Episode 16 recap: The cannons misfire, and the foreigners take the opportunity to promote suppression.
Ding Bao Zhen intends to sell the ammunition this time, and he decides that Qi Songru and Xu Jian Yin will go to Shaanxi to try it out, while he stays at the Machinery Bureau. Zhang Yinhuan returns from investigating the coastal defense situation and believes that two artillery positions should be established in Dengzhou and Yantai. Yantai is an important trading port and must have artillery positions. However, due to the enormous cost, only one location can be chosen, taking into account the Beiyang Fleet. Yantai has a large population, so once it is attacked, there will be artillery positions to defend it. Therefore, the first priority is to build the artillery positions in Yantai.
Chunlan heard that the memorial requesting funds for building the artillery positions was blocked by Encheng. This time, she reduced the household expenses and managed to accumulate a large sum of silver over time. Since Daisheng was born, she has been saving a dowry, and now it can be used for emergencies. Zhang Yinhuan discusses the draft of the artillery positions with Ding Bao Zhen. Considering the vastness of the southeast and southwest, they decide to establish a main artillery position. Ding Bao Zhen gives the silver he has collected to Zhang Yinhuan. Zhang Yinhuan realizes that it is Ding Bao Zhen's own money, but Ding Bao Zhen advises him to prioritize the overall situation.
Ding Bao Zhen thanks Chunlan for her help and notices that she has sold some of her jewelry. Those jewelry pieces were left to her by her parents, but Chunlan believes that they are better used for more valuable purposes, and this is their best destination. Ding Bao Zhen discusses with Zeng Zhaoji that their explosive ammunition has been selected, but they are also required to provide their guns. However, since they have not been produced in large quantities, they are not confident. If Zeng Zhaoji can manufacture the guns, Ding Bao Zhen will accept this order.
The foreigner Carter visits the factory this time and offers to provide machines for free. However, the condition is that half of the produced military supplies will be taken away, and he also brings cash to negotiate with Ding Bao Zhen. He knows that Ding Bao Zhen is currently worried about the cost of building the artillery positions. Coincidentally, William visits at this time and asks Carter how much he wants. Upon learning that Carter wants fifty percent, William directly proposes that he wants twenty percent. Seeing this, Carter has no choice but to leave.
William heard in advance that the foreigner was coming, so he came here to help Ding Bao Zhen resolve the situation. He wants to open a foreign firm in Zhili and declined Ding Bao Zhen's invitation to join the factory. Zhang Yinhuan informs the people that they are building artillery positions this time, which are for the defense of the country. At this time, Li Afu, who has gained fame, comes forward voluntarily. Zhang Yinhuan learns that he is the skilled river worker mentioned by Ding Bao Zhen and immediately agrees to his participation. However, there is a difficulty with the wages. Li Afu says that as long as he is provided with meals, he doesn't care about the wages.
The improved ammunition is tested. Li Pei Rong's first shot misses, but it leaves a hole in the tree. Li Pei Rong tests again and hits a copper coin. Ding Bao Zhen wonders why Li Pei Rong, who has a perfect aim, missed the first shot. He learns that Zeng Zhaoji made improvements to the firearms, requiring an adjustment period, and praises the excellent performance of the gun.
Qi Songru returned home and celebrated with everyone, quietly asking Jin Xiaomei if she missed him. At this time, Deng Rong, a naval soldier, died in a cannon explosion. Ding Bao Zhen hurriedly rushed to the scene, while Schneider, on the other hand, took pleasure in the misfortune and took advantage of the situation to target Ding Bao Zhen. Ding Bao Zhen looked at the damaged cannon and then at the naval soldiers, inquiring about what had happened. The quality was not the issue, but why did the explosion occur? Meanwhile, the foreigners arrived with cameras, photographing everything. Suspecting foul play, Ding Bao Zhen didn't allow Qi Songru to intercept the reporters. They have nothing to hide.
Later, they studied the artillery position with the inscription of "Shandong Machinery Bureau" and concluded that it was their production. Chen Yun Fei suspected that the artilleryman Fan Li was responsible. Ding Bao Zhen believed that evidence should be sought rather than relying on speculation and ordered them to find the cause. The incident of the exploding cannon reached the Empress Dowager, who was displeased with spending so much silver each year, only to encounter such accidents. Encheng, with implied warning, cautioned Zhao Daren not to protect Ding Bao Zhen. At this time, Prince Gong presented precious gifts to the Empress Dowager, including hundreds of pieces of diamond watches given by the French. He suggested that the issue in Shandong should be dealt with locally and not affect other regions. The Empress Dowager made a concession and allowed Zhao Daren to personally investigate the situation in Shandong.
Zhao Daren arrived in Dengzhou and reprimanded Ding Bao Zhen, stating that this place should have been well-protected. He questioned why such an incident occurred when they were usually cautious, and also mentioned the presence of German observers in the navy. The Empress Dowager had already granted permission, but before proceeding, the matter needed to be thoroughly investigated. Qi Songru observed the training of the naval soldiers and noticed two individuals with fair complexions and well-dressed attire. Other soldiers reacted as if the two individuals had a lot of money.
Li Pei Rong discreetly followed the two men to a restaurant and later to a gambling den. He discovered that they were regulars who always had bad luck and left after losing all their money. Subsequently, someone secretly reported their suspicious behavior, and Li Pei Rong found a large sum of money hidden behind the camp tent. The naval soldiers were arrested and admitted that someone had given them notes with instructions. As long as they performed well, their families would be safe and they would be handsomely rewarded.
Fan Li was suspected because he had recruited the two men, and although he wasn't the one giving orders, he was guilty of negligence. Ding Bao Zhen ordered him to stay in the camp and await further instructions.
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