PFC Chapter 564: Trying to Make a Comeback with Gunpowder
Chapter 564: Trying to Make a Comeback with Gunpowder
"Sister-in-law. It’s quite lively here."
Gu Honglian, like sticky candy, came up to Tong Huaqiong as soon as she saw her.
Tong Huaqiong thought, no matter how lively it is, Gu Honglian won’t find a place to flex her skills.
Tong Huaqiong looked over at Gu Xiaoxue and saw the usually timid Gu Xiaoxue instructing the female workers at the weaving machine, smiling charmingly with nods or shakes of her head.
The female workers’ expressions shifted with Gu Xiaoxue’s nods or shakes.
Gu Honglian felt a peculiar sensation she couldn’t describe.
"Gu Xiaoxue is doing better here with sister-in-law than working back home," Gu Honglian said.
Tong Huaqiong nodded and said, "Xiaoxue has always been quite capable."
Since Gu Honglian helped Gu Xiaoxue out that day, Tong Huaqiong felt calm towards Gu Honglian.
"Why are you here? Just to see the commotion? There’s nothing suitable for you to do here." Tong Huaqiong said to Gu Honglian.
Gu Honglian said boldly, "I know, I can’t spin yarn or weave cloth, I’m just here to have a look."
Sitting indoors weaving is not something she wants to do.
That’s too boring.
She can’t sit still.
"Sister-in-law, Rui Nian has been tinkering around the yard these days, almost set the kitchen on fire the other night." Gu Honglian proactively informed Tong Huaqiong about Gu Ruinian’s activities.
Tong Huaqiong frowned, remembering when she saw sulfur and saltpeter covered by firewood in the old courtyard. Combining Gu Honglian’s mention of Gu Ruinian nearly starting a fire, she could basically deduce that Gu Ruinian was experimenting with gunpowder.
Why make gunpowder?
Thinking of it, his right leg was crippled, losing his qualification for office, he could only take a risky path by developing gunpowder to turn his fate.
In this era, gunpowder is very important, defending cities, powerful gunpowder acts as a weapon. In wartime, more potent gunpowder can alter the course of conflicts.
This era has gunpowder, it’s just not that powerful.
This was Su Chengmin’s enlightenment to Tong Huaqiong.
Gu Ruinian probably grasped the lack of potency in this era’s gunpowder, thus sought to use his modern knowledge to improve it.
The raw materials for making gunpowder are not cheap, the old house is already poor to the core, how does Gu Ruinian still have spare silver to buy these materials?
She suddenly remembered Gu Honglian mentioning in Pingchuan before that the Zheng Family let Gu Ruinian off because he was useful to them.
This useful part likely refers to his ability to develop gunpowder.
At the Zheng Family, as long as he can demonstrate his skill, there’s a chance for survival.
The Zheng Family are merchants, naturally have their networks, probably value Gu Ruinian’s gunpowder expertise, wanting to utilize it.
Create powerful gunpowder, offer it to the court, much like how she ’made’ the pesticide against cotton aphids and secured a ladyship title, if either the Zheng Family or Gu Ruinian grasp the gunpowder skills of future ages, they will be unstoppable.
Moreover, the Zheng Family’s second son and Gu Jingzhe were scholars in the same examination cohort, now both studying at Wanliu Academy.
According to Tong Dajiao’s memories from a past life, the Zheng second son was of poor character, with a vicious nature, Gu Ruinian may be easily dealt with because he aligns with the Zheng second son like their shady counterparts, the two may be up to no good.
Thinking of this, Tong Huaqiong asked Gu Jingzhe: "Have you met the Zheng second son at the academy?"
Gu Jingzhe replied, "We are classmates."
Seeing Tong Huaqiong ask about the Zheng second son, Gu Jingzhe thought she might be worried he would broadcast his past dealings with the Zheng Family, fortunately, the Zheng second son wasn’t fully aware of the transactions between Gu Jingzhe and the Zheng Family during his private studies.
The Zheng second son indeed mentioned Gu Jingzhe’s past incidents, however nowadays Gu Jingzhe presents as a model scholar while the Zheng second son at the academy is known for causing trouble, over time people trust Gu Jingzhe, not the Zheng second son.
Thus, even if Gu Jingzhe’s past is revealed, people at the academy wouldn’t believe it.
Especially since the prestigious Senior Brother Lu Zhaoyang betrothed his younger sister to Gu Jingzhe, increasingly eliminating doubts about Gu Jingzhe’s supposedly tarnished history.
Reflecting on this, Gu Jingzhe increasingly cursed himself for his past confusion and folly, increasingly grateful for his mother’s insistence on regaining his conscience.
Tong Huaqiong was disinterested in Gu Jingzhe’s inner thoughts, she said: "Keep an eye on the Zheng second son, don’t be fooled by him, now he’s tangled up with Gu Ruinian, making gunpowder."
Gu Jingzhe paused a moment, then nodded.
Tong Huaqiong didn’t avoid mentioning this to Gu Honglian.
Now, Gu Honglian harbors deep resentment towards Gu Ruinian, she would love to see him fall into misfortune.
Yet after revealing Gu Ruinian’s affairs to Tong Huaqiong, her mind drifted away from ingratiating the sister-in-law and her gaze fell upon the village road.
"Sister-in-law, you carry on, I won’t disturb you any longer."
Gu Honglian swiftly ran away.
Gu Jingzhe glanced toward the village road outside the door, his brow furrowed.
"Mother, could Aunt be interested in Fan Tong?" Gu Jingzhe pointed towards the village road.
Though Gu Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao adhere to proprieties, they have tasted romance’s sweetness, Aunt rushed up to Fan Tong with a smile on her face, much like when he sees Lu Zhaozhao.
However, he and Lu Zhaozhao are openly engaged.
Aunt and Fan Tong belong to two worlds apart.
Furthermore, Fan Tong has terrible character, holding the village head’s daughter and Gu Taohua simultaneously while imagining himself as Huang Yuanwai’s son-in-law.
Tong Huaqiong followed Gu Jingzhe’s direction, seeing Gu Honglian smiling and speaking with Fan Tong, while Fan Tong wore a falsely composed expression.
"Whether your aunt has taken a liking to Fan Tong is only clear to her, but what’s Fan Tong doing in Qinghe Bay?" Tong Huaqiong asked.
Thinking of the previous life when Gu Taohua was burned to death because of Fan Tong, Tong Huaqiong felt chilled.
With her intervention, Gu Taohua has already severed thoughts of Fan Tong, but Tong Huaqiong is afraid Fan Tong hasn’t given up on Gu Taohua.
The second owner of Taohua Dessert, daughter of a lady, very pampered at home... with so many buffs stacked, Gu Taohua can be said to be the most enviable girl in Yan Guan Town.
Who doesn’t want to marry Gu Taohua?
Marrying Gu Taohua is equivalent to marrying a heap of silver.
Ever since Gu Jingzhe achieved his scholar title, many have secretly tried to propose for Gu Taohua, Tong Huaqiong saw Gu Taohua had no intention of getting engaged and she rejected them all.
Therefore, seeing Fan Tong, Tong Huaqiong couldn’t help but suspect him to be after Gu Taohua.
Fan Tong noticed Gu Jingzhe standing at the weaving workshop’s door, his eyes lit up, he moved towards them, his pace somewhat faltering upon realizing Tong Huaqiong was present too.
"Let me deal with him."
Gu Jingzhe flicked his clothes and called out to Fan Tong: "Brother Fan."
Fan Tong had no choice but to brace himself and approach Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe.
"Brother Fan, what brings you to Qinghe Bay?" Gu Jingzhe asked.
Gu Honglian’s gaze towards Fan Tong was filled with anticipation.
Since spring, when she met Fan Tong in Yan Guan Town, her heart had silently admired him, say what you like, every time she went to the market in town she would encounter Fan Tong, each time he would greet or chat with her.
A few days ago she went to Yan Guan Town for the market again, unexpectedly meeting Fan Tong, he was carrying sweet-scented osmanthus cake from Taohua Dessert and handed it directly to her, during the chat he asked what her relationship was with his junior, Gu Jingzhe.
Gu Honglian held the osmanthus cake, delightedly thought, Fan Tong must be making up idle talk just to chat with her.
She was wary that once Fan Tong knew her to be Gu Jingzhe’s actual aunt, he might treat her as an elder, hence she vaguely mentioned they were from the same village.
Therefore, Fan Tong doesn’t know their niece-aunt relationship.