Chapter 6, Weapon Experiments

After a moment of reflection, He Kang intended to immediately test the effectiveness of the grenade. However, due to the dense crowd within the military camp, it was difficult to find an open space for such an experiment. At the same time, He Kang considered that the new weapon must be kept confidential in order to achieve remarkable results on the battlefield. He therefore ordered his trusted soldiers to prepare horses and carts to secretly leave the camp and go to a location far from the military base to test the grenade's effectiveness. Although Han Zhen and Liao Yingzhong felt that it would be dangerous for a commanding general to leave the army without permission, upon seeing He Kang's enthusiastic demeanor, they realized that advising him would be futile. They had no choice but to obediently follow He Kang as he secretly slipped out of the military camp in search of a suitable testing site.

Liao Yingzhong handled matters relatively swiftly. He Kang had just hurriedly washed his face with cold water after putting on his clothes when Han Zhen, Chen Yizhong, and the slightly made-up Ling Zhen and Wu Longqi were called before He Kang. Among the four, only Chen Yizhong was aware of He Kang's order to develop new weapons, while Han Zhen, Ling Zhen, and Wu Longqi were completely in the dark. Wu Longqi even misunderstood He Kang's intentions and anxiously asked, 'Sir, are we to mobilize now to attack Hu Huangzhou? Should we gather the troops?'

"Lord Xiang, this is made by a commoner." The seven-fingered craftsman said with a silly smile yesterday, "My lord, I believe that a smooth iron pipe will produce fewer fragments upon explosion, which will affect its power. Therefore, I made an iron pipe with notches on the surface, so that when it explodes, it will generate more fragments, and the effect should be better."

"Grenade, it will explode!" He Kang said with a smile, "If we ignite this grenade and throw it out, it will go off with a bang—if the Tartars are hit by such a grenade, they will be utterly shattered, its power is tremendous! Our plan to remove the Mongolian Tartars from the south of the Yangtze River will, with this weapon, at least increase our chances of victory by thirty percent.

Thank you, my lord. The craftsmen who unexpectedly received a windfall were overjoyed and hurriedly rushed to bow and express their gratitude to He Kang. However, He Kang waved his hand to stop them, saying: "There is no need to thank me; this is what you deserve. At the same time, I need you to do one more thing: upon returning to the camp, immediately focus all efforts on producing these pull-ring grenades, as many as possible." He Kang then turned to Liao Yingzhong and instructed: "Liao Yingzhong, you are directly responsible for the manpower and materials needed for grenade production. Provide whatever is necessary; do not think of cutting corners just because military expenses are high. Within three days, I must receive the first batch of finished products! At the same time, you must pay attention to confidentiality. Absolutely do not let the news of our production of these grenades leak out. If there is any slip-up, do not blame me for being ruthless."

"Damn it, it's not just you who is at risk of losing your life? I should die alongside you!" Thinking back to the narrow escape from death, He Kang's anger flared up, and he couldn't help but curse at Wu Long. The craftsmen nearby, who were making grenades, gasped in shock, "Heavens, so adding seven and a half pounds of saltpeter can have such great power?" "Just one pound of gunpowder has such great power; if it were the old gunpowder, it would take at least twenty pounds to achieve such power!" Moreover, some craftsmen took the opportunity to flatter, "As expected of the Minister, with just a little guidance, you have enabled us to create such excellent weapons; otherwise, even in three hundred years, we would not be able to produce anything this good." "Heavens, so adding seven and a half pounds of saltpeter can have such great power?" "Just one pound of gunpowder has such great power; if it were the old gunpowder, it would take at least twenty pounds to achieve such power!" Moreover, some craftsmen took the opportunity to flatter, "As expected of the Minister, with just a little guidance, you have enabled us to create such excellent weapons; otherwise, even in three hundred years, we would not be able to produce anything this good."

"Three hundred years is not enough; without the true essence, this kind of gunpowder will take at least another six hundred years to appear." He Kang's blunt truth was met with deep disdain from the crowd, yet despite their contempt, the generals of the Song army could not hide their excitement, eagerly exclaiming: "This is wonderful! With such a weapon, we will have a much easier time on the battlefield; this time, we will definitely make the Mongolian Tatars pay dearly." "Indeed, we must have the craftsmen produce more of these; with these grenades, we will surely be able to capture Huhuangzhou!"

"Stop the nonsense, hurry up and see the explosion effects." He Kang got up from the ground, not even bothering to brush off the dust on his face and body, and quickly rushed towards the woods, with others closely following. At this moment, the explosion site was already in complete disarray. Within a radius of ten meters from the explosion point, all the small trees were uprooted by the shockwave, and the larger trees, about the thickness of a bowl, were cracked and tilted. A pit with a diameter of over half a meter had also appeared on the ground, clearly demonstrating the power of the explosion. Seeing this scene, Wu Longqi's face turned ashen as he screamed, "Oh my God, thank goodness I threw the grenade in time, otherwise would I still be alive?"

"En Xiang, En Xiang, wake up, wake up." Just before dawn, He Kang was awakened by Liao Yingzhong, the aide and strategist of Jia Nongbao. With sleepy eyes, He Kang looked outside the tent and saw that it was still dark, and couldn't help but complain, "What happened? It’s not even dawn yet? Why did you wake me up so early..."

Damn it, although I, He Kang, only lived for twenty years in my previous life, I did not lack in doing good deeds such as building roads and bridges, providing tea houses and water, and helping beggars—though the roads I built were made from the blue bricks I pried off from other people's walls to fill the potholes in front of my own house. However, I did give a total of fifty cents to beggars twice, and that was real money! Having done so many good deeds, how did I suddenly end up in the Southern Song Dynasty? And why did I become Jia Sidao? During the long night, He Kang was unable to sleep, holding his head in bed and silently screaming in his heart, having done so many good deeds, how did I suddenly end up in the Southern Song Dynasty? And why did I become Jia Sidao? I know that time travel is not impossible, and I also know that there is still no conclusion on whether soul possession exists. But even if my soul has possessed someone, why did it have to be the notorious traitor Jia Sidao? Even if I have time-traveled, why couldn't I have traveled to a different dynasty? Why did I have to end up in the soon-to-be-destroyed Southern Song? I have heard that after the fall of the Song Dynasty, the Mongols classified the Han people of the Southern Song as fourth-class citizens, and that Southern Song men had to give their wives to the Mongol chieftains on the first night of marriage—I haven't even married yet, and my wife's first time... I know that time travel is not impossible, and I also know that there is still no conclusion on whether soul possession exists. But even if my soul has possessed someone, why did it have to be the notorious traitor Jia Sidao? Even if I have time-traveled, why couldn't I have traveled to a different dynasty? Why did I have to end up in the soon-to-be-destroyed Southern Song? I have heard that after the fall of the Song Dynasty, the Mongols classified the Han people of the Southern Song as fourth-class citizens, and that Southern Song men had to give their wives to the Mongol chieftains on the first night of marriage—I haven't even married yet, and my wife's first time... Damn it! For the sake of my future wife, I will do whatever it takes; I cannot let the Southern Song be destroyed by the Mongols! Fortunately, I still have a chance... For the sake of my future wife, I will do whatever it takes; I cannot let the Southern Song be destroyed by the Mongols! Fortunately, I still have a chance...

"There are people over there, protect the Chancellor!" He Kang, along with the personal guards of those merchants, also noticed shadows moving in the woods. They hurriedly rushed over to surround and protect He Kang, while simultaneously sending a team to pursue the shadowy figure. Ling Zhen and Wu Longqi also charged forward. The hidden figure, realizing he had been exposed, had no choice but to step out and call out: "Esteemed Chancellor, esteemed generals, do not misunderstand, I am Yuan Jie."

Boom! Before Wu Longqi's words could finish, the fuse of the grenade that had fallen into the woods had already burned out, resulting in a violent explosion. The tremendous sound of the explosion left everyone, except He Kang who covered his ears, with ringing eardrums. The shockwave sent branches and leaves flying in the woods, and many dry leaves fell onto Han Zhen, Wu Longqi, and others' heads, leaving everyone present stunned and speechless. After a while, they all exclaimed in unison, "My goodness! This is simply thunder!" The shockwave also sent branches and leaves flying in the woods, and many dry leaves fell onto Han Zhen, Wu Longqi, and others' heads, leaving everyone present stunned and speechless. After a while, they all exclaimed in unison, "My goodness! This is simply thunder!"

A group of people set out from the camp and walked east for over 10 miles. Along the way, a small grove appeared. He Kang, who had little awareness of environmental protection, decided to use the trees in this grove as experimental subjects. He handed a pull-ring grenade to Wu Longqi and said: "Wu Longqi, don't you doubt the power of this weapon? As a person of integrity, I am giving you a chance to witness it. Pull out the ring and throw it into the grove. Do you dare to do it?"

"Don't argue for now, let's try this type of grenade again," He Kang said, showing more interest in the improved fragmentation grenade developed by the seven-fingered craftsman. He ordered Wu Longqi to throw the grenade into another densely wooded area. This time, Wu Longqi had learned his lesson; after pulling the fuse, he immediately threw it out. There was another loud explosion. When He Kang rushed over to check the results, he found that the grenade indeed produced a large number of fragments, flying nearly twenty meters away, all deeply embedded in the tree trunks. Some fragments even pierced through the trunks, and the effectiveness far exceeded He Kang's expectations. Wu Longqi had learned his lesson this time; after pulling the fuse, he immediately threw it out. There was another loud explosion. When He Kang rushed over to check the results, he found that the grenade indeed produced a large number of fragments, flying nearly twenty meters away, all deeply embedded in the tree trunks. Some fragments even pierced through the trunks, and the effectiveness far exceeded He Kang's expectations.

"Sir, you jest. I am not afraid of death, so why would I fear this so-called grenade?" Wu Longqi said nonchalantly as he took the grenade. Following He Kang's instructions, he pulled the pin, and a faint wisp of blue smoke immediately emerged from the grenade, startling Wu Longqi. Holding the grenade and examining it, he exclaimed, "Why is this grenade emitting smoke?"

"Young man, you are truly a genius!" He Kang exclaimed, embracing the young craftsman with great excitement, and said with deep emotion: "It was that great person who said, the wisdom of the working people is boundless, and this statement is absolutely correct.

"My lord, over here." The oldest craftsman presented a large plate, which held ten primitive grenades with iron heads and wooden handles. Some had exposed fuses that could be ignited, while others were the improved pull-ring grenades made by the young seven-fingered craftsman. He Kang casually picked one up to examine it and found that these grenades all had iron heads and wooden handles, weighing less than two pounds, making them easy to grasp and throw. It was truly remarkable that these craftsmen could produce such well-made grenades on their first attempt, leaving He Kang in admiration. Meanwhile, Han Zhen, Ling Zhen, and Wu Longqi, among others, looked on in confusion and collectively asked, "My lord, what is this?"

We shall strictly adhere to the command of the Chancellor! Even those craftsmen who are not soldiers stood up straight and responded in unison to He Kang. He Kang nodded and said, The time is getting late, we will return to the camp immediately and prepare for our respective tasks with full effort

"Is this thing really that powerful?" Han Zhen and Wu Longqi, along with others, expressed skepticism about these dark objects, unwilling to believe that they possessed such great power. However, He Kang made a new discovery among the grenades—one of the grenades had an iron tube at the top that was not solid but had numerous cracks, resembling scales. He Kang picked up the grenade and exclaimed, "Who made this? Why is the surface of the iron tube treated this way?" He Kang made a new discovery among the grenades—one of the grenades had an iron tube at the top that was not solid but had numerous cracks, resembling scales. He Kang picked up the grenade and exclaimed, "Who made this? Why is the surface of the iron tube treated this way?"

In his mind, He Kang pondered as he unknowingly dozed off, spending his second night in the Southern Song in deep slumber. Yet even in his dreams, He Kang continued to murmur, "For my wife, for my dream concubine... third concubine... I must not let the Southern Song be destroyed by the Mongols... I can definitely do it... Isn't it just Kublai Khan..."

"Your Excellency, it was you who instructed us to wake you. You repeatedly emphasized that as soon as the new weapon was produced, even if you were in bed with a woman, we must wake you immediately." Liao Yingzhong sighed and replied. Before Liao Yingzhong finished speaking, He Kang had already sat up abruptly, fully awake and excitedly asked, "The new weapon is ready? So soon?" Liao Yingzhong shrugged and said, "Your Excellency promised a reward of three thousand taels of silver; those craftsmen would never earn that much in their lifetime, so they naturally worked overtime to rush the production." Liao Yingzhong's words were not yet finished when He Kang had already sat up, fully awake and excitedly asked, "The new weapon is ready? So soon?" Liao Yingzhong shrugged and said, "Your Excellency promised a reward of three thousand taels of silver; those craftsmen would never earn that much in their lifetime, so they naturally worked overtime to rush the production."

"Great! Quickly call Han Zhen and Chen Yizhong, as well as Ling Zhen and Wu Longqi, and ask them to put on some makeup and come along. I need to personally go to the workshop to check the experimental results." He Kang leaped out of bed, bare-bottomed, and rushed out of the tent. Liao Yingzhong was both amused and exasperated, quickly grabbing Jia Sidao's clothes, "Your Excellency, your clothes! Your clothes! You haven't put on your clothes yet!"

If one were to insist on identifying any merits of the despicable Jia Sidao, aside from his willingness to employ and utilize young talents, it would be that Jia Sidao maintained a degree of self-discipline in his conduct during military campaigns. As the legitimate master of the renowned imperial harem's "Half Leisure Hall," Jia Sidao surprisingly did not bring a single woman to attend to his daily needs in the army, which could be seen as somewhat befitting of a military commander. This also resulted in He Kang being unable to exploit his power to harm innocent maidservants and attendants, which can be considered a significant act of hidden virtue accumulated by Jia Sidao. Despite his disappointment, He Kang was able to calmly reflect on his past and future.

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison, but only the more observant Ling Zhen suddenly turned his gaze towards the woods on the right side of He Kang, shouting loudly: "Who goes there?"

"Do not ask, you will know when you arrive," He Kang waved his hand and led several people to quickly bring a guard to the rear camp workshop. Upon arriving at the workshop, the twenty craftsmen from yesterday were already waiting at the door, eager to see He Kang. They were about to kneel and pay their respects when He Kang impatiently shouted, "No need for formalities, where are the new weapons? Quickly bring them for me to see!"

Han Zhen, when you displayed the dummies yesterday, make sure to remember those grassroots officers and soldiers. Gather them together and select five hundred elite soldiers specifically for practicing grenade throwing. " He Kang further commanded Han Zhen, "As for the practice grenades, have the carpenters in the army make them, ensuring that their weight is the same as that of real grenades. " After a moment of thought, He Kang added, "The practice grenades should also be fitted with safety pins, so that the soldiers develop the habit of pulling the pin before throwing the grenade.

"Fool! Throw it out! Hurry!" He Kang screamed with a flair reminiscent of a pompous fool, suddenly dropping to the ground like a dog eating excrement in front of Wu Longqi. Wu Longqi was momentarily taken aback before he reacted, stepping forward two paces and throwing the grenade with all his might. Wu Longqi had immense arm strength, and the grenade, weighing less than two pounds, was easily thrown over fifty meters, landing in the dense woods. However, perhaps due to the fuse being left long enough, the grenade did not explode immediately upon landing in the woods, leaving Wu Longqi and the others baffled. "En Xiang, didn't you say this thing would explode? Why..." Wu Longqi was momentarily taken aback before he reacted, stepping forward two paces and throwing the grenade with all his might. Wu Longqi had immense arm strength, and the grenade, weighing less than two pounds, was easily thrown over fifty meters, landing in the dense woods. However, perhaps due to the fuse being left long enough, the grenade did not explode immediately upon landing in the woods, leaving Wu Longqi and the others baffled. "En Xiang, didn't you say this thing would explode? Why..."

After watching the scene, He Kang, who was smiling so broadly that he could hardly close his mouth, turned to the twenty craftsmen and said: "You have all done very well. A reward of three thousand taels of silver will be distributed to you as soon as you return to the barracks!" He Kang then pointed at the craftsman with seven fingers and said: "And you, your two improvements are extremely important. I have decided to reward you an additional five hundred... no, I will reward you an additional one thousand taels of silver!" Although He Kang's rewards were quite substantial, there was no opposition among the Song army leaders this time, as all the leaders felt that such weapons were crucial for the Song army, which lacked horses, and had already shown a glimmer of hope in countering the Mongolian cavalry.