The storage conditions for gunpowder were harsh; a slight mistake could lead to its destruction, or worse, become a great calamity.
Before mass-producing gunpowder, the storage area had to be prepared.
"So troublesome..." Gu Beichen's tone was tinged with disappointment. He had hoped to mass-produce some and store it.
Now that the gunpowder was developed, the storage became an issue.
"It's not entirely without a solution. This mountain can actually be used for storing gunpowder."
When Feng Jin first arrived, she had taken a liking to this mountain. It was desolate within a hundred-mile radius, elevated, and its thick rock walls could completely block sunlight. As long as waterproofing was done well, it could be used for gunpowder storage.
Gu Beichen followed Feng Jin's gaze towards the mountain. The terrain was indeed good, but the mountain was solid all the way through. There was no way to magically create a cave, and no place to store anything.
"Are you kidding me? This mountain is solid, not even a cave, and you're telling me where to put so much gunpowder?"
"Blast a hole in it," Ling Mohan said in a deep voice.
His nonchalant remark left Gu Beichen speechless. To blast a hole into the mountain to store thousands of tons of gunpowder, how large would that hole need to be?
Not to mention the labor and resources required, time alone was a problem. Furthermore, over time, it would arouse the suspicion of the common people.
If news of the gunpowder leaked out, wouldn't the gains outweigh the losses?
"You say it so simply. Do you think it's as easy as digging a hole in the ground? This is a mountain, do you know how hard those rocks are?"
"No matter how hard the stone is, can it be harder than gunpowder?"
Feng Jin's words immediately enlightened Gu Beichen, and he suddenly realized, "You mean using explosives to blast it open."
"Finally, you've seen the light. It's not too late to salvage the situation," Feng Jin said helplessly. The gap between people was truly vast.
Take Ling Mohan, for example, who could deduce it on his own. On the other hand, Gu Beichen needed someone to explain it clearly before understanding the meaning.
This issue of intelligence was something that couldn't be compensated for later in life.
"Lu Shi, select a squad from the Ling family army and use explosives to blast a hole in the mountain. The surrounding hundred miles are to be under strict martial law. Not even a bird is allowed to fly in."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Gu Beichen leaned towards Ling Mohan and whispered, "Do you need to report this matter to His Majesty in advance?"
The research and development of so much explosives, and even the raw materials, were not a small matter. It was still necessary to report to His Majesty. With his permission, things would be more convenient.
"I will go into the palace now to report to His Majesty. Let's return to the manor first."
Ling Mohan took Feng Jin's hand and walked out, getting directly into the carriage.
Gu Beichen was so focused on collecting the fragments after the gunpowder explosion that by the time he reacted, the carriage had already started moving.
"Hey... you guys stop! This young lord hasn't gotten on the carriage yet... Stop!"
Gu Beichen chased after the carriage, shouting continuously.
Inside the carriage, Feng Jin seemed to faintly hear a sound. She turned to ask Ling Mohan, who was pretending to be dozing, "Did you hear anything just now?"
Ling Mohan shook his head. "No."
He pulled Feng Jin into his embrace. "Don't overthink it. Get some rest."
Feng Jin put aside her doubts and snuggled into the man's arms, closing her eyes to rest.
After the carriage arrived at the Ling manor, Feng Jin slowly opened her eyes and alighted from the carriage, leaning on Ling Mohan's hand.
Her gaze swept across the surroundings, but she didn't see Gu Beichen's detestable figure. Feng Jin then realized someone was missing.
"Where is Gu Beichen? Why didn't he come back with us?"
Ling Mohan's expression tightened. He scanned everyone present, and indeed, Gu Beichen was nowhere to be seen.
"Lu Shi, did you count the numbers when we arrived? Where is Young Master Gu?"
They couldn't possibly lose Gu Beichen after going out.
"This General, please forgive me. I didn't count the numbers." Lu Shi panicked. How could a living person just disappear? He remembered Gu Beichen following them. Where did he go now?
"Go find him!" Ling Mohan's low voice commanded, exuding an invisible pressure.
"Yes!"
After Lu Shi acknowledged, he turned to search when a disheveled white figure stumbled into everyone's sight.
Gu Beichen walked unsteadily, finally losing strength and slumping to the ground. "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and help this young lord over."
He had run all the way on his own legs, and his legs were about to break. These people were so unobservant, just watching him sit on the ground without anyone offering to help.
Lu Shi quickly led his men forward to help Gu Beichen up and walked over.
"Where did you go?" Feng Jin asked doubtfully. Where had he gone to end up like this?
This question of concern directly angered Gu Beichen. He pointed at the group and shouted angrily, "How dare you ask me? None of you called out for me when you left. Even then, I was shouting behind the carriage, and you didn't hear me? What are you guys stuffing in your ears..."
Feng Jin vaguely remembered hearing a familiar shouting voice when she arrived. Now that Gu Beichen mentioned it, her doubts were finally cleared.
Finally, she looked at Ling Mohan beside her, stood on her tiptoes, and whispered in his ear, "I told you that voice sounded familiar. It really was him. And you insisted I was overthinking."
Ling Mohan coughed lightly, concealing the embarrassment on his face. "Since you're back, it's fine."
"What do you mean fine? I went out with you, and you forgot about me when you returned, ignoring me completely. How can you say it's fine..."
"Lu Shi, escort Young Master Gu to his room."
Ling Mohan directly interrupted Gu Beichen's incessant chatter. The next moment, Lu Shi and the others lifted Gu Beichen and carried him into the manor.
"Put me down! I want to have a good talk with him..."
Gu Beichen's angry shouts grew fainter.
Feng Jin shook her head and sighed, "I told you long ago, but you wouldn't believe me."
"Alright, don't tell Gu Beichen about this."
Given Gu Beichen's temperament, if he found out about this, he would insist on arguing the matter thoroughly. Ling Mohan didn't have time to waste with him and wanted some peace.
Feng Jin nodded in agreement. "Eat something first, then you can go to the palace."
"Young Madam, Young General, you're finally back."
Cai Qing, who was guarding the entrance, saw the two figures and rushed to meet them anxiously.
"What's the matter? You seem flustered."
Cai Qing calmed herself and said hurriedly, "Young Madam, not long after you left, someone arrived from the palace, saying the Empress summoned the Young Madam to the palace."
The Empress... What good could the Empress want with her?