The last three kingdoms

Chapter 96 Gunpowder
Science and technology are the primary productive forces. This statement is absolutely not true. Throughout the history of mankind, whoever has mastered advanced technology will have a crushing advantage.The reason why the Han and Tang Dynasties are brilliant is that they stood at the pinnacle of science and technology. The four great inventions of ancient China have been in a leading position for a long period of time. Only when there is an explosive breakthrough can he be able to dominate the world.

So far, only two of the four great inventions have emerged; the compass and papermaking.In fact, from the perspective of modern people, the four great inventions are very simple. This is absolutely not meant to insult the sages of the predecessors. After all, each invention is the result of countless times of groping in the dark by the sages of the ancestors. Its appearance has great impact on human beings The progress of civilization has extraordinary significance.

But for Liu Yin, who was born in modern times, these inventions are really simple. Simple principles, raw materials that are easy to find, and technological processes that change history are sometimes just a matter of effort for Liu Yin.

Among the four great inventions, only gunpowder is directly applied to the military, and gunpowder is the originator and cornerstone of all thermal weapons in later generations. It changed not only the course of human war history, but also the entire human history. Because of the appearance of gunpowder, And opened a new chapter.

It is impossible to test when gunpowder first appeared. There are clear records in history that it was used in military affairs in the Tang Dynasty, but the invention of gunpowder should be much earlier than this period.

From the period of Laozhuang in the Warring States period, the emperors and nobles were intoxicated with the fantasy of immortality, and some alchemists and Taoists were driven to refine immortality elixir. Alchemy was rampant in the world and reached its peak in the Han Dynasty.The so-called alchemy of intentionally planting flowers and not blooming, unintentionally planting willows and willows, pursuing immortality and turning iron into gold has failed without exception, but the gunpowder formula invented by accident has quietly changed the world, which is not difficult to understand Why is it so strange that this terrible murderous weapon is dubbed the name of fire "drug".

The formula of gunpowder is extremely simple. The combination of sulfur, saltpeter and charcoal, these three things that don't fit in the world, is amazingly powerful.

Although Liu Yin is very familiar with firearms, he knows very well that without the technical support of modern industry, he would not be able to manufacture even a small screw. Under the foundation of science and technology, if you want to realize the rapid advancement of science and technology, it is almost a dream.

But this will never hinder Liu Yin's ambitions. He is not a god, but an ordinary traveler who can no longer be ordinary. Although it is impossible to comprehensively improve the technological level of this era, in a certain aspect, a certain field can achieve cross-era The transcendence of this is by no means whimsical.

Shu's cold weapon technology has reached unprecedented heights. Hundreds of steel smelting and Liannu——even the Zhuge Liannu that no one in later generations can copy is precisely because of its technological advantage over Wei. This made the State of Shu, which was extremely scarce in manpower and material resources, have the capital to confront the powerful State of Wei for more than 40 years.

Liu Yin has no research on cold weapons, not to mention that although the cold weapons in the Three Kingdoms era have not reached their peak, there is not much room for further improvement. If he wants to make a qualitative breakthrough in weapons, Liu Yin has set his sights on four Gunpowder, one of the great inventions.

The research and development of gunpowder was definitely not Liu Yin's whim. At the beginning of the journey, he already had a preliminary idea. After cracking the Qingcheng Mountain assassination case, Liu Chan rewarded a large amount of gold and silk. In addition, the rest has been handed over to Feng Quan, the right-hand Taoist, who will buy sulfur and saltpeter on his behalf.

Fortunately, Sichuan was originally an important production area of ​​sulfur and saltpeter. As early as the Han Dynasty, Yizhou had the ability to mine sulfur and saltpeter on a large scale, and the quality of the sulfur and saltpeter produced was also extremely high, which made Liu Yin I am very happy, it seems that God is helping me, if I change to Jiangdong or the northern states and counties, the level of raw materials will be enough for Liu Yin to have a headache.

Although Feng Quan was very curious, although Yizhou was rich in sulfur and saltpeter, the demand for these things was not too great. Except for those Taoist alchemists who used them for alchemy, they really didn't find any other uses.

In his subconscious mind, he believed that Liu Yin also used these to make alchemy. In this era, alchemy is almost a hobby of princes and nobles. In order to pursue the realm of immortality, many dignitaries spared no expense to make elixir.Liu Yin was born in Anping Palace, a powerful family, if such a person came to alchemy, no one would suspect that he had other motives.

Feng Quan is very capable of handling affairs. Although Liu Yin went to Hanzhong, Feng Quan did not dare to discount the things he confessed. Large quantities of sulfur and saltpeter were continuously transported to Majia Manor. According to Liu Yin's request, These sulfur and saltpeter are of the highest quality.

After Liu Yin asked He Zeng for leave, he returned to Anping Prince's Mansion, and was not reunited with his family for some time. When Princess Ma saw her son for the first time, she greeted her with care and concern.

Liu Yin mentioned that he was going to Ma's manor to "refine alchemy", but Princess Ma was very surprised.Although the status of Prince Anping's Mansion is detached, Princess Ma has never believed in the art of immortality, and even scoffed at the art of alchemy and touch of gold in the upper class of society. In her opinion, immortality is completely unfounded. , Even people like Emperor Qinhuangwu can't escape the way of reincarnation. The so-called alchemy and medicine are a waste of time and money.

There was a large amount of sulfur and saltpeter in Ma's manor, Princess Ma knew about it, but these things were purchased by Liu Yin, so Princess Ma naturally did not interfere, when Liu Yin mentioned this matter, Princess Ma couldn't help but chatter Say a few words: "Yin'er, the techniques of Taoist alchemists are all vain. If there is really a elixir of immortality in the world, how can there be such a thing as birth, old age, sickness and death? Have you ever seen how many emperors and dignitaries spend their lives in poverty and want to live forever? The medicine, but which one has succeeded? I don’t feel sorry for the money, but I just don’t want to see you doing things in vain.”

Liu Yin chuckled and said, "Who said that the boy is going to refine the elixir of immortality?"

"Then what's the use of letting people buy so much sulfur and saltpeter?" Princess Ma asked with a puzzled expression.

"Alchemy is a must, but this elixir is not an elixir of immortality. As for its use, I can't say a word or two now. You will know the day when the elixir is completed." Liu Yin's smile is both mysterious and weird.

(End of this chapter)