Test explosion

To be honest, even with sugar added, the explosive power of black powder is not particularly great.

A crater made by about two pounds of explosives has a diameter of less than a meter and is only half a foot deep.

The wild grass within a meter or so of the crater was burned to ashes, and there were traces of scorching beyond that.

Li Zhi searched around and found several fragments produced by the explosion.

He noted that these fragments were mostly concentrated within a three to four meter radius.

By rough estimation, he concluded that such a bomb could only inflict damage on people within two meters.

After this experiment, he was not very satisfied with the power of the explosive.

In his view, even if these explosives were used on the battlefield, the casualties they could cause would be very limited.

Their greatest use might be to intimidate the enemy.

However, after thinking it over, he felt this effect might not be so bad after all.

Most wars in this age were sieges or clashes between armies in formation.

In such battles, the troops were densely packed, and the main contest was one of morale.

In these circumstances, the psychological impact of such explosives could be incalculable.

Furthermore, most of the neighboring countries of Great Tang relied heavily on cavalry. These bombs could greatly startle the enemy’s horses, making them difficult to control.

Li Zhi then had Liu An test another bomb. Finding the results similar, he lost interest and returned with Liu An.

Liu An himself had been deeply frightened by the bomb, and the explosion scene kept replaying in his mind.

But to his surprise, his young master seemed entirely unfazed by it.

He hesitantly asked, “Your Highness, is the power of this thing not astonishing to you?”

Li Zhi replied in frustration, “This is far from what I imagined—the power is terribly disappointing.”

Liu An was shocked. “To me, this is already almost miraculous, and Your Highness is still dissatisfied?”

Li Zhi said, “I had expected its power to be at least twice as great.”

Liu An was startled by Li Zhi’s words. What he had witnessed had already left a deep impression. If the power were doubled, wouldn’t it scare a person to death?

He glanced at Li Zhi with a trace of unease.

He suddenly felt that his young master might be a bit too ruthless.

At this moment, Li Zhi had no idea that because their perspectives were so different, Liu An had already labeled his thoughts as cruel.

After returning to the palace, Li Zhi immediately compiled a secret recipe for making gunpowder and handed it to Li Shimin.

He also handed over the remaining two jars and explained their use.

In his mind, the stuff was merely better than nothing, so he lost all interest in black powder.

He was now preparing to experiment with refining salt and making cane sugar.

At least, he thought, success with those would bring some tangible benefits to the people of Great Tang.

Yet he did not expect that the thing he looked down on was, at that very moment, surrounded by Li Shimin and a group of ministers…

Li Shimin’s regard for Li Zhi had grown extraordinary.

For, unwittingly, Li Zhi had already given Li Shimin far too many surprises.

So, when Li Zhi presented the recipe for black powder and the finished bombs, Li Shimin immediately ordered one to be test-detonated by the palace guards.

Because Li Zhi had explained the properties of black powder too casually, Li Shimin hadn’t taken special care in choosing a secluded place.

They simply found a patch of open ground outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony and lit one of the jars.

When the enormous explosion sounded, it startled almost all the officials working nearby in the Three Departments and Six Ministries.

Even Li Shimin, a hardened veteran of many battles, was jolted by the blast.

The area before the Hall of Supreme Harmony quickly fell into chaos.

First, the guards rushed over to shield Li Shimin.

Next, Li Jing, the general, stormed out with a fierce bearing.

Behind him came Fang Xuanling, Wang Gui, and several younger officials.

Following them were other officials wielding all sorts of “weapons”—one with an inkstone, another with a broom, someone else with a flower vase.

When Li Shimin regained his composure and saw the scene, he quickly called out, “No need to panic, gentlemen. I am unharmed…”

Because the crowd was in such a commotion, it took several shouts before he managed to calm them.

He then sent most of the people back, leaving only Fang Xuanling and the others, who were still bewildered.

Li Shimin dared not delay and quickly explained the whole matter to them.

Finally, he apologized sincerely, “This was entirely my oversight in causing you all such a fright. I am truly sorry.”

With that, he clasped his hands and bowed to them.

After hearing Li Shimin’s explanation, Fang Xuanling and the others all breathed a sigh of relief.

They then began carefully inspecting the explosion site.

Because the ground in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony was paved with tiles, the force of the blast was even more apparent.

A small crater about half a meter across remained, with the surrounding tiles either shattered or upturned.

The crater was not deep, only about the height of a single brick.

Within three or four meters, fragments were scattered everywhere; farther out there were a few, but very few indeed.

Even so, it was enough to leave everyone shocked by the destructive power of the black powder.

Never before had they seen something capable of such destruction without any manpower.

After investigating, they gathered around the remaining jar and began to discuss.

Li Jing asked, “Your Majesty, should we open it and take a look?”

Fang Xuanling cautioned, “This thing is so dangerous—I think we should be more careful.”

Wang Gui suggested to Li Shimin, “Since this was made by the Prince of Jin, why not summon him here to give us a thorough explanation?”

Li Shimin was still jumpy from the explosion, his heart pounding.

After a brief consideration, he nodded, “Uncle Jie's suggestion is sound. It’s best to have Zhinu explain it himself.”

Soon, Li Zhi was summoned before the Hall of Supreme Harmony to act as their guide.

As he explained the properties of black powder, he opened the jar.

Then, under the nervous gazes of those present, he reached in and pulled out a handful of powder.

The officials watched, both fearful and curious, as Li Zhi spread his palm, revealing only a handful of black, earth-like substance.

Li Jing was the first to voice his doubts: “Is this thing really so ordinary?”

Li Shimin said, “Though it appears plain, its uses, I fear, are anything but small.”