"My lord, this explosive is so powerful, is there still a problem?"
Zhang Liao frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled. With such terrifying power, explosives were practically invincible; how could there be a flaw?
Lin Yi was fully aware of his thoughts, but explosives were not invincible.
He smiled wryly and said, "While explosives are powerful, they're not All Under Heaven. To blast away enough rocks, you'd have to dig tunnels in the mountain. Are you confident you can dig tunnels without anyone noticing?"
This is the biggest limitation of explosives; they are not invincible.
Without a suitable hole, even if it explodes, it will only scrape off a layer of rock at most. If the hole is not in the right location, or the soil is too thick, it will only create a crater.
Moreover, this is only a basic explosive formula, and its power has not yet reached its maximum level. It would be quite difficult to blow up the Ziwu Road.
"Ah, is that how it's said?" Zhang Liao was somewhat disappointed; it turned out that way.
Zhou Cang nodded and said with a wry smile, "Our lord actually knows about the problem with this explosive. This explosive does indeed need to be drilled to unleash its maximum power; otherwise, it cannot be used to open up the mountain. If the soil is too thick, it will be a dud, and mud will be everywhere."
Forehead!
Everyone frowned; this meant they would have to dig a hole.
"This method is unacceptable!" Jia Xu shook his head and said in a deep voice.
Why?
"If Tuoba Yu wanted to attack our Xiliang, how could he be completely unprepared? He probably already sent people to infiltrate. The Ziwu Road is a vital thoroughfare and has long been among their key defensive positions. I'm afraid they discovered our movements as soon as they made them."
Jia Xu's words made everyone suddenly realize the problem.
As a seasoned veteran of the battlefield, how could Tuoba Yu be completely without experience? Since he had decided to go to war, he would inevitably gather intelligence beforehand.
Trying to cause trouble right under their noses is a bit presumptuous; you can't treat others like fools.
Zhang Liao also realized what was happening and couldn't help but start thinking.
It would be such a waste if such a powerful weapon couldn't be put to good use.
etc!
Then a problem occurred to him: the situation on Great Yu Mountain would be discovered. If he planted explosives on his side, it wouldn't be so easy to detect.
It seems I need to study this thing carefully with Zhou Cang; it will be very useful later.
Thinking of this, he said in a deep voice, "My lord, I want to study explosives here. I've already made arrangements in Dayu County; I'll have someone keep an eye on things."
As long as the main roads leading into Dayu County are filled with explosives, Tuoba Yu will surely be caught off guard.
Researching explosives?
Lin Yi's lips twitched. This guy was a bit outrageous. A general was actually researching explosives. Was he trying to create massive firepower?
Although he trusted Zhang Liao, this matter was of great importance and he could not allow Zhang Liao to act recklessly.
He said in a deep voice, "I'm only giving you three days. After three days, you must be stationed in Dayu County. Tuoba Yu could come at any time, and you must stop him to avoid needing Ma Chao to come to your rescue!"
Tuoba Yu's 100,000-strong army posed no threat to him, but if Dayu County were breached, the 100,000 Xiliang Iron Cavalry would be forced to return to reinforce, disrupting his plans, which was unacceptable to him.
"Rest assured, my lord!"
Zhang Liao nodded firmly and said in a deep voice, "I will definitely not let you down. Pu Yuan previously forged three thousand heavy armors for me, forming a super army. Tuoba Yu will not gain any advantage on Great Yu Mountain!"
Three thousand heavily armored soldiers?
Upon hearing this, Lin Yi's eyes lit up.
Zhang Liao used to work with Gao Shun, so could what he created be Gao Shun's Formation-Breaking Camp? If so, that would be a pleasant surprise.
The Formation-Breaking Camp is also a heavily armored unit with powerful offensive capabilities.
If Zhang Liao were to create it, its fighting power would be extraordinary, and Tuoba Yu's troops might not be able to withstand it.
However, he only selected 3,000 out of the 30,000 men he was given. It seems that his requirements were a bit too high.
Thinking of this, Lin Yi agreed to his request and said with a smile, "You should study it carefully. However, you also need to train your three thousand heavy armored soldiers well. I will personally come to see them when the time comes."
If it truly is the renowned Formation-Breaking Camp, famous throughout the Three Kingdoms period, then its splendor is not to be missed.
"Thank you, my lord!" Zhang Liao's eyes lit up, and he quickly agreed.
Ma Chao, standing to the side, couldn't help but have an idea as well, and laughed, "This explosive is fine for clearing obstacles and intimidating enemies, but it's rather inconvenient for combat. Unless it can be detonated more easily, such as by putting it in something and throwing it out to injure the enemy, it's simply not suitable."
Forehead?
Hearing his words, Lin Yi couldn't help but laugh and cry. This guy really was a genius, having actually invented the explosive charge.
That's something worth looking into. It could be used in conjunction with catapults to deliver a devastating blow to the enemy – that would be incredibly effective.
He nodded and smiled, "Leave this matter to Pu Yuan. Also, tell him to be careful about the power of the weapon; don't let him do it himself. If there's any danger, he can go to Xiliang Commandery to retrieve death row inmates and let them redeem themselves through meritorious service!"
Since death row inmates are going to die anyway, they might as well do something for Xiliang Commandery.
If Pu Yuan were killed in the explosion, it would be a huge loss.
Zhou Cang noted these down and whispered, "My lord, Pu Yuan is quite busy right now, and he's also in charge of the steel mill. We need more talent."
Hearing his words, Lin Yi couldn't help but nod slightly; that was indeed a problem.
He said in a deep voice, " Pu Yuan is here now, let's go check on him. He's the spearhead of Xiliang, if something happens to him, it will be a huge loss."
"Yes!"
Zhou Cang nodded and quickly led everyone into the house next door.
This is a house built of cement, a single-story building, a temporary structure erected for gunpowder research; the interior space is much larger than it appears.
After passing through several layers of guards, the group finally saw Pu Yuan and were utterly dumbfounded.
The man before him Pu Yuan, had a dark, grimy face and his hair was a mess, showing none of the airs of a high-ranking official in Xiliang Commandery. Instead, he looked more like a madman. Judging from the situation, he was adjusting the proportions of the explosives, constantly weighing them on a scale in his hand.
So focused was he that he didn't even notice anyone coming in.
It wasn't until a guard went over to remind him that he noticed Lin Yi, and he was shocked and hurriedly came up.
"My lord, please forgive me. I didn't see you just Pu Yuan; it was truly rude of me." He knelt on the ground, looking ashamed.
He held his lord in the highest esteem.
Without his lord, he would still be just a humble blacksmith. It was his lord who gave him a platform to showcase his talents and bestowed upon him unparalleled respect, which was an immense favor.