What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 221 The High Explosive Has Been Created!

Ding Yu only knew about the relationship between Su Mo and Lin Moyin, but he didn't know that Su Mo had more than just Lin Moyin as a powerful backer.

Seeing that Su Mo insisted on making paper, he could only sigh.

I really can't help.

However, he did not dissuade Su Mo.

Ding Yu knew very well that a young man of such a young age was doing very well. He had never experienced setbacks and blows and had no idea how terrifying powerful families were!
You definitely can't persuade them otherwise.

Only when Su Mo realized that the power of the powerful clans was irresistible would he calm down and understand that the papermaking industry was not something that a mere centurion or a thousand-household official could handle.

Ding Yu couldn't help, and Su Mo didn't insist that he find his father-in-law.

This old fox has been navigating the officialdom for years, and his cunning and scheming are beyond measure.

The only downside is that he's very particular about money.

Since Su Mo didn't have any use for him right now, he was simply sent to Baiyujing to take over Liu Siyun's job as the head manager.

Liu Siyun needs to go to Fengyi to keep an eye on things.

With over a thousand people undertaking large-scale construction projects in the fiefdom, the numerous and complex matters required a heavyweight figure to oversee the project.

The weather is nice today, sunny and cloudless, and the snow has stopped.

Papermaking technology can't be rushed. Su Mo had promised the Empress that he would develop nitroglycerin in case of unforeseen circumstances.

The sulfuric acid used to make nitroglycerin is easy to obtain.

The upper left has already stockpiled quite a lot.

There were many alchemists in the Great Wu Kingdom, and some even used a method of dry distilling copper sulfate to produce sulfuric acid, the result of which was called green vitriol oil.
In fact, because of the existence of cultivation techniques, the level of alchemy in this world is much higher than Su Mo imagined.

That time at the Locust God Temple, the powder that the Imperial Guards took out instantly dissolved the foul-smelling wastewater, leading Su Mo to strongly suspect that it was something similar to "aqua regia," or even more potent than aqua regia.

He sent a servant with his own letter to the Upper Left Office to obtain some green vitriol oil.

After working in the backyard for a long time, I finally managed to get about fifty or sixty grams of nitroglycerin, which I carefully poured into the jade bottle.

Looking at the half-full bottle of clear liquid on the table.

Su Mo swallowed hard, his expression extremely solemn.

Just as he was preparing to dilute nitroglycerin, mix it with flour, and shape it into pills.

Just then, a figure flashed across the top of the wall.

Su Mo felt an incredibly sharp whooshing sound coming from behind him.

His expression changed drastically. Before he could even turn his head, he unleashed a Five Thunder Technique!

At the same time, his body suddenly lurched forward.

With a quick press of the button on his waist, the Dragon Whip lashed out from his waist, creating a sky full of whip shadows behind him!

A gigantic fist suddenly stopped!

The Dragon Whip was blasted apart by the giant fist, its shadow scattering.

Su Mo's face was extremely gloomy. He flicked his wrist to straighten the Dragon Whip, then turned around abruptly and stared intently at the top of the wall!

On the top of the wall stood a tall figure, his face covered with a black cloth, only his eyes showing. He was looking at Su Mo with a gloomy gaze and said in a hoarse voice, "Impressive skills!"

"Come again!"

As he spoke, he flicked his hand, and dozens of points of dark light shot out, enveloping Su Mo like stars!

The black light was incredibly fast; even using the Dragon Step technique wouldn't allow it to dodge in time.

Su Mo gritted his teeth, and a pale blue color suddenly appeared all over his body. He activated the Azure Wood Technique with all his might, and then flicked his wrist, causing the Swimming Dragon Whip to suddenly curl towards the jade bottle containing nitroglycerin.

A series of dull thuds rang out.

Su Mo felt excruciating pain in many acupoints all over his body, as if he had been hit by dozens of heavy punches.

Fortunately, Qingmu Jue held on!
Those dark lights, which looked like beans, struck Su Mo, who was empowered by the Azure Wood Technique, and instantly shattered into countless powders.

Su Mo was greatly alarmed.

If ordinary beans can unleash such terrifying power, then this assassin must be a Martial Grandmaster-level expert!
However, the tip of the Dragon Whip had already firmly coiled around the jade bottle.

Without hesitation, Su Mo swung his Dragon Whip, whipping up the jade bottle and smashing it fiercely at the masked man.

The masked man's eyes showed suspicion.

She didn't understand why Su Mo had thrown the small jade bottle at her.

He was about to reach out and grab the jade bottle.

The jade bottle was less than ten feet away from the masked man.

A deafening roar.

A terrifying shockwave rose in mid-air, like a hurricane, shattering the flowers, trees, and pottery jars in the backyard, sending branches and leaves flying everywhere!
The thick wall was blown apart, leaving a large hole!

The jade bottle exploded!

The black cloth covering the masked man's face was instantly torn apart by the shockwave, revealing the refined yet terrified face of a middle-aged man.

He didn't even have time to circulate his magic to resist the shockwave of the explosion before he was blasted away in the next second!

Su Mo was dumbfounded.

It wasn't the explosive power of fifty grams of nitroglycerin that shocked them.

Rather, the face looked very familiar.

"Pharaoh?"

It's day!

Did they manage to kill Old Wang?
Two or three seconds later, Old Wang, his robes tattered, his hair disheveled, and his face covered in dust, appeared.

He staggered back through the collapsed breach, furious and exasperated.

Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he glared angrily at Su Mo and couldn't help but curse, "You little brat!"

"I merely wanted to test your current strength and see if you've slacked off in your cultivation. Was it necessary to beat me to death?"

As he spoke, he took a deep breath, his eyes filled with barely concealed fear: "What kind of magical artifact was that jade bottle? Its power was so terrifying!"

Seeing that Old Wang looked disheveled but spoke with a strong voice, Su Mo breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he was probably alright.

He was about to speak.

Several black figures flashed out from the gap and surrounded Wang Xiuzhi in a flash. At the same time, they drew long swords, exuding an extremely cold killing intent, and the gleaming tips of the swords were pointed directly at Wang Xiuzhi.

Su Mo frowned.

They had already recognized the origins of these women in black armor.

One of them was none other than one of the black-armored female knights who used to frequently accompany the Empress.

He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the woman in black armor: "My elders were just joking with me, please don't misunderstand."

The women in black armor turned and left without a word!
Wang Xiuzhi squinted at the black-armored knight's back, then his gaze returned to Su Mo!

His eyes grew increasingly suspicious.

Su Mo smiled wryly at Wang Xiuzhi and said, "Let's talk inside the hall."

Once inside the hall...

Su Mo glanced at Wang Xiuzhi's torn robes and then gave him one of her own green robes to change into: "Uncle, you've arrived in the capital so quickly?"

Wang Xiuzhi snorted heavily: "Seeing how urgent your letter was, I immediately set off and rushed to the capital, only to be almost killed by you, you brat!"

He immediately frowned slightly: "Who are those women?"

As he spoke, a look of apprehension flashed in his eyes: "He actually possesses such terrifying killing intent!"

Su Mo smiled wryly and said, "This is a long story, we'll talk about it later!"

He had actually guessed that the Empress must have arranged for people to guard the area.

However, it's probably not surveillance, but rather covert protection.

Of course, the idea that a master would immediately come to the rescue if the protected person was attacked is nonsense.

Unless you wear close-fitting protection!

The woman in black armor arrived relatively quickly.

Looking at the dilapidated courtyard and the collapsed wall, Su Mo frowned and gave Wang Xiuzhi a frustrated look: "Uncle, don't do this again next time."

"If something really happens, how am I supposed to explain it to Shu'er and my mother-in-law!"

Wang Xiuzhi said sullenly, "Who knew you, kid, would have such skills!"

"What exactly was that jade bottle from before, that it was so terrifying?"

"Fortunately, I primarily cultivate my body, and my physical body is comparable to that of a Martial Grandmaster. If it were an ordinary Divine Transformation Realm sorcerer, I'm afraid I would really die at the hands of you, brat!"

Thinking back to what had just happened, he couldn't help but feel a lingering fear. Luckily, the jade bottle exploded too early.

If you wait until you have the weapon in your hand before blowing it up, whether you die or not is another matter, but your hand will definitely be blown off.

Su Mo explained, "It's a disposable emergency artifact; once it's used, it's gone."

Wang Xiuzhi frowned slightly.

Su Mo called it a magic artifact, but he hadn't sensed any magical power in it beforehand, otherwise he wouldn't have been so presumptuous as to reach out and take it.

However, seeing that Su Mo didn't say anything, he didn't press the matter further.

He looked around and asked, "Did you rent this mansion?"

"How can you rent such a large house? It must cost at least several dozen taels of silver a month!"

Wang Xiuzhi frowned slightly and began to lecture Su Mo again: "Even though you earned a lot of money in Changping."

"But you shouldn't spend money recklessly; you should save it up for a rainy day!"

"We cultivators are extremely expensive, especially when we encounter items needed for cultivation..."

Su Mo: "The house is mine."

Wang Xiuzhi's voice abruptly stopped.

After a moment of silence, he looked at Su Mo with a strange expression: "Is this mansion yours?"

Su Mo nodded: "Renting in the capital is too expensive, let's just buy one."

Wang Xiuzhi...

This kid is talking about buying a house in the capital like it's the same as buying vegetables at the market.
He remained silent for several breaths before finally asking, "How much did this house cost?"

Su Mo thought for a moment: "It's not much, just two thousand taels of silver, but normally it would be six or seven thousand taels."

Wang Xiuzhi was utterly speechless.

The house, which cost six or seven thousand taels, was acquired by Su Mo for two thousand taels.

It's clear how much influence this kid has made in the capital!
He subconsciously swallowed: "So, that impressive restaurant in Qianjin is also yours?"

Su Mo nodded: "It really is the kid."

Wang Xiuzhi was at a loss for words.

Just then, several servants from the Su family heard the explosion and came over carrying knives and clubs.

Su Mo instructed them to tidy up the backyard, then turned to Wang Xiuzhi with a serious expression and said, "Uncle should know that I have made a name for myself in the capital!"

Wang Xiuzhi nodded numbly.

I feel like my brain isn't working properly.

Is it easy to get by in Shenjing?

As a sorcerer at the Divine Realm, I am considered a significant figure in the entire Great Wu Kingdom.

He had worked in Shenjing for a while before, but why couldn't he make a name for himself?
Su Mo's expression grew increasingly serious: "Especially since the fiefdom is currently busy with construction, it needs a mature and experienced person like you, Uncle, to oversee things..."

"Wait!" Wang Xiuzhi suddenly interrupted Su Mo, his eyes wide with surprise. "A fiefdom? What fiefdom?"

Su Mo coughed and said, "Um... I am now a marquis enfeoffed by the imperial court, the Master of Lonely Peak Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuzhi stared at Su Mo in shock, as if he were looking at a ghost.

Su Mo quickly added, "However, the fiefdom is very small, only a few miles in circumference, mostly consisting of hills."

"The farmland is... more than 10,000 mu."

Wang Xiuzhi suddenly didn't want to talk to Su Mo anymore.

What fiefdom is so small, only a few miles in circumference, and what farmland is so vast, numbering over ten thousand acres...

Is this a size issue?

This is a title of nobility!

He was a fiefdom located near the capital!

The Wang family was considered one of the most prominent families in Wu County, but they only owned a few thousand acres of land.

Wang Xiuzhi was at a loss for words.

In just a few months, a lowly clerk was transformed into a marquis enfeoffed by the imperial court!
Even vernacular novels wouldn't dare to write like this.

Just as he was in shock.

A figure hurried over and then met Wang Xiuzhi's gaze.

"Brother Xiu?"

"Brother Ding Yu?"

The person who arrived was none other than Ding Yu, who had just left not long ago.

Ding Yu and Wang Xiuzhi had a very close relationship; otherwise, Su Mo wouldn't have written a letter to Ding Yu, the Assistant Minister of Revenue.

Ding Yu looked at Wang Xiuzhi in surprise: "Brother Xiuzhi, why did you suddenly come to Shenjing?"

Wang Xiuzhi took a deep breath: "Su Mo sent a letter asking me to come to Shenjing, so I came."

He looked Ding Yu up and down: "Don't you have to work today? What brings you to Su Mo's residence?"

Ding Yu smiled wryly and said, "Don't mention it. I'm no longer an official in the Ministry of Revenue. Now I'm serving my father."

Wang Xiuzhi stared in disbelief, then subconsciously pointed at Su Mo: "Him?"

Ding Yu nodded and said seriously, "That's right. Lord Su is indeed my master."

Wang Xiuzhi...

Just as he was bewildered, there was another commotion outside the hall.

The three of them turned their heads to look at each other.

A haughty woman in red slowly walked into the inner hall.

He glanced at Wang Xiuzhi, then turned to Su Mo, and said indifferently, "Wang Xiuzhi?"

Su Mo quickly replied, "Yes! Mr. Wang is Shu'er's maternal uncle. I have written to Mr. Wang to ask him to come and lend me a hand."

"Did you summon me for something, sir?"

Nangong Sheyue shook her head: "It's nothing."

"I just heard a loud noise coming from inside the house, so I came to see what happened."

Seeing Ding Yu look at the woman with a frightened expression, then turn his head away and dare not meet her gaze, Wang Xiuzhi's heart skipped a beat. He then asked Su Mo, "Who is she? How does she know my name?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "This is Lord Nangong, Commander of the Fengming Division."

Wang Xiuzhi's expression suddenly changed, and he involuntarily took half a step back, staring at Nangong Sheyue with extreme vigilance.

The Phoenix Cry Division is more mysterious and more ferocious than the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Even a great sorcerer at the Divine Realm is afraid!

Nangong Sheyue looked at Su Mo expressionlessly: "Come with me."

After saying that, he turned and walked away arrogantly.

Su Mo was taken aback.

He also happened to have something to say to Nangong Sheyue.

He nodded to Wang Xiuzhi and said, "Uncle, please have a chat with Mr. Ding here first. If you need anything, just tell the servants."

"Also, Shu'er is here, but she went to Meng Yuankai's place today to return the gifts, so she should be back soon."

"I'll be going out with Lord Nangong for a bit."

Wang Xiuzhi stared blankly at Su Mo and Nangong Sheyue's retreating figures until they disappeared from sight, before he came to his senses.

Looking at Ding Yu with a strange expression, he asked in a low voice, "Brother Ding Yu, what exactly is going on?"

"How did that kid Su Mo become a marquis granted a fief by the imperial court?"

"Also, isn't he a junior officer in the Embroidered Uniform Guard? How come he's so familiar with the commander of the Phoenix Cry Division?"

Ding Yu's expression turned serious: "Brother Xiu, the old man is not what he used to be. You can't call him 'young man' now!"

"Also... Dongweng is no longer a junior officer in the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Dong Weng is the commander of the Left Guard, the chief of the Phoenix Cry Division, and concurrently the clerk of Tianchang County. He is also known as Gufeng Shanzi and has been bestowed with a tiger-patterned robe by the Emperor!"

He took a deep breath and looked at Wang Xiuzhi very seriously: "Master, you are now an adult!"

"A truly remarkable adult!"

(End of this chapter)