Chapter 16: A Glimmer of Hope (Part 1)

  Yang Jirui was very suspicious that the agitated and anxious nephew in front of him must have contracted some kind of illness, which is why he was not clear-headed. He had no idea that at this moment, Yang Suofeng's mind was already fully focused on making TNT explosives.

  In the era of great navigation in 1727, even the most advanced navies used black powder muzzle-loading cannons, despite being called cannons. For example, the Tangchuan Empire's most advanced Wutai Mountain-class battleships were equipped with heavy cannons that were also muzzle-loading cannons. The shells and propellant were separate and had to be loaded from the muzzle, and to maintain sufficient power, the heavy cannons increased their caliber and shortened their barrel length, with a maximum range of about 2,000 meters. The giant cannons or mortars used in various fortresses were also muzzle-loading cannons, loaded with black powder, and due to the large caliber of the fortress guns, which was generally over 14 inches, and the solid gun mounts, they had a longer range than ship guns, reaching around 3,000 meters. Compared to ship guns, fortress guns fired explosive shells more often than solid iron balls.

  Gunpowder was already a formidable weapon in this era, especially when used on large-caliber artillery. Every time the cannon fired, the thick black smoke that emerged and the thunderous roar of the exploding shells became a guide for the enemy to meet their demise. Even the cavalry, the favorite sons of war, were forced to retreat at the sight of long-range artillery bombardment. If not for the fact that gun emplacements were fixed, it's likely that cavalry would have disappeared from this world long ago.

  However, Yang Suofeng understood that if he continued to use black powder, he would never have a chance to stand out, because the application of black powder in this era had already reached its limit and it was difficult to make any major breakthroughs. The explosive power of the explosive shells filled with black powder was enough to blow infantry to pieces, but in his opinion as a modern person, it still seemed a bit childish. So, he thought of TNT explosives, which were most widely used in modern warfare, without hesitation. Black powder was already quite good, but compared to TNT explosives, it was like comparing a small witch to a great one.

  The manufacturing method of TNT explosives is undoubtedly simple, and Yang Shuangfeng has a deeper understanding of it. However, without the blessing of heaven, even if they are only separated by a thin layer, they will not meet. The invention of TNT explosives was also born in a very accidental event. What Yang Shuangfeng is worried about now is whether he can purchase the raw materials for manufacturing TNT explosives and whether he can mass-produce and apply them to actual combat. If it cannot be applied to actual combat, no matter how much he knows, it will be useless.

  If TNT explosives were used, along with nitrocellulose or smokeless powder as propellants, the manufacture of high-powered artillery and high-powered rifles would naturally follow. In this war-torn era, land-based artillery would undoubtedly become the god of war, just like Napoleon himself was an outstanding artillery officer. High-powered land-based artillery is about to dominate the battlefield, crushing cavalry and fortresses. At sea, sailing battleships had almost reached their limits in terms of displacement and performance, and the only way to significantly enhance their firepower was to equip them with larger-caliber guns loaded with TNT explosives. However, due to my limited understanding of gun construction, this may take some time.

  Although he didn't know much about artillery, he had a deep understanding of firearms, especially the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle. He had conducted extensive research on this firearm, and at that time, his sole purpose was to manufacture black guns. However, now that he needed to rely on some kind of weapon for self-defense in this world, he chose it without hesitation. He firmly believed that with his technical expertise and experience, he could mass-produce crude Type 56 semi-automatic rifles even under the most difficult conditions. Of course, due to issues with gunpowder refinement accuracy and steel forging techniques, its power might be only a third of the real Type 56 semi-automatic rifle, but even if it was only a quarter or a fifth, it would still be enough for him to defend himself in this world.

  While thinking of various ways to make TNT, weighing which one is the simplest and most cost-effective, Yang Jirui finally couldn't help but shout loudly: "Maple, Maple! Can you hear me?"

  Yang Xuanfeng woke up and said dazedly: "Of course I can hear you speaking."

  Yang Jirui let out a deep sigh and said somewhat discontentedly: "Your complexion is really scary, I thought you were sick?"

  Yang Shuangfeng touched his own face and said inexplicably: "I'm sick? When did I get sick?"

  Yang Ji Rui held a package in his hand, furrowed his brow and said: "In that case, here are 500 gold coins. Return the money to Dong Hai Tang, we don't need their money."

  Yang Shuangfen scratched her head, lost in thought for a moment, with nothing in her mind, not knowing what she was thinking about. After a while, she took the money bag and came to find Yu Huanjuan.

  Tang Bingna was standing by the car window, looking at him coldly and said in a sharp voice: "What? You've come to return the money? Or do you want more?"

  Yang Shuang said calmly: "Sorry, let you misunderstand, this is your 500 gold coins, I don't need it, now return it to you."

  Tang Bingna didn't think he would actually return the money, and for a moment she was speechless.

  Yu Huan-yu stepped down from the carriage, smiling and said: "How can the general take the words of a little woman's family seriously? This is what we sincerely gave to the general..."

  Yang Shuangfeng put down the money bag, smiled faintly and said: "This is indeed returned to you, goodbye!" After finishing speaking, he quickly turned around and ran away, leaving Yu Huanxuan and Tang Bingna staring at each other in dismay, and then both fell silent.

  Shanyu Yun was kicking small stones by the side of the carriage, looking bored. When she saw Yang Suofeng coming over with a money bag, she said happily: "You really want to go see my brother? But when you see him, don't be shocked."

  Yang Shuang said calmly: "I'm not going to see your brother, but to see the gunpowder he invented."

  Under the leadership of Dan Ya, Yang Songfeng quickly arrived at a town several miles away. As soon as he stepped onto the bluestone street in the town, he heard a deafening explosion coming from the southwest, followed by a thick smoke and flames rising up from that direction.

  Dan Ya suddenly turned pale and cried out: "Oh no, my brother has exploded again!"

  Two people rushed to the scene and found that a brick house had been blown up, leaving only broken walls and debris scattered all over the ground. However, a man covered in soot with tattered clothes was dancing in the ruins, with sparks still flying from his body. He jumped around excitedly, shouting: "I succeeded! I succeeded!"

  Shan Ya Xuan rushed up and heavily hit the person's head with the hilt of her sword. The person stopped shouting in a daze, turned his head to look at Shan Ya Xuan, then looked at Yang Suo Fen, and said in a hoarse voice: "Who is he?"

  Yang Shuang looked at the person in front of him with great interest. The man's hair had grown to his waist, and it seemed that he hadn't groomed it for two or three years. The explosion earlier had set his hair on fire, which he then frantically patted out, leaving it looking like a bundle of burnt straw. His clothes were torn to shreds, and his body was covered in burns. Only seven of his ten fingers remained, each one different lengths, some still oozing with wounds, making for a gruesome sight. The air reeked strongly of gunpowder, almost choking Yang Shuang, forcing him to pinch his nose shut and rub it vigorously. This movement elicited contempt and hostility from the other man, who glared at him unfriendly, as if ready to pounce on him at any moment.

  Shan Ya's expression was exceptionally complex, seemingly about to get angry, yet embarrassed, and carefully said: "He is the newly appointed Yang Suofeng Navy Lieutenant General, who came specifically to see your invention. Suofeng General, he is my brother Michiru."

  Yang Shuangfen reluctantly loosened his nose, nodded slightly, and stretched out his hand in a friendly manner, saying calmly: "Hello, Mr. Michiru!"

  Mikhail looked him up and down and suddenly said: "You're not a general, you're here to deceive me."

  Dan Ya's face suddenly changed color, she wanted to speak but stopped herself, and tears almost welled up in her eyes.

  Yang Shuangfeng didn't say a word, swiftly drew his sword and said coldly: "Why would I deceive you?"

  Micheal stood still for a moment and said dully: "Are you from Shangguan Lin's side?"

  Yang Shuang Feng sheathed his sword and said calmly, "No, I am the lieutenant general in charge of quelling the Minas War in the Empire, not under the jurisdiction of Officer Lin."

  Mikkel still half-doubtful said: "Why are you interested in my invention? Or is it my sister that interests you?"

  Yang Suofeng looked up at the sky, waited quietly for a moment, and then slowly lowered his head, saying proudly: "I'm not interested in your invention, but I came to appraise whether your invention is useful to me. If it's not useful, let's just pretend I never came."

  Mikkel's dark eyes sparkled with hope as he asked, "What if it works?"

  Yang Shuang said faintly, "If it's useful, I can buy your invention and continue to provide funding for your research. You'll have better research conditions and won't need to worry about your sister like you do now. Of course, whether or not you qualify for all this depends on the effect of your invention. Here are 200 gold coins as a deposit for demonstrating your invention. Whether I end up buying it or not, these 200 gold coins are yours."

  Mickel didn't take it, looking at Yang Shuangfeng with the same pride, completely with a condescending expression, as if no one under the sky was as great as him. His hands were inserted in the tattered pockets of his pants, and he said proudly: "No, you must pay another three hundred gold coins before I can demonstrate my invention to you."

  Yang Shuangfeng was indeed made uncomfortable by his proud appearance, especially that condescending gaze, as if everyone else here except him were hopeless fools. No wonder Officer Lin didn't even look at his invention and drove him out. He really showed no courtesy at all. However, Yang Shuangfeng did not want to get on the wrong side of someone like this; he had also been proud once before. Pride is not a bad thing as long as you truly have the skills to back it up. So, he adjusted the uncomfortable feeling in his heart and said slowly: "What are your conditions?"

  Michel completely disregarded Yang Shuangfeng's reaction, still speaking in a tone of disdain and pride: "My invention can make the current Minsk rifle and Norfolk rifle obsolete. I can make all other inventors feel ashamed. I can create a brand new rifle and artillery with greater power, longer range, and smaller caliber bullets. It will change the entire pattern of warfare. My invention marks the beginning of a new era. Everyone in the world will have to bow down before my invention..."