Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 882: Chapter 28: Blowing Up the Alchemy Furnace (2)

"Isn’t blowing up the Alchemy Furnace quite simple?" He Lianfang had seen Taoists accidentally blow up their Alchemy Furnace while practicing alchemy. In his opinion, it’s a common occurrence when practicing alchemy. "Do you still need to experiment for that?"

"Uncle, do you think blowing up an Alchemy Furnace is simple?"

"Isn’t it simple? I’ve seen Taoists blow up their Alchemy Furnace."

"That’s because they accidentally blew up the furnace while practicing alchemy."

He Lianfang glanced sideways at Zhao Yao, "Aren’t you practicing alchemy now? What’s the difference?"

"Of course it’s different. Those Taoists’ main goal was to practice alchemy, not blow up the furnace. My main goal is to blow up the furnace, not practice alchemy."

He Lianfang saw no difference between the two. He still believed Zhao Yao was wasting his efforts.

"You might as well directly find a Taoist and have him blow up the furnace for you."

"Uncle, you don’t understand, you should just go back now." Zhao Yao was too lazy to explain further to He Lianfang, deciding to wait until his experiment succeeded.

"You really don’t need to find a Taoist?"

"No need, I want to blow up the furnace myself."

Feeling pushed away, He Lianfang was quite powerless. He decided to wait another two days. If Zhao Yao was still obsessed with alchemy after the Lantern Festival, he would definitely stop him.

After sending off He Lianfang, Zhao Yao continued his experiments in blowing up the furnace, increasing the amount from the previous ratio.

The ratio of Black Fire must be precise, otherwise accidents could easily occur. To ensure accuracy, Zhao Yao could only mix it bit by bit. By noon, his experiment had made significant progress.

With a thud, a loud noise emanated from the furnace, causing it to shake violently. However, the furnace didn’t explode.

At noon, Zheng Cheng and Zheng Qian came to find Zhao Yao.

Since the end of last year, Zhao Yao had assigned Zheng Cheng to work on firearms, but they hadn’t succeeded until today. They came to Zhao Yao because the firearms had finally been successfully made. However, since Black Fire hadn’t been produced yet, the firearms lacked ammunition.

Currently, the firearms made by Zheng Cheng couldn’t be considered true firearms but rather simplified versions. Only when Zhao Yao produced Black Fire could true firearms be made.

Zhao Yao tested the "fake" firearms made by Zheng Cheng and Zheng Qian. The ammunition used for the fake firearms was small sticks or pebbles.

Pulling the trigger, the small stick from the fake firearm shot out and hit a tree a few yards away, leaving a small hole in the trunk. Zhao Yao smiled with satisfaction.

"Just like that." Zhao Yao handed the simplified firearm to Zheng Cheng, "This isn’t a true firearm yet. Once I produce Black Fire, you’ll be able to make true firearms."

Zheng Cheng asked, "Your Highness, how’s the progress on your Black Fire?"

"Almost there, I believe I’ll finish it in the next couple of days." The reason Zhao Yao chose to make Black Fire himself was because the process was extremely dangerous, with the risk ranging from burns to fatality.

Zhao Yao looked over at Zheng Qian, "Did you come to see me for something?"

"Your Highness, last year you asked me to compile statistics on the fields and population of Swamp Prefecture."

"Didn’t you already compile them?" Zhao Yao asked with a puzzled look, "What’s the issue?"

"No real issue, I just wanted to ask how to allocate the fields?" Zhao Yao had the Ministry of Revenue compile statistics on population and fields, one purpose being to simplify allocation this year. "Should it be allocated by population or by household?"

Zhao Yao replied, "By population."

Zheng Qian continued to ask, "Everyone included? No distinction between gender or age?"

"Not everyone." Zhao Yao returned to the Alchemy Furnace, promptly noting down the ratios and reactions while saying to Zheng Qian, "Adults can receive land. Minors aren’t eligible for land distribution yet."

Zheng Cheng crouched nearby, carefully observing Zhao Yao’s recorded data.

Zhao Yao added sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter to the furnace.

"Of course, only good citizens are eligible to receive land."

After adding the ingredients, Zhao Yao pulled Zheng Cheng and Zheng Qian away from the Alchemy Furnace. Since there might be an explosion, it was safer to stay farther away.

The three stood behind a rockery. Zhao Yao watched the Alchemy Furnace while continuing to talk to Zheng Qian, "The poll tax is abolished, don’t strive for poll tax anymore."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Qian looked surprised, "Your Highness, the poll tax has existed since ancient times and the Great Zhou established it. Wouldn’t abolishing the poll tax cause issues?"

"It’s not really abolishing it, just incorporating the poll tax into field taxes." Zhao Yao continued, "We’ll waive all taxes this year, but the grain handed over to the court must remain unchanged. All other things are exempt."