Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Chapter 223 Infiltration Operation

Gunpowder, an Eastern miracle.

It originated in the Tang and Song dynasties and flourished in the Yuan and Ming dynasties.

Saltpeter is as white as snow, sulfur is as shiny as gold dust, and charcoal is as black and light as a feather.

Gunpowder made by mixing saltpeter and sulfur in a 9:1 ratio is called "shunyao" and is used in guns and muskets. It will not explode when it is ignited.

Gunpowder made by mixing saltpeter and sulfur in a 7:3 ratio is called "horizontal charge" and is mainly used for blasting.

For thousands of years, the traditional method of making gunpowder has been followed by ordinary people, with little improvement. If someone wants to buy gunpowder, the gunpowder maker will process it according to the "straight powder" formula; if someone wants to quarry stones, the gunpowder maker will make it according to the "horizontal powder" formula.

Saltpeter can be made from locally sourced materials. Craftsmen collect saltpeter-containing soil that rises from the village roads and riverbanks, pour it into a leaching pool to extract saltpeter water, and then boil it in an iron pot over a high flame. After the water evaporates completely, a layer of white crystals will remain, and these crystals are saltpeter.

As for charcoal, it was made from local materials, mostly wood and sunflower stalks. Only sulfur had to be purchased. The gunpowder was processed as "rolling gunpowder," which involved mixing sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal together, spreading it on a millstone, and repeatedly rolling it with a stone mill. To prevent the sulfur and saltpeter from igniting due to friction during rolling, an appropriate amount of water or egg white was added to keep it moist. After being squeezed into granules, it was dried and crushed.

Provided there are enough materials, it can be completed in a few hours.

So, after Jerry the mouse and Bonac brought back sulfur, Hurt the horse brought back charcoal, Hynick the drunkard brought back a basket of eggs, and Jessica and Henry brought back saltpeter, Peter began to concoct gunpowder.

After grinding, mixing, and adding egg whites, the mixture was rolled with a wooden stick and finally dried into a thousand pounds of granular gunpowder. This was then packed into jars and oak barrels. Finally, to everyone's astonishment, it was all stored in the system's weight-bearing space.

He washed the black ash off his hands and turned to Henry and Jessica, who had just returned.

"Why did you two come back together?" Peter shook the water droplets off his hands, his gaze sweeping over the two of them.

Jessica wiped the sweat from his brow; his heavy leather armor was still covered in dust from the road. "I spent the whole day wandering around Kutenberg, visiting half the city's leather workshops and saltpeter makers' shops. Those merchants were all as shrewd as foxes; I spent a lot of time haggling. Fortunately, I finally got the amount you wanted; the saltpeter filled an entire cart."

He pointed to the wagon parked at the edge of the camp. "A whole wagon full of top-quality goods. But unexpectedly, we were stopped by the guards at the city gate. They questioned us very thoroughly, and it looked like we were about to be exposed. I was even prepared to draw my sword and force my way in when I ran into Henry. He told the guards that it was a huge misunderstanding..."

Henry picked up the conversation, a sly smile playing on his lips: "I just came out of Rutherford Palace and not only found out the exact location of the Malesov secret passage, but I also 'borrowed' some funds from Vavank."

He deliberately shook the Royal Mint insignia pinned to his chest. "When I saw Jessica being stopped, I went up to them and said we were guards of the Mint and that this shipment was being delivered to the Royal Workshop. The guards immediately changed their tune upon hearing that."

"Okay, I give up. My mouth isn't as good as Henry's; he can talk the dead back to life."

His frankness drew light laughter from everyone present, including Muller and Eric who had just walked in, temporarily dispelling the gloom brought by the war.

Peter smiled slightly, approving of their quick thinking. He turned to Henry, his expression becoming serious: "Henry, the location of the secret passage to Malesov has been confirmed. Are you ready with the plan to rescue Hans?"

Henry immediately straightened his back, his nonchalant expression vanishing, replaced by a solemn one: "Thank you, sir."

Ms. Rosa has already explained the specific path and method of opening the secret passage very clearly. Just lend me a few capable men, and I'm willing to lead the infiltration myself. Malesov is, after all, a dangerous place; given your high status, there's no need for you to personally risk your life.”

Henry wanted to persuade him further, but Peter raised his hand to interrupt him, a cold glint flashing in his blue eyes.

"Rescuing Hans is our primary objective, without a doubt. But besides that, I also have an old score to settle with Count von Porgoux personally."

"Old grudges?" Henry frowned in confusion, unaware of this past conflict.

Peter's lips curled into a meaningful smile as he explained, "He secretly sold my Troski Castle to the Rosenberg family for 50,000 Groschen. Shouldn't we settle this score with him face-to-face?"

At this moment, Black Batos, who had been silently listening, stepped forward.

With a hint of embarrassment and struggle on his face, the former captain of von Polgao's guard whispered to Peter, "Sir, you know, I—I used to be Count von Polgao's guard."

Although I am now loyal to you, to "strike hard" against my former employer—that seems to go against the code of chivalry.

"Do you think I could stay here and take care of these Polish prisoners?" His eyes pleaded, hoping to avoid this moral dilemma.

Peter looked at him understandingly, and instead of blaming him, nodded approvingly. "Bartosh, your request proves that you are a knight who values ​​promises and loyalty."

He patted Blackbatos's strong arm. "I respect your choice, and it is precisely because of your character that I trust you even more. The task of staying behind is entrusted to you. Make sure the prisoners don't cause any trouble."

Heibatosh breathed a sigh of relief and bowed gratefully.

Peter then made arrangements: the steady and reliable Captain Hynik and Black Bartosh would lead most of the Silver Dawn members to stay behind at the ruins of Zimborg, closely guard the more than one hundred Polish prisoners, and maintain vigilance.

Peter himself led the team, which included Henry, Jessica, Muller, Eric, Chris, Brienne, and eight other elite knights, totaling fifteen men.

They changed into light armor or leather armor for ease of movement, carried bows, crossbows, longswords and necessary tools, and after nightfall, they left the ruins like ghosts, stealthily making their way towards Malesov Castle.

The distance between the ruins of Zimberg and the castle of Malesov is not far, about ten miles as the crow flies.

However, the journey requires passing through two dense forests, and in between, through a large horse ranch belonging to a nearby lord, with scattered lights.

The darkness provided them with perfect cover, and the moonlight shone through the sparse clouds, casting a soft glow upon the earth.

Before entering the first forest, Peter gestured for everyone to stop. He took out a delicate little bottle containing a dark purple liquid that sloshed around.

"Nightingale Potion," no explanation needed, everyone has already used it. Its effect is to see as clearly as in daylight in the dark, and the effect can last for several hours.

Everyone drank the slightly bitter medicine as instructed. Soon, a cool sensation filled their eyes, and the previously blurry darkness became clear, revealing the forest paths and distant outlines.

Following the information provided by Rosa Rutherford, they quickly found the entrance to the secret passage—a narrow opening hidden behind vines and rocks, which would be extremely difficult to spot without prior knowledge.

Henry bent down and entered first, followed closely by the others. The secret passage was cold and damp, with poor air circulation, and filled with the smell of earth and moss. The passage was sometimes narrow, allowing only one person to pass at a time, and sometimes wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Occasionally, traces of artificial carving and some ancient niches that had long since been extinguished could be seen on the walls.

Holding their breath and moving swiftly, they stealthily made their way deeper into the castle.

As night deepened, Malesov Castle was mostly immersed in silence, with only the occasional sound of patrolling guards' regular footsteps breaking the tranquility.

Once inside the castle, Peter quickly made a hand gesture, and the fifteen men immediately split up and moved about as swiftly as mercury, following the pre-planned strategy.

Infiltrating the investigators?

No, Hurricane Rescue!

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