During the Zhenguan period, although the Tang Dynasty had first seen its prosperity, there were still many enemies around, and there were many lands that needed to be conquered by the Tang soldiers.
At this time, although Li Shimin had not seen what firecrackers were with his own eyes, Li Jing's narration alone had already made Li Shimin angry.
If there is such a sharp weapon, then we can just crush them by playing some balancing act with Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, and Japan.
How could Li Shimin not be excited?
Duke Wei's Mansion.
Li Beidou and others all went out to greet him, only to see Li Shimin wearing a black robe standing outside the door looking at him with a smile.
There were only a dozen followers around Li Shimin, but no one would think that these were the only ones when the emperor was out. Maybe there were a few old men lying on the roof of Duke Wei's mansion.
Li Beidou quickly bowed and saluted: "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."
Li Shimin smiled heartily, "Beidou, don't talk nonsense, take me to see the firecrackers."
As he said this, Li Shimin raised his legs and entered the gate of the Duke's Mansion. He was familiar with the roads and yet impatient, like a benefactor who had finally broken his abstinence and visited a brothel after a long period of abstinence.
Li Jing and Li Beidou hurriedly followed.
Arriving at Li Beidou's own yard, more than a dozen imperial guards protected Li Shimin in the middle, watching Li Beidou tinkering with firecrackers not far away.
Although the situation was explained in advance, the guards were still nervous for fear of hurting the emperor.
Li Shimin impatiently pulled away the guard blocking the front and looked at Li Beidou curiously.
Li Jing was a little worried when he saw his good grandson busy at work, but he was quickly attracted by his actions.
I saw Li Beidou lighting the fuse with smooth movements, then turned around and started running wildly.
Then there was a loud bang. Although everyone was mentally prepared, they were still frightened and turned pale.
Li Jing looked arrogant, stroking his white beard.
Li Shimin was shocked to the point of ringing in his ears, "This... this is simply a bolt from the blue. Why can such a small object make such an astonishing loud noise?"
Li Beidou walked up to Li Shimin and whispered: "Because there is gunpowder in it."
"What is gunpowder?"
Li Beidou looked around and hesitated to speak.
Li Shimin understood and waved the crowd to disperse. Seeing that Li Jing was about to turn around and leave, Li Shimin said, "No need, my lord, I trust the cornerstone of the Tang Dynasty."
Li Jing made an expression of being flattered and grateful, but he didn't know whether it was true or not.
Li Beidou also bowed deeply to Li Shimin to express his gratitude, and then whispered: "Gunpowder is made of sulfur, saltpeter, charcoal and other substances. If the amount of medicine is large enough, it can destroy the world." It’s an exaggeration.”
Li Shimin was shocked, "It's so powerful? How did you discover this thing?"
The corner of Li Beidou's mouth twitched, he thought for a moment and said, "I got it by chance with my wonderful hands."
Li Shimin stared at him deeply for a long time, smiled, waved his hand, changed the subject and said, "Go and see the power of those firecrackers."
Li Shimin squatted down and stared at the small pit that had been blasted by the firecrackers. He saw that there was still smoke coming out of the pit.
Li Shimin fanned himself with his hand, and then measured the diameter of the small pit with his palm.
"Beidou, I saw that the firecracker was only about the size of a finger, but it left a palm-sized hole in the place after exploding. If I could make a bigger firecracker, wouldn't it..."
Li Beidou said in a low voice: "My army, the King of the Tang Dynasty, will be able to capture the city in a moment."
Li Shimin's eyelids twitched, "Is it really that powerful?"
"If Your Majesty is not in a hurry, I can make a bigger firecracker now and show it to Your Majesty."
Li Shimin smiled happily and said: "I'm not in a hurry, hurry up and do Beidou and show it to me."
…
Making bigger firecrackers is nothing more than getting a bigger container and holding more gunpowder.
Li Beidou had already thought about it and ordered Ah Si to find bamboo, drill a hole in the middle of the bamboo joint, fill it with gunpowder, seal the top and bottom with yellow mud, and pull a lead on top.
More than an hour later, the super firecrackers made their debut in the eyes of everyone.
Li Shimin looked at the big firecracker with curiosity, tapped it with his fingers, and asked, "How big a hole can this thing make?"
Li Shimin is obviously very smart. He doesn't care about how loud it is, only how destructive it is.
Li Beidou smiled bitterly, "To be honest, I don't know. It's my first time to make such a big firecracker. I suggest that we stay as far away as possible."
Li Shimin nodded.
Li Beidou deliberately made the lead wire very long, almost two meters away, but Li Beidou still didn't want to touch it himself.
The son of a rich man cannot sit down in court. Of course, such a historic thing should be left to others.
My own game is definitely not good, and it is not worthy of leaving a name in the history. This opportunity should be left to the imperial guards.
Li Beidou found a remote and open place and placed the big firecracker firmly on the ground.
Keep everyone away, almost dozens of feet away.
Li Jing was still a little worried and ordered people to put up several shields in front of Li Shimin and Li Beidou.
Only then did a foolish and bold guard go to light the fire.
The guard held burning incense in his hand and approached the lead cautiously, muttering the precautions Li Beidou told him.
Crouch down, light up, turn around and run quickly, and then lie down.
There was a loud bang, everyone's ears were buzzing, and the ground under their feet was shaking slightly.
A huge mushroom cloud rose into the sky, and dust scattered everywhere like snow, shrouding the surrounding area in dust and smoke.
Everyone stared dumbly at the scene of dust and smoke filling the sky dozens of feet away. No one spoke or moved.
Li Beidou was also shocked. Damn it, it was so powerful.
If we were to attack a city and throw big firecrackers on the tower, the enemy would not be wiped out? The King of the Tang Dynasty enjoyed chicken easily.
After a long time, Li Shimin came back to his senses. He didn't care about the dust falling on him at all, and anxiously ordered: "Go over there and take a look at the open space."
Coming closer, Li Shimin couldn't help but take a breath of cold air.
The open space was filled with smoke, but the large crater created by the explosion was clearly visible, because it was so big that it was more than one foot in diameter.
Li Beidou looked at the vegetation that had been blown into pieces, his face a little ugly, "Your Majesty, this... is a bit strong, please adjust the dosage."
Li Shimin was breathing rapidly, grabbed Li Beidou's sleeve, and said with shining eyes: "No, it's not violent at all."
Then he seemed to have thought of something and said excitedly: "Beidou, if you build another one several times larger than it, wouldn't it be..."
Li Beidou fantasized about the scene and was immediately shocked.
Several times bigger? Wouldn't that be equivalent to an aerial bomb? Li Beidou didn't dare to think about it. He felt like he had opened Pandora's box.
Li Shimin danced excitedly, speaking incoherently, gesturing with his hands unconsciously, and muttering, "Build a big one, a bigger one, a bigger one, Goguryeo, Japan, hahahaha..."
