to his earlier fury.

Jiang Xiaomu smirked inwardly, his face-changing faster than flipping a page.

He kept his composure, raised his cup, and drained it in one gulp.

Lord Zhao, you overpraise me; I'm merely doing my duty.

Afterward, Zhang Yu began to lavish praise on Jiang Xiaomu.

Master Jiang, you are truly a pillar of the state! Such loyalty and righteousness truly impress me!

Jiang Xiaomu replied with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Lord Zhao, you overpraise me; I'm merely contributing my modest effort.

Merely modest effort? No, no, Master Jiang, you're too humble!

Zhang Yu grabbed Jiang Xiaomu's hand and shook it vigorously.

Such important gunpowder, yet Master Jiang can keep his lips sealed—this loyalty, heaven and earth can attest!

Lord Zhao...

Jiang Xiaomu tried to pull his hand back, but Zhang Yu gripped it even tighter.