The discussion ended positively

After the discussion concluded, the merchant leaves, leaving Meiyue and you together. "So..." you begin, a bit unsure, "congratulations?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"To be honest, while I'm grateful, I have to admit that I have some misgiving over the whole situation, since it feels like I'm using you as a tool."

"Everyone is a tool, some way or another," Meiyue replies before taking a sip of tea. "Since that's the reality, wouldn't it be more prudent to chose what kind of tool I can be?"

You always find it a bit weird why she always insists on using that small cup and teapot, but you never brought it up since it seems to be her people's culture. "That sounds a bit dark."

"It is for my personal benefit as well, since rather than I become a mistress to you which is surrounded by many others, I might as well become a queen to him, and ruling his bedroom. Besides, Vikram may help you in the project."

You find your interest piqued. "How?"

"A book from their region, Arthashastra, describes the the use of a powder that produces poisonous smoke when burned. The powder can be shaped into a cylinder and fired using arrow, or a bigger one, to suffocate people in close area. The interesting part is that powder is produced using feces of the bats which is distilled and filtered. That powder is similar to what we have in my country, but instead of making poisonous smoke weapon, we use it to launch projectiles."

"I'm sure we have some caves and bats around here."

Meiyue smiles. "And you might want to import the powder first."

"Why?"

"It's easier to hide the source of the powder if its being imported. The spies will know it is a powder, and the direction where it comes from, but not the source and the extraction process. While we work on the development process, you can have scouts searching and marking the caves, but not extract from them."

You nod. Searching for the caves could hidden under general mapping activities, similar to how you search for gold and silvers. "But didn't you say feces of men and animals can make plants grow? We can establish trading for that in order to secure supply." You rub your chin thoughtfully. "Of course, I have to secure all kind, and have them delivered by sources to prevent adulteration. Looks like a lot of work."

"You can assign them to your men, Your Majesty."

"True. So, what is the progress regarding the whore-john?"

"Huochong, Your Majesty. I don't think your knights would appreciate the association, when you command them to carry the weapons."

You imagine the long shape of the weapon, and how it will spew fire instead of liquid. "I think they might like the reference. Who knows, they might be comparing the size and length among themselves."

Meiyue make an expression of distaste, something she only do in front of you and her attendant. "Maybe we can call it 'Gunnhildr' or 'Guna'"

"Even though I think whore-john is better, war sword sounds good. Maybe we can shorten it, say... a 'gun'?"