Upon hearing Granny Lian’s words, Qin Fang was somewhat surprised.

His wife was quite imaginative, wasn’t she?

She actually wanted to make firecrackers.

According to his understanding, her idea was the same as Granny Lian’s—just buy the materials directly.

However, he never contradicted his wife’s intentions. “Hmm, then you go instruct them to bring over some sulfur and saltpeter.”

He initially thought about having his wife get it from Dr. Li, but then he remembered that Dr. Li’s daughter was there, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for his wife to go given the reputation of Dr. Li’s daughter.

So he decided to have the sulfur and saltpeter brought to the courtyard instead.

When Qin Fang entered the courtyard, he saw Yang Haiyan standing at the door wrapped in a cloak.

The weather was quite pleasant, but he said, “Go to sleep quickly. The sulfur and saltpeter will be brought over, but not too much, as sulfur can be toxic.”

Yang Haiyan replied, “Got it. You should wash up and come to bed quickly, too.”

Qin Fang said, “I’m writing a letter to Lord Du.”

Yang Haiyan yawned and didn’t say much, heading off to bed.

Qin Fang wrote a letter to Lord Du and also a memorial to the emperor.

By early the next morning, he sent Tao Shan to deliver them to Lord Du.

“General, Lord Yang has arrived.”

As soon as Qin Fang finished speaking with Tao Shan, County Magistrate Yang arrived.

Qin Fang said, “Please come in.”

County Magistrate Yang was naturally aware of the commotion at the eastern suburb military camp the previous day.

With the military camp built and the city walls repaired, he had informed Qin Fang about the situation here, hoping he could help deal with the beast tide in winter.

After all, the beast tide had already knocked down the city walls, which was quite dangerous.

Thus, Qin Fang had been observing the situation.

He hadn’t expected that the entire eastern suburb military camp would be mobilized yesterday, and there was still activity late into the night.

That’s why County Magistrate Yang came early today. “I have come to see the general.”

Qin Fang replied, “No need for formality. Please have a seat, Lord Yang. You’re here about the situation at Shoushan, aren’t you?”

Facing Qin Fang’s directness, County Magistrate Yang got straight to the point. “Indeed. I want to know if there’s any news from Shoushan.”

Qin Fang said, “There is indeed some news. A temple was discovered at the top of Shoushan, and there are living people inside.”

County Magistrate Yang was taken aback. “What?”

Qin Fang was curious. “When did the beast tide begin attacking the county town?”

County Magistrate Yang thought for a moment. “It started about five years ago.”

Qin Fang said, “So for five years, the court has not responded. Did you or the previous county magistrate not send anyone to check Shoushan?”

County Magistrate Yang replied, “When I arrived in Yunxiang County, I asked the county clerk about this. The clerk said that this area was once under the Liang King’s domain.

The Liang Prince ordered that no one was allowed to hunt or approach Shoushan.

Although the Liang Prince is dead, and the prefecture has returned to the court, the county office did not dare to go to Shoushan because of the Liang King’s command.

After I arrived, since the previous magistrate had not gone, I did not go either.

The main reason was that these officials might not withstand the beast tide, and among the common people, they were also unwilling to go.”

In reality, there was another point: County Magistrate Yang had been demoted to Yunxiang County and had not considered taking credit; he just wanted to get through without doing anything.

Anyway, if he achieved merit, the court and the emperor would not reward him, so it was better to go with the flow.

Besides, it was possible that if he did achieve merit, the emperor might remember him, and because of the incident involving the Yang Grand Tutor, he would get into trouble again, which would be a hassle.

Qin Fang did not know County Magistrate Yang’s thoughts, but he did not say much about Yang’s reasoning either.

As the local authority, as long as he didn’t harm the common people, Qin Fang would not interfere with how others governed.

Seeing Qin Fang silent, County Magistrate Yang asked, “General, do you know what’s going on with that temple? Who are the people locked inside?”

Qin Fang said, “I don’t know either. The people inside have gone mad and are chained. In their ramblings, they revealed a few hints, and this matter is related to the Liang Prince from twenty years ago.”

Upon hearing that it was related to events from twenty years ago, County Magistrate Yang felt a sense of anxiety, thinking that it was quite unlucky.

The Liang Prince had been dead for twenty years; how could such matters still have repercussions? “Then…”

Seeing his expression not looking good, Qin Fang added, “I have reported this matter to the court. Next, we will wait for someone to come from the court, so there’s no need for you to worry, Lord Yang.”

County Magistrate Yang said, “That’s great.”

After finishing breakfast, Yang Haiyan asked Granny Lian to find a master craftsman in the county who could make firecrackers for her.

She went to check on the sulfur and saltpeter.

A basket of sulfur and a basket of saltpeter were placed in the now-empty room.

Yang Haiyan took a piece of sulfur and saltpeter outside to examine them closely.

In truth, she was just pretending to be busy, waiting for Qin Fang to return.

After a while, Qin Fang came back and saw Yang Haiyan holding the saltpeter and sulfur.

He quickly said, “Be careful. Dr. Li said that inhaling too much sulfur is toxic.”

Yang Haiyan replied, “I was just taking a look. This is the first time I’ve seen sulfur and saltpeter, and they’re quite beautiful. It’s hard to imagine that such things can be used to make firecrackers. By the way, my husband, I’ve already asked Granny Lian to find a master craftsman in the county to make firecrackers for me.”

Qin Fang said helplessly, “As long as you’re happy, just put down the sulfur and saltpeter and wash your hands. Wait until the master craftsman arrives, and you can proceed under his guidance.”

Yang Haiyan said, “I’ll rely on you for that. Aunt Yu, bring me a scoop of water.”

Aunt Yu responded, “Coming right up.”

Aunt Yu brought over a scoop of water and poured it over Yang Haiyan’s hands, causing her to exclaim in surprise.

Qin Fang’s heart tightened. “What happened?”

Yang Haiyan said, “I feel my hands are so cold. When Aunt Yu poured the water, my hands felt as cold as ice.”

Aunt Yu hurriedly explained, “Madam, this water is warm.”

Qin Fang dipped his hand in the water: “It is warm.”

Yang Haiyan, puzzled, said, “That’s strange. Why do I feel my hands so cold? Oh, right… I just touched the sulfur and saltpeter. Could it be related to them?”

Qin Fang replied helplessly, “Wife, you’re overthinking this. How could it be related to sulfur and saltpeter?”

Yang Haiyan, displeased, said, “You don’t believe me, do you? I really felt my hands were very cold, very icy.”

Fearing her reaction, Qin Fang quickly said, “No, I believe you.”

Though it was a lie.

But even if he didn’t believe her, he couldn’t say so directly; otherwise, she would definitely get upset.

Seeing his expression, she knew he was not convinced.

She huffed, “Just wait. Aunt Yu, go bring two basins over.”

“Yes,” Aunt Yu replied.

“What are you going to do?” Qin Fang asked.

Yang Haiyan shot him a glance: “Just watch.”

The look she gave him was somewhat prideful, which made Qin Fang want to laugh.

When Aunt Yu brought over the two basins, Yang Haiyan placed sulfur and saltpeter into each basin, respectively, then poured water from a ladle into them.

Seeing this, Qin Fang understood her intention: “Wife, you really…”

Yang Haiyan huffed, then dipped her fingers into both basins.

She knew that saltpeter wouldn’t freeze that quickly, but the chemical reaction was fast, and she could already feel a change.

Although it wasn’t frozen, the temperature of the water had clearly dropped.

Yang Haiyan proudly said, “Husband, come over and dip your fingers into both basins.”

Qin Fang replied helplessly, “Isn’t that unnecessary? I believe you; whatever you say is right.”

Yang Haiyan stood up and took his hand: “Husband, you’re a great general, a man; how can you just say you believe me so easily? When faced with something unproven, you need to verify it before you can say you believe it. Besides, I’m no fool; it’s obvious you’re just making excuses. Come on, dip your hand in!”

Qin Fang couldn’t help but defend himself: “Because it’s you, I believe whatever you say.”

His voice was incredibly gentle, causing Yang Haiyan’s heart to flutter a few times.

Fortunately, she maintained her composure: “I don’t believe your sweet talk.”

She protested, but her voice was soft, sounding insincere.

Qin Fang laughed, a low chuckle that echoed in the courtyard.

He really liked her this way—stubborn but soft-hearted.

However, when he dipped his fingers into the water, he felt the chill; the originally warm water had turned cold, and it was happening too fast.

Normally, warm water shouldn’t cool down this quickly.

Moreover, the water that contained the saltpeter felt colder. “Yanyan, this…”

Yang Haiyan said, “Husband, now you believe me, right? I felt this chill just now. Look, it’s only been a little while, and the warm water has turned cold. What do you think will happen if more time passes?”

Qin Fang replied, “I don’t know.”

Yang Haiyan smirked mischievously: “Then let’s find out?”

Qin Fang wasn’t interested in this. Although the warm water had turned cold, it was just that—it had turned cold.

He didn’t think much of it: “If you’re happy, that’s fine. You can play with it.”

To him, it seemed like his wife was just messing around for fun.

Yang Haiyan understood Qin Fang’s normal reaction; she only needed a source, and now that she had it, she wasn’t in a hurry anymore. “Alright then, I’ll just play by myself.”

Qin Fang said, “I’m heading to the military camp. If you need anything, send someone to find me there. If I’m not at the camp, I’ll be at the Beast Mountain Taoist temple. Don’t worry; I’ll be fine.”

“Mm,” she replied.

Not long after Qin Fang left, Granny Lian returned, bringing back a master craftsman who could make firecrackers.

Yang Haiyan instructed Granny Lian to settle him in an empty courtyard; the firecrackers were her reason for wanting the sulfur and saltpeter, so now that the master was found, he had to start working.

Yang Haiyan took a moment to check on the master craftsman, then returned.

Making firecrackers was a skill that shouldn’t be exposed to others.

The entire morning, Yang Haiyan observed the basin with the saltpeter.

By the time she had lunch and checked again, the water in the basin had frozen.

Yang Haiyan wanted to shout with joy; after waiting all morning, it had actually frozen in just half a day.

So it seemed that saltpeter took half a day to freeze.

Now that the water in the basin had frozen, she worried that it would melt by the time Qin Fang returned, so she called Kun Shi: “Captain Kun, send someone now to find the general and tell him that if he has no issues over there, he should come back quickly. I have important matters to discuss with him. But if he has something going on, let him take his time and deal with it first.”

“Understood,” Kun Shi replied.