CHAPTER 99: CHAPTER 99: IT’S DONE, FINALLY DONE

"My husband, he’s gone, and yet we’re not allowed to speak about it."

At this sorrowful moment, the families of the fallen soldiers, noticing Zhang River alive and well but daring to ask them to keep it down, couldn’t help but retort.

Zhang River couldn’t be bothered to argue, and said loudly, "Brother Mo stated that they were men of bravery, examples for all of us, and though they have passed on, the Divine Brave Guard will forever remember them.

Wang Shi, for his meritorious service in guarding the grain, is rewarded with one thousand coins, posthumously honored with three thousand coins, three jin of meat, and ten jin of rice. The other brothers who perished protecting the grain will receive the same reward and compensation. Those injured will receive one thousand coins and five jin of rice."

After speaking, members of the Divine Brave Guard placed four thousand coins and food next to Wang Shi’s widow from the mule-drawn cart.

The four thousand copper coins landed on the ground with a dull thud, causing the onlooking villagers’ hearts to slightly tremble.

Though this money and food cannot replace the pain of the deceased’s family, they greatly soothe their hearts. Additionally, for the onlooking villagers and the rest of the Divine Brave Guard, it makes them feel valued.

"Furthermore, Brother Mo said that any soldier of the Divine Brave Guard who sacrifices himself, if children are left behind, the village will raise them to adulthood and educate them in literacy. Otherwise, the village will be responsible for the deceased soldiers’ funeral affairs."

The words sent the villagers into an uproar.

The reason the soldiers of the Great Song Dynasty hold a low status and the people are unwilling to enlist,

is due to poor treatment. They bear their own travel expenses and receive pitiful compensation, with no privileges for their families.

Over time, this naturally leads to a strong resistance to enlistment among the people.

But now, Zhang River’s words shatter their conventional impression of a "soldier."

Suddenly, the villagers thought, the Divine Brave Guard is still a good choice.

To the people of the Great Song Dynasty, especially in these chaotic times, death has become a part of life, all too common, and they have developed a strong acceptance of it.

Because most people’s concept is that as long as the treatment is good, death is death, and life for the family can go on.

...

In the afternoon, a nauseating smell nearly spread throughout the entire village.

Next to the sulfur factory, in the nitrate factory, a large pot was set up, and water was boiling inside it.

Han Wu and Zhang River stood by, each holding a large ladle, adding the contents of the vat - urine, ladle by ladle, into the pot.

Chen Mo stood to the side and poured a bucket of plant ash in as well.

He then took a large wooden stick and began stirring.

As the water temperature continued to rise, a nauseating pungent smell wafted out.

Tears streamed from Zhang River’s and Han Wu’s eyes as they retched and coughed, eventually unable to bear it any longer. "Brother Mo, why are we cooking urine? The smell is unbearable, and I’m about to break," they queried.

"Less talk, just keep adding," Chen Mo glared at them and said.

The success of extracting saltpeter depended on this moment.

If he remembered correctly, urine contained saltpeter, and heating it would allow the nitrates in the saltpeter to dissolve in the water, then... (Unexpectedly, the manufacturing process was omitted.)

Finally, placing it in a sealed container would make a crude bomb.

To increase its power, then...

Chen Mo’s orders were not something Zhang River and Han Wu dared to disobey, so they continued to add urine to the pot despite their nausea.

Time passed slowly.

Chen Mo used a ladle to filter out the impurities floating on the surface, then proceeded with the cooling process.

"Alright, we can stop now, extinguish the fire," said Chen Mo.

Upon hearing Chen Mo’s words, the two quickly extinguished the fire under the pot and rushed out of the nitrate factory, gulping down the fresh air outside.

The sun set in the west.

Inside the nitrate factory, Chen Mo’s excited laughter rang out: "Hahaha, I did it, I did it! My chemistry teacher didn’t deceive me."

Outside the factory, Han Wu and Zhang River, hearing Chen Mo’s laugh, thought he had gone mad, hurried inside to see, only to find Chen Mo dancing in joy before the "white frost" that lay in front of him.

Succeeded, saltpeter had been obtained.

Producing gunpowder would be simple from here on out.

Indeed, there’s truth in the saying: Master the sciences, and you’ll fear nothing under the sun.

Chen Mo placed the extracted nitrates into a pottery jar, then carrying the jar, hummed a tune as he returned home.

Leaving behind a puzzled Zhang River and Han Wu.

After placing the pottery jar securely at home, Chen Mo took his clothes and went to wash in the river.

...

That evening, in the master bedroom, Chen Mo was particularly excited.

No matter how vast it is, his bosom can never escape the Five-Finger Mountain. Han Anniang let out a soft hum as she wrapped her arms around Chen Mo’s neck, her body tense, her back arched, hair cascading down, head leaning back, and her long graceful legs curled even tighter.

"Sister-in-law, I have a favor to ask," said Chen Mo, kissing Han Anniang’s collarbone.

At the moment, Han Anniang’s cheeks flushed with crimson, her nostrils sipped gently, her eyes like autumn waves lowering in affection, she murmured softly: "We are family, uncle, what’s this about asking and not asking for favors."

"I’m planning to open a general store at the back of the village. I want you to help run it. Didn’t you say before that Qi’s mother wants to sell fish, and Zhang Fusheng’s wife wants to exchange shoes for grain? They can all bring them to the store to sell, and you’ll settle with copper coins," said Chen Mo.

"But... they need grain."

"That’s simple. The store can sell daily essentials, like grain, salt, etc. Then let them buy with money. This way, others who want to buy fish or shoes can also come to the store."

Eventually, as Divine Brave Guard develops toward a real army, soldiers will certainly receive monthly salaries. With money in hand, they will surely spend, and after securing food and necessities they’ll look for further pursuits.

This general store will thereby become indispensable.

And over time, the money ends back in his hands.

"Ah, I’m afraid I can’t manage it, and I don’t know what price to sell fish at," she expressed.

"Ask the village women to help you, pay them wages; if you don’t know the prices, ask Hu Changsheng, he knows. As for household matters, let Min’Er handle them."

Too many village wives were idle; they needed activities to engage in.

"Alright."

"And there’s more..." Chen Mo began to say more, but Han Anniang interrupted him: "Uncle, can’t it wait for later...?"

Chen Mo paused, then burst into laughter. He patted her gently, coaxing Han Anniang to turn slowly, supporting herself against the windowsill.