Chapter 8 The First Weapon

  Gunpowder originated from alchemy, and alchemists discovered the method of "concealing fire" when refining elixirs. The so-called "concealing fire" refers to using combustion to remove or weaken the toxicity in the elixir.

  The famous doctor Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty invented the method of Fú Huǒ (伏火): Sulfur and saltpeter, each two taels, were ground into powder and placed in a sand jar. A pit was dug, and the jar was put in it, with earth filled around it to the same level as the ground. Three unburned soap nuts were ignited and inserted into the jar, causing the sulfur and saltpeter to burn. When they stopped burning, charcoal was used to roast them until one-third of the charcoal had been consumed, then the fire was withdrawn. Before cooling down, the mixture of saltpeter and sulfur was poured in, which is Fú Huǒ (伏火).

  Furthermore, during the mid-Tang Dynasty, there was a person named Qingxuzi who invented the method of Fuhuoliao: two liangs of sulfur, two liangs of saltpeter, and three qian and a half of horse hoof. The above are made into powder, mixed evenly. Dig a pit, put the medicine in a pot with the ground level. Take a piece of burning charcoal, about the size of a bullet, and place it under the pot. Smoke gradually rises.

  Gunpowder has undergone huge development for over 300 years since its invention, through the Tang Dynasty, Five Dynasties and Song Dynasty. The Song, Liao and Western Xia dynasties all researched and developed gunpowder weapons, but with little achievement.

  Until Master Wu Ji, firearms were pushed forward in a big way, making the power of gunpowder unprecedentedly improved, and gunpowder weapons had practical combat value.

  The first firearm of Master Wu Jie was not a gun or cannon, but a pellet used for hunting bears.

  "Great Song Dynasty Arsenal Catalogue: Lu You"

  "Fifty taels of silver? Heaven! So much?" Yang Xiuxiu's pretty face was full of incredulity and shock.

  For the villagers of Wujiacun, fifty taels of silver was an absolute fortune. They were self-sufficient and spent only about 1,000 yuan per year for the whole family. Fifty thousand yuan would be equivalent to fifty years' worth of expenses, almost a lifetime's spending.

  "Fifty taels of silver is indeed a considerable amount. If I can get this reward, not only can I take good care of my body, but I will also have twenty or thirty taels of silver as capital to do business. Ah, I know quite a few things, and if I were to do business in the Song Dynasty, I would definitely be able to earn a fortune."

  Wu Ji was also shining with excitement, dreaming of getting fifty taels of silver. In that case, improving his life and taking good care of his body would naturally not be a problem, and he would still have quite a bit left over to use as capital.

  As for what kind of business to do, Wu Ji had not yet decided. However, one thing was certain: no matter which one he chose, Wu Ji would make a lot of money, and a comfortable life would be guaranteed, with the possibility of becoming a rich man.

  "But the bear is so big and so cunning, how can we hunt it down? I'm familiar with modern explosive methods, but none of them are suitable for this situation." Wu Ji thought for a moment, and again felt helpless.

  The difficulty lies in the method of detonation, and a suitable method must be found for the current situation. Wu Ji spent a lot of time and effort on weapons to kill Oubenching, and was very familiar with the method of detonation, using fuse, remote control, he was all familiar with it, but there was no way to make it work under the current conditions.

  If he can't solve the way of detonation, it's a reward of 500 taels of silver, and he won't get it.

  "Ji'er, uh, the county magistrate of Zheng praised me. I'm too old and thick-skinned to say it was you who taught me. I've taken advantage of your credit, and I'm a bit embarrassed. Here's some mutton fat for you, take good care of yourself." Wu Qing made a grinding sound with his teeth, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

  What he said was all taught by Wu Ji, but it was out of vanity and monopolized the glory. After returning home and thinking carefully, I always felt that my elders had taken away the honor of my juniors, which was not pleasant at all, so I hurried over to make up for Wu Ji.

  As he spoke, he handed over a bowl. Wu Ji took it and saw that there was about half a bowl of mutton oil, emitting an enticing aroma, almost drooling.

  "This mutton fat has been around for some time, I originally wanted to save it for the holidays. But I've taken advantage of your presence, if not... cough cough!" Wu Qing said as he went on, his old face turning red, pretending to cough and stopping himself from continuing.

  Wu Ji smiled a bit, this matter he didn't take to heart at all. He laughed and handed the bowl back: "Third Uncle, don't mind it. This small matter isn't worth it. Take this mutton oil back and give it to Jian Di to nourish his body."

  In a small mountain village like Wujiazhuang, oil and meat are already very scarce. Wu Qing stretched out his right hand, then withdrew it again, even more embarrassed: "Jian'er is young, but he has a strong body. Jier, you have a weak body, you need to nourish yourself well. Hmm, San Shu has left first, you two are busy."

  He feared that if he stayed any longer, he might really have to return the sheep's oil he had sent out, so he hastily took his leave. Without waiting for Wu Ji to speak, he quickly departed.

  "Third Uncle is the best to us. Wu Lang, just accept it and don't disappoint Third Uncle's kindness." Yang Xiu Xiu also hoped that Wu Ji would recover his body soon.

  It's come to this, and it's worth making up for. Wu Ji held the bowl, feeling warm in his heart. This Third Uncle is really good to himself, if there's a chance, he must repay him well.

  Wu Ji's recovery was a great joy, Yang Xiuxiu was especially delighted, supporting Wu Ji into the house, lit the fire, and asked Wu Ji to warm up. She then happily went to the kitchen to cook dinner. She decided to make good use of the mutton oil and let Wu Ji have a good nourishment.

  Thinking of the greasy meat, Wu Jie's saliva flowed out again. He leaned against the wall and couldn't help swallowing his saliva. It was really unknown how long it had been since Wu Xiuzai last tasted anything greasy, that saliva kept flowing out uncontrollably.

  After enduring for a while, Wu Ji found it really hard to bear, stood up and came to the kitchen.

  "Wu Lang, how did you come? Hurry up and warm yourself, don't catch a chill!" Yang Xiuxiu was startled to see Wu Ji enter, and hastily put down the mutton fat in her hand, wanting to go over and support Wu Ji.

  "What do you want to do?" Wu Ji asked casually, somewhat curious.

  "I'll cook some dry ones and then stir-fry them with mutton oil, which can nourish the body." Yang Xiuxiu came to Wu Ji's side and supported him.

  It turned out that they were making fried rice, and if there were eggs, they would fry an egg until both sides were yellow. Wu Ji had some people who were not satisfied, but under Yang Xiu's support, he was about to go back to cook the fire when he suddenly saw that the bowl containing mutton oil was a fine porcelain bowl, and he couldn't help but stare blankly, his eyes shining brightly as he stared fixedly at the porcelain bowl.

  "Wu Lang, don't be impatient, it'll be ready soon. The rice is cooked, just stir-fry a bit and we can eat." Yang Xiuxiu thought Wu Ji's mouth was watering again. Can't blame her, who let Wu Ji always love to drool, with the corners of his mouth wet and shiny, no different from really being hungry.

  "No, no, no! This mutton fat can't be eaten! Can't eat!" Wu Ji wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve and quickly walked over to pick up the bowl of mutton fat, examining it carefully.

  This is a fine ceramic bowl with the special glaze of Song Dynasty porcelain, bright as jade and emitting dazzling light under lamp. Although it has some minor flaws, if it were to appear in modern society, it would surely drive collectors crazy.

  "Ah! Can't eat?" Yang Xiuxiu's words confused Wu Ji, and she quickly comforted him: "Wu Lang, this mutton fat is good, it hasn't gone bad, you can eat it!"

  "Good heavens, I'm not talking about good or bad, I mean this mutton fat is very useful and can't be eaten." Wu Jie exclaimed excitedly: "I've got it! I've got it! I finally thought of a way to hunt bears!"

  "What's the method for hunting bears?" Yang Xiuxiu was greatly surprised and hastily consoled: "Wu Lang, you have a kind heart, you're afraid that the bear will enter the village and harm people and livestock, so you want to think of a way to get rid of it. But that bear is so big and so cunning, we can't take risks."

  "Xiu Xiu, you underestimate me, Wu Lang!" Wu Ji puffed out his chest and raised his head, full of confidence: "My methods are especially clever, even if Xiong Zai is a hundred times more cunning, he still can't escape my grasp. Just wait and see! Wait and see!"

  "Wu Lang, what's the connection between hunting bears and mutton fat?" Yang Xiuxiu couldn't figure it out.

  "Heh heh!" Wu Ji smiled complacently, raising an eyebrow: "No mutton fat, can't make bait. You wait and see, let's go make some weapons!"