After nearly seven or eight days of preparation, Su Li learned that the grain and fodder purchases were almost complete. Added to what her father had prepared, it was enough to last for half a year.
With this major concern resolved, Su Li felt much lighter. She wrote down everything that had happened during this period in a letter and sent it to Jun Mo in Blue An.
Jun Mo had been gone for so long. At first, she frequently received letters from him, but as time went on, the intervals between them grew longer and longer. This also indirectly showed how desperate the war situation was. Almost half a month had passed since she last received a letter.
Su Li rode in a carriage to the outskirts of the capital. Ji Huainan, seeing her arrive, grabbed her and led her out of the house. For someone who was usually so proper and respectful, the sudden gesture of pulling her forward showed how excited he was.
Behind him, Wuxi's composed face also hinted at a smile.
"What's wrong? Did it succeed?" Su Li asked excitedly.
Ji Huainan suddenly came to his senses and quickly let go of her hand. "Princess Consort, please forgive me. I was too excited."
Su Li asked in pleasant surprise, "So it's a success?"
"The Princess Consort will know once she goes to take a look."
The group arrived at an open space. The ground was full of potholes and craters, covered with charred remains. This was the result of the two's days of hard work.
Su Li watched as Ji Huainan crouched down and lit the fuse. The group quickly retreated, watching as the fuse burned out. "Boom!" Su Li's eyes widened, watching the dust fly into the air. The resulting commotion was so great that the ground beneath her feet seemed to be shaking.
Then, a huge crater appeared at that spot. A look of wild elation flashed in Su Li's eyes. Su Li looked at Wuxi and Ji Huainan and said, "You two really managed to research it successfully! That's wonderful!"
Ji Huainan said, "Although your list didn't have the proportions, the ingredients were detailed. We followed the proportions of the original gunpowder, adding the other ingredients on the list, and experimented continuously. Hard work pays off.
The person who came up with this formula is a genius. Where did the Princess Consort obtain it?" He definitely had to go and pay a visit to this person. Who knows, they might even be able to create even more powerful things.
Su Li hadn't mentioned Yu Banxia when it hadn't been successful. Now that it was successful, it was natural to tell them. "The formula was given by the Yu family's daughter, Yu Banxia. She truly is a genius."
Ji Huainan murmured, "Yu Banxia?" Su Li nodded.
Now that one had been created, the rest would be simple.
"Princess Consort, making them in batches is doable, but the ceramic jars are too heavy. It will take a lot of effort to transport them to Blue An," Ji Huainan said, stating the drawback. Su Li thought for a moment and said, "We can add some medicinal powder to them. Once these things explode, the powder can scatter everywhere. That way, we can make fewer fireballs."
Ji Huainan's eyes lit up, saying, "That can be tried! We'll make some fireballs and some poison smoke balls." Su Li said, "I'll send the poison powder over tomorrow. You two make the fireballs first." "No problem."
Su Li was busy as a bee in the capital, while Blue An City wasn't calm either. The antidote hadn't been researched yet. Other than dealing with the Southern Frontier's daily harassment, the group would go to Elder Dao to inquire about the progress. Fortunately, although there was no antidote, Elder Dao had temporarily controlled the spread of the poison. He didn't let the poisoned soldiers get any worse.
After several days of probing, Liang Xuanting had understood the situation. The number of soldiers he sent to attack the city each day grew. After several bitter battles, the already small force grew even weaker. Jun Mo quickly arrived at Elder Dao's apothecary.
"Elder Dao, how much longer? If this continues, the city won't be able to hold out for three days!" They didn't have many warhorses to begin with, and some of them couldn't be used. They were relying entirely on the over ten thousand sent by Li'er. Because they were strong, the effect of the poison wasn't great. If not, the city would probably have been breached long ago!
"Your Highness, you also know that I'm not very skilled with poisons. Even if I have ideas, I need medicinal ingredients. A clever housewife can't cook without rice! Now I can only guarantee that the poisoned soldiers aren't in immediate danger."
Jun Mo frowned, his voice tinged with weariness. "Several days ago, I sent a letter back to the capital, writing down the soldiers' and horses' symptoms in the letter. I hope Li'er knows what poison it is and that it's not too late."
Elder Dao nodded, saying, "Junior Sister has a deeper understanding of poisons than I do." Just then, a soldier rushed over, shouting, "Your Highness, the Southern Frontier is attacking the city again!" Jun Mo quickly turned around and left.
...
Shangshu Manor, in the capital. "Miss, a letter from His Highness has arrived!" Mo Yun materialized, handing a letter to Su Li. Su Li eagerly took the letter. Finally, a letter had arrived! Su Li quickly tore it open. The more she read, the tighter her frown became.
"Miss, is something wrong with His Highness?" Mo Yun asked. Su Li said, "Mo Yun, we need to make a trip to Blue An." "What?"
Su Li started walking outwards, saying, "There's no time to explain! Siqin, Zhishu!" Siqin and Zhishu came over, saying, "Miss."
"Siqin, help me pack my clothes, prepare two sets of men's clothing. Zhishu, accompany me on a trip."
"Yes, Miss." Su Li went directly to Apricot Grove Hall, finding Changchun Daifu. Soon, a pharmacy apprentice came out and shouted loudly, "Sorry, Apricot Grove Hall is closed today. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Because Apricot Grove Hall had always had a good reputation, and its backing was strong, everyone was happy to cooperate. Su Li wrote a long list of medicinal ingredients, handing it to the pharmacy apprentice.
Several pharmacy apprentices sorted the medicinal ingredients, and some ran off to various pharmacies. "Once the medicinal ingredients are ready, send them to Shangshu Manor!" After giving instructions, Su Li hastily returned to the manor.
When Su Father returned to the manor, Su Li explained the situation.
Su Father was silent for a long time before saying, "Go! I support you! Tell Dad what you need, and Dad will go prepare it."
"There's no need, Dad. I've already prepared the medicinal ingredients. I've already spoken to Mu Bai about the grain and fodder; he will personally deliver it to Blue An later on. I've prepared everything else as well. I'll depart tomorrow," Su Li said.
"Dad will send people to escort you."
"Dad, it's really not necessary. It's enough to have a merchant caravan and Mo Yun and Mo Yu with me."
Su Mother coaxed Yu Ge'er to sleep and came in, saying, "Then you must be careful. The battlefield is no joke."
"Mom, with Ziyan there, he won't let me get hurt at all." Just like that, Su Li put on men's clothing, only taking Mo Yun and Mo Yu with her, escorting the medicinal ingredients as she travelled toward Blue An.
Of course, she also brought two or three carts of fireballs and poison smoke balls. Time was tight; this was all they could make for now.
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