When Du Ke arrived, the Emperor dismissed the princes, having tested them earlier that day.

Pleased with their performance, the Emperor was in a good mood.

Noticing Du Ke’s expression, he asked, “You seem to be in good spirits. Do you have some good news?”

Du Ke nodded, not holding back. “Indeed, Your Majesty. This news is beneficial not only for you but for the court and Qi Kingdom as well.”

Hearing this, the Emperor grew curious. “Spare me the guessing game; I doubt I could guess what this news is.”

Du Ke smiled. “Although it’s good news, I truly believe you wouldn’t guess it. It’s news from Yunxiang County.”

Upon hearing Yunxiang County, the Emperor’s interest grew.

Qin Fang’s reputation there had left a lasting impression, especially since the county magistrate’s confiscated silver had replenished the treasury.

“Well, you certainly seem excited,” the Emperor said with a smile. “It must be quite significant news. Go on, don’t keep me waiting.”

“Qin Fang has discovered two mines in Yunxiang County. Perhaps Your Majesty would like to guess what types of mines they are?”

The Emperor sighed, exasperated. “You’re still keeping me in suspense! Just tell me.”

Instead of answering directly, Du Ke presented the memorial. “Qin Fang was cautious and worried that others might see it, so he sent the memorial straight to the capital. Please take a look, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor took the memorial but didn’t open it immediately. “Why is it so thick? Not even during my father’s reign did I see a memorial of this thickness. Surely Qin Fang hasn’t filled it with trivial details?”

Du Ke hastily responded, “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I don’t know what he wrote in it.”

He hadn’t read the memorial, only Qin Fang’s letter, but since that was lengthy too, he guessed the contents might be similar.

He wasn’t sure, though, if the Emperor’s comment was a test.

The Emperor continued, “Next time, you should teach him proper protocol. He may be a fifth-rank general now, but he must learn to write a concise memorial. If every memorial were this thick, how many could I read in a day?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Du Ke replied.

The imperial study fell silent as the Emperor began reading the memorial.

Although he found its length excessive, the details were clear and straightforward, unlike the verbose memorials of his more scholarly officials.

Qin Fang had written in plain language, making it easy to follow.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow at Qin Fang’s proposal to build a military farm but remained silent.

However, when he read about the discovery of sulfur and saltpeter mines, he stood up in excitement, meeting Du Ke’s eyes. “This truly is great news! If we can make powerful explosives as Qin Fang suggests, it would be heaven’s blessing upon Qi Kingdom and my reign.”

As Emperor, he cherished the thought of leaving a lasting legacy.

He was known as a wise ruler, and anything that strengthened the nation filled him with joy.

Du Ke immediately knelt and said, “Your Majesty is indeed a true dragon among men. With such powerful explosives, what kingdom could resist your path to unification?”

The Emperor’s heart swelled with pride, though he retained his composure. “The term ‘explosive’ doesn’t quite capture its potential. If we can create something ten or even a hundred times more powerful than firecrackers, what should we call it?”

He imagined the fireworks’ spark multiplied a hundredfold, growing from a spark to a roaring flame.

Du Ke replied, “Your servant is unworthy, and I cannot think of an appropriate name.”

The Emperor considered for a moment, then said, “Sulfur and saltpeter are medicinal elements. If a mixture of these could produce such a powerful explosion, why not call it ‘fire medicine’?”

Fire medicine?

Du Ke pondered it briefly. “The name Your Majesty has chosen is excellent. Fire medicine, full of explosive power, fits perfectly with the nature and strength of the substance.”

The emperor also felt it was appropriate: “Qin Fang first eradicated bandits and uncovered corrupt officials, and now he has discovered sulfur and saltpeter mines.

Moreover, his policy on purchasing land for the military camps seems very beneficial to both the court and the army.

If each military camp can buy land locally, the soldiers will no longer face food shortages, and in times of war, food supplies will never be an issue.”

Du Ke responded, “I agree, Your Majesty. The matter of land for the military camps can be discussed further. However, it was Madam Qin who came up with this idea.

Though she is a woman, while managing her household and supporting her husband, she also thought of such matters, showing that she is a virtuous and wise lady.

According to Qin Fang, when he was eradicating the bandits, many of the 3,000 soldiers had fallen ill.

But none of them were willing to leave their tents or isolate themselves. It was Madam Qin who personally delivered food to them, which finally persuaded them.

The soldiers were afraid that isolation meant waiting to die. But Madam Qin told them that as long as they received proper treatment and took medicine as prescribed by the doctors, the illness wouldn’t be fatal.

She personally brought meals to the entrance of the quarantine tents three times a day, and only then did they believe her. Such a woman shows great courage.”

The emperor was a bit surprised. “Oh? Who is this Madam Qin? Given Qin Fang’s status at the time, before he became a general, his wife should be from a common family, right?”

Du Ke replied, “Your Majesty, Madam Qin and Qin Fang’s union was arranged by none other than yourself. It was Your Majesty who tied the knot, making their marriage perfect.”

The emperor found this statement amusing: “How so? I don’t recall doing that.”

Du Ke explained, “Madam Qin was originally a maid of the Yang family. In August, when you ascended the throne, Your Majesty released the maids of the convicted families who were not involved in their masters’ crimes and bestowed them upon the border soldiers. Do you remember?”

They both knew what the “related events” were but did not mention it explicitly.

The law of the Qi Kingdom was humane, ensuring that the crimes of the masters didn’t affect their servants, as long as the servants hadn’t been involved.

After their masters’ conviction, the servants were released from servitude.

The emperor had no resentment toward Grand Tutor Yang’s family; their conflict had merely been due to differing political positions.

Therefore, upon hearing that Yang Haiyan had been a maid in the Yang household, he had no negative thoughts. “I do remember. When I ascended the throne, the first group of convicted officials I dealt with included Grand Tutor Yang and his associates, so Yang Haiyan and the other maids were among the first to be freed and given marriages.”

Du Ke added, “Madam Qin was originally the head maidservant of the eldest daughter of the Yang family.”

The emperor recalled the Yang family’s eldest daughter well. “Back then, one of the ‘Two Pearls of the Capital’ was Miss Yang. What a pity…”

They both knew what he meant. “Someone who was so close to one of the Capital’s Pearls would naturally not be an ordinary maid. She’s as virtuous and refined as any noble lady.”

Du Ke thought to himself that with the emperor’s praise, no one would dare bring up Madam Qin’s background as a maid again.

The emperor continued, “Madam Qin’s contribution of the military land idea has been of great benefit to the court. What do you think would be a fitting reward?”

In truth, he was more inclined to reward Madam Qin than Qin Fang.

By rewarding her, Qin Fang’s merits could be set aside for the time being.

After all, Qin Fang had just been promoted to the rank of General of Martial Virtue (fifth rank) in March, and while the discovery of the sulfur and saltpeter mines was a significant achievement, promoting him again so soon would be too fast.

His rise in rank needed to be moderated.

Du Ke said, “This presents a bit of a dilemma for me, but I do have an idea. Qin Fang’s mother and grandmother have not yet received official titles.

Since Qin Fang once served in the army in place of his father, it shows his filial piety. If his grandmother and mother were granted noble titles, I’m sure it would bring Qin Fang great joy.”

As a close confidant of the emperor, Du Ke fully understood the emperor’s thoughts.

Qin Fang’s achievements certainly merited a promotion, but since he had just been promoted in March, doing so again now wouldn’t be appropriate.

By transferring the merit to his mother and grandmother, it was the perfect solution.

The emperor was pleased with Du Ke’s suggestion. “Minister Du, you are indeed right. Filial piety is the most important virtue. I will immediately bestow titles upon Qin Fang’s mother and grandmother. As for his wife, for her contribution to solving the food supply issue for the soldiers, she will be rewarded with 200 taels of gold and a jade Ruyi scepter.”

Du Ke bowed, “I thank Your Majesty on behalf of Qin Fang for your gracious favor.”

The emperor said, “That matter is settled. Now, let’s move on to the main issue. Regarding the sulfur and saltpeter mines, who do you think would be the best person to send?” The emperor’s gaze rested on Du Ke, clearly hinting that he wanted Du Ke to go.

Normally, Du Ke wouldn’t have minded going, especially since it involved the matter of gunpowder.

However, he had been quite busy recently. “Your Majesty, if we send someone to Yunxiang County to transport the sulfur and saltpeter back, it would be impossible. Therefore, the gunpowder would have to be produced in Yunxiang County itself. Given that, it might be best to leave the entire matter to Qin Fang, with officials from the Ministry of Works sent to assist.”

The emperor thought for a moment. “I will consider this further.”

Du Ke bowed, “Then I shall take my leave.”

The emperor waved his hand.

As Du Ke left the imperial study, he took a deep breath.

Though Qin Fang’s merits had been temporarily downplayed, he had managed to leave a lasting impression on the emperor.

Sometimes, earning recognition from the emperor was more important than a rapid rise in rank.

Upon exiting the palace, Du Ke noticed his family’s guards waiting at the gate.

Seeing them made his eyelids twitch. One of the guards approached and said, “My lord, General Qin has sent a second letter.”

Du Ke sighed inwardly. “Can’t a man rest? It’s only been half a day, and a second letter has arrived.”

Still, the fact that Qin Fang had sent two letters in quick succession indicated that the second letter contained something extremely important.

Du Ke boarded his carriage. “Return to the residence.”

After staying in his residence for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea,

Du Ke found himself returning to the palace.

His two consecutive trips to the palace drew attention, and many people began to inquire whether something significant had happened.

Otherwise, why would Du Ke make two visits to the palace in such quick succession?