diskusbooks Chapter 335 Fireworks
Chapter 335 Fireworks
The batch of saltpeter that Long Chuqing bought earlier has all been made into fireworks.
She made all the materials into the sparkler type, which is simpler to make than the aerial type and requires less explosives.
Furthermore, fireworks that spray sparks do not produce excessively loud explosions, thus avoiding panic among nearby residents and unnecessary subsequent trouble.
Due to limited resources and materials in ancient times, only the simplest materials could be used for production, with bamboo chosen as the outer shell.
Cut the bamboo into bamboo tubes, then make a small hole in the middle of each bamboo section, and hollow out the other end. Fill the hollow end with a layer of soil and pound it down. Then mix potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in the correct proportions, fill the mixture with the mixture, and pound it down. Finally, put another layer of soil on top and pound it down to complete the process.
The finished fireworks tubes come in both large and small sizes. Larger fireworks can burn longer and shoot higher, resulting in a more spectacular effect.
Long Chuqing also made some lead threads. He cut the cotton threads to the required length, put them in a pot, added potassium nitrate and sulfur respectively, boiled them, and finally dried them.
Long Chuqing instructed Xiao Han to find someone to move all the fireworks made in Qiushui Pavilion out, and then find an open space to set them off.
Looking at the bamboo tubes in front of him, Qingyang asked, "Miss Long, are all of these going to be moved out?"
“Okay,” Long Chuqing nodded, “Let’s move it to the garden! Find a relatively open place to put it, and be careful.”
Qingyang replied, "Oh, okay."
After Long Chuqing left, Qingshan came in.
"Hey, isn't this what Qingzhou and I helped make before? Is this what Miss Long asked us to move?"
When making fireworks before, Long Chuqing borrowed Qingzhou and Qingshan from Xiao Han to help.
However, the two of them only followed Long Chuqing's instructions throughout the process and did not know the purpose and effect of these things. Long Chuqing did not tell them in advance, only saying that they would know when the time came.
He was actually quite curious about the purpose of these things.
"Yes!" Qingyang said, hands on her hips. "Are these the things you and Qingzhou helped make before? A bunch of bamboo tubes, what's their purpose?"
Qingshan scratched his head: "Well, actually we don't know what it's for either. We asked, but Miss Long didn't tell us, saying she'd leave it as a mystery."
Qingyang looked at Qingzhou beside him, and Qingzhou shook his head as well: "I don't know either, but I heard Miss Long say that this thing is called fireworks."
"fireworks?"
Qingyang and Qingying, who were standing next to him, spoke in unison, and both of them were a little confused after hearing it.
Is this what you call fireworks?
What are fireworks?
Qingying asked in confusion, "Is this the surprise that Miss Long was talking about?"
Upon realizing this, the excitement on their faces vanished.
Ever since the prince learned that Miss Long was preparing a surprise, he had been looking forward to it!
What kind of surprises can a bunch of bamboo tubes create? I can't even imagine.
I just hope it doesn't end in an awkward way, otherwise the prince will be disappointed.
In fact, Qingzhou and Qingshan were also a little annoyed by this. They had participated in the production and naturally knew what was inside.
A bamboo tube, a pile of mud, and a pile of an unknown mixed powder that looked like charcoal and had a slight sulfur smell. In short, it was made up of these few things.
These are all common things, so ordinary they couldn't be more so. They're neither edible nor fancy. What's the surprise?
"How does this thing have anything to do with 'flowers'? It's just some ordinary bamboo tubes." Qingying picked up a bamboo tube and weighed it in her hand. "It does have some weight to it. What's inside?"
There was only one lantern in the room, so the light was rather dim. Therefore, Qingying wanted to check what was inside the bamboo tube.
He was about to take out the tinderbox to examine it more closely when Qingzhou stopped him in time.
"What are you doing! Miss Long said this thing is very dangerous and needs to be kept away from open flames."
If the Dragon Maiden is talking about something dangerous, it's definitely not just a scare tactic; we still need to be cautious.
Qingying took it seriously after hearing this and quickly put away the tinderbox.
"Then tell me what's inside this?"
"It's just some soil and charcoal ash," Qingzhou said.
"Alright, alright, let's stop speculating here." Qingyang picked up a few bamboo tubes: "Whatever they are, we'll find out soon enough! Let's hurry and move them all to the garden! Miss Long and the Prince are waiting!"
On the contrary, Xiao Han did not question the bamboo tubes at all after seeing them.
He believed that since Chu Qing said it was a surprise, it couldn't possibly be just an ordinary bamboo tube.
As for what it is, we'll find out soon enough!
He guessed it was definitely not simple; it must be something he had never seen before. Otherwise, Chu Qing wouldn't have used the word "surprise" to describe it. He was still looking forward to it.
Xiao Han looked at Long Chuqing standing beside him and asked, "Chuqing, there's a sacrificial ceremony later. Would you like to come with me?"
Long Chuqing thought for a moment and declined, saying, "No, I'll wait for you in the garden!"
Xiao Han narrowed his eyes slightly, turned around and stared intently into Long Chuqing's eyes, looking but not saying a word.
After a long silence, Long Chuqing sighed heavily and said helplessly, "Sigh, let's go!"
Xiao Han smiled with satisfaction.
Qingsong then went to find Uncle Zhong and asked him to gather everyone in the mansion in the garden later.
At this moment, Uncle Zhong was still preparing for the midnight sacrifice and had no idea why Qingsong had come.
Qingsong explained, "It was the prince's order. Miss Long said she would share something good with everyone later."
Uncle Zhong, carrying a basket filled with incense, candles, and paper money, said, "Then we should wait until after the ceremony to gather again!"
In Uncle Zhong's understanding, the offering and sacrifice at midnight, with its burning of incense and candles, is still more important.
After all, this is a custom passed down from our ancestors, and we cannot destroy the tradition because of it.
Qingsong nodded: "Yes, yes, we will gather after the sacrificial ceremony."
“Okay, I’ve got it. I’ll make the arrangements after the ceremony,” Uncle Zhong replied.
"Wait, there's more." Qingsong remembered an important instruction, "Miss Long said that this matter is not mandatory. You just need to pass on the message. Those who want to go to the garden to meet can go on their own. Those who don't want to go because of the cold weather will not be forced. Everything is based on voluntariness."
Uncle Zhong nodded: "Okay, I understand."
After the incense burning and sacrificial ceremony, Uncle Zhong and the head steward gathered everyone in the mansion in the garden.
Everyone was completely bewildered by the sudden call to gather in the garden, not knowing what to do!
The person in charge said that it was not mandatory to attend; it was up to each individual to choose whether or not to go.
So, everyone, filled with curiosity, gathered in the garden, since such an arrangement had never been made in the Prince's Mansion before during the New Year.
The cold wind at midnight was biting, but it couldn't stop everyone's curiosity.