Chapter Seven: Thunder in the Palm

The scouts from Huangfu Song’s side had already sent word back: their mission was accomplished, and they were beginning a secret march back to Luoyang.

Though the army was set to embark on a campaign in three days, Liu Xie still had one matter to attend to — a visit to the Qi residence.

Yes, the Qi residence.

Earlier, he had promised Qi Zhen a fascinating invention, and the craftsmen had been working on it over the past couple of days.

After Gai Xun and the other two left, Liu Xie summoned Fu Hu.

“Huzi, the things I ordered a few days ago — are they ready?” Liu Xie pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the weariness not only in his mind but also in his body after these days.

“Your Majesty, the craftsmen worked overnight and have finished the items. I’ve also strictly ensured that no one will leak the formula for the materials,” Fu Hu replied earnestly.

“Excellent. Take me to see them.” Liu Xie’s heart stirred with excitement.

…

Meanwhile, in Luoyang, at the Chancellor’s Mansion.

The grand and imposing mansion rivaled the former imperial palace in magnificence, with pavilions, towers, halls, and verandas aplenty. On the west side of the estate stood a pavilion.

A man dressed in a blue court robe, slender and somber, stood with his hands clasped behind his back atop the pavilion. His deep, piercing eyes scanned the distant sky, betraying flickers of doubt and suspicion.

This was Jia Xu, then serving as the Commandant of the Suppression Troops under Dong Zhuo.

“The Emperor has been abducted… this matter cannot be so simple…” He thought of Huangfu Song, already dispatched, and Gai Xun, yet to return to the capital. Jia Xu felt certain there was more beneath the surface.

“General Huangfu and Gai Xun are both stationed in Chang’an and have received imperial orders simultaneously. Gai Xun could not have been left uninformed. So why is only Huangfu Song back in Luoyang?”

“Moreover, Huangfu has not mentioned Gai Xun at all. Even if Huangfu left earlier, he shouldn’t still be absent from Luoyang by now…”

Suddenly, a spark of insight flashed in Jia Xu’s eyes, as if grasping at a clue, though he could not confirm it.

“Huangfu Song returned to Luoyang and urged the Chancellor to dispatch troops to retrieve the Emperor. The Chancellor then sent forces to guard the front lines. Now, with Luoyang’s defenses weakened, what if enemy forces strike at this moment…” Jia Xu muttered to himself.

A chill ran down his spine. What if the kidnapper was Gai Xun himself? Perhaps Gai planned to lure Huangfu back to report, thereby removing troops from Luoyang, and then launch a surprise attack with Emperor Xian as a hostage. Luoyang’s garrison might not hold out even a day!

For now, the only hope was to hasten General Niu Fu, who was leading the Yellow Turban troops clearing out the White Wave bandits in Hedong, to rush back to reinforce Luoyang.

Realizing the urgency, Jia Xu broke into a cold sweat. “No time to lose; I must report this to the Chancellor immediately!”

With that, he hurriedly turned and left the pavilion.

…

At this moment, Liu Xie arrived at a workshop behind the palace, led by Fu Hu. The entrance was guarded heavily, with numerous soldiers standing watch, their vigilance unmistakable.

Upon seeing Liu Xie, the guards immediately kneeled in salute. “We pay homage to Your Majesty!”

“Please, no need for such formality,” Liu Xie waved his hand, then followed Fu Hu deeper into the workshop. They arrived at a door that looked like the kitchen entrance, where a burly craftsman was already waiting.

Seeing Liu Xie and Fu Hu, the man hastened to kneel, but Liu Xie quickly stopped him.

This craftsman was A’er, head of the imperial workshops in Chang’an Palace and the man Liu Xie had entrusted with the secret formula. Upon entering Chang’an, Liu Xie had swiftly summoned the court craftsmen and handed the formula to A’er for execution.

A’er came from a long lineage of imperial artisans, sworn loyal to the throne and well accustomed to working under the Emperor’s command.

“No need for such ceremony. Show me the result quickly,” Liu Xie urged, his face eager.

“Your Majesty, please follow me,” A’er said, leading them inside.

…

Once inside, A’er knocked twice on a section of the wall. With a muffled sound, the stone wall slowly slid aside to reveal a passageway.

“Please, Your Majesty, follow me,” A’er said, stepping in first.

Though narrow, the corridor was lit by sconces, preventing it from being pitch-dark.

After walking a long while, a patch of light appeared ahead. The trio finally emerged into a broad courtyard resembling a training ground, about the size of one or two soccer fields. Piles of scrap lay in the corners, and a few figures bent over their work, thoroughly absorbed, oblivious to the arrival of Liu Xie and his companions.

“Why have I never known this place existed within the palace?” Liu Xie asked in surprise.

A’er smiled humbly. “Your Majesty, this is the secret testing ground of the imperial workshops. Many of Han’s secret armaments are developed here. There are also other secret agencies Your Majesty may not yet have learned of.”

“Other secret agencies? How is it I know nothing of them?” Liu Xie was shocked. A realm so vast surely harbored many clandestine groups, yet he had been unaware.

“I’ve only heard vague mentions from the elders, and I’m not certain of their details,” A’er replied respectfully.

Seeing the Emperor’s furrowed brow, A’er hesitated and then said, “Your Majesty…”

Liu Xie encouraged him, “Speak freely.”

“I once heard of the Great Secret Office… a legend from many years ago. The elders used to say: ‘The Secret Office—mention it and death follows…’” A’er spoke cautiously, clearly superstitious about the rumors.

“Merely hearsay,” Liu Xie dismissed.

“Your Majesty, I have heard the same,” Fu Hu chimed in.

Their shared words sparked a gleam of realization in Liu Xie’s eyes. The Han was more complex than he had imagined.

“Enough talk. Show me my treasure!” Liu Xie said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Yes, Your Majesty, follow me!” A’er led them toward the craftsmen bent over their work. The three workers were so engrossed they had not noticed the arrival of Liu Xie and his retinue.

From Liu Xie’s vantage point, it was easy to see they were holding long bamboo tubes with fuses attached.

“Stand and pay homage to the Emperor at once!” A’er commanded sternly.

Startled, the craftsmen rose, their eyes falling on Liu Xie in his dragon robe. Cold sweat broke out on their brows; to have the Emperor waiting here was terrifying — one head would not suffice if they erred.

“Your Majesty, forgive us! We were so absorbed in studying the miraculous item from your formula that we failed to notice your arrival,” said an older craftsman, while the other two remained silent, struck dumb.

“No offense taken. Rise. I see you have completed the item I requested. Show it to me!” Liu Xie smiled. Was he really so fearsome?

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The three craftsmen nervously stood and handed him the object — a bamboo tube with a fuse.

Indeed, it was the firecracker, known far and wide in later ages.

Liu Xie took the firecracker and asked, “You followed the formula I provided exactly?”

“Your Majesty’s standards were strictly observed. I dared not err in the slightest,” the elder craftsman said respectfully. “This is my first time making such a thing; I do not know if it will produce the effect you desire.”

“If you followed my formula, it should be fine,” Liu Xie said with a smile. The chemistry was something he had learned in his youth — mixing one part saltpeter, two parts sulfur, and three parts charcoal — the ancient gunpowder, or black powder.

“Give me a fire striker; I want to test it,” Liu Xie said.

“Your Majesty! This is dangerous. Please allow us to handle it!” The craftsmen, knowing something of the material, tried to stop him.

But Liu Xie waved them off. “No need. Since this is my formula, I know its power. Say no more.”

Seeing this, the elder craftsman produced a prepared fire striker and handed it to Liu Xie.

“Everyone, stand back!” Liu Xie warned, then lit the fuse and tossed the firecracker into a remote area.

He covered his ears tightly. Seeing this, the craftsmen quickly did the same, though Fu Hu looked puzzled.

“Bang!” A deafening explosion rang out. Despite his preparation, Liu Xie was startled by the blast. Fu Hu was even more shocked, lunging forward to tackle Liu Xie to the ground.

Feeling Fu Hu’s weight, Liu Xie was touched but also struggled; a man of Fu Hu’s size pressing down was hardly comfortable.

“Huzi, you’re crushing me!” Liu Xie pushed him off.

Fu Hu scrambled up, checking for injuries. “Your Majesty, are you unharmed?”

The craftsmen, pale and trembling, knelt deeply. “Your Majesty, forgive us! We failed in our workmanship!”

“I’m fine! Very well done! Excellent! Why are you still kneeling? Rise, quickly!” Liu Xie laughed heartily.

The craftsmen were baffled. How could it be excellent when it exploded?

“Ha! Weren’t you curious what this was?” Liu Xie asked.

“I’ll tell you — this thing is called the ‘Thunder in the Palm!’” he said with a smile.

“Thunder in the Palm? But aside from making a loud noise, it seems useless,” A’er asked, puzzled.

Liu Xie smiled knowingly. “If improved — the outside replaced with ceramic and filled with shards of stone — imagine the destruction it would wreak when thrown into enemy ranks.”

His words stunned everyone present. The very thought was unimaginable.

If this weapon were developed as Liu Xie described, it would become a great terror on the battlefield for the Han.

With the Thunder in the Palm, what fear could there be of millions of enemies? Such a weapon would make the Han iron army invincible!

“Your Majesty is truly heaven-sent! Heaven bless Han!” A’er suddenly knelt. The others followed suit, raising their voices in agreement, Fu Hu included, unable to be stopped.

“Heaven bless Han! The Han dynasty’s revival is in sight!” Liu Xie murmured, gazing at the remaining firecrackers in his hand. For the first time since arriving in this world, he laughed with genuine joy.

Unbeknownst to all, the course of history quietly began to shift at that very moment…