I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

The next morning, Fang Yizhi went straight to the Ministry of Revenue with Song Yingxing's handwritten letter in his pocket.

People were coming and going in the yamen, and he waited for a full hour before being led into a side hall.

"Your humble servant is Du Wenhuan, Principal Clerk of the Shandong Department of the Ministry of Revenue."

A middle-aged official with a goatee lazily took the note, then frowned slightly and said, "This isn't our responsibility!"

Fang Yizhi was displeased and asked, "Master Du, the pensions for fallen soldiers are paid by the Ministry of Revenue. How can you say it's irrelevant?"

Du Wenhuan scoffed, "The money and provisions have already been allocated!"

Immediately afterward, he turned around, pulled out an account book, dusted it off, opened it, and said, "Look, it's clearly written in black and white that the pension funds were transferred to Dengzhou last October. Do you expect our Ministry of Revenue to send people to supervise the distribution of money to every widow?"

Fang Yizhi suppressed his anger and retorted, "So you're not concerned about whether the money actually reaches the bereaved families?"

"Lord Fang, what an imposing official you are!"

Du Wenhuan gave a sarcastic snort, then said, "Your Academy of Sciences are involved in everything, and now you're trying to interfere with our Ministry of Revenue? Besides, how the pensions and rations are distributed is decided by the Ministry of War. What's the use of going to the Ministry of Revenue?"

Fang Yizhi said coldly, "I'm not talking to you anymore. Is Minister Lin here? I want to see Minister Lin!"

"Minister Lin is currently negotiating tariffs with a foreign delegation and has no time for such trivial matters."

He then tossed the note onto the table and said, "You may wait if you wish, but I am busy with official duties and cannot keep you company!"

After saying that, he ignored them, got up, and left in a huff.

Fang Yizhi was filled with anger and had nowhere to vent it, so he picked up the note, left the Ministry of Revenue, and went straight to the Ministry of War.

We waited for quite a while, until the sun was setting, before a tall, thin man in charge slowly came out to greet us.

"I am Zhao Dechang, Principal Officer of the Military Selection Division of the Ministry of War."

The man squinted at the note, then suddenly chuckled, "Lord Fang, this is addressed to the Ministry of Revenue. How did you end up at the Ministry of War?"

Fang Yizhi patiently explained, "To be honest, I went to the Ministry of Revenue first, but the head of the Ministry of Revenue, Mr. Du, said that the distribution of pensions was the responsibility of the Ministry of War, so I came here to inquire about the matter."

Zhao Dechang shook his head and handed the note back: "Official correspondence must adhere to strict regulations! If this is official business, please have Dean Song rewrite the formal document. Otherwise, I regret that I cannot receive you."

"What difference does it make if I write to the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of War? I'm here to get things done!"

"I apologize," Zhao Dechang said with a forced smile, bowing slightly. "I was simply following the rules."

As dusk settled, Fang Yizhi returned to the Academy of Sciences with a livid face.

After hearing what had happened, Song Yingxing didn't say anything. Instead, he rewrote the document and affixed the seal of the Academy of Sciences.

The next day, in front of the Ministry of War's office, Zhao Dechang held the new document and looked at it over and over. Suddenly, a troubled look appeared on his face: "This matter... the Ministry of War is truly powerless to help."

"No, what do you mean?"

Fang Yizhi was furious, and his voice suddenly rose.

"Look..."

Zhao Dechang remained calm and pointed to the document, saying, "The money and provisions have already been distributed to Dengzhou Garrison. If you want to check, you need to go to Dengzhou Garrison or the local county government. After all, the Ministry of War can't possibly deliver the pensions to every surviving family member individually, don't you think?"

Fang Yizhi angrily retorted, "If that's the case, why didn't you say so yesterday!"

Zhao Dechang smiled and straightened his sleeves: "Yesterday you didn't have any official documents, so I naturally didn't need to handle any official business."

"You... Hmph!"

Fang Yizhi took back the documents and turned to leave.

Zhao Dechang watched the other person's retreating figure, curled his lip in disapproval, and muttered, "Trying to control everything? Does the Academy of Sciences think it can cover up everything?"

Fang Yizhi returned to the Academy of Sciences, informed Song Yingxing of the situation, and indicated that he needed to make another trip to Dengzhou.

After listening, Song Yingxing said, "Even if you go to Dengzhou, I'm afraid you won't find anything. Furthermore, even if you manage to get Chen Wangshi's compensation back, what about the others? Judging from their attitude, Chen Wangshi's situation is definitely not an isolated case!"

Fang Yizhi frowned and said, "Are we just going to stand by and watch the widows of those soldiers die..."

Song Yingxing suddenly interrupted, "Are you afraid of trouble?"

Fang Yizhi, somewhat confused, replied, "This humble official is following the dean's instructions: we neither cause trouble nor are we afraid of trouble!"

"That's good!"

Song Yingxing nodded and continued, "If this matter continues to be investigated, it will inevitably offend many people, including the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, Jinan Prefecture, Dengzhou Prefecture, Dengzhou Garrison, and local county governments... Millions of taels of silver in compensation involve a wide range of people from the imperial court to the local governments. What we are seeing now is only the surface; there must be many more people behind them. You must know that cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents. When those people are desperate, they are capable of anything!"

"Don't worry, Dean. So what if they cause a huge uproar? They have powerful backers, but we have His Majesty and countless soldiers behind us. I refuse to believe we're afraid of these scoundrels who amass ill-gotten gains!"

"good!"

Song Yingxing nodded and then said, "His Majesty will come to inspect the Xishan Experimental Field in three days. At that time, you might as well reenact how you discovered this mother and child in front of His Majesty."

Fang Yizhi frowned, nodded in agreement, and said, "This subordinate will make the arrangements immediately!"

Three days later, the emperor toured the Xishan test site.

The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was arranging guards and entourage when Wang Dehua, the Director of the Eastern Depot, rushed over, covered in dust.

Wang Chengen was extremely busy, and seeing this, he said, "I'm too busy today. Whatever you need, we can talk about it tomorrow!"

Wang Dehua said, "I have heard that His Majesty is on a tour. Should the Eastern Depot be responsible for the escort duties?"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard has already been arranged to protect you. The Eastern Depot should hurry up and attend to the important matters that His Majesty has entrusted to us."

"I've come here to report that the officers and guards I sent out to investigate the relief efforts have all returned!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Chengen stopped what he was doing and asked, "What was the result?"

"It has been confirmed that all compensation payments have been made in full and there are no issues."

"That's good!"

Wang Chengen breathed a sigh of relief and then said, "You handled this matter beautifully. I will personally mention it to the Emperor later and give you credit for it."

"This humble servant thanks Eunuch Wang!"

Wang Dehua quickly bowed and said, "Then this humble servant will not disturb you any longer!"

After he finished speaking, he stepped out with small, quick steps, while Wang Chengen, carrying the prepared imperial carriage, set off from the palace for Xishan.

It was already May, and the journey from the capital to the Western Hills was lush with vegetation and blooming wildflowers.

The Imperial Guards led the way, and the imperial carriage moved slowly forward. A gentle breeze blew, and the dragon flags fluttered in the wind.

Wang Chengen occasionally stole glances to observe Zhu Youjian's expression, making sure there were no problems before clearing his throat and saying, "Your Majesty, the people the Eastern Depot sent out to investigate have all returned."

Zhu Youjian, lost in thought while gazing at the roadside scenery, was pulled back to reality by the question and asked, "What was the result?"

"Your Majesty, through undercover investigation, it has been confirmed that the local garrison has indeed distributed the pensions; there are no problems."

Zhu Youjian's lips curled slightly upward: "The Eastern Depot is quite efficient. In just one month, they've covered all the garrisons in the country. They must be exhausted."

Wang Chengen smiled broadly: "Since Your Majesty has given the order, we servants will naturally do our best and dare not complain of hardship. The agents of the Eastern Depot have traveled day and night and have finally lived up to your expectations."

"Um!"

Zhu Youjian gave a soft snort and turned his gaze to the distance again.

Wang Chengen showed no emotion, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Little did they know, Zhu Youjian was currently pondering a major matter.

This inspection of Xishan is for a type of high explosive.

Later generations called it nitroglycerin, which is extremely powerful. If it could be successfully developed, any weapon at present would pale in comparison.

However, I've only heard of this stuff; I don't know the specific recipe or process...

After rounding a mountain ridge, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

A field enclosed by a high wall came into view, and several brick and stone houses could be vaguely seen inside the wall.

Song Yingxing, Yang Tingjian, Fang Yizhi and others were already lined up to wait.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome your arrival!"

Zhu Youjian alighted from the imperial carriage and gestured for everyone to dispense with formalities: "My lords, there's no need for such formalities. I've come today to see your new achievements."

Song Yingxing stepped forward: "Your Majesty, please follow me. The newly developed liquid high explosive is ready and awaits Your Majesty's inspection."

The group passed through several sentry posts and arrived deep into the testing ground. The area was heavily guarded, surrounded by thick earthen walls. In the center of the area were several specially made iron containers, with several craftsmen in protective suits standing nearby.

"Your Majesty, please take a look."

Song Yingxing pointed to the containers: "This substance is extremely powerful, but also extremely unstable. If the stability problem can be solved, its power could reach more than ten times that of gunpowder."

Zhu Youjian approached to observe and saw that the liquid in the container was pale yellow and slightly oily.

He suddenly remembered nitrocellulose from his past life and said, "How about trying cotton cloth? Soaking cotton cloth in a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid might create a more stable explosive."

Song Yingxing's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty is wise! We have indeed tried this method, but controlling the proportions is quite difficult. However, since Your Majesty also believes this method is feasible, we will certainly redouble our efforts."

Yang Tingjian added from the side, "Your Majesty, although this substance is unstable, it is extremely effective for directional blasting. We have already tested it; just a small bottle is enough to breach a sturdy city wall."

Zhu Youjian nodded and then inquired in detail about the production process and safety measures.

The emperor and his ministers were having a very pleasant conversation, and before they knew it, it was almost noon.

Wang Chengen couldn't help but remind him, "Scholar Song, it's time for lunch!"

"Your Excellency need not worry, I am already fully prepared!"

After finishing his speech, Song Yingxing turned to Zhu Youjian and said, "Your Majesty, why don't we have our meal first?"

A simple meal had already been laid out in the pavilion in one corner of the test site.

Just as Zhu Youjian sat down, a seven or eight-year-old child carrying a plate approached.

"Who is it?"

Luo Yangxing shouted sternly, his embroidered spring knife already drawn from its sheath.

"Commander Luo, don't panic. We found this child."

Fang Yizhi quickly stepped forward and shielded the child behind her.

Luo Yangxing then sheathed his knife and returned to Zhu Youjian's side.

Zhu Youjian, however, sensed something was amiss and asked, "Found it? Where did you find it?"

Fang Yizhi pulled the child down to kneel: "Your Majesty, this child's name is Chen Xiaohu. His father, Chen Dayong, was originally a soldier of Dengzhou Guard. Last year, while fighting in Korea, he died on the battlefield. The pension money issued by the court was embezzled, leaving the mother and son destitute on the streets..."

Wang Chengen's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly interrupted, "You...you mustn't talk nonsense!"