The essence of humanity is...

"..."

"..."

Looking at the green-skinned creature scratching its rear end and grinning strangely, Kang De fell silent.

... Actually, there's nothing wrong with that.

Before scientific advancements and the discovery of more efficient chemical synthesis methods, for hundreds of years, gunpowder made by humans had a rather unpleasant taste—the components of gunpowder were sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter. The first two were basically everywhere and easy to mine and manufacture, but natural saltpeter was extremely rare and could only be extracted artificially... The taste lay in the word "artificial."

China has a lot of saline-alkali land and relatively abundant saltpeter mines. In addition, the traditional method of scraping soil to extract saltpeter made the taste not too strong. However, Europe at that time did not have many options and could only use their ingenuity in toilets. They did this for hundreds of years, which led to many moving stories.

For example, in order to ensure the supply of saltpeter, United Kingdom even enacted a law that nationalized toilets and prohibited private defecation. Later, the method of making saltpeter by piling up excrement was discovered, and it became unstoppable. This trend spread throughout the world and had a far-reaching impact. Working people all over the world know that gunpowder is made by boiling excrement. Even during the United States Civil War, bat guano was used to make gunpowder.

And Oda Nobunaga's trade war, which cut off the daimyo's supply of saltpeter, Hongan-ji to produce saltpeter by piling up excrement and soaking urine, thus putting up a ten-year standoff with Nobunaga. It's also a rather pungent piece of history.

And so on.

In an era before science flourished, humanity's hymn was a hymn to courage. What is courage? It is the spirit of hardworking people who, without even wearing masks, scraped it bit by bit from the walls of toilets, stables, and pigsties; it is the spirit of courage that was slowly forged in a large pot.

Therefore, we can draw two conclusions.

First, toilets were a symbol of fighting power. At that time, a country with millions of toilets was undoubtedly a world power, a guarantee of firepower, a manifestation of national strength, and a symbol of power.

Secondly, the source of human power comes from exploding excrement.

So when Kang De saw the green-skinned, smelly hint, he thought about it and found it surprisingly reasonable.

Damn, that's actually pretty scientific.

But still... my feelings are rather complicated.

Kang De glanced subconsciously at Hong San, who was staring intently at a small pinch of gunpowder in his hand, deep in thought. He was clearly baffled by its composition. After smelling it, he frowned, seemingly familiar with the aroma but unable to pinpoint its source. Out of human nature, and in keeping with the virtues of sages who tasted herbs and practiced what they preached, he licked his lips, and then...

"... Hello!"

Kang De, being a kind-hearted man, could not bear to watch such a tragedy unfold, and immediately shouted to stop it.

Hong San was startled, then looked at Kang De and smiled, "Master, don't worry, there's no poison in this world that can be fatal just by touching it. I'll just taste it and spit it out. My sect's martial arts can also resist rare poisons..."

Kang De silently replied, "Made of shit."

These three words weighed a ton, like a heavy hammer striking Hong San. The Cathayan stared blankly, stiffly turning his head to look at the Greenskins. The Greenskins, who had been holding back their laughter, could no longer contain themselves and burst into wild, earth-shattering laughter. Hong San's face turned green instantly, and he ran to the wall and vomited.

... What a terrible thing to do.

Kang De sighed, then beckoned to his Iron Son: "You come and compare the power of gunpowder... First, reload a bullet with this gunpowder and fire a shot."

As a mechanical life form, the Autobots, though possessing a sense of shame inherited from Kang De, wasn't particularly concerned about excrement. He picked up some simple gunpowder made of green leather, crushed it with his hand, examined it for a moment, and said, "Crude workmanship. In my experience, the general rule for pyrotechnic mixtures is that the finer the powder, the faster it burns and the greater the power... This is just crudely processed."

It said to Kang De, "Father, please don't have too high expectations. I think this is just a primitive black powder-like substance used as propellant for fixed-load bullets. Although it can detonate, its power will definitely be weak, and the gases generated by combustion cannot complete the ejection process, which will cause jamming."

The father and son were speaking in Chinese, which was like gibberish to the orcs, but the greenskins had the instincts of wild beasts. The gunsmith shouted, "Little Mek, are you looking down on my precious darling?"

Iron Son glanced at it, took out a bullet, separated it, poured out the gunpowder, added an equal amount of green gunpowder, reloaded it from the reloading platform inside his body, then raised a gun in each hand and fired into the sky. Two shots rang out, flashes of light, and bullets flew.

After the Autobots fired the gun for comparison, it was clearly taken aback. It hesitated for a moment, seemingly sensing the condition of the weapon, which was part of its body.

Then it glanced at Hong San, who had retreated to a distance, and lowered its voice, saying, "The firing power of this gunpowder is almost the same as the original, and the gas produced by combustion is enough to complete the ejection action."

However, it's not without its drawbacks. First, combustion produces smoke and leaves considerable residue, which is extremely dangerous for automatic weapons. Second, it's fraught with uncertainty, such as increased recoil, decreased accuracy, projectile deformation, and even excessively high explosive power, posing a risk of barrel explosion...

Kang De was taken aback. "You mean, this thing is similar to modern gunpowder?"

The ammunition that Iron Son came with was almost used up, and replenishment relied entirely on the disassembly and reassembly of.22 bullets in the shooting range—a feeling reminiscent of Fallout New Vegas.

The club's long-range sports projectiles are for competition, with relatively lower power, and even the propellant formula seems different, but they are still modern industrial products with scientific proportions and good manufacturing processes. How come...

"That statement isn't very accurate, Father. I've heard you tell stories of wars on Earth, from World War II to the present day. In terms of firearms and ammunition, their lethality has actually decreased. It's not because they can't be more powerful, but because it's unnecessary. After all, individual weapons aim for a balance and suitability in all aspects."

The Autobots made several more 9mm green-skinned standard-load rounds and handed them to Kang De.

"It can only be said that the unit efficiency of Green-skinned gunpowder seems to be relatively high, but it doesn't mean that Green-skinned gunpowder is stronger. Handicraft can never compare to industry. Humans can do better. Furthermore, the most important performance of a weapon is stability and reliability, and in this respect, Green-skinned gunpowder completely fails to meet the standards."

Kang De squinted, clipped a green-skinned fixed round into the magazine, chambered it, raised his arm, and fired into the air—to avoid the danger of a barrel explosion, he even used the Toughness enchantment and double the firing speed.

A soft click was heard, but there was no response.

--Stink bomb?

Kang De ejected the bullet, and on a sudden impulse, he forcibly twisted it open. He saw that the gunpowder had become as loose as sand, completely deformed.

Upon seeing this, the green-skinned creature shouted, "It killed itself too; it doesn't deserve it!"

Kang De asked in bewilderment, "The things that the green-skinned people make explode the moment they touch me, but they don't explode even though they're unusable in Hong San's hands. So why can you use them?"

Iron Son also looked puzzled.

"Because Little Mek is just Little Mek, just like me!" Kan Fantian shouted.

The Autobots glared at the green-skinned ones. Kang De thought for a moment and, although it was a bit of a pity, it wasn't bad news.

"It's good that you can use it."

He said optimistically, "Valentan still has tough battles ahead, but at least we have more strength."

The Autobots pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's true, it's better than nothing... So, Father, what are your thoughts? I'm afraid I have to tell you, although this gunpowder is powerful enough, it produces a lot of black smoke and debris when burned, and there are many unpredictable dangers. It can't be used to make bullets for fully automatic weapons, so your idea of setting up heavy machine guns on the city walls won't work."

Kang De nodded.

Iron Son is a firearms expert because its guns are part of its body, and it can sense all changes. If it says it can't make bullets for automatic weapons, then it definitely can't.

As for letting these orcs figure out their own green- Mark... forget it. Not only is it dangerous, but it's also taking too big a step. Besides, production capacity simply can't keep up.

He gave a mysterious smile and said softly, "There's an even better way."

The Autobots glanced at the Orks huddled in a circle studying the bang-bang and said, "Although they can't use fully automatic weapons, they can use high-powered single-shot primitive firearms... Father, are you going to organize them into a musket squad? Although their accuracy is lacking, their power is considerable. If used in concentrated force, perhaps..."

That's all for now.

Because when the Iron Son looked down, he saw the smile on his old father's face.

The massive, imposing, and powerful Autobots shuddered involuntarily, its parts trembling.

This is fear etched into one's very instincts.

It is a fear that almost every China child has faced.

The fear of homework that I can never finish...

Kang De chuckled and said, "What are you saying, child? What arquebusiers? Are you suggesting we send them to the battlefield? They're so huge, the battlements won't provide cover, wouldn't they be easy targets for the elves?"

"How dangerous! Besides, they have nothing to do with this war. If I send them to the battlefield, wouldn't I become like Nick? How could someone as righteous and kind as me do such a cruel thing? How could someone who is determined to end the war drag innocent lives into it?"

At this point, Kang De's face radiated a humanitarian glow, as if he were about to become a saint.

The Autobots, on the other hand, were unable to utter a single word.

Kang De's performance continued.

He said with great emotion, "Besides, they are your friends, and they came for me, braving the elven army's lines. It wasn't easy for them. They've done enough. How can I let them go to the battlefield? I should be the one protecting them!"

He said earnestly, "I not only want to protect them and keep them here, but I also want to provide them with good food and drink, 24 hours a day, so they can eat to their heart's content, eat freely, and eat continuously! If these simple creatures insist on doing something for me, then they can do some small handicrafts, and that will be enough!"

Iron Son didn't know what to say, he just glanced at the group of orcs with a hint of pity.

Kang De's smile was flawless, brimming with morality and conscience.

He said gently, "Son, do you remember what I told you? Blood and sweat... I meant Happy Factory, and here we are, aren't we? I heard there are many, many green-skinned workers, and they've been living a hard life. That's not good. Thinking about it this way, don't you immediately feel a sense of mission in this era?"

--The Autobots' electronic eyes are starting to flip upwards.

Kang De, hands behind his back, walked towards the orcs. The orcs quickly noticed the Big Mek's approach and turned to look at him. Kang De waved his hand and said, "What are you all standing here for? Are you all full? Go on, go on, eat your fill, and after you're done eating, poop hard, and then eat some more. Don't be shy!"

He pulled the gunsmith aside and asked, "That gunpowder..."

The green-skinned man simply pulled the bag off his waist and handed it to Kang De like a precious treasure.

Kang De instinctively took a step back and quickly waved his hand, saying, "I don't need it, I don't need it. I just wanted to ask, how long does it take you to make one bag of this?"

Greenie scratched his head. "How long? I don't know, but it's not difficult. I'll think about it, knead it with water, bake it, and then mix it... It's not difficult, as long as there's enough poop."

Kang De nodded, then, remembering something, asked, "You... you won't die from taking a dump, will you?"

The green-skinned man was taken aback, then exclaimed in surprise, "There's such a fun way to die?"

"..."

That means it won't happen.

Kang De patted Greenie's arm and said, "Okay, so next, you guys eat well, poop well, and then make lots and lots of gunpowder. I'll give you lots of fun things, and I'll show you some really, really exciting explosions, okay?"

Upon hearing this, the gunsmith's face lit up, and he exclaimed, "Great! Great!"

... I don't know how much it will produce, or whether other organisms'... things will work.

Let's leave it like this for now and see how it goes.

He still prefers the Greenskinned Arquebusiers to the Greenskinned Heartless Artillerymen.

The CCP's technology is awe-inspiring.

Speaking of which, the thinking of the Chinese people can be quite interesting at times. For example, during the landmine warfare, our compatriots invented a type of landmine called "Papa Mine". Because the gunpowder technology was not up to par, the killing power of stone mines was limited, so they buried the landmines in human and animal excrement. After they exploded, although they could only injure the Japan soldiers, the excrement would stick to the wounds. In that era when antibiotics were scarce, this meant that serious infection was inevitable. The Japanese soldiers basically died from being wounded, and even a slight graze would kill them.

The combined effects of explosive and poison damage—are you scared yet?

Reflecting on this past event, Kang De pondered whether he should draw upon the wisdom of his predecessors and give these elven invaders a great surprise... After all, when dealing with evildoers, one should use every available means, without regard for chivalry or honor, right?

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PS1: So, you guys always say I play with shit, but you haven't read enough. The essence of humanity is playing with shit. Otherwise, can you explain the combination of a pile of dung, gold juice, tetanus arrow, and poop grenade?