When Yao Zhi arrived at the General’s mansion, it was eight o’clock in the morning. Seeing her carriage coming from a distance, the guards were taken aback. One of them went to report, while another guard waited for her.

A few minutes later, the horse carriage came to a stop near the General’s mansion main gate. When she stepped down from the carriage, the guard walked over.

"Greetings, Young Master Lei," the guard cupped his fists and bowed slightly to her.

Yao Zhi returned his greeting. Before she could ask him to inform Steward Han, she saw him walk over, followed by the guard.

"Greetings, Young Master Lei."

"Greetings, Steward Han." After they exchanged greetings, Yao Zhi said, "I’m sorry for visiting so early. Is the Madam available to receive a guest?"

Knowing that there must be an urgent matter for her to visit so early, Steward Han had already informed the Madam. He nodded and said, "Young Master Lei, this way, please."

Following Steward Han’s lead, they went to the back courtyard. This time, they waited for fifteen minutes before Xue Ya’er arrived.

Seeing her enter the hall, Yao Zhi stood up and greeted her. "Greetings, Madam."

Xue Ya’er reached out to stop her from bowing and said, "Young Master Lei, there is no need for formalities." After she took the main seat, she gestured to her. "Please, have a seat."

Yao Zhi sat down and said, "Madam, I apologize for visiting so early."

Hearing this, Xue Ya’er smiled and replied, "Young Master Lei, for you to visit so early, there must be something urgent. I wonder if there is anything you need help with?"

Yao Zhi glanced at Ling Shijiu. Meeting her gaze, he stepped forward and opened the wooden box he held. Inside the box were a small packet and a small bamboo tube with a fuse.

Xue Ya’er saw the contents and looked at her with confusion. "Young Master Lei, these are..."

Instead of explaining the function of the items she brought, Yao Zhi glanced at the maidservants. Understanding her intention, Xue Ya’er said, "All of you, retreat."

"Yes, Madam."

Except for Steward Han, only Yao Zhi and her guards remained. Dong Mei left with the maidservants and guarded the door.

After the door was closed, Xue Ya’er finally said, "Young Master Lei, can you tell me what these things are now?"

Yao Zhi nodded and replied, "Madam, these are called gunpowder."

"Gunpowder? Is this a type of medicine?" Xue Ya’er asked.

This time, Yao Zhi didn’t reply to her question and changed the topic instead.

"Madam, I heard that the Emperor issued an edict ordering the General to lead the White Tiger Army to reclaim the northeast city from the barbarians in six months."

The moment she heard her words, Xue Ya’er was stunned. She had received this news because her husband sent a letter to inform her.

Since this was a military order given by the Emperor directly, it was not a secret. But most people only knew that the army would go on an expedition. No one knew the specifics besides her and the higher-ranking military officers.

"Young Master Lei, how did you know about this matter?" she asked with narrowed eyes.

"Madam, I have my own way of knowing the news. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything that harms the White Tiger Army," Yao Zhi replied calmly.

Although she didn’t have any intentions, the meaning of her words changed when received by Xue Ya’er and Steward Han.

For them, her words implied that she didn’t care who commanded the army and only cared about the army’s well-being. From their perspective, this was a reasonable action befitting her identity as the heir of the Nuwa Clan.

She couldn’t interfere with the Kingdom’s political situation, but she was allowed to interfere when the matter involved a large number of people’s lives.

Realizing this point, Xue Ya’er calmed down. She nodded and said, "Young Master Lei, since you know about the edict, I believe you also know about the White Tiger Army’s situation."

"In recent years, the imperial court has been delaying military pay. Until now, more than three years of soldiers’ stipends have not been paid."

"Besides that, the armor and weapons are old and damaged. A few months ago, I managed to send a batch of new armors after I bought the hides from you. But the amount is far from enough."

"As for the weapons, the circulation of iron is under the imperial court’s jurisdiction. We can’t produce any weapons at all. Without weapons, armor, and provisions, this battle is no different from a suicide mission."

Yao Zhi had already guessed as much. She nodded and asked, "Madam, you and your husband should be able to guess the Emperor’s intention in issuing the edict."

Xue Ya’er nodded and replied honestly, "We know, and we have discussed this matter. But no matter the choice we make, the consequences are not something we can bear."

Noticing the faint bluish circles under her eyes, Yao Zhi knew that this matter must have troubled her for a few days.

"Madam, these items might be able to solve the problem."

As soon as Yao Zhi said this, Xue Ya’er and Steward Han were stunned. They looked at the items inside the wooden box with curiosity.

"Young Master Lei, you mean that this small bamboo tube and small package can solve the lack of weapons, armor, and provisions?" Steward Han asked doubtfully.

Hearing his words, Yao Zhi chuckled and replied, "Steward Han, these items will be able to replace the weapons."

"With these items, the soldiers won’t have to face the enemy head-on, which solves the problem of damaged armor. As for provisions, my family has received a batch of grain, and we can sell it to the army according to the market price."

Xue Ya’er had no problem buying grain. Her main concern was the weapons and armor. So, when she learned that the small bamboo tube could solve that problem, she was excited.

"Young Master Lei, how can these small items replace armor and weapons?"