To the First Emperor of Qin: The state has decreed this!

Chapter 200 Triangular Iron Rod? What kind of power could that possibly have?

Inside the No. 1 factory of Daqin Heavy Industry.

Rows of brand-new factory buildings have sprung up.

Inside the factory area, Mo family members dressed in uniform were everywhere.

They were all like they'd been injected with chicken blood!

The atmosphere was even more lively in a specially designated laboratory.

A group of Mohist disciples were having a heated discussion around a steel plate.

"This steel is incredibly hard; ordinary swords and blades cannot even scratch it!"

"I wonder if detonating it with gunpowder would be able to blast it apart?"

A young disciple of the Mohist school proposed a bold idea.

The person next to him immediately shook his head in rebuttal:

"No! We've conducted experiments; the power of gunpowder is insufficient to destroy this kind of refined steel!"

"At most, it will just be blown away; the steel structure itself will probably not suffer much damage."

A brief silence fell over the crowd as everyone pondered how to test the limits of this new material.

Sudden.

Another person spoke up.

"Then...if!"

"What if we fill the hollow steel with gunpowder and then detonate it?"

This statement came out.

The entire laboratory fell silent instantly.

Immediately, everyone's eyes lit up!

Yup!

This idea is brilliant!

Finally, we can test the hardness of the steel!

"Quick! Go get the hollow steel pipe!"

"I'll go try it right away!"

Everyone was eager to put it into practice.

"Ahem!"

A soft cough came from the doorway.

Upon hearing the discussion, Zhang Fan felt a sudden throbbing in his temple.

He looked at this group of mad scientists who were about to be at the forefront of "arms research and development".

With an unusually solemn expression, he instructed:

"Gentlemen, your desire to explore is commendable, but please be careful and do not get too close."

"Um... there's more!"

"Go to an open space outside, plan out a testing ground, and then conduct the experiment!"

When everyone turned around and saw that it was Zhang Fan, they all bowed.

Zhang Fan waved his hand, walked straight through the laboratory, and found Mo Tian, ​​who was directing the craftsmen to cast molds.

"Immortal Master!"

Upon seeing Zhang Fan, Mo Tian immediately put down his tools and bowed respectfully.

"Master Sumida, there's no need for such formalities!"

Zhang Fan got straight to the point.

"His Majesty has decreed that I bring steel to the capital!"

"I plan to bring a batch of new weapons with me, and I need to trouble you, Master, to have a batch made tonight."

Sumida perked up and stroked his beard:

"Serving the Immortal Master is our duty!"

"Does the Immortal Master possess any design blueprints?"

"Of course!"

Zhang Fan took out a roll of blueprints that he had prepared beforehand and handed it to Mo Tian.

Sumida respectfully accepted it and slowly unfolded it.

However, when he saw what was on the drawing, he was stunned.

The drawing showed a strangely shaped object.

Overall, it looks like an iron pillar with a handle, but its body is not round; instead, it presents a strange triangular shape.

Even more strangely, a deep blood groove was cut out in the middle of each of the three angular blades.

"this……"

Sumida stared at it for a long time, his face full of confusion.

"Master, this item... has no sharp blades!"

"It's just an iron bar, how could it be lethal?"

He simply couldn't understand the design of this blunt weapon.

Without a blade, wouldn't it only be able to stab people?

That would be such a waste of iron.

It's not even as good as a spear!

Zhang Fan simply smiled mysteriously and patted him on the shoulder.

"Master, there's no need to ask any more questions. Just make it exactly according to the dimensions and shape on these drawings!"

"You will see its power in due time."

Although Mo Tian was extremely puzzled, he trusted Zhang Fan completely.

He nodded solemnly.

"I will obey the Immortal Master's command!"

After saying that, he took the strange blueprint and turned around to start arranging manpower.

They are preparing to start production of these new weapons overnight.

……

Three days later, in Xianyang.

Zhang Fan and his group finally arrived in the capital.

It was nearing autumn, and the autumn breeze was refreshing, unlike the sweltering heat of summer.

News of Zhang Fan and his group's arrival quickly spread throughout the entire Xianyang residence.

At the Zongyu residence.

"My lord, the carriage of the Protector-General Zhang Fan has entered the city!"

A servant rushed in to report.

"Among the accompanying carriages, one carried a large box completely wrapped in black cloth!"

"Judging from the deep ruts, it must have been extremely heavy!"

"As expected, it should be that steel product!"

Zong Yu, who was resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.

He nodded slightly, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Judging by this setup, it certainly looks like it's made of steel!"

"But... so what?"

immediately.

He then sent several secret letters to the residences of several other ministers, the meaning of which was very clear—

Let's all work together at the morning court session tomorrow!

The excuse was that Zhang Fan needed to concentrate on studying military strategy and had no time for anything else!

It was perfectly justifiable to strip away the power to supervise the construction of coal mines and steel plants and place it under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department!

Meanwhile, at the Tongwu Marquis's residence.

Wang Ben also received the same message.

He stroked his chin, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

As the supreme general of the Qin Dynasty, he had a great interest in steel.

"Father, what makes you so happy?"

A young general with a heroic air about him walked in; it was his son!

Wang Li!

"The Protector of the Nation has returned!"

Wang Ben laughed, "They even brought back the legendary steel! I'd love to see it for myself!"

Upon hearing the words "Guardian Master of the Nation," Wang Li's face immediately darkened.

His tone was full of defiance:

"Father, I will accompany General Meng Tian to the north to attack the Xiongnu!"

"He also participated in the construction of the Great Wall for defense, which can be considered a small contribution!"

"But why is it that Zhang Fan, a mere alchemist with no military merit, was able to be ordered by His Majesty to command troops based solely on his limited skills in alchemy and weapon crafting?"

"How can this be acceptable to the soldiers who fought and bled on the battlefield?"

Wang Ben glanced at his son and advised him:

"His Majesty has his own divine will, which is beyond the comprehension of us subjects!"

"Moreover, if that steel is truly a divine object, then Zhang Fan has made an immense contribution."

But Wang Li clearly didn't listen!

He stiffened his neck and said:

"Merit is merit, and position is position! I'm not satisfied!"

"I want to go to court tomorrow morning. I want to see just how powerful he is!"

Wang Ben sighed helplessly as he looked at his son.

He knew that Wang Li had spent most of his time on the frontier and was brave and fierce, but he knew nothing about the political infighting in the imperial court.

Fine, let him go and see for himself!

We can't let him spend his whole life only knowing how to fight straightforward battles!

"Very well, you will accompany your father to court tomorrow."

Wang Ben nodded, finally agreeing.

However, Zong Yu, Wang Li, and the others had not yet arrived for the morning court session the following day.

Inside Zhangtai Palace.

Ying Zheng was already impatient and immediately issued an edict summoning Zhang Fan, Fusu, and the others who had just arrived to the palace.

Ying Zheng's gaze first fell on his eldest son.

In just a few months, Fusu's cheeks became somewhat tanned.

He's lost some of the prince's pampered airs!

But it also showed a newfound determination!

A look of satisfaction flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes, and he nodded to himself.

Then, he turned his gaze to Zhang Fan and asked impatiently:

"Zhang Fan, you brat! Where is the steel I ordered you to bring?"