Chapter 47: Researching Gunpowder.

"What's wrong? Are you going to deny it now?" Yang Jinxuan said angrily.

This person, he thinks he is a talented person, although sometimes he speaks without seriousness, but it's just being tricky with words.

However, now it seems that he is just a hypocrite.

"Cough... cough, Miss Yang misunderstood, I went to handle official business."

Yang Jinxuan gritted her teeth. "Yes, handle official business at the brothel, enjoying it, right?"

Of course, it's enjoyable to visit brothels, but Chen Yuan didn't say that, after all, this girl is not easy to mess with.

"Miss Yang, do you know how many new tax laws have been implemented in Lingnan now?"

Yang Jinxuan asked curiously: "Of course I know, but what does it have to do with you going to the brothel?"

"Oh, I see. This new tax category includes industry surcharge, and brothels are definitely a high-income industry of great importance. That's why I went to the brothel for an on-site visit and research to see how it works."

Chen Yuan said without blushing or skipping a beat.

Upon hearing this, Yang Jinxuan, no longer angry as before, instead asked with a solemn expression, "Are you saying that the new tax system issued by the Zhennan Marquis Mansion this time is your idea?"

"I'm just throwing out an idea, nothing special." Chen Yuan waved his hand, acting as if it was not a big deal.

Yang Jinxuan sighed and said, "I never expected you to have such talent, yet you prefer to indulge in the mundane world. It's really frustrating to be around someone like you."

I'm just a cultural carrier, not someone with great intelligence.

"Brother Chen, with your talent, if you enter the officialdom and work for the well-being of the people, it won't be in vain for all the knowledge you have acquired."

Chen Yuan smiled and looked at her: "I've said it before, my mind is focused on making money and getting married. I'm not interested in anything else. Oh, by the way, may I ask Miss Yang's age and whether she is married?"

"What are you asking for?"

"You see, you admire my talent so much, and I can't forget your beauty. I am all alone now, without a companion. How about we become companions? You can be my wife," Chen Yuan said with a smile.

Yang Jinxuan angrily glared at him and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think I'm easy to bully?"

Chen Yuan sighed inwardly. Even though he has friends and a career in this world, he still can't erase the feeling of loneliness in his heart.

At this moment, he suddenly remembered his relatives and friends.

However, there is no going back anymore.

Thinking of these things, he lost his playful and teasing thoughts, and sighed faintly, saying, "Just kidding, you know, I always like to play jokes with you."

Yang Jinxuan knows this person's character, speaks without seriousness, and doesn't care about this time.

At this moment, seeing him with a touch of sadness and silence, my heart suddenly feels uneasy.

I don't know why there is a feeling of blockage in my chest, and my heart softens. I softly said, "Don't say frivolous words to me, let's have a proper conversation."

Chen Yuan shook off the sadness on his face and grinned, "If you don't like to listen, then I'll go talk to someone else."

"Do you want to go to Chunxiang Ge for field research again?" Yang Jinxuan asked, gritting her teeth.

Chen Yuan laughed heartily but didn't say anything.

Yang Jinxuan looked at him and sighed softly, "Chunxiang Ge is not a good place. You better go there less, so you won't regret it."

Chen Yuan looked at him strangely, wondering why for you the brothel is definitely not a good place. But why would a man regret going to the brothel?

"By the way, Miss Yang, how is your injury?"

Chen Yuan felt a little ashamed. After all, someone got hurt trying to save him, and he almost forgot about it. So he quickly asked with concern.

"You, at least you remembered. My injuries are not serious." There was a touch of tenderness in Yang Jinxuan's eyes.

“That's good.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere suddenly became silent.

Just as Chen Yuan couldn't stand the quietness and was about to take the opportunity to escape, Yang Jinxuan suddenly spoke and asked, "If you were to join the army and go east to fight, how would you fight? Do you have confidence in winning this battle?"

Chen Yuan almost didn't bite her own tongue, this train of thought is a bit jumpy, sis.

So she stared at her with wide eyes and said, "Miss Yang, stop joking. I have never been on the battlefield, how could I lead an army into battle."

"With your profound thinking and extraordinary wisdom, and considering the fact that you are also a staff general in the Zhen Nan Marquis Manor, wouldn't it reduce many unnecessary casualties for the soldiers if you were to accompany the army on its expedition?"

Chen Yuan twitched his mouth: "I'm a bit squeamish when it comes to killing chickens. I get dizzy at the sight of blood. You want me to join the army and go to war? Give me a break, I don't want to die young."

"Besides, theory and practice are two different things. I might have some tricks up my sleeve for minor skirmishes, but when it comes to the battlefield, forget it. I'm just a armchair strategist."

This girl, really knows how to come up with one after another.

I really don't know what she's thinking, she has never been on the battlefield herself.

Besides, it's not like I can just go because she says so. Asking these unrealistic questions is pointless, it only scares my poor little heart for no reason.

Yang Jinxuan, seeing the situation, seemed to have already known Chen Yuan's reaction and didn't say much, but got ready to take her leave.

Just at this moment, someone from the Zhennan Marquis's Mansion sent some sulfur, which Chen Yuan had instructed before leaving.

He is preparing to search again to see if he can find saltpeter, and study it by himself, but unexpectedly he met Yang Jinxuan.

"What is this?" Yang Jinxuan asked curiously.

She didn't understand why Chen Yuan needed these things, and a faint smell made her furrow her brows uncontrollably.

Chen Yuan placed sulfur on the table and smiled, saying, "I'm conducting some research."

"Research? What kind of research?" Yang Jinxuan knew that he always had many ideas, so she became interested when she heard him mention research.

"Oh, this? I can't say for sure yet. I need to try it out first and see if it works. If it does, it'll be a remarkable treasure." Chen Yuan's eyes shone with excitement.

If gunpowder is really successfully developed, it seems it could be used for the expedition to the east.

Yang Jinxuan wondered, "Is this some sort of secret that can't be revealed?"

Some pale yellow block-like objects, emitting a faint smell, what secrets can be researched from this stuff?

"Naturally, Miss Yang, if this thing is successfully researched, and if it can be used in the court's expedition to the east, it might even lead to a splendid battle."

"You mean, this thing is useful for marching and fighting?" Yang Jinxuan's eyes lit up.

Chen Yuan smirked, "Not only that, this thing has many uses. Anyway, when I study it and figure it out, you'll see. If I can't figure it out, then everything will be in vain."

Yang Jinxuan's face brightened, and she urged, "Then you should research it quickly."

Looking at her eager expression, Chen Yuan felt that something was off.