There was a loud bang, and billowing smoke mixed with scorching flames shot into the sky, and the whole earth shook in a violent explosion. Then, after a burst of gunsmoke, the originally tall and thick city walls ...... Still standing tall on the wasteland.

No, dig a pit in the rammed earth city wall, bury no less than 100 catties of gunpowder, seal the soil, and light the fire. The end result was just a big fireworks on the city wall, and the city wall, which should have been blown up, remained unmoved. This is the scene of Cai Ji and others blasting black powder for the first time in the suburbs of Huangxian County.

As a later generation, Cai Ji certainly couldn't laugh or cry at the scene in front of him. But Tai Shici, Guo Jia and other Eastern Han people who were present had never seen such an earth-shattering formation. In addition, they themselves have no knowledge of blasting, no impression. So at this moment, except for Cai Ji, everyone was shocked by the "amazing" power that the black powder showed for the first time.

Even Tai Shici, who has the courage of ten thousand people, sighed from the bottom of his heart after a long time, "It's really earth-shattering thunder."

"This thing is comparable to earth-shattering thunder," Guo Jia gasped and nodded.

Shocking thunder? It is indeed very "thundery". After spending so much gunpowder, it can't even blow up a crack, isn't this a "thunderbolt", or? Cai Ji, who was sighing so much in his heart, ignored the admiration of Yu Tai Shici, Guo Jia and the others, and turned back to Duan Zhi with a slightly depressed expression and asked, "Zhong Miao, this is the most powerful gunpowder?" ”

At this moment, Duan Zhi was immersed in the praise of everyone, and when he heard Cai Ji ask like this, he naturally replied triumphantly, "Huifujun, Zhi has improved the gunpowder according to the prescription proposed by Brother Zhengjie. It's really powerful to try it today. ”

Cai Ji saw that Duan Zhi was also so "unproductive", and in desperation, he immediately shook his head bluntly and said, "Such power is far from enough." You see that the wall of the city is still unmoving, not even a crack has been blown out. If you really get to the battlefield, you can't effectively destroy the city except for frightening the defenders of the city. ”

"The prince wants to use fire to destroy the city walls? It's too hard for a strong man. Tai Shi Ci couldn't help but interject with a strange look after hearing what Cai Ji said. In his opinion, the walls were so thick that even if they were dug by hand, it would take a whole day to dig a hole. According to Cai Ji, lighting a fire can burn down the city wall, wouldn't that be a witchcraft.

Tai Shi Ci felt that it was difficult for a strong man, but Duan Zhi, who was a researcher of gunpowder, knew that since gunpowder could blow up the alchemy furnace, it could theoretically blow up the city wall. Thinking of this, Duan Zhi frowned and said, "Do you want to increase the dosage of medicine again?" ”

Increasing the dosage may be one way to go. But Cai Ji always felt that the problem should not only be the amount of gunpowder. Because in her impression, the blasting in later generations did not dig a big hole and directly bury gunpowder like now. There may be a problem with the methodology. Cai Ji, who was thinking about it in his heart, nodded thoughtfully and said, "You can try to increase the dosage of medicine." However, when the house saw the explosion just now, the flames and qi waves rushed out of the pit directly, could it be that the gunpowder was not sealed? It's like putting gunpowder into a can, but not sealing the mouth of the can. ”

In fact, Cai Ji has almost pointed out the crux of the problem. The reason why this blasting failed was that the amount of gunpowder used was less, and secondly, because the soldiers who buried the gunpowder were inexperienced, and they did not seal the mouth when they sealed it with soil, and the gunpowder gas formed a "directional blasting" outside the city wall. In fact, even if it is sealed, it is impossible to seal the gas with such a thin layer of soil. But Cai Ji is not a professional after all, and at most he can only mention this kind of specious Cheng dù.

Fortunately, Duan Zhi had experience in fryers before, and after Cai Ji's comparison, he could somewhat understand the problem. So at this moment, Duan Zhi immediately nodded and responded, "The gunpowder burial soil escape flag is completed." This matter should be asked to Lord Xiao Qi. ”

As soon as Cai Ji heard that it was the person in charge of the Five Elements Escape Banner who was responsible for the blasting, he immediately invited Xiao Bai. After a while, the one-eyed female flag master came to Cai Ji's face, but saw her bending down respectfully and saluting, "Xiao Bai has seen the lord." What does the lord command? ”

"Lord Xiao, how did you bury the gunpowder just now?" Cai Ji asked.

"Returning to my lordship, we first dig a deep pit under the city wall, then put gunpowder in it, seal it with earth, and then ignite it." Xiao Bai replied truthfully.

After listening to Xiao Bai's introduction, Cai Ji, who recalled the explosion scene of later film and television works, couldn't help but blurt out, "Have you ever thought of wrapping gunpowder, or putting it in a wooden barrel, and then burying it under the city wall to detonate?" ”

"Isn't that an extra shell?" Xiao Bai asked puzzled. It's no wonder that Xiao Bai asks such questions. The Eastern Han people did not know that the principle of the explosion was that the heat could not be lost quickly. Without sealing, the gunpowder is given enough space to burn and dissipate heat, so the explosion effect is naturally poor.

Cai Ji couldn't tell how the explosion worked, but her gunpowder was packed in a packet or in a barrel. So at this time, she had to rely on the identity of Taishou and ordered, "Try it." At the very least, it is possible to avoid moisture in gunpowder. ”

Cai Ji is the lord, since he put forward this opinion, Xiao Bai and Duan Zhi naturally have to do it truthfully. So after the two of them gave up their promises, they rushed to the city wall to explore the site and discuss how to improve the blasting method next time. On the other side, Tai Shici and Guo Jia, who stayed behind, were quite surprised that Cai Ji was so obsessed with the "Five Elements Technique".

But seeing Tai Shi Ci frowning and asking, "The lord really plans to use fire to destroy the city wall?" ”

"The art of the five elements is thaumaturgy, and it is reasonable for Qi Zheng to depend on each other. However, the lord must not put the world's disputes on thaumaturgy. Guo Jia also persuaded Cai Ji earnestly.

Cai Ji knew that unless the facts were really put in front of Tai Shici and Guo Jia, no amount of explanation could convince the two, that kind of black powder could blow the thick city wall apart. Just as Fulton went to Napoleon with the drawings of a steamship, only to be politely rejected by Napoleon due to lack of funds. Investing in technology sometimes requires a certain amount of gambling. Cai Ji developed gunpowder on the premise of knowing the power of gunpowder, and the risk was relatively small. And Tai Shici and Guo Jia will naturally feel that Cai Ji is doing something with big investment and small returns when they don't have the mainstream direction of technology in the future.

So at this time, Cai Ji followed the words of the two and said, "Feng Xiao's words are reasonable." However, the casualties in the siege battle were too great, and the troops of Donglai could not withstand such waste. There are always no ways to break the city. ”

Tai Shici and Guo Jia also felt the same thing when they heard Cai Ji say this. After all, the cruelty of siege warfare is obvious to all, and with the gradual increase of Cai Ji's strength, it is only a matter of time before the siege of the city and the land are grabbed, and the siege war is inevitable. In addition, the earth-shattering power of gunpowder just now also left a deep impression on the two. Therefore, even if they did not think that gunpowder could blow down the city walls, the two still affirmed the role of gunpowder in siege warfare.

No, after thinking about it, Tai Shi Ci said to Cai Jiti, "My lord, Yi Ci seems that it is easier to use gunpowder to burn the city gate than to burn the city wall. ”

"Well, what General Ziyi said is extremely true. During the period when the government was in Beijing, he also invited the princes to brainstorm and study the method of gunpowder siege. Cai Ji replied.

"Whoa." After Tai Shici hugged his fists, he asked Cai Ji worriedly, "The lord really only brought a hundred people to Beijing this time?" ”

Seeing Tai Shici asking like this, Cai Ji knew that he was worried about his safety in Xudu, and couldn't help but smile bitterly, "This mansion is going to Beijing, not going on an expedition." Bringing more soldiers and horses is not only disrespectful to the Son of Heaven, but I am afraid that Cao Cao will not let this mansion enter Xudu. ”

"Ci and the lord go to Beijing together, if there is something to do, Ci can also protect the lord." Tai Shi Ci lowered his head and thought about it, and then said.

Who knew that Cai Ji vetoed without hesitation, "Isn't that if General Ziyi is trapped in Xudu with this mansion, won't there be a big chaos in Donglai?" It's better for General Ziyi to stay in Huangxian with Fengxiao, and in case of an accident, he can still take care of the mansion on the periphery. As for the safety of the mansion in Xudu, firstly, there is Li Dake to take over the mansion, and secondly, it is more convenient for the two female flag owners of the Five Elements Escape Banner to act as the guards of the mansion. ”

Although Tai Shici is still wary of the Five Elements Escape Banner, Cai Ji has finally entered the marriageable age, and it is more convenient for a woman to act as a personal escort than a man. And in Donglai, the martial arts are enough to take on this great task, and there are only the two female flag masters of the Five Elements Escape Banner. And Li Da's loyalty to Cai Ji is beyond doubt. It's just that even with these protective measures, in Tai Shici's opinion, Cai Ji's visit to Xudu this time is still quite dangerous. After all, Cai Ji had been an enemy of Cao Jun in Huangxian County, and no one dared to guarantee that Cao Cao or his subordinates would not embarrass Cai Ji because of this.

At this time, Guo Jia, who was on the side, saw that Tai Shici was entangled in Cai Ji's safety in Xudu, and couldn't help but persuade him, "General Ziyi, the key to the safety of the lord in Beijing this time lies in how to deal with the Son of Heaven and Cao Cao, not to be an enemy of Cao Cao." ”

"Well, Feng Xiao's words are reasonable. The trip to Xudu was indeed very delicate. Although the government still does not know, what the Son of Heaven intends to recruit this mansion into the capital. But the government heard that the Son of Heaven had just appointed Cao Cao as the general and Yuan Shao as the lieutenant. Thinking about it, Xu Du and Yecheng are at the time of the storm at this moment. The mansion is going to Beijing at this moment, and I'm afraid that there are many people who want to stare at the mansion to see the excitement. Cai Ji nodded with emotion and said.

"The lord is still worried about Yuan Shao's reaction?" Guo Jia turned his head and asked.

"The government has followed the policy and written to Yuan Shao to explain the matter of going to Beijing. But Yecheng has not replied so far. makes people can't figure out the mind of the original duke. Cai Ji smiled helplessly. It is said that since Cai Ji repelled Lu Bu, Yuan Shao has never contacted her again. Yidonglai fell into a delicate situation of being like an enemy and an alliance with Yuan Shao. Originally, Cai Ji thought that informing Yuan Shao about the recruitment of the Son of Heaven to Beijing would be an opportunity to break the existing deadlock between the two sides. Who knew that Yuan Shao's side was still silent, and it was golden. And this silence made Cai Ji easily think of the default posture that Yuan Shao expressed when Yuan Tan attacked Beihai before. Therefore, Cai Ji insisted on letting Tai Shici stay in Donglai, which also meant to guard against Yuan Shao.

However, seeing Cai Ji's anxious look, Guo Jia comforted her and said, "Don't be anxious. After thinking about the return of the lord, Yuan Shao will reply to the lord. ”

"What does Fengxiao mean that Yuan Shao is testing this mansion?" Cai Ji asked with a frown.

"It's not easy to offend either the general or the captain." Guo Jia smiled meaningfully at Cai Ji.

"It's okay, this house respects the Son of Heaven." Cai Ji arched his hand to the sky without thinking. Compared with the princes of the same era, Cai Ji has a congenital weakness in gender. In addition, she does not have a strong family as a backer like Yuan Shao. Therefore, the banner of "Zunhan" is particularly important to Cai Ji. This is a big sign for her to recruit talents in troubled times. Just as at the beginning, Tai Shici was out of loyalty to the Han Dynasty and his concern for his hometown, so he became famous in Donglai. And Guo Jia was also inspired by Cai Ji's ambition to revive the Han Dynasty, so he chose to stay in Donglai. If it is just for personal glory and wealth, Tai Shici, Guo Jia and others can go to Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and even Liu Biao in Jingzhou, which is more promising than Cai Ji. Therefore, even if he knew that it was risky to go to Xu, Cai Ji still had to be ordered to go to Beijing.

In this regard, Cai Ji is really a little similar to Liu Bei, who is known as the clan everywhere.

Sure enough, Cai Ji's words just fell. Tai Shi Ci hugged his fists excitedly and said, "The lord said that as ministers of the Han Dynasty, we should respect the Son of Heaven." ”

But Guo Jia was not moved by Cai Ji's words of crown, but saw him follow and asked, "What if the Son of Heaven is dissatisfied with the captain or the general?" ”

Although Guo Jia's question is a bit straightforward, it also points out a problem that Cai Ji needs to face the most at the moment. No, "respecting Han" is Cai Ji's banner, but when it comes to respecting the law, it can't be solved by saying a few big words. Cai Ji, who is familiar with history, is of course not easy to deal with this problem. In a sense, if the Han is compared to a big family, the Son of Heaven is the "ancestor" of this family. Cao Cao is now living in the same room as his "ancestors". Yuan Shao didn't want to take the "old ancestor" to live with, and he didn't want to see the house where the family property was divided by Cao Cao. Of course, there is also Yuan Shu, who is bent on separating the family, Liu Biao, Liu Zhang, who is in charge of the shopkeeper, and many distant relatives of all sizes. Cao Cao lives with the "old ancestor", and it is inevitable that there will be friction, and it is inevitable that the "old ancestor" will complain that he is not well served. This relatively distant distant relative went to meet the "old ancestor" this time, did he scold Cao Cao with the "old ancestor"? This is not the peace of the "house", or it is better to be with the mud.

Thinking of this, Cai Jidang even responded to Guo Jia, "The Son of Heaven is still young, and it is inevitable that he will go astray. As a courtier, this government should guide the Son of Heaven to see the situation clearly. ”

Cai Ji, who was originally with Liu Xieling, said, "The Son of Heaven is still young", which makes people feel a little funny. But Guo Jia and Tai Shici, who were present, had no intention of laughing. In their opinion, the little lord of his own family may not be qualified to say that the Son of Heaven is young in terms of age, but with her qualifications, she is definitely qualified to say this.

So, Guo Jia, who got the answer, bowed to Cai Ji with relief and said, "In this way, Jia is here to wish the Lord Xu a smooth journey to the capital." ”

Oh also~~~ Finally in Beijing~\(≧▽≦)/~Lalala~~~ Liu Ding would like to thank all book friends for their support to this book. That reward really flattered Liu Ding~~~~ In addition, a new round of Liu Ding's story is about to begin, Emperor Xiao Xian, Prime Minister Cao Cheng, and Cao Yingdi~ Handsome uncles, Xiao Cai Fujun is coming~~~~

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